The battery is the heart of any portable device powered by electricity; without it, even the most advanced gadget out there would be pretty useless. Thus, it is crucial to keep it alive by using a dependable and efficient battery charger.
There are many options you can choose from, but with the influx of many fake products in the market, choosing the right one for you can be challenging. With the help of this review, we'll guide you in making the right choice for 18650 battery chargers, with some options for you to choose from.
Many electric bike batteries are composed of 18650 cells such as the Hey Bike Batteries. Because of this, you may sometimes need to charge individual cells for your ebikes battery.
Most accommodating battery charger
Most 18650 battery chargers come in 2-bay or 4-bay designs, but the Gyrfalcon All-88 takes it to the next level. With an 8-bay design, you can simultaneously charge more batteries compared to most battery chargers in the market.
Each slot acts like its own charger with its individual slot control and adjustable charge rates, allowing you to charge from the smallest cells to the biggest ones. To top that off, the Gyrfalcon All-88 Battery Charger can output 8 x 1A, which means that you can charge multiple batteries at the same time at full power!
It also comes with little monitors on top of each battery slot that shows the voltage, charge current, and chemistry of the battery. Moreover, it also comes with safety features such as overcharge protection and short circuit prevention. Spare parts and spacers are also included with the product.
Specifications:
| Input: | DC 5V 2A |
| Output voltage: | Ni-MH 1.5V, LiFePO4 3.6V, Li-ion 4.2V/4.3V/4.35V |
| Output current: | .1A/.25A/.5A/1A |
| Price: | $54.95 |
Best performing 4-bay battery charger
The XTAR Dragon VP4 18650 Battery Charger goes above and beyond what you may expect from a battery charger. It also has capabilities for testing batteries. Its multiple current and port options make it a flexible battery charger as well.
There are three charging current options available, ranging from.5A to 2A. This implies that the XTAR Dragon VP4 can swiftly charge high-capacity batteries without overcharging smaller cells. You can also check the battery's capacity while it's charging, so you'll always know how much it has left to charge.
You may also monitor the capacity, voltage, and resistance of your battery on the LCD display panel. These test results can also be saved and examined at a later time. It also features a refresh option for Ni-MH batteries, which adds to its flexibility.
Specifications:
| Input: | DC 12V 3A |
| Output voltage: | Li-ion 4.2V +/- 0.05V, Ni-MH/NiCD: 1.45V +/- 0.1V |
| Output current: | 0.5A x 4,1.0A x 4, 2.0A x 2 |
| Price: | $77.50 |
Best battery charger value for money
You will almost always have to pay a premium for smart charging and battery care features. But the Nitecore D4 defies that norm, as it comes with four convertible bays, clever circuitry, and an easy-to-read LCD display. This makes it the most excellent 18650 battery charger for the money.
The Nitecore D4 can charge an astonishing number of batteries. All four bays are convertible and can accommodate ten different Lithium-ion battery types, as well as Ni-Cd and Ni-MH batteries. You may monitor the status and voltage on the LCD display while charging.
The Nitecore D4's clever circuitry can detect the type of battery that has been inserted. In auto charging mode, it will see the battery's demands and charge it accordingly. Because these slots are self-contained, you may charge several types of batteries at the same time.
Specifications:
| Input: | AC 100-240V 50/60Hz 0.35A(MAX), DC 12V 1A |
| Output voltage: | 4.2V ±1% / 3.7V ±1% / 1.48V ±1% |
| Output current: | 375mA x 4 / 750mA x 2 |
| Price: | $39.95 |
There are numerous aspects to consider while selecting a battery charger. Among them are the following:
The first thing you'll need to think about is how much energy you'll require: what is your current energy consumption? If you go through four batteries a day regularly, you'll quickly tire of using a one-in, one-out policy on your single battery charger.
Not only would it be inconvenient, but you will most likely run out of power at some time during the day. Fortunately, there is a wide range of chargers on the market that can charge anywhere from one to eight batteries simultaneously.
With this in mind, it's also critical to understand how long it takes your batteries to charge and how many you'll generally need to use throughout the day. If you use various pieces of equipment, like a vaporizer and other electronic gadgets, you should think about how many batteries you'll need charged and ready to go at any one time.
This one isn't necessary, but it's worth considering. If you're on the go all day, you might struggle to find a place to plug in your charger for a lengthy period. A portable solution, such as a charger with a USB port, would be great. You might be able to utilize this in the car or in conjunction with a laptop and a power bank.
If you're in the workplace or on-site all day, you may be able to consider chargers that require the main plug to operate. That is why it is critical to determine whether the charger you are considering is appropriate for your needs.
Your budget is something you would always like to consider when buying something. Of course, everyone's budget is different. So, if you use one battery each day, you won't need to invest in a massive eight-cell charger.
In fact, because the nature of electricity means that no electronic item will ever be completely safe, cheap and unregulated products are more likely to malfunction. As a result, they are more likely to experience complications that could harm you and cost you more in the future.
You should make sure that the chargers you choose contain the necessary safety measures when it comes to safety. They should have characteristics like reverse polarity, overcharge prevention, and thermal protection, at the very least.
From a safety standpoint, it is also critical to understand your battery's charging limits. If you're unsure what these are, a respectable seller will always offer you a factory datasheet that includes the whole battery specification. Doing so will provide the maximum charging current as well as other important information.
Typically, you would only use a charger to charge batteries and nothing more. But what characteristics might it possibly have? As it turns out, there are quite a few! Consider the two chargers listed earlier in this study, such as the Xtar VP4 Plus Dragon. It has an LCD panel that allows you to check your battery's capacity, voltage, and resistance.
It also has a refresh option for Ni-MH batteries and battery testing capabilities! Talk about getting the most bang for your buck.
Consider the Nitecore D4, which offers several extra features such as convertible bays, outstanding circuitry, and an easy-to-read LCD panel. These capabilities are often found on high-end chargers, but Nitecore could put them into the charger without making it prohibitively expensive.
Although most battery chargers nowadays have safety features, it is still highly advised not to leave them unattended when charging. Make sure that when storing them, put them in places where you can keep them away from direct sunlight or other heat sources.
It is also essential to remember only to make purchases from a reputable retailer. Not only will you receive more value for money by receiving a reliable, high-performing product, but there's also the safety aspect.
From all the battery chargers featured in this review, we have come to a verdict that the Nitecore D4 is the victor in terms of comparison. It may be significantly cheaper than the other chargers in this review, but it does not skimp in features and other aspects.
The Nitecore D4 comes with premium features that you will mostly see in other pricier options compared to its other counterparts. It has convertible bays, allowing it to charge a variety of battery sizes and chemistries. Moreover, it also has safety features that significantly reduce the risk of overcharging and overheating.
Thus, with its multiple features designed to provide you with a safe and efficient charging experience, there is not that much to argue to consider the Nitecore D4 as our top pick for this review. A highly innovative charger that doesn't break the bank, there is no doubt that it will be something you'll have to consider in buying a battery charger.
