Nine-volt Battery

The most common form of nine-volt battery is commonly called the transistor battery, introduced for the early transistor radios. This is a rectangular prism shape with rounded edges and a polarized snap connector at the top. This type is commonly used in pocket radios, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, guitar effect units, and radio-controlled vehicle controllers. They are also used as backup power to keep the time in certain electronic clocks. This format is commonly available in primary carbon-zinc and alkaline chemistry, in primary lithium iron disulfide, and in rechargeable form in nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride and lithium-ion. Mercury oxide batteries in this form have not been manufactured in many years due to their mercury content.

This type is designated NEDA 1604, IEC 6F22 and "Ever Ready" type PP3 (zinc-carbon) or MN1604 6LR61 (alkaline).

Most nine-volt alkaline batteries are constructed of six individual 1.5V LR61 cells enclosed in a wrapper. These cells are slightly smaller than LR8D425 AAAA cells and can be used in their place for some devices, even though they are 3.5 mm shorter. Carbon-zinc types are made with six flat cells in a stack, enclosed in a moisture-resistant wrapper to prevent drying.

As of 2007, 9-volt batteries accounted for 4% of alkaline primary battery sales in the US. In Switzerland as of 2008, 9-volt batteries totalled 2% of primary battery sales and 2% of secondary battery sales.

Other nine-volt batteries of different sizes exist, such as the British "Ever Ready" PP series and certain lantern batteries.