Energizer MAX AA Batteries 16-Pack Review: Worth It?
“Better than store brand or Duracell,” wrote Best Buy user big snoop, and that blunt comparison shows up again and again across platforms. Energizer MAX AA Batteries (16 Pack) earn a community verdict that’s overwhelmingly positive for everyday use, with a few sharp price and packaging gripes. Score: 8.7/10.
People buying these aren’t chasing novelty; they’re restocking a household staple. Best Buy’s main listing sits at 4.8/5 from over 12,000 reviews, with customers calling out battery life, price, and performance. On Amazon, the 16‑pack holds 4.7/5 and the review text skews toward “as expected” reliability rather than hype. Even long‑form community writeups like TheGunZone’s review echo the same theme: these are dependable alkalines for low‑to‑medium drain devices.
A recurring pattern emerged around use cases. Parents with toy‑heavy homes, people powering remotes and clocks, and flashlight owners all described the MAX line as a default “grab‑and‑go” battery that keeps devices running without drama. Best Buy user khush boos said: “my son use toys almost everyday and still the battery is going good.” Another Best Buy reviewer, cap tin turbo, summed up longevity simply: “these batteries will keep going and going and going.”
Quick Verdict
Yes, especially for low‑to‑mid drain household devices.
| Pros (from users) | Cons (from users) |
|---|---|
| Long‑lasting in toys/remotes/flashlights | Some feel price is high at checkout |
| Consistent, reliable power | Packaging/shipping sometimes sloppy |
| Good bulk value on sale | Not rechargeable, waste for heavy users |
| Strong shelf life | High‑drain performance only “okay” vs lab tests |
| Widely available |
Customers frame the MAX 16‑pack as a practical buy rather than a premium splurge. Best Buy user karenk noted: “glad to find a large pack of batteries, the cost was a good one too for all you get.” The sense is that the price makes sense when bought in quantity or on promotion, and it saves last‑minute store runs.
At the same time, not everyone feels the sticker is fair. Best Buy user superk 734 complained: “priced too high… on the rack the price said one thing and when i got to register it was more… i wouldn’t buy again.” That complaint is rare compared with praise, but it’s consistent enough to mark pricing as the main friction point.
For shoppers who burn through alkalines frequently, the “single use” nature is a recurring drawback. TheGunZone review calls out that they are “not rechargeable,” and frames that as an environmental and long‑run cost concern.
Claims vs Reality
Energizer markets MAX AA as longer‑lasting, leak‑resistant, and shelf‑stable for years. Digging deeper into user reports, most of those claims line up in everyday contexts, but performance diverges depending on drain level and buying situation.
Claim 1: “Up to 50% longer lasting than basic alkaline in demanding devices.”
In practice, users mostly validate the “longer lasting” part—especially against generics. Best Buy user stingray wrote: “they are of good quality and last longer than generic brands.” Another Best Buy reviewer, panther 43, said: “it last longer than any other brand.” The consistent comparison point is store brands or older batteries, not lab‑grade rivals.
However, CHOICE lab testing gives Energizer MAX a middling high‑drain performance score (52%) and endurance (58%) compared to its low‑drain strength. While officially positioned as strong in “demanding devices,” the data suggests MAX shines more in remotes, clocks, and toys than in truly high‑drain gear.
Claim 2: “Protect devices against damaging leaks for up to two years after fully used.”
User narratives don’t provide many dramatic leak stories—mostly because leaks are absent. TheGunZone reviewer emphasized, “i’ve never experienced any leaking or corrosion issues with these batteries.” That quiet lack of negative reports supports the leak‑resistance claim, even if people aren’t explicitly testing it.
Claim 3: “Holds power for up to 10 years in storage.”
Many shoppers mention shelf life indirectly through trust and not needing replacements often. Best Buy user audi forme noted: “i don’t have to buy these very often. seem to last longer than other brands.” Best Buy user huey added: “consistent quality and great shelf life.” The shelf‑life promise appears credible in user experience, though most comments stay general rather than giving exact dates.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
The loudest cross‑platform praise centers on long‑lasting everyday performance. Parents and heavy toy households repeatedly say the MAX line keeps up. Best Buy user moab 461 described the stress test of kid life: “i have two kids under 10 that blow through batteries. these hold up to their demand.” For families rotating through remotes, toys, controllers, and flashlights, “holding up” means fewer interruptions and fewer emergency battery runs.
Reliability is another clear winner. A recurring pattern emerged where users describe MAX as predictable—no sudden drop‑offs, no device weirdness. Best Buy user usafrdoc said: “they well and do exactly what it’s supposed to do. no issues.” Amazon reviewers echo this utilitarian satisfaction; one Amazon buyer wrote: “they are aa batteries. they work well, and they seem to be well‑made.” The calm tone matters here: people trust these to behave normally.
Value in bulk comes up heavily, especially when purchased on sale. Best Buy user lena said: “they last a long time and a great price deal.” Another Best Buy reviewer framed the purchase as stocking a pantry staple: “always in stock with a comparable price,” from user tom1. For shoppers who buy batteries the way they buy paper towels—large pack, fewer trips—MAX hits the right convenience/value point.
Finally, wide device compatibility is quietly baked into praise. TheGunZone reviewer lists devices from remote controls and mice to scales and gaming controllers, calling out “versatility” as a reason to keep them on hand. That broad usage footprint aligns with what retailers highlight, but users stress it through real household spread, not marketing language.
