Using regular AA or AAA-batteries for a vape might seem like a silly idea for most veteran vapers. But a lot of beginners have this commonly asked vaping question: Can you or can you not use regular rechargeable or one-time use batteries in a vape? Let’s answer this today and learn something about the power usage, wattage and overall battery use of vaping devices.
Last week I discussed a very pressing and potentially dangerous issue on this blog, which was the topic of charging your batteries overnight. Do check that article out if you’re just starting to learn about recharging your vapes, because doing it the wrong way might seriously damage your battery lifespan. Anyhow, let’s first check out which types go inside your everyday regular mod.
Can You Use Regular AA Or AAA Batteries For A Vape?
The regular AA- or AAA-batteries, commonly used in electronic appliances, do not provide enough current for a vape. Mods would require the use of too many AA-type cells in order to meet the amperage requirements. Therefore, vape mods usually require more powerful Lithium-Ion based batteries for a strong vape draw.
However, this does not mean that there are no vape mods that will work on AA-batteries. The Joyetech Batpack is one of the few devices that will happily draw power from AA-batteries for your vaping pleasure. The mod only outputs 1.85 volts, but that’s perfect for a tank of this stature. Now you’re not going to get massive clouds from a device like this, but it’s pretty awesome that it exists in the first place.
Seems pretty cool right! It’s a neat little device that’s environmentally conscious. But that doesn’t mean the “usual” vape batteries are inherently bad. I’d say on the contrary, because if you try to get the most out of your charges, you will be able to use them for a very long time. Let’s check out the most common types that usually be gobbled up by a mod to draw power from. I bet you already heard of these number based ones.
What Kind Of Batteries Go In A Vape?
Most vapes use regular Lithium-Ion batteries of the types 18650, 20700, 21700 or 26650. Most commonly used are the types: ICR (LiCoO2 or LiCd), IMR (LiMn), or hybrid batteries. IMR batteries use safer chemistry than ICR’s. Batteries should always go properly wrapped in your vaping device (for safety reasons).
So, what makes these bigger numbers or the rather complicated chemical makeup different? The different types aren’t necessarily better, it just depends on the device you’re using. Here’s a quick overview of the differences between the most common Lithium-Ion type battery packs:
·18650: First-generation Lithium-Ion. The numbers stand for the measurement of the batteries, i.e. 18mm diameter and 65mm length. The zero stands for a cylindrical battery. The capacity of these types is supported by most types of mods, 1200mAh to 3600mAh.
·20700: Box mods from 2017 widely use these bad boys, having a diameter of 20mm and a length of 70mm. This makes them a tiny bit bigger than the OG 18650’s. Again, the zero at the end indicates this being a cylindrical battery. This is true for all vape power sources.
·21700: The baby of 2018, a whopping 1mm in diameter more than its predecessor. I predict most vape batteries will be the size of a fridge by 2069. Works fine in 18650’s or 20700’s when using a battery sleeve (adaptor). Only some mods support them as is.
·26650: The Cartman of the friend group, these fatties are only liked by a select group of vaping products. With a diameter of 26mm and a length of just 65mm, they’re the odd ones out from the group, but they do pack a lot of energy in those wider bellies.
As most of the market is focused in on using the good old 18650’s, your best bet would generally be to purchase those where possible. They’re widely available in vape stores online, without the possibility of them ever putting a dent in your wallet. The price of these double packs are a joke, but it is important to change them up at least once every year (for normal use). But when choosing your 18650’s, it’s pretty difficult to differentiate between them.
Can You Use Any 18650 Battery For Vaping?
When choosing a 18650 battery for vaping, you are best off by choosing a high-quality brand (Samsung, Sony, LG), mostly for safety reasons. You can expect to get over 250 recharging cycles with a branded battery. In theory, however, any 18650 cell-type battery would be suitable for your vaping device.
The reason I always advise people to go with big, commonly known brands is simple. You have no idea if an obscure brand will provide you with the same product quality, which is a risk you should not take for a vulnerable product like this. Especially when it comes to 18650-cells, it is key to go for products that are proven safe. We are working with electronic high-capacity products here! The advantages of these higher capacity power sources over regular AA or AAA-cells are plentiful and obvious:
1.Increased Capacity: The 18650 battery capacity ranges between 1200 mAh and 3600 mAh, while regular AA-cells only have a capacity around 800mAh;
2.Longer Lifespan: The total lifespan of lithium-ion rechargeable batteries is double that of AA-cells (about 250 times);
3.Improved Safety Performance: High-quality wrapped 18650-cells are at no risk of explosions, they are non-flammable, non-toxic and almost completely pollution-free;
4.Higher Voltage: The voltage of the common 18650 battery ranges from 3.6V, 3.8V all the way to 4.2V, which is much higher than your ordinary AA-cells.
Do Vapes Come With Batteries?
While most vapes will indicate whether or not batteries are included, you can generally choose between vapes that have a removable battery option or vapes with a built-in battery pack. These batteries tend to be pre-charged for your convenience, but will also come with a charging cable as well for easy recharging.
Whereas most starter kits have Li-Ion power sources included in the deal, the cheaper looking deals can sometimes have tiny letters that say “batteries not included”, even when they are in the image. This is somethign you always need to be aware of when shopping on obscure websites. This is exactly why I advise people to stick to well-known stores wherever possible. The stores that I tend to mention on this blog always have a large customer base and a good repution.
So if you’re unsure where to shop for your power cells or a new vape mod, it’s an easy solution to simply pick some of the stores you see mentioned in my articles. Or simply click on the “Shop” button at the top of this page in the menu. That will take you to our partnered store, which is one of the largest e-commerce brands in the world. Guarenteed low prices and high quality, while still having a decent costumer service! Let me reveal the store to you below…
Where To Buy New Batteries For Your Vape Mod
Most online stores offer some type of 18650 batteries for your mods. However, I recommend using some bigger e-commerce stores to get the best quality products.
Now obviously, there are a lot more reasons for choosing certain types of components for your vapes. This article provides you with a good overview of the reasons people pick certain batteries for their vapes over others. It’s where I also recommend some of my personal picks. Choosing these products is always with a balance between price and quality in mind. That’s what I do for all the products you can find on this overview page. I highly recommend that overview if you’re still a beginner and trying to figure out what the best stuff to purchase is in terms of e-cigarettes. Hope this article was helpful for you, and as always: Vape on!