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XTAR vs Duracell for Trail Cameras: Which Battery Costs Less Per Video?
For a trail camera, the price printed on a battery pack does not tell the whole story.
A pack of four alkaline batteries may cost only a few euros, while a set of rechargeable lithium batteries can cost considerably more at the time of purchase, especially when a dedicated charger is required. But if a camera is recording hundreds or thousands of videos over months or years, the more useful question is:
How much does each video actually cost?
Italian trail-camera creator Marcello, from the YouTube channel Fototrappole e Fototrappolaggio, tested XTAR 1.5V rechargeable lithium batteries against Duracell Plus Extra Life alkaline batteries in an Apeman H810V trail camera. His test focused not only on runtime, but on the long-term economics of powering a trail camera.
The result was significant: the rechargeable batteries recorded more one-minute videos in the test, and their potential cost per video became dramatically lower when repeated recharge cycles were taken into account.
Quick answer: In Marcello’s test, four rechargeable XTAR batteries recorded
238 one-minute videos, compared with
146 videos from four Duracell alkaline batteries in the same Apeman H810V trail camera.
Based on his test prices and a conservative assumption of 1,000 recharge cycles, the calculated long-term cost was approximately
0.02 euro cents per video for the rechargeable batteries versus 2.74 euro cents for Duracell.
The calculation is based on a third-party test and assumptions, rather than a laboratory lifetime test. That distinction matters when interpreting the numbers.
How Marcello Tested XTAR and Duracell in a Trail Camera
The comparison comes from Marcello’s real-world trail-camera test published on Fototrappole e Fototrappolaggio. His stated objective was practical: for users who record a large number of videos, is it more economical to use rechargeable lithium batteries or conventional alkaline batteries?
Test Camera and Shooting Settings
Marcello used an Apeman H810V trail camera equipped with 940nm infrared LEDs.
The camera was configured as follows:
- Video mode
- 1-minute video length
- Time-lapse interval of 1 minute 20 seconds
- Videos shorter than one minute excluded from the final count
This is important because battery performance is highly dependent on the camera and recording conditions. A result from one trail camera should not automatically be treated as a universal runtime figure for every model.
Under these conditions, four rechargeable lithium batteries produced 238 complete one-minute videos, while four Duracell Plus alkaline batteries produced 146.
Batteries and Initial Cost
Marcello compared:
- XTAR 1.5V rechargeable lithium AA batteries
- Duracell Plus Extra Life alkaline AA batteries
At the time of his test, he reported an initial price of approximately:
| Battery setup | Initial cost | Videos recorded |
|---|---|---|
| XTAR rechargeable lithium + charger | €40 | 238 |
| Duracell Plus alkaline, 4 cells | €4 | 146 |
The XTAR price included four batteries, a charger and shipping, while the Duracell price covered four disposable batteries.
That makes the upfront comparison look heavily in favor of Duracell.
But upfront price is only the first part of the calculation.
XTAR vs Duracell: Real-World Trail Camera Results
The most useful part of Marcello’s test is the direct video count.
With the same Apeman H810V camera and the same one-minute video setting:
| XTAR rechargeable lithium | Duracell Plus alkaline | |
|---|---|---|
| Batteries | 4 AA | 4 AA |
| Initial cost in the test | ~€40* | ~€4 |
| One-minute videos recorded | 238 | 146 |
| Rechargeable | Yes | No |
| Theoretical repeat use | Yes | No |
*The XTAR figure included the charger and shipping.
On a single charge or single set of batteries, the difference was already visible: the rechargeable set produced about 63% more one-minute videos than the Duracell set in this particular camera test.
But the more important difference appears when the batteries are reused.
Why the Cheaper Battery Can Cost More Over Time
Alkaline batteries have one obvious advantage: the initial purchase is inexpensive.
Marcello also points out several practical benefits of Duracell Plus batteries. They are widely available, require no charger and can simply be installed and used. For someone who operates a trail camera occasionally, these conveniences can matter.
The economics change when the camera is used frequently.
A trail camera placed in the field may record continuously for weeks or months. Wildlife monitoring can involve repeated battery changes, particularly when the camera is configured for frequent video recording rather than occasional still images.
In that situation, every disposable battery set represents another purchase.
