However, they are also more costly. The 18650 battery Li-ion battery is the most common battery used in laptop computers. It is made by a number of well-known brands, such as Panasonic, Sanyo, Samsung, Sony and LG, among others. The 18650 battery cell has a lengthier storage life than an Ni-MH battery cell, and, therefore, is preferred for use in laptops and cell phones.
The 18650 – Understanding the Basics
To understand a little bit more about the specifications of the Li-ion or 18650 lithium ion type battery, it’s good to know a little bit about battery jargon. For example, the amp hours, expressed as Ah, references the amount of electrical current or amperage in the battery. Therefore, the battery will last longer with an Ah that is higher. The mAh (milliamp hours) refers to the amount of energy in a battery or the battery’s capacity. Thus, a battery with a higher mAh number will last longer from charge to charge. For conversion purposes, the mAh measurement is the same as one one-thousandth of an amp; therefore, 2.4 Ah, for example, equals 2,400 mAh. The cell refers to the sole canister of a battery. It’s usually combined with other battery cells to make up battery packs.
That said, and for your reference, the 18650 Li-ion battery cell is usually 3.6 or 3.7 volts. Its capacity is usually 2,400 mAh, and it has a 2.4 Ah maximum charge. As stated, the battery cell is light and weighs a little over an ounce and a half.
Sanyo Battery Cell
With respect to the 18650 batteries on the market, the Sanyo 18650 battery cell is an excellent choice. Highly rated, this Li-ion battery cell enjoys high marks with respect to quality and cost.
Tenergy
Another Li-ion battery cell worth noting is the 18650 Li-ion battery cell from Tenergy. This particular cell is often used in flashlights and notebooks. Buying a six pack of battery cells will run you a little over $30 U.S.
Ultrafire
Ultrafire also produces 18650 Li-ion battery cells. Each battery cell is equipped with a charger, and is suitable for use in all sorts of devices, including flashlights, digital cameras, digital camcorders, cell phones, iPods, notebooks and laptops. One of the most popular choices among consumers is the button top 18650 Li-ion battery cell made by Ultrafire. It’s reasonably priced at around ten bucks U.S. and has the capacity (3,000 mAh) to handle the energy consumed by a number of electronic and digital devices
The LG Brand
LG is another maker of the 18650 Li-ion battery cell. The 3.7 volt rechargeable battery cell’s capacity is 2,600 mAh, and it’s sold online for around $8. This LG battery cell touts a safe design and has less potential for leakage. Typically it is used for such digital devices as cameras, e-books and camcorders.