2012 Battery test/review summary

[HKJ]

Thank you! Very helpful. Other than AW would you have a brand or distributor for the protected final product? Battery junction or others?

Maybe I am looking at this the wrong way but almost $20 per cell seems a bit inflated? Wouldn't you agree?

Some possibilities are CalliesKustoms, EagleTac, Intl-outdoor, Orbtronic, RediLast and Xtar. The price varies, but it is possible to get below $15 including shippig.

Using a protected 18650 as a stand alone is not very common, this makes the battery more expensive (Mostly 18650 are used in battery packs for laptops without individual cell protection).

[Chowderhead72]

Using a protected 18650 as a stand alone is not very common, this makes the battery more expensive (Mostly 18650 are used in battery packs for laptops without individual cell protection).

Huh?

You are suggesting non-protected cells in a three cell light? I thought that was only recommended in a single cell configuration where the low voltage cut-off worked as protection.

[HKJ]

Huh?

You are suggesting non-protected cells in a three cell light? I thought that was only recommended in a single cell configuration where the low voltage cut-off worked as protection.

No, except when it is a battery pack with a common protection.

18650 batteries is sold for use in battery packs with common protection, not for use as single cells (protected or not). This means that the the number of individual protected batteries manufactured is rather limited and this leads to higher price.

The last two years has seen a number of new 18650 dealers and increased the competition, this has lowered the price on quality batteries.

[Colonel Sanders]

HKJ, I just did a little testing on the new Panasonic 3400 and let me tell you....you're going to be IMPRESSED with this new cell! At a 4a load it holds voltage like an IMR cell. Starting voltage was 4.22v and I ended at 2.75v....how about 3305mah?!? Again, that's at a 4a load on a brand new cell with no cycles. If it's like most cells I've tested, it should pick up a little more with several more cycles.

Most impressive was it's ability to maintain voltage. Think of it as a hybrid IMR cell with 3400+ capacity.

I am extremely pleased with this initial testing to say the least. I look forward to seeing your testing.

[HKJ]

HKJ, I just did a little testing on the new Panasonic 3400 and let me tell you....you're going to be IMPRESSED with this new cell! At a 4a load it holds voltage like an IMR cell. Starting voltage was 4.22v and I ended at 2.75v....how about 3305mah?!? Again, that's at a 4a load on a brand new cell with no cycles. If it's like most cells I've tested, it should pick up a little more with several more cycles.

Most impressive was it's ability to maintain voltage. Think of it as a hybrid IMR cell with 3400+ capacity.

I am extremely pleased with this initial testing to say the least. I look forward to seeing your testing.

I do have test data for two different sets of Panasonic 3400mAh (one protected and one unprotected).
I have not really been looking at the data yet, because I need to rescale everything to handle 3400mAh.

[HKJ]

A couple of new test/reviews has been posted, including the two 3400mAh.

I have changed the scale on most charts to accommodate the 3400mAh batteries, this scale will be the default for all new 18650 test I publish. I might also update the chart scales on the older tests, but I have not done that yet.

[tobrien]

A couple of new test/reviews has been posted, including the two 3400mAh.

I have changed the scale on most charts to accommodate the 3400mAh batteries, this scale will be the default for all new 18650 test I publish. I might also update the chart scales on the older tests, but I have not done that yet.

thanks!

[pabcor]

thanks!

Good job, would interesting one graph showing the power 2A or 3A for example.

[HKJ]

Good job, would interesting one graph showing the power 2A or 3A for example.

Find the individual reviews, they contain discharge curves for both 2A and 3A.

[1c3d0g]

The new 3400mAh batteries look very promising. It'll be interesting to see what the modders like AW can do with these new cells.

P.S. mods, this thread DEFINITELY needs to be stickied!

[HKJ]

The new 3400mAh batteries look very promising. It'll be interesting to see what the modders like AW can do with these new cells.

A guess would be that AW makes a short version (About 68mm) with a flat top like he has done with the 2900/3100mAh batteries.

P.S. mods, this thread DEFINITELY needs to be stickied!

The sticky has moved to the "Threads of interest", this way it does not use up the first page of threads.

[GehenSienachlinks]

Why does the chart show that your keepper 2800 mah are 4.3 volts when they should be limited to 4.2 ?

[HKJ]

Why does the chart show that your keepper 2800 mah are 4.3 volts when they should be limited to 4.2 ?

Some LiIon cells are designed for more than 4.2 volt, the 2800 is one of these.
In my comparator you can see and compare results for both 4.2 volt and 4.3 volt.

[vpr5703]

This is awesome. I've been prodding for a few days around your website, way to go. This is the exact reason I bought AW and Kallie Customs cells a few days ago. Love it.

Asus TF300T w/ Tapatalk

[theFLASH12]

HKJ,

What's the possibility of you adding to your list by testing this EFEST battery. Supplier says it's a Panasoic NCR18650B:

EFEST 18650 NCR18650B? (http://www.efestbattery.com/index.ph...product_id=919)

I am willing to donate (send you) ONE battery, to get accurate analysis as you did with batteries on this list (hopefully shipping/mail is not outrageously expensive).

