6 Best 18650 Vape Batteries For 2023

When you’ve got a big stonking cloud-engine vape, internal batteries often aren’t enough to get you through a serious session of thick plumage production. What you need is an external, swappable and rechargeable power source to go in your external battery vape mod. But with so many to choose from, how do you go about picking the best 18650 vape battery? 

For some of those reading, it may be tempting to dismiss 18650 vape batteries as something only sub-ohm fanatics need to concern themselves with, but this is far from the case.

More and more vape mods are being released with an eye towards MTL functionality, like the Innokin Coolfire Z80 Mod which has the ability to keep wattage levels on the lower, more moderate end of the spectrum.

The benefits of external battery mods should be apparent to everyone; in the worst-case-scenario of running out of battery, you can simply remove the discharged battery and slide in a new one for immediate full charge!

Another advantage presents itself in the event of battery failure; with an internal battery this necessitates an entirely new mod, whereas for external battery mods you can simply replace the battery for far less money!

Without further ado, let’s take a look at some high-grade rechargeable batteries and see if we can determine which is the best 18650 vape battery for vape mods!

Best 18650 Vape Batteries Overall: Molicel P26A

Each of these batteries are more than capable of powering your vape to lofty heights of extreme cloudage, but we must of course pick a winner. While we consider each of these to be the best 18650 vape batteries around, ultimately we had to crown one as the lithium champ; the Molicel P26A 18650 2600mAh!

Molicel P26A battery is the best 18650 vape battery for 2022

Experience counts for something, and Molicel have been in the battery manufacturing game longer than anyone else out there. With literal decades of experience in every aspect of rechargeable lithium batteries, you know that you can put your faith in a Molicel every time. We are happy to declare the Molicel P26A 18650 2600mAh as the best 18650 battery for vape mods!

The 6 Best 18650 Vape Batteries For 2023 Are: 

  1. Molicel P26A
  2. Golisi G30
  3. Sony VTC6
  4. Sinowatt 30SP
  5. LG HE2
  6. BAK N18650CNP
 

Molicel P26A

Best for Reliability

9.1/10
Total
Capacity
8.8/10
Amperage
9.3/10
Brand
9.2/10
Compatibility
8.8/10
Price
9.2/10
Price
£7.99
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Features We Love

All Day Clouds

2600mAh should last for the full day

Big Output

25A can handle frequent stressful outputs 

Surprisingly Cheap

Powerful battery at a very low price

The Molicel P26A is a battery you’re bound to encounter when delving into the world of replaceable vape power supplies, and there’s a reason for that.

Molicel have literally decades of electronics experience and are ready to supercharge your vape to cloudy heights! Molicel know batteries better than most other companies out there. A partnership of North American and Taiwanese manufacturing, they’ve been producing battery technology since the 1970s and are in fact the pioneers of the very first rechargeable lithium battery tech!

Since then they’ve grown into a true titan of rechargeable battery tech, and their 18650 batteries are certain to provide your vape with all the power you could need to start kicking out vast clouds of thick and tasty vapour!

The Molicel P26A 18650 2600mAh battery has a maximum voltage of 4.2V, more than some others on the market, which is to be expected from such an experienced company. They also feature rapid charging technology and ultra-low impedance, as well as a discharge rate of 25A, which makes them well-suited to frequent high-wattage use.

All these features add up to a battery you can absolutely put your faith in, and at a bargain price! Perhaps the very best 18650 battery for vape mods that you can currently attain.

The Molicel P26A is a simple and totally capable vaping battery available for the very affordable price of £7.99 each, meaning you can acquire a marriable pair for just over £15. Now that’s a battery bargain!

Pros

  • Affordably priced
  • Reputable company
  • Fast charging

Cons

  • Slightly less capacity than some batteries
Price
£7.99
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Golisi G30

Best for High Capacity

9/10
Total
Capacity
9.3/10
Amperage
8.9/10
Brand
8.7/10
Compatibility
8.8/10
Price
9.2/10
Price
£15.99
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Features We Love

Batteries Akimbo: Two batteries for the price of one! 
Cloud Time: 20A amperage great for cloud chasing 
Big Charge: 3000mAh surprising for a 20A battery

When using a dual-battery mod, it’s a very good idea to ‘marry’ a pair of batteries; you use and charge them together consistently, so as to ensure their lifespans match and they support each other.
 
Usually this involves purchasing two identical batteries, so it’s refreshing to have Golisi offer up a double-pack of top-quality 18650s at an extremely affordable price.

Golisi have been on the scene since 2019, making them a relatively young company. However, that isn’t to say that their battery manufacturing is in any way amateurish.

As mentioned earlier, you get not one but two extremely high-quality 18650 batteries, perfectly suited to your kit whether you need two for a big box mod like the Vaporesso Gen S mod or would like to be able to instantly switch out an empty battery for a fully charged one to power up your vape mod.

It never hurts to have two batteries in your bandolier, and with the Golisi batteries you can be assured of capacity and quality. Each battery has a power capacity of 3000mAh, and you’ll be hard pressed to find a battery which can manage to hold much more than that!

