Tick what your project needs and see which of 15 battery chemistries fit, best first, with every figure side by side: voltage, energy, cycles, current, cold-weather charging, fire risk and shipping. Each figure comes from a named datasheet.
The chemistries that have everything you ticked, best first.
3.2 V · 109–163 Wh/kg · 1,000–6,000 cycles
The long-life lithium choice: thousands of cycles, a flat 3.2 V and a lower fire risk than other lithium-ion cells.
Fits because: rechargeable
Watch out: Heavier than Li-ion for the same energy, and no charging at 0 °C or below. Its flat voltage makes the charge hard to read from the voltage.
3.6 V · 221–260 Wh/kg · 400 cycles
The most energy per kilogram among rechargeables, in standard 18650 and 21700 cells with high-capacity and high-current versions.
Fits because: rechargeable
Watch out: No charging below 0 °C, and a damaged or shorted cell can catch fire: use protected cells or a BMS.
1.2 V · 84 Wh/kg · 2,100 cycles
An AA or AAA you can recharge up to 2,100 times that still holds 70 % after 10 years in a drawer.
Fits because: rechargeable
Watch out: 1.2 V instead of 1.5 V: a few devices show a low battery early. Panasonic advises against devices with airtight battery compartments.
Tick what your project needs. Figures come from one or two named cells per chemistry, and each cell is checked on its own: the current of a power cell and the cycles of a storage cell don’t add up to one battery.
| Feature | LiFePO4 | Li-ion (NMC/NCA) |
|---|---|---|
| Differences (14) | ||
| Basics | ||
| Nominal voltage | 3.2 V | 3.6 V |
| Voltage range | 2.5 V (empty) to 3.65 V (full) | 2.5 V (empty) to 4.2 V (full) |
| Formats | Prismatic storage cells and cylindrical power cells; 12, 24 and 48 V batteries with a built-in BMS | 18650 and 21700 cylindrical cells, alone or in packs |
| Example (source of the figures) | EVE LF280K (280 Ah), A123 ANR26650M1-B (2.5 Ah) | LG MJ1, Molicel P42A |
| Energy | ||
| Energy per kilogram | 109–163 Wh/kg | 221–260 Wh/kg |
| Energy per litre | 239–347 Wh/L | 597–727 Wh/L |
| Life and storage | ||
| Cycle life | 6,000 to 80 % of the energy (EVE LF280K storage cell, 0.5P, 25 °C); over 1,000 at 20 A and full depth (A123 power cell) | 400 to 80 % (LG MJ1); not stated for the Molicel P42A |
| Self-discharge and storage | At most 5 % in 28 days at 25 °C (EVE retention test); store at 30–40 % | At most 10 % in 30 days at 25 °C (LG MJ1 test) |
| Current | ||
| Maximum continuous discharge | From 1C (EVE LF280K storage cell: 1P) to 20C (A123 ANR26650M1-B power cell: 50 A) | From 10 A (2.9C, LG MJ1) to 45 A (10.7C, Molicel P42A) |
| Temperature | ||
| Charging temperature | 0–60 °C · EVE LF280K; full power only around 25 °C: 3 % of it at 0 °C, 30 % at 10 °C (constant-power table); not stated for the A123 cell | 0–45 °C |
| Discharge temperature | from −30 to 60 °C · EVE LF280K (only 20 % of full power at −20 °C); A123 −30 to 55 °C | from −40 to 60 °C · LG MJ1 from −20 °C |
| Safety, charging and shipping | ||
| Fire risk | Lower than NCA Li-ion and similar to LTO: in 18650 abuse tests thermal runaway began at 234 °C and peaked at 310 °C, against 207 °C and 579 °C for NCA, with the lowest pressure peak of the three | Higher: NCA cells went into thermal runaway at 207 °C and peaked at 579 °C in 18650 abuse tests; a short or an overcharge can start a fire |
| Charging | CC/CV to 3.65 V per cell at most; a BMS balances the cells and blocks charging in the cold | CC/CV to 4.20 V per cell, never above; packs need a BMS |
| Uses | ||
