How to distinguish 18650 battery vs aa and FAQs
With the advent of modern devices and machines, the search for the right power source has led to the invention of numerous battery technologies. But each of these battery technologies fits specific applications and are only suitable for certain energy requirements.
In this article, we’ll be breaking down the pros and cons of a 18650 battery vs aa battery and we’ll let you decide which battery type best suits the specific energy needs of your devices. One thing to note when comparing a 18650 battery vs aa battery is that both are cylindrical batteries, which happens to be the major similarity between them.
18650 batteries are lithium batteries that are named from their specific dimensions which are 18mm in width by 65m in length. These batteries have a voltage of 3.2V – 4.2V, with a capacity range between 2500 to 3500 mil in amp-hours.
aa batteries on the other hand are commonly alkaline batteries with dimensions of 14.5mm in width and 50.5mm in length. aa batteries are made using various chemistries and usually come with a nominal voltage of 1.5V and have a capacity range between 1500 to 2700 mili-amp-hours.
Are 18650 batteries rechargeable
18650 batteries are rechargeable batteries that can be charged, used to depletion, and then recharged to be used again. Battery packs made using 18650 cells are generally rated to have between 500-800 charge cycles, commonly used lithium iron phosphate up to about 4000 charge cycles. For the energy storage battery, the charge and discharge rate is generally 0.5-1C, while the power battery is 3-5C. and Lifepo4 battery can be done repeatedly for as much as 4000 times before the battery goes below the estimated performance level designated by the battery manufacturers.
This charge typically applies when the battery is used at recommended energy levels but in the case of high-drain applications, the number of charge cycles can reduce drastically.
Are there any rechargeable aa batteries
Most standard aa batteries are non-rechargeable alkaline batteries but because there are numerous chemistries used in making these batteries, some may be rechargeable while others are not. When comparing a 18650 battery vs aa battery, all 18650 batteries are rechargeable lithium batteries but only a few variants of aa are actually rechargeable.
It is important to note that all aa batteries come in a similar single-cell cylindrical pack and hence, to know which variant is rechargeable you need to read the label on the battery pack. For reference purposes, the following aa battery types are indeed rechargeable; Lithium-Ion, LiFePo4, NiCd, NiMh, and NiZn.
The difference between 18650 battery vs aa battery
As stated earlier, although there are similarities between a 18650 battery vs aa battery, there are also clear differences between them, and these include：
Size
There is a clear size distinction when comparing a 18650 battery vs aa battery, a difference which is easily noticeable when looking at both batteries. 18650 batteries have a dimension of 18mm by 65mm while aa batteries on the other have a dimension of 14.5mm by 50.5mm.
Voltage
The voltage of a battery is vital in differentiating it from other battery types and that is also the case when comparing an 18650 battery vs aa battery. 18650 batteries have a high voltage range between 3.2 to 4.2V while aa batteries commonly range between 1.2 to 1.5 for single-cell batteries.
Capacity
One of the major differences when comparing 18650 battery vs aa batteries is the capacity of both battery types. 18650 batteries tend to have a capacity range between 1500mAh to as much as 3600mAh while aa batteries range between 1500mAh to 2700mAh.
Performance
The major performance difference between 18650 battery vs aa battery is that 18650 batteries have a higher capacity and hence can store more energy to be used for longer periods before needing to be recharged. But aa batteries, although having a much lower capacity tend to have high nominal voltage which is great for high drain and energy-intensive applications.
Application
The application contrast between 18650 battery vs aa battery is quite similar. 18650 batteries are commonly used in portable devices such as laptops, and flashlights, but there are also quite common in electric vehicles such as electric cars, bikes, and scooters. aa batteries, however, are suited for high drain applications such as handheld power tools, home appliances like remotes, thermometers, and others.
Which is more popular 18650 battery vs aa battery
In terms of commercial popularity, aa batteries take the lead over 18650 batteries. When comparing the commercial usage between 18650 battery vs aa battery, the latter can be found more commonly in households and local stores than 18650 battery. But in terms of overall practical application, 18650 are more practically used in devices, machines, and electric vehicles around the world than aa batteries.
