21700 batteries will replace 18650 in electrical cigarette industry!

[Holy Guo]

In the vaping industry, it is a known fact that 18650 batteries are the stable to power electronic cigarette devices. However, in recent years, the global electric car market is driving the production of 21700 batteries. This new battery size shows a flourishing growth and poised to become the popular choice compared to 18650 batteries. Samsung already uses the 21700 battery size for electric bicycles and will be using them in future BMW automobiles. Panasonic and Tesla will produce millions of 21700 batteries for the Tesla Model 3. With two major players in the battery market going large with 21700 batteries, LG and Sony will soon follow suit.

According to Elon Musk of Tesla, 21700 batteries are "the highest energy density cell in the world, and also the cheapest." (Tesla's Mass Production of 21700 Battery - DNK, Lithium ion Battery Pack Manufacturer and Supplier)

The 18650 standard was called an accident of history though it had served Tesla and others well. JB Straubel, Chief Technical Officer of Tesla, says the company developed the 21700 battery this size by starting without preconceived notions. Tesla then optimized for efficiency, size and output. Tesla says it predicts that this new 21700 battery size will become a new standard. (Will 20700 And 21700 Battery Be More Popular Than 18650? | BASEN)

Adding all these factors together, vaping industry does not see a reason why 21700 batteries cannot replace the current standard of 18650 batteries in the coming future. The 21700 batteries would be generally 50 percent larger by volume than the 18650, however, the benefit surpasses with a 80 - 100 percent energy capacity increase. Envision a single 21700 battery mod that will outlast a dual 18650 device battery life. Soon this will be a reality, so let's see what the future holds. (20700 battery,21700 battery,Tesla 21-70 battery,18650 battery,Panasonic,Samsung SDI,[2017-01-07)

 

[stols001]

I don't know if the 18650 battery will ever be "replaced" but I do agree that we are going to see some mods using this more and more. I have no issue with it but I doubt I will ever retire some of the mods I have (as a tootle puffer) but it's nice to know what may be coming down the pike I do think it may take a while for some manufacturers to really get a handle on formfactor and weight in those batteries but what do I know? Thanks for the informative post though.

Anna

 

[Eskie]

Well, just like I won't be trading my Tesla S in just to get one that will fit 21700 batteries, I'm not going to dump my current mods that use soon to be obsolete 18650s. I also doubt I'll limit purchases in the near future to 2000 series batteries only.

However, in the long term there will probably be a move in that direction and that's fine. My charger can accommodate the new size so no added expense there. If only they made proper plastic boxes to store them in like are so common for 18650s we'd be all set.

 

[Steamer861]

I see the industry moving in that direction all ready! I personally went from 18650 to Lipo & now am finding dual 20700's are the way to go.
My 2018 wish list, consistes of a dual 21700 "DNA Mod" Hope some one's listening

 

[440BB]

Although I understand demand from other industries will drive battery development, I don't think 18650 will be going away for a long time as there are many established consumer applications and the increased capacity of the 21700 is not enough to create a dramatic abandonment of existing platforms. Only a significant drop in price or size combined with a large capacity increase will move the market IMO.

The 25650 battery is an example of a somewhat bigger higher capacity option that, while adopted by some, didn't displace the 18650 form factor. It may be preferred by some but after a number of years on the market remains a minority among device platforms.

The game changer for me would be a major capacity improvement in a smaller form factor, not larger. I prefer light, pocketable devices and the 21700 is going in the wrong direction. Good for Tesla, not for me.

 

[zoiDman]

Whereas I see the 21700 advancing the e-Cigarette market for some people, I Don't see 18650's being replaced by them. Because as 440BB mentioned, there are a Lot of People who want Mod's with Smaller Form Factors.

And there are a Lot of People who Don't really benefit from a Higher CDR when using a Regulated Mod.

Now for a Person how Can't get from Sun Up to Sun Down with the 18650 Battery(s) they have right now, or Need Higher Watts/Amps to drive the Builds they are using, sure, 21700 Batteries are going to be an Improvement.

But for those who Don't, the Extra Size and Weight of 21700's might be Downside.

