Between Li-SOCl₂ and alkaline cells, 11 of the 16 characteristics in the full table below differ; 4 are the same and one can’t be compared because our sources give no figure or rating for one or both.
3.6 V · ≈ 560 Wh/kg · Single use
The most energy in an AA-size cell and under 1 % loss a year, from −60 to 85 °C: made for sensors that run for years.
Watch out: 3.6 V, not 1.5 V: it destroys devices made for AA batteries. Only 50 mA continuous, and after long storage the first pulses can sag (passivation): add a capacitor for radio bursts.
1.5 V · Single use
1.5 V, sold everywhere and 10 years on the shelf: fine for low-drain devices you rarely touch.
Watch out: The usable capacity depends strongly on the load, it works only down to −18 °C, and it is single use.
| Feature | Li-SOCl₂ | Alkaline |
|---|---|---|
| Differences (11) | ||
| Basics | ||
| Nominal voltage | 3.6 V | 1.5 V |
| Voltage range | 3.67 V open circuit; capacity rated down to 2.0 V (Saft) | 1.5 V nominal; Energizer’s tests stop at 0.8 V |
| Formats | AA size (14500) and other sizes, often with solder tags | AA, AAA, C, D and 9 V |
| Example (source of the figures) | Saft LS14500 | Energizer E91 (AA) |
| Energy | ||
| Energy per kilogram | ≈ 560 Wh/kg | No single figure: the capacity depends strongly on the load (Energizer gives it as a chart) |
| Energy per litre | ≈ 1,100 Wh/L | No single figure: the capacity depends strongly on the load (Energizer gives it as a chart) |
| Life and storage | ||
| Self-discharge and storage | Under 1 % a year at 20 °C (Saft) | Shelf life 10 years at 21 °C (Energizer E91; 12 years on the newer E91 Max sheet) |
| Current | ||
| Maximum continuous discharge | 50 mA, 250 mA in pulses (Saft LS14500) | No rated maximum; internal resistance 150–300 mΩ when fresh (Energizer) |
| Temperature | ||
| Discharge temperature | from −60 to 85 °C | from −18 to 55 °C |
| Safety, charging and shipping | ||
| Air transport | Lithium-metal dangerous goods (UN3090/3091): loose cells by cargo aircraft only; passengers may carry cells with up to 2 g of lithium | Not restricted by air when the terminals are protected against short circuits (IATA special provisions A199 for NiMH, A123 for dry cells) |
| Uses | ||
| Typical uses | Sensors that run for years: meters, LoRaWAN nodes, alarms, trackers | Clocks, remotes, low-drain devices |
| Same on both (4) | ||
| Basics | ||
| Type | Single use (primary) | |
| Life and storage | ||
| Cycle life | Single use | |
| Temperature | ||
| Charging temperature | Not rechargeable | |
| Safety, charging and shipping | ||
| Charging | Not rechargeable | |
| Can’t be compared (1) | ||
| Safety, charging and shipping | ||
| Fire risk | Not rated here | Not rated here |
Open the battery comparison →Tick what your project needs and see which of the 15 chemistries fits.
With Li-SOCl₂: use in the cold. With alkaline cells: easier air transport and the AA/AAA format.
Both are single use. Storage for Li-SOCl₂: under 1 % a year at 20 °C (Saft). For alkaline cells: shelf life 10 years at 21 °C (Energizer E91; 12 years on the newer E91 Max sheet).
No: the voltage of Li-SOCl₂ is 3.6 V per cell, against 1.5 V for alkaline cells, and in a device made for AA batteries it can do damage.
NiMH low self-discharge vs alkaline Lithium AA (Li-FeS₂) vs alkaline CR2032 coin cell vs Li-SOCl₂ LiFePO4 vs Li-ion (NMC/NCA) LiFePO4 vs lead-acid AGM Li-ion (NMC/NCA) vs LiPo (pouch) LTO (lithium titanate) vs LiFePO4
Figures from one or two named cells or batteries per chemistry, from the makers’ datasheets; checked in November 2026.