Li-ion batteries...current trusted brand?

[DUQ]

Hello everyone, I would like to know which brand of batteries is everyone buying these days. Back in my day (lol), AW provided some of the best. Over time and many cycles, my stock pile has depleted. Please enlighten me.

 

[ChrisGarrett]

I stick with Sony/Murata, LG, Samsung and Panasonic/Sanyo.

Also, Molicel is well regarded in high drain 21700s.

Chris

 

[jacobd]

Vapcell tend to have most common sizes sorted, and are all true to mAH rating.

 

[dc38]

I'm partial to Keeppower and Orbtronic. The wrapping isn't super thick, and they're pretty true to manufacturer ratings. I like the protection circuits, even if they do add a few mm of length.

 

[vicv]

I second vapcell for unprotected cells at a fair price. XTAR is a very good brand for protected cells. And the standard LG and Samsung for 18650s and 21700. Lishen is a Chinese brand that makes good 21700s. EVE is another good Chinese brand for the two big cells. Molicel makes the best high drain 18650s and 21700s. So it all depends what you’re looking for.

 

[AMRaider]

I use both Keeppower and Orbtronic cells as well and have not had any problems from either brand. I'm not sure what sizes you are looking for, but Orbtronic has a pretty good selection.

 

[KITROBASKIN]

If Orbtronic does not have what I want, Illumn almost always does. I would buy more Vapcell…

 

[IMA SOL MAN]

I'm very conservative, so I go with Surefire and Maglite. I figure if they are willing to stake their reputations on it, that says a lot about the cell. Then if it blows up, they can't blame someone else, 'cause it was their battery and their flashlight!

 

[jacobd]

It always surprises me that surefire uses Chinese cells.

 

[vicv]

It always surprises me that surefire uses Chinese cells.

Why? There's Chinese companies who make very good cells. And why would that be bad. Just Japanese and Korean and Taiwanese cells are ok? They're all foreign. Aren't emoli made in Canada?

 

[orbital]

+

I believe the only lithium batteries produced in the US (18650 or 21700) are Panasonic,,,, under the large sign on the facility saying TESLA
The Panasonics we buy for our lights are very likely produced elsewhere.

Other US auto manufactures may disagree, but those batteries aren't going in our lights either

 

[jacobd]

Why? There's Chinese companies who make very good cells. And why would that be bad. Just Japanese and Korean and Taiwanese cells are ok? They're all foreign. Aren't emoli made in Canada?

I use Chinese cells almost exclusively because of how good Vapcell batteries are, my surprise just comes from knowing a lot of surefire's customer base doesn't like Chinese products lol. I have no such issue with them

 

[vicv]

I use Chinese cells almost exclusively because of how good Vapcell batteries are, my surprise just comes from knowing a lot of surefire's customer base doesn't like Chinese products lol. I have no such issue with them

Gotcha. Ya there's some here who've really gotten into whole culture and politics war. I say whoever can offer the best product at the best prices is good with me. That's what capitalism is all about

 

[ChipDale]

I mainly use Keeppower, and some Vapcell, and Efest. I'm a Japanese resident, but strangely, it's hard to get Sony or Panasonic here in Japan. If I need them, I would have to rely on Illumn. It seems Japanese manufacturers don't sell Li-ion cells in retail market, at least in Japan.

 

[Kestrel]

I just restocked myself (feel free to read my recent thread); one thing I like about the Orbtronics I just bought was their steel (neg) terminal. I have seen other PCB negs get pretty scratched up from tailcap springs. Prices were good as well.

 

[Kestrel]

Thread 'Just bought new LiIon cells; first time in 10 yrs'

Jul 16, 2025

I confess to being very frugal with my LiIon cell inventory; I obtain a relatively few high-quality cells for my lights, but then flog the heck out of them until they are completely worn out before finally looking around for replacements.

Looking at my purchase records, the last time I actually bought new flashlight LiIons was a pair of AW 3100's back in 2015. (Which are still in refrigerated reserve at ~60% SOC, since I ended up not really needing them. :rolleyes:)

Since then, I've obtained a few lightly used cells that were included in CPF-MP flashlight packages; a more recent...

• Kestrel
• Replies: 5
• Forum: Flashlight Electronics - Batteries Included

• 

 

[Monocrom]

I use Chinese cells almost exclusively because of how good Vapcell batteries are, my surprise just comes from knowing a lot of surefire's customer base doesn't like Chinese products lol. I have no such issue with them

Likely this is due to going back 15 or 20 years when Made in China rechargables (with one huge exception) were dangerous, cheap garbage. Likely to vent with flame. Lots of folks still remember those days.

 

[dc38]

Likely this is due to going back 15 or 20 years when Made in China rechargables (with one huge exception) were dangerous, cheap garbage. Likely to vent with flame. Lots of folks still remember those days.

Ultra, trust, unique, just to name a few...

 

[vicv]

Likely this is due to going back 15 or 20 years when Made in China rechargables (with one huge exception) were dangerous, cheap garbage. Likely to vent with flame. Lots of folks still remember those days.

While this is a factor, this day I think it's more based on xenophobia. Can't support the evil communists!!!

 

[dc38]

While this is a factor, this day I think it's more based on xenophobia. Can't support the evil communists!!!

Xeno E03 phobia?