Large-scale comparison of lithium batteries, 2019
After reviewing so many batteries, I decided to bring them all together in one big article. No unnecessary information here—just inspections, tests, comparisons, and brief comments on any noteworthy features observed during testing.
A few years ago, I published a similar roundup, but a lot has changed since then: my collection of measuring instruments has grown, and I’ve gained some experience working with different batteries. Most importantly, the tests are now conducted in a way that makes it easy to compare any of the batteries I’ve tested under any operating conditions.
At the start of each battery’s section, I’ll include a link to the product in the nkon store, as well as a link to the full review if the brief information isn’t enough. For some batteries, I’ll also include links to listings at one of the more or less reputable stores on https://ali.ski/qgiek AliExpress. But I think you understand that the chances of getting burned are considerably higher there, even though most of the reviews are very positive. There are also positive reviews about this store; specifically, someone bought these batteries, and their tests showed that they have good specifications matching the originals.
A few notes before we begin:
1. Only genuine batteries are included in this review. Some are good, some are bad, but they’re all genuine.
2. Almost all the batteries were tested in pairs. The exceptions are the Samsung INR18650-20S and Samsung INR21700-50E, of which I had only one each.
3. All the batteries were purchased from nkon.nl. The only one whose authenticity is uncertain is the Samsung INR18650-20S.
— Introduction
— Determining battery production dates
High-drain
— Murata US18650VTC4
— Murata US18650VTC5A
— Murata US18650VTC5D
— Samsung INR18650-20S
— Molicel INR18650-P28A
— LG ICR18650-HB3
— Comparison graphs
Mid-range
— Murata US18650VTC6
— Murata US18650VTC6 Red
— Samsung INR18650-25R
— Samsung INR18650-30Q
— LG ICR18650-HE4
— LG INR18650-HG2
— LG INR18650-HG2L
— Comparison graphs
High-capacity
— Samsung INR18650-35E
— LG INR18650-MH1
— LG INR18650-MJ1
— LG INR18650-M36
— Panasonic NCR18650G
— Panasonic NCR18650BD
— Comparison graphs
Everything else
— Samsung ICR18650-22P
— Samsung INR21700-50E
— Samsung INR21700-40T
— LG INR21700-M50T
— Molicel INR21700-P42A
— Sanyo NCR20700B
— Comparison graphs
Different batteries require different equipment for testing, so the equipment list ended up being quite long:
1. ZKE EBC-A10H electronic load. A versatile load with a battery charging function, used to test batteries at currents up to 10 A.
2. ZKE EBC-A20, same thing, but with currents up to 20 A
3. ZKE EBC-A10, same thing, but used only as an auxiliary unit to prepare batteries for testing.
4. Homemade electronic load, rated for currents up to 30 A
5. Homemade (well, almost) electronic load, rated for currents up to 40 A. In practice, though, it turned out that it can't deliver that much current at low voltages; the maximum is about 36.5 A
6. Charger, preliminary test—a sort of "conditioning" cycle: charge, discharge, charge. Capacity measured during discharge at 500 mA.
7. Battery internal resistance meter
8. Thermal imager for measuring temperature. Temperature is measured just before cutoff at the minimum set voltage.
9. Multimeter, used in some tests with homemade loads to measure battery voltage and plot a graph.
10. Battery holders, 10 A and 20 A versions. All holders use a four-wire connection, which is the most accurate approach. The higher-current holder is also used for tests at currents up to 36 A
11. A matchbox, just as a good-luck charm; it helped morale :)
During testing, I tried to "standardize" the methodology somewhat, so it usually goes like this:
1. Visual inspection: shape of the positive and negative terminals, date of manufacture.
2. Measuring dimensions and weighing. At the weighing stage, the batteries are numbered, and the tests are then identified by battery number.
3. A "conditioning" cycle with capacity measurement. I'm not a fan of the idea of "conditioning" lithium batteries, but to avoid any "debate" about it, I decided to include it. Also, the capacity measured this way is close to the results obtained with chargers like the "Opus" and similar models, i.e. it's slightly overstated.
4. Charging test, showing how long it takes to fully charge a new battery at the standard current and at a higher current (if one is specified), after discharging it at 0.2C.
5. Discharge tests, usually at 0.2C, 0.5C, 1C, 2C, 10 A, 15 A, and 20 A, where C = the battery's rated capacity. For example, for a 2600 mAh battery, a 0.2C test corresponds to 520 mA. Some batteries were tested at 12 A and 8 A because the test currents didn't divide neatly based on the rated capacity.
6. Temperature was measured at currents close to the maximum; naturally, what counts as "maximum" varies from battery to battery.
7. Internal resistance was measured either immediately after receipt and after the "conditioning" cycle (for the first batteries), or after receipt, after "conditioning," and after all the tests.
8. In some cases, batteries in a similar class were compared.
All batteries will be divided into four categories:
1. High-capacity batteries. For the 18650 form factor, this means a capacity above 3000 mAh. These batteries are designed to maximize capacity; their discharge current is usually up to 2C, and in rare cases up to 10 A.
2. Mid-range, or so-called "all-rounders." The most interesting category, including models with a continuous discharge current of up to 20 A. They have a wide range of applications, from electric vehicles to power tools and vaping devices. Capacity is usually around 3000 mAh.
3. High-current batteries. They don't have particularly high capacity, but can sustain discharge currents above 20 A. They're mainly intended for powerful power tools and loads with high continuous current.
4. Everything else, such as budget models that stand out neither for their capacity nor their current, or batteries in sizes other than 18650.
The categories are, of course, somewhat arbitrary, but I think they reflect reality in the clearest way.
