AA vs. AAA Battery: What’s the Difference?

From futuristic clocks to vintage radios, we use batteries to power a myriad of our personal devices. But have you ever wondered why some batteries are called AA and others are called AAA? Although both of these battery types look very similar, they have many differences. These distinctions include capacity, cost, size, and uses. We’ll discuss these differences in detail to help you better understand both these battery types.

AA vs. AAA Battery: The Differences

Size

The most obvious difference between a AA battery and a AAA battery is the size. AA batteries tend to be larger than AAA ones both in height and length. A AAA battery also tends to be more slender, which makes it ideal for smaller devices since it won’t take up too much space.

Capacity

AA batteries also have a larger capacity compared to AAA ones. The capacity of a  battery is measured in milliampere-hour. A double-A battery typically has a capacity of 2000 to 3000 milliampere-hour. On the other hand, the capacity of a triple-A battery can be between 350 to 1200 milliampere-hour.

The capacity of a battery is affected a lot by what material it is made with. For instance, a lithium battery can usually store much more electricity than an alkaline one. You can easily find the capacity of a battery on its packaging or on its label.

Use

Double-A and triple-A batteries also vary in terms of which devices they are used with. AA batteries are heavy-duty, so they are used in devices that consume more energy, such as large radios and toys. In contrast, AAA batteries are used in devices that consume less energy or have a compact profile, such as clocks or TV remotes.

Is the Voltage Of AA and AAA Batteries Different?

The voltage of AA and AAA batteries is usually the same. The output voltage of both these battery types is usually between 1.2 to 1.5 Volts, depending on the building material and brand.

You will not notice much difference in power between double-As and triple-As initially. Triple-A batteries, however, tend to lose some of their voltage capacity after a while. A double-A battery, on the other hand, will take much longer to lose its voltage capacity making it more long-lasting.

AA vs. AAA Battery: How Much Do They Cost?

The price of a battery pack is determined by its material, type, number of batteries included, and brand. AAA batteries tend to be cheaper compared to double-As. So, a triple-A pack will cost you between $10 to $25, with a high-end option costing more. AA batteries, on the other hand, can cost you around $20 to $40. You can also find budget options on Amazon that cost much less.

Final Thoughts: Which Battery Type Should You Buy?

The battery type you should opt for more or less depends on which device you intend to use it with. You can usually tell the compatible battery type of a device by taking a look at its battery slots. Slimmer and smaller slots mean the device uses triple-As, whereas a larger slot means it uses double-As.

If you need batteries for a DIY project, then it is a good idea to go for double-As instead of triple-As solely because of their longer usage life. Be sure to go for a well-known brand when buying batteries, such as Duracell, Panasonic, or AmazonBasics, to ensure high quality and device safety.