You can't control Mother Nature, but you can be prepared when a storm such as Hurricane Sandy hits. Among the many items to have on hand are flashlights and plenty of extra batteries in case the power goes out at your home. LED flashlights are becoming more common, and many use AA batteries.

Our latest review of 12 different alkaline and lithium AA batteries includes products from Duracell, Energizer, Kirkland, Rayovac, and more. For our flashlight test, a lithium model delivered top battery life, about 7.5 hours. The best alkaline provided about 6.7 hours of battery life.

Alkalines do provide shorter battery life than lithiums, but for low-drain devices such as a flashlight, alkalines are a smart option, especially considering that they cost significantly less. Lithiums are a better choice for high-drain devices, such as your digital camera.

Check our AA battery Ratings for more details.

Use our hurricane-preparation tips and generators buying guide. And for updates on Sandy, visit the National Hurricane Center's website.

Previously:
Hurricane Sandy intensifies, may threaten East Coast