AA vs AAA Battery: What Is the Difference?

Hello readers, welcome to new posts. In this post, we will discuss AA vs. AAA Battery: What Is the Difference? AA and AAA batteries are commonly used types of batteries. It is used in different applications, such as toys and cell phones, and is a reliable power source, so preferred to use for different devices. In this post we will discuss different parameters to find their differences, so let’s get started with AA vs. AAA Battery: What Is the Difference?

AA vs AAA Batteries: What Is the Difference?

What are AA batteries?

The AA is an indication of battery size that is physical dimensions. The shape of the AA battery is a small cylinder. The ANSI defines AA batteries as

• The height of the AA battery is about 49.2 mm minimum, and the highest length is 50.5 mm.
• Its diameter is 13.55mm to 15.5mm.

The main dimensions of this battery are the height and diameter of the positive pin of the battery and the diameter of the negative pin. The positive pin height is one millimeter, and the diameter is 5.5 mm. The negative pin diameter is 7mm.

AA batteries come with single cells, but they have different anodes, cathodes, or electrolytes. AA batteries are dry cells since their electrolyte is not liquid.

 

Types of AA Batteries

The AA batteries can be both primary and secondary batteries. The potential difference between the electrodes of the primary AA battery is about 1.5 volts and the secondary AA battery has 1.2 volts.

Zinc-caron is a simple and common type of AA battery in primary mode. In this battery, zinc is an anode, and a mixture of carbon and manganese dioxide is the cathode.

Ammonium chloride electrolytes of this battery and some batteries are heavy duty and come with zinc chloride as an electrolyte.

Electrolyte has an acidic nature. Primary AA batteries have potassium hydroxide that is used as an electrolyte. Such batteries are called alkaline batteries.

For secondary or rechargeable AA batteries, two types are nickel-cadmium (NiCd) and nickel metal-hydride (NiMH) batteries.

NiCd batteries Cadmium metal is used as an anode, and nickel oxide hydroxide is the cathode. The electrolyte is normally potassium hydroxide (alkaline).

Types of AA Batteries

Type	Chemistry	Voltage	Capacity (mAh)	Rechargeable
Alkaline	Zinc-manganese dioxide	$2	1450 to 3300	No
Lithium	Lithium-iron disulfide	$2	110 to 3000	No
NiMH	Nickel metal hydride	$1	1500 to 3000	Yes
Li-ion	Lithium-ion	3.6 to 3.7	1000 to 3300	Yes

AAA Batteries

The AAA battery is cylindrical as the AA battery. The height and diameter of the AAA battery are less as compared to the AA battery. ANSI sets dimensions for AA batteries that are

• AAA battery height is 43.3 to 44.5mm.
• The diameter is 9.5mm to 10.5mm.

The height of the positive pin is 0.8mm to 3.8mm. The minimum diameter of the negative pin is 4.3 mm. Like AA batteries, AAA batteries also come in primary and secondary types.

AAA batteries are smaller in size than AA batteries. So their capacity is also less than AA batteries since they have small sizes of electrodes and electrolytes.

Some common types of AAA batteries are.

AAA Primary (Non-rechargeable) :

• Zinc Carbon = 500 to 600 mAh
• Alkaline = 800 to 1,300 mAh

AAA Secondary (Non-rechargeable) :

• Nickel Cadmium = 300 to 500 mAh
• Nickel Metal Hydride: 600 to 1,300 mAh

 

AAA Batteries Types

Type	Chemistry	Voltage	Capacity	Rechargeable
Alkaline	Zinc-carbon	1.5 V	1000 to 2700 mAh	No
NiMH	Nickel-metal hydride	1.2 V	1500 to 3000 mAh	Yes
Li-ion	Lithium-ion	3.7 V	700 to 2000 mAh	Yes
LiFePO4	Lithium iron phosphate	3.2 V	1000 to 2000 mAh	Yes

Key Differences: AAA battery vs. AA

Battery Size

• The basic difference is the battery size. AA battery is larger than an AAA battery. If we compare the height of AA and AAA batteries, that is about 50.5mm for AA and 44.5mm for AAA. The diameter of the AA battery is 14.5 mm and the AAA battery is 10.5 mm.