A rechargeable battery, by contrast, turns the initial purchase into a reusable power source. The important variable is therefore no longer just the price of four batteries, but how many recording cycles those batteries can support.
This is where total cost of ownership becomes more meaningful than shelf price.
How Much Does a Trail Camera Video Really Cost?
Marcello used the video count from his test to estimate the long-term cost.
His calculation assumed a conservative 1,000 recharge cycles for the rechargeable lithium batteries. This was his own working assumption; although the batteries were presented with a 1,200-cycle figure, he chose to use 1,000 cycles for the calculation.
XTAR Rechargeable Lithium Battery
The test produced:
238 videos per charge × 1,000 assumed cycles = 238,000 videos
Using the approximately €40 initial purchase price reported in the test:
€40 ÷ 238,000 videos ≈ €0.000168 per video
That is approximately:
0.02 euro cents per video
This calculation includes the initial charger and shipping cost, making it a deliberately simple estimate rather than a calculation of battery-only replacement cost.
Duracell Alkaline Battery
The Duracell set produced:
146 videos
At approximately €4 per four-battery set:
€4 ÷ 146 videos ≈ €0.0274 per video
That equals approximately:
2.74 euro cents per video
The difference is substantial.
However, the two figures should not be interpreted as a laboratory-certified lifetime cost. The XTAR number depends on the assumption that the batteries can complete 1,000 comparable recharge cycles while delivering similar recording output.
The value of the comparison is therefore not the exact decimal figure. It is the scale of the difference between single-use battery consumption and a reusable battery system when a trail camera is used heavily.
Why Trail Camera Type Matters: 850nm vs 940nm
One of the most useful observations in Marcello’s review is that battery life cannot be separated from the trail camera itself.
He compared alkaline battery performance on two different cameras.
On a smaller trail camera using 850nm infrared LEDs, four Duracell batteries produced approximately 490 one-minute videos.
On the Apeman H810V using 940nm LEDs, the same number of Duracell batteries produced only around 150 videos.
That is a major difference.
It means that asking “How many videos will four AA batteries record?” without specifying the camera can produce a misleading answer.
The camera’s infrared system, recording mode, trigger frequency, transmission functions and environmental conditions can all change actual battery consumption.
For this reason, the 238 vs. 146 result should be treated as a camera-specific comparison, not a universal runtime guarantee.
It is nevertheless useful because both battery types were tested under the same camera and recording conditions.
What About Cold Weather Trail Camera Use?
Cold weather is another factor that can change the economics of battery choice.
Marcello specifically highlighted low-temperature performance in his review. He noted that rechargeable lithium batteries maintained useful performance below freezing and referred to an XTAR test in which the batteries reportedly recorded 1,000 30-second videos at -35°C.
He also observed that alkaline batteries can lose performance as temperatures fall below 0°C, which can become a problem for trail cameras operating outdoors during winter.
For a trail camera user, the practical implication is straightforward:
Battery cost should not be evaluated independently from the conditions in which the camera operates.
A battery that looks inexpensive at room temperature may become less attractive if cold-weather performance leads to shorter runtime and more frequent battery replacement.
XTAR’s current specifications list the AA CLR 4300 at -20°C to 60°C operating temperature, with 2700mAh / 4300mWh nominal energy and 1200+ recharge cycles. These are manufacturer specifications and should be kept separate from Marcello’s independent field-test results.
Is Rechargeable Lithium Always the Better Choice?
Not necessarily.
The better choice depends on how the trail camera is used.
For occasional trail camera use
Alkaline batteries can still make sense when:
- The camera is used only occasionally
- Battery replacement is infrequent
- The user does not want to purchase a dedicated charger
- Batteries need to be available immediately from a local store
This is one of the genuine advantages of a Duracell Plus AA battery: it is a simple, ready-to-use disposable power source. Marcello specifically noted its low upfront price and easy availability.
For frequent or long-term monitoring
Rechargeable lithium becomes more compelling when:
- The camera records frequently
- Multiple trail cameras are deployed
- Battery changes require significant time or travel
- Cameras remain in the field for extended periods
- Battery consumption is high
- Long-term operating cost matters
In these situations, the initial cost of the rechargeable system becomes less important because the same batteries can be used repeatedly.
