An electrochemical cell with a blended zinc powder is disclosed. The blended zinc powder includes selected portions of a first zinc powder and a second zinc powder. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second powders are divided into groups based on ranges in their particle size distribution. Particle characteristics such as roughness and elongation are used to selected groups of both powders that are combined to produce the blended zinc powder. The blended zinc powders enable battery manufacturers to maximize the cell's run time while minimizing the cost of the zinc.