D batteries are one of those products that instantly feel a little old-fashioned. Many people associate them with large torches, portable radios and toys from decades ago, and with so many modern personal devices now using built-in rechargeable batteries, it would be easy to assume the traditional D cell had largely disappeared.
That is not actually the case.
D batteries are still widely used in equipment that needs a relatively high level of power over a long period of time. Their size may make them less convenient for compact electronics, but that same size is exactly what makes them useful in more demanding applications.
What is a D battery?
A D battery is a large cylindrical battery, considerably bigger than the AA and AAA cells most people use around the home. Standard alkaline D batteries normally provide around 1.5 volts, which is actually the same nominal voltage as many smaller alkaline batteries. The key difference is capacity.
Because there is more room inside the larger casing for the materials involved in producing electricity, D batteries can sustainably provide more stored energy. This makes them well suited to equipment that needs to draw more current or keep running for extended periods.
Rechargeable D batteries are also available, giving users an option for equipment that is used regularly.
What were D batteries traditionally used for?
Perhaps the most famous use of D batteries is the traditional large torch. In fact, D cells have historically been so closely associated with powerful handheld torches that they have sometimes been referred to as “flashlight batteries”.
Some of the other most common devices powered by D batteries include:
- Portable radios & boom boxes
- Large children’s toys
- Camping lanterns
- Automatic trash cans
The reason was simple. These devices needed more energy than smaller batteries could conveniently provide at the time, and D cells offered the necessary combination of capacity and portability.
Are D batteries still used today?
Absolutely. Powerful torches and lanterns still commonly use D batteries, particularly equipment intended for outdoor, emergency or professional use.
Portable radios remain another common application, especially in manual jobs, along with megaphones, certain electronic toys and equipment containing small electric motors. D cells are also used in some industrial, medical and emergency devices where dependable power and longer runtime are important.
That makes them particularly useful in situations where repeatedly replacing smaller batteries would be inconvenient.
Why have they not been replaced completely?
Technology has certainly moved on. Lithium-ion rechargeable packs now power everything from smartphones to cordless tools, while compact electronics require far less energy than older designs.
However, replaceable D batteries still offer some useful advantages. They can be stored until needed, replaced within seconds and don’t require access to a charging point. This can be particularly helpful for camping equipment, emergency supplies and equipment that may need to remain ready for use after sitting unused for long periods.
They are also already built into countless existing devices. There is little reason to replace perfectly functional equipment simply because it uses an older battery format.
Choosing the right D battery
Different devices place different demands on their batteries, so check what the manufacturer recommends before buying replacements.
Manufacturers including Duracell, Energizer, GP, Panasonic and Varta all make their own D batteries, with both standard single-use and rechargeable options available. (BuyABattery)
For something used occasionally, a standard alkaline battery may make sense. Equipment used constantly might make rechargeable cells worth considering.
An old format that still has a job
D batteries may no longer be found in as many household gadgets as they once were, but that does not mean they have become redundant. Their ability to supply substantial energy over long periods continues to make them useful for torches, radios, emergency equipment and other demanding devices.
Sometimes newer does not necessarily mean a traditional solution no longer works. For certain jobs, the big D cell is still exactly what is needed.