| Typical uses | House batteries for campers and boats, solar storage, 12 V lead-acid replacements, e-bikes, power stations | Power tools, e-bikes, laptops, flashlights, ESP32 projects on 18650 cells |
| Same on both (2) | ||
| Basics | ||
| Type | Rechargeable | |
| Safety, charging and shipping | ||
| Air transport | Lithium-ion dangerous goods (UN3480/3481): loose batteries by cargo aircraft only, at 30 % charge at most; since 2026, batteries over 2.7 Wh packed with equipment must also be at 30 % at most. Passengers carry spares in the cabin, up to 100 Wh freely and 100–160 Wh with airline approval; since 27 March 2026, at most two power banks each, not recharged on board | |
| Feature | LiFePO4 | Li-ion (NMC/NCA) | LiPo (pouch) | LTO (lithium titanate) | Sodium-ion | Lead-acid AGM | Lead-acid gel | Flooded lead-acid | NiMH low self-discharge | NiMH standard | Alkaline | Lithium AA (Li-FeS₂) | Li-SOCl₂ | CR2032 coin cell | Supercapacitor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Rechargeable | Rechargeable | Rechargeable | Rechargeable | Rechargeable | Rechargeable | Rechargeable | Rechargeable | Rechargeable | Rechargeable | Single use (primary) | Single use (primary) | Single use (primary) | Single use (primary) | Rechargeable (capacitor) |
| Nominal voltage | 3.2 V | 3.6 V | 3.7 V | 2.3 V | 3 V | 2 V per cell (12 V = 6 cells) | 2 V per cell (12 V = 6 cells) | 2 V per cell (6 V = 3 cells) | 1.2 V | 1.2 V | 1.5 V | 1.5 V | 3.6 V | 3 V | 2.7 V rated |
| Voltage range | 2.5 V (empty) to 3.65 V (full) | 2.5 V (empty) to 4.2 V (full) | 2.75 V (empty) to 4.2 V (full) | Not stated for single cells | 1.5 V (empty) to 4 V (full) | 1.75 V per cell at cut-off; absorption 14.2–14.6 V for 12 V (Victron) | 1.75 V per cell at cut-off; absorption 14.1–14.4 V for 12 V (Victron) | 1.75 V per cell at cut-off; absorption 7.40 V for 6 V at 25 °C (Trojan) | 0.9 V (empty) to 1.4 V (full) | 0.9 V (empty) to 1.4 V (full) | 1.5 V nominal; Energizer’s tests stop at 0.8 V | 1.5 V nominal; Energizer rates the capacity down to 1.0 V | 3.67 V open circuit; capacity rated down to 2.0 V (Saft) | 3 V nominal; 235 mAh at 0.4 mA (Renata) | 0 to 2.7 V: the voltage falls in a straight line as it discharges |
| Formats | Prismatic storage cells and cylindrical power cells; 12, 24 and 48 V batteries with a built-in BMS | 18650 and 21700 cylindrical cells, alone or in packs | Flat pouch cells; RC and drone packs from 1S to 6S with balance leads | Prismatic cells (Toshiba SCiB 2.9–23 Ah) and modules | Cylindrical cells such as the 32140 (10 Ah) | 12 V blocks; sealed, valve-regulated (VRLA) | 12 V blocks; sealed (VRLA), with the acid in a gel | 6 V and 12 V batteries with vents and caps for topping up | AA and AAA | AA and AAA | AA, AAA, C, D and 9 V | AA and AAA | AA size (14500) and other sizes, often with solder tags | Coin cell, 20 × 3.2 mm | Cells from a few farads to 3,000 F, and modules |
| Example (source of the figures) | EVE LF280K (280 Ah), A123 ANR26650M1-B (2.5 Ah) | LG MJ1, Molicel P42A | EEMB LP503759, Grepow 25C | Toshiba SCiB 20 Ah, 23 Ah | Paragonage 32140 (10 Ah) | Victron AGM 12 V 90 Ah | Victron gel 12 V 90 Ah | Trojan T-105 (6 V, 225 Ah) | Panasonic eneloop AA | Energizer NH15-2300 (AA) | Energizer E91 (AA) | Energizer L91 (AA) | Saft LS14500 | Renata CR2032 | Maxwell BCAP3000 (3000 F) |
