Highest capacity cells in each size.

LMF5000

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I'd like to make a list of the approximate maximum capacity of each form factor of currently available cylindrical cells.

This would firstly help to guide new users so they don't fall into the trap of buying Chinese cells with completely fictitious capacity numbers. Secondly it will be useful for people who build large capacity packs for low-medium current draw (eg e-bikes and backup power supplies), to keep up with the market, particularly in new form factors (20700, 21700).

I've made a starter list below and contributed some numbers from my personal tests with battery analysers over the years. I would appreciate input from users like HKJ who have vast experience measuring real-world capacities, especially on larger form factors.

Specific battery models that obtain the record-setting capacity numbers would also be useful. To start, I've added a few that I have personally verified on my own equipment.

Edit: Completed the list using numbers supplied by parametrek and real results found on HKJ's site.

Grey text indicates sizes where the max capacity in that size is less than that of smaller cells. These may be obsolete form factors where development has ceased and whose capacity has been overtaken by newer technology in smaller cell sizes. Since you'll get more capacity from smaller cells than these (just go up the list) there would be no advantage getting the larger size unless they are significantly cheaper or have higher cycle life. In other words, for building packs with new cells you can probably ignore the grey entries.

Ni-MH

Using values at 0.2A from here; manufacturer claimed capacities in last column.

Form FactorMax. mAhRepresentative Cells
AAA (low self-discharge)900 mAhEneloop AAA BK-4HCC 900mAh Black
AA (low self-discharge)2680 mAhAnsmann AA 2850mAh Silver
C (low self-discharge)4700 mAhAnsmann C 4500 mAh 505352 Silver
C (conventional)4800 mAhTensai C TR-C4500 4500mAh Green
D (low self-discharge)10,000 mAhAnsmann D 10000mAh 5030642 Silver
D (conventional)10,700 mAhSoshine D 11000mAh White

Li-ion

Using some values from here and real cap test results at 0.2A from here; manufacturer claimed capacities in last column.

Form FactorMax. mAhRepresentative Cells
10440 (AAA)350 mAhEfest IMR10440
Soshine 10440 AAA 350mAh Black
13450550 mAhEfest IMR13450 600mAh Red 2014
14430650 mAhEfest IMR14430 V1 600mAh Red
14500 (AA)1000 mAhVapcell ICR14500 1000mAh Gold 2018
146501050 mAhEfest IMR14650 950mAh Red
16320820 mAhWeltool INR16320 750mAh 123A USB Black-Red
16340750 mAhFenix 16340 700mAh ARB-LI6 Orange-Black
Vapcell INR16340 800mAh
165001220 mAhEfest IMR16500 900mAh Red 2014
166502200 mAhSanyo UR16650ZTA 2500mAh Magenta
175001160 mAhYLE ICR17500 1100mAh Orange
176501450 mAhEagleTac 17650 1600mAh Black
176701300 mAhAW 17670 1600mAh Black 2016
183501200 mAhKeepower 18350 1200mAh P1835C2 Black 2017
Orbtronic 1200mAh
184901350 mAhVapcell IMR18490 1400mAh Yellow
185002040 mAhPanasonic NCR18500A 2040mAh Green
186503400 mAhSamsung INR18650-35E 3500mAh Pink
Efest IMR18650 3500mAh Purple 2017
Enercig 18650 3460mAh Purple
Ampsplus INR18650 3500mAh Black
Sanyo NCR18650GA 3500mAh Red
Sony US17650VC7 3400mAh Green
187002460 mAhXtar 18700 2400 mAh Black
206503300 mAhLiter INR20650 3400mAh Blue
207004140 mAhEnercig 20700 4000mAh EC-27B Red
217004875 mAhSamsung INR21700-50E 5000mAh Cyan
LG 21700 M50 5000mAh Grey
265002400 mAhEnercig EC-26500HP 2000mAh Blue
266505930 mAhShockli IMR26650 5500mAh Black 2017
32600 (D)6120 mAhEnerpower+ 32600 6000mAh Yellow
326506500 mAhSoshine 32650 6500mAh Black

LiFePO4

Using real capacities from here at 0.2A; manufacturer claimed capacities in last column.

