Best headlamp batteries

Anyone have a favorite headlamp battery? Alkaline, Lithium Ion etc.
I've just noticed my expensive Li Energizers last just as long as my amazon basics.
Money aside, what's the best one out there?

Rechargeables all the way, especially Eneloops   NiMH;  My favorite headlamps use 18650 lithium=ion batteries.  Do the math and you will find that recharging batteries is significantly cheaper than using the now obsolete alkalines.

Get the black Eneloop Pro series. They have more juice.

Mal

FYI - the new Petzl headlamps with the rechargeable battery pack are awesome. they charge via a USB you can charge them anywhere...

It depends on how YOU define "best." Low cost, high energy density, and long shelf life might all be desirable. These characteristics are (to some extent) mutually exclusive, so must be traded off against each other. Unleash your inner engineer on battery data sheets readily available on the internet.

The core packs or whatever they're called from petzel do better in cold weather than your standard AAA if that's what you're after.  It's nice to be able to recharge them from USB as well.

Really have NOT found the removable Petzl battery packs worth it (the ones the size of 3 AAA's). They're expensive, proprietary, and the one light I have that uses this pack, doesn't work anymore because...? If you have one of these, I'm sorry - it may be best to just use AAA's in lieu of the battery pack.

Petzl's rechargable headlamps WITHOUT a removable battery also make little sense, as you can't switch out the batteries at all. You can't just bring backup batteries - you have to bring a backup LIGHT.

The Petzl NAO lineup HAS removable batteries, but they're also proprietary, which is a shame, since if you remove the fancy battery pack plastic, it's just a rechargeable 18650 in there, marked up a good 10x.

And all the lights are kinda flimsy for the price.

Petzel haa removable rechargable battery core so I go with them. You can charge it USB or remove it and still use AAA.

I'd rather have disposable batteries, can't recharge en route. Rechargable will wear down over time, so I don't like having something I lose trust in over time. I don't have kids so I've done my part for the environment. What I meant was what is the best type of battery - (alkaline, lithium), and what brand and type of that brand are the longest lasting?

https://www.duracell.com/en-us/product/optimum-battery/
I started using these in my petzl headlamp, so far so good. Not sure how long they last over a standard alkaline battery just yet but I've been burning through energizers like crazy. The reviews on them seem to be pretty positive,  ymmv.

As mentioned above. just go with a USB rechargeable headlamp.

EDIT:

MFL Layton wrote: Cool, just plug it into the usb port at the nice bolted belay? Thanks, great reply 

Most bolted belays don't have USB ports but cars, vans, and computers do.  Why does the internet turn people into to jackasses? 

Guy H. wrote: As mentioned above. just go with a USB rechargeable headlamp.

Cool, just plug it into the usb port at the nice bolted belay? Thanks, great reply 

MFL Layton wrote:

Cool, just plug it into the usb port at the nice bolted belay? Thanks, great reply 

That or recharge them before you head out and bring regular spare batteries like you would have with your regular headlamp. Thanks, great reply

The point of rechargeable is that you can always be sure you have a full battery before you head out. I mean you could use disposable ones, but you sure generate a huge amount of waste, having new batteries each trip. 

My favorite batteries to keep in a headlamp are lithium primaries, specifically Energizer.  They Outlast alkalines at room temp, and just leave them in the dust when it gets cold.  They are the lightest and most reliable.  I saw some testing someone did and shared on candlepower forums about 10 years ago that dealt with how prone battery packs were to burning after mechanically breaking.  I think a nail gun was used. I can't remember the details, and the market isn't populated with the same offerings as it is today, but the Energizer lithium primaries were the clear winner as far as not catching fire easily.  That would be important to me in a climbing application headlamp.  

I've got nothin against Eneloops.   They work well.  I always keep a spare set of lithium primaries when I use them, though.  

That said, mostly I use an Actic core with Petzl's rechargable lithium ion battery these days.  I can keep a spare set of AAA's on hand in case the battery pack gives me problem, which it hasn't yet.  The rechargable battery uses the same charging port as my phone.  It has a wide and a spot focussed lens.  It's not my favorite form factor with all the weight on the front and no top strap, but I can deal with that.  

