How to choose your e-cigarette battery?

Battery guide: how does it work and which ones to choose?

Are you getting into the vaping trend and don't know what equipment to choose? Welcome to our guide on batteries, understood as "accumulators". True energy sources for electronic box mods, batteries are nothing other than cells that must be carefully chosen and sometimes removed depending on your needs. 

What is a battery accumulator?

More commonly referred to as "batteries", these small cells are essential to the proper functioning of the box mods and Mods found on the vaping market. Sold separately from the box mods and electronic mods they are intended for, batteries are rechargeable and are often found in a cylindrical form. According to the exact definition found in French-language dictionaries, an accumulator is a "device that stores energy provided by a chemical reaction and releases it in the form of current".

Five parameters found on the spec sheet of each battery characterize and differentiate each product:

Chemical composition

IMR, ICR, IFR, INR… Whatever references are indicated on the lithium batteries you will find on the market, those recommended and regularly found in the vaping world are IC/ICR batteries with Lithium-Ion chemistry and IMR batteries with Lithium-Manganese chemistry. Powerful and safe, these batteries guarantee a high-performance, long-lasting experience.

The dimensions:

The diameter of the chosen battery is represented by a row of five digits. For example, for a battery marked with "18650", the diameter would be 18 millimeters, the length of the battery would be 65 millimeters, and the 0 indicates the shape of the battery, with zero representing the cylindrical shape.

Nominal voltage:

The nominal voltage value is expressed in volts. The most commonly found nominal voltage is 3.7 volts, but this can vary depending on the chemical composition of the chosen battery.

Energy storage:

The energy storage capacity is one of the essential criteria when choosing a battery. Calculated in milliampere-hours, this data determines the battery's autonomy. It varies by model and is often between 500 milliampere-hours (mAh) and 4,200, or even beyond.

The spec sheet examined in detail

In order to better understand the battery's spec sheet and the details it contains, it is essential to go through the various elements point by point, which can guide the undecided consumer toward a final choice.

Battery chemistry

To revisit this essential detail, note that there are several distinct models.

The Lithium-Ion battery:

One of the most common chemical compositions remains the IC/ICR battery with Lithium-Ion chemistry. It generally operates at a nominal voltage of around 3.7 volts. However, this type of composition requires some safety features such as a PCB-type controller. This proves to be an indispensable tool as it prevents the battery from… exploding in the event of overcharging! That said, the Lithium-Ion chemistry battery is highly appreciated for its attractive capacity-to-weight ratio.

The Lithium-Manganese battery

On the other hand, there is the IMR battery, which operates with Lithium-Manganese chemistry. More commonly found in MOD-type vapes, this chemical composition allows for relatively high discharge currents, unlike Lithium-Ion chemistry.

Discharge currents

High discharge current for IMR batteries, rather low for IC/ICR batteries… But what do these discharge currents actually mean? Known as CDR, for "Continuous Discharge Rating", this data is indicated in Amperes on the battery's wrapper. For example, for an 18650-type battery, you may find the marking "35A" on the battery. This means the CDR is 35 amperes. In plain terms, the electric current intensity of your cell is 35 amperes during discharge.

There is also the MDR, meaning the "Maximum Discharge Rating". This criterion provides information about the maximum capabilities of the battery. For safety reasons, this data is indicated as a limit not to be exceeded. For example, for a battery of 800 mAh with a maximum MDR of 2C, the calculation is simple: 800 mAh x 2C, so 800 x 2 = 1,600. This means the battery will be able to deliver 1.6 amperes or 1,600 mAh. Good to know: the higher the maximum capacity, the faster the battery will discharge.

Energy storage capacity

The number preceding the mAh marking on your battery actually refers to the number of mA, i.e. milliamperes, that the cell is capable of delivering over the course of one hour. By calculating the output capacity, you can then determine how long the battery's autonomy can potentially last. Let's take an example: if you get a battery operating at 4,200 mAh, but you don't use it at its maximum intensity, you could enjoy it for example for 2 hours at 2,100 mAh, for more than 4 hours at 1,000 mAh, etc.

How to guide your choice?

The type of device desired

- Electronic MODs and box mods

Do you want to stick to fully electronic devices and box mods? Fair enough, but pair your device with batteries suited to your needs.

Unlike Mech MODs, electronic MODs have an integrated circuit that balances the current output. When the battery charge becomes too low, a message will appear on your mod to notify you of the error, especially if you use rebuildable atomizers. 

The advantages: easy to use, electronic MODs allow you to enjoy your own settings. You will therefore choose your batteries based on the vaping experience you are looking for.

The disadvantages: electronic vaping leaves more room for breakdowns since the devices are regulated and composed of an adapted electronic circuit.

The suitable battery: since electronic box mods typically tolerate a current of 5 to 7 amperes on average, it is advisable to choose batteries with this capacity.

