Author: John Muchow

This cell has changed. It now runs too hot to be rated at 30A and should be considered a 25A cell. Its appearance is only slightly different from the earlier cell and knowing which one you have will be tough. If you cannot tell, assume it’s rated 25A. I am not able to tell you which you have from photos you might send me.

The newer 25A-rated cells have a more sharply bent bottom edge and a sharper bend at the fold over of the metal can at the top. It also appears that the newer cell has the image of a hand fan on the wrap positioned further down from the top than before and that the white printing on the wrap isn’t as solid, as dense, as it was in the 30A-rated version. But wraps can change at any time and this should not be used as the only method of identifying which cell you have!

This Vapcell’s cell-to-cell performance varies much more than the cells from Samsung, Murata, LG, Panasonic/Sanyo, etc. This seems to be typical for the China manufactured cells being favored by a lot of battery wrapping companies now and will require a different way of rating them to account for this variation in performance. I’m working on it.

The sixteen cells I tested…yes, sixteen…delivered from 2.6Wh to 5.4Wh at 30A down to 2.5V. The earlier version of this cell averaged 5.5Wh at 30A. This is a huge range of values and means some would only last half as long as others in a regulated device at high power levels due to their extra voltage sag.

The cells I tested delivered 3052mAh to 3221mAh at 600mA (0.2C) down to 2.5V. That is also a huge range of values. While the “typical” capacity of this cell is over 3100mAh the minimum guaranteed capacity rating must be lower than the lowest capacity seen in testing. This way every cell is supposed to have at least that high a capacity.

I do not have the datasheet for this cell. I am ESTIMATING this Vapcell’s new rating to be 25A continuous and 3000mAh. I cannot guarantee that every cell in every batch will rated at least this high though. This is a big issue for our community and I am working on new rating standards for China-manufactured cells.

Six cells were donated for the purposes of testing by Economy Ecigs Distro, two cells were donated by Eciggity. Thank you! Eight were purchased by me from Illumn and Liion Wholesale. Vapcell also wanted to send four more cells for testing but I said no.

Ratings graphic: https://imgur.com/a/BYpJn0S

Test report: https://bit.ly/2M5NcZL

I want to work for the vaping community full time! If you feel what I do is worth a couple dollars a month and you would like early access to battery availability and testing news and a say in what I test then please consider becoming a patron and supporting my testing efforts: https://www.patreon.com/batterymooch

These tests only note the ESTIMATED ratings for these batteries at the time I tested them. Any battery that is not a genuine Samsung, Sony, LG, Panasonic, or Sanyo can change at any time! This is one of the hazards of using “rewrapped” batteries or batteries from other manufacturers so carefully research any battery you are considering using before purchasing.

Misusing or mishandling lithium-ion batteries can pose a SERIOUS RISK of personal injury or property damage. They are not meant to be used outside of a protected battery pack. Never exceed the battery’s continuous current rating and keep the plastic wrap and top insulating ring in perfect condition.

Any rating in my ratings tables can change at any time as different grade cells appear on the market, we get swamped with fakes, or new information becomes available to me. Please, never assume that the ratings in the tables are permanent and will never change! Always download the latest version before considering any cell purchase.

This is an almost accurately rated rewrap of the 21700 size version of the Sony VTC6A but it does not have the QR code on the bottom of the metal can. It performed a bit worse than the VTC6A (with the code) and Vapcell VTC6A rewrap (with the code) I recently tested. I don’t think anyone will notice the difference though as it is small.

Since the VTC6A samples I played with earlier this year did not have the QR code on the bottom perhaps there is still a mix of older and newer VTC6A cells in Vapcell’s inventory? This is just a guess though.

The Samsung 40T delivers a tiny bit more energy, Wh, at high current levels but the VTC6A runs a tiny bit cooler. Basically, they perform the same and are a fantastic choice for use at up to 20A-25A, in regulated or unregulated devices. At above 20A-25A the Samsung 30T is the better choice though due to its higher current rating and better efficiency (lower internal resistance).

The two cells I tested delivered 3944mAh and 3974mAh at 800mA (0.2C) down to 2.5V.

I do not have the datasheet for this cell or the Sony VTC6A. I am ESTIMATING this Vapcell’s ratings to be 30A continuous and 3900mAh.

Two cells were donated for the purposes of testing by Vapcell (http://www.vapcelltech.com). Thank you!