Chemistry

• These two batteries come with the same chemistry and have the same anodes, cathodes, and electrolytes. The AA battery has a larger size, so it has larger chemicals. That affects the chemical energy of batteries. The chemistry of the battery affects shelf life. Zinc-carbon batteries have three to five years of chemistry. Alkaline batteries have a five- to ten-year shelf life.

Capacity

Larger-size AA has high energy as compared to AAA batteries. The alkaline battery of the AA type has a capacity of about 3000 mAh, and the AAA battery has a 1300 mAh capacity. The AA battery is high power as compared to the AAA battery.

Uses

AA batteries are used in high-power uses since they have a high capacity, for example, in fighting, motors, toys, etc. AAA batteries are used in remote controls and game controllers. AA batteries are now used in cameras and flashlights since they have high energy density.

Primary Battery Vs Secondary Battery

Primary Battery

• It does not need any special maintenance.
• After use it gets discarded
• It is low a low-density battery
• it has a limited capacity
• It is used in toys, flashlights, and portable devices
• Common types are Alkaline, zinc-carbon, and lithium batteries.

Category	Type	Anode	Cathode	Electrolyte	Capacity	Voltage
Primary (Non-rechargeable)	Zinc Carbon	Zinc	Manganese Dioxide	Ammonium Chloride (or Zinc Chloride)	400 to 700 mAh	1.5V
	Alkaline	Zinc	Manganese Dioxide	Potassium Hydroxide	1,500 to 3,000 mAh	1.5V

Secondary Battery

• It needed periodic maintenance
• it  is a reusable and recycled battery
• It has high energy density with high capacity
• It is used in Electric vehicles, portable electronics,
• Common types are nickel-metal hydride batteries, Lead-acid, and lithium-ion

Secondary (Rechargeable)	Nickel Cadmium	Cadmium	Nickel Oxide Hydroxide	Potassium Hydroxide	600 to 1,000 mAh	1.2V
	Nickel Metal Hydride	Metal Alloy	Nickel Oxide Hydroxide	Potassium Hydroxide	6,00 to 3,000 mAh	1.2V

AAA vs. AA Batteries

1. AAA batteries are smaller in size than AA. Small size battery, pin-shaped, with a diameter of 3.5mm
2. AA battery has higher electrochemical material than an AAA battery
3. AA battery holds a higher charge than a AAA battery
4. AAA batteries are best used for small and lower-power devices, and AA batteries are best for high-power devices.

Is the voltages of AA and AAA batteries different?

The AA is 1.5 volts and has a 2000 mAh capacity, and AAA batteries have 1.5 volts and an 800 mAh capacity.

AA vs AAA vs AAAA battery

Battery Type	Length (mm)	Diameter (mm)	Voltage (V)	Capacity (mAh)	Applications
AA	50.5	$15	$2	2000-3000	Remote controls, toys, flashlights,
AAA	44.5	$11	$2	1000-1200	wireless keyboards, computer mice
AAAA	42.5	$8	$2	200-300	Laser pointers, medical devices, penlights,

 

Difference Between Rechargeable and Primary Batteries

The primary cell is not recharged and discarded after the expiry of its working life, and the secondary cell needs to be recharged when the charge is finished.

These batteries are used in different devices and both have different sizes and materials.

Are AA and AAA interchangeable?

We cannot interchange these batteries. Irrespective of the same chemistry, AA and AAA batteries are physically incompatible with each other.

Such as if there is a wall clock that has a holder for an AA battery. Then I was not able to connect the AAA battery in this holder due to its small size.

Non-rechargeable batteries of AA and AAA batteries are 1.5 volts, and the voltage of the rechargeable batteries is 1.2 volts.

Based on applications, a voltage difference is also an issue. Such as for the remote controls of modern smart TVs.

