Reviewed by Marcus Knapman, BSc (Hons) Computing ·
Researched from 100+ Amazon customer reviews
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Thirty AA batteries for eighteen quid sounds like decent value until you realise that's 60p per cell — more than you'd pay for basic alkalines at the supermarket. Duracell's pitch is that their Plus range with Power Boost Actives delivers 150% extra life, which would justify the premium if it's true. I've spent time digging through the spec sheets and user feedback to see whether this bulk pack makes financial sense, or if you're better off grabbing cheaper alternatives when they're on offer. The short answer? It depends entirely on what you're powering and how much you value convenience over absolute rock-bottom pricing.
The Power Boost Actives formulation is Duracell's attempt to bridge the gap between standard alkalines and lithium cells. According to their technical data, it's a proprietary blend of lithium and nickel that's supposed to maintain voltage better under high drain conditions. The nylon top closure is another upgrade — designed to prevent the leakage issues that plague cheaper batteries when they're left in devices too long.
The 150% extra life claim comes with an asterisk the size of a small planet. It's measured against digital camera use versus the minimum IEC standard, which isn't exactly representative of how most of us use AA batteries these days. Your mileage will vary dramatically depending on whether you're powering a TV remote or a high-drain device like a wireless gaming controller.
At £17.99 for thirty cells, you're paying about 60p per battery. That's reasonable for Duracell's premium range, but it's not exactly bargain basement territory. I've seen basic supermarket alkalines go for as little as 20p each during promotional periods, whilst Energizer's equivalent premium range often costs similar money.
The real question is longevity. If these genuinely last 50% longer than basic alkalines in your specific devices, then 60p per cell starts to look more attractive. But if you're mainly powering low-drain items like clocks or smoke alarms, you probably won't see much difference from cheaper alternatives.
Duracell backs these with a ten-year storage guarantee, which is genuinely useful if you're buying in bulk. I've had too many experiences with batteries that were dead on arrival or leaked whilst sitting in a drawer, so this kind of commitment matters. The self-discharge rate on quality alkalines has improved dramatically over the past decade, and Duracell's track record here is solid.
The plastic-free packaging is a nice touch that doesn't cost you anything extra. The batteries come in recyclable cardboard rather than those impossible-to-open plastic blister packs that seem designed to draw blood.
Based on the technical specifications and user feedback patterns, these batteries perform well in moderate-drain devices like wireless mice, game controllers, and digital cameras. They're overkill for things like TV remotes but not quite as capable as dedicated lithium cells for extreme high-drain applications.
The one consistent complaint I've found relates to inconsistent performance within the same pack — some cells seem to drain faster than others, which suggests quality control isn't perfect. This isn't unique to Duracell, but it's worth noting when you're paying premium prices.
These make sense if you regularly use moderate-drain devices and value the storage guarantee for bulk purchases. Skip them if you mainly need batteries for TV remotes and wall clocks — basic alkalines will do the job for half the price.
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