These tests below only note the ESTIMATED ratings for these batteries 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 personal injury or property damage. They are not meant to be used outside of a physically and electrically protected battery pack. Never exceed the battery’s current rating and keep the plastic wrap and top insulating ring in perfect condition. Use of any of these batteries is AT YOUR OWN RISK.
Testing batteries at their limits is dangerous and should never, ever, 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
Right now this cell has the highest capacity rating for any 18650 at 3550mAh (“typical nominal”). You’ll often see that rounded up to 3600mAh.
The capacity for the two NCR18650G’s I tested was 3462mAh and 3481mAh at 710mA (0.2C) down to 2.5V. This is great consistency and is typical for cells from the big manufacturers. The capacity I measured exceeds this cell’s 3400mAh minimum rated capacity but falls short of its 3550mAh typical nominal capacity rating. Possibly due to the cells I tested being a slightly lower grade? I am rating these at at 3400mAh as I am sure I do not have the lowest capacity cells that are being sold.
At 5A/15W this cell doesn’t perform quite as well as the 3500mAh LG MJ1 or the 3450mAh Panasonic NCR18650GA, with the NCR18650GA being the best performer of the three. It’s not a big difference though.
If you are down under 2A/6W per cell (12W in a two battery regulated device) you might, perhaps, get a bit more run time from the NCR18650G.
The NCR18650G has no current rating in the datasheet but it shows a pretty severe loss of cycle life at 6A and the datasheet only shows discharge curves for up to 8A. I’ve seen it rated at anywhere from 4.87A to 8A on various web sites.
For the NCR18650G I recommend staying under 5A/15W or so and I am rating it at 5A. The cycle life is too low and the voltage sag is just too large when above that. As I do for any cell, I recommend not using it near or above its rating. This helps to keep the risks from rising even more, increases performance, and increases the overall life of the cell.
So while this is the highest capacity 18650 its high internal resistance means the better performing NCR18650GA is still my #1 choice for low power 18650 users (up to about 7A/21W).
Two cells were purchased for the purposes of testing by me.
Continuous Current Discharge Graphs
Ratings Graphic
Performance Specs
To see how other cells have tested check out this link: List of Battery Tests | E-Cigarette Forum
***I have switched test jigs, resulting in slightly lower IR readings versus my previous setup. Add 1.6mOhms to this IR value in order to compare these cells to others tested previously.
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 physically and electrically protected battery pack. Never exceed the battery’s current rating and keep the plastic wrap and top insulating ring in perfect condition. Use of any of these batteries is AT YOUR OWN RISK.
Testing batteries at their limits is dangerous and should never, ever, 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
Right now this cell has the highest capacity rating for any 18650 at 3550mAh (“typical nominal”). You’ll often see that rounded up to 3600mAh.
The capacity for the two NCR18650G’s I tested was 3462mAh and 3481mAh at 710mA (0.2C) down to 2.5V. This is great consistency and is typical for cells from the big manufacturers. The capacity I measured exceeds this cell’s 3400mAh minimum rated capacity but falls short of its 3550mAh typical nominal capacity rating. Possibly due to the cells I tested being a slightly lower grade? I am rating these at at 3400mAh as I am sure I do not have the lowest capacity cells that are being sold.
At 5A/15W this cell doesn’t perform quite as well as the 3500mAh LG MJ1 or the 3450mAh Panasonic NCR18650GA, with the NCR18650GA being the best performer of the three. It’s not a big difference though.
If you are down under 2A/6W per cell (12W in a two battery regulated device) you might, perhaps, get a bit more run time from the NCR18650G.
The NCR18650G has no current rating in the datasheet but it shows a pretty severe loss of cycle life at 6A and the datasheet only shows discharge curves for up to 8A. I’ve seen it rated at anywhere from 4.87A to 8A on various web sites.
For the NCR18650G I recommend staying under 5A/15W or so and I am rating it at 5A. The cycle life is too low and the voltage sag is just too large when above that. As I do for any cell, I recommend not using it near or above its rating. This helps to keep the risks from rising even more, increases performance, and increases the overall life of the cell.
So while this is the highest capacity 18650 its high internal resistance means the better performing NCR18650GA is still my #1 choice for low power 18650 users (up to about 7A/21W).
Two cells were purchased for the purposes of testing by me.
Continuous Current Discharge Graphs
Ratings Graphic
Performance Specs
- DC Internal Resistance = 58.8mOhms*** (milliohms) average for the two cells.
- Watt-hours (energy) delivered at 2.5A down to 3.2V = 9.7Wh
- Watt-hours (energy) delivered at 5A down to 3.2V = 7.1Wh
- 2-sec puff count at 7.5W = 2,328
- 2-sec puff count at 15W = 852
To see how other cells have tested check out this link: List of Battery Tests | E-Cigarette Forum
***I have switched test jigs, resulting in slightly lower IR readings versus my previous setup. Add 1.6mOhms to this IR value in order to compare these cells to others tested previously.
