3 Things To Look For When Buying Batteries On Amazon

Batteries are incredibly versatile devices that most of us probably rely on daily. They power a virtually incalculable number of technology products and come in numerous styles, sizes, and applications. Yet, despite their importance and prevalence in our day-to-day lives, batteries are also something that most of us probably take for granted. Indeed, many of us may even forget about the existence of batteries almost completely until one dies, sending us into a panicked search for a replacement. 

While there are plenty of rechargeable batteries out there, even those versions will die eventually. Considering how much of our tech depends on batteries for power, it makes sense that most of us will be buying batteries for a sizable chunk of our lives. Knowing that, many consumers choose to look for battery bargains, which can include everything from buying off-brand or generic models to shopping at a warehouse store to buy batteries in bulk. One method that some shoppers use to get their hands on batteries at reduced prices is buying on Amazon. 

The online marketplace, known for its Prime deals and fast shipping times, can be a solid location to check for deals on batteries of various types and sizes, from lithium to alkaline. However, it's not without its risks, too, and if you're going to buy batteries on Amazon, there are a few things you should know first. Fortunately, that's exactly what we're going to cover here together. From checking user reviews to investigating the seller and looking into product certifications, here are three things to look for when buying batteries on Amazon.

When it comes to keeping your money safe while shopping on Amazon, one of the most powerful tools at your disposal is the customer review section. These ratings and comments are valuable for various reasons, as they allow you to learn about the experiences of previous customers, including both positive and negative incidents. They can also help you determine whether the product is actually what you're looking for, or if the description is inaccurate or misleading. It's important to read through multiple reviews, meaning don't just trust Amazon's AI review summaries.

While perusing Amazon customer reviews, make note of any comments about the product's quality, the user's experience with the seller, and any mention of inconsistencies between the product description and the actual item that the customer received. Also, remember that Amazon review sections can contain ratings for multiple products, meaning that you should pay close attention to the actual content of the review, not just the star rating. It's a good idea to read at least a handful of reviews at various star rating levels. For example, don't just focus on the positive, five-star ratings. Instead, try to read a few reviews at each of the one, two, three, four, and five-star levels. This will give you a more well-rounded idea of real customer experiences and help you make a more informed decision.

That said, remember that customer reviews aren't always accurate or trustworthy. Some stores and sellers bribe or otherwise incentivize customers to leave positive reviews, skewing the accuracy of the entire review section. Read through as many reviews as you can, and use that information to help yourself make a decision, but don't rely on reviews entirely, as there are still several other factors to consider when buying batteries on Amazon.

If you find a battery on Amazon that you're interested in buying, your first step should be to read through the customer reviews thoroughly, as covered above. However, it's not the only thing you need to look for when shopping for batteries on Amazon. The next step in your investigation should be to research the seller.

Virtually anyone can open up a store on Amazon's website, provided, of course, that they follow the proper steps and adhere to the company's guidelines. It's a cool feature that allows people to sell their goods to a massive audience around the world. However, it can also open the door to unscrupulous business practices and poor customer service. When shopping on Amazon, it's vital that you do your research to investigate the seller before making a purchase, especially if the brand name is odd or unknown. This doesn't just apply to generic, off-brand products, either. Lots of third-party Amazon stores sell name-brand products, but it's critical to remember that many of these products come from third-party sellers, and many of these supposedly name-brand items could be fake.

One of the best things you can do when investigating an unfamiliar Amazon seller is click on their store page, which you can find below the "buy now" button on the main product page. Navigating to the seller's page allows you to see the store's overall rating, as well as other pertinent information, like the seller's "about us" section, shipping policies, and business address. Use this information to help you make your decision, and avoid shady-looking unknown brands. Finally, if you're searching for a specific name brand battery, like a DeWalt or Milwaukee power tool battery, you should buy from the official authorized retailer whenever possible to avoid buying a clone or fake.

Before you pull the trigger on batteries from Amazon, you need to double check a few things to avoid buying the incorrect product. As mentioned above, if you're shopping for a specific brand's battery pack, you should go directly to the authorized Amazon seller page if one exists, and from there, look for the battery that fits your tool. However, if you're in the market for a generic battery, you need to pay a bit more attention to the product's description.

Amazon product listings can be confusing and are often full of keywords and phrases that make little sense. Furthermore, many batteries and battery products can appear to be extremely similar, despite having potentially significant differences in capacity and application. It's vital that you read through the description and product details extremely carefully before buying a battery. You should know your power needs and the specifications for the devices you plan to power with the battery you buy, meaning you should have a basic understanding of battery specs, including things like the meaning of mAh on batteries and power banks. 

Purchasing the incorrect battery can not only be extremely inconvenient, as you'll have to go through the process of returning the incompatible product and replacing it with a different model, but you could also damage your devices if you connect the improper type of battery or one with incorrect power outputs. The best way to avoid those issues is to read the product description thoroughly and compare that information against your needs and your devices.

The things covered above are the primary areas you should focus on when buying batteries on Amazon. However, there are a couple of other things that are important to note before you make a purchase. First of all, Amazon requires sellers to upload documentation proving that their battery products have undergone all relevant mandatory testing and certification processes. This information is required in order for the seller to set up the product's ASIN or Amazon Standard Identification Number. Every single product listed for sale on the Amazon website must have one of these numbers, and you can find it by checking the item details menu for any given device. That means that, in theory, any battery you buy from Amazon should be certified properly for your region.

However, in practice, things can get a little fuzzy. As mentioned above, it's not unheard of for sellers to put counterfeit or cloned items up for sale. It's also possible to receive a different product than the one advertised. Amazon does take steps to counter these unscrupulous practices, but things do slip through the cracks from time to time, and various users across the net report having bought counterfeit items. 

We already covered one way to avoid this issue above by explaining that you should always buy name-brand products through authorized retailers. However, when it comes to generic brand items, it's important to check the product thoroughly once you receive it, especially when buying things like batteries. If the item you receive looks different than the product picture, or if you can't find any certification symbols on the product itself or mention of the certification process in the product's literature, you should consider replacing it with a more reputable item.