Lithium 14500 Battery – Equivalents and Replacements Guide

Published on: June 9, 2022
Written by Liam Jaxon / Fact-checked by David Rowan

Of the numerous batteries on the handy electric gadget market, the lithium 14500 batteries stand well-regarded because of their respective uses. Before using 14500 batteries, you have to know in detail info on battery equivalents and replacements. Otherwise, a wrong device or wrong battery can damage everything. 

Alternatively, choosing the right battery is not easy enough for a lot of brands. The lithium 14500 batteries are extremely common and used in power tools, cordless power electronic devices, flashlights, etc. 

In most cases, these batteries are distinguished from the AA batteries although both have many similar features. AA batteries have a lower power rating than the 14500 batteries. 

And if you are interested in 14500 battery equivalent & replacement and desire to know some necessary question-answer, you will read the article.

What Is a 14500 Lithium Battery?

From the two battery types, rechargeable and non-rechargeable, the lithium 14500 batteries are rechargeable. Like other lithium rechargeable batteries, this, however, is coming to use in high-drain appliances. 

Whatever you can apply this portable battery flashlights & photo equipment or medical devices. But, for fashionable wristwatches, the silver-oxide battery is better. You can see the SR721SW battery. 

The most important feature is their strong charging and discharging cycles that help to procure powerful currents on your devices. 

What Do You Need to Pay Attention to Choose 14500 Battery

Features And Specifications 

When you compare the 14500 lithium rechargeable battery with others, you get some exceptional features and benefits. What’s? The physical dimensions are ~0.551 x 2.087 inches or 14 x 53 mm. So, the diameter is 14 mm and the height is 53 mm. You have to also consider the battery chemistry to understand nominal capacity, typical voltage, charging, or discharging currents. 

Voltage And Capacity

The most common 14500 batteries feature nominal voltage is 3.2 to 3.7 volts and the capacity starts from 600 and ends up 2000+ mAh. Thanks for their wide charging/discharging cycles.  Even though they can protect against some unexpected conditions. This is why you don’t think about the high or low voltage or temperature.

Chemistry

There are several chemistries used for the 14500 batteries. Some important are below:

1. Lithium Manganese Nickel

The common label of the lithium Manganese Nickel chemistry battery is INR and often LiNiMnCoO2. The INR 14500 battery stands with some similar features to the IMR 14500 battery chemistry. Both come with quite a lower capacity than other chemistries. But IMR and lithium Manganese Nickel chemistry batteries are capable of providing higher currents

2. Lithium Manganese Oxide

Lithium Manganese Oxide is also known as IMR or LiMn204. LiMn204 14500 battery has a maximum charging voltage of 4.2 volts. On average, the typical voltage is 3.6 to 3.7 per cell and can provide stronger currents although the capacity is smaller than the other chemistries 14500 batteries. 

3. Lithium Iron Phosphate

Lithium Iron Phosphate or IFR or liFePO4 14500 battery chemistry includes a standard voltage and capacity. The minimum typical voltage is 3.2 volts and the maximum is 3.6 volts. Some manufacturers offer between 3.2 and 3.3 volts or 3.5 to 3.6 volts. The major thing is their safety issue. Yes, IFR 14500 lithium battery chemistry is completely safe and used in many devices. 

4. Lithium Cobalt Oxide

Lithium Cobalt Oxide is familiar with ICR and LiCoO2 14500 battery chemistry. The maximum charging voltage can reach 4.2 volts where on average nominal voltage is 3.6 to 3.7 volts. This chemistry contains a higher capacity than the Lithium Iron Phosphate chemistry battery.

Lithium 14500 Battery vs AA Battery

Lithium 14500 battery and AA battery have very similar physical dimensions. 14500 battery features (D x H) 14 x 53 mm dimensions and AA battery has (D x H) 14.5 x 50.5 mm. Just because of their relatively similar physical dimensions, some companies labeled them as AA batteries instead of using lithium 14500 batteries. 