Ratings graphic: https://imgur.com/a/jVbP9wy

Test report: https://bit.ly/2Mxn3PC

I want to work for the vaping community full time! If you feel what I do is worth a couple dollars a month and you would like early access to battery availability and testing news and a say in what I test then please consider becoming a patron and supporting my testing efforts: https://www.patreon.com/batterymooch

These tests only note the ESTIMATED ratings for these batteries at the time I tested them. Any battery that is not a genuine Samsung, Sony, LG, Panasonic, or Sanyo can change at any time! This is one of the hazards of using “rewrapped” batteries or batteries from other manufacturers so carefully research any battery you are considering using before purchasing.

Misusing or mishandling lithium-ion batteries can pose a SERIOUS RISK of personal injury or property damage. They are not meant to be used outside of a protected battery pack. Never exceed the battery’s continuous current rating and keep the plastic wrap and top insulating ring in perfect condition.

Any rating in my ratings tables can change at any time as different grade cells appear on the market, we get swamped with fakes, or new information becomes available to me. Please, never assume that the ratings in the tables are permanent and will never change! Always download the latest version before considering any cell purchase.

This is an accurately rated rewrap of the 21700 size version of the Sony VTC6A. It performed essentially identically to the VTC6A I recently tested.

The Samsung 40T delivers a tiny bit more energy, Wh, at high current levels but the VTC6A runs a tiny bit cooler. Basically, they perform the same and are a fantastic choice for use at up to 20A-25A, in regulated or unregulated devices. At above 20A-25A the Samsung 30T is the better choice though due to its higher current rating and better efficiency (lower internal resistance).

The Vapcells I tested have a tiny QR code square on the bottom, same as the VTC6A’s I tested. There are versions of this Vapcell without the QR code though which I am testing now. If you have a VTC6A 21700, or one of its rewraps, that does not have this QR code it is probably just an earlier sample.

The two cells I tested delivered 4113mAh and 4141mAh at 800mA (0.2C) down to 2.5V.

I do not have the datasheet for this cell. I am TENTATIVELY ESTIMATING this Vapcell’s ratings to be 30A continuous and 4000mAh rated/minimum, 4100mAh typical/nominal. 

Two cells were donated for the purposes of testing by 18650batterystore (http://www.18650batterystore.com). Thank you!

Ratings graphic: https://imgur.com/a/JyckiWB

Test report: https://bit.ly/2Ojx8R4

I want to work for the vaping community full time! If you feel what I do is worth a couple dollars a month and you would like early access to battery availability and testing news and a say in what I test then please consider becoming a patron and supporting my testing efforts: https://www.patreon.com/batterymooch

These tests only note the ESTIMATED ratings for these batteries at the time I tested them. Any battery that is not a genuine Samsung, Sony, LG, Panasonic, or Sanyo can change at any time! This is one of the hazards of using “rewrapped” batteries or batteries from other manufacturers so carefully research any battery you are considering using before purchasing.

Misusing or mishandling lithium-ion batteries can pose a SERIOUS RISK of personal injury or property damage. They are not meant to be used outside of a protected battery pack. Never exceed the battery’s continuous current rating and keep the plastic wrap and top insulating ring in perfect condition.

Any rating in my ratings tables can change at any time as different grade cells appear on the market, we get swamped with fakes, or new information becomes available to me. Please, never assume that the ratings in the tables are permanent and will never change! Always download the latest version before considering any cell purchase.

This is the 21700 size version of the Sony VTC6A. It performed essentially identically to the Samsung 40T which was given an estimated rating of 25A/35A and 4000mAh by me.

The Samsung 40T delivered a tiny bit more energy, Wh, at high current levels but the 21700 VTC6A ran a tiny bit cooler. Basically, they perform the same and are a fantastic choice for use at up to 20A-25A, in regulated or unregulated devices. At above 20A-25A the Samsung 30T is the better choice though due to its higher current rating and better efficiency (lower internal resistance).

This cell now has a tiny QR code square on the bottom. Perhaps an anti-counterfeiting measure?

If you have a VTC6A 21700, or one of its rewraps, that does not have this QR code it is probably an earlier sample. I have not tested them and I do not know their true ratings.

The two cells I tested delivered 4107mAh and 4131mAh at 800mA (0.2C) down to 2.5V.

I do not have the datasheet for this cell. I am TENTATIVELY ESTIMATING this Sony’s ratings to be 30A continuous and 4000mAh rated/minimum, 4100mAh typical/nominal. 

Two cells were donated for the purposes of testing by Vapcell (http://www.vapcelltech.com). Thank you!

