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Have you ever bought batteries online and ended up regretting the purchase?
- Swollen batteries
- Reduced lifespan
- Overheating
- Potential injury
These are some of the downsides to buying counterfeit batteries.
We use batteries in smartphones, watches, medical equipment, home safety devices, camping, and even cars. We can’t afford to be lax about counterfeit batteries.
Power up. We’re shedding some light on how to spot counterfeits and exploring where to get original batteries.
Can I Buy Batteries Online?
Yes, you can buy batteries online. With the boom in online stores, it’s logical and convenient to use online platforms to buy what you need, including batteries.
Original batteries manufacturers also have an online presence. Not only do they reach more people such as yourself, but they also get direct feedback.
However, buying batteries online opens up a serious concern.
Counterfeit merchandise.
Most online sales platforms try to ensure they stock original batteries. However, sometimes fake batteries slip through inspection. Customers end up in a fix when the counterfeits leak, stop working or explode.
So How Do I Spot Counterfeit Batteries?
Check the Packaging
If they’re faking the battery, they’re faking the package too. The packaging is usually one of the quickest giveaways of a counterfeit battery.
Original manufacturer packages have vivid colour schemes. Counterfeit packaging either has discoloured packaging or misaligned writing on the package.
| Real | Fake |
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| Battery name (ENELOOP) is showing clearly. Also, notice the oval curve at the top of the mounting hole. | Battery name isn’t showing consistently. Notice the fake triangular mounting hole. |
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Even when the counterfeit package is well done, some details are off. Bad fonts, print quality and package material are key indicators of fake packaging.
Fake battery brands have spelling mistakes on the packaging. If you notice any errors on the package, you are dealing with a counterfeit battery.
One of the best ways to verify the battery’s authenticity from the packaging is having reference material. Carry a pack from a previous purchase. However, the reference package needs to be from a purchase from a verified seller.
Check the Product Weight
Counterfeiting has become a sophisticated conman’s game. Still, some counterfeiters drop the ball when it comes to detail. They use cheap cells and cover the batteries with recognised brands’ labels to cut costs.
However, cheap cells weigh considerably less.
If you usually buy original batteries, you will almost immediately notice the counterfeit batteries are lighter.
A typical AA Duracell Alkaline battery weighs about 24 grams. The Alkaline AAA Duracell battery weighs about 11 grams. A 18650 battery weighs about 42 grams. Fake 18650 batteries weigh 32 grams.
Inspect the battery closely
The devil is in the details.
Most battery companies have ways of making sure you know their original batteries.
Duracell, for example, has a batch number laser-etched or stamped on the battery casing. A fake Duracell either won’t have a batch number, or the number will be poorly printed.
Most original coppertop batteries have a metal casing. Knockoffs have paper casings that peel off, leaving just the bare cell.
It’s easy to tell once the batteries are out of the pack since you can see the outline on the terminal edges.
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| The fake battery has a visible outline near the cathode. This is a weak spot that will lead to the battery exploding. | The original battery has no outline, indicating a secure casing. |
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Check the Capacity
Counterfeiters will lie about the battery capacity to entice unsuspecting buyers. For example, a rechargeable Sony AA battery has a 2,500 mAh capacity. Yet, rogue traders will "sweeten" the deal by indicating something like 3,800 mAh capacity.
If you search for the same battery on the manufacturer site, you’ll see the real capacity of the battery.
Unfortunately, sometimes, you will fall prey to fake merchandise. You only notice when the battery doesn’t give you as much run-time as indicated.
The table below indicates run times using three different original batteries in a flashlight. Fake batteries would give you less run time or start overheating after use
| Battery Type | Run Time(Max. Draw) | Run Time(Low) |
| Alkaline Duracell Copper Top MN1500 |
Regulated: 3h 30m Total: 4h 15min |
50 hours |
| Rechargeable NiMH Panasonic Eneloop HR3-UTGA |
Regulated: 5h Total: 5h 15m |
40 hours |
| Lithium Primary Energizer Ultimate Lithium L91 |
Regulated: 10h Total: 10h 15min |
60 hours |
With all the uncertainty surrounding buying batteries online, it’s tough deciding whether to buy from an online battery store.
What Should You Do When Buying Batteries Online?
A good online battery store makes sure they only stock batteries that pass Quality Assurance standards.
You still need to be careful when buying batteries online.
Make sure the battery store is a reputable seller or distributor of your preferred batteries. You can check their seller reputation in the reviews. If you’re unsure about an online battery store, check the original manufacturer site.
Make sure the batteries from an online battery store pass quality assurance standards. Check for a CE marking on the battery. CE is an international standard that shows the product meets the quality standards for goods sold within Europe, including Australia.
If your product comes in a packaging box, check for a matching manufacturing date and the date on the product. Counterfeits sometimes have the dates wrong since the packaging and the batteries are from different suppliers.
Don’t buy car batteries unless you’re sure they are new. Some dealers refill used car batteries with battery acid, only giving your battery enough juice for a week.
Ensure the battery store has a return policy. The policy allows you to return a battery if it becomes defective after a shorter than expected period.
Avoid sweet deals. If the price for a premium brand of batteries is too low (say, $2 for a pair of Energizer batteries), the batteries are likely fake. Good quality batteries are worth the price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can you buy 18650 batteries online?
A: 18650 batteries are high-capacity batteries that you should handle carefully. You can buy 18650 batteries from a verified online battery store.
Q:Is it safe to buy batteries online for camping?
A: Camping needs you to have rechargeable batteries, car batteries and possibly extra deep cycle batteries. It is safe to buy your camping batteries online from reputable sites.
Q:How can I identify fake Eneloop batteries?
A: The most obvious give away signs for Eneloop batteries are at the top of the battery. Authentic Eneloop batteries have a white sleeve on the anode. Some limited editions have black sleeves. The anode is a smoothly rounded metal. If you notice any disfiguration on the anode, the battery’s likely a fake.
Batteries provide a lifeline when we need convenience, either outdoors or indoors. You have all the reasons to get original batteries from a source you can trust.
We are Australia's largest volume distributor of Duracell and Duracell Procell Dry Cell bulk batteries.
Fusion AGM Deep Cycle 12v 22Ah
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— John S, Australia
