When the grid goes down and you are left without electric power the lights go with it. It is no wonder why we listed lighting as one of the top items that new preppers should secure as part of their emergency preparation plans after they secure items necessary to support life.
Lighting is vitally important in not only emergency planning and preparations but is also important for other outdoor activities such as camping, backpacking, etc. Many of the best tactical flashlights are powered with 18650 batteries.
Let’s be honest:
Typical batteries such as AA, and AAA are cheap and used in many other items, but they simply don’t have the power of an 18650 battery for high powered flashlights with high lumens. 18650 batteries have both higher capacity and higher discharge rates which makes them ideal for flashlight use.
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF) – Our top choice for the best 18650 battery for flashlights is the Orbtronic protected 3.7V Lithium-Ion battery. This battery is a quality made product from Japan versus some of the dangerous Chinese manufactured fakes on the market. They are safe to use and designed specifically for powering high power flashlights.
What Are 18650 Batteries?
Batteries are not cheap, and 18650 batteries are more expensive than many more common options. So what exactly are they and what makes them different than the standard AA and AAA batteries picked up in any store?
The 18650 is a size classification that is attributed to their size dimensions of 18mm X 65mm and they are rechargeable in nature.
18650 batteries are lithium-ion batteries that produce 3.7 volts to power many small devices such as laptops, electric vehicles, vape pens, and flashlights. Due to their high efficiency for capacity and continuous discharge rates (CDR), they are an optimal choice for high powered flashlights.
Advantages of 18650 Li-ion Batteries
- Greater Energy Density: The high energy density of li-ion battery cells allows them to operate for longer periods between charging.
- No Memory Effect: The fact that li-ion batteries do not have a memory effect means that they do not need to be fully discharged prior to recharging like Ni-cad batteries do.
- Self-Discharge: Many batteries will lose their charge over time. Li-ion batteries experience a much smaller rate of self-discharge.
Disadvantages of 18650 Li-ion Batteries
- Need for Protection: Li-ion batteries can be a bit unstable if discharged too far or charged too much. Luckily, protection circuitry can be added to these batteries to make them much safer to use and operate.
- Transportation Restrictions: Because of the instability associated with li-ion batteries there restrictions on the transportation of these cells, mainly by air. You should be aware of these restrictions if using them for a device that you want to travel with.
- Cost: You definitely pay a premium for li-ion batteries. They typically cost roughly 40% more than similar ni-cad rechargeable batteries.
Why Choose 18650 Batteries?
18650 lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable which makes them worth the higher cost. Since they are not single use you can effectively use them for a year or two without requiring any replacement.
Additionally, these types of batteries have a high capacity for their size which makes them well suited for use in high powered flashlights since they can operate for quite some time before requiring a recharge.
Finally, li-ion batteries have a much lower self-discharge rate than other batteries so they are good for storing for use during a blackout or emergency.
Safe Use of 18650 Batteries
Because li-ion batteries can catch fire or even explode if used incorrectly, it is important to understand how to use them safely.
One of the most important safety tips is to prevent the li-ion battery from being either over charged or under charged. To prevent over charge you want to ensure that you use a good quality battery charger that is designed for use with your 18650 li-ion batteries. We recommend this charger.
Another safety consideration is to ensure you protect your batteries from damage or exposure to extreme temperatures. Subjecting 18650 batteries to extreme heat or cold can cause li-ion batteries to catch fire and potentially explode.
It is also important to purchase batteries that are from well known manufacturers such as Panasonic, Sony, or Samsung. These batteries have been manufactured with appropriate caution to ensure their integrity.
There has been a large increase in cheap knock off versions being manufactured in China with very little oversight. You can avoid getting a sub-par product by sticking to well known manufacturers.
Flat Top Vs Button Top
18650 batteries come with either flat smooth ends or with one side having a protruding button like you are familiar with on AA batteries. While there is no performance difference between a battery with a button top versus a flat top you need to know which your flashlight requires.
If you have a flashlight that requires a flat top battery then button top batteries will be too large to fit. Similarly, button top batteries will be too large to fit in a flashlight that requires flat top batteries.
Features to Consider When Purchasing an 18650 Battery
- Brand: Stick to name brands that have proven themselves to produce legitimate quality products such as Panasonic, Samsung, Sony, etc. There are a few newer brands, such as Orbtronic, that produce great products, but do your due diligence.
