18650 Li-ion Batteries & Cells
56 products
18650 Li-ion cells are 18mm × 65mm cylindrical 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
Molicel INR18650-M35A 3500mAh and P28A 2800mAh high-drain cells, DMEGC INR18650-26E 2600mAh and 32E 3200mAh, and the Vimana V25 2500mAh 8C cell. Ready-made packs include the Flywoo Explorer 6S2P 6000mAh pack built on Molicel P30B cells and the Revogreen 11.1V 2800mAh 3S pack. For radios, the RadioMaster 18650 3200mAh two-pack fits the TX16S, Boxer and Zorro battery bays. 18650 chargers and a Type-C charger module with battery box are in the Chargers category.
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 needs motors of 1300–1750KV 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.