Bill Criego of Batteries Plus and Mark Connelly of Consumer Reports made battery suggestions for certain devices depending on their usage. Dollars & Sense checked on prices.

Cheapest alkalines: The lowest-priced alkaline batteries, regardless of brand name, are the best bet, said Consumer Reports. The cheapest: Kirkland Signature at Costco ($11 for 48 AAs). Cheapest in smaller quantities: Walgreen's brand on sale ($1 to $1.50 for four AAs). Other places with store or generic brands: Menard's (North Tech), Sears Diehard, Radio Shack.

Cheapest assorteds: Try Ax Man, Petter's, Brand Name Deals and the dollar stores for excellent deals but inconsistent selection and availability.

Reasonably priced recharge ables: Consumer Reports gave high marks to the Radio Shack Nickel Metal Hydride Combo Pack ($30 for a fast charger and four AA batteries). The combo packs are a better deal than buying the charger and the batteries separately. The fast chargers cost slightly more. Smart Money magazine recommends the Monster Power Digital Charger ($40, at Circuit City stores). Buy two sets of batteries and switch when one set runs down. Consumer Reports gave low marks to Rayovac's Renewal alkaline rechargeable batteries. Rechargeables are not recommended for devices used infrequently, such as a flashlight, because they lose one to two percent of their power each day.

Best place to get the right battery, quickly: Batteries Plus (10 Twin Cities locations and http://www.batteriesplus.com ) offers expertise and a deep selection at reasonable prices. They have a specialty battery section for obscure devices and will replace watch batteries for $5 to $6, including the battery. They also accept batteries for recycling.

Digital and flash cameras, motorized toys, portable music players, boom boxes: Try the premium battery such as the Duracell Ultra Energizer e2. They're nearly twice as expensive as a regular alkaline battery, but last longer in high-drain devices such as digital cameras. A less expensive option is rechargeable NiMH batteries. If you're taking a lot of pictures with a digital camera in an area where a recharger can't be used, a lithium battery such as the Energizer e2 Photo 1.5-volt lithium battery ($9 for four AAs) is a good, although expensive, choice.

Smoke alarms. Although the lithium batteries could last up to 10 years in a smoke alarm, most fire departments don't recommend them because people may forget to change them after such a long time. Instead, use alkaline and change once a year at daylight saving time.

Cordless drills, etc.: It's often difficult to get a drill pack replaced on older models. When buying a new drill, buy an extra battery pack from the manufacturer if one is not included. Batteries Plus stores can rebuild a battery pack for drills, electric razors and portable vacuum cleaners if replacement batteries are unavailable.

Flashlights: Use alkaline. NiMH batteries are not recommended for any device that often sits idle.

Cell phones: Go back to the source where you got the phone for the quickest replacement, says Criego.

Recycling: Go to http://www.co.hennepin.mn.us/environmental to review battery disposal options in Hennepin County or call 612-348-3777 . In Ramsey County, call 651-633-3279 . For general guidelines and retailers that accept recycled batteries, check http://www.rbrc.org .

Bottom line: Consumer Reports said that conventional disposable alkalines are a good choice for most uses. Shop by price and buy in bulk. Rechargeable NiMH batteries are the most economical overall. They work well for high-drain gear and are more environmentally sound than alkalines and NiCads.

-- John Ewoldt