Form FactorMax. mAhRepresentative Cells
14500600 mAhLietlong 14500 LiFePo4 1200mAh White
16340600 mAhK2 Energy LFP123A
185001400 mAhSoshine 18500 1400mAh Black
186501800 mAhEnerpower 18650 3.2V 1800mAh Blue
266503000 mAhSoshine IFR26650 3.2V 3200mAh Pink
325006500 mAhVariCore 32700 LiFePO4 6500mAh Gray
 
Last edited:

archimedes

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Re: Maximum capacity of cylindrical cells by form factor.

One issue you may wish to address is to specify the discharge current.

Capacity will be affected by many other variables of course, but that is a pretty major one ....
 

parametrek

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Re: Maximum capacity of cylindrical cells by form factor.

Very quick and easy to get these numbers from my battery database after sorting by mAh:

  • 10440: 350mAh Efest IMR10440
  • 14500: 1000mAh Vapcell ICR14500 or 840mAh Sanyo UR14500P
  • 16340: 850mAh Efest
  • 18650: 3550mAh Panasonic NCR18650G
  • 26650: 5900mAh Vapcell
  • 16650: 2500mAh Sanyo UR16650ZTA
  • 18350: 1200mAh Keepower IMR18350
  • 18500: 2000mAh Panasonic NCR18500A
  • 20650: 3100mAh Sanyo NCR20650A
  • 20700: 4200mAh Sanyo NCR20700B
  • 21700: 5000mAh LG 21700M50

These are manufacturer claimed numbers. They sometimes bend testing a little. For example the NCR18650B is 3500mAh officially. But that is because Panasonic continues measuring until 2.5V or maybe 2.0V. Deeper than most people test batteries.
 

LMF5000

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Re: Maximum capacity of cylindrical cells by form factor.

Good point, I've added an indication of discharge current. Moderate use, so currents in the range of 0.5-1.5C.

HKJ, I used your comparator before I made this post, was hoping you'd know the approximate capacities off the top of your head as I was giving up with the sheer volume of cells in those lists hehe. I will give it another look (didn't check for C and D cells).

If you were building a large pack with new cells, what form factor would you use?
 

LMF5000

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Re: Maximum capacity of cylindrical cells by form factor.

Thanks for filling that in, Parametrik. Looks like some very high quality data there. Agreed re quirky voltages for some numbers. I think the 18650 cells I listed in my original post had oxidation- resistant electrolyte to allow them to tolerate charging voltages as high as 4.35V, hence the unusually high capacity numbers at the time.

Would you happen to have numbers for C and D cells? I've seen some D cells with capacities as high as 8.5 and 10Ah. Not sure whether they're believable though it was a reputable brand.
 
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HKJ

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Re: Maximum capacity of cylindrical cells by form factor.

HKJ, I used your comparator before I made this post, was hoping you'd know the approximate capacities off the top of your head as I was giving up with the sheer volume of cells in those lists hehe. I will give it another look (didn't check for C and D cells).

No way, I cannot remember all the cell data, but the table is very easy and fast to use for different types of LiIon, you can both filter and sort it.

If you were building a large pack with new cells, what form factor would you use?

For now it looks like 21700 is the best size, second in line is 18650.
 

LMF5000

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Re: Maximum capacity of cylindrical cells by form factor.



No way, I cannot remember all the cell data, but the table is very easy and fast to use for different types of LiIon, you can both filter and sort it.



For now it looks like 21700 is the best size, second in line is 18650.


I've been using your comparison page up till now. I just stumbled upon your table, and now I understand what you mean. I can just filter and sort to get the data (facepalm). So much less work than going through the comparison!

Looks like with your table, parametrek's site and my own tests I have enough information to complete my table.

