Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $)	Sep. 28, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 15,571,000	$ 16,489,000
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts o f$284 and $288, respectively	10,470,000	14,238,000
Inventories, net	28,500,000	26,053,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1,515,000	1,357,000
Due from insurance company	428,000	430,000
Deferred income taxes	86,000	91,000
Total current assets	56,570,000	58,658,000
Property, equipment and improvements, net	9,897,000	10,202,000
Goodwill	16,407,000	16,419,000
Other intangible assets, net	4,413,000	4,646,000
Security deposits and other non-current assets	253,000	269,000
Total assets	87,540,000	90,194,000
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	7,142,000	7,053,000
Accrued compensation and related benefits	1,565,000	1,908,000
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	3,278,000	3,111,000
Accrued income taxes	40,000	94,000
Deferred income taxes	9,000	9,000
Total current liabilities	12,034,000	12,175,000
Deferred income taxes	4,407,000	4,242,000
Other non-current liabilities	89,000	132,000
Total liabilities	16,530,000	16,549,000
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock - par value $.10 per share; authorized 1,000,000 shares; none issued	0	0
Common stock - par value $.10 per share; authorized 40,000,000 shares; issued - 18,941,544 shares at September 28, 2014 and 18,851,579 shares at December 31, 2013	1,894,000	1,888,000
Capital in excess of par value	175,698,000	174,932,000
Accumulated deficit	(97,773,000)	(94,804,000)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(450,000)	(614,000)
Treasury stock - at cost; 1,383,977 shares at March 30, 2014 and 1,372,757 shares	(8,247,000)	(7,658,000)
Total Ultralife equity	71,122,000	73,744,000
Noncontrolling interest	(112,000)	(99,000)
Total shareholders' equity	71,010,000	73,645,000
Total liabiltiies and shareholders' equity	$ 87,540,000	$ 90,194,000