Ratings graphic: https://imgur.com/a/xEtjHGx

Test report: https://bit.ly/2OM431x

I want to work for the vaping community full time! If you feel what I do is worth a couple dollars a month and you would like early access to battery availability and testing news and a say in what I test then please consider becoming a patron and supporting my testing efforts: https://www.patreon.com/batterymooch

These tests only note the ESTIMATED ratings for these batteries at the time I tested them. Any battery that is not a genuine Samsung, Sony, LG, Panasonic, or Sanyo can change at any time! This is one of the hazards of using “rewrapped” batteries or batteries from other manufacturers so carefully research any battery you are considering using before purchasing.

Misusing or mishandling lithium-ion batteries can pose a SERIOUS RISK of personal injury or property damage. They are not meant to be used outside of a protected battery pack. Never exceed the battery’s continuous current rating and keep the plastic wrap and top insulating ring in perfect condition.

Any rating in my ratings tables can change at any time as different grade cells appear on the market, we get swamped with fakes, or new information becomes available to me. Please, never assume that the ratings in the tables are permanent and will never change! Always download the latest version before considering any cell purchase.

In September 2017, Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd finalized the purchase of a lot of Sony’s battery operations, including the cells we use.

Murata branded VTC cells are starting to become available to us and this was a test of the Murata VTC5. I’m happy to say nothing has changed, the VTC5 is still a decent cell. It even has the twin “dimples” on top of the cell, just outside the top contact, that all 18650 Sony VTC cells had.

The two cells I tested delivered 2624mAh and 2647mAh at 520mAh (0.2C) down to 2.5V.

I do not have the Murata datasheet but Sony rated the VTC5 at 20A continuous with a temperature limited rating of 30A if the cell does not get hotter than 80°C. I do not know if Murata will continue to use the temperature limited rating though so I am not estimating it for this cell.

I am ESTIMATING this Murata’s ratings to be 20A continuous and 2600mAh. 

Two cells were donated for the purposes of testing by IMRBatteries (http://www.imrbatteries.com). Thank you!

Ratings graphic: https://imgur.com/a/oTji8bI

Test report: https://bit.ly/2ODf0lT

I want to work for the vaping community full time! If you feel what I do is worth a couple dollars a month and you would like early access to battery availability and testing news and a say in what I test then please consider becoming a patron and supporting my testing efforts: https://www.patreon.com/batterymooch

These tests only note the estimated ratings for these batteries at the time I tested them. Any battery that is not a genuine Samsung, Sony, LG, Panasonic, or Sanyo can change at any time! This is one of the hazards of using “rewrapped” batteries or batteries from other manufacturers so carefully research any battery you are considering using before purchasing.

Misusing or mishandling lithium-ion batteries can pose a SERIOUS RISK of personal injury or property damage. They are not meant to be used outside of a protected battery pack. Never exceed the battery’s continuous current rating and keep the plastic wrap and top insulating ring in perfect condition.

Any rating in my ratings tables can change at any time as different grade cells appear on the market, we get swamped with fakes, or new information becomes available to me. Please, never assume that the ratings in the tables are permanent and will never change! Always download the latest version before considering any cell purchase.

To see how other cells have tested check out this link: https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blog-entry/list-of-battery-tests.7436/

This cell has a slightly exaggerated current rating but performs about the same as the LG HG2, a bit worse than the 30Q and VTC6.

It has a useless “max” rating of 35A on the wrap, which should be ignored. The continuous discharge rating (CDR) on the wrap is 25A.

At 25A continuous though the four cells I tested reached 92°C-99°C. That is much too hot to use 25A as the rating. Discharging it at 20A continuous brings it to about the same temperature that the LG HG2 reaches at its continuous discharge rating of 20A. This is about 60W in a regulated mod.

The four cells I tested delivered 3112mAh, 3164mAh, 3165mAh, and 3185 at 0.6A (0.2C) down to 2.5V. They showed the typical spread in performance for China manufactured cells but I do not know where they were made.

I am ESTIMATING this cell’s ratings to be 20A and 3000mAh.

Two cells were donated for the purposes of testing by Golisi (http://www.golisi.com). Thank you!

Ratings graphic: https://imgur.com/a/r0RdXu7

Test report: https://bit.ly/2LRcjig

I want to work for the vaping community full time! If you feel what I do is worth a couple dollars a month and you would like early access to battery availability and testing news and a say in what I test then please consider becoming a patron and supporting my testing efforts: https://www.patreon.com/batterymooch

These tests only note the estimated ratings for these batteries at the time I tested them. Any battery that is not a genuine Samsung, Sony, LG, Panasonic, or Sanyo can change at any time! This is one of the hazards of using “rewrapped” batteries or batteries from other manufacturers so carefully research any battery you are considering using before purchasing.

