The invention is directed toward a primary AA alkaline battery. The primary AA alkaline battery includes an anode; a cathode; an electrolyte; and a separator between the anode and the cathode. The anode includes an electrochemically active anode material. The cathode includes an electrochemically active cathode material. The electrolyte includes potassium hydroxide. The primary AA alkaline battery has an integrated in-cell ionic resistance (Ri) at 22° C. of less than about 39 mΩ. The electrochemically active cathode material includes electrolytic manganese dioxide. The electrolytic manganese dioxide has a specific cathode loading from about 2.9 g/cm3 to about 3.45 g/cm3. The separator has a porosity of greater than 75%.