The value is not simply “a more expensive battery that lasts longer.”
It is a different operating model:
buy once → recharge → redeploy → repeat
rather than:
buy → install → discharge → replace → repeat
What This Test Means for Trail Camera Owners
Marcello’s comparison is useful because it moves the discussion away from battery pack price and toward the metric that matters to frequent trail-camera users:
cost per usable recording.
The test showed three things worth paying attention to.
1. Upfront price and operating cost are not the same thing
Duracell was dramatically cheaper at the point of purchase.
But the rechargeable option becomes more economical when its reusable cycles are included.
2. Battery performance depends on the camera
The difference between the 850nm and 940nm examples demonstrates why battery comparisons need to specify the trail camera and shooting conditions.
A runtime figure without those details has limited value.
3. Frequent users benefit most from reusable power
If a trail camera records only occasionally, the convenience of disposable batteries may outweigh their higher long-term cost.
If a camera is recording continuously in the field, battery replacement becomes a recurring operating expense. This is where rechargeable batteries can change the economics significantly.
For a fleet of cameras, the difference becomes even more relevant because the cost is repeated across every battery change and every deployed unit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are rechargeable lithium batteries cheaper than alkaline batteries for trail cameras?
They can be significantly cheaper over the long term when the batteries are recharged and reused repeatedly. In Marcello’s Apeman H810V test, four rechargeable lithium batteries produced 238 one-minute videos compared with 146 from four Duracell alkaline batteries. His long-term calculation, based on a conservative 1,000 recharge-cycle assumption, resulted in a much lower theoretical cost per video for the rechargeable batteries.
How much does it cost to power a trail camera with Duracell batteries?
In Marcello’s test, four Duracell Plus Extra Life AA batteries cost approximately €4 and produced 146 one-minute videos. That works out to approximately 2.74 euro cents per video under those specific test conditions.
Actual cost will vary with battery price, camera model, recording settings and environmental conditions.
Are lithium batteries better for trail cameras in cold weather?
Rechargeable lithium batteries can have advantages in cold outdoor environments, but performance depends on the specific battery and camera.
Marcello reported useful low-temperature performance from the rechargeable lithium batteries and discussed testing at temperatures well below freezing. He also noted reduced performance from alkaline batteries below 0°C.
Are rechargeable batteries suitable for 940nm trail cameras?
They can be used in suitable 940nm trail cameras, but the camera’s actual power consumption still determines runtime.
In Marcello’s test, the Apeman H810V used 940nm infrared LEDs and recorded 238 one-minute videos with the rechargeable lithium set, compared with 146 using four Duracell alkaline batteries.
The result should be regarded as a real-world example rather than a universal runtime specification for every 940nm trail camera.
How do you calculate trail camera battery cost per video?
A simple calculation is:
Battery cost per cycle ÷ videos recorded per cycle = cost per video
For rechargeable batteries, a long-term estimate can be calculated as:
Initial battery-system cost ÷ (videos per charge × assumed number of recharge cycles)
For example, using Marcello’s figures:
€40 ÷ (238 × 1,000) ≈ €0.000168 per video
The calculation is only as reliable as the assumptions behind it. In particular, the number of recharge cycles should not be treated as a guaranteed lifetime output under identical field conditions.
See the Full XTAR Trail Camera Battery Solution
Battery economics are only one part of choosing a power source for a trail camera.
For longer deployments, battery selection also needs to consider output behavior, runtime, operating temperature, battery replacement intervals and the power demands of the camera itself.
Explore the full XTAR trail camera battery solution to see how these factors fit together, including total cost of ownership and battery selection for long-term outdoor monitoring.
For the technical specifications of the battery used in Marcello’s test, see the XTAR AA CLR 4300 technical specifications.
About the Test Source
The comparison discussed in this article is based on an independent test by Marcello, creator of the Italian YouTube channel Fototrappole e Fototrappolaggio. His review compared rechargeable XTAR lithium batteries with Duracell Plus Extra Life alkaline batteries in an Apeman H810V trail camera.
The test results and cost calculations presented above are attributed to the original review. They should be understood as real-world results from that specific camera, configuration and test methodology rather than as a universal performance guarantee.
