Cirba Solutions
Battery Types
Batteries power the modern world. Learn how to recognize the
different types you may encounter, as well as their common uses.
Table of Contents
Household Batteries
These are the most common types of batteries powering devices you use everyday. Some are rechargeable, you can plug them in to charge and get multiple uses before the battery needs to be replaced. Some are non-rechargeable or single-use, once they are fully discharged, they should be recycled.
Rechargeable
Non-Spillable/Sealed Lead Acid
Small to medium, dry-cell batteries, sealed, rechargeable
- Rectangular
- Custom sizes in hard plastic case
- Wheelchairs
- Scooters
- Golf Carts
- Ride-On Electric Toys
- Boats
- RVs
- Military Aircraft
- Portable Tools
- Field Equipment
Lithium-ion (Li-ion)
Small dry cell batteries, sealed, rechargeable
- Custom sizes in hard or soft plastic case
- Small Cylinder
- Standard AA, AAA Sizes
- Cellphones
- Tablets
- Laptop Computers
- Wireless Accessories
- Power Tools
- Video cameras
- Handheld Electronics
- Electric & Hybrid Automobiles
- (see Hybrid Automobile section )
Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd)
Small dry-cell batteries, sealed, rechargeable
- AAA
- AA
- C
- D
- Small-Cylinder
- Plastic Film-Wrapped Packs of Cylindrical Cells
- Custom Sizes in Hard Plastic Case
- Older Cellphones
- Older Laptop Computers
- Power Tools
- Handheld Electronics
- Toys
- R/C Hobby Vehicles
- Medical Equipment
Nickel Metal Hydride
Small dry-cell batteries, sealed, rechargeable
- AAA
- AA
- C
- D
- 9 volt
- 12 volt
- Plastic Film-Wrapped Packs of Cylindrical Cells
- Small-Cylinder
- Custom Sizes
- Older Cell phones
- Older Laptop Computers
- Power Tools
- Cameras
- Handheld Electronics
- R/C Hobby Vehicles
- Early Hybrid Automobiles
- (see Hybrid Automobile section)
Non-Rechargeable
Alkaline & Zinc Carbon
Small dry-cell batteries, sealed, non-rechargeable. Zinc carbon batteries are labeled general purpose or heavy duty.
- AAA
- AA
- C
- D
- 9-Volt
- Button Cells
- Smoke Detectors
- Cameras
- Toys
- Watches
- Handheld Electronics
Lithium (Primary)
Small dry-cell batteries, sealed, non-rechargeable.
- Button Cells
- AAA
- AA
- 9-Volt
- Small-Cylinder
- Custom Sizes
- Watches
- Cameras
- Handheld Electronics
- Tire-Pressure Sensors
- Alarms
- Memory Backup
- High-Temperature Applications
- Pacemakers
- Remote Car Locks
- Smoke Detectors
Mercury
Outdated type of small dry-cell batteries, sealed, non-rechargeable. Outlawed for public use by The Battery Act of 1996. May still be used by the military.
- AA
- 9-Volt
- Small-Cylinder
- Button Cells
- Custom Sizes
- Cameras
- Medical Devices
- Military
Silver Oxide
Small to large dry-cell batteries, sealed, non-rechargeable.
- Button cells
- High- Voltage Small-Cylinder
- Large Custom Sizes
- Watches
- Hearing Aids
- Cameras
- Torpedoes
- Aircraft
Zinc Air
Small dry-cell batteries, sealed, non-rechargeable.
- Button cells,
- 9-Volt
- Custom Sizes
- Hearing Aids
- Watches
Industrial Batteries
While the everyday battery user may never run into these batteries, they exist to power the heavy duty applications like machinery, railroad and backup power for data centers, utilities, or telecommunications.
Absolyte
Large, lead acid & cadmium, vented (VRLA), rechargeable
- Rectangular in steel racks
- Telecommunication Systems
- Railroad Switchgear & Signals
- Solar Arrays
- Uninterruptible Power Supply
Large Flooded Cell
Small dry-cell batteries, sealed, non-rechargeable
- Hard case, rectangular
- Stationary Power
- Telecommunication Systems
- Utility Systems
- Uninterruptible Power Supply
Nickel Iron
Medium to large, flooded cell batteries, vented, rechargeable, very long lasting
- Metal Case, Rectangular
- Railroad Signals
- Mining Operations
- Declining in use compared to Lead Acid batteries
Wet Nickel Cadmium (NiCd)
Small to large, flooded cell batteries, vented, rechargeable, pocket-plate and sinter-plate types
- Hard case, tall rectangular
- Multi-cell in metal or wood cases
- Can be stand alone cell
- Emergency power
- Telephone Systems
- Solar Arrays
- Railroad Switching Gear
- Marine Applications
- Aviation Applications
Steel Case
Large, flooded cell batteries, lead acid, vented, rechargeable
- Individual cells within a steel casing
- Forklifts
- Industrial Machinery
- Motive Power
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
Medium to large, flooded cell batteries, typically lead acid, vented (VRLA), rechargeable
- Hard case, rectangular
- Multi-cell in steel racks
- Uninterruptible Power Supply
- Stationary power
Vehicle Batteries
While still very large and possibly intimidating, these less spillable and more user friendly batteries power our cars, motorcycles, boats and other motorized vehicles.
Electric Automotive
Battery from a fully electric vehicle. Large Li-ion dry cell, sealed, rechargeable.
- Full Assembly
- Packs
- Cells
- Fully Electric Vehicles
- Micro Mobility Devices
Hybrid Automotive
Large, dry-cell batteries, NiMH and Li-ion most common, sealed, rechargeable
- Large pack of small cells
- Cylinders
- Pouches
- Hybrid Automobiles
Automotive Lead Acid
Medium to large, flooded cell batteries, vented, rechargeable
- Hard Case, Rectangular
- Multi-Cell
- Automobiles
- Motorcycles
- Boats
- Outdoor Power Equipment
VRLA
Medium to large, maintenance-free, vented (VRLA), rechargeable
- Hard Case, Rectangular
- Multi-Cell
- Automobiles
- Motorcycles
- Boats
- Wheelchairs
- Emergency Lighting
- Uninterruptible Power Supply