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Production date of Sony / Murata batteries
If you look closely, you’ll see two lines of text on the side of the battery. The production date of Sony / Murata Li-ion batteries is encoded in the last five characters of the second line:
Production date of Samsung SDI batteries
Samsung Li-ion batteries have three lines of text. The battery’s production date is encoded in the third line—the last 4 characters.
For newer Samsung batteries, whose code is under the heat-shrink wrap, the following code applies:
L — production line number
0 — model number
H — year of manufacture: Q-2008, S-2009, Z-2010, B-2011, C-2012, D-2013, E-2014, F-2015, G-2016, H-2017, etc.
B — month of manufacture: 1-January, 2-February, 3-March, — A-October, B-November, C-December
Production date of Samsung SDIEM batteries
As with Samsung SDI batteries, the production date of Samsung SDIEM cells is encoded in the third line of text on the battery, but the SDIEM series uses a different code for the month of manufacture.
Production date of Molicel batteries
Production date of LG batteries
The production date of LG industrial Li-ion batteries is encoded in the second line of text printed on the battery.
Production date of Panasonic and Sanyo batteries
Original Japanese Panasonic batteries have four digits next to the negative terminal (sometimes three digits and one letter). The production date is encoded in this marking:
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Link to the product, link to the full review. AliExpress listing — link
This is a relatively old battery model, but if the price is right, it’s still a perfectly viable option.
Capacity is around 2000 mAh, with a discharge current of up to 30 A.
The casing color is familiar from Sony/Murata batteries, though it’s probably simpler to say Murata, since they’re now made only under that brand.
The batteries were manufactured on May 20, 2018.
Weight and dimensions—nothing remarkable
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Link to the product, link to the full review. AliExpress listing: link
Logically—or chronologically, if you prefer—this should be the Murata US18650VTC5 battery, but I didn't have one, so here's the updated version, the VTC5A.
The difference from the VTC4 is capacity: this one is around 2500 mAh, with the same discharge characteristics.
The construction and appearance are identical. According to the code 5AA13AF04S, the manufacture date is June 4, 2018.
They weigh almost 3 grams less than the VTC4
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Link to the product, link to the full review.
If you can put it that way, this is an updated version of an updated version: first came the VTC5, then the VTC5A, and then the VTC5D. Though that’s not quite accurate, since this battery has a higher capacity than the VTC5, at 2800 mAh, with the same discharge capabilities.
These batteries are relatively new, and there are also some minor design differences around the negative terminal: it now has a circular indentation. Date of manufacture: mid-November 2018.
They weigh almost as much as the VTC4 and less than the VTC5A.
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Link to the product, link to the full review.
A fairly old but still relevant battery model, essentially equivalent to the VTC4.
Capacity: 2000 mAh; current up to 30 A as well.
Manufactured in November 2017. This battery was sent to me by one of my regular readers.
Inspection, dimensions, and weight. I’ll note the very low internal resistance, around 7.5 mΩ, which is rare for 18650 batteries.
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Link to the product, link to the full review.
E-One Moli Energy is a relatively large but little-known battery manufacturer.
This model is marketed as a high-capacity, high-current battery, with the VTC5D as its closest equivalent.
Its rated capacity is 2800 mAh, with a maximum current of 35 A.
According to the 2J327 marking, the battery was manufactured on March 27, 2019. As with Murata, it has a similar matrix code, unique to each battery.
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Link to the product, link to the full review.
These batteries are much less common than the others, and their classification is also debatable. Their maximum current is only a little over 20 A. But since their capacity is just 1500 mAh, their 22 A rating works out to 15C, which is much more in line with high-current batteries.
The heat-shrink wrap is gray, which is unusual. The manufacture date is late February 2017.
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First, at 0.2C—the standard current for measuring capacity. Obviously, using it for batteries like these is a bit silly, but that's what the specs call for. Some batteries can be discharged down to 2.0 V at this current.
Murata US18650VTC4 - red
Murata US18650VTC5A - orange
Murata US18650VTC5D - yellow
Samsung INR18650-20S - green
Molicel INR18650-P28A - light blue
LG ICR18650-HB3 - blue
At 10 A, the picture gets a little more interesting: the VTC5D and its competitor, the Molicel INR18650-P28A, are clearly out in front.
At 20 A, the ranking is about the same. So, if you want something cheap, get the 20S: it's roughly on par with the VTC4, but often costs less. If you want the best, whatever the price, go for the Molicel or VTC5D. For the best balance, I'd probably pick the VTC5D. Unfortunately, the HB3 can't compete—or it's an option for the really budget-conscious :(
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Link to the product, link to the full review. AliExpress listing - link
VTC6 batteries are also very popular, though I think they're still a little less well known than the 30Q and HG2.
3000 mAh, current up to 20 A.
I had two pairs of these batteries. The results shown here are for the newer ones, manufactured on December 18, 2018. I'll compare them with the earlier pair at the end.
Weight and dimensions; the pair of “old” cells is at the bottom.
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Link to the product, link to the full review.
These batteries are quite unusual. They're basically Murata VTC6 cells, but with a different color of heat-shrink tubing. They have the same specs as the VTC6: 3000 mAh, current up to 20 A. No manufacturing date is given.
The store also has a listing where you can choose other colors.
Weight and dimensions are the same as the VTC6.
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Link to the product, link to the full review. AliExpress listing - link
These batteries are classics, plain and simple. In reality, they're just popular, even though their specs aren't particularly impressive. Some of you may be surprised that I put them in the mid-range class rather than the high-current class, but their maximum continuous current is 20 A, and capacity is only 2500 mAh.