The Golisi batteries have a nominal voltage of 3.7V and a constant 20A current. Its discharge rate is not the highest and not quite as good as the Molicel, but it’s still high enough for the average sub-ohm user and capable of handling the kind of stress they’re likely to be put through.

Pros

  • Two batteries
  • High capacity
  • Can be recharged up to 800 times

Cons

  • 20A discharge rate not ideal for all-day high-wattage use
Price
£15.99
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Sony VTC6

Best for Versatility

9/10
Total
Capacity
9.3/10
Amperage
8.8/10
Brand
9.4/10
Compatibility
8.9/10
Price
8.7/10
Price
£9.99
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Features We Love

Name You Can Trust: Sony need no introduction 
Great Charge: 3000mAh good for all-day vaping 
Well Priced: Get two married batteries for less than £20

Sony need no introduction, and their 18650 batteries showcase the electronics expertise we’ve come to expect from such a large company.

Sony is a company you have to have heard of by this point. Manufacturers and distributors of a vast swath of electronics and technology, they carry with them a reputation for reliability and industry-leading expertise that you can rely on.

The Sony VTC6 18650 3000mAh Battery is a long-standing favourite among vapers who opt for external power supply vapes. It is perfectly designed for use with any external battery vaping device that fits an 18650. With a 3000mAh battery capacity, it’s got more than enough charge for a full day of intense cloud production and sub-ohm vaping joy.

The battery has a nominal voltage of 3.6V, so they’re some of the best 18650 vape batteries for use with vaping devices, whether you require two for a larger mod or a single battery for a smaller vaping device.

The VTC6’s amperage clocks in at 20A. This is relatively high and permits most sub-ohm use, however if you’re using an RDA or a regulated mod that frequently goes above 100W output you may wish to opt for a battery with a higher amperage and lower mAh.

Pros

  • Household name brand
  • Excellent battery capacity
  • Fast charging

Cons

  • 20A not ideal for use with cloud-chasing setup
Price
£9.99
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Sinowatt 30SP

Best for MTL

8.9/10
Total
Capacity
9.6/10
Amperage
7.8/10
Brand
8.5/10
Compatibility
9.2/10
Price
9.2/10
Price
£7.99
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Features We Love

MTL Specific: 15A really good for those using MTL mods 
Suprising mAh: 3000mAh will last for several days of MTL use 
Safe: Arrive in protective carry-case

For over ten years now Sinowatt have aimed to produce batteries that will earn them a reputable name within the realm of consumer electronics, and their 30SP 18650 batteries certainly achieve this!

Sinowatt are unlike some of the other battery manufacturers in this list, as rather than simply having a battery division their entire focus as a company is the manufacture of 18650 and 26650 batteries, so you know that with Sinowatt you’re getting absolute laser-focus in battery design.

The Sinowatt 30SP 18650 battery is perfectly designed for use with vaping devices. With a 3000mAh power capacity, they can carry more than enough charge to get you through a solid day of vaping, with a maximum discharge rate of 15A you can be assured it’s ideal for all-day MTL or lower-wattage vape use.

Since the battery registers an amperage of 15A. it’s a little too low for sub-ohm use and the battery will be unlikely to withstand that kind of stressful output.

The Sinowatt 30SP 18650 battery is perfect for use in almost any vaping device that requires an external power source, and as a plus they’re very affordably priced!

Pros

  • Large battery capacity
  • 15A discharge rate

Cons

  • 15A discharge rate not suited for high-wattage use
Price
£7.99
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LG HE2

Best for Dual Pack Value

8.9/10
Total
Capacity
8.7/10
Amperage
8.9/10
Brand
9.1/10
Compatibility
8.9/10
Price
9/10
Price
£11.99
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Features We Love

Double Trouble: Two batteries in a pack 
Brand Recognition: LG extremely well-regarded in electronics manufacturing 
Jack Of All Trades: Not the best but capable of any vape battery job

The LG HE2 18650 Battery was first released in 2013, making it a seasoned veteran of a battery with almost a decade of popular use under its belt. In fact, the LG HE2 would have been released at the very beginning of the western vaping boom, so you can be assured this is by no means an amateurish or untested 18650 battery.

The LG HE2 features a discharge rate of 20A and a voltage of 3.6V, well within the realm of optimal use with vaping devices and gear.

The battery features an internal capacity of 2500mAh, somewhat lower than some others but still enough for a solid day of vaping. Another plus is that these batteries are sold as a pair, so if you need two batteries on the go at all times, this is an ideal choice for your plume production!

Pros

  • Very affordably priced for a dual pack
  • A decade of good reputation

Cons

  • 2500mAh not as high as some others
  • 20A discharge rate not best suited for frequent cloud chasing power
Price
£11.99
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BAK N18650CNP

Best for Value

8.9/10
Total
Capacity
8.7/10
Amperage
8.9/10
Brand
8.6/10
Compatibility
8.9/10
Price
9.3/10
Price
£5.99
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Features We Love

Affordable: Very reasonably priced 
Good All-Rounder: Not the highest mAh or A but good for most uses 
Made In Heaven: Cheap price means easy to buy two for mattery marrying

The BAK 18650 battery will get you where you need to go without breaking the bank.

