Some Best 18650 Batteries type in the Market

Many battery brands rewraps other companies batteries and lies about their specs. There are lots of fakes out there so only buy from a known and trusted vendor.

1. IMR18650: Lithium Manganese Rechargeable

The IMR batteries  are HIGH-DRAIN rating and don’t need Protective Circuit Board (PCB). It supply big current in an immediate without hot or burn of battery. And even if It is shorted, which not cause of flames or explosion because manganese is awesome chemical. That why there is no built-in protection circuit against over discharging and shorted though.

Stay with IMR batteries – these are better for portable devices such as LED flaslight, power tools, vaping and more.

Top Quality IMR18650 Batteries

2. INR18650: Lithium Manganese Nickel Rechargeable

These INR batteries are similar IMR batteries but being added  Nickel for optimize performances. The INRs will combines the safety and low resistance of Manganese with the high energy of Nickel, which gives high capacity, HIGH-DRAIN and high discharge the IMR batteries but also higher priced too

 Top Best INR18650 Batteries – Highly recommend!

3. Panasonic NCR18650B – outstanding optimize performances

This batts is the same INR batts however it has PCB built-in and its capacity is higher. Some version of Panasonic NCR18650 are

• Panasonic NCR18650 -> 2900mAh
• Panasonic NCR18650A -> 3100mAh
• Panasonic NCR18650B -> 3400mAh (check the details here!)

Features & Testing of NCR18650B (source: http://lygte-info.dk)

4. ICR18650: Li-Cobalt Rechargeable

The most of quality ICRs are build-in with protection circuits because ICR batteries have higher capacity (mAh) but lower drain rating. When you use  in high-current discharging or short circuit [get in an accident] it become too hot and maybe cause of explosion. A protection circuit in this case, will reduce  problems.

These ICRs are used in laptop batteries and other devices which need constant power over a longer time.  If your devices need HIGH-DRAIN for portable devices (such as LED flashlights, power tools, vaping, i.e). I highly recommend don’t use ICR batteries or at least let choose ICR batteries has PCB (protection circuit board)

Top Quality ICR18650 Batteries

Why 18650 Lithium Battery?

Before flashlights adopted them, 18650 battery cells were industrial parts mostly used as components making up larger battery assemblies (e.g. laptop batteries). Then flashlight manufacturers adopted them in view of their characteristics which make them very suitable for that particular use.

1. Physical properties

These batteries are called 18650 because of their (approximate) dimensions: 18.6 mm in diameter × 65.2mm in length. This style of denomination has become a sort of standard in the industry.

For example, we can find 14500 cells (14×50 mm), the size of an AA alkaline battery.

• But watch out: some brands are slightly bigger than others with the same denomination so you’d better check for compatibility with your flashlight before investing your money.
• Most of the led flashlights (not all) that use two CR123s can replace by one 18650.

2. Electrical properties

The 18650 batteries are lithium so they pack extremely high energy density. Output voltages vary from 3.7V to 4.2V and the power to weight and size ratio is better than with other technologies.

They usually have a very low self-discharge rate and no memory effect. The best 18650 battery usually can be recharged up to 600-1000 times, depending on the brand.

3. The best 18650 battery properties:

• One 18650 has about as much power as three Ni-MH standard AAs.
• Using 18650 instead of two CR123s is recommended because 18650 will last longer.
• The shelf life is extended allowing for long time storage.
• It don’t need to be fully discharged before recharge again.
• It give a very good mileage for what you pay.

Safety

Due to their chemical content, batteries in general are potentially dangerous parts. Usually, any 18650 battery has a protection against over temperature (PTC) and over pressure (CID).

There was a time when 18650 cells were reputed to be prone to explode but this was changed with the addition of a Protective Circuit Board (PCB).

Such batteries are called Protected 18650s. The PCB is inserted at the bottom of the cell. The protection works against over current (short circuit), over charge and over discharge.

A protected 18650 is slightly longer and bigger than an unprotected one. They should be named by the proper designation: 19670 (19mm x 67mm) although for historic reasons, most people including manufacturers keep using the incorrect designation: protected 18650.

Safety tips:

• Use a protected 18650 as it will shut down if one of the monitored conditions is met.
• You must check for size compatibility with your particular flashlight. In case of a tight fit, you can try the R17670 which has approximately 70% of the capacity of the standard R19670 (~18650); this should be adequate for most applications and you can always carry a charged spare battery in case you work on extended night shifts.
• Lithium batteries in general can be dangerous if handled carelessly. 18650 battery is no exception. Do not overheat, incinerate, reverse polarity, mix voltages and do not use damaged ones.

Best 18650 Batteries to choose from

We present two brands of 18650 batteries. Both are PCB protected. They are top quality and very durable. Both get top review marks from multiple reviewers.

Best 18650 batteries to choose:

Conclusion:

So, why is 18650 battery adequate and best for a led flashlight?

• This cell benefits from high capacity and power density. It is a power house in a small package.
• Use of unprotected cells is not recommended or extreme caution must be exercised not to overcharge or over discharge them.
• It has no memory effect therefore it does not need to be discharged before recharging.
• The cost of ownership is very low despite the initial purchase price.