LiPo Battery Vs 18650 Battery

A LiPo battery or a lithium polymer battery or lithium-ion polymer battery is a rechargeable battery based on the lithium-ion technology that utilizes a polymer electrolyte. On the other hand, 18650 is also a type of rechargeable battery based on lithium-ion technology. In fact, a 18650 is a lithium-ion cell that is 18mm X 65 mm in size. The batter name refers to the size of the lithium-ion battery cell.

If you’re curious to know about the key differences between LiPo battery and 18650 battery, then you’ve landed in the right place. Here is the complete on LiPo Battery Vs 18650 battery to help you understand which is better and for what applications.

So, let’s begin-

Which is Better, LiPo Battery or 18650?

To understand which one is better either LiPo battery or 18650 battery, you need to first understand the key difference between them.

There is no protection circuit in the 18650 lithium-ion battery, which is the biggest difference between LiPo and 18650 battery. As long as 18650 battery uses equal brand along with the same capacity, the life of the battery is not too much difference. Moreover, the protection circuit is designed in the power back shell and thus, needs place power security design of power back in place.

The safety performance of the LiPo batteries is better, but the price of them is quite higher than 18650 Li-ion batteries in the same capacity. Moreover, the capacity of 18650 battery can be higher than lithium-polymer batteries. But, if its protection circuit is perfectly designed, then the 18650 battery power back is a highly cost-effective option too.

Now, let’s talk about the structure and appearance of both the batteries for a better understanding of which one is better-

· Structure

The LiPo battery’s full name should be “lithium-ion polymer battery. Therefore, it seems that it is truly a lithium polymer battery lithium-ion battery. When it comes to the biggest difference between the LiPo and 18650 battery, the difference is only utilized within the type of electrolyte. A lithium-ion battery -18650 battery is a liquid electrolyte. On the other hand, a lithium-ion polymer battery instead uses the solid polymer electrolyte. The polymer could be solid or semi-solid.

· Appearance

The majority of today's available smartphone powers are solid utilizing a cylindrical 18650 lithium-ion battery or two batteries - lithium polymer block.

As you can now see, the most remarkable difference between the 18650 battery and LiPo battery is chemical electrolyte between their negative and positive electrodes. So, which one is better? Indeed, both LiPo and 18650 batteries have their own pros and cons.  As we mentioned before, the LiPo battery is better when it comes to safety performance. But, the capacity of 18650 battery is better. So, which one is better? It depends on for which application you want to use it.

So, continue reading to know applications of LiPo and 18650 battery.

What Devices Do You Use LiPo Battery or 18650?

LiPo battery can be used for devices -

· Telecommunication devices - smartwatch, smartphones, walkie-talkie, etc

· Amusement electronics - MP3, MP4, smart vide glass, mini portable TV, wireless speaker, smart bottle, GPS tracker, heating gloves, etc.

· Lighting products - flashlight, torch, emergency light, smart LED light, etc.

· Electrical vehicles - E-bike, electrical car, electrical motorcycle, etc.

· Testing & detecting instruments - medical portable monitor, temperature detector, pressure detector, hardness detector, etc.

· Solar power & storage - solar power storage, solar street light, portable solar power back, portable power station, etc.

· Smart cards - back account security card, smart credit card, etc.

· RC models - RC planes, racing motorcycles, etc.

18650 battery can be used for devices -

· Portable electronic devices - smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc

· Lighting products - flashlight, torch, etc

· Emergency portable power

· Electric motorcycles, electric vehicles, and light power cells

· Many other applications

Advantages and Limitations of LiPo Battery And 18650:

Believe it or not….if you want to have a great understanding of whether LiPo or 18650 battery is better for your device, all you need to know both the pros and cons of both batteries.

Let’s first talk about LiPo battery -

Typically, the advantage of 18650 li-ion batteries is their high power density, and lack of what is called the memory effect (when a battery becomes harder to charge over time). Moreover, their remarkably lower cost as compared to the LiPo battery can’t be ignored at all. In short, the 18650 battery is incredibly efficient.  However, 18650 Li-ion batteries are unstable inherently, experience aging and are quite dangerous as compared to LiPo.  If the barrier that separates the negative and positive electrode is ever breached, then the chemical reaction can cause a fire.

But, 18650 Li-ion batteries have become popular for most consumer applications.  While quality 18650 Li-ion batteries are safe to use, you should be careful when purchasing no-name brands.

On the other side, LiPo batteries are generally flexible and robust, particularly when it comes to the shape and size of their build. They are lightweight too, have a very low profile and a lower chance of experiencing leaking electrolyte. But, they aren’t perfect either - they are remarkably more experience to manufacture and they don’t have the same energy density, nor lifespan as 18650 batteries.

In short for LiPo battery -

Advantages

· Low profile

· Flexible and robust

· Good safety performance

Limitations

· Expensive to manufacture

· Shorter lifespan

· Stores less power

In short for 18650 battery -

Advantages

· High power density

· Lower costs

· No memory effect

Limitations

· Can combust

· Experience aging

That’s all on LiPo Vs 18650 battery. As you can now see that both LiPo and 18650 batteries are in demand for a wide range of applications. We hope that our guide has provided you enough information to help you decide which one is better to use for your device.