In the family of lithium-ion batteries, one of the most popular is the 18650 battery. These batteries are in use in a wide range of areas and for different devices. From flashlights to power vapes, the 18650 battery is now in very high demand. But with these batteries comes the need to buy a reliable charger, which is why it makes sense to consider the best 18650 battery charger on the market.
Of course, not all battery chargers are created equal, with some supplying a slow charge but being expensive while others provide a quick charge but are cheap. The quality of your battery is an essential aspect because having one that drains very fast or requires so much time to charge can be quite inconvenient. This is especially true for vape enthusiasts who do not want to risk being left high and dry because of a battery drain.
So, finding a good charger to invest in is the right thing to do. But it’s not as easy as it sounds because these chargers come from different brands. Choosing one can be somewhat difficult, and that’s why we will provide the necessary information to help you make the right decision. Before we walk you through the best 18650 battery charger roundup, we have some tips for you on factors to consider before spending your money.
Factors To Consider Before Buying An 18650 Charger
Different 18650 battery chargers come with unique features that you must take into consideration before making a choice. Choosing the right 18650 charger requires that you weigh some important factors as follows –
- Overcharging protection
Having a charger capable of getting your 18650 batteries to 4.2V makes sense. But one of the things that affect the lifespan of a battery is overcharging. You want to get a charger that comes with overcharging protection so that you don’t have to worry about making regular replacements for your battery.
- Quick charging tech
The charging time is another factor that you need to consider before deciding what battery charger to go with. Sadly, not every manufacturer creates chargers that have the capacity for quick charging. But you will be at an advantage if you can find one with such technology. One such charger is the EBL 18650 battery charger that comes with the iQuick tech to speed up the charging process.
- Charging indicators
How else would you know how well your batteries are charging without indicators? This feature is something you want to look out for in a charger before buying. The reason is that it helps you to determine when your batteries are full so that you can get them out of the charger. This helps to keep your batteries working for longer. Indicators come in different forms like LCD and LED lights. For most affordable chargers you find on the market, LED lights are in use as their indicators. But some higher-spec chargers use LCD. Whether it is LCD or LED, just ensure that your charger comes with an indicator.
- How many ports?
This is more about personal choice and is not necessarily a rule. Chargers come with one, two, four, and even eight bays, and you can go with any of those. But your decision should rest primarily on the number of batteries you want to charge at a time. For someone who doesn’t use the 18650 batteries that often except for things like vaping or flashlights, you can go with the two-bay charger. But a regular battery user will be more suited to the eight-bay charger.
- Safety
The good thing is that a lot of manufacturers equip their smart battery chargers with safety features. This means you have a lesser risk of experiencing an explosion or a fire while the battery is charging. Ensure that you get a smart charger that comes with safety features to save you the stress of worrying about overheating, weak charging, or overcharging.
- Independent charging bays
This is one feature that helps to reduce how much time you spend charging your batteries simultaneously. Independent charging bays have individual circuits, unlike chargers that share circuits. When circuits are shared among batteries, it slows the rate of charging. Go for a 18650 battery charger that has independent charging bays even if you have to spend a little bit more. Well, this is not compulsory, but it is something you should consider if you are looking to charge three or more batteries at a time.