Misusing or mishandling lithium-ion batteries can pose a SERIOUS RISK of personal injury or property damage. They are not meant to be used outside of a protected battery pack. Never exceed the battery’s continuous current rating and keep the plastic wrap and top insulating ring in perfect condition.

Any rating in my ratings tables can change at any time as different grade cells appear on the market, we get swamped with fakes, or new information becomes available to me. Please, never assume that the ratings in the tables are permanent and will never change! Always download the latest version before considering any cell purchase.

To see how other cells have tested check out this link: https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blog-entry/list-of-battery-tests.7436/

This is another retest to check on the performance of this cell as it, hopefully, comes into full production soon.

This cell outperforms every 18650 and 20700 in regulated devices at up to about 20A-25A (60W-75W). Only the Samsung 30T hits harder for 21700’s. In my opinion though it is not a 35A battery, as rated in the datasheet.

At 35A continuous this cell reaches almost 90°C. That is too hot to ensure decent cycle life. A rating of 25A continuous brings it to about the same temperature that the Samsung 30T reaches at its rating.

At above 20A-25A (60W-75W) the Samsung 30T is the better performer anyway. The 40T is best at low to mid power levels where it can be the most efficient. The 40T is still an amazing 25A battery though!

If you are running your mod at 60W-75W per battery you will have to try both the 30T and 40T to see which performs better for the way you vape. It’s just not possible to predict. 

The two cells I tested delivered 4048mAh and 4062mAh at 0.8A (0.2C) down to 2.5V.

I am estimating this cell’s ratings to be 25A with a temperature-limited rating of 35A (if kept below 80°C) and 4000mAh.

Two cells were donated for the purposes of testing by Fogstar (http://www.fogstar.co.uk). Thank you!

Ratings graphic: https://imgur.com/a/gtJHCAW

Test report: https://bit.ly/2KcuKJb

I want to work for the vaping community full time! If you feel what I do is worth a couple dollars a month and you would like early access to battery availability and testing news and a say in what I test then please consider becoming a patron and supporting my testing efforts: https://www.patreon.com/batterymooch

These tests only note the estimated ratings for these batteries at the time I tested them. Any battery that is not a genuine Samsung, Sony, LG, Panasonic, or Sanyo can change at any time! This is one of the hazards of using “rewrapped” batteries or batteries from other manufacturers so carefully research any battery you are considering using before purchasing.

Misusing or mishandling lithium-ion batteries can pose a SERIOUS RISK of personal injury or property damage. They are not meant to be used outside of a protected battery pack. Never exceed the battery’s continuous current rating and keep the plastic wrap and top insulating ring in perfect condition.

Any rating in my ratings tables can change at any time as different grade cells appear on the market, we get swamped with fakes, or new information becomes available to me. Please, never assume that the ratings in the tables are permanent and will never change! Always download the latest version before considering any cell purchase.

In September 2017, Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. finalized the purchase of a lot of Sony’s battery operations, including the cells we use.

Murata branded VTC cells are starting to become available to us and this was a test of the Murata VTC4. I’m happy to say nothing has changed, the VTC4 is still a decent cell. It even has the twin “dimples” on top of the cell, just outside the top contact, that all 18650 Sony VTC cells had.

The two cells I tested delivered 2161mAh and 2164mAh at 420mAh (0.2C) down to 2.5V.

I do not have the Murata datasheet but Sony rated the VTC4 at 30A continuous. It reaches over 95°C at that discharge level though, in my tests and in their tech info document graphs, which is too high in my opinion. That sacrifices cycle life for a higher rating. At 23A this cell reaches the same average temperature most cells reach at their rating.

I am estimating this Murata’s ratings to be 23A continuous and 2100mAh. 

Two cells were donated for the purposes of testing by IMRBatteries (http://www.imrbatteries.com). Thank you!

Ratings graphic: https://imgur.com/a/33ETRqs

Test report: https://bit.ly/2K4bGNp

I want to work for the vaping community full time! If you feel what I do is worth a couple dollars a month and you would like early access to battery availability and testing news and a say in what I test then please consider becoming a patron and supporting my testing efforts: https://www.patreon.com/batterymooch

These tests only note the estimated ratings for these batteries at the time I tested them. Any battery that is not a genuine Samsung, Sony, LG, Panasonic, or Sanyo can change at any time! This is one of the hazards of using “rewrapped” batteries or batteries from other manufacturers so carefully research any battery you are considering using before purchasing.