- Capacity: While you may be tempted to jump for the battery with the highest capacity, that is not always your best choice. Higher capacity (measured in mAh) comes at the expense of lower continuous discharge rate (CDR).
- Continuous Discharge Rating (CDR): This is probably the most important factor because you need to consider the power requirements of your flashlight. If the battery does not produce the amperage required to use the flashlight then it doesn’t matter that the battery has a high capacity.
Extending the Life of Your 18650 Batteries
One of the big advantages of using 18650 li-ion batteries for your flashlight is that if cared for properly they can last for a long time. When you are spending a large amount of money for these batteries you want them to last as long as possible.
- Temperature: Don’t allow the batteries to be exposed to extreme temperatures and don’t let them overheat. High temperatures are one of the most damaging conditions to the life of your battery.
- Over Discharging: The worst thing you can do to your batteries is allowing them to become over drained. As a general rule don’t let your battery discharge to lower than 30% at any point. Partially discharging and recharging is better for extended battery life than draining too far before recharging.
- Slow Charge: You may be tempted to opt for a quicker charge rate on your charger, but this can decrease the life of your battery. It is far better to charge the battery slowly. After charging allow the batteries to cool to room temperature prior to use.
When To Replace Your 18650 Batteries
It is important to understand the signs that your batteries are requiring replacement for both safety, and the efficiency of your flashlight.
If the batteries start to seem much warmer during use then they used to then it could mean that the interior of the battery is breaking down and you should replace it. Additionally, if you notice any damage to the batteries it is time to replace them. If the battery suffers a puncture it will rapidly release energy and catch fire.
There is no need to replace your batteries on a fixed schedule as it is largely dependent on the amount of use the batteries get. If you use your flashlight as part of your work regularly you will have to replace your batteries much sooner than someone that uses them occasionally.
Disposal of Used 18650 Batteries
Please remember not to dispose of used lithium-ion batteries in the trash. They should be dropped off at a recycling center that can handle them appropriately. Improperly disposed lithium batteries can cause fires at landfills.
Top Choice – Orbtronic Protected Rechargeable 18650
These batteries are our top choice for 18650 flashlight batteries. They are safe to use due to the integration of protection from over-charge and over-discharge. With a high capacity and plenty of output at 3,500mAh, these are the go-to for quality made 18650 batteries for any flashlight. Match these batteries with a Tenergy TN261 charger and you have a power bank to keep your cell phone charged or operate other small devices during an extended power outage.Cheaper Option – Panasonic NCR18650B Protected Rechargeable
These Panasonic 18650 batteries are our next choice for people that want to purchase a quality Li-Ion 18650 battery at a bit cheaper price than the previous choice. Also manufactured in Japan, you can rest assured that they will provide the stated 3,400 mAh capacity. The only downside to these cells is that they have a thick plastic coating, which is great for durability, but slightly increases their size and makes them a tight fit in some flashlights.
Best Flat Top Choice – Samsung INR18650-30Q Rechargeable
The Samsung INR18650-30Q batteries are a 3,000mAh flat top battery for applications in flashlights that require cells with a flat top versus a button top. The large capacity of these batteries will allow for extended use in high powered flashlights which will allow you hours of use. When the electrical grid is down and you need light to see by, these batteries can be trusted to provide your tactical flashlight with the power you need.
High Current Option – Sanyo NCR18650GA 3500mAh
Sanyo/Panasonic is one of the major manufacturers of batteries and a trusted source for quality battery cells. The NCR18650GA cells offer the best combination of both capacity and high current. The 3500mAh rating is about the highest capacity available in an 18650 cell and the 10A continuous discharge rate is suitable for most high powered flashlights. These batteries do not have circuitry protection found in some other cells so it is important to ensure they are charged and handled appropriately.
Budget Option – EBL 18650 4-Pack with Charger
The EBL 18650 batteries come in a 4-pack and a charger at a great value. The battery cells themselves are pretty decent too. The manufacturer claims that these batteries will maintain 75% of their capacity even after 3 years of storage. While these batteries are not the best quality on the market they will get the job done. This is a great entry level set to get you working with 18650 batteries at a cheaper price than some of the better performing options above.