| Feature | LiFePO4 | Li-ion (NMC/NCA) | LiPo (pouch) | LTO (lithium titanate) | Sodium-ion | Lead-acid AGM | Lead-acid gel | Flooded lead-acid | NiMH low self-discharge | NiMH standard | Alkaline | Lithium AA (Li-FeS₂) | Li-SOCl₂ | CR2032 coin cell | Supercapacitor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Energy per kilogram | 109–163 Wh/kg | 221–260 Wh/kg | 173–185 Wh/kg | 84–96 Wh/kg | 111 Wh/kg | 40 Wh/kg | 41.5 Wh/kg | 48 Wh/kg | 84 Wh/kg | 102 Wh/kg | No single figure: the capacity depends strongly on the load (Energizer gives it as a chart) | ≈ 310 Wh/kg | ≈ 560 Wh/kg | ≈ 250 Wh/kg | 6.9 Wh/kg |
| Energy per litre | 239–347 Wh/L | 597–727 Wh/L | 361–388 Wh/L | 176–202 Wh/L | 248 Wh/L | 101 Wh/L | 101 Wh/L | 101 Wh/L | 273 Wh/L | 333 Wh/L | No single figure: the capacity depends strongly on the load (Energizer gives it as a chart) | ≈ 563 Wh/L | ≈ 1,100 Wh/L | ≈ 700 Wh/L | Not stated in our sources |
| Feature | LiFePO4 | Li-ion (NMC/NCA) | LiPo (pouch) | LTO (lithium titanate) | Sodium-ion | Lead-acid AGM | Lead-acid gel | Flooded lead-acid | NiMH low self-discharge | NiMH standard | Alkaline | Lithium AA (Li-FeS₂) | Li-SOCl₂ | CR2032 coin cell | Supercapacitor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cycle life | 6,000 to 80 % of the energy (EVE LF280K storage cell, 0.5P, 25 °C); over 1,000 at 20 A and full depth (A123 power cell) | 400 to 80 % (LG MJ1); not stated for the Molicel P42A | 500 at 0.5C (EEMB LP503759); not stated for the Grepow cell | Over 20,000 to 70 % (Toshiba, 3C, 25 °C) | 1,500 to 70 % (Paragonage); HiNa reports 96 % after 3,850 cycles in its own test | 400 at 80 % depth, 600 at 50 %, 1,500 at 30 % (Victron) | 500 at 80 % depth, 750 at 50 %, 1,800 at 30 % (Victron) | 1,200 at 50 % depth (Trojan Signature Line) | Up to 2,100 (IEC 61951-2:2011); 600 with the 2017 method (Panasonic) | Up to 1,000 in ideal conditions (Energizer) | Single use | Single use | Single use | Single use | 1,000,000 (projected at 25 °C, Maxwell) |
| Self-discharge and storage | At most 5 % in 28 days at 25 °C (EVE retention test); store at 30–40 % | At most 10 % in 30 days at 25 °C (LG MJ1 test) | No yearly figure: EEMB asks to store at 40–60 % and recharge every 3 months | Not stated in our sources | No yearly figure: the maker asks to store at about 50 % and recharge every 6 months | Under 2 % a month at 20 °C, doubling with every 10 °C more (Victron) | Under 2 % a month at 20 °C, doubling with every 10 °C more (Victron) | 5–15 % a month, depending on temperature (Trojan) | 70 % left after 10 years at 20 °C (Panasonic estimate) | 50–80 % left after 6 months (Energizer) | Shelf life 10 years at 21 °C (Energizer E91; 12 years on the newer E91 Max sheet) | Shelf life 25 years at 21 °C (Energizer) | Under 1 % a year at 20 °C (Saft) | Under 1 % a year at 23 °C (Renata) | Leakage 2.8 mA after 72 h at 2.7 V (Maxwell): about 0.08 V a day from full, if the leakage stayed that high (our estimate) |
| Feature | LiFePO4 | Li-ion (NMC/NCA) | LiPo (pouch) | LTO (lithium titanate) | Sodium-ion | Lead-acid AGM | Lead-acid gel | Flooded lead-acid | NiMH low self-discharge | NiMH standard | Alkaline | Lithium AA (Li-FeS₂) | Li-SOCl₂ | CR2032 coin cell | Supercapacitor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum continuous discharge | From 1C (EVE LF280K storage cell: 1P) to 20C (A123 ANR26650M1-B power cell: 50 A) | From 10 A (2.9C, LG MJ1) to 45 A (10.7C, Molicel P42A) | From 2C (EEMB LP503759) to 25C (Grepow GRP5934096: 45 A) | No continuous figure for single cells; 1,900 W for 10 s on the 20 Ah-HP cell (Toshiba) | 5C (50 A) between 15 and 45 °C, 0.5C below 15 °C (Paragonage) | No continuous figure; 8C for 5 s at most (Victron) | No continuous figure; 7C for 5 s at most (Victron) | Not stated in our sources | Not stated in our sources | 4C at most (Energizer) | No rated maximum; internal resistance 150–300 mΩ when fresh (Energizer) | 2.5 A, 4 A in 2 s pulses (Energizer L91) | 50 mA, 250 mA in pulses (Saft LS14500) | 3 mA (Renata); Energizer’s pulse test draws about 6.8 mA for 2 s | 170 A, 2,300 A peak (Maxwell BCAP3000) |