Definition	Lithium 14500 Battery	AA Battery
Physical Dimensions (D×H)	Lithium 14500 battery’s physical dimensions are slightly different from AA batteries. The diameter stands 0.5 mm lower but the height is 2.5 mm higher than the AA battery.	AA battery comes with a slightly higher diameter but lower height than the Lithium 14500 battery. But, the size of the AA and AAA batteries is smaller than the C-cell batteries.
Capacity Rate	The capacity range of the 14500 batteries is between 600 mAh and 2000+ mAh.	AA batteries indicate mainly alkaline or NiMH batteries in the standard “AA” size. They have a nominal capacity of about 2000 to 3000 mAh or 2 to 3 Ah.
Electronic Profile	The electronic profile of the 14500 differs from the AA batteries. The cell voltage of the 14500 batteries ranges between 3.2 and 3.7 volts. This voltage is the total voltage for a fully discharged battery. On average, the discharge range is 2.5 volts and 4.2 volts although it is better to keep up to 3.0 volts for your battery’s perfect health.	The cell voltage of the AA batteries is lower than the lithium 14500 battery. With the cell voltage of 1.2 volts to 1.5 volts. A discharge rate is 1.5 and 0.9 volts. It doesn’t work below one volt.

Note: Though often lithium 14500 batteries are labeled as rechargeable lithium AA batteries, both have several chemistries. It is better to see the below chart of the most common chemistries.

Chemistry	General Name	Battery Type	Typical Voltage	Capacity (mAh)
Zinc Carbon	R6, 15D	Non-rechargeable	1.5 volts	600 to 1600
Alkaline	LR6, 15A	Non-rechargeable	1.5. volts	1800 – 2700
Li-ion	14500	Rechargeable	3.6 to 3.7 volts	600 – 2000+
Li-FeS2	FR6, 15LF	Non-rechargeable	1.5 (1.8 max) V	2700 – 3300
LiFePO4	IFR14500	Rechargeable	3.2 volts	500-750
Li-MnO2	CR AA	Non-rechargeable	3.0 volts	~2000
Li-SOCl2	(14505)	Non-rechargeable	3.5 to 3.6 V	2400-2700
Lithium		Rechargeable	1.5 volts	1000-2000+
NiCd	KR6, 1.2K2	Rechargeable	1.2 V	600-1000
NiOOH		Non-rechargeable	1.5 (1.7 max)	2200-2700
NiMH	HR6, 1.2H2	Rechargeable	1.2 volts	700-2800

So, the capacity of the 14500 and AA  batteries depends on the battery chemistry, storage/usage temperature, battery age, drain currents, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Is a 14500 Battery the Same as AA?

The straight answer is no, but almost. Both are very similar in size but have different capacities and voltages, which we have already discussed. 

How Many mAh is a 14500 Battery?

A 14500 battery cell capacity rated 1100 mAh although on average rate from 600 to 

2000+ mAh. 

Are 18650 and 14500 Batteries Interchangeable?

Though 18650 and 14500 batteries have some similarities, they are not suitable interchangeably due to their district characteristics. 

The 14500 lithium-ion batteries’ power outputs are lower than the 18650 lithium-ion type of batteries. Plus, the 18650 lithium battery size (18 mm) is quite bigger than the 14500 battery type. Even both batteries have several weights. 

Another important thing is any 18650 battery is technically better and provides higher power capacity than the 14500 battery. But, the 14500 battery is standard and reliable for using devices. 

Wrapping It Up

Ultimately, 14500 batteries are technically a great source of power to continue different portable electronic devices. Even these batteries are best known for their incredible energy densities, good capacity, and lightweight but the discharge range is lower than other rechargeable batteries. So, it is a combination of desirable characteristics that you expected. 

There are multiple brands nowadays. For durability as well as maximum life cycle, you have to collect your batteries from a reliable source. Don’t forget to use the appropriate 14500 battery charger to charge them safely.