Will high capacity 26650 batteries be the trend in future?

I am really liking the 21700 cell torches and my last 5 torches have been in the 21700 format. IMO the diameter of the flashlights using the 21700 cells are perfect for holding where the 26650’s can be to large in diameter. They hold more energy and produce more amps. It hard to beat the 30T and 40T in performance right now, I see a long future for flashlights using the 21700 cells. :smiley:

That’s probably all the batteries all vap-users in a typical city need - in just one car.

How could any other [similar] format survive? Those 21700 cells will go into tools, vacuum cleaners, lawn mowers etc. as well.

The 21700, because flashlight technology is growing fast and an 18650 can not produce the capabilities to keep up with power and amp demands. My new 20V DeWalt use the same Samsung 21700 cells and as everyone my have noticed there are a lot of flashlights coming out in the 21700 format, Tesla vehicles use them as well. They will be around for a long time to come.

I think 21700 cell was made for improved surface area for cooling while charging in car battery pack.
They did a lot of research and 21700 was right now the best size for cooling, capicity and costs.

26650 batteries’ development seems to be in a stall, because no new notable releases I have seen recently.

One battery with ~5700mAh and 20A sustained current, and that is all.

The most recent batteries are now with better power and energy density in the 21700 format.

Personally, I would be happy to see 26650 batteries in the future, but for that, new development would be necessary.

Trying to extrapolate performance weightwise, I guess, there should be already e.g. 6500mAh 20A and 5500mAh 30A and 4200mAh 40A batteries, but development is nowhere near.

21700 is the future, like it or not

:smiley: :+1:

My 4500ma AWT IMR26650`s will do 75A, dunno if that counts?

You are right in some way, there were not stated, but battery chemistries, which are considered fully charged at 4.2V were compared (IMR, INR, NCR, etc.)

Regarding IFR (briefly at ~3.6V, when fully charged), the 26650 batteries are much better than their smaller format siblings.

For some applications, they are the best without question, but most of the recent flashlight designs cannot do their best with IFR batteries (maybe this could be also changed).

EDIT: I just overlooked, that you mention IMR, then it is hard to believe. Can you show me that one? (Please keep in mind, that some ridiculous “pulse” current ratings cannot be taken into consideration - the ratings should work from 100% to fully discharged state /while battery remains in the safe temperature range/, that is why they are continuous ratings.)

21700 becoming popular because of 18650 user lack of capacity but enough power while 26650 user lack of power while retain most capacity.

Agree on 26650 development had been stall. They should releasing new type 26650:

5000mah 50A, 10,000mah 20A, just for e.g

I haven’t checked for a while, but last time I did, I couldn’t purchase a 26650 from a reliable brand like Panasonic, Samsung, Sanyo, or LG. Xtar, Efest, Vapcell, EVVA, Golisi, Nitecore, etc. might manufacture (or re-wrap) some great batteries. That was one bad sign for me.

Secondly, 26650s are harder to get than 18650s. They’re just not as widely used or sold, and maybe manufactured. 21700s are now easier to find and buy than 26650s.

Once Tesla started using 21700, and I could get the same capacity in that format, I decided to get off the 26650 train. I still like the ones I have, but 21700 is a better, probably safer choice for me.

4500mA AWT IMR26650 75A are terrible , more like 7.5A as most overrated batteries, I think it was a joke.

The battery world can be very deceiving, HKJ Reviews cells and test there capacities, Great stuff :smiley:

Thanks for your insightful points. :+1: We all hope to see more developments.

I read somewhere that 21700 has the best size:power ratio.

I myself still love 16340 :slight_smile:

For me, multi cell or 26650 is simply too large.
For a compact like Zebralight SC700, 21700 is ok but on many modells anything above 18650 is simply too big and it won’t even leave the house.

If my brand looses market share, I would improve quality, not printing higher numbers on the wrapper.

I only use a 26650 in one light -Nightwatch NI40 SBT90.2 and find the gold Golisi 26650 provides the most current. I do find the barrel size of this light to be comfortable but I do wish the 26650 would catch up with the 21700 in terms of size /capacity and power ratio. Sadly I expect it will not.

I have read a lot of useful info in this post, thank you all. I happen to be a big fan of 26650’s and have 4 lights that i enjoy with that battery size. I was VERY against getting into 21700 for months because: 1. I vape so my battery setup was already numerous 18650’s, and 2. both 18650 and 26650 would fit my old charging setup. Once I bought the Xtar vc4s and some P42’s / 40T’s for my FW21 pro, my opinion completely changed on the 21700. I now have about 5 21700 lights and really enjoy the size and capacity of the 21700. I would like to see the 26650 stick around (becuase i like the size/flashlight setup) but without companies like samsung, sony and LG working on the R&D, it does not appear they will? I could be wrong? Also, a side note - when measuring the volume of a cylinder it looks like the 21700 has 46% more than the 18650 and the 26650 has 42% more than the 21700. With the 26650 having 109% more capacity than the 18650. That makes it seem like 26650 would make more sense to develop then 21700 to me, but… Like others have said this cylinder capacity math does not take into account how heat dissipation/buildup is effected by cylinder size, etc. I am certain engineers have their reasons to move forward with 21700 over 26650. I just don’t know what i’m going to do with all of my 18650’s! :person_facepalming:

I’ve got a number of 26650 equipped lights and they are mostly left at home for use around the house. With the weather getting colder, I may bring one and carry it in a jacket pocket. I like how it fits in my hand, but not my pocket. I like how long they can run too.

I use my 18650 lights quite often. With high quality cells, they perform well and fit easily in my pocket.

I’d consider 21700 cell lights if they can keep size to a minimum and deliver better capacity for their size. It seems that there is more research and development going on in this size so that may mean better performing cells and eventually lights in the future.