Misusing or mishandling lithium-ion batteries can pose a SERIOUS RISK of personal injury or property damage. They are not meant to be used outside of a protected battery pack. Never exceed the battery’s continuous current rating and keep the plastic wrap and top insulating ring in perfect condition.

Any rating in my ratings tables can change at any time as different grade cells appear on the market, we get swamped with fakes, or new information becomes available to me. Please, never assume that the ratings in the tables are permanent and will never change! Always download the latest version before considering any cell purchase.

Why test 18350’s? I get a lot of requests for this as many vapers still use them.

Why test a cell from a company with such a terrible reputation? We always have new vapers joining our community and they might not know about the reputations that UltraFire and TrustFire have.

This UltraFire is a useless cell.

Its voltage immediately collapsed at only 5A and the two cells I tested only delivered 728mAh and 750mAh for a 240mAh (0.2C) discharge down to 2.5V. Its internal resistance is astoundingly  high, causing huge amounts of voltage sag.

I am estimating this cell’s ratings at 2A and 700mAh. Current ratings for high internal resistance batteries like these are a combination of the temperature the battery runs at and how badly the voltage sags, i.e., its Wh specs.

Two cells were purchased for the purposes of testing by me.

Ratings graphic: https://imgur.com/a/2o3wcPY

Test report: https://bit.ly/2OnqlGH

I want to work for the vaping community full time! If you feel what I do is worth a couple dollars a month and you would like early access to battery availability and testing news and a say in what I test then please consider becoming a patron and supporting my testing efforts: https://www.patreon.com/batterymooch

These tests only note the estimated ratings for these batteries at the time I tested them. Any battery that is not a genuine Samsung, Sony, LG, Panasonic, or Sanyo can change at any time! This is one of the hazards of using “rewrapped” batteries or batteries from other manufacturers so carefully research any battery you are considering using before purchasing.

Misusing or mishandling lithium-ion batteries can pose a SERIOUS RISK of personal injury or property damage. They are not meant to be used outside of a protected battery pack. Never exceed the battery’s continuous current rating and keep the plastic wrap and top insulating ring in perfect condition.

Any rating in my ratings tables can change at any time as different grade cells appear on the market, we get swamped with fakes, or new information becomes available to me. Please, never assume that the ratings in the tables are permanent and will never change! Always download the latest version before considering any cell purchase.

To see how other cells have tested check out this link: https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blog-entry/list-of-battery-tests.7436/

Both of the cells I tested delivered about 700mAh of capacity and were poor performers with an exaggerated current rating. Their large voltage sag made them essentially unusable at 10A, as displayed by the huge drop in the Wh delivered between 5A and 10A.

Both cells had the anti-counterfeit hologram with microprinting and were purchased from Avid Vapes.

The two cells I tested delivered 696mAh and 704mAh for a 160mA (0.2C) discharge down to 2.5V.

I am estimating this cell’s ratings at 6A and 700mAh. Current ratings for high internal resistance batteries like these are a combination of the temperature the battery runs at and how badly the voltage sags, i.e., its Wh specs.

Two cells were purchased for the purposes of testing by me.

Ratings graphic: https://imgur.com/a/FwsV97y

Test report: https://bit.ly/2A4ne3g

I want to work for the vaping community full time! If you feel what I do is worth a couple dollars a month and you would like early access to battery availability and testing news and a say in what I test then please consider becoming a patron and supporting my testing efforts: https://www.patreon.com/batterymooch

These tests only note the estimated ratings for these batteries at the time I tested them. Any battery that is not a genuine Samsung, Sony, LG, Panasonic, or Sanyo can change at any time! This is one of the hazards of using “rewrapped” batteries or batteries from other manufacturers so carefully research any battery you are considering using before purchasing.

Misusing or mishandling lithium-ion batteries can pose a SERIOUS RISK of personal injury or property damage. They are not meant to be used outside of a protected battery pack. Never exceed the battery’s continuous current rating and keep the plastic wrap and top insulating ring in perfect condition.

Any rating in my ratings tables can change at any time as different grade cells appear on the market, we get swamped with fakes, or new information becomes available to me. Please, never assume that the ratings in the tables are permanent and will never change! Always download the latest version before considering any cell purchase.

To see how other cells have tested check out this link: https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blog-entry/list-of-battery-tests.7436/