With so many battery choices, you’ll need to find the right battery type and size for your particular device. There are two basic battery types:
- Alkaline batteries
- Lithium batteries
What is the difference between both of them? And which is the most suitable for you? This article will take you to know more details.
Lithium batteries fundamentals
At present, the main types of lithium batteries on the market are divide into lithium cobalt oxide, lithium manganate, lithium nickel oxide, ternary materials, lithium iron phosphate, etc.
According to the shape, the lithium battery can be divided into cylindrical cells and prismatic cells.
(Click here to know: The difference between cylindrical cells and prismatic cells)
According to the material, it can be divided into ternary lithium-ion batteries and lithium iron phosphate batteries.
Different energy can be stored inside the cell according to the capacity. For example, a 6000mah 32650 LFP cell can store three times the energy that stored in a 2000mah 18650 NCM cell.
Alkaline batteries fundamentals
Standard alkaline batteries is a manganese/zinc galvanic battery with an alkaline electrolyte. In most cases, alkaline batteries have a cathode of manganese dioxide (MnO2) with graphite-containing material and an anode of zinc paste (Zn). Potassium hydroxide (KOH) is used as the electrolyte.
Comparison between lithium vs alkaline batteries
Types
The type of alkaline batteries:
- 9 volts
- AAA
- AA
- Coin shaped cell batteries.
The type of lithium batteries:
Lithium iron phosphate battery technology are popular in the market since they have high performance. For more models, you can visit ELB Battery Center
Price
Since alkaline batteries are mostly disposable and use cheap materials, they cost significantly less than lithium batteries.
Lithium batteries may cost 5 times more than alkaline batteries, but lithium batteries last 8 or even 10 cycles longer than alkaline batteries. Also, Lithium batteries maintain their full voltage almost at the end of their charge life, while Alkaline batteries reduce their voltage output throughout their performance. In this way, the cost of each use is obviously more cost-effective for lithium ions.
Voltage
When we talk about the voltage of Lithium vs Alkaline battery, Alkaline battery is 1.5V nominal voltages per cell, while Lithium battery nominal voltages of 1.5V to 3.0V.
Lithium-ion batteries are suitable for more powerful devices as they are around 3.6v/3.2v per cell. Li-Ion batteries can make up 72v Li-Ion battery packs and even higher voltage battery packs, which means that Li-Ion batteries will provide better performance than Alkaline batteries.
Capacity
The capacity of a battery means the amount of energy it can store. Lithium batteries have a higher capacity than alkaline batteries obviously. Compared to alkaline batteries, lithium batteries can provide a amount of energy for a long time. Lithium batteries also have a slower self-discharge rate, the capacity can be 1200mAH to 200Ah.
Cycle lifes
When comparing the life of lithium batteries vs alkaline batteries, the lifespan of lithium ion batteries is four times that of alkaline batteries. Alkaline is about 300 cycles, but the Lithium battery can last 10000~4000 cycles.
Performance
Lithium batteries are always rechargeable models. Lithium batteries offer more life compared to alkaline batteries.
But for alkaline batteries, leakages and short circuits are a potential hazard to explosions and overheating during recharging.
The alkaline batteries are mostly for low application devices like remote controls, toys and flashlights because of their low voltage output.
But lithium batteries are used in high level equipment like medical devices, cameras.
These lithium batteries are also preferred in new-age devices due to their light weight as well as density.The light nature of a lithium ion battery makes it suitable for use in electronic vehicles because its power to weight ratio means that a car can survive for longer periods of time on a one charge.
Why should we choice lithium batteries instead of alkaline batteries?
Longer lifespan
Compared to alkaline batteries, the main advantages of lithium batteries is their longer lifespan. On the other hand, Lithium batteries are rechargeable batteries, which means they can continue to charge/discharge to a full state. This is achieved by the flow of current through its circuit in the opposite direction of the current flow during discharge.
Lighter weight
Lithium batteries are much lighter than alkaline batteries. This feature provides advantages for their applications in devices such as power tools, portable wearables, and electric vehicles. They also last longer, which makes them widely used in high-tech smart devices and electronic devices.
Cost saving
As I mentioned above, since alkaline batteries are mostly disposable and use cheap materials, they cost significantly less than lithium batteries.
Lithium batteries may cost 5 times more than alkaline batteries, but lithium batteries last 8 or even 10 cycles longer than alkaline batteries. Also, Lithium batteries maintain their full voltage almost at the end of their charge life, while Alkaline batteries reduce their voltage output throughout their performance. In this way, the cost of each use is obviously more cost-effective for lithium ions.
Environmentally friendly
Alkaline batteries are primary batteries, which means they are disposable. Not easily recharged after a single use, and discarded when fully discharged. Therefore, we must replace them once they are fully discharged. The lithium battery is a rechargeable lithium battery and can be recycled. More than 90% of the raw materials are recyclable, so the lithium battery is also environmentally friendly.
Video explaination about lithium battery vs alkaline batteries
Where we can find the best lithium battrey manufacturer?
ELB is a lithium battery manufacturer who specially produce all kinds of lithium battery, welcome to visit the product center to see if there are any batteries meet your requirement. Or you can connect with ELB technical team to ask for inquiry.
Related article
1. Related article 《Top 10 Lithium Battery Manufacturers in China》
2. Related article 《How Do Lithium Ion Batteries Work?》
3. Related article 《Benefits Of Lithium Batteries》
4. Related article 《How to extend lithium battery life?》
5. Related article 《Lithium Battery Charging: The Definitive Guide》