[StylesTW]

I'm having a problem reading the chart. You mentioned a flashlight like the Klarus XT 10 or in my case a Klarus XT 11 which uses an XM-L U2, needs 3A. When reading the chart the Ultra Fire BRC 18650 4000mAh has the longest yellow bar, meaning a longer running time which is what I'm looking for. The price for this battery online seems to be less than $8 dollars for 2 batteries + a charger, when the Ultra Fire BRC 18650 3000mAh is more expensive. How is that battery that cheap yet have such good test results?

Do you guys recommend that battery? Anything better for an XT 11 flashlight. I'm looking for the longest running time on an 18650 protected single cell.

Editing Post. I think I got it, the chart is a bar on top of a bar, which means something like the Keeppower 3400mAh would have the longest running time.

Thanks.

[HKJ]

HKJ,

What's the possibility of you adding to your list by testing this EFEST battery. Supplier says it's a Panasoic NCR18650B:

EFEST 18650 NCR18650B? (http://www.efestbattery.com/index.ph...product_id=919)

I am willing to donate (send you) ONE battery, to get accurate analysis as you did with batteries on this list (hopefully shipping/mail is not outrageously expensive).

I have it on order, but it will probably be some time before it arrives.

I'm having a problem reading the chart. You mentioned a flashlight like the Klarus XT 10 or in my case a Klarus XT 11 which uses an XM-L U2, needs 3A. When reading the chart the Ultra Fire BRC 18650 4000mAh has the longest yellow bar, meaning a longer running time which is what I'm looking for. The price for this battery online seems to be less than $8 dollars for 2 batteries + a charger, when the Ultra Fire BRC 18650 3000mAh is more expensive. How is that battery that cheap yet have such good test results?

Do you guys recommend that battery? Anything better for an XT 11 flashlight. I'm looking for the longest running time on an 18650 protected single cell.

Editing Post. I think I got it, the chart is a bar on top of a bar, which means something like the Keeppower 3400mAh would have the longest running time.

Thanks.

Correct, this also means that when the yellow line is on top the battery cannot supply enough current for the 5A test.
You can get an idea about the runtime if you check the full comparison, there is also bar charts scaled in hours/minutes.

[theFLASH12]

Great, hope you post it here as many of us are subscribed to the updates to this thread, and this is an excellent price for one of the best performing 18650 batteries listed THANKS!!!

I have it on order, but it will probably be some time before it arrives.
.

[HKJ]

Great, hope you post it here as many of us are subscribed to the updates to this thread, and this is an excellent price for one of the best performing 18650 batteries listed THANKS!!!

I do not always post here when posting new reviews. In fact I am very much behind, since last update I have posted these:
Sanyo 18650 2600mAh (Red), Samsung ICR18650-28A 2800mAh (Purple), EnerPower+ 18650 2900mAh 3C (Blue), EnerPower+ 18650 2250mAh (Blue), EnerPower+ 18650 3400mAh (Blue), Hi-Max 18650 2600mAh (White), Keeppower 16650 2000mAh (Black), GTL 18650 5000mAh (Blue), Intl-Outdoor UR18650FM 2600mAh (Black)

The full list of my reviews is probably the best place to see if I have published new reviews, it is always in chronological order with newest entries at top (This list only includes batteries close to 18650 batteries in size).
There is a similar list for smaller batteries and 26650 batteries are on the same list as chargers and other battery stuff.

[theFLASH12]

OK, no problem, thanks for the extra links. I'll check there frequently, although this list you put together (in this thread) is an excellent comparison against other existing 18650 batteries.....Thanks Again for your awesome work!

I do not always post here when posting new reviews. In fact I am very much behind, since last update I have posted these:
Sanyo 18650 2600mAh (Red), Samsung ICR18650-28A 2800mAh (Purple), EnerPower+ 18650 2900mAh 3C (Blue), EnerPower+ 18650 2250mAh (Blue), EnerPower+ 18650 3400mAh (Blue), Hi-Max 18650 2600mAh (White), Keeppower 16650 2000mAh (Black), GTL 18650 5000mAh (Blue), Intl-Outdoor UR18650FM 2600mAh (Black)

The full list of my reviews is probably the best place to see if I have published new reviews, it is always in chronological order with newest entries at top (This list only includes batteries close to 18650 batteries in size).
There is a similar list for smaller batteries and 26650 batteries are on the same list as chargers and other battery stuff.

[jasmul]

im a newbie and i dont understand how to read chart. i have a fenix tk35 and it uses 2 18650. i was wondering if someone could help me understand the chart or recommend a sold rechargeable battery for me.

[HKJ]

im a newbie and i dont understand how to read chart. i have a fenix tk35 and it uses 2 18650. i was wondering if someone could help me understand the chart or recommend a sold rechargeable battery for me.

