A 18650 rechargeable battery requires a high-quality charger in order to retain its optimum battery performance and long-lasting battery health. As most of the electronic devices nowadays are compatible with 18650 rechargeable batteries, there is an abundance of options for 18650 battery chargers on the market.
In this write-up, we will explore two of the most reliable, high-quality, and battery-life-saving chargers describing all the necessary specs you need. Go through the 18650 battery charger review to conclude your decision.
Our Recommendations For 18650 Battery Charger
As there are a number of options available on the market, it is not uncommon to get perplexed and overwhelmed. However, don’t worry. We’ve done all the hard jobs for you to narrow down the list to only two best 18650 battery chargers. So, let’s get started.
1. Nitecore i2 Intellicharge Charger for 18650 AAA AA Li-Ion/NiMH Battery
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Nitecore i2 Intellicharge Charger is a simple, robust, and affordable option full of useful specs and features to extend the lifespan of your batteries.
A Universal Charger
The best part of having a Nitecore i2 Intellicharge Charger is that you don’t need to waste your money buying several chargers to charge different batteries. It is a universal charger compatible with Li-ion, Ni-MH, and Ni-Cd rechargeable batteries including the 20700 or 21700 models which is an update from its older version. This item can vanish all your hassle related to charging different batteries.
Smart Intelligent Technology
The smart intelligent technology enables this charger to do some really cool and lifesaving stuff. When you are charging any type of battery with Nitecore i2 Intellicharge Charger, it automatically detects the battery type and functions accordingly. It can also adjust the charging voltage and mode automatically itself.
So don’t worry. Whichever battery you are charging with it, your batteries are in good hands. The bonus feature offered by its smart intelligent technology is its mechanism for preventing overcharging. The charger automatically stops when the batteries are fully charged. So if you forget to unplug after fully charging your batteries, don’t panic, your batteries are safe. But it’s not recommended to keep the charger plugged in after the battery is fully charged.
Battery Slots
It has two battery slots that are enabled to charge multiple types of batteries independently. The smart intelligence technology of this unit is capable of showing the charging status of each battery separately with the help of its two microprocessor-controlled battery slots.
Convenience
The charger is too easy to use and its smart technology makes it a worthy choice for convenience. It is equipped with a 1200V two-prong plug with a standard 3 and ½ feet cord. The built-in 3 colors LED screen on the up of the charger shows all the information you need while charging; from the charging status of each battery to charging modes.
There are three yellow lights to indicate the charging status. The lights flash simultaneously while charging and when it’s done each of them ceases flashing completely.
Cons
Even after having too many features at an affordable price, this item comes with some limitations. The first issue with this unit is its inaccurate battery reading sometimes. Plus, it also doesn’t perform well when it comes to charging a wide battery unit.
2. XTAR VC4L Battery Charger 4 Bays New 2021 Updated 21700 Battery Charger USB C Charger
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You may have wanted to increase your battery performance to the optimum level but never knew how you can do that, right? Then keep reading for a bit.
Performance
There is no doubt that the XTAR VC4L Battery Charger ensures the optimum performance of the batteries. You can literally test the actual health of your batteries and the performance they can provide. The LCD screen on the top provides all the necessary information anyone could ask for while charging and testing batteries.
This item can charge almost dead batteries that most of the other chargers will certainly reject. You can recondition your old batteries to nearly new ones. Though it’s not a fast charger, the charging time will surely save you. It’s quite faster than you expect.
Compatibility
The compatibility that XTAR VC4L Battery Charger offers is unbeatable. This charger can charge any type of 18650 battery of any size you name. You will get a trouble-free charging experience even if you have multiple types of batteries. Because this item can automatically detect the battery types and change the charging mode according to the suitability of the battery.
Quality
In terms of quality, this item is one of the most high-quality 18650 battery chargers available in the market. It gives you three charging current options which enables this charger to charge high-power batteries quickly while not overloading the smaller ones. The build quality is robust and premium which makes it worthy of your every penny. You can use a Type-C cable or a 5V USB to power up the charger.
Safety
Before you get this charger in your hands, it already has passed many international safety standards. The smart circuit and built-in fire retardant material will surely keep you out of any danger.
Cons
You won’t be able to charge 10440 batteries until you put something underneath. Another problem is, it can charge on 1 amp only when you use two slots at a time. When you charge in all 4 slots, the current comes down to .05 amps.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does It Take To Fully Charge a 18650 Battery?
Generally, it should take a maximum of 3 hours to fully charge the 18650 battery. Because the battery requires almost 300 – 500 charging cycles to get fully charged. But it also depends on the charging current the charger can produce while charging the batteries.
Can I Leave My Batteries Unattended While Charging?
There are chargers like the Nitecore i2 Intellicharge Charger which automatically stops after fully charging the battery. It may seem ok to leave the batteries unattended. But it is never recommended to leave your batteries for long even after fully charged. It may reduce battery health too early.
Final Words
If you don’t have more than two rechargeable batteries, our recommendation for you will be the Nitecore i2 Intellicharge Charger for its simple and useful technology at an affordable price tag.
But if you have multiple types and sizes of batteries in different health conditions, this 4 bay XTAR VC 4 L Battery Charger is perfect for your job, though at an inexpensive price. Lastly, in this 18650 battery charger review, we enlisted two chargers that have everything you can expect from a battery charger.