 

[gpjoe]

All of my Reos (5) and my other mechs and squonkers use 18650 batteries along with my regulated mods. There is no way I'm going to chuck all of my stuff and replace it for the minor improvement that I get from a 2x700 battery. My Pulse mods will use a 20700, but I don't even think my two chargers will accept a 2x700 battery and I use those mods with the 18650 adapter to keep things simple.

So, I guess I disagree - at this point.

As others have stated, there has been an undeniable shift towards 2x700 powered mods, but I don't see a mass movement from 18650 batteries. I have compared it to the painful switch from vinyl records to CDs. It was a major expense to rebuild my music collection and replace all of my equipment.

I won't even consider a switch from 18650 batteries, unless somebody offers a true 5000mAh 2x700 battery rated at 25 amps - but even then - I still have to power all my "legacy" stuff with 18650 batteries.

 

[Beamslider]

I expect that we will still have access to 18650 batteries for at least a decade or two. No need to panic on supply just yet.

 

[Steamer861]

I won't even consider a switch from 18650 batteries, unless somebody offers a true 5000mAh 2x700 battery rated at 25 amps

Well we are all most there all ready
The Ijoy 21700 has 24 real amps, & 3650 mAH, The Ijoy 20700's have 30 real amps & 3000 mAH, the Sanyo 20700b has only 16 real amps but 4000mAH
The 18650 is basically maxed out, I don't foresee new 18650's with more amp/mAH coming out any time soon I do how ever see improvements in the current 2X700 series, in the near future

As for size, they are not that much bigger! I have dual 20700 mods that are all most the same size as dual 18650.

 

[ppeeble]

For me and the way i vape (and i strongly suspect the majority of vapers) a 2500mAh 18650 lasts me 24 hours. I charge them once a day. Do i really want a battery that will last 30-36 hours ? Not really.
IF the battery capacity of the 20/21 series cells reaches 5000mAh then i would look into them as an improvement on what i use - at the moment the extra 500-1000mAh is of no benefit to me vaping at low power.
I foresee the large diameter cells becoming more common in the near future but i strongly suspect the demand for 18650 (for other than vaping) cells will keep them available for a while yet.
It will be a sad day when my pile of 18650 mods become unusable.

 

[Steamer861]

The extinction of the 18650 is Not immanent! May never be!
The point you's are missing is, we (vapes) use 18650 cause they were the best choice at the time.
They are not any more!

 

[Belhade]

I think this is just a ploy to make "the standard" mod types big enough to properly accommodate the trend in 25mm and bigger attys.

 

[stols001]

I don't know that to be true for every vaper, and certainly not for me. I use obsolete gear all the time, and the 18650 is all I can use in some of my setups. So, they are the best choice for me (and I've tried plenty more powerful setups. They aren't obsolete, not by a long shot.

Anna

 

[Beamslider]

18650 batteries can and are still the best format for some vapors. I like small/lightweight mods to carry around that last all or most of the day. I don't use more than 20-25 w and 18650 works well for that.

 

[Steamer861]

Well, just a short period of time ago! Sub Ohm vaping was taboo! Looked upon as some thing only a few did & was a fade, that wouldn't last long! How times have changed!

 

[Beamslider]

I subohm at around .4 or .5 ohm. 18650 small mod still works best for me. I don't need the bulk or weight of a larger mod when out and about.

Larger batteries are fine but as with anything there is a trade off. I have some dual 18650 mods but still prefer the single for tote around use.

I have one mod that takes 26650 batteries. It is too heavy and ends up sitting unused in a drawer.

 

[ElijahWoodNot]

Thats coo!

 

[Steamer861]

5000 mAH 20 amps, 6000mAH 30 amps.
Not that big of a size difference

You can depend you choice (18650) But in reality the New 2X700's are better batteries! More mAH & amps for a slight size difference.
We will see more & more mods utilize this platform, it's inevitable!

 

[zoiDman]

What battery has 6000mAH with 30 amps ?

 

[Steamer861]

2 Ijoy 20700's thats what's in the Ijoy mod
Compared to 2 VTC5's in the Driod