Everything About the 18650 Battery: Uses, Specs, and Buying Guide

All you need to know about 18650 batteries

There are many battery types in the market, and you should expect to come across them meant for various uses. Their battery chemistry often makes them more suitable for certain applications than others. One such battery type is the 18650 battery, largely known for its lithium-ion performance and construction. We want to look more into this battery type to understand how it works and why you should choose it.

What Is an 18650 Battery?

The 18650 battery is a rechargeable lithium-ion battery known for its cylindrical shape and many applications thanks to its size. The battery has dimensions of 18mm for the diameter and 65mm for the length. This makes it suitable for various electronics that need good performance while maintaining a compact battery type.

Features of 18650 Battery

Now that you have an idea of what is an 18650 battery, we can look at its features to get a better understanding.

Battery Chemistry

The battery’s lithium-ion chemistry is vital for its performance. Such chemistry leads to high energy density with a low self-discharge rate. Expect to find it useful for applications that demand more energy.

Shape and Size

The 18650 designation is key when looking for where to buy an 18650 battery. The battery is cylindrical in shape, which helps you check if it works for your device. It is also 18mm for the diameter and 65mm for the length to see if it fits in the device’s battery compartment.

Capacity

The battery generally has a good capacity, ranging from 2600mAh to 3500mAh, depending on the manufacturer. Such more capacity translates into a longer operating time, keeping the devices running.

Voltage

Good voltage also means more performance for a device. This one has a nominal voltage of 3.7V. It is expected to get a voltage of 4.2V when fully charged. However, it can drop to 3V when it is depleted and needs recharging.

High Depth of Discharge

For those asking how long do 18650 batteries last, just know it depends on how much current the connected device will be pulling. Even for power-hungry devices, the battery often lasts several hours before you have to recharge again.

Rechargeable

It is possible to charge the 18650 battery once it is depleted. You do not have to throw them away compared to other battery-type chemistries. As for how to charge an 18650 battery, there are specialized charges you can get for the battery to always keep it charged whenever you want.

Popular Applications of the 18650 Batteries

The good performance of the 18650 battery has made it quite popular for many applications. You should expect it in many devices, including:

• Flashlights that need high-performance batteries for a bright output
• Laptops also use this type of battery to ensure you get extended run times
• Electric vehicles need such batteries packed together to power the motors
• Power tools such as drills need such batteries since they offer impressive discharge rates and durability
• Consumer electronics such as vapes and e-cigarettes can use this battery type to handle the high power demands needed for vaporizing the liquids.

Benefits of the 18650 Battery

The biggest benefit is having high energy density and capacity. Expect the 18650 batteries to have impressive energy for their small size. This makes it the right choice for portable devices that need more power while saving on battery size.

Also, the batteries are readily available for those who might be wondering where can you buy 18650 batteries. You can walk into different electronics shops and get these batteries. Even your local convenience store will have such batteries.

The long lifespan makes the batteries vital for those who have to reuse them more often. When they are depleted, you simply recharge them, and you can keep using them. They also have no memory effect to ensure their performance is not compromised.

Their versatility means they can be used for a wide range of applications. This includes flashlights and power tools. Also, you can find them in many other portable equipment. This makes them easy to configure for high-demand systems or low-power applications.

The safety and cost-effectiveness of the batteries are key in ensuring they are safe batteries to have right now. This is because these batteries come with built-in protection circuits. They are vital to prevent overcharging or over-discharging. They also help avoid short-circuits as well.

How to Choose the Best 18650 Battery

We have already seen how good the 18650 battery is, and now we want to look at how to choose the best one for your application. Here is how you can do it.

• Look at the capacity, as it helps determine if the battery will suit the application. The capacity is usually indicated in milliampere-hours (mAh) on the battery. A higher mAh leads to a longer runtime.
• Another key consideration is the continuous discharge rate or CDR. It indicates the maximum current that can be drawn from a battery safely and continuously without damaging it. The CDR can determine whether the battery will be adequate for your device’s power needs.
• Does the battery have protection? This includes having a built-in circuit that helps prevent overcharging and over-discharging. Such protection is important to make the batteries safer.
• Brand reputation cannot be ignored. It is okay to pay more for a reputable brand rather than buy cheap knockoffs, which will not give you the best battery performance.
• Compatibility is another important feature of the 18650 battery. Check with your device’s manual to see if it will be compatible. This includes the voltage and current needs.

How To Charge the 18650 Battery

Regarding how to charge an 18650 battery, we recommended getting the right charger specific for changing the lithium-ion batteries. This is because it is designed to work with these batteries by providing the right power supply, which is usually around 5V.

Once you have the right battery charger, make sure to connect the battery correctly. Signs will show you the right orientation, ensuring you can charge the batteries correctly.

It is advisable to get chargers that can charge at the recommended rate. Yes, sometimes it can be slow, but this is necessary to ensure good performance over a long time.

Top Brands for the 18650 Batteries

With all that knowledge on what are 18650 batteries, it is time to look at the top brands. If you are interested in getting these batteries, consider these top brands.

• Samsung
• Panasonic
• VapCell
• Ufine
• Bak
• Cham
• Molicel
• Epoch
• Sanyo
• EVE
• LG
• Sony

With such a long list of top brands, you can always choose the one you prefer and still get a good battery for your needs.

Conclusion

The 18650 battery stands out for its performance and being rechargeable. When you are interested in getting this type of battery, always aim for quality. That is why we have given you the list of top brands. Also, depending on your use, get the correct charger to provide you with the best charging capability. Make sure to dispose of the batteries safely each time you find one that is no longer useful.