Which Battery is Better Alkaline or Lithium-ion? 12 Key Differences

Alkaline batteries are the highest sold batteries among primary batteries and lithium batteries are the most popular among secondary batteries. While alkaline batteries are used in consumer electronics, lithium-ion batteries are mainly used in the industrial field as well as in gadgets and devices.

Both these battery technologies are not usually replaced with each other due to the difference in their chemistry and performance. Although alkaline batteries are also available in rechargeable versions, they too are used in consumer electronics. Let’s see the prominent differences between alkaline batteries and lithium-ion batteries in this article.

Note: There is no comparison between a rechargeable Alkaline and Lithium-ion battery because an Alkaline battery can be recharged only 20-30 times whereas a Lithium-ion can go up to 500 charge cycles.

Which battery is better Alkaline or Lithium-ion?

There are several differences between alkaline and lithium-ion batteries. Alkaline batteries are the most common type of battery on the market. They’re inexpensive and have a long shelf life. Lithium-ion batteries are newer, but they boast a number of advantages over alkaline batteries.

Lithium-ion batteries are typically lighter and smaller than alkaline batteries, making them more portable. They also have a higher energy density, meaning that they can store more energy in a given space.

In addition, lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable, while most alkaline batteries are not. Finally, lithium-ion batteries tend to be more expensive than alkaline batteries. However, they also have a longer lifespan, making them a more cost-effective option in the long run.

These factors should be considered when choosing between lithium-ion and alkaline batteries for a particular application.

Difference between Lithium-ion and Alkaline battery

A comprehensive comparison between the two is given in the table below.

S.No	Features	Alkaline Battery	Lithium-ion Battery
1	Battery Technology	Primary, Secondary	Secondary
2	Chemical Composition	Zn, MnO2, KOH	Li metal
3	Capacity	2500mAh	3842mAh
4	Shelf Life	5-10 years	2-3 years
5	Cycle Durability	200	500
6	Energy Density	100 Wh/kg	160 Wh/kg
7	Weight	Bulky	Light Weight
8	Operational Temperature Range	-18°C to +50°C	10°C to +55°C
9	Cost	Cheap	Costly
10	Disposal	No harmful matter, easy to dispose	Disposed of separately, usually recycled
11	Safety	Safe to handle	Chances to catch fire due to thermal runaway
12	Applications	Domestic – eg: remote control, toys, etc.	Industrial – eg: electric vehicles, solar power batteries, etc.

Now let’s discuss them in detail.

Difference in Chemical Composition

Alkaline batteries consist of zinc and manganese dioxide as cathode and anode. It uses potassium hydroxide as the electrolyte.

The major composition of lithium-ion batteries is lithium metal. The cathode is lithium cobalt oxide and the anode is lithium dropped with graphite. An organic compound with lithium ions is used as the electrolyte.

Battery Capacity- Alkaline VS Lithium-ion

The maximum energy delivered by the battery is termed battery capacity. Lithium-ion batteries show higher capacity than alkaline batteries under specific temperature conditions. The maximum capacity of alkaline batteries is 2500mAh whereas that of lithium-ion batteries is 3842mAh.

Which battery has a better Shelf life?

Alkaline batteries are well known for their shelf life(kept unused). The alkaline batteries have a shelf life of 5 – 10 years while the shelf life of lithium-ion batteries is 2-3 years. But the lithium-ion batteries are capable to provide strong discharge throughout their life, whereas the capability of alkaline batteries reduces through their lifetime.

Which battery last longer Lithium-ion or Alkaline?

In general, lithium-ion batteries have a longer lifespan than alkaline batteries. This is because lithium-ion batteries are designed to be recharged, while alkaline batteries are not. When properly cared for, a lithium-ion battery can be used for 300 to 500 charge cycles. On the other hand, even a rechargeable alkaline battery will only last for a handful of discharge/recharge cycles before it needs to be replaced.

Lithium Ion has a higher Energy Density than Alkaline

Energy density is considered an important parameter for every battery technology. It is the energy carries by the battery relative to its weight. Lithium is a highly dense metal. It is also a lightweight metal. Thus lithium-ion batteries show a high energy density which is about 160 Wh/kg. The energy density of alkaline batteries is approximately 100Wh/kg.

Weight – Alkaline vs Lithium-ion

Battery weight is an important factor of concern when they are used in some applications. Some applications like the automobile sector prefer lightweight batteries. Hence electric vehicles are powered by lithium-ion batteries. Alkaline batteries of the same capacity are bulkier than lithium-ion batteries. Thus lithium-ion batteries are now replacing the other batteries in portable devices.

Operational Temperature Range

Both lithium-ion and alkaline batteries support a good operational temperature range. Alkaline batteries perform well in the temperature range of -18°C to +50°C and lithium-ion batteries, it is 10°C to +55°C. Both the battery technologies are capable to withstand extreme hot as well as extremely cold temperatures.

Which battery cost more Alkaline or Lithium Ion?

It depends on a number of factors. For example, alkaline batteries tend to be less expensive upfront, but they also have a shorter lifespan than lithium-ion batteries. In contrast, lithium-ion batteries typically last longer but cost more initially.

When it comes to cost, it is important to consider not only the upfront price but also the long-term costs associated with each type of battery. In general, lithium-ion batteries tend to be more expensive in the long run, but they may be worth the investment if you need a battery that will last for several years.

---

---

Alkaline Batteries are easily disposable

Alkaline batteries do not demand careful disposal. They do not contain any hazardous material. Since most of the alkaline batteries available in the market are non-rechargeable, they are thrown away once drained out.

Note: Since the batteries have chemical compounds, it is a good practice to dispose of them separately. It is recommended to handle the electronic devices separately from the regular garbage.

Lithium-ion batteries are usually recycled. Since the demand for lithium-ion batteries has remarkably increased, the source of lithium metal is being depleted. Thus the recycling of lithium-ion batteries is largely encouraged in the current scenario.

Which battery is safer Lithium-ion or Alkaline?

Alkaline batteries do not raise any safety issues so far. The only issue regarding alkaline batteries is the leakage of KOH but it is very rare.

Thermal runaway is a serious concern for lithium-ion batteries. Overcharging of batteries increases their temperature and gradually causes fire. Some electric vehicles have exploded and caused life hazards due to this reason. An intelligent battery management system is installed in these batteries to rectify this issue. This system continuously monitors the voltage, current, and temperature levels and disconnects the charging in case of any issues.

Which battery is better Alkaline or Lithium-ion? Conclusion

Both battery types have their pros and cons, so it’s important to choose the right type of battery for your needs. Alkaline batteries are inexpensive and widely available, and they work well in a variety of devices.

However, they don’t last as long as lithium-ion batteries and they’re not rechargeable. Lithium-ion batteries are more expensive than alkaline batteries, but they offer several advantages.

They’re lightweight, long-lasting, and rechargeable. They also work well in high-drain devices such as digital cameras. So, which type of battery is better? It depends on your needs. If you need a battery that’s inexpensive and widely available, go with alkaline. If you need a battery that’s long-lasting and rechargeable, go with lithium-ion.