A major site compared 40 batteries using fast
drain and slow drain technology. Its findings mimicked other
findings from a number of other tests.
The resulting data yielded some interesting results. First, highest
price is not highest value, and second, zinc batteries, although
usually the cheapest are poor value as they drain faster than
alkaline and lithium batteries. Brand name has no relation to
quality, but are usually higher priced.
Bottom line is that buying the cheapest non-brand-name alkaline
battery is almost always the best value. Lithium batteries last the
longest, but are almost always not the cheapest. In the tests, Ikea
alkaline batteries blew away the competition for best value.
Think about how often you change batteries for every day use items,
such as TV remote, computer mouse, clock, smoke detectors,
flashlights, etc., it is usually once every year or two, or even
longer.
My advice - if you need long stable battery life (such as for a good
camera), pay more and buy lithium. If you want the best value and do
not mind changing batteries a bit more often, buy the cheapest
alkaline you can find.