How Long Should Batteries Last?
- by Joe Weber - updated on 4/17/2024
"I swear I just put a new battery in this thing, why is it dead?" Sound like you? Sounds like me, that's for sure. Everyone wants to know how long their new battery is going to last. Well, I hate to break it to you but, it depends.
Every battery is a little different, each coming with its own life expectancy. The device that the battery is powering also has a huge effect on how long it will last. Learn more about how long you can expect different batteries to last and how to get the longest life out of your batteries.
Important Battery Life Terms
Before we dive into the different battery chemistries and lifespans, there are some key terms that you should know. Some frequently used terms you may come across when reading about battery life are: shelf life, run time and cycle life.
Shelf Life
Shelf life refers to how long batteries can sit without charging or use before they are no longer functional. Shelf life for rechargeable batteries refers to the length of storage before a recharge is necessary. Some batteries, like lead acid, need to be stored at a full charge in order to have the longest possible shelf life.
Cycle Life
Cycle life refers to the number of complete charges and discharges a rechargeable battery can complete before going bad. A full charge cycle would be fully using a battery to complete discharge and then charging back up to 100%.
Run Time
Often confused with shelf life and cycle life, run time refers to the amount of time the device can run on a single charge before a recharge is needed or new batteries are required. This varies from device to device as they differ in their power demands and unless the manufacturer provides a run time for a device, this is very hard to calculate.
What Are the Average Lifespans of Different Batteries?
The lifespan of each of your batteries largely depends on what device they're powering and how they're being used. Some batteries are designed and engineered for long-term use, like car batteries, while others are meant to be one-and-done cheap throw-away batteries.
Single Use Batteries
Single-use batteries do not have a cycle life as they are meant to be used once and then disposed of.
- Alkaline
The most common and most recognized single-use battery on the market. The runtime is completely dependent on the device that it's used in. Alkaline batteries will generally have a shelf life of between 5-10 years when stored at room temperature. Alkaline batteries cannot be recharged. - Carbon Zinc (Heavy Duty)
Cheaper and less powerful, these single-use batteries are often labeled as "heavy duty" and only have a shelf life of between 3-5 years. They are prone to electrolyte leakage due to the thin cell walls used in their manufacturing and cannot be recharged. - Lithium Non-Rechargeable
Usually, the most expensive single-use battery on the market, lithium batteries have a long shelf life of 10-12 years but there have been some indications that they can last close to 20 years. They also supply the same level of power throughout their life cycle, with no weakening as the battery ages.
It's important to note that you should never throw lithium batteries of any kind into your household trash. They must be properly recycled. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends you recycle alkaline and carbon zinc batteries as well. Check with your local recycling center or waste authority for more information on recycling alkaline and carbon zinc batteries in your area.
Rechargeable Batteries
- Nickel Cadmium
An older technology that is used less and less as the years go by, Nickel Cadmium was very popular in land-line phones. They perform better in warmer and cooler climates than other rechargeable batteries and have a very long cycle life; easily up to 1,000 or more cycles. NiCd batteries can sit unused for around 6 months before needing to be recharged. They are, however, more toxic and need to be disposed of properly to protect the environment. - Nickel Metal Hydride
While they do have a shorter cycle life than Nickel Cadmium batteries (usually between 700-1000 cycles), Nickel Metal Hydride batteries have a higher energy density so they don't need to be charged as often. After 6 months of storage, NiMH batteries should be recharged before use. - Lithium Rechargeable
There are a lot of different types of rechargeable lithium batteries out in the world. Some of the most commonly seen are Lithium-Ion, Lithium Polymer and Lithium Iron Phosphate. Most consumer-purchasable lithium rechargeable batteries have a cycle life between 600-1000 cycles. The shelf life of lithium batteries varies depending on the type of lithium battery and what it's used in. Most lithium rechargeable batteries will have irreversible damage if they are stored for longer than 1 year without charging them periodically. - Lead Acid
Lead acid also has many types: flooded, enhanced flooded, absorbed glass mat (AGM), pure lead AGM and Gel. The shelf life for most lead acid batteries is around six months and if being stored for longer, they should be charged at least once every six months.
Cycle life for lead acid batteries is lower than other rechargeable batteries at only around 200 cycles depending on the application. It is important to also note that it can be harmful to the life of the battery if you completely discharge a lead acid battery.
See the below chart for an easy guide on rough estimates for each type of battery.
| Chemistry | Shelf Life | Cycle Life |
|---|---|---|
| Alkaline | 5-10 Years | N/A |
| Carbon Zinc | 3-5 Years | N/A |
| Lithium (Non-Rechargeable) | 10-12 Years | N/A |
| Nickel Cadmium | 6 Months | 1,000 |
| Nickel Metal Hydride | 6 Months | 700-1000 |
| Lithium (Rechargeable) | 6 Months - 1 Year | 600-1000 |
| Lead Acid | 6 Months | 200+ |
How Can I Make My Car Battery Last Longer?
A question often asked, especially in recent years as car and truck batteries increase in price, is how to stretch a little more life out of your battery. The good news is that there are several easy ways to get a little extra life out of your car battery.
- Limit short trips as much as you can
Short, 5-10 minute, drives don't allow the car's charging system to fully charge the battery. Frequent short trips can leave you with a weaker battery that struggles to start on cold mornings. If you continuously drive in this manner, consider purchasing and connecting to a battery charger when the car is not in use. - Ensure battery connections are secure
If you pop your hood and notice your battery terminal clamps are a little loose, tighten them up. Loose connections don't provide a secure connection to the electrical system and could cause short circuits. - Remember to turn off the lights
It happens to all of us at least once and is one of the most common reasons for a dead car battery. Remember to turn off your headlights (if they are not automatic), interior lights, and accessories before exiting the vehicle. - Keep the battery clean
Corrosion is a battery killer. Remove and prevent corrosion to keep your battery happy and healthy. Use a terminal brush and terminal cleaner to scrub off any corrosion on your battery terminals. Consider having your new battery installed with our Premier Installation service to prevent corrosion from developing from the start. - Limit accessory use while the engine off
Using any electronics with the engine off will drain the battery without the battery being able to charge back up. Too much use of accessories with the engine off could leave you without the power to crank the engine.
With summer right around the corner, we've got many more tips and tricks for you to learn about keeping your batteries healthy in "How Can the Summer Heat Affect Your Car Battery?".
If I Jump Start My Battery Do I Need A New One?
We've all been there. After a long day, we step out to the car to head home. We open the door to our car, put our stuff on the seat, turn the key and nothing. All you want to do is get home and relax, now what?
Luckily, you had an X2Power Lithium Jump Starter in the car and quickly got the battery jumped, the car started and headed home. Does this mean your battery has gone bad and it's time for a new one?
Not necessarily. There are several reasons why your battery could suddenly die, anything from leaving lights on to being extremely cold. If it happens frequently, then yes, you may want to drive over to Batteries Plus to have the battery tested because something may be amiss.
Read all about common signs of a failing battery, how to extend the life of the battery and how you can have your battery tested at Batteries Plus by reading our blog "Know When It's Time to Replace Your Car Battery".
Batteries Plus Has Batteries For Every Power Demand
Whatever device you have that needs power, we have batteries to get you up and running. Stop into your local Batteries Plus today to see our extensive selection of batteries for your home or business. From alkaline batteries and watches to car and truck batteries and everything in between, we have what you need, when you need it.