Where can I buy 18650 batteries?

18650 batteries are rechargeable lithium-ionized batteries that are currently in use for most of the portable devices such as smartphones, baby monitors and cameras.

With the advancement in technology, these 18650 cells are now accessible for consumers as well in contrast to an earlier time when their use was limited to only device manufacturers. However, while their use is getting prevalent, these batteries are not yet readily available everywhere as the standard AA batteries.

Find 18650 battery near me

18650 battery has a dimension of 18 x 65mm. Thus, 18650 refer to the size of these lithium-ion batteries. However, you might come across some minor variations. These cells are currently considered a gold standard for rechargeable batteries.

The capacity of these cells ranges from 1800mAh to 3500mAh. However, the thing that needs to be remembered is that you cannot simply head to a supermarket and buy a 18650 battery off the shelf. Before you endeavor to find where you can get these batteries you need to know more about them.

All 18650 batteries are not the same, and it is not merely capacity that you have to look for while purchasing one of these. Which 18650 battery will be right for you depends on the use you have in mind.

Therefore, while it might not be difficult for you to find 18650 batteries nearby, make sure that you buy the right one.

Who sells 18650 batteries?

It is not difficult to find 18650 batteries. They can be purchased from a local vape shop since they are commonly used for vaping. Quite a lot of retail stores also carry 18650 cells. You can also buy them from a trustworthy online store.

It is essential that you buy them from a place that can be considered reliable fake 18650 batteries are not uncommon and you would not want your devices to bear the brunt. Therefore, make sure you conduct adequate research to ensure that the place is reliable and would not dupe you.

Another thing to keep in mind while buying 18650 batteries is CDR which is a continuous discharging rating of the cell. CDR refers to the rate of current that can be pulled from the cell without causing it to overheat. To ensure that you buy a 18650 battery suitable for your device, you need to match its CDR with that of your device.

Using the wrong battery causes the cells to overheat which can damage the battery and reduce its lifespan. The cells can even explode owing to overheating and damage the device.

While trying to find the suitable 18650 battery, you will also need to decide whether you want to opt for the protected cells or the unprotected ones. Protected cells are provided with a small electronic circuit which is integrated into the packaging of the battery on one end. This circuit provides protection against discharging, overheating, excessive charging and short circuits. The purpose of the circuit is to ensure that your device is not damaged owing to the battery.

A lot of protected batteries are also provided with a valve. If there is an excess buildup of pressure in the cell, the valve disables the cell permanently. Unprotected cells are devoid of this electric circuit and thus are cheaper. If you buy an unprotected cell, you will need to be careful with its use.

Therefore, while purchasing 18650 batteries, make sure that you pay heed to the reputation of the place from where you buy it and the type of cell you opt for.

How to avoid fake batteries

You often come across copies of branded products on the market, and 18650 batteries are no different in this aspect. Many vendors purchase cheap cells and then rewrap them as original batteries. These batteries are a waste of money and can even be quite dangerous. For instance, if you purchase a 18650 battery for your high-powered device and the cell has a different CDR than the one your device requires; it could turn dangerous for both you and your device.

The thing is, it is not easy to distinguish fake batteries since they are designed to bear optimal similarity to the real ones. The only way via which you can tell them apart is weight. The average weight of a genuine 18650 battery is about 45g. It is never less than 42g. A fake battery, however, weighs less.

You can find the weight of real 18650 batteries by most brands available online. Thus, before buying any battery online, it is advisable to cross-check with the specifications of the manufacturer. Keep in mind that spelling mistakes do not imply that the battery is fake.

If you want to check out a particular cell, use the internet for the purpose by typing its name, following it with the datasheet. You will then find the weight of the battery, its capacity and maximum CDR with ease.

Custom 18650 battery manufacturer overview

Sometimes, it happens that you are unable to find a suitable 18650 battery pack for your device. If this is the case, you can get a custom 18650 battery manufactured by reliable brands. Thus, you have the option of having a lithium-ionized custom 18650 battery pack manufactured for your use in electric vehicles, grid storage, electronic devices and similar other applications with ease.

Make sure that you select a reliable brand to have your custom 18650 battery manufactured so that there are fewer chances of being scammed. You will need to list the specifications of your desired battery, and they will design a custom model for you.

Usually, custom batteries are provided with a protection circuit module or a management system for the battery. This is to ensure safety. Such systems offer safety against over-voltage, over-charge, over-discharge, and over-heating and short-circuit. Therefore, you will not have to worry about potential damages while using custom batteries.

Thus, if you have a high-powered device and are unable to find a suitable 18650 battery for it, do not stress over it. You can have a battery custom made to cater to your requirements.