| Feature | LiFePO4 | Li-ion (NMC/NCA) | LiPo (pouch) | LTO (lithium titanate) | Sodium-ion | Lead-acid AGM | Lead-acid gel | Flooded lead-acid | NiMH low self-discharge | NiMH standard | Alkaline | Lithium AA (Li-FeS₂) | Li-SOCl₂ | CR2032 coin cell | Supercapacitor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charging temperature | 0–60 °C · EVE LF280K; full power only around 25 °C: 3 % of it at 0 °C, 30 % at 10 °C (constant-power table); not stated for the A123 cell | 0–45 °C | 0–45 °C · EEMB LP503759; not stated for the Grepow cell | from −30 to 45 °C · Toshiba: repeated charging and discharging possible at −30 °C; modules −30 to 45 °C | 0–45 °C · only 0.2C between 0 and 15 °C | from −15 to 50 °C · with temperature compensation; 0–40 °C without (Fullriver); never when frozen | Not stated in our sources · temperature compensation needed below 10 °C (Victron) | Not stated in our sources · Trojan’s operating range is −20 to 45 °C; below 0 °C keep it above 60 % charge | 0–40 °C · fast charge (Panasonic BK-3MCC) | 0–50 °C | Not rechargeable | Not rechargeable | Not rechargeable | Not rechargeable | from −40 to 65 °C |
| Discharge temperature | from −30 to 60 °C · EVE LF280K (only 20 % of full power at −20 °C); A123 −30 to 55 °C | from −40 to 60 °C · LG MJ1 from −20 °C | from −20 to 60 °C · EEMB LP503759; not stated for the Grepow cell | from −30 to 45 °C | from −40 to 60 °C · at least 80 % of the capacity at −20 °C, 60 % at −40 °C | Not stated in our sources | Not stated in our sources | from −20 to 45 °C | from −20 to 50 °C · rated for use (Panasonic) | 0–50 °C | from −18 to 55 °C | from −40 to 60 °C | from −60 to 85 °C | from −30 to 70 °C | from −40 to 65 °C |
| Feature | LiFePO4 | Li-ion (NMC/NCA) | LiPo (pouch) | LTO (lithium titanate) | Sodium-ion | Lead-acid AGM | Lead-acid gel | Flooded lead-acid | NiMH low self-discharge | NiMH standard | Alkaline | Lithium AA (Li-FeS₂) | Li-SOCl₂ | CR2032 coin cell | Supercapacitor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fire risk | Lower than NCA Li-ion and similar to LTO: in 18650 abuse tests thermal runaway began at 234 °C and peaked at 310 °C, against 207 °C and 579 °C for NCA, with the lowest pressure peak of the three | Higher: NCA cells went into thermal runaway at 207 °C and peaked at 579 °C in 18650 abuse tests; a short or an overcharge can start a fire | Higher: the Li-ion chemistry in a soft pouch with no metal case; a swollen, punctured or crashed pack can catch fire | Lower than NCA Li-ion and similar to LiFePO4: in the 18650 tests runaway began at 233 °C and peaked at 338 °C, with a higher pressure peak than LiFePO4; Toshiba: low risk of fire or explosion | Not rated here: we found no independent abuse tests on these cells | Not rated here; sealed (valve-regulated), so there is no acid to top up | Not rated here; sealed (valve-regulated), so there is no acid to top up | Gives off hydrogen while charging: Trojan says never charge it in a sealed or unventilated space | Not rated here | Not rated here | Not rated here | Not rated here | Not rated here | Not rated here; keep coin cells away from children | Not rated here |
