I’ve been using this store since I got some from them off ebay 18650.co.uk
The site is a little hard to navigate, but search usually works well - I found they have an Efest 26650 for £9.99, no idea if it’s any use to you, or a good price, but they are in the UK and shipping is quick.
Worth a mention anyway.
I have also just contacted them to see if they might like to give us a discount code or a monthly special buy maybe - worth a punt!
The problem with AliExpress is some of the vendors sell fake batteries. I found one selling Shockli 5500mAh cells but I have no idea if they are genuine.
The automated system accepted the order from Liitokala.aliexpress. 4x 26650 for less than $15.00. I’ll update this thread when they ship or reject the order.
There is Torchy the battery boy, and Nkon.eu for local shipping. Hopefully the 26650’s on Aliexpress should be genuine as they are only a few different types of cells. The Liitokala stores have had a run of fake 30Q’s etc of late.
I can second Ecolux - now that I think about it, I originally had that recommendation from Ven on CPF Thank you, Ven I’ve had chargers and cells from them, always had good service. Just bought a couple of 26650s last week, in fact, after having the same problem with Banggood.
I’ve had cells from NKON as well - also good service, although their selection is smaller, as you say.
Finally, I’ve had a fair few cells from www.flashaholics.co.uk - good service from them too, but the selection is more limited and their prices have gone up quite a bit since I bought mine last year and the year before.
The LiitoKala 26650-50A/Lii-50A is quite singular. Made by chinese OEM Power Long Battery, there's no other 26650 cell in the market which can be effectively used to fake it without being easily noticed. Features a distinctive 4-lobe flat top and it is wider than any other cell in the market besides own Power Long Battery cells (∅≈26.7mm).
Both the Shockli IMR26650 5500mAh and the KeepPower IMR26650 6000mAh UH2660 are rewraps of the PLB INR26650-55A. Those chinese rewrapping fellows must think prefixing a battery with IMR is good, but this has nothing to do with the actual chemistry of the cells and I believe it is misleading. The OEM names their cells INR, and their actual chemistry is hybrid Nickel-Cobalt-Manganese.
Ok, after suggesting 18650.co.uk I contacted them asking for a discount code for BLF members. They agreed if we could help them out by suggesting brands/sizes for them to stock, and in return they would give us a 10% site wide discount code for us to use. Please, if you have any suggestions post them HERE so I can send them a list.