Solid all around 26650 and 18650 batteries that won't break the bank?

Batteries and Chargers Rechargeable Batteries
1

So I have ordered a Convoy S2+ and a KDIY KF8.

I will soon order a Convoy B06, Trustfire A8, KDIY K5s and more.

What are some solid all around 26650 and 18650 batteries that won’t break the bank but will provide the needed performance?

I have quite a few EBL’s that are doing the job well but would like to get opinions on a better option.

Thanks

2

Or are my only real options Keeppower, Olight, Fenix, or Nightcore all ranging from $12 to $30 each?

3

As far as 18650 cells go:

Samsung 30Q if you need high current.
Sanyo NCR18650GA if you need max capacity.

4

These are my 2 go to cells now days, most of my lights are running these. M4DM4X has some good codes for the 30Q.

For 26650 the best bang for the buck are the LiitoKala lii-50A 26650 5000mah.

You can usually find them on aliexpress/banggood for around $5 a cell. I just ordered 4 of them the other day actually and really need another 2 for some upcoming projects.

5

Yeah, I got a few LK 26650s for my L2(s). And for 18650s, there’s the 30Q, VTC5/-5A/-6, etc.

6

It’s important to know that none of those companies manufacture cells.
They just add button tops, protection, and rewrap,
to 18650’s from Samsung Sony Sanyo Panasonic LG.

You can always save $ by buying cells by those 5 makers and not paying extra for the rewrap/rebrand/markup. Add solder blob to flat top cells yourself to make them button top if needed.

7

Similar 18650 cells here. Usually 30Q for highest amps or GA for max capacity yet decent amps. I’ve recently also picked up some Samsung 35E. Not talked about a lot here, but they’re pretty equivalent to the GA.

26650: Liitokala 5000mah or Keeppower 5500mah

8

Current popular cell sale highlights:

LiitoKala Lii-50A/PLB INR26650-50A:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2PCS-LiitoKala-26650-50A-5000mah-26650-Li-ion-3-7v-Rechargeable-Battery-for-Flashlight-20A/32790517311.html Chévere and cheap as chips.

Samsung 30Q:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/100-Original-Brand-new-INR18650-30Q-18650-3000mAh-lithium-Rechargeable-battery-Electronic-cigarette-Batteries/32806927306.html

Panasonic/Sanyo NCR18650GA:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/100-Original-LiitoKala-Lii-35A-3-7V-3500mAh-NCR18650GA-10A-Discharging-Rechargeable-Batteries-For-Sanyo-18650/32809585837.html 1 piece.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2PCS-100-Original-LiitoKala-Lii-35A-3-7V-3500mAh-NCR18650GA-10A-Discharging-Rechargeable-Batteries-For-Sanyo/32810252344.html 2 pieces.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3PCS-100-Original-LiitoKala-Lii-35A-3-7V-3500mAh-NCR18650GA-10A-Discharging-Rechargeable-Batteries-For-Sanyo/32810198037.html 3 pieces.

I've seen somewhat better prices but this is as far as it goes now.

Cheers :-)

9

Thanks for all the input, I will pick some up.

Last thing, is there a go to RCR123a/16340 recommended battery?

10

I second 35E. These are really underappreciated, for many uses it’s the best cell on the market and it’s cheaper than the close competitors.

11

The Klarus LiR16340 700mAh (Red) looks to be the same cell as the one employed by Fenix in their ARB-L16.

TrustFire IMR16340 650mAh (Red-gold) review (this is as far as it goes in high-drain 16340s right now, 3-4 amps maybe).

Related search at FastTech.

Cheers :-)

12

Regarding 26650s:

Since I couldn’t find the official Liitokala Lii-50A INR26650-50A that ship at a reasonable price to my country, I got a few from another seller that does not indicate Liitokala nor Lii-50A. The label on the INR26650-50A that I got from another seller does look almost exactly the same as the cyan-colored Lii-50A INR26650-50A though. Doing a capacity test with analyzing charger, I get from 5000+ mAh to nearly 5200mAh. How do I check if these are the technically equivalent to the Lii-50A INR26650-50A (cyan)?

I did find some inconveniences with the INR26650-50A I got — these are really flat-tops as in placing 1 pc on top of each other will not result in series (eg. when used in Convoy L2 or L6 that requires 2pcs 26650 in series, then the 2 INR26650-50A will not connect. I need to place a small flat magnet in between them to connect.

Another inconvenience is that these 26650 cells have a hard time making contact with my chargers, I typically have to place them at a slight slant angle so the 26650 gets recognized by the charger. So, is this condition also true with the genuine Liitokala Lii-50A INR26650-50A? Or is it because I have “fake” INR26650-50A whose flat-tops are somewhat recessed flat-tops (much like Samsung INR18650-30Q or 35E where 1pc on top of another will not connect).

In Barkuti’s link about the Liitokala Lii-35A 3500mAh 18650 — the links indicate Sanyo NCR18650GA, but I recall reading a message thread which expounds on this issue — that Liitokala does not use NCR18650GA on their Lii-35A, but instead uses Samsung INR18650-35E.

I have a difficult time finding NCR18650GA in AliExpress (no other foreign online stores seem to ship to our country except a few AliExpress stores). I’m wondering how much better are they compared to the INR18650-35E (I have gotten hold of a few 35E by now — and they seem to have also pretty low IR based on the MC3000 - around 35-50mOhms; not as low as 30Qs which show 20+ mOhms in the MC3000).

13

d_t_a,

The INR26650-50A is definitively flat top by design (PLB made) and they don't make contact in series just by themselves.

The Samsung INR18650-35E is still the best performing high capacity cell according to HKJ's tests.

Cheers

14

If, by America, you mean you are in the USA, rather than just the continental western hemisphere, you’re probably better off ordering your batteries from a US seller, like Mtn Electronics, Liionwholesale, or the other ones I can’t remember right now. Prices are competitive, shipping times are much better, and there is a lot less chance of delay or confiscation.