| Charging | CC/CV to 3.65 V per cell at most; a BMS balances the cells and blocks charging in the cold | CC/CV to 4.20 V per cell, never above; packs need a BMS | CC/CV to 4.20 V per cell (LiHV 4.35 V); packs of several cells on a balance charger | 80 % in 6 minutes in Toshiba’s test; needs a charger and BMS set for LTO voltages | CC/CV to 4.0 V per cell (Paragonage); needs a charger and BMS made for sodium-ion | 3-stage charger: absorption 14.2–14.6 V, float 13.5–13.8 V for 12 V; temperature compensation below 10 °C and above 30 °C (Victron) | Absorption 14.1–14.4 V, float 13.5–13.8 V for 12 V (Victron) | Absorption 7.40 V, float 6.60 V, equalize 7.75 V for 6 V at 25 °C, with temperature compensation; top up with water (Trojan) | NiMH smart charger (2–3 hours) or 0.1C for 12–14 hours; trickle below C/40 (Energizer) | NiMH smart charger (2–3 hours) or 0.1C for 12–14 hours; trickle below C/40 (Energizer) | Not rechargeable | Not rechargeable | Not rechargeable | Not rechargeable | Any current up to the cell’s limit, stopping at 2.7 V (2.85 V for 1 s at most); cells in series need balancing |
| Air transport | Lithium-ion dangerous goods (UN3480/3481): loose batteries by cargo aircraft only, at 30 % charge at most; since 2026, batteries over 2.7 Wh packed with equipment must also be at 30 % at most. Passengers carry spares in the cabin, up to 100 Wh freely and 100–160 Wh with airline approval; since 27 March 2026, at most two power banks each, not recharged on board | Lithium-ion dangerous goods (UN3480/3481): loose batteries by cargo aircraft only, at 30 % charge at most; since 2026, batteries over 2.7 Wh packed with equipment must also be at 30 % at most. Passengers carry spares in the cabin, up to 100 Wh freely and 100–160 Wh with airline approval; since 27 March 2026, at most two power banks each, not recharged on board | Lithium-ion dangerous goods (UN3480/3481): loose batteries by cargo aircraft only, at 30 % charge at most; since 2026, batteries over 2.7 Wh packed with equipment must also be at 30 % at most. Passengers carry spares in the cabin, up to 100 Wh freely and 100–160 Wh with airline approval; since 27 March 2026, at most two power banks each, not recharged on board | Lithium-ion dangerous goods (UN3480/3481): loose batteries by cargo aircraft only, at 30 % charge at most; since 2026, batteries over 2.7 Wh packed with equipment must also be at 30 % at most. Passengers carry spares in the cabin, up to 100 Wh freely and 100–160 Wh with airline approval; since 27 March 2026, at most two power banks each, not recharged on board | Sodium-ion dangerous goods (UN3551/3552) since 2025: loose batteries by cargo aircraft only, at 30 % charge at most | Non-spillable (UN2800): not restricted when it passes the spill tests of special provision A67 and the terminals are protected | Non-spillable (UN2800): not restricted when it passes the spill tests of special provision A67 and the terminals are protected | Spillable (UN2794): regulated dangerous goods, in acid-proof packaging | Not restricted by air when the terminals are protected against short circuits (IATA special provisions A199 for NiMH, A123 for dry cells) | Not restricted by air when the terminals are protected against short circuits (IATA special provisions A199 for NiMH, A123 for dry cells) | Not restricted by air when the terminals are protected against short circuits (IATA special provisions A199 for NiMH, A123 for dry cells) | Lithium-metal dangerous goods (UN3090/3091): loose cells by cargo aircraft only; passengers may carry cells with up to 2 g of lithium | Lithium-metal dangerous goods (UN3090/3091): loose cells by cargo aircraft only; passengers may carry cells with up to 2 g of lithium | Lithium-metal dangerous goods (UN3090/3091): loose cells by cargo aircraft only; passengers may carry cells with up to 2 g of lithium | UN3499: cells storing under 10 Wh are not dangerous goods (Maxwell) |
