Recommended Batteries for Vaping

Jun 22, 2022Updated Sep 17, 20265 min readVape School

What is the best battery for vaping? It is one of the most common questions in any vape shop. The short answer: an authentic cell, in the size your device takes, that can comfortably deliver the current your setup asks of it.

This guide explains the numbers on a battery, lists three proven 18650 cells with their specs, and covers when to replace a battery and how to recycle it. It applies to mods with removable batteries. Pod systems and disposables have built-in batteries, so there is nothing to choose.

What makes a good vaping battery

Size

Use the size your mod is designed for. The 18650, 18 mm wide and 65 mm long, has long been the standard, and many newer mods take the larger 21700. Some devices use 20700 or 26650 cells. Your manual lists what fits.

Continuous discharge rating

The continuous discharge rating (CDR), measured in amps, is the most current a battery can deliver steadily without being pushed past its limits. It is the most important number for vaping, because a battery asked for more than it can give can overheat and, in the worst case, vent.

Go by the continuous rating, not a pulse, peak or max figure, which can be much higher. Some wraps advertise bigger numbers than the cell inside can handle, so compare with the cell maker’s specifications and with independent tests. Independent battery tester Mooch, well known in the vaping community, publishes ratings for many popular cells.

Capacity

Capacity, in milliamp-hours (mAh), tells you roughly how long a charge lasts. Cells generally trade capacity for current: the highest-capacity cells tend to have lower discharge ratings. Choose capacity only after the CDR covers your needs.

Voltage

Vaping cells have a nominal voltage of about 3.6 to 3.7 volts and read about 4.2 volts when fully charged. The cutoff voltage is the lowest level a cell should be drained to. Regulated mods stop firing before that point, but mechanical mods do not, so recharge a mech battery well before it runs flat.

How much current your setup needs

On a mechanical mod, divide 4.2 by your coil’s resistance: a 0.5 ohm coil draws about 8.4 amps. On a regulated mod, divide the wattage by the battery voltage: at 40 watts, a single battery at 3.6 volts supplies at least 11 amps, and more as it drains. Keep your draw comfortably below the battery’s CDR. Our guide to ohms and sub-ohm vaping explains the math.

Three proven 18650 batteries

These three cells have been vaper favorites for years. All three are rated for 20 amps continuous.

Battery	Capacity	Nominal voltage	Cutoff voltage	Continuous discharge
Samsung INR18650-25R	2,500 mAh	3.6 V	2.5 V	20 A
LG INR18650HG2	3,000 mAh	3.6 V	2.5 V	20 A
LG INR18650HE4	2,500 mAh	3.6 V	2.5 V	20 A

Popular cells like these are common targets for counterfeiters, so buy only from sellers you trust. Availability also changes over time, and newer high-drain cells, including many 21700s, are now common. Whatever you choose, apply the same checks: the right size, an honest continuous rating that covers your setup and a reputable source.

Battery care basics

• Learn how lithium-ion batteries should be charged, used and stored before you rely on them.
• Charge on a hard, nonflammable surface, and never leave batteries charging unattended.
• Do not use any battery or charger that shows visible damage.
• Store and carry cells in a plastic battery case, never loose in a pocket or bag with keys or coins.
• In dual-battery mods, use matched cells of the same model and age, and charge and use them as a pair.
• Keep batteries out of extreme heat, such as a hot car.

For more, see the best vaping battery chargers, mechanical mod battery safety and our tips for flying with vape gear.

When to replace your battery

There is no set schedule. Vapers who run high power put more stress on their cells and may need new ones every few months or sooner, while low-power vapers usually get a longer life. Replace a battery when you notice any of these:

• It drains noticeably faster than it used to at the same settings.
• It shows a significant voltage drop when you fire a mechanical mod.
• Your charger no longer brings it up to 4.2 volts before stopping.
• The metal can or top is dented or scraped. Do not ignore physical damage.
• It has vented or leaked, even a tiny amount. A cell that stays in use after venting can overheat and go into thermal runaway, where it heats itself uncontrollably.
• Rust is making the wrap bubble up. A few small rust spots are okay, but a bubbling wrap means it is time for a new cell.
• It sat discharged below 2.0 volts for an extended time.

A torn wrap on an otherwise undamaged cell does not mean the battery is finished. Rewrap it with a new wrap and insulator ring, or have a vape shop do it, before you use it again. A dropped battery does not need replacing if there is no physical damage, but check it closely.

How to recycle old batteries

Lithium-ion batteries do not belong in household trash or curbside recycling bins. Tape over the terminals, or give the whole cell a couple of wraps of tape, so it cannot touch other metal. Then take it to a battery drop-off. Many electronics stores, home improvement stores and vape shops accept used batteries, and your local waste authority can point you to other options.

Common questions

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