Distinguish Carbon and Alkaline Batteries

June 9, 2025

Dr. Lee PAN

Doctor of Science from Hubei University, Postdoctoral Fellow in Materials Science and Engineering from Central South University. Long-term research in high-performance electrode materials, explosion-proof batteries, and low-temperature batteries, with a solid scientific research background and rich practical experience.

How to distinguish carbon and alkaline batteries? Simplest way is “looking, checking and touching”.

a. Looking, regular AA/AAA alkaline battery uses LR6 and LR03 to sign individually while R6 and R03 for AA/AAA carbon battery.

b. Checking: for same model, alkaline battery is heavier than carbon battery, e.g. AA alkaline battery is about 25g, and 18g for AA carbon battery, because alkaline battery case is steel, and zinc copper for carbon battery.

c. Touching:, there is a fillister around on alkaline anode pole, but not for carbon battery.