According to the TIZ1 marking, the production date is the first week of December 2018
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Link to the product, link to the full review. AliExpress listing - link
In my opinion, these are the most interesting batteries in this class: 3000 mAh capacity and current up to 20 A. Unfortunately, they're often counterfeited, so it's best to buy them from a trusted source.
Production date: November 2017
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Link to the product, link to the full review. AliExpress listing — link
Compared with other batteries, these "chicks" are not as well known, although they are firmly in the "mid-range" class. Capacity is 2500 mAh, with current up to 20 A, matching the better-known Samsung 25R.
Manufactured on day 276 (early October) of 2018
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Link to the product, link to the full review. AliExpress listing — link.
Some of the most popular, though not the best, medium-current batteries, commonly known as "chocolates" and probably the most frequently counterfeited.
3000 mAh, current up to 20 A.
According to the «R299» marking, the manufacturing date is 2018, late September/early October, i.e. day 299 of the year.
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Link to the product, link to the full review.
A new release from LG, a revised or "optimized" version of the popular HG2. It's hard to say whether they're better or worse, but something has definitely changed.
I couldn't find a datasheet, but here's a text description quoted below:
There's also a description on an English-language forum:
In my case, these are actually the same HG2 batteries, but with a different label. The manufacturing date is January 30 (day 364), 2017—literally one day before the end of the year.
You might think this is just a marking variation, but batteries with this marking also come in the usual HG2 color.
There are also batteries specifically marked with the L suffix.
But their key external difference isn't the marking; it's the distinctive stamping on the negative terminal, which the HG2 doesn't have.
Otherwise, they're ordinary batteries.
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First test at 0.2C.
Murata US18650VTC6 - red
Murata US18650VTC6 Red - orange
Samsung INR18650-25R - yellow
Samsung INR18650-30Q - green
LG ICR18650-HE4 - light blue
LG INR18650-HG2 - blue
LG INR18650-HG2L - purple
The 10 A test is much more interesting than the previous one, and the leaders are already starting to emerge. The VTC6 is slightly ahead, but the VTC6 Red and 30Q are right behind it; the others are noticeably further back. The 25R and HE4 are almost neck and neck, but they lag well behind because of their lower capacity.
20 A is the maximum current for batteries in this class, at least for sustained use; they can handle even more for short periods. This test gives a more realistic picture of what each battery can do.
As for the rankings, nothing has changed: the VTC6 and 30Q are still out in front.
From here, it depends on your budget. The 25R is a perfectly good choice, as is the HE4, though it delivers fewer Wh. The HG2s are somewhere in the middle, while if you can afford them, both the VTC6 and 30Q are excellent choices. Another option is the Molicel INR18650-P28A. It's a high-current cell, but you may find it for not much more than the models shown here.
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Link to the product, link to the full review.
The high-capacity section starts with a Samsung model. It's not a top-tier cell, but it's a very good representative of this class.
Capacity: 3400 mAh; up to 8 A continuous and 13 A for short periods.
Production date: presumably January 2016
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Link to the product, link to the full review. AliExpress listing — link
These batteries just barely qualify for this category, since their capacity is only 3200 mAh, although they can deliver up to 10 A.
The batteries were made just before New Year, on day 362 of 2017.
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Link to the product, link to the full review. AliExpress listing — link
In my opinion, these are very interesting batteries, with both a high capacity of 3500 mAh and a current rating of up to 10 A.
The top battery was made in late June/early July 2018 — R183 at the beginning of the marking.
The bottom battery has two date codes. The more visible one indicates late June 2018; the less visible one also indicates late June 2018, but one day earlier — R177 and R176, respectively. R stands for 2018, and the three-digit number is the day of the year it was made.
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Link to the product, link to the full review.
These batteries are marketed as high-capacity cells, and their capacity is often listed as 3600 mAh, apparently because the marking includes “36.” In reality, even the datasheet gives a capacity of around 3450 mAh and a current of up to 5 A.
According to the R191 marking, the production date is 2018, day 191 of the year, i.e. mid-July.
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Link to the product, link to the full review.
Top-of-the-line batteries from Panasonic, with a typical rated capacity of 3550 mAh and a maximum current of 4.87 A.
According to code 8307, the production date is March 7, 2018.
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Link to the product, link to the full review.
Unremarkable batteries, with a capacity of around 3100 mAh and a current of up to 6 A. However, this type of battery was used in Tesla battery packs and also has two specified charging modes: up to 4.2 V and 4.15 V.
Judging by code 8X24, the batteries were manufactured on October 24, 2018.
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Link to the product, link to the full review.
Here the main focus is on getting the highest possible capacity, so even tests at 0.2C are relevant to real-world use, not just measurement conditions.
Samsung INR18650-35E - red
LG INR18650-MH1 - orange
LG INR18650-MJ1 - yellow
LG INR18650-M36 - green
Panasonic NCR18650G - light blue
Panasonic NCR18650BD - blue
Here too, two clear leaders emerged: the Panasonic NCR18650G and LG INR18650-MJ1
At a 1C discharge rate, which is more typical for batteries in this class, the results are about the same: the NCR18650G and MJ1 are still in the lead
The next comparison may not be entirely fair, but I haven't figured out how to do it properly yet. So I chose the maximum rated current for each battery under test. For some, that's 1.5C; for others, it's 3C (10 A), which changed the rankings.
The NCR18650G is still ahead, but its discharge rate was 2C. The MJ1 is literally "neck and neck" with it, but at 10 A, while the M36 is close behind only because its current here is 5 A.
The 35E could compete in all the tests, but its discharge cutoff is 2.65 V, so that's the main reason it falls behind.
