During the projection period of 2022–2027, the global battery market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 15.8%, surpassing USD 99.05 billion in 2020 to reach around USD 250.16 billion by 2027.
On the global market, a 4.8% growth rate is anticipated. One of the strongest brands in this sector are companies like Duracell and Kirkland. They have managed to carve out a niche in the market while lacking the reputation of other big-name brands such as Energizer or Duracell.
But if you go to the store and choose to buy one of the two brands, which is better? We will provide you with all the information you require in this post so that you can carefully consider your options and choose wisely.
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Duracell Batteries
Duracell’s history dates back to 1920 when the scientist Samuel Rubens and the manufacturer of tungsten filaments Philip Mallory met. Thanks to some experiments that Rubens was doing at that time, he needed some equipment and parts that Mallory had.
These two great visionaries teamed up and revolutionized the world with various inventions. One of them was mercury batteries. The batteries later replaced zinc-carbon batteries in World War II. which were common at the time.
In the 1950s, Alkaline Manganese batteries improved and quickly became the market leader in batteries.
They offer a wide variety of alkaline batteries with M3 technology. They also sell lithium, silver oxide, and zinc-air batteries. The company has ten battery factories worldwide and is headquartered in Connecticut, United States.
Kirkland Batteries
Unlike Duracell, Kirkland Signature batteries did not start out as a pure battery business. Kirkland Signature is the own brand of Costco, a company founded in 1976 by brothers Sol and Robert Price. They started the business by raising two million dollars from family and friends.
The business model is that of a private shopping club. That means that you pay an annual fee and throughout the year you receive various benefits and great discounts on all kinds of products.
One of the many products that Costco sells under the Kirkland Signature brand is its alkaline batteries, which are of great quality and much cheaper than most of its competitors.
Kirkland Signature batteries are manufactured by Duracell, according to statements of Costco’s CEO, Craig Jelinek. This is not unusual since many of Costco’s products are manufactured by third parties, and on many occasions, by renowned and prestigious brands with which they compete in the market.
But if Kirkland’s batteries are made by Duracell, does it mean that they are the same? The answer is NO and that is why we will explain below what are the substantial differences between these two brands that are leaders in the US market.
Duracell Batteries vs. Kirkland Batteries
This is a battle that is fought inch by inch and it is not easy to decide on a specific brand, since the two batteries come from the same manufacturer.
Kirkland batteries, for example, are preferred by 80% of consumers, which is surprising for a store brand. While Duracell Quantum AA has a higher market share of 89%.
The batteries represented by the pink rabbit are known worldwide for their quality and durability, while the success of the giant Costco always offers a better price and many people prefer them when comparing the cost-benefit of the battery.
However, there are small differences that can help each person decide on one or another brand. The final decision will depend on what you consider most important when buying a product and what you want to cover with it.
Differences Between Duracell and Kirkland Batteries
Although Duracell manufactures Kirkland AA and AAA batteries and both brands offer high-quality batteries, that is not to say that there are no differences between them in their structure, models, and prices.
1. Price
Price is always a determining factor when deciding on any purchase. At this point, the Costco store brand batteries are considerably cheaper than the Duracell batteries.
You can get a pack of 48 Kirkland alkaline AA1.5 batteries for the price of $14. While for the same price you will get only 40 Duracell batteries. However, you should keep in mind that Duracell batteries have a longer duration and lifetime.
2. Best Technology
Duracell batteries are at the forefront of technology, they have a high-density core and Duralock with long shelf life, which is mainly responsible for no leaks, unlike Kirkland batteries, which do not have this technology and tend to last less.
Duracell’s high-density core provides more power. So if we combine more energy with fewer leaks, we obtain a high-quality battery, an appreciated characteristic in AA batteries and recognized worldwide by all buyers.
3. Variety and Usability
Duracell batteries win hands down at this point, as they come in a variety of models and sizes. They are also highly recommended for any type of electrical artifact. They are the best option for cameras, flashlights, toys, remote control, and all kinds of high-drain devices.
Duracell Warranty vs. Kirkland Warranty
Duracell offers its customers a warranty of 2 to 5 years if the batteries have a defect in workmanship or the material with which they were made has been defective.
It is good to know that this guarantee may vary according to the product you have purchased. Also, in order to guarantee the return of your money or the exchange of the product, it is necessary to have the receipt or proof of payment for the item.
The guarantee that Duracell offers do not cover damages that may have been caused by misuse of its products or any type of negligence on the part of the customer.
Kirkland offers Costco’s blanket warranty on all of its products. The requirements to claim the guarantee are similar to those of Duracell, however, there is a vital difference between the two companies.
Kirkland does not have the same transparency or offer detailed information regarding what its warranty covers. This makes Duracell a much more reliable option when it comes to claiming a product in poor condition or managing the procedures for your money back.
What are the best products of each brand?
It is difficult to determine which brand to choose since, as we said before, the final decision of each purchase is subjective depending on what one considers most valuable. However, we want to present you with some of the most successful models of each brand that cover certain specific needs and for which have become known in the market.
Duracell Products
Duracell Ultra Power batteries are a great option over expensive lithium batteries. They provide 1.27V and are perfect for all types of 500-lumen LED lights and flashlights. If you want batteries that don’t require that much amount of power, you can also go for Duracell Coppertop, with magnetic charge and perfect for magnetic hanging lights.
Duracell Plus AA batteries are the flagship product of this company. The company points out that its batteries last 50% longer than any battery on the market. Although they are the cheapest in its entire line, they still have Duralock technology, which guarantees a long battery life.
Kirkland Products
Kirkland Signature 1.5V AA Standard Batteries and AAA Alkaline Batteries are the best and most popular products among Costco shoppers. Because for a relatively cheap price, you get quality batteries with 7-year shelf life and no added mercury.
Conclusion
We could determine that Duracell Batteries are the best option if what you need is a high-performance battery that works with all kinds of electronic devices that consume large amounts of energy. You should also keep in mind that you can find many models of this brand that fit all kinds of needs.
Duracell is a leader in the global battery market and year after year it releases new models that meet specific customer needs.
But if what you need is a standard AA battery for any electronic device that does not require great power, then Kirkland batteries are definitely your best option.
Their prices are the most competitive in the market and the cost-benefit of their most popular products is worth it since they stand out above any cheap battery on the market.
You also have the certainty that they are manufactured by a quality company like Duracell. Although they do not surpass the quality products of this brand, they are a very reliable and economical alternative if your needs are not specific and demanding.