BAK are similar to Simowatt, in the sense that battery production is their main focus as a technology company. Founded way back in 2005, BAK have been providing versatile battery solutions for almost two decades now, and their 18650 batteries have long been serving many a sub-ohm vaper!

With a 2500mAh internal power capacity, they don’t carry quite as much power as some other batteries out there. However with a 3.6V voltage and 20A maximum continuous discharge they’re more than capable of handling almost any vaping device you have to hand that requires an 18650 battery if used at moderate power levels.

On top of all this, the BAK N18650CNP is remarkably affordable; at only PRICE, it’s an absolute bargain and more then up to the task of powering your vape device. The BAK N18650CNP is one of the best 18650 vape batteries for those on a budget who still want quality.

Pros

  • Extremely affordable
  • BAK totally focussed on battery tech

Cons

  • Lower mAh than some
Price
£5.99
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What You Should Consider Before Buying the Best 18650 Vape Batteries

As we’ve seen, batteries vary just as much as vape juice, mods and tanks! But here are some things you should know before ordering any 18650 batteries for your vape mod.

What Is “18650”?

a row of Flat top 18650 batteries

You may wonder if “18650” batteries are so named due to some power rating or other functional specification, however the truth is it’s just due to their physical design. 18mm diameter, 65mm height, and the “0” simply indicates that it’s a cylindrical battery! Comparatively, 21700 vape batteries are 21mm x 70mm. Simple enough to understand!

Safe Storage

Keep your batteries in a safe place. An 18650 battery should never be left out in the open where there’s a chance it could be knocked or damaged at all. Always keep your battery either inside your vape device, in a protective casing or in the packaging it arrived in.

NEVER carry 18650 batteries loose in your pocket. It is of the highest importance that 18650 batteries never come into contact with metals besides the connecting points inside your vape, otherwise you run the risk of shorting the battery.

For similar reasons, never use a battery when the coloured wrapping has become torn or damaged at all, as the battery is far more likely to encounter a shorting scenario.

Shorting the battery means that it now has a greatly reduced capacity. In a worst case scenario, a shorted battery can undergo sudden massive spikes in heat which can be dangerous.

Capacity (mAh) vs. Amperage (A)

A person holding a single 18650 battery

When looking at an 18650 battery, two of the most important specs to look at are the battery’s power capacity and the amperage.

The capacity is measured in milliamp hours and can be read as a readout of how much charge the battery can hold – this is measured by ‘mAh’.

Amperage on the other hand is a rating of how much “stress” the battery can be put through, in terms of high power output. This is usually measured by ‘A’.

Most – but by no means all – vapers tend to value the mAh higher, as the more mAh you have the longer the battery tends to last before requiring a recharge. However, vapers who use devices at very high wattages for intense cloud production may be more interested in a high ‘A’ rating, as these batteries will be able to withstand a more intensive power output.

It can be a bit of a balancing act sometimes, however if you tend to regularly use your vape at wattages exceeding 100W, are likely going to want a battery with slightly less mAh and slightly more A, as while the battery is likely to run out somewhat faster, you can rest assured that the battery is designed to withstand that kind of frequent high-stress output.

To give an example, if you tend to vape somewhere around the 10W-20W mark, you can go with a battery that has a high mAh and a lower A, such as the Sinowatt 30SP (3000mAh, 15A).

However if you want to use far higher wattages for intense cloud production you may want to instead go with something like the Molicel P26A (2600mAh, 25A) as it will be able to deal with a more stressful output.

Married Batteries

Many external-battery vapes require two 18650 batteries to function, and a general rule of thumb for owners of dual-battery setups is to ‘marry’ a set of batteries for use with the device. This means purchasing two identical batteries for use with it and then ensuring that these batteries are always used in unison.

Store them together, charge them together, use them together. Ideally you never want to use one battery more than another or use two different batteries together as your vape mod will become confused when attempting to ‘read’ them.

For instance, if you try to use two different batteries in your vape mod, one of which is listed at 2500mAh and the other at 3000mAh, the mod is likely to apply the lower reading to both batteries, and the power will be drawn unevenly.


Need more help?

Thanks for reading this overview of some of the very best 18650 vape battery options currently available! If this roundup proves anything, it’s that vaping is a pursuit and passion where every single aspect can be personalised to fit the user’s ideal experience. It’s not a one-size-fits-all scene and never will be, and we here at MIST are proud to help thousands of vapers put together their dream vape setup and stride confidently into a smokeless future, equipped with all the gear they need to stay away from harmful forms of nicotine.

If you’ve enjoyed reading this, please check out some of the blogs linked below where we take detailed looks at vape juices and kits while examining the vast vaping culture and answering some of the questions we’re frequently asked about vaping and its benefits.

There are no silly questions on the subject of smoke reduction, so please feel free to ask us anything you’d like to know about vaping, and check out our MIST Youtube channel where we frequently upload entertaining and informative videos about vaping and vape gear!

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