Battery holders are designed to support commercial, industrial or OEM batteries. They allow for safe retention, and easy and fast replacement of the battery.  Types of battery holders include plastic, metal, battery snaps, coin cell, component clips, battery racks, and battery cabinets.  Battery holders are configured for single cells or multiple cells.  Plastic holders are fabricated from molded plastic.  Metal holders similar in form to molded plastic holders, but with flexible metal clips into which the batteries are inserted.  Battery snaps are snap terminals, typically for 9V batteries.  Coin cell battery holders are for round coin cell batteries.  Component chips are flexible clips into which batteries are inserted and held under constant spring tension.  Battery racks range in size from those that contain a single battery to those that contain multiple batteries. They are usually available in one, two or multiple tiers.  Battery cabinets are basic battery enclosures.  Single cell battery holders hold only one battery.  Multiple cell holders hold 2 or more batteries.

Common connection types for the connection of battery holders to the device include surface mount, through-pin PC or socket mount, solder lugs, snap terminals, and wire leads.  Surface mount holders can be mounted on the surface of the device.  This can be accomplished through solder tabs or an adhesive base.  Through-pin PC or socket mount holders are mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB).  PCB mounting is via pins that extend through holes in the board.  Battery holders with solder lugs are soldered to the device.  A holder with snap terminals can be snapped to the device.  Batteries can also be connected to the device via wire leads.

Battery cell sizes held by battery holders include AAAA, AAA, N, 1/3 AA, 2/3 AA, AA, ½ A, 2/3 A, A, 4/5 Cs, Cs, C, ½ D, 9V, lantern, photo or electronic cell, battery packs, and coin or button cells.