Common Complaints
Price complaints exist but cluster around checkout surprise or feeling the pack is costly without discounts. Best Buy user superk 734’s frustration about the price ringing up higher than expected is the clearest example. TheGunZone review also flags cost as a long‑term issue for frequent users, noting they “can become costly in the long run if you use a lot of them.” For high‑consumption homes, MAX is accepted as good, but not always cheap.
Packaging and shipping are the second recurring sore spot. Amazon reviewers mention over‑boxing or loose packing. One Amazon customer said the batteries arrived “inside a way too large cardboard box.” Another Amazon reviewer complained: “my attitude was tainted by the way the aaa batteries were handled… in the same box without any packing.” The product itself is rarely blamed; it’s fulfillment that irritates.
The non‑rechargeable nature is a quiet but consistent downside. TheGunZone review labels single‑use alkalines as “wasteful for frequent users,” and some shoppers implicitly sidestep this by comparing against lithium or rechargeables when they need higher performance. This complaint hits most for people powering high‑drain cameras, controllers, or hobby gear.
Divisive Features
Performance in high‑drain devices splits opinions. Some users say MAX holds up fine even in more demanding roles. Amazon buyer feedback notes: “good batteries… worked well in my digital camera which uses up batteries like mad. these did last a lot longer than the other ones i have tried.” Best Buy user sflex said in a flashlight context: “strong light, long lasting… only lithium energy ones are a tiny bit stronger.”
But lab data from CHOICE paints a more cautious picture, showing MAX stronger in low drain (83% performance, 91% endurance) than high drain. While officially marketed as longer‑lasting in “demanding devices,” evidence suggests the “demanding” claim is more true for moderate‑drain toys and flashlights than for constant high‑current loads.
Trust & Reliability
Trustpilot data wasn’t separate here; instead, reliability gets its weight from long‑term retail and community history. Best Buy’s huge review base and stable 4.8 rating suggest a low scam/no‑show risk compared to fringe brands. Users also report repeat purchasing as proof of trust. TheGunZone reviewer says, “over the years, i have repeatedly purchased these… dependable.”
Long‑run durability stories focus on steady performance rather than dramatic wins. Best Buy user chrisb wrote: “still have it in my remote,” after months. Another Best Buy user big snoop claimed they last “longer than store brand, duracell and amazon batteries.” Those kinds of “months later” observations reinforce the idea that MAX behaves consistently across cycles and purchases.
Alternatives
Only a few competitors show up directly in user comments. Duracell is the most common benchmark, with MAX often portrayed as equal or better for the money. Best Buy user lally said: “i would recommend energizer just as good as dure cell.” Best Buy user big snoop went further: “last longer than store brand, duracell and amazon batteries.” The alternative framing here is not about chemistry differences; it’s about practical household longevity.
Lithium batteries appear as a niche alternative for people who need a bit more punch. Best Buy user sflex noted lithium versions are “a tiny bit stronger.” The implication is that MAX is the everyday default, while lithium is for high‑drain edge cases or extreme conditions.
Store brands and generics are the value foil. Multiple users say MAX outlasts them, making the higher upfront price worthwhile. The comparison is consistent enough to treat “generic alkaline” as the main alternative that MAX is replacing.
Price & Value
Retail pricing varies by store and timing. Best Buy lists the 16‑pack around $19.99 on one SKU and $13.99 on another listing; Walgreens shows $17.99 sale price from $22.99; eBay resellers float between about $11.99 and $15.99 shipped. Users almost always frame value relative to deals. Best Buy user sd cult called them “better when on sale,” capturing the common buying tip.
For cost‑sensitive shoppers, the resale/market prices on eBay show these remain a standard commodity with mild discounting, not a product that holds a premium resale niche. That aligns with user behavior: people buy to use, not to stockpile for later resale.
The most consistent value story is: buy in bulk, preferably during promotions, if you’re powering lots of low‑drain devices. Best Buy user karenk’s “large pack… good one too for all you get” echoes that strategy.
FAQ
Q: Do Energizer MAX AA batteries last longer than store brands?
A: Most buyers say yes. Best Buy user stingray said they “last longer than generic brands,” and user big snoop added they last longer than “store brand… and amazon batteries.” Users generally notice the difference in toys, remotes, and flashlights rather than lab‑measured conditions.
Q: Are these good for high‑drain devices like cameras or gaming controllers?
A: Some users are happy with them in cameras and controllers, like an Amazon buyer who said they “last a lot longer” in a digital camera. But CHOICE testing shows weaker high‑drain performance than low‑drain, so results may vary by device intensity.
Q: Do they leak over time?
A: Leak complaints are rare in this dataset. TheGunZone community reviewer said they’ve “never experienced any leaking or corrosion issues,” matching Energizer’s leak‑resistant marketing. Most users don’t mention leaks at all, which supports the idea that it isn’t a common problem.
Q: Is the 16‑pack a good value?
A: Buyers usually say it is, especially on sale. Best Buy user karenk called the cost “a good one too for all you get,” while a smaller group, like user superk 734, felt prices were too high without a deal. Value depends on timing.
Final Verdict
Buy if you’re a household user stocking up for remotes, toys, clocks, flashlights, or wireless mice and want dependable alkalines with strong shelf life. Avoid if you burn through batteries in constant high‑drain gear and are sensitive to cost per hour. Pro tip from the community: wait for sales—Best Buy user sd cult’s take, “better when on sale,” mirrors the dominant buying strategy.
