18490

Li-ion Rechargeable Batteries

18490 batteries are powerful power sources for small, high-drain electronics. Lithium manganese rechargeable cells are often used to power a wide variety of portable devices, such as LED flashlights, as well. These 18490 batteries differ slightly from the more common 18500 battery size. In terms of measurements, the 18500 cell is about 0.3 mm (0.012") larger in diameter and 0.8 mm (0.031") longer. 18490 Li-ion batteries also typically offer a lower capacity that ranges between 800 and 1300mAh, while 18500s range between 1000 and 1600mAh. While important to point out, this comparison is not quite relevant as IMR batteries are typically purchased for their high discharge rates instead of the overall capacity.

IMR for High-Drain Devices

These 18490 batteries use IMR lithium manganese chemistry to power high-drain electronics. The benefit of IMR cells is their ability to discharge at a high current without overheating. In other words, IMR batteries are safer than the older ICR designs, which is especially important when powering devices without protection circuitry. For this reason, many of our 18490 batteries are sold either with or without PTC protection circuits. Please consult with your product's users' manual to determine what type of Li-ion battery is compatible with your device.

Choosing the right batteries to power your portable electronic devices can sometimes be difficult and overwhelming. If you have questions about different battery chemistries and sizes, please do not hesitate to contact one of our customer service representatives. BatteryJunction.com is more than just an online retailer of batteries and flashlights. We want to help educate you on the best power sources for your individual needs.