Look in the "Dicharge, Capacity", it is a couple of stacked bars. The batteries with the longest blue and cyan bar are the best for the TK35. That will be the 3400mAh batteries, followed by the 3100mAh batteries.

[guiri]

Ok, this is just awesome.

I've looked at your tests before and although I'm too damn stupid to understand the charts and all the other stuff
(I usually skip to the conclusion), I think this is a great service that you provide and much thanks.

I want to get a few high capacity 18650's for a few lights I have coming but I want to get a good battery
for general use as I have no idea about all the tech stuff.

So, my question would be, who's got the best deal on a 2900-3100 mAh battery with a REAL button top?

Someone with free shipping over a certain amount would be cool.

By the way, who pays for all this and do you want some donations for your work?

Thanks

George

[HKJ]

I've looked at your tests before and although I'm too damn stupid to understand the charts and all the other stuff
(I usually skip to the conclusion), I think this is a great service that you provide and much thanks.

It is not that difficult, but it might require a bit of time to figure it out.

I want to get a few high capacity 18650's for a few lights I have coming but I want to get a good battery
for general use as I have no idea about all the tech stuff.

So, my question would be, who's got the best deal on a 2900-3100 mAh battery with a REAL button top?

Someone with free shipping over a certain amount would be cool.

I do usual not keep up with price, but if you are US based try checking Orbtronic. I do not know if they are the cheapest, but they have button top.

By the way, who pays for all this and do you want some donations for your work?

That is mostly me, but I do also get a lot of batteries from the different manufacturers/dealers (if I got the battery for free, I write it at the bottom of the test).
There is no reason for donations, it is not that expensive.

[guiri]

Thanks

[dno36]

Look in the "Dicharge, Capacity", it is a couple of stacked bars. The batteries with the longest blue and cyan bar are the best for the TK35. That will be the 3400mAh batteries, followed by the 3100mAh batteries.

Thank You HKJ for your testing and your help given to those of us who ask for it here.
You are a stellar example for all forum 'leaders'. From all of us out here - Thank You Thank You

That given, as a newbie on this board I have a question....
I am expanding my number of lights, now at 11, and batteries.
Some of the lights I buy come with batteries as a package deal.
Recently I picked up 2-18650 batteries labeled "ultracell 4300 wAh 3.7v". They protected and have a translucent pinkish-red wrapper and a small top tab.
I tried to find some info or a test done on these somewhere....anywhere.....nothing to be had.
I actually own some ultracell NiZn 1.6v AAA's, and they are OK, not special. I could find nothing of 18650's from them.

This being the case I am assuming that they are rebadged from another maker and supplied for my seller or maybe they just started making the 18650's.
These look quite a bit like cytac 2400 blue/white or the spiderfire gray lc3000. Your 2011 tests showing the bottom surface did help here.
They seem to be ghosts
I am wondering if you have seen these before?
I shall try and attach a pic link here, if I can figure it out. - http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/a...127_172729.jpg

Thank You again for all you are doing to help us learn and self-educate.

Dean

[Wacki]

Any chance of testing Tenergy 18650 batteries?

[HKJ]

Recently I picked up 2-18650 batteries labeled "ultracell 4300 wAh 3.7v". They protected and have a translucent pinkish-red wrapper and a small top tab.
I tried to find some info or a test done on these somewhere....anywhere.....nothing to be had.

I have not seen these cells before, with that kind of specifications they must be some cheap Chinese batteries of low quality.
Maybe something like the GTL.

Any chance of testing Tenergy 18650 batteries?

I do not have the in my plans. If somebody can give me a link to a dealer that ships to EU (use PM), I will consider it.

[daveam]

HKJ: Regarding interpreting the charts, I think now I'm confused. Referencing your "how to read the charts" I came to the conclusion that the best batteries (max output for longest duration) for a Thrunite TN30 (3 18650 in series) would be one of the 2600 mAh Sanyo based cells. (Excluding the 4.35V LG batteries.) Now I'm thinking it's a Panasonic based 3400 cell?
Help!
Also, regarding the 4.35V batteries; is there a particular hobby charger that you (or anyone else) would recommend?

Many thanks!

[Shadowww]

HKJ: Regarding interpreting the charts, I think now I'm confused. Referencing your "how to read the charts" I came to the conclusion that the best batteries (max output for longest duration) for a Thrunite TN30 (3 18650 in series) would be one of the 2600 mAh Sanyo based cells. (Excluding the 4.35V LG batteries.) Now I'm thinking it's a Panasonic based 3400 cell?
Help!
Also, regarding the 4.35V batteries; is there a particular hobby charger that you (or anyone else) would recommend?

Many thanks!

For 4.35V batteries: none of hobby chargers can do 4.35V charging, but iCharger line can do 4.3V without a problem (cheapest of them is 106B+ at ~$80)