Michael Layton wrote: I'd rather have disposable batteries, can't recharge en route. Rechargable will wear down over time, so I don't like having something I lose trust in over time. I don't have kids so I've done my part for the environment. What I meant was what is the best type of battery - (alkaline, lithium), and what brand and type of that brand are the longest lasting?

if you don't want to use rechargeable, at least recycle your spent batteries. places like best buy will take them for free.

walmart.com/ip/Bushnell-Pro…

problem solved. I have used this headlamp for 3 year no issues. USB rechargable, and perfect for the vanners. only issue is charging in the field without a power source, but lasts a long time, and I carry a backup.

Malcolm Daly wrote: Get the black Eneloop Pro series. They have more juice.

Mal

This. Unlike the rechargeables people are often used to, the Eneloop Pros hold a charge for a year, so you can charge them right after use and they work when you need them. That negates the advantage of alkaline or lithium. They're good for over 500 charge cycles, so your headlamp will likely die before they do. They hold as much charge as a good alkaline, and nearly as much as lithium, and won't leak and destroy your gear if you leave them in over the winter. Basically the Eneloop Pros win on every count. We have a bunch and use them heavily. They perform as advertised.

Disposable alkaline batteries are great for things like remotes, portable computer mice, garage door openers, and other low current applications. They have very low self-discharge rates, so they will retain their charge better even if they are sitting around. However, alkaline batters perform particularly poorly when supplying higher currents needed for flashlights. When at higher currents (>1A) their actual capacity is greatly reduced.

Definitely go with standard size rechargeable NiMH batteries if you have AA or AAA lights. Eneloop pros are great and have a 2500 mAh capacity in AA. You can also buy Ikea Ladda or Amazon Basic high capacity rechargeable batteries for a fraction of the price of Eneloops. All three of these batteries are nearly identical and are produced in the same factory in Japan and many people have done tests confirming this. As long as the description/packaging says made in Japan you should be good to go.

Better still is switching to lithium 18650 flashlights. The largest capacity lithium ion cell (3500 mAh @3.6V = 12.6Wh) contains over 4 times the energy of an Eneloop Pro AA(2500 mAh @1.2V = 3.0Wh). The added capacity and better performance at high currents (in excess of 8-10A) allows 18650 flashlights to be over 3 times as bright as AA or AAA lights. Your standard AA lights top out around 350 lumens while most inexpensive 18650 lights will hit 1000 lumens, and many will go much, much higher. 18650 flashlights are actually very affordable, especially when compared to the cost of current Petzl and Black diamond lights. Wowtac and Sofirn both make reliable and affordable lights that are highly recommended for people getting started with 18650 lights. My recommended models are the Wowtac A1/A1s and A2/A2s, or Sofirn SP40, SP31, and SP32A. All of these kits include a reputable 18650 cell and charger and are about $30 or less on Amazon with prime shipping.

Just be sure to buy any additional 18650 cells and chargers from a reputable dealer. Do not use amazon, ebay, banggood, etc unless you like burning your house down. All of those markets are saturated with knockoff cells. IMR batteries, Illumn, and Li Ion Wholesale are all reputable sources for 18650 cells as are your local vape shops if you need one in a pinch.

Recharges are 100 percent the way to go. They hold a charge forever. You can fully charge them prior to any adventure for a full charge, they pay for themselves after a few uses, preventing so much waste, even great for things like remotes and other things. I’ve used rechargeables for 10 years now and can’t believe it’s still a topic of discussion. With 2500 mah for most AA rechargeables that’s nearly the same energy density as a non rechargeable. When they start to lose some of their oomph (500 full cycles) you just use them for a remote or mouse. I recharge my remote batteries maybe once a year and the mouse batteries probably once every month or two. It’s a great technology. 

Here's the light I use when I do my mountain range traverses like the Crestones. I like it a lot.