18650 vs AA Battery

In our everyday life, we bump into or use batteries. It is difficult for a day to end without using your mobile phone, laptop, watch, remote, or even radio. Most of these gadgets are powered by different types of batteries. A battery is a device utilized to generate electrical energy. And some of the common batteries that are widely used today are 18650 and AA batteries. Both of these batteries have a lot of similarities but as well differ.

To avoid the confusion that people face when choosing between 18650 and AA batteries, we’ve created this article to differentiate between the two types of batteries.

Features Details: 18650 vs AA Battery

Features	18650	AA
Size:	18mm in diameter and 65mm tall	3.5-14.5mm in diameter and between 49.2-50.5mm tall
Capacity:	between 2000 mAh to 3500 mAh	between 1700-2850 mAh
Beam Distance:	232 m	320 m
Power Output:	High	Lower
Charging Time:	around 4 to 8 hours	3 to 4 hours
Discharge Rate:	between 4 A to 20 A	the low self-discharge rate of 0.3%
Electricity Profile:	the cell voltage of 3.6-3.7V	the cell voltage of 1.5V

 

Power Output

First and foremost, AA batteries have a lower power output when compared to 18650 batteries. The 18650 battery is a lithium-ion cell with a nominal voltage of 3.6 volts per piece. Lithium cells are more powerful than alkaline cells. Furthermore, the design of this battery is modern and it utilizes authentic lithium-ion connected to particular circuitries. On the other hand, the AA non-rechargeable batteries such as the zinc-carbon cells function at around 1.5 volts. Alternatively, the AA rechargeable battery has different nominal voltages. For example, nickel-cadmium has 1.2 voltages while nickel-zinc variants have a nominal voltage of 1.6 voltages.

Nominal Voltage

As a matter of fact, a normal nominal voltage of a standard 18650 battery is double that of AA and AAA batteries. This means that using a 18650 battery in a device that uses an AA battery could lead to damage. So, never confuse the batteries and use them as per the manufacturer’s recommendation. Also, there are different charges for different 18650 batteries.

Charging Time

If you acquire 18650 batteries, you should also buy an ideal charger for recharging the batteries when they run out of power. Some chargers can charge up to 4 or even more batteries on the go and they normally have 4.20 volts. The charging time of a 18650 battery is around 4 to 8 hours. Most 18650 chargers come with an LED indicator to show the charging status of the battery.

Size

Another differentiation between a 18650 battery and an AA battery is their size. 18650 batteries are longer than AA batteries and usually have a length of 65mm and a diameter of 18mm. Furthermore, when it comes to price, AA batteries are a bit cheaper and can be found anywhere. This is not the case with 18650 rechargeable batteries.

Similar comparison: 18650 vs AAA Battery: Which one is best?

Ratings

Many batteries are sold with unrealistic ratings and it is important to ensure that the ratings are right. Manufacturers do this for marketing reasons and to sell their products. Consider buying a 18650 or AA battery from a reliable brand such as energizer, Duracell, Sony, and many other dependable brands. Check out reviews and buy the right battery for your device.

Final Decision: 18650 or AA Battery?

It is clear that the two batteries have both their advantages and disadvantages. Choosing either a 18650 battery or an AA battery depends on a number of things. There are devices that use 18650 batteries, while others use AA batteries. Also, all 18650 lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable while AA has both rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries. Pick a battery that is compatible with your device.

At the moment, AA batteries are the commonly used batteries and power devices like flashlights, clocks, toys, and many other electronics. But when it comes to longevity and great power, 18650 rechargeable batteries are the best.