It's hard to draw firm conclusions. The batteries differ not only in capacity but also in maximum discharge current, so the best choice depends on the application. If you need maximum capacity at a low current, go with the NCR18650G. If you need both capacity and currents up to 10 A, the MJ1 is the better choice. The Samsung 35E also performs well.
There's another competitor, the Sanyo GA series, but I don't have one to compare with the others. I'll add it when I get the chance.
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Link to the product, link to the full review.
An unremarkable battery, except perhaps for its price. Capacity: 2150 mAh, current up to 10 A
These batteries were manufactured in the third week of October 2018 and bought at the end of July 2019, so they can be considered fresh. I also have them in another review, but those were made earlier.
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Link to the product, link to the full review.
Also a Samsung, but much more interesting: a capacity of 5 Ah, though the continuous current is only around 10 A, with 15 A for short bursts.
This one is not a 21700, but an 18650
Manufactured in late July 2018
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Link to the product, link to the full review.
Another Samsung, and another 21700, but this time it's a high-current cell with a capacity of 4 Ah and a current rating of up to 35/45 A
Based on the code 2IA2, the production date is mid-October 2018
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Link to the product, link to the full review.
Another interesting battery, with a capacity of 5 Ah and a 21700 size, this time from LG. Its discharge current is roughly comparable to the Samsung 40T: about 7.3 A continuous and 10–15 A for short bursts.
According to the S029 marking, these batteries were made in late January 2019. But since this model itself is quite new, it's no surprise there aren't any old ones yet.
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Link to the product, link to the full review.
Another high-current model from E-One Moli Energy, a close equivalent to the Samsung INR21700-40T. Capacity is 4000 mAh, with discharge currents up to 45 A.
According to the 2IB23 code, these batteries were made on November 23, 2018.
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Link to the product, link to the full review.
The last model is no less interesting, from the well-known Sanyo. Capacity: 4250 mAh, current up to 15 A
The batteries have a somewhat unusual size of 20700. For comparison: 26650, 21700, 20700 and 18650
According to the 7Z17 marking, the battery was manufactured on December 17, 2017. There is a laser engraving on the negative terminal.
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First up are the Samsung INR21700-50E and LG INR21700-M50T, two high-capacity 21700 models.
Tested at 0.2C, 1C, 2C and around 15 A.
An interesting result: at low currents, the LG INR21700-M50T leads, but from 10 A up, Samsung pulls ahead decisively. So the answer to "which is better" depends on the specific application.
Also 21700, but high-current models this time: Samsung INR21700-40T and Molicel INR21700-P42A. Tested at 0.2C, 10 (12) A and 20 A.
And here it turns out that Molicel is not as straightforward as it might seem at first glance. At 0.2C, the results are almost identical, but above 10 A, Samsung falls noticeably behind.
I spent a long time thinking about which batteries would make the fairest comparison for the only 20700 model here. I concluded that it should probably be the Samsung 30Q, a "peer" of the model under review, but with lower capacity due to its smaller case, and the recently introduced high-current 21700 Molicel P42A.
As it turns out, at load currents up to 20 A, the Sanyo matches the high-current P42A in mAh capacity, but falls a little behind in Wh—which is understandable, since they're in different classes. Samsung, meanwhile, is noticeably behind on both counts, with the difference reaching almost 1.5 times at 0.2C.
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Summary.
I'll keep the conclusions short today. In fact, all these batteries are interesting, and there are no "best" or "worst" ones—it all depends on where and under what conditions you use them. So the best battery in one category could easily be the worst choice if used incorrectly. For example, high-capacity cells will do better in a power bank but worse in a cordless drill, while mid-capacity ones may be best for an e-cigarette.
I was going to put together a summary table, but then I realized it wouldn't really capture the point and would be of limited use—especially for comparing performance and price, since prices on sites like nkon often fluctuate, depend on quantity, and are affected by store discounts.
For now, I plan to add information on two more batteries to the review soon, so "stay tuned"—I hope you'll find it interesting.
A few years ago, I published a similar roundup, but a lot has changed since then: my collection of measuring instruments has grown, and I’ve gained some experience working with different batteries. Most importantly, the tests are now conducted in a way that makes it easy to compare any of the batteries I’ve tested under any operating conditions.
At the start of each battery’s section, I’ll include a link to the product in the nkon store, as well as a link to the full review if the brief information isn’t enough. For some batteries, I’ll also include links to listings at one of the more or less reputable stores on https://ali.ski/qgiek AliExpress. But I think you understand that the chances of getting burned are considerably higher there, even though most of the reviews are very positive. There are also positive reviews about this store; specifically, someone bought these batteries, and their tests showed that they have good specifications matching the originals.
A few notes before we begin:
1. Only genuine batteries are included in this review. Some are good, some are bad, but they’re all genuine.
2. Almost all the batteries were tested in pairs. The exceptions are the Samsung INR18650-20S and Samsung INR21700-50E, of which I had only one each.
3. All the batteries were purchased from nkon.nl. The only one whose authenticity is uncertain is the Samsung INR18650-20S.
