What batteries are needed for vaping: the best models

One of the common vape batteries is designated 18650, that is, 18 mm in diameter and 65 mm in length. Such devices are compact, have a fairly large capacity and current output. When considering which 18650 battery is better, you need to take into account these and other indicators described below.

Description and types of 18650 batteries

The most commonly used battery for vape is 18650. Outwardly, it looks like a battery - it has the shape of a cylinder. To indicate the sizes, numbers are indicated sequentially: the first pair indicates the diameter D, the second the length L, and 0 is simply discarded. Thus, the diameter of this battery is 18 mm and the length is 65 mm.

When studying what batteries are needed for vaping, it is worth considering several common types:

1. Lithium-cobalt, which is also called lithium-ion and is labeled Li-Ion. They are affordable and provide a fairly good voltage, which is more than enough for vaping.
2. Lithium-manganese provides even more current, but does not have a high capacity. That is, you need to keep in mind that such 18650 vape batteries discharge quickly.
3. Lithium-nickel-manganese also produce high current, and are superior in capacity to lithium-manganese.
4. Lithium iron phosphate batteries are arguably the best vape batteries.They work even at low temperatures and are characterized by a large number of charge-discharge cycles (minimum 2000). They produce a stable voltage even when discharging, and are completely safe for users.

Tips for choosing

When considering which 18650 vape batteries are best, you need to take into account several parameters, including the type of your device. The technical characteristics of the battery itself are no less important.

Device type

If you figure out which batteries are best for vaping, you should start by considering the type of vape:

1. Mechmod, that is, a mechanical mod (without electronics).
2. Electronic board (electronically controlled).

18650 vape batteries with a mechanical device must have a high current output of 20 Amps. It is also desirable to have built-in protection. The fact is that such cigarettes do not have electronics that would control possible overheating and discharge.

It is much easier to understand how to choose a battery for a vape that runs on an electronic board. Such devices are easier to operate and reliable. Therefore, for them you can choose batteries with a current in the range of 10-15 Amps, or maybe a little more. Moreover, it is possible to purchase an inexpensive battery without paying a fee, since all processes are controlled by the vape electronics.

Current strength

Types of batteries for vaping differ greatly from each other in terms of current strength, which is measured in Amperes (A):

1. Models with a parameter of up to 10 A are suitable for electronic cigarettes with a power of up to 30 W.
2. Batteries with a current of up to 20 A are suitable for mechanical mods, as well as for classic electronic devices that operate with a power of no more than 60 W. If we talk about what kind of batteries are in electronic cigarettes, the “chocolate bar” shown in the photo can be taken as an example.
3. The current is within 30 A - such a 18650 battery is suitable for a mechanical mod, as well as for devices with a powerful board up to 120 W. A common example is “green cucumber”.
4. There are also devices with maximum current values ​​of 30 A. They are suitable for the most powerful vapes - 120 W or more. An example is the “yellow banana”.

Manufacturer brand

It is better to choose a battery for the 18650 mech mod from well-known brands that have proven themselves well among users. Leading manufacturers include:

1. Samsung – produces capacious and reliable batteries for vapes that maintain a charge for a long time. One example is Samsung 2R.
2. LG – is not inferior to Samsung, many vapers believe that the brand owns the best 18650 batteries, for example, 18650 LG HG2.
3. Sony is a Japanese manufacturer of electronics, including batteries for vapes. They have a good price-quality ratio, are quite capacious and durable. Examples of high-quality batteries are the VTC series (generations 4, 5, 6).
4. Panasonic is another famous Japanese brand that produces electronic devices. An example of a reliable battery from this manufacturer is the Panasonic UR-18650-NSX.

Other indicators

When studying which 18650 batteries are better, you need to take into account other characteristics:

1. Capacity, which is measured in mAh. The higher this indicator, the longer the charge lasts. It is optimal to choose models with 2000-2500 mAh and higher.
2. The rated current provides the required power, but at the same time, the higher it is, the greater the overheating. The optimal range is 20-30 A.
3. The voltage is greater, the higher the rated current, and accordingly, the higher the power.

Review of the best batteries

The choice of 18650 batteries can be made taking into account both technical characteristics and user reviews. If you highlight the best models taking into account customer ratings, you will get the following rating.

Panasonic NCR18650B

This is an 18650 battery for an electronic cigarette - one of the highest quality and most durable. It has a large capacity of 3350 mAh, which allows you to actively use the vape without recharging for several days in a row. The maximum current is 4.78 A, while the minimum number of cycles is 300. A battery with good current efficiency and high capacity at a reasonable price.

Samsung ICR18650-22F

An inexpensive model with a capacity of 2200 mAh and a current discharge of 4.4 A. Depending on the situation, it can be charged with a current and power of 2.2 A. The battery attracts with stable operation, “survivability”, and the ability to quickly charge. Plus it costs less than the best Panasonic batteries.

LG HG2

When studying which batteries are suitable for a mechanical mod, it is worth considering this model. It has a capacity of 3000 mAh and creates a current of 20 A, while the maximum charge current corresponds to 4 A. According to the passport, the number of cycles is 300, while the capacity is reduced, but not by more than 30%. Therefore, this device has a good service life, although it is worth keeping in mind that it gets very hot when charging.

Sony US18650VTC6

Battery with a capacity of 3120 mAh and a maximum charging current of 5A (possibly 6 A in case of charging using pulsating current). In this case, overheating is possible, so you have to control the temperature in “manual” mode. The current output of the device is very high, and charging is really fast. If the voltage drops to 2 V, the discharge is still safe, which is especially important for mech mod users.But the service life is not the greatest.

Samsung INR18650-25R

Another fairly high-quality battery at an attractive price. It is characterized by a power of 2500 mAh, a current output of up to 20 A when operating in constant mode and up to 100 A when operating in pulsed mode. It lasts for several days, and the battery is quite reliable, so it can last a long time even with heavy use.

Now it’s clear which batteries are better for the 18650 mech mod, and which ones are better for vapes with an electronic board. It is very important to take into account heat transfer and capacity so that the device does not overheat, charges quickly and retains its charge well. You also need to consider the features of your vape, its type (mechanical or electronic) and power.