NiCd AA vs. AAA battery

Nickel-cadmium AA batteries are the oldest battery that can be rechargeable. NiCd battery has 1.2 volts and capacity is about 300-500 mAh for AAA and 600-1000 mAh for AA batteries.

Nicd batteries are less costly and reliable batteries have high currents since they have high memory effects, come with toxic metals, and have small charging cycles.

What lasts longer, AA or AAA batteries?

The AA battery is larger and comes with high capacity and less internal resistance, so it works for longer since both have some chemistry.

Is an AA battery stronger than AAA?

The less inner resistance and high volumes of AA is stronger than an AAA battery. AA offers a strong current and has fewer losses as compared to AAA batteries.

Can we use AA batteries instead of AAA?

AA battery is larger in size as compared to AAA battery, so it is not used for AAA battery-operated devices.

How many AAA batteries equal an AA battery?

2-2.5 AAA batteries have the same capacity as one AA battery.

Can we use AAA batteries as AA?

Yes AAA battery can be used to an AA battery so an AAA can replace with an AA battery. But the fact is that AAA has less capacity and features to offer a higher current than AA.

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FAQS

Difference between AA and AAA batteries

Characteristic	AA Battery	AAA Battery
Size	Larger	Smaller
Capacity	2000-3000 mAh	350-1200 mAh
Duration	Longer	Shorter
Usage	High-drain devices	Low-drain devices
Shelf Life	10 years	10 years
Output Voltage	1.2-1.5 volts	1.2-1.5 volts
Cost	More expensive	Less expensive

Which is better, AA or AAA batteries?

• An AA battery is best since it has a high energy capacity and is used in high-power uses like lighting, motor toys, and photography devices. AAA batteries due to less energy capacity used in remote controls, game controllers, etc.

What is the difference between AA and AAAA batteries?

• AA and AAA batteries come with 1.5V. But the capacity of an AA battery is higher than AAA battery. Normal  AA batteries have a 2400mAh capacity, and AAA batteries have a 1000mAh capacity. That is AA battery has triple the capacity of an AAA battery

Why are batteries called AA and AAA?

• The main difference is the size since batteries are known as AA & AAA because of size and dimensions. AA does not stand for any word. It is just an identifier of the battery for given dimensions and nominal voltage. AAA batteries are smaller in size than AA

Can you use AAA batteries in the AAA slot?

• AA and AAA batteries have 1.5V nominal and 1.2V nominal for rechargeable. When the current does not cross the AAA battery, we can use AAA and then AA to bridge the gap.

What is the disadvantage of an AA battery?

• Alkaline batteries are commonly used as AA batteries, but their voltage losses during discharge are normally higher cost than saline batteries, and each battery is heavier.

Are AAA batteries high quality?

• It is reliable, longer working, and provides constant operation, making it best to use for affordable and dependable batteries needed for their low-drain devices.

Which battery lasts the longest?

• AA batteries are more durable than AAA batteries since their size allows for higher capacity and longer life. AAA batteries are more prone to leakage and damage due to their smaller size and lower capacity.

How long can an AAA battery last?

	AAA Alkaline battery	AAA lithium battery
Shelf life	5-10 years	10 to 15 years, Energizer Ultimate Lithium battery work for 20 years
Internal resistance	High	Low
Weight	33% gereater Lithium	33% < Alkaline
Performance at 0°C	Average	Good

Which battery has the longest life?

• Lithium-ion batteries

Can an AA battery last 10 years?

• Alkaline batteries come with a shelf life of 5 to 10 years. Carbon zinc batteries have a shorter shelf life of 3–5 years.

How many hours does an AAA battery last?

• The estimate of about 6 to 7 hours for alkaline AAA would be right.

How do you check AAA battery life?

• Connect the black probe of the multimeter with the negative pin of the battery and the red probe with the positive end of the battery. Check the meter reading; if the voltage is about the rated voltage of the battery, it is good. Such an AAA battery should read around 1.5V.

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