Can aa batteries be used in place of 18650 battery
Simply put, it isn’t recommended to replace an 18650 battery with aa batteries and this is due to a number of reasons. First of all, when comparing 18650 battery vs aa battery, there is a huge capacity difference between both batteries.
So, a device or appliance that uses an 18650 battery probably requires a high voltage and capacity rate and hence isn’t recommended to be used with a low capacity aa battery. This is because the energy output supplied by the aa battery will be much less than that of the 18650 battery it replaced. There are also size deviations, which may not match.
What can I use instead of 18650
As we’ve already established, when comparing 18650 battery vs aa battery, aa batteries are not a suitable replacement but there are other recommended alternatives. 21700 rechargeable lithium-ion batteries maybe could be replacement for 18650 batteries. This is mainly because 21700 batteries have a similar voltage rating to 18650 batteries with the advantage of having a much higher capacity rating reaching 5000mAh in some cases.
FAQs about 18650 battery vs aa
Do electric cars use 18650 batteries
Electric cars use a wide variety of battery types and chemistries but the most common types in use by commercial vehicles are indeed 18650 lithium-ion batteries. In comparing 18650 battery vs aa battery, aa batteries are not used in electric cars because while some variants of aa batteries may be rechargeable, they lack the necessary capacity rate for storing ample amounts of energy which is a major requirement for electric cars. This makes 18650 batteries more ideal compared to aa batteries when it comes to application on electric vehicles.
What type of battery is best for flashlight
18650 lithium-ion batteries are a great choice for use with flashlights. This is because they pack so much energy with a larger capacity as well as a high voltage rating. When comparing 18650 battery vs aa batteries for use with flashlights, the 18650 battery is the best choice because it can sustain the flashlight for a much longer period and are easily rechargeable to be used again later. Unlike 18650 batteries, aa batteries can only last for a short time before the battery is depleted and needs to be replaced.
Can an aa battery charger charge an 18650 battery
The simple answer is, No. It is neither recommended nor advised to use an aa battery charger for an 18650 battery. The main reason for this is that when comparing a 18650 battery vs aa battery, the voltage of the aa battery is usually at an average of 1.5V and correspondingly, the aa battery charger will only be able to handle charging at that voltage with probably a maximum cutoff voltage of 2V. An 18650 battery has a voltage range of 3.5V and above so, hence the aa battery charger won’t be able to charge it and will most likely power off immediately. In worse cases, either the 18650 battery or the aa charger might overheat and possibly explode.
What should i notice when i buy 18650 battery pack
When purchasing an 18650 battery or any battery type for that matter, there are certain things you should always look out for and notice to avoid purchasing the wrong battery.
- Things like voltage matching needs to be checked to make sure the battery voltage matches the voltage requirements of your device or machine.
- There also needs to be battery slot matching where the battery size needs to fit in the designated battery slot inside the device or machine in question.
- Another important aspect to look out for when buying a 18650 battery is the amperage capacity or continuous discharge rating. From the charge and discharge rate, you can see the quality of the product or whether it has a high capacity. You can see how fast you can store energy into the battery and how fast you can release energy out of the battery. If there is a device that needs a battery with a high discharge rate, I recommend a lithium iron phosphate battery, which has a higher level of charging speed and discharge capacity than ordinary lithium iron batteries.
- You also need to consider the battery manufacturer, irrespective of its an 18650 battery vs aa battery, only purchase from trusted brands and manufacturers with proven track records like TYCORUN ENERGY
How do i dispose of 18650 battery vs aa battery
Irrespective of either an 18650 battery vs aa battery, both batteries should be disposed of properly. You should never dispose of either battery in the trash as they can cause hazardous fires or explode in landfills along with other trash. They should both be disposed of at designated battery recycling centers that recycle and dispose of dead batteries.
We have more battery comparison articles please visit li-ion vs ni-mh battery and 21700 battery vs 18650.
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