Contents:
— Introduction
— Determining battery production dates
High-drain
— Murata US18650VTC4
— Murata US18650VTC5A
— Murata US18650VTC5D
— Samsung INR18650-20S
— Molicel INR18650-P28A
— LG ICR18650-HB3
— Comparison graphs
Mid-range
— Murata US18650VTC6
— Murata US18650VTC6 Red
— Samsung INR18650-25R
— Samsung INR18650-30Q
— LG ICR18650-HE4
— LG INR18650-HG2
— LG INR18650-HG2L
— Comparison graphs
High-capacity
— Samsung INR18650-35E
— LG INR18650-MH1
— LG INR18650-MJ1
— LG INR18650-M36
— Panasonic NCR18650G
— Panasonic NCR18650BD
— Comparison graphs
Everything else
— Samsung ICR18650-22P
— Samsung INR21700-50E
— Samsung INR21700-40T
— LG INR21700-M50T
— Molicel INR21700-P42A
— Sanyo NCR20700B
— Comparison graphs
Introduction
Test equipment and testing methodology.Different batteries require different equipment for testing, so the equipment list ended up being quite long:
1. ZKE EBC-A10H electronic load. A versatile load with a battery charging function, used to test batteries at currents up to 10 A.
2. ZKE EBC-A20, same thing, but with currents up to 20 A
3. ZKE EBC-A10, same thing, but used only as an auxiliary unit to prepare batteries for testing.
4. Homemade electronic load, rated for currents up to 30 A
5. Homemade (well, almost) electronic load, rated for currents up to 40 A. In practice, though, it turned out that it can't deliver that much current at low voltages; the maximum is about 36.5 A
6. Charger, preliminary test—a sort of "conditioning" cycle: charge, discharge, charge. Capacity measured during discharge at 500 mA.
7. Battery internal resistance meter
8. Thermal imager for measuring temperature. Temperature is measured just before cutoff at the minimum set voltage.
9. Multimeter, used in some tests with homemade loads to measure battery voltage and plot a graph.
10. Battery holders, 10 A and 20 A versions. All holders use a four-wire connection, which is the most accurate approach. The higher-current holder is also used for tests at currents up to 36 A
11. A matchbox, just as a good-luck charm; it helped morale :)
During testing, I tried to "standardize" the methodology somewhat, so it usually goes like this:
1. Visual inspection: shape of the positive and negative terminals, date of manufacture.
2. Measuring dimensions and weighing. At the weighing stage, the batteries are numbered, and the tests are then identified by battery number.
3. A "conditioning" cycle with capacity measurement. I'm not a fan of the idea of "conditioning" lithium batteries, but to avoid any "debate" about it, I decided to include it. Also, the capacity measured this way is close to the results obtained with chargers like the "Opus" and similar models, i.e. it's slightly overstated.
4. Charging test, showing how long it takes to fully charge a new battery at the standard current and at a higher current (if one is specified), after discharging it at 0.2C.
5. Discharge tests, usually at 0.2C, 0.5C, 1C, 2C, 10 A, 15 A, and 20 A, where C = the battery's rated capacity. For example, for a 2600 mAh battery, a 0.2C test corresponds to 520 mA. Some batteries were tested at 12 A and 8 A because the test currents didn't divide neatly based on the rated capacity.
6. Temperature was measured at currents close to the maximum; naturally, what counts as "maximum" varies from battery to battery.
7. Internal resistance was measured either immediately after receipt and after the "conditioning" cycle (for the first batteries), or after receipt, after "conditioning," and after all the tests.
8. In some cases, batteries in a similar class were compared.
All batteries will be divided into four categories:
1. High-capacity batteries. For the 18650 form factor, this means a capacity above 3000 mAh. These batteries are designed to maximize capacity; their discharge current is usually up to 2C, and in rare cases up to 10 A.
2. Mid-range, or so-called "all-rounders." The most interesting category, including models with a continuous discharge current of up to 20 A. They have a wide range of applications, from electric vehicles to power tools and vaping devices. Capacity is usually around 3000 mAh.
3. High-current batteries. They don't have particularly high capacity, but can sustain discharge currents above 20 A. They're mainly intended for powerful power tools and loads with high continuous current.
4. Everything else, such as budget models that stand out neither for their capacity nor their current, or batteries in sizes other than 18650.
The categories are, of course, somewhat arbitrary, but I think they reflect reality in the clearest way.
Back to table of contents
Determining the production date of batteries
To determine the production date, you can use either the tables or the calculator. All the tables, except for the Molicel batteries, were taken from here.Production date of Sony / Murata batteries
If you look closely, you’ll see two lines of text on the side of the battery. The production date of Sony / Murata Li-ion batteries is encoded in the last five characters of the second line:
Production date of Samsung SDI batteries
Samsung Li-ion batteries have three lines of text. The battery’s production date is encoded in the third line—the last 4 characters.
For newer Samsung batteries, whose code is under the heat-shrink wrap, the following code applies:
L — production line number
0 — model number
H — year of manufacture: Q-2008, S-2009, Z-2010, B-2011, C-2012, D-2013, E-2014, F-2015, G-2016, H-2017, etc.
B — month of manufacture: 1-January, 2-February, 3-March, — A-October, B-November, C-December
Production date of Samsung SDIEM batteries
As with Samsung SDI batteries, the production date of Samsung SDIEM cells is encoded in the third line of text on the battery, but the SDIEM series uses a different code for the month of manufacture.
Production date of Molicel batteries
Production date of LG batteries
The production date of LG industrial Li-ion batteries is encoded in the second line of text printed on the battery.
Production date of Panasonic and Sanyo batteries
Original Japanese Panasonic batteries have four digits next to the negative terminal (sometimes three digits and one letter). The production date is encoded in this marking:
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High-current batteries
Murata US18650VTC4
Link to the product, link to the full review. AliExpress listing — link
This is a relatively old battery model, but if the price is right, it’s still a perfectly viable option.
Capacity is around 2000 mAh, with a discharge current of up to 30 A.
The casing color is familiar from Sony/Murata batteries, though it’s probably simpler to say Murata, since they’re now made only under that brand.
The batteries were manufactured on May 20, 2018.
