It has been a couple years since I bought batteries. Recently I went shopping for some 18650 cells on aliexpress and discovered that my two most trusted stores are gone. Can anyone tell me a trusted battery store on aliexpress?
Vapcell store is good, Sofirn store has some batteries, and so does Wurkkos store.
I’m used to buy in this and don’t have complaints so far: https://www.aliexpress.com/store/1382210 (Aliya’s Battery Store)
Never bought from them, but Vapcell came under my radar recently. They seem to be good according to BLF tests/reviews and most stores charge a LOT to send batteries to my country, while Vapcell offers free shipping.
The Wurkos 21700 battery is branded 4800 mAh and 48A. Seems overrated in my book. Think it should be a maximum 15A in the real world, with that capacity.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003285397321.html
I’ve only gotten cells with/inside lights, but from what I’ve noticed over the last year or more is that the prices for cells on aliexpress have gotten really high…and/or they have shipping fees that just make no sense unless you have no other choice. Better to buy from one of our several domestic sources, imho. Aloft Hobbies in California is a new one (they recently showed up as a source for the 26800 size from Queen Battery)…they don’t have much but they have good prices and super fast shipping (cheapest shipping I’ve seen, too). Liion and Illumn and the rest are still around although stock is still very spotty and prices are varying more than they used to, so check everyone before ordering.
I have ordered 4 cells of Wurkkos 21700 5000 mAh. Still waiting for delivery. Will soon find out how good / powerful they really are.
Normally Wurkkos and Sofirn official stores sell good batteries and at affordable prices. LiitoKala stores on Ali Express also have good batteries which I have frequently bought when they are on sale. And just choose the ones offering free shipping. No issue, so far. 
I made a couple of orders at Nastima store on Aliexpress, they have a wide range of products and everything I ordered came in good condition and with nice quality. On Aliexpress it’s important to read all the reviews for products you want to buy before purchasing, so there’s a bigger chance to receive a good item from them. Nastima store has overall good reviews, but I’m sure there are plenty of such stores on the website.
Got four 21700 cells from Wurkkos Store on Ali Express for about US$9.00 each, with free shipping.
Each of the cells came in a zoomie flashlight. Also came in the package are two single-cell chargers, which I don’t really need. Amazingly, all the four flashlights work. And I could fully charge all the four cells in just about 60 minutes.
Why buy on aliexpress when you’re from the US?
Yes, if you are in the USA, certainly it is much easier to buy from domestic American sellers.
However, all of them cannot ship lithium batteries to Singapore, where I live. But sellers on Ali Express can, no problem for them; they just put each battery cell in a free-of-charge flashlight.
In the past, most of them didn’t even do this; they could just wrap up battery cells in bubble wraps and mailed them.
I wasn’t talking to you. I was asking the OP (the guy who started the thread). He’s from Michigan US.
These 21700s are Lishen LR2170SD 9.6A 5000mAh cells, $5 each in US. Sofirn/Wukkos only put their wrap on it and ask for $9 each? For 5000mAh 10A 21700s, suggest you get Samsung 50E2/3 instead. Much better
Thanks GhoseJoe for your information. This confirms my understanding that Sofirn 21700 and Wurkkos 21700 are both re-wrap of Lishen cell.
I did ask earlier on this BLF, but someone from Wurkkos responded that he didn’t know whether they came from the same source.
The advantage for those in the USA: they can buy good batteries at a good price.
Will look on Ali Express for the recommended Samsung 50E, the third generation!
You are very welcome, In Singapore, can you directly buy Lishen cells instead? It should be cheaper. The included free zoom flashlight is pure garbage. Lishen cells have that unique bottom vent except LR2170LA. Recently Sofirn changed their 18650 cells from DLG to Lishen as well. Labeled as 3000mAh and all my test showed ~2850mAh, not as good as old DLG cells.
In addition to 50E2/3, you can also check Tesla 27100 cells, it should be much cheaper and not bad at all.
Noted with thanks, GhostJoe.
In Singapore, I have mostly bought lithium batteries from Ali Express. I think I have seen Tesla batteries on Ali Express.
There are also local sellers on Lazada and Shopee shops. But I think they all import their stocks from China or Malaysia. But the quality of their (cheap) batteries is not guaranteed.
I remember there was a massive post talking about Lithium Batteries.
I get mine from Aliya’s for the few years.