How to tell if you are fooled when facing millions fake-branded and poor quality 18650 battery? Here's some useful tips to help you differ the good from the bad. 

Normally the 18650 lithium ion battery's capacity won't exceed 3100mAh for any reason(based the 0.5C capacity-testing standard). If you got a xxFire 18650 battery, and labeled 5000mAh or so, PLEASE DON'T RISK YOUR LIFE TO USE IT. It's always been this case. A grade 18650 cells for e-bikes and power tools. B grade for small assembly company of power bank product. C grade and those below C grade for flashlight uses. 

Some company will use LOW PRICE WITH HUGE CAPACITY to attract customers or even distributors. The price always be something around a 0.65 USD to 1.3 USD for one single 18650 lithium ion batteries. Now you dare to use it? No company will sell goods with a price which is much more lower than the cost. Besides now the labor cost is increasing in China. If there is, it could be.

Is it PCB protected?

There's the risk to be deformed, leakage, explosion. Under the maniac price war, Some companies use low price PCB protection board or EVEN cut this part off. This kind of deeds make the market pay prices for the explosion-able 18650 batteries. It does not come easy to tell whether this a PCB inside. Here's a easy way but not very reliable way. The 18650 li-ion battery's dimension is 18mm by 65mm. 65mm is its length. A PCB protected 18650 would be at least 67-68mm. Yet the most reliable way is to buy it from a reliable seller.

Is it reconditioned?

For the original, it has a clear color and texture. Tidy and clean appearance. No scratch. It should be correctly labeled with Model No, Type, Capacity, Voltage, Negative and positive indications. Metal sheets no scratch, no blackened and greenished. If there's inconformity then you can tell it's not the original.

Shenzhen Topband Battery Co., Ltd.，established in 2006, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shenzhen Topband Co., Ltd. (002139.SZ). We focus on lithium iron phosphate batteries,with independent research and development in cells and BMS. With the ability to integrate the entire industry chain, we are committed to providing customers with one-stop lithium battery solutions and services. Our quality products are widely used in energy storage and light power.