Weight and dimensions—nothing remarkable
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Murata US18650VTC5A
Link to the product, link to the full review. AliExpress listing: link
Logically—or chronologically, if you prefer—this should be the Murata US18650VTC5 battery, but I didn't have one, so here's the updated version, the VTC5A.
The difference from the VTC4 is capacity: this one is around 2500 mAh, with the same discharge characteristics.
The construction and appearance are identical. According to the code 5AA13AF04S, the manufacture date is June 4, 2018.
They weigh almost 3 grams less than the VTC4
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Murata US18650VTC5D
Link to the product, link to the full review.
If you can put it that way, this is an updated version of an updated version: first came the VTC5, then the VTC5A, and then the VTC5D. Though that’s not quite accurate, since this battery has a higher capacity than the VTC5, at 2800 mAh, with the same discharge capabilities.
These batteries are relatively new, and there are also some minor design differences around the negative terminal: it now has a circular indentation. Date of manufacture: mid-November 2018.
They weigh almost as much as the VTC4 and less than the VTC5A.
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Samsung INR18650-20S
Link to the product, link to the full review.
A fairly old but still relevant battery model, essentially equivalent to the VTC4.
Capacity: 2000 mAh; current up to 30 A as well.
Manufactured in November 2017. This battery was sent to me by one of my regular readers.
Inspection, dimensions, and weight. I’ll note the very low internal resistance, around 7.5 mΩ, which is rare for 18650 batteries.
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Molicel INR18650-P28A
Link to the product, link to the full review.
E-One Moli Energy is a relatively large but little-known battery manufacturer.
This model is marketed as a high-capacity, high-current battery, with the VTC5D as its closest equivalent.
Its rated capacity is 2800 mAh, with a maximum current of 35 A.
According to the 2J327 marking, the battery was manufactured on March 27, 2019. As with Murata, it has a similar matrix code, unique to each battery.
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LG ICR18650-HB3
Link to the product, link to the full review.
These batteries are much less common than the others, and their classification is also debatable. Their maximum current is only a little over 20 A. But since their capacity is just 1500 mAh, their 22 A rating works out to 15C, which is much more in line with high-current batteries.
The heat-shrink wrap is gray, which is unusual. The manufacture date is late February 2017.
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Comparative graphs
To make it easier to see which batteries perform best, I put together a few comparison graphs featuring the models listed above.First, at 0.2C—the standard current for measuring capacity. Obviously, using it for batteries like these is a bit silly, but that's what the specs call for. Some batteries can be discharged down to 2.0 V at this current.
Murata US18650VTC4 - red
Murata US18650VTC5A - orange
Murata US18650VTC5D - yellow
Samsung INR18650-20S - green
Molicel INR18650-P28A - light blue
LG ICR18650-HB3 - blue
At 10 A, the picture gets a little more interesting: the VTC5D and its competitor, the Molicel INR18650-P28A, are clearly out in front.
At 20 A, the ranking is about the same. So, if you want something cheap, get the 20S: it's roughly on par with the VTC4, but often costs less. If you want the best, whatever the price, go for the Molicel or VTC5D. For the best balance, I'd probably pick the VTC5D. Unfortunately, the HB3 can't compete—or it's an option for the really budget-conscious :(
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Mid-range
Murata US18650VTC6
Link to the product, link to the full review. AliExpress listing - link
VTC6 batteries are also very popular, though I think they're still a little less well known than the 30Q and HG2.
3000 mAh, current up to 20 A.
I had two pairs of these batteries. The results shown here are for the newer ones, manufactured on December 18, 2018. I'll compare them with the earlier pair at the end.
Weight and dimensions; the pair of “old” cells is at the bottom.
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Murata US18650VTC6 Red
Link to the product, link to the full review.
These batteries are quite unusual. They're basically Murata VTC6 cells, but with a different color of heat-shrink tubing. They have the same specs as the VTC6: 3000 mAh, current up to 20 A. No manufacturing date is given.
The store also has a listing where you can choose other colors.
Weight and dimensions are the same as the VTC6.
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Samsung INR18650-25R
Link to the product, link to the full review. AliExpress listing - link
These batteries are classics, plain and simple. In reality, they're just popular, even though their specs aren't particularly impressive. Some of you may be surprised that I put them in the mid-range class rather than the high-current class, but their maximum continuous current is 20 A, and capacity is only 2500 mAh.
According to the TIZ1 marking, the production date is the first week of December 2018
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Samsung INR18650-30Q
Link to the product, link to the full review. AliExpress listing - link
In my opinion, these are the most interesting batteries in this class: 3000 mAh capacity and current up to 20 A. Unfortunately, they're often counterfeited, so it's best to buy them from a trusted source.
Production date: November 2017
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LG ICR18650-HE4
Link to the product, link to the full review. AliExpress listing — link
Compared with other batteries, these "chicks" are not as well known, although they are firmly in the "mid-range" class. Capacity is 2500 mAh, with current up to 20 A, matching the better-known Samsung 25R.
Manufactured on day 276 (early October) of 2018
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LG INR18650-HG2
Link to the product, link to the full review. AliExpress listing — link.
Some of the most popular, though not the best, medium-current batteries, commonly known as "chocolates" and probably the most frequently counterfeited.
3000 mAh, current up to 20 A.
According to the «R299» marking, the manufacturing date is 2018, late September/early October, i.e. day 299 of the year.
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LG INR18650-HG2L
Link to the product, link to the full review.
A new release from LG, a revised or "optimized" version of the popular HG2. It's hard to say whether they're better or worse, but something has definitely changed.
