I use the advanced lithium ones.
Using those, they shouldn't need to be replaced annually.
There is a big difference between house brands and name brands on batteries.
I have seen (in generic batteries):
* Zinc/Carbon batteries being sold as alkaline batteries (these are notoriously prone to leakage, AND have garbage lifetime and performance).
* AAA batteries, inside a fairly thick plastic sleeve inside a AA-sized outer skin, sold as AA batteries. I've heard that they do the same thing with other sizes.
* Dud batteries that were either DOA, or ran out quickly.