Many of us choose to use external battery devices but which are the best batteries for vaping? This question may not have even crossed your mind, but it’s integral to the safety and performance of your vape.
Unfortunately, some battery brands are less than honest about the performance of their cells. In many cases, this means overstating capacity or amp limits. This could have disastrous effects, if a cell is pushed past its limits.
For this reason, big name electronics brands such as Samsung, Sony and LG are always a great place to start if you’re looking to get your hands on the best batteries for vaping. Fortunately for the vaping community, engineer Battery Mooch goes out of his way to independently verify the performance of cells from big and small brands. We recommend always checking his test results before buying a battery.
Of equal importance is your chosen supplier. Some unscrupulous companies have wised up to the fact that consumers trust big names. For this reason, we sometimes come across knock-off batteries and these should be avoided at all costs, as there’s no way of telling what’s really going on inside the wrap.
In the UK, the two best-established suppliers of batteries for vaping are Fogstar and 18650.uk. Both companies take batteries very seriously, meticulously authenticating their stock and keeping customers informed about changes in the industry. They even go out of their way to work with manufacturers, sourcing cells which are undoubtedly the best batteries for vaping.
Ohm’s Law
If you’re ever in doubt about whether your current build exceeds the stated maximum discharge/amp limit of your cells, it’s always important to use an Ohm’s Law calculator to check. You can read more about Ohm’s Law in our Beginner’s Guide to Mechanical Mods.
Flat top vs. Button top
Although many batteries are sold in flat top and button top configurations, almost all vaping devices require the use of flat top batteries.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at some of our top recommendations for your next battery purchase.
Best 18650 batteries:
18650 batteries have become the most popular specification for vaping, due to their combination of compact size, high capacity and affordable price point.
Best High capacity – Samsung 30Q
Specs:
- Capacity: 3000mAh
- Maximum discharge: 20A
- Price: £4.45
The Samsung 30Q has been popular for a number of years now, offering great capacity and a fairly high maximum discharge of 20A, which is on the upper end of the scale for 18650 batteries. With a super affordable price point, generally under £5, this has become the staple cell for many users.
Best high discharge – Samsung 20S
Specs:
- Capacity: 2000mAh
- Maximum discharge: 30A
- Price: £5.95
The Samsung 20S is a much more specialised cell, giving up significant capacity in favour of a higher maximum discharge current. The design of this cell makes it more suited to high wattage use, since it will maintain better efficiency. Overall, this is a niche cell but if you absolutely must use 18650s, it’s your best bet when going for power.
Best overall – Molicel P26A
Specs:
- Capacity: 2600mAh
- Maximum discharge: 25A
- Price: £5.99
For many enthusiasts, the Molicel P26A is one of the best batteries for vaping. It doesn’t quite reach the capacity of a Samsung 30Q but it makes up for this with a significantly higher maximum discharge and more efficient operation at higher wattages. This balance of attributes makes the Molicel P26A a great option for virtually any vaper. Unlike other major brands, Molicel stand by their products for use in vaping, provided users carefully follow the listed specifications.
Best 21700 batteries:
21700 batteries have been growing in popularity over the last few years. Due to their larger size, 21700 cells are able to boast higher specs than 18650 cells but this size also makes them less attractive to some vapers, who prefer a compact device. If you’re okay with using a larger mod, the 21700 specification allows for some of the best batteries for vaping
Best High capacity – Molicel M50A
Specs:
- Capacity: 5000mAh
- Maximum discharge: 15A
- Price: £8.99
The Molicel M50A only recently made its way to market but it’s already causing waves. With a massive 5000mAh capacity and respectable 15A maximum discharge, it’s a fantastic option for low-mid wattage vaping.
Best high discharge – Samsung 30T
Specs:
- Capacity: 3000mAh
- Maximum discharge: 35A
- Price: £6.99
If you’re into high wattages, the Samsung 30T is currently top dog when it comes to 21700 cells. With a massive 35A maximum discharge, this cell allows you to get great efficiency even at the top end of the wattage spectrum. It still manages to boast a respectable 3000mAh capacity, too, so it’s not totally impractical for normal use.
Best Overall – Molicel P42A
Specs:
- Capacity: 4200mAh
- Maximum discharge: 30A
- Price: £8.99
In our view, the Molicel P42A currently takes the crown among the best batteries for vaping. It makes virtually no compromises in performance, with a huge 4200mAh capacity and generous 30A maximum discharge. Aside from really extreme wattages, this cell does it all, with great efficiency.
Have more questions about vaping? Why not take a look at our other Guides on the ‘Vape 101‘ section of the Vapouround website. Or check out our lists of best single battery mods and best dual battery mods.