I couldn't find a datasheet, but here's a text description quoted below:
Main specifications:
Minimum capacity: 2950 mAh; standard HG2: 2900 mAh
Nominal voltage: 3.6 V
Full charge: 4.2 V
Full discharge: 2 V; standard HG2: 2.5 V
Maximum continuous discharge current: 20 A
Maximum charging current: 4 A
Charging temperature: 0 to 50C
Operating temperature: -20 to 75C
Internal resistance (impedance at 1 kHz): < 20 mΩ
Dimensions: 18.4 x 65.2 mm
Weight: 49 g; standard HG2: 47 g
Charge/discharge cycles: capacity drops to 60% of rated capacity after 200 cycles at a 20 A discharge current; for standard HG2, these figures are 70% and 250 cycles, respectively
Minimum capacity: 2950 mAh; standard HG2: 2900 mAh
Nominal voltage: 3.6 V
Full charge: 4.2 V
Full discharge: 2 V; standard HG2: 2.5 V
Maximum continuous discharge current: 20 A
Maximum charging current: 4 A
Charging temperature: 0 to 50C
Operating temperature: -20 to 75C
Internal resistance (impedance at 1 kHz): < 20 mΩ
Dimensions: 18.4 x 65.2 mm
Weight: 49 g; standard HG2: 47 g
Charge/discharge cycles: capacity drops to 60% of rated capacity after 200 cycles at a 20 A discharge current; for standard HG2, these figures are 70% and 250 cycles, respectively
There's also a description on an English-language forum:
The LG18650HG2L is a relatively recent battery from LG Chem. It's an excellent competitor to the widely used Sony VTC6. It performs better in terms of discharge rate, supporting a continuous 20 A, and has the same capacity as the VTC6. Unlike its older sibling, the brown LG HG2, it performs better and doesn't sag in voltage as much as the old LG HG2. This battery is mainly used in high-current devices such as e-cigarettes, flashlights, and power tools.
In my case, these are actually the same HG2 batteries, but with a different label. The manufacturing date is January 30 (day 364), 2017—literally one day before the end of the year.
You might think this is just a marking variation, but batteries with this marking also come in the usual HG2 color.
There are also batteries specifically marked with the L suffix.
But their key external difference isn't the marking; it's the distinctive stamping on the negative terminal, which the HG2 doesn't have.
Otherwise, they're ordinary batteries.
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Comparative graphs
This class of batteries works well with both high-power loads and smaller ones, and usually has a capacity of around 3000 mAh, except for the Samsung 25R and LG HE4, which have a capacity of 2500 mAh. I call them "all-purpose" batteries, and in my personal opinion, that aptly describes their role in the "food chain."First test at 0.2C.
Murata US18650VTC6 - red
Murata US18650VTC6 Red - orange
Samsung INR18650-25R - yellow
Samsung INR18650-30Q - green
LG ICR18650-HE4 - light blue
LG INR18650-HG2 - blue
LG INR18650-HG2L - purple
The 10 A test is much more interesting than the previous one, and the leaders are already starting to emerge. The VTC6 is slightly ahead, but the VTC6 Red and 30Q are right behind it; the others are noticeably further back. The 25R and HE4 are almost neck and neck, but they lag well behind because of their lower capacity.
20 A is the maximum current for batteries in this class, at least for sustained use; they can handle even more for short periods. This test gives a more realistic picture of what each battery can do.
As for the rankings, nothing has changed: the VTC6 and 30Q are still out in front.
From here, it depends on your budget. The 25R is a perfectly good choice, as is the HE4, though it delivers fewer Wh. The HG2s are somewhere in the middle, while if you can afford them, both the VTC6 and 30Q are excellent choices. Another option is the Molicel INR18650-P28A. It's a high-current cell, but you may find it for not much more than the models shown here.
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High-capacity batteries
Samsung INR18650-35E
Link to the product, link to the full review.
The high-capacity section starts with a Samsung model. It's not a top-tier cell, but it's a very good representative of this class.
Capacity: 3400 mAh; up to 8 A continuous and 13 A for short periods.
Production date: presumably January 2016
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LG INR18650-MH1
Link to the product, link to the full review. AliExpress listing — link
These batteries just barely qualify for this category, since their capacity is only 3200 mAh, although they can deliver up to 10 A.
The batteries were made just before New Year, on day 362 of 2017.
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LG INR18650-MJ1
Link to the product, link to the full review. AliExpress listing — link
In my opinion, these are very interesting batteries, with both a high capacity of 3500 mAh and a current rating of up to 10 A.
The top battery was made in late June/early July 2018 — R183 at the beginning of the marking.
The bottom battery has two date codes. The more visible one indicates late June 2018; the less visible one also indicates late June 2018, but one day earlier — R177 and R176, respectively. R stands for 2018, and the three-digit number is the day of the year it was made.
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LG INR18650-M36
Link to the product, link to the full review.
These batteries are marketed as high-capacity cells, and their capacity is often listed as 3600 mAh, apparently because the marking includes “36.” In reality, even the datasheet gives a capacity of around 3450 mAh and a current of up to 5 A.
According to the R191 marking, the production date is 2018, day 191 of the year, i.e. mid-July.
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Panasonic NCR18650G
Link to the product, link to the full review.
Top-of-the-line batteries from Panasonic, with a typical rated capacity of 3550 mAh and a maximum current of 4.87 A.
According to code 8307, the production date is March 7, 2018.
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Panasonic NCR18650BD
Link to the product, link to the full review.
Unremarkable batteries, with a capacity of around 3100 mAh and a current of up to 6 A. However, this type of battery was used in Tesla battery packs and also has two specified charging modes: up to 4.2 V and 4.15 V.
Judging by code 8X24, the batteries were manufactured on October 24, 2018.
