Kirkland Signature batteries are made by Duracell, the world’s leading alkaline battery manufacturer, under a private label supply agreement with Costco.
Former Costco CEO Craig Jelinek confirmed this publicly in a 2016 interview with Atlanta TV station WSB-TV, stating that Duracell manufactures the batteries and Costco simply repackages them under the Kirkland Signature label.
Duracell manufactures all of its U.S.-market AA and AAA batteries at two American facilities: LaGrange, Georgia and Cleveland, Tennessee.
Duracell is owned by Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffett’s investment conglomerate, which acquired the brand from Procter and Gamble in 2016.
Kirkland Signature only offers AA and AAA batteries, while Duracell-branded batteries are available in AA, AAA, C, D, and 9V sizes.
A 48-pack of Kirkland AA batteries costs roughly 33 cents per battery at Costco, while the equivalent Duracell-branded pack at the same store costs approximately 52 cents per battery.
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Who Makes Kirkland Batteries?
Kirkland Signature is Costco’s private label brand, and Costco does not manufacture any products itself. All Kirkland Signature items are made by third-party producers under contract.
For batteries, that manufacturer is Duracell. The supply arrangement means Duracell produces the same alkaline chemistry batteries for both the Duracell brand and the Kirkland Signature label, with the key differences being packaging, price, and the absence of Duracell’s own branding on the Kirkland box.
Costco sells both brands side by side in its warehouses, which makes the price comparison immediately obvious to shoppers.
The Kirkland version typically saves buyers around 35% to 40% per battery compared to the Duracell-branded equivalent.
Where Are Kirkland Batteries Made?
Kirkland batteries sold in U.S. Costco stores are made in the United States. Duracell produces all its U.S.-market standard alkaline batteries at its LaGrange, Georgia plant, which has been running since 1980, and its Cleveland, Tennessee facility.
In early 2025, Duracell announced it would establish its Global Headquarters for Research and Development at Science Square in Atlanta, Georgia, deepening the brand’s American presence further.
Duracell does have manufacturing facilities outside the U.S., and Kirkland batteries sold in international Costco locations may be produced at those overseas plants.
The U.S. domestic production claim applies specifically to batteries sold in American Costco warehouses.
Are Kirkland Batteries the Exact Same as Duracell?
Kirkland batteries are made by Duracell but they are not guaranteed to be chemically identical to premium Duracell Coppertop batteries. Costco and Duracell do not publicly specify whether Kirkland batteries use Duracell’s same formula or a slightly different specification.
Independent testing generally shows Kirkland batteries performing very close to Duracell Coppertop but with the Duracell-branded batteries lasting approximately 15% longer on average in high-drain applications. The difference is modest in everyday use for most household devices.
For low-drain applications like remote controls, wall clocks, and smoke detectors, the performance gap between Kirkland and premium Duracell is essentially unnoticeable in real-world use. The price savings make Kirkland the rational choice for those applications.
Kirkland Batteries vs. Duracell vs. Energizer: Which Is Best?
Duracell and Energizer are the two dominant premium alkaline battery brands in the United States, consistently ranked first and second in consumer battery brand surveys. Both produce batteries at American facilities.
Kirkland batteries, being Duracell-produced, sit between the two premium brands in practice. They match or nearly match Duracell’s performance at a significantly lower price, while Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries outperform both standard alkaline options in high-drain devices like digital cameras and gaming controllers.
The most practical answer for most households is to use Kirkland batteries for standard applications and to upgrade to Energizer Ultimate Lithium only for high-demand electronics where battery life makes a significant difference to the user experience.
What Other Kirkland Signature Products Are Made by Name Brands?
Kirkland Signature has several other products confirmed to be made by well-known name brands. Kirkland K-cups are produced by Keurig. Kirkland aluminum foil is made by Reynolds. Kirkland coffee is roasted by Starbucks for certain blends.
The principle behind Kirkland Signature is consistent: Costco negotiates supply agreements with leading manufacturers to produce their products at scale without the advertising and brand overhead costs. The savings are passed on to Costco members as lower per-unit prices in bulk quantities.
Not all Kirkland products come from name brands, however. Some categories use specialist private label manufacturers rather than the same companies behind national brands.
Costco deliberately maintains secrecy about most supplier relationships to protect its negotiating position and to avoid brand dilution for its manufacturing partners. For more Kirkland Signature origins, see Who Makes Kirkland Diapers and Who Makes Kirkland Dog Food.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kirkland Batteries
Are Kirkland batteries made by Duracell?
Yes. Former Costco CEO Craig Jelinek publicly confirmed in 2016 that Duracell manufactures Kirkland Signature batteries. Duracell produces them at its American plants in LaGrange, Georgia and Cleveland, Tennessee.
Are Kirkland batteries made in the USA?
Yes, for batteries sold in U.S. Costco stores. Duracell manufactures all of its U.S.-market standard alkaline batteries at American facilities in Georgia and Tennessee. Kirkland batteries sold at international Costco locations may come from Duracell’s overseas plants.
Why are Kirkland batteries cheaper than Duracell?
Kirkland batteries cost less because they carry no advertising overhead, no brand marketing spend, and use simple plain packaging instead of Duracell’s branded retail packaging. Costco CEO Craig Jelinek explicitly cited these factors when confirming the Duracell connection. The batteries themselves come from the same manufacturer, passing the cost savings directly to Costco members.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.