Bench Test Results: LG HJ2 - 20A 2950mAh 18650

These tests below only note my personal ESTIMATED ratings for the batteries I tested at the time I tested them. Any battery that is not a genuine Samsung, Sony, Murata, LG, Panasonic, Molicel, or Sanyo can change at any time! This is one of the hazards of using “rewrapped” 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 property damage, personal injury, or even death. They should never be used outside of a fully protected battery pack and you use them at your own risk. Never exceed the battery’s true continuous discharge rating (CDR), never let it get colder than 0°C or hotter than 60°C, and keep the plastic wrap and top insulating ring in perfect condition. Never use a battery that is physically damaged in any way.

Testing batteries at their limits is dangerous and should never be attempted by anyone who has not thoroughly studied the dangers involved, understands the risks, has the proper equipment, and takes all appropriate safety precautions.

If the battery has only one current rating number, or if it only says "max", then I have to assume the battery is rated at that current level for any type of discharge, including continuous.




Test Results
The rumors say the HJ2 is the replacement for the HG2 but I have been unable to confirm that. I can confirm that this is a great performing cell.

It performs the same as the LG HG2 up to about 12A or so but then runs for noticeably longer than the HG2 at higher current levels. It performs a bit better than the Samsung 30Q and almost as well as the Molicel P28A, up to 20A.

The TENTATIVE datasheet lists it at 2950mAh and 20A but, like the HG2, it ran a bit hot for me.

I gave the HJ2 a 15A continuous current rating with a 20A temperature-limited rating if the cell is kept under 70°C…which is HOT and should be easy to stay under unless you’re running this cell hard in a battery pack where the cells heat each other up. If I was re-testing the HG2 it would get this same rating instead of the 17A rating I gave after my retest in 2019.

I don’t know how the cycle life of the HJ2 compares to other cells. Check my 18650 Ratings and E-Scores table (link below) to see how well this cell performed against others.

In my opinion, with LG actively working to keep their cells from being used outside of fully protected battery packs, we will see the HJ2’s mostly as rewrapped cells. As long as the ratings on the wrap are accurate though, that’s fine. Factory wrapped or rewrapped, it’s still an HJ2. As of this date I’ve only seen the HJ2 available from Vapcell (factory wrapped) or 18650BatteryStore (Epoch-branded wrap).

The two cells I tested delivered 2975mAh and 2984mAh. This is great consistency and is typical of cells from the big manufacturers.

Two cells were donated for testing by Vapcell (18650 batteries, Vapcell batteries, 18650 Chargers). Thank you!


18650 Ratings and E-Scores Table:
18650 Battery Ratings Table | E-Cigarette Forum


20700/21700 Ratings and E-Scores Table:
20700/21700 Battery Ratings | E-Cigarette Forum


Continuous Current Discharge Graphs



Ratings and Performance Specs Graphic


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To see how other cells have tested check out this link: List of Battery Tests | E-Cigarette Forum