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Comparison graphs
Link to the product, link to the full review.
Here the main focus is on getting the highest possible capacity, so even tests at 0.2C are relevant to real-world use, not just measurement conditions.
Samsung INR18650-35E - red
LG INR18650-MH1 - orange
LG INR18650-MJ1 - yellow
LG INR18650-M36 - green
Panasonic NCR18650G - light blue
Panasonic NCR18650BD - blue
Here too, two clear leaders emerged: the Panasonic NCR18650G and LG INR18650-MJ1
At a 1C discharge rate, which is more typical for batteries in this class, the results are about the same: the NCR18650G and MJ1 are still in the lead
The next comparison may not be entirely fair, but I haven't figured out how to do it properly yet. So I chose the maximum rated current for each battery under test. For some, that's 1.5C; for others, it's 3C (10 A), which changed the rankings.
The NCR18650G is still ahead, but its discharge rate was 2C. The MJ1 is literally "neck and neck" with it, but at 10 A, while the M36 is close behind only because its current here is 5 A.
The 35E could compete in all the tests, but its discharge cutoff is 2.65 V, so that's the main reason it falls behind.
It's hard to draw firm conclusions. The batteries differ not only in capacity but also in maximum discharge current, so the best choice depends on the application. If you need maximum capacity at a low current, go with the NCR18650G. If you need both capacity and currents up to 10 A, the MJ1 is the better choice. The Samsung 35E also performs well.
There's another competitor, the Sanyo GA series, but I don't have one to compare with the others. I'll add it when I get the chance.
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All the other batteries
Samsung ICR18650-22P
Link to the product, link to the full review.
An unremarkable battery, except perhaps for its price. Capacity: 2150 mAh, current up to 10 A
These batteries were manufactured in the third week of October 2018 and bought at the end of July 2019, so they can be considered fresh. I also have them in another review, but those were made earlier.
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Samsung INR21700-50E
Link to the product, link to the full review.
Also a Samsung, but much more interesting: a capacity of 5 Ah, though the continuous current is only around 10 A, with 15 A for short bursts.
This one is not a 21700, but an 18650
Manufactured in late July 2018
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Samsung INR21700-40T
Link to the product, link to the full review.
Another Samsung, and another 21700, but this time it's a high-current cell with a capacity of 4 Ah and a current rating of up to 35/45 A
Based on the code 2IA2, the production date is mid-October 2018
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LG INR21700-M50T
Link to the product, link to the full review.
Another interesting battery, with a capacity of 5 Ah and a 21700 size, this time from LG. Its discharge current is roughly comparable to the Samsung 40T: about 7.3 A continuous and 10–15 A for short bursts.
According to the S029 marking, these batteries were made in late January 2019. But since this model itself is quite new, it's no surprise there aren't any old ones yet.
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Molicel INR21700-P42A
Link to the product, link to the full review.
Another high-current model from E-One Moli Energy, a close equivalent to the Samsung INR21700-40T. Capacity is 4000 mAh, with discharge currents up to 45 A.
According to the 2IB23 code, these batteries were made on November 23, 2018.
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Sanyo NCR20700B
Link to the product, link to the full review.
The last model is no less interesting, from the well-known Sanyo. Capacity: 4250 mAh, current up to 15 A
The batteries have a somewhat unusual size of 20700. For comparison: 26650, 21700, 20700 and 18650
According to the 7Z17 marking, the battery was manufactured on December 17, 2017. There is a laser engraving on the negative terminal.
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Comparison graphs
Well, I don't really have anything to compare the Samsung ICR18650-22P with, so let's set it aside and move on to some "pair skating"—especially since I happen to have a few matching pairs.First up are the Samsung INR21700-50E and LG INR21700-M50T, two high-capacity 21700 models.
Tested at 0.2C, 1C, 2C and around 15 A.
An interesting result: at low currents, the LG INR21700-M50T leads, but from 10 A up, Samsung pulls ahead decisively. So the answer to "which is better" depends on the specific application.
Also 21700, but high-current models this time: Samsung INR21700-40T and Molicel INR21700-P42A. Tested at 0.2C, 10 (12) A and 20 A.
And here it turns out that Molicel is not as straightforward as it might seem at first glance. At 0.2C, the results are almost identical, but above 10 A, Samsung falls noticeably behind.
I spent a long time thinking about which batteries would make the fairest comparison for the only 20700 model here. I concluded that it should probably be the Samsung 30Q, a "peer" of the model under review, but with lower capacity due to its smaller case, and the recently introduced high-current 21700 Molicel P42A.
As it turns out, at load currents up to 20 A, the Sanyo matches the high-current P42A in mAh capacity, but falls a little behind in Wh—which is understandable, since they're in different classes. Samsung, meanwhile, is noticeably behind on both counts, with the difference reaching almost 1.5 times at 0.2C.
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Summary.
I'll keep the conclusions short today. In fact, all these batteries are interesting, and there are no "best" or "worst" ones—it all depends on where and under what conditions you use them. So the best battery in one category could easily be the worst choice if used incorrectly. For example, high-capacity cells will do better in a power bank but worse in a cordless drill, while mid-capacity ones may be best for an e-cigarette.
I was going to put together a summary table, but then I realized it wouldn't really capture the point and would be of limited use—especially for comparing performance and price, since prices on sites like nkon often fluctuate, depend on quantity, and are affected by store discounts.
For now, I plan to add information on two more batteries to the review soon, so "stay tuned"—I hope you'll find it interesting.
This page was found when searching for:
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This model is included in the summary table: Battery comparison: measured capacity and resistance
The figures from this review are in the measurement database: Batteries
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