18650 Li-ion Batteries & Cells
18650 Li-ion Batteries & Cells
22 products
18650 batteries are 18mm × 65mm cylindrical Li-ion cells, 3.6V nominal and 2500–3500mAh each, used in long-range drone packs, radio transmitters and torch and power-bank builds. This page collects every 18650 cell and 18650-based pack in our Li-ion Batteries range. For a drone pack the trade-off against 21700 is weight and space: an 18650 pack is lighter and slimmer for the same cell count but holds 25–35% less energy and delivers less current, so match the cell's continuous-discharge rating to your motors before anything else.
How to choose an 18650 cell
Two numbers matter: capacity (mAh) and continuous discharge current (A). High-capacity cells like the 3500mAh M35A trade current for run time and suit radios and cruising builds; high-drain cells like the P28A (2800mAh, 35A) suit long-range quads that need to punch out of trouble.
- Continuous discharge: a 6S2P pack of 35A cells delivers 70A continuous. Divide your build's peak current by the parallel count to find the cell rating you need.
- Capacity: 2500–2600mAh cells are the budget choice, 3000–3500mAh cost more per cell and fly longer at low throttle.
- Format: 18650 packs are lighter and narrower than 21700 packs; 21700 cells hold 4500–5000mAh each.
- Tabs: flat-top cells for spot-welded packs; radio and torch users usually want button-top or protected cells, so check the listing.
What we stock
Loose cells include the Molicel INR18650-P28A 2800mAh high-drain cell and M35A 3500mAh high-capacity cell, DMEGC INR18650-26E 2600mAh and 32E 3200mAh, and the VimanaFPV V25 2500mAh 8C cell. Ready-made packs are built in India on Molicel P28A cells in every common layout from 1S1P to 12S4P, so you can match voltage and capacity to your build. For radios with an 18650 tray, such as the TX16S and Boxer, there is the RadioMaster 18650 3200mAh two-pack.
Compatibility
Li-ion cells sag more than LiPo under load, so a 6S Li-ion pack reads lower than a 6S LiPo at the same throttle and suits motors of around 1300–1500KV on 7-inch props rather than racing-KV motors. Set the flight controller's low-voltage warning around 3.0V per cell — Li-ion cells are safely discharged to 2.5V, far below LiPo's 3.5V floor.
Charge at 0.5–1C to 4.2V per cell on a charger with a Li-ion profile, and never spot-weld or solder cells without the right equipment and heat-shrink insulation.
Frequently asked questions
- 18650 or 21700 for a long-range drone?
- 21700 cells (4500–5000mAh) fly longer per cell and handle more current; 18650 cells (2500–3500mAh) make a lighter, slimmer pack. For 7-inch cruising builds 21700 is now the default, 18650 suits smaller frames.
- What does 6S2P mean?
- Six cells in series for 22.2V nominal, with two of those strings in parallel for double the capacity and current. A 6S2P pack uses 12 cells.
- Which 18650 cells fit a RadioMaster TX16S?
- Two flat or button-top 18650 cells in the radio's tray; the RadioMaster 3200mAh pair is made for it. Use unprotected cells of matched capacity and charge them through the radio or a dedicated Li-ion charger.