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.
Li-ion
Using some values from here and real cap test results at 0.2A from here; manufacturer claimed capacities in last column.
LiFePO4
Using real capacities from here at 0.2A; manufacturer claimed capacities in last column.
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 Factor | Max. mAh | Representative Cells |
AAA (low self-discharge) | 900 mAh | Eneloop AAA BK-4HCC 900mAh Black |
AA (low self-discharge) | 2680 mAh | Ansmann AA 2850mAh Silver |
C (low self-discharge) | 4700 mAh | Ansmann C 4500 mAh 505352 Silver |
C (conventional) | 4800 mAh | Tensai C TR-C4500 4500mAh Green |
D (low self-discharge) | 10,000 mAh | Ansmann D 10000mAh 5030642 Silver |
D (conventional) | 10,700 mAh | Soshine 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 Factor | Max. mAh | Representative Cells |
10440 (AAA) | 350 mAh | Efest IMR10440 Soshine 10440 AAA 350mAh Black |
13450 | 550 mAh | Efest IMR13450 600mAh Red 2014 |
14430 | 650 mAh | Efest IMR14430 V1 600mAh Red |
14500 (AA) | 1000 mAh | Vapcell ICR14500 1000mAh Gold 2018 |
14650 | 1050 mAh | Efest IMR14650 950mAh Red |
16320 | 820 mAh | Weltool INR16320 750mAh 123A USB Black-Red |
16340 | 750 mAh | Fenix 16340 700mAh ARB-LI6 Orange-Black Vapcell INR16340 800mAh |
16500 | 1220 mAh | Efest IMR16500 900mAh Red 2014 |
16650 | 2200 mAh | Sanyo UR16650ZTA 2500mAh Magenta |
17500 | 1160 mAh | YLE ICR17500 1100mAh Orange |
17650 | 1450 mAh | EagleTac 17650 1600mAh Black |
17670 | 1300 mAh | AW 17670 1600mAh Black 2016 |
18350 | 1200 mAh | Keepower 18350 1200mAh P1835C2 Black 2017 Orbtronic 1200mAh |
18490 | 1350 mAh | Vapcell IMR18490 1400mAh Yellow |
18500 | 2040 mAh | Panasonic NCR18500A 2040mAh Green |
18650 | 3400 mAh | Samsung 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 |
18700 | 2460 mAh | Xtar 18700 2400 mAh Black |
20650 | 3300 mAh | Liter INR20650 3400mAh Blue |
20700 | 4140 mAh | Enercig 20700 4000mAh EC-27B Red |
21700 | 4875 mAh | Samsung INR21700-50E 5000mAh Cyan LG 21700 M50 5000mAh Grey |
26500 | 2400 mAh | Enercig EC-26500HP 2000mAh Blue |
26650 | 5930 mAh | Shockli IMR26650 5500mAh Black 2017 |
32600 (D) | 6120 mAh | Enerpower+ 32600 6000mAh Yellow |
32650 | 6500 mAh | Soshine 32650 6500mAh Black |
LiFePO4
Using real capacities from here at 0.2A; manufacturer claimed capacities in last column.
Form Factor | Max. mAh | Representative Cells |
14500 | 600 mAh | Lietlong 14500 LiFePo4 1200mAh White |
16340 | 600 mAh | K2 Energy LFP123A |
18500 | 1400 mAh | Soshine 18500 1400mAh Black |
18650 | 1800 mAh | Enerpower 18650 3.2V 1800mAh Blue |
26650 | 3000 mAh | Soshine IFR26650 3.2V 3200mAh Pink |
32500 | 6500 mAh | VariCore 32700 LiFePO4 6500mAh Gray |
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