18350 'nipple' opinions: Xtar 850mAh vs Efest IMR v2 800mAh vs Tensai LC18350 950mAh

[glycerol]

So, I'm thinking of buying 6 pcs. 18350 batteries for my Ovale v8 (batteries should be a maximum 36 mm long and with a nipple top in order to fit) and I found a place where I can get all sorts of brands. Thing is, I can't decide between:

1. Tensai LC18350 (950mAh)
2. Efest IMR 18350 V2 (800 mAh)
3. Xtar IMR 18350 (900/850 mAh)

All are at around the same price.

I know a lot of you might say to get me some AWs, but I'm ordering 3 pairs at once and I'm not paying double the price this time..

Also, what can you tell me about these EH 18350s? Is it true they're re-branded Panasonics?

Thanks in advance, guys.

 

[glycerol]

Anyone around?

 

[KenD]

The Tensai and Xtar in your list aren't high discharge, safe chemistry batteries, and should therefore not be used for vaping. The red Efest is an older one and there are better options out there. The purple Efest 18350 or the blue Tensai 18350 hp would be my choice. Both are safe chemistry and high discharge (10.5 amps for the Efest and 14 for the Tensai).

 

[glycerol]

The Tensai and Xtar in your list aren't high discharge, safe chemistry batteries, and should therefore not be used for vaping. The red Efest is an older one and there are better options out there. The purple Efest 18350 or the blue Tensai 18350 hp would be my choice. Both are safe chemistry and high discharge (10.5 amps for the Efest and 14 for the Tensai).

My mistake then - i thought all IMR cells are safe chemistry? I won't vape them on mechs or higher than 4-5V @ around 1.5-1.8 Ohm, so do I really need high discharge ones? And the thing keeping me away off the purple Efests is the low mAh - only 700..

 

[KenD]

The Xtar and Tensai you list aren't IMRs. For your use the red Efests should be sufficient. Rated capacity isn't everything. It's calculated from full to 2.5, and we don't discharge the batteries lower than 3.2v (at the lowest). Low discharge batteries tend to have more of their capacity in the lower voltage region, meaning that lower capacity high discharge batteries may in fact last longer. For example, my purple Efests certainly last longer than my red ones.

 

[glycerol]

Another mistake on my side - I listed the wrong Xtar cell. The one I'm thinking of buying is this one, the IMR which is 50 mAh less: www.xtarlight.com/05-chanpin/p-001-1.asp?styleid=275&style=Battery Series

 

[KenD]

I'm not familiar with that battery so I can't say much. The continuous discharge rating is lower than for the Efest and Tensai I mentioned, which usually means a higher internal resistance, which usually means a shorter runtime with higher amp draws. Check akkuDB, they have many batteries listed and tested and you can compare how much capacity they have at various charge levels. Not sure if that Xtar is in their lists though.

 

[glycerol]

I'm not familiar with that battery so I can't say much. The continuous discharge rating is lower than for the Efest and Tensai I mentioned, which usually means a higher internal resistance, which usually means a shorter runtime with higher amp draws. Check akkuDB, they have many batteries listed and tested and you can compare how much capacity they have at various charge levels. Not sure if that Xtar is in their lists though.

Thanks a ton, Ken! You were very helpful. Will update this thread when I order.