AA vs. AAA Batteries: What’s The Difference? (Explained)

We have come a long way from the industrial revolution which took back in the 19th century. And since then we as a civilization have evolved and innovated many new machines and devices which are all reliant on energy. As a result, our energy consumption has also increased.

To quickly answer, the main difference between the AA and AAA batteries is their size. The AAA battery is larger in size due to which it also has a higher energy capacity and voltage output.

In this article, I’ll be discussing the most common type of energy provider for households: batteries. I’ll also be discussing the difference between the AA and AAA type batteries and why there’s a price difference between the two despite them providing the same voltage output and current ratio.

Lots of used batteries that are disposed
Lots of used batteries that are disposed

What Is a Battery?

In simple words, a battery is a collection of cells joined together in a parallel or a series circuit. These cells are devices made out of metals that transform the chemical energy they possess into electrical energy. They do so through a reaction known as an electrochemical redox reaction.

A battery has three components the cathode, the anode, and the electrolyte. The cathode is the positive terminal of the battery and the anode is the negative terminal. The electrolyte is an ionic compound in its molten state which has free-moving positive and negative ions present inside it.

When the two terminals are connected to a circuit a reaction takes place between the anode and the electrolyte which results in the transfer of electrons from the anode to the cathode. This movement of electrons is what produces the electricity,

There are two types of batteries:

  • Primary batteries: These types of batteries can only be used once and then must be thrown away.
  • Secondary batteries: These types of batteries can be recharged and so be used again and again.

AA Type Battery  

The AA battery is a small, cylindrical battery that is often used in small electronic devices. It’s usually made of lithium or alkaline materials. The size of an AA battery is 14mm in diameter and 50mm in length. There are two types of AA batteries: disposable and rechargeable.

Disposable AA batteries are called Alkaline batteries and are made out of manganese and zinc oxides. These are the most common type of batteries.

Rechargeable AA batteries are called lithium batteries and they are made of the metal lithium. They have a higher energy density than alkaline AA batteries and can be recharged.

The alkaline and lithium batteries differ from each other in terms of their voltage Battery Capacity, Operating Temperature, diameter height, and chemistry. The following table summarizes these changes.

Battery typeAlkaline batteryLithium battery
Battery Nominal Voltage             1.50 Volts1.50 Volts
AA Battery Capacity (Avg.)- Alkaline≈ 2500 mAh≈3000mAh mAh
Operating Temperature0°C – 60°C0°C – 60°C
Diameter14.5mm14.5mm
Height50.5mm50.5mm
                ChemistryAlkalineLithium
AA-type batteries are yellow in color
AA-type batteries are yellow in color

AAA Type Battery

The AAA battery is a small, cylindrical battery that is often used in small electronic devices. It’s also known as a triple-A battery. The AAA battery is usually made of lithium or alkaline, and it has a voltage of 1.5 volts.

There are two types of AAA batteries: the disposable AAA battery and the rechargeable AAA battery. The disposable AAA battery can only be used once and then discarded, while the rechargeable AAA battery can be used multiple times. The AA equivalent batteries are the LR03 and LR6, which have a voltage of 1.2 volts and 1.5 volts respectively

The size of AAA batteries varies depending on the type, but they are generally about 10mm in diameter and 44mm long. Alkaline batteries are the most common type of AAA battery. Lithium batteries are more expensive but last longer than alkaline batteries.

Just like in AA batteries the rechargeable type is the lithium battery and the non-rechargeable type battery is the alkaline one. The alkaline and lithium-type AAA batteries have some differences and similarities as well. They’re listed in the following table:

Battery typeAlkaline               Lithium
Battery Nominal Voltage1.50 Volts1.50 Volts
AAA Battery Capacity (Avg.)- Alkaline               â‰ˆ 1200 mAh≈600mAh
Operating Temperature0°C – 60°C0°C – 60°C
Diameter14.5mm14.5mm
Height50.5mm50.5mm
ChemistryAlkalineLithium
AAA type battery
AAA type battery

Output Voltage And Current Ratio of The AA And AAA Batteries,

The output voltage and current ratio of AA and AAA batteries vary depending on the type of battery. Some AA batteries have a higher voltage and current output than AAA batteries, while others have a lower voltage and current output.

The output voltage and current ratio of The AA and AAA batteries are 1.5 volts and 3000 mAh, respectively. This means that the AA battery can provide 1.5 volts of power for 3000 mAh, while the AAA battery can provide 1.5 volts of power for 1000 mAh.

AA batteries have a higher output voltage, while AAA batteries have a higher current output. The voltage of a AA battery is typically around 1.5 volts, while the current output is around 2.4 amps. The voltage of a AAA battery is typically around 1.2 volts, while the current output is around 3.6 amps.

Manufacture Of AA Batteries

AA batteries are made of a few different materials. The most important material is the cathode, which is made of manganese dioxide. The anode is made of carbon, and the electrolyte is a mixture of potassium hydroxide and water.

The manufacturing process starts with the cathode. The manganese dioxide is mixed with carbon and pressed into pellets. The pellets are then placed into a mold that gives them their AA shape. The anode is made in a similar way, except the carbon is mixed with graphite.

The electrolyte is made by mixing potassium hydroxide and water. Once all the materials are ready, they are assembled into AA batteries.

Manufacture Of AAA Batteries

AAA batteries are made from a variety of materials. The most important ingredient is the cathode, which is usually made from lithium metal.

 Other materials used in AAA batteries include anodes (usually made from carbon), separators (to keep the cathode and anode from touching each other), and electrolytes (to help conduct electricity).

The manufacturing process begins with creating the cathode and anode. These are then placed into a battery case with the separator and electrolyte. The battery is then sealed and tested to make sure it meets safety standards.

A video showing how batteries are made in factories

Major Producers Of AA And AAA Battery

The AA and AAA type batteries are greatly produced across the world. Following are the major producers of these batteries:

AA vs. AAA Batteries

The first difference between these two very similar battery types is that the AAA battery is smaller in diameter and height than the AA battery. As a result, its energy storage capacity is lower than the AA-type battery’s energy storage capacity.

This means that even though the two batteries can give the same output the AA battery can give an output for a longer time. This is why the AA battery has 3000 mAh for 2.5v whereas the AAA battery has a mAh of 1000 for 1.5v.

The second notable difference between the two is that the amount of current that can travel through each battery can vary. The AA battery can handle more amount of current flowing through it than the AAA battery. This is because of the AAA battery’s smaller size.

Lastly, the AA battery type has a greater voltage output and the AAA battery has a greater current output. The main differences are summarized in the table below.

AA batteryAAA battery
1.5 v1.2 v
2.4 amps3.6 amps
can provide 1.5 volts of power for 3000 mAhcan provide 1.5 volts of power for 1000 mAh.

The price difference is mainly due to the supply and demand factors. The AA battery has a greater supply hence its price is lower. Secondly, the material used to manufacture AA batteries is also inexpensive. So the manufacturing cost of AA batteries is lower than that of AAA batteries and so it is cheaper and AAA is more expensive.

Conclusion

  • Batteries are a group of cells joined together in a parallel or series circuit. They’re devices that transform chemical energy into electrical energy.
  • AA and AAA type batteries are very similar to each other, Both batteries have rechargeable and non-rechargeable types. The Alkaline batteries are non-rechargeable and the lithium ones are chargeable.
  • The AA battery has a greater output voltage and the AAA battery has greater current output.
  • The main differences between the two battery types are that the AAA is smaller and that it has a lower mAh than AA batteries.
  • Hope this article was helpful and I was successful in helping you understand the main differences between these two batteries and why they have different prices.

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