Carbon-zinc battery replacement?

[Prototype]

Hello, I just got a new multimeter and I was having a look through the manual and didn't notice any specific battery requirements. In the manual it states Power: Single standard 9-volt battery, NEDA 1604, JIS 006P, IEC 6F22. Battery Life: 150 hours typical with carbon-zinc.

I don't know much about batteries so I looked up carbon-zinc batteries and it said these were usually the batteries companies chose to cut back on cost, they don't have a good shelf life, and they could leak with prolong use, is this true?

I was wondering if I am limited to replacing this battery with only carbon-zinc batteries or am I able to use NiMH and Li-Ion batteries as replacements.

Sorry for the newbie question.

Extra details: the multimeter is a BK Precision 2709B, the current battery is a 9V Toshiba Heavy Duty 6F22kg size 1604.

[SeanB]

In most cases you can use the alkaline replacement, and change it every 2 years or when it goes flat. Otherwise for a 9V battery you can buy a lithium battery that is designed for use in smoke detectors, which will pretty much last the shelf life in a meter not in regular use. NimH batteries are not going to have a long life between charges unless you buy Eneloop cells which have a design that allows up to a year between charges, but it will likely last a few years in regular use.

[steve30]

There's no reason why you shouldn't use an alkaline battery. It will certainly last longer than a zinc battery.

Rechargeable (NiMH) batteries should be fine too, but will have a lower voltage (8.4V) than a 9V battery, so it perhaps won't last as long, but I wouldn't have thought the difference would be very noticeable.