- Mech MODs

Are you an experienced vaper looking to go for a fully mechanical MOD? In that case, all the elements that regulate the device when it operates in fully electronic mode will be absent. The current is then sent continuously from the battery to the coil as soon as you press the designated button. It is therefore up to you to choose the battery and atomizer that will form the ideal pair to meet your needs.

The advantages: the experience is more balanced in the sense that the vaping cycle is more direct: the button is pressed, the battery instantly communicates with the coil, and the vapor comes out smoother. Furthermore, breakdowns are, in fact, far less common than with a fully electronic device.

The disadvantages: you only have control over the resistance value you will choose to pair with your atomizer.

The suitable battery: since mechanical mode does not have the safety features that electronic devices benefit from, it is best to minimize the risks of venting and exposure by choosing batteries with a rather high MDR. Thus, paired with a low enough coil (requiring high current from the battery), the combination will offer you a pleasant vaping experience — and all in complete safety!

What about Sub Ohm?

Sub Ohm is a practice appreciated by a large number of vapers. Warm and abundant vapor and a reducible nicotine level in the eLiquid: Sub Ohm vaping offers an experience close to that of a cigarette itself.

The battery suited to this type of use would be the IMR-chemistry battery in 18500, 18650, or even 18350 format.

How to charge your battery?

The charge cycle is very important, and so is the battery charger. If it is not respected, the mistreated battery will lose its capacity and will no longer offer the full, efficient autonomy for which you chose it in the first place.

What tips are there for managing your battery charge as well as possible?

Tip number 1: don't wait until the last moment to recharge your battery. You should never wait until the battery is completely discharged. Ideally, you should not let it drop below 50% charge.

Tip number 2: do not leave your battery on charge when it is full. Once the battery reaches 100%, disconnect it from its charging unit.

Tip number 3: while many box mods allow charging via a micro USB cable, this is not the most recommended charging method. This type of connection is better suited to e-cigarettes with a built-in battery. When the battery can be removed from its mod, it is preferable to charge it using a dedicated charging dock designed specifically for that purpose.

Tip number 4: make sure to respect the maximum charge currents according to your battery model (see below).

Maximum charge currents

The battery, which is nothing other than a cell for e-cigarettes and MODs, collects electricity when charging and releases it when the e-cigarette or MOD is in operation. Thus, when the e-cigarette is not in use, the electricity is stored inside the battery. However, there are some essential rules that must be strictly followed if you want to enjoy the full performance and capacity of your battery. Indeed, if you do not respect the charge cycles and capacities, your battery will be put under significant strain and will gradually deteriorate much faster than expected.

For 18350, 16340 and 14500-type batteries: the maximum charge current must be approximately 0.25 amperes

For 18490-type batteries: the recommended current is approximately 0.5 amperes

For 18650-type batteries: the recommended current is approximately 1 ampere

For your information, the higher the maximum charge current, the shorter the charging time. However, it is essential not to exceed the maximum threshold for safety reasons. For example, you can choose to push the charge current of your 18650 battery to its maximum, i.e. 1A, and the charge will not exceed 2 hours. However, you can choose to reduce the maximum current and, in that case, charging will simply take a little longer.

Safety measures

As with all things, it is essential and even imperative to find out about safety measures and precautions of all kinds, in order to avoid accidents.

Get rid of damaged batteries:

A damaged battery — whether it is physically damaged, with a torn wrapper, oxidized, or even simply deformed — can pose a potential danger. However, since batteries contain energy, you cannot throw them just anywhere: drop them off at a designated collection point such as a battery shop that will collect your product free of charge. Batteries must be kept away from heat, sunlight, cold, and stored in an airtight container.

Transport your batteries safely:

The question of transport is just as important as everything else. You must transport your battery or batteries in silicone cases and in a box dedicated to such products. Contact with metallic objects could cause a short circuit.

Choose quality equipment:

Negligence could radically transform the vaping experience. You have just treated yourself to a high-performance MOD, you pair it with quality batteries but do not invest in a good battery charger, and suddenly the batteries are flat and lack efficiency… The message is clear: use suitable, quality equipment to enjoy vaping with complete peace of mind!

Check your equipment:

When equipping yourself with a substantial device such as a quality MOD with batteries, it is necessary to regularly check the condition of your equipment. Indeed, if you simply vape hoping that everything works normally without worrying about anything, you could be in for unpleasant surprises — and it could even prove… dangerous.

To avoid any inconvenience, here is a small tip: if you use a mechanical MOD, remember to check the condition of the coil and make sure there is no short circuit at the atomizer level. If that were the case, the battery in use could suffer from this issue and the entire device would present a risk of venting and even… explosion.

Rest assured, however, MODs and e-cigarettes do not present any real danger if the entire mechanism is regularly maintained.

You can also take a look at our article on the components of an e-cigarette.