| Feature | LiFePO4 | Li-ion (NMC/NCA) | LiPo (pouch) | LTO (lithium titanate) | Sodium-ion | Lead-acid AGM | Lead-acid gel | Flooded lead-acid | NiMH low self-discharge | NiMH standard | Alkaline | Lithium AA (Li-FeS₂) | Li-SOCl₂ | CR2032 coin cell | Supercapacitor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical uses | House batteries for campers and boats, solar storage, 12 V lead-acid replacements, e-bikes, power stations | Power tools, e-bikes, laptops, flashlights, ESP32 projects on 18650 cells | Drones, RC models, thin devices, wearables | Buses, industrial vehicles, grid storage, solar in cold climates | Stationary storage and packs that must work in the cold | Leisure and backup batteries, UPS, alarm systems, starter batteries | Slow, regular deep discharges: solar, mobility aids | Golf carts, floor machines, off-grid banks with regular maintenance | Remotes, toys, game controllers, camera flashes, wireless keyboards | High-drain devices used every day | Clocks, remotes, low-drain devices | Outdoor sensors, trail cameras, GPS units, flashlights in the cold | Sensors that run for years: meters, LoRaWAN nodes, alarms, trackers | Real-time clocks, BLE beacons, remotes, small sensors that sleep most of the time | Current bursts and backup: real-time clocks, short power cuts, engine starting, energy recovery |
Tap a group to open or close it. Figures come from one or two named cells or batteries per chemistry (the “Example” row), from the makers’ datasheets; where we cite a storage cell and a power cell, or an energy cell and a high-current cell, the table gives the range and names each one. Other products of the same chemistry differ. ≈: worked out by us from capacity × nominal voltage ÷ weight or volume, for single-use cells whose usable energy depends on the load.
LiFePO4 vs Li-ion (NMC/NCA) LiFePO4 vs lead-acid AGM Li-ion (NMC/NCA) vs LiPo (pouch) LTO (lithium titanate) vs LiFePO4 Sodium-ion vs LiFePO4 NiMH low self-discharge vs Li-ion (NMC/NCA) NiMH low self-discharge vs alkaline Lithium AA (Li-FeS₂) vs alkaline Li-SOCl₂ vs alkaline CR2032 coin cell vs Li-SOCl₂ Supercapacitor vs Li-ion (NMC/NCA) Lead-acid AGM vs lead-acid gel Lead-acid AGM vs flooded lead-acid
Start from what can’t change: rechargeable or single use, and the format your device takes (AA, a 12 V block, a pouch that fits the case). Then weigh what matters most: weight, cycles, current, cold or years on a shelf. The tool ranks the chemistries that meet everything you ticked and, when none does, shows the closest ones and what they lack.
Rechargeable cells pay off when you replace batteries often: an eneloop AA is rated up to 2,100 cycles. Single-use cells win when a device must run untouched for years: a Saft LS14500 loses under 1 % a year and an Energizer L91 is rated for 25 years on the shelf.
Li-ion holds the most energy per kilogram among rechargeables (221–260 Wh/kg in our examples) but lasts about 400 deep cycles. LiFePO4 stores less (109–163 Wh/kg) and lasts 6,000 cycles in a storage cell, over 1,000 in a power cell. LTO goes beyond 20,000 cycles at under 100 Wh/kg. For current, look at the continuous rating of the cell you will buy, not at the chemistry: LiFePO4 goes from 1C in a storage cell to 20C in a power cell, LiPo packs for drones reach 25C, and a CR2032 gives 3 mA.