I will edit my first post to include all this new data and additional form factors when I have some time.

Thank you everyone who contributed. You people are awesome :twothumbs
 

LMF5000

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Re: Maximum capacity of cylindrical cells by form factor.

Phew. Just added all the data and made a neat table of it. Sources listed above. I think this will make a good "quick reference guide" for pack building. I certainly learnt a lot when compiling the table - such as to skip anything between 16650 and 18650 and between 18650 and 20700.
 

parametrek

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Re: Maximum capacity of cylindrical cells by form factor.

Would you happen to have numbers for C and D cells? I've seen some D cells with capacities as high as 8.5 and 10Ah. Not sure whether they're believable though it was a reputable brand.

That is complicated. Those aren't unreasonable numbers. Remember that a D cell has the capacity of like 4xAA. And then you have low self discharge versus high self discharge. A high self discharge NiMH D cell can have a monstrous capacity.
 

DayofReckoning

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Re: Maximum capacity of cylindrical cells by form factor.

As far as the LifePo4 16340's are concerned, I believe that the K[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Tahoma,Calibri,Geneva,sans-serif]2 energy lfp123a cells are by far the best that's available, better than the Soshine cells in that chart. They are listed as 600mah, and they are very close to that capicity.[/FONT]
 

Mr. LED

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Re: Maximum capacity of cylindrical cells by form factor.

Vapcell just released a INR 16340 800mAh 7A.
 
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fmc1

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Re: Maximum capacity of cylindrical cells by form factor.

The Aspire 18350's rated at 1300mAh have been out of production for quite a while. The later version of those are rated at 1100mAh, this more closely matches HKJ's results. Those are also nearly impossible to find since they have been out of production for at least a year. They are great batteries no question. I have a few but I don't think they belong on a list dated today. The Orbtronic would get my vote for the list since they are rated at 1200mAh, 10A continuous discharge, 15A pulse and can be used in series. The anode and cathode are raised just enough to make contact for a series application. I have quite a few of these and they absolutely perform as advertised.


Frank
 

LMF5000

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Re: Maximum capacity of cylindrical cells by form factor.

That is complicated. Those aren't unreasonable numbers. Remember that a D cell has the capacity of like 4xAA. And then you have low self discharge versus high self discharge. A high self discharge NiMH D cell can have a monstrous capacity.

I'm surprised that D cells are quite a bit more expensive per watt-hour than lithium cells. The Ansmann in my table are €40 for a pair!! Vapex sells reasonably-priced D cells, their LSD variant is 8000mAh (€19 for a pair), and the regular is 10,000mAh (€10 per cell).

At 1.2V nominal the vapex non-LSD work out to 12Wh for €10 or 1.2 watt-hours per euro. A typical 18650 is 3.7V nominal, 3.3Ah = 12.2Wh (same as a D cell), but only costs €6-7 if bought individually (cheaper in bulk) so works out to 1.74 watt-hours per euro, almost 50% better value than the NiMH D-cells.
 

LMF5000

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Re: Maximum capacity of cylindrical cells by form factor.

As far as the LifePo4 16340's are concerned, I believe that the K2 energy lfp123a cells are by far the best that's available, better than the Soshine cells in that chart. They are listed as 600mah, and they are very close to that capicity.

Gotcha, list updated.

Vapcell just released a INR 16340 800mAh 7A.

List updated

The Aspire 18350's rated at 1300mAh have been out of production for quite a while. The later version of those are rated at 1100mAh, this more closely matches HKJ's results. Those are also nearly impossible to find since they have been out of production for at least a year. They are great batteries no question. I have a few but I don't think they belong on a list dated today. The Orbtronic would get my vote for the list since they are rated at 1200mAh, 10A continuous discharge, 15A pulse and can be used in series. The anode and cathode are raised just enough to make contact for a series application. I have quite a few of these and they absolutely perform as advertised.

Frank

List updated.
 
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