The Brand Name Behind Member's Mark Batteries At Sam's Club (& If They're Any Good)

Countless essentials you have lying around the house likely require batteries, so it never hurts to keep them stocked and ready for replacing. But the cost of keeping a supply of backup batteries can get expensive, and with a world of varieties and brands to choose from, it can be overwhelming determining if you're getting your money's worth. Brand name batteries promise longevity and reliability but come with a steeper price tag than lesser-known generic brands, but some consumers theorize that the difference in quality between generic batteries and popular, recognizable brands is negligible. 

Member's Mark is Sam's Club's private label consisting of products sold exclusively in its stores. One popular Member's Mark item Sam's Club shoppers are adding to their carts is alkaline batteries. And while generic brands of alkaline batteries have a reputation for being less cost-effective over time, some commerce experts report that Sam's Club's batteries are likely manufactured by the leading brand Energizer. According to an Expert Beacon analysis, "Member's Mark AA, AAA, C, D, and 9V alkaline batteries are likely produced at Energizer's largest plant in Missouri. This highly-automated facility has massive production capabilities — cranking out nearly 2 billion AA batteries per year." 

You can pick up a 48-pack of both AA and AAA Member's Mark batteries for just $17.98 a piece, or $0.37 per battery. But before you decide to restock on your next shopping trip, it's good look to buyer's firsthand experience so you can feel confident in your purchase. Here is whether or not Sam's Club's Member's Mark batteries are worth it, or if it's another battery brand to steer clear of based on buyer's reviews.

The Member's Mark alkaline batteries have overwhelmingly very positive feedback. Both the AA and AAA packs have accumulated near perfect 4.7 out of 5-star ratings in customer satisfaction. The most obvious perk to buying the Sam's Club brand batteries over name brand is that they're the more affordable option. Sam's Club stores sell the same size 48-pack of both AA and AAA Energizer brand batteries for $24.98 a piece. If Member's Mark batteries are in fact manufactured in the same facility, then you'll save $7 buying the generic brand, and achieve similar results. 

Reviews reveal that buyers were overall happy with the Sam's Club brand of batteries and that they perform well and were a good value. One five-star reviewer shared, "I find Member's Mark batteries to be equal to or actually better than any name brand battery, they last just as long or longer at a significant savings." Another benefit to picking up batteries from Sam's Club they're one household item you should be buying in bulk to save you money. Batteries can cost nearly double the price when you buy them in smaller packs, so the battery aisle presents a great opportunity to take advantage of Sam's Club's bulk pricing. 

Overall, shoppers seem to be satisfied with the Member's Mark brand of batteries, and report that they even feel comfortable relying on them in emergency situations, like during storms or power outages. They claim there is little difference between the generic brand compared to name brand batteries, other than the cheaper price. 

There are some potential downsides or risks to consider when choosing cheaper batteries in lieu of trusted name brands with strong reputations. A few reviewers reported that there could be issues with the Member's Mark batteries leaking and corroding, which could present potential hazards or damage your belongings. "Very disappointed that as soon as we got home with these batteries, we noticed several of them had leaked in the packaging. And in the coming weeks, several more leaked in brand new electronics that were expensive Christmas gifts," one reviewer griped. Other buyers revealed that when they purchased the batteries from Sam's Club, there were some faulty ones in the pack that didn't work at all. 

While some happy customers report the Member's Mark batteries to perform just as well as competitors, others warn you could come across some duds, and that the products "no leak guarantee" might not be entirely accurate. However, the majority opinion based off of reviews is that the value of Sam's Club generic batteries makes them worth it, and overall, they perform well at a lower cost. If you do decide to try out the Member's Mark brand batteries, you may want to test them first in less expensive appliances to avoid any costly damages or mishaps.