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Having the right batteries on hand for all of life’s little gadgets is one of those small, but kind of annoying, adulting tasks. Like why does the smoke detector battery always aggressively signal it’s dying around 2 a.m.? (Which is usually exactly the time you realize you used your last 9-volt battery on the basement’s smoke detector a month earlier.) Luckily, if you have a Costco membership, you’re probably looped into their sweet, sweet bulk battery deals, which make keeping those little guys on hand easier.
But who makes Kirkland batteries, and are they just as good as a name brand? Kirkland Signature is Costco’s private label, and they make just about everything (though oddly not mayonnaise). While Costco does have their own manufacturing plants for certain things, they often partner with big-name companies to produce their products, then slap the Kirkland Signature name on them. So you could be buying a product that says Kirkland Signature, but it’s the exact same product as that of a brand name—only cheaper.
With that in mind, let’s get to the bottom of who makes Kirkland batteries, anyway. For insights into the business side of partnerships like these, I spoke to Nauman Poonja, CEO of Accounovation, a fractional CFO services and accounting consulting firm dedicated to serving manufacturers as well as other growing businesses. Keep reading to learn more.
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Who makes Kirkland batteries?
Let’s not make this too suspenseful—it’s Duracell, makers of the batteries that once featured the unforgettable slogan, “You can’t stop the copper top.” How do we know? It was revealed in a 2016 television interview by Costco’s then-CEO Craig Jelinek. (Costco’s current CEO hasn’t mentioned the arrangement, but since Duracell is the only other battery brand Costco sells, it’s pretty safe to assume the partnership remains.)
While it’s widely believed that these Kirkland batteries are manufactured in the U.S., there’s nothing that explicitly states that. Duracell’s research and development headquarters is in Atlanta, and it has manufacturing plants all over the world, including in the States. (The company’s La Grange, Georgia, facility is where they make AA and AAA batteries for North America.) They also have manufacturing facilities in Belgium and China.
Why should you buy Kirkland batteries?
With a trusted name like Duracell behind Kirkland Signature batteries, the question becomes why wouldn’t you? But who makes Kirkland batteries isn’t the only consideration. There are other reasons to purchase Costco batteries too.
Quality
Costco doesn’t mess around when it comes to the quality of their Kirkland products, and that includes their batteries. Poonja explains how this is impactful for a business like Costco.
“I once worked with a client obsessed with cutting costs by sourcing cheaper batteries to boost margins,” he says. “We thought a 15% savings would help profits, but within six months, warranty claims skyrocketed and customers were returning products.”
“When a major retailer threatened to drop our client over the poor quality, I realized then that quality directly impacts your bottom line—sometimes more than cost savings ever will,” Poonja adds. So, even if Costco were to sell these high-quality batteries at a loss, they’d rather keep club members happy.
Long shelf life
Right there on the packaging of Kirkland Signature batteries, it says these have a 12-year shelf life. Now that doesn’t mean a set of batteries will last you for 12 years while in use, but it does mean you can feel confident purchasing them in bulk: If it takes a decade for you to use them, they’ll still be in working order.
Price
We’ll break down some price comparisons between the Kirkland Signature brand and its manufacturer Duracell in just a minute, but even giving Costco’s battery prices a glance … you’re definitely getting a great deal. For example, a 48-pack of Kirkland AAs costs $15.99, which works out to 33 cents per battery.
Environmental impact
Kirkland Signature batteries state right on the packaging that they’re free of mercury. Mercury is a dangerous neurotoxin, so mercury-free batteries are much safer to dispose of through recycling. They’re less likely to pollute landfills, soil and water, protecting wildlife and human health.
Can you get other types of batteries at Costco?
Yes, you aren’t limited to just the Kirkland Signature label. As mentioned earlier, the other brand you can buy at Costco is Duracell. It makes sense, given that this partnership already exists. And, yes, the Duracell batteries at Costco are also offered in bulk options, although while Kirkland AA and AAA batteries are sold in packs of 48, the highest-count Duracell offering is 40 batteries per package.
Are Kirkland batteries as good as Duracell batteries?
Yes. In the great Kirkland batteries vs. Duracell debate, it’s really a draw as far as quality. These are the very same product, just with different packaging.
Now, you should know that not all types of batteries are available in the Kirkland Signature brand, which only comes in AA and AAA. For any other batteries at Costco, you’ll need to go with Duracell. But, Costco sells Duracell’s C, D and lithium coin batteries.
How good of a deal are Costco batteries?
There’s nothing to gain here on our end, but the Costco batteries deal is actually really good. That is, when you’re buying AA and AAA batteries, which are the two battery types Kirkland Signature puts a label on. Let’s take a look at bulk packs of AA batteries at Costco, Target and Walmart.
Kirkland Signature AA Batteries, 48 Ct.
Cost: $15.99
Price per battery: $0.33
Duracell AA Batteries at Costco, 40 Ct.
Cost: $19.99
Price per battery: $0.50
Duracell AA Batteries at Walmart, 24 Ct.
Cost: $20.39
Price per battery: $0.85
Energizer AA Batteries at Target, 16 Ct.
Cost: $14.99
Price per battery: $0.94
So, Costco’s Duracell batteries are a bit more expensive than those sold under the Kirkland Signature label. But by buying in bulk, you’re not only getting a great deal, you’ll always have batteries on hand for life’s little needs.
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At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. For this piece on who makes Kirkland batteries, Kelly Bryant tapped her experience as a journalist to ensure all information is accurate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Nauman Poonja, CPA and CEO of Accounovation; interviewed September 2025
- Georgia Office of the Governor: “Gov. Kemp: Duracell Selects Georgia for New R&D Headquarters”
- WSB-TV2 Atlanta: “Costco CEO shares tips with Clark Howard to help you save money”
