Batteries Plus is a battery franchise that began with a single store in Wisconsin in 1988. They have since grown to over 700 locations throughout the United States and offer a wide range of battery products and services, including battery testing, phone repair, and key fob programming. They focus on combining quality products with superior technical knowledge to serve their customers.
How did Batteries Plus do when we looked for our two comparison items? Our search for a multi-pack of basic Energizer AA batteries left us feeling pretty irritated. Even when we applied filters for the brand and the size, our results list still included lots of items that didn't match - like a Rayovac AAA flashlight and a 6V lantern battery. Even with a name like "Batteries Plus" , the inventory here seems to leave out many common household batteries in favor of more specialized options like what you'd need for your watch, golf cart, RV or motorcycle.
Cell phone replacement batteries require in-store installation
When it came to the Google Pixel battery replacement, there were plenty of results, and this store came up with many more available models than most of its rivals. The downside? They were all marked as "in-store only" and we had to schedule a repair appointment at a local store. As you'd guess, that made the cost more expensive (usually about $70) than other battery stores offering kits and batteries for DIY replacement.
No free shipping
At the time of this review, there was a pop-up offer with a 10% discount on any purchase made online and picked up in store. We had to provide our email address, which meant we'd also be signed up for Batteries Plus marketing messages. That's about the only way to save here: you won't get free shipping unless there's a promotion in place or you choose to pick up in store.
15-day return policy
If you need to return your batteries, you have 15 days to make your request. All products have to be in unused, saleable condition in order to be eligible for a refund. If your batteries are defective, you'll need to check the warranty on that particular product to know what your options are for getting a replacement or refund.
Worst reputation among battery stores
Wondering why Batteries Plus earns such a low ranking from us? Reputation plays a large part in that. To start, the Better Business Bureau gives this battery store its own lowest ranking - an "F" grade - for failing to respond to 12 complaints and to resolve 5 more, among the 45 complaints filed there over the last three years. While that that doesn't sound overly terrible, we found similar results and complaints on customer review sites.
The downward trend continues
Jumping over to feedback on Trustpilot confirmed our fears. Almost 70% of the nearly 300 ratings left there were also the lowest possible rating of just one star. People rant about Battery Plus not honoring warranty coverage, receiving incorrect items (especially when buying online and picking up at a local store) and then not being able to get a refund or credit, batteries losing charge after just a few months, and it just goes on from there. Your experience might vary if you have a particularly good customer service team at the store near you, but that won't take away the frustration of getting the wrong battery in the first place or having it lose its ability to charge much earlier than expected.
Get your batteries somewhere else
Despite the advantage of having so many locations nationwide, Batteries Plus doesn't measure up to other battery stores we evaluated. The best inventory in the world would never make up for terrible service, and from what the BBB and customer feedback on Trustpilot have to say, that's exactly what you can expect here. Our recommendation? Don't bother with Batteries Plus, because you have better options among our highest-ranked battery stores.
If you need some AAAs for your remote, you could hit up your nearby grocery store, gas station or tech store, but chances are you won't get the best bang for your buck. Plus, if you're in need of something special, like a replacement battery for your boat or power tool, good luck finding the right one without having to drive around to a bunch of different places.
There are reasons why more people are buying their batteries online. Convenience is undoubtedly one of the key advantages. In a fast-paced world, online shopping provides the convenience of browsing and purchasing products from the comfort of one's home, without the need to visit physical stores. With just a few clicks, you can find a wide variety of battery options, compare prices, and discover even those hard-to-find battery types that you might need.
Batteries are devices that store energy to be used later. Chemical energy is changed into electricity, to power your remote, bathroom scale, boat, car - or thousands of other battery-operated items!
Almost too many to count! Batteries are typically classified by whether or not they're rechargeable, and then by what elements they use to create electricity. Alkaline batteries are the most popular among the non-rechargeable types, while Nickel-Cadmium and Nickel - Metal Hydride are tops among rechargeable batteries.
There's no simple answer to that question. Some factors that affect battery life are usage, temperature, and (in the case of rechargeables) how they're maintained and recharged.
Some types of batteries, particularly NiCad and NiMH, can experience a decreased capacity if you don't regularly let the battery discharge all the way to empty before recharging. For example, if you keep your cell phone on a charger and don't ever take the battery down to zero, your battery can "forget" that it can discharge and you wind up with lower capacity. The solution? Let your battery fully charge and discharge at least once every 2-3 weeks.
Sometimes. You shouldn't put them in your weekly recyclables/trash, however. Look for a collection point in your area, or see if your local government has any scheduled drop-off dates.
Actually, that depends. Most batteries used to be made of zinc-carbon, which did last longer when stored at colder temperatures. But, that doesn't apply to today's alkaline batteries - so with your typical non-rechargeable battery, it's better to store it at room temperature. Most battery manufacturers don't recommend storing any batteries in the fridge these days: the benefits are too small to be worth it, and the moisture in your appliance could corrode the casing or terminals (and who wants a toxic leak in the fridge!).
Six of one, half a dozen of the other, in most cases. You'll notice with rechargeables that they start to lose their charge more quickly as you use them (see above regarding "memory effect" ). But, they're more eco-friendly than alkaline: think about how many times you have to recharge your batteries on your favorite gaming remotes, for example, and you'll see how many batteries would wind up in the garbage if they're not rechargeable! It's a matter of preferences and priorities, for most people.
Depending on where you shop, yes. There are several reputable online battery stores that offer great deals and an even more impressive selection. That's important at times of the year when it seems like everyone needs batteries: you don't have to worry about leaving the store empty-handed. You also get the added convenience of having your batteries delivered right to your home or office: no trip to the store necessary.
Thanks to the magic of the internet, getting the perfect battery for any application - whether it's for your key fob, home security system, remote control toys, or just your everyday household essentials - is a breeze. Plenty of online battery stores offer a much better selection than any local retailer, with all the top-notch brands you know and love like Energizer and Duracell, as well as affordable in-house options that won't break the bank while still packing in plenty of power and lasting juice.
Price competitiveness is another reason why people are buying their batteries online. Online retailers often offer competitive prices due to lower overhead costs, compared to traditional brick-and-mortar stores. With numerous online sellers competing for customers, buyers can take advantage of frequent discounts, promotions, and exclusive deals. Moreover, online platforms allow for easy price comparison across different sellers, letting you find the best value for your money.
When it comes to buying batteries online, there are several important factors to consider in order to ensure that you get the right product for your needs. The first thing to consider is the type of battery required for the application. There are many different types of batteries available, including alkaline, lithium-ion, nickel-metal hydride (NiMH), and more. Each type has its own strengths and weaknesses, so it's important to choose the right one for your device.
The next thing to consider is the brand and quality of the battery. It may be a good idea to choose a reputable brand, as this can help ensure that you get a high-quality product that will last longer and perform better. But, there are some off-brand options that also do quite well - at a fraction of the cost. Check out any available reviews for these brand-name alternatives and see how they've held up under normal use by customers like you.
And, whether you go brand-name or not, make sure that the battery you choose is compatible with your device. Check the product specifications to ensure that the voltage and size of the battery are appropriate for your device. Using an incompatible battery can be dangerous and may damage sensitive electronics.
Now that you've got an idea how to choose the right battery, let's move on to selecting the best store to purchase them. Here are some factors that make it easy to tell apart the best battery stores from the not-so-great ones:
If you're on the hunt for batteries, Top Consumer Reviews has got your back. We've extensively evaluated and ranked the leading online battery stores so that you can power up and keep the lights on - with the least amount of hassle.