Li-ion, LiPo and LiFePO4 must not be charged below 0 °C: their datasheets start at 0 °C, and in EVE’s constant-power table the LiFePO4 cell takes only 3 % of its full charging power at 0 °C. LTO can be charged at −30 °C (Toshiba), AGM down to −15 °C with temperature compensation (Fullriver), NiMH from 0 °C (Panasonic, Energizer). For use in the cold, Li-SOCl₂ works down to −60 °C and the Energizer L91 down to −40 °C.
In abuse tests on 18650 cells heated by 5 °C a minute, NCA Li-ion vented at 157 °C, went into thermal runaway at 207 °C and peaked at 579 °C. LiFePO4 and LTO behaved alike: venting at 197 and 187 °C, runaway at 234 and 233 °C, peaks of 310 and 338 °C, with a far lower pressure peak for LiFePO4 (Ubaldi and Russo, 2023). All three released carbon monoxide and hydrogen fluoride above exposure limits. Safer doesn’t mean safe: every lithium cell needs protection against shorts, overcharge and damage.
Lithium-ion, lithium-metal and sodium-ion batteries are dangerous goods by air: shipped alone they go by cargo aircraft only, and lithium-ion and sodium-ion at 30 % charge at most; since 2026, lithium-ion batteries over 2.7 Wh packed with equipment must also be at 30 % at most. Passengers carry spare lithium-ion batteries in the cabin, up to 100 Wh without approval, and since 27 March 2026 at most two power banks each, which they may not recharge on board. NiMH and alkaline cells are not restricted when their terminals are protected.
Datasheets: EVE LF280K, A123 ANR26650M1-B, LG MJ1, Molicel P42A, EEMB LP503759, Grepow GRP5934096, Toshiba SCiB catalogue and 20Ah-HP release, Paragonage 32140 and HiNa NaCR32140, Victron AGM and gel, Fullriver AGM manual, Trojan T-105 and Signature Line sheet, Panasonic eneloop and BK-3MCC, Energizer NiMH handbook, NH15-2300, E91, L91 and CR2032, Saft LS14500, Renata CR2032, Maxwell BCAP3000, TP5000. Safety: Ubaldi and Russo, Chemical Engineering Transactions 104 (2023). Coin cells: TI, “Coin cells and peak current draw”. Li-SOCl₂ passivation: Qoitech’s test of a stored LS14500. Transport: IATA passenger rules 2026, DGR 66 significant changes and guidance documents, UK CAA power bank rules, UPS battery shipping guide.
Among these, LTO (over 20,000 cycles to 70 % in Toshiba’s test) and LiFePO4 (6,000 to 80 % for EVE’s LF280K). Supercapacitors reach a projected million cycles but store very little energy. A Li-ion cell like the LG MJ1 is rated for 400 cycles, and AGM lead-acid for 400 at 80 % depth (Victron).
Not Li-ion, LiPo or LiFePO4: their datasheets allow charging from 0 °C, and in EVE’s constant-power table the LiFePO4 cell takes only 3 % of its full charging power at 0 °C. LTO cells can be charged at −30 °C (Toshiba), and AGM lead-acid down to −15 °C with temperature compensation (Fullriver).
A primary lithium cell: Li-SOCl₂ (Saft LS14500: under 1 % a year, −60 to 85 °C, 3.6 V) or, for 1.5 V AA devices, Li-FeS₂ (Energizer L91: 25-year shelf life). Check the current: the LS14500 is rated for 50 mA continuous and, after years of storage, its first pulses can sag (passivation), so a radio needs a capacitor for its transmit peaks.
In abuse tests on 18650 cells, LiFePO4 went into thermal runaway at 234 °C and peaked at 310 °C, against 207 °C and 579 °C for NCA Li-ion (Ubaldi and Russo, 2023); LTO behaved much like LiFePO4. Safer isn’t safe: any lithium cell can burn if crushed, shorted or overcharged, so use a BMS and fuses.
Yes, with a 12 V LiFePO4 battery: four cells in series (12.8 V) replace six lead-acid cells. Set the charger to a lithium profile: Victron charges its LiFePO4 batteries at 14.0–14.4 V and floats them at 13.5 V. Don’t charge it below 0 °C.
They have the AA size but 3.6–3.7 V instead of 1.5 V, so they can destroy a device made for AA batteries. For a 1.5 V AA, use NiMH, alkaline or Li-FeS₂ (Energizer L91).