How many times can an e-cigarette battery be charged?

1. Battery type

Common e-cigarette batteries include built-in lithium-ion batteries and external 18650 batteries.

Built-in lithium batteries are usually found in small and portable e-cigarettes. The number of charging cycles of such batteries is generally 300 to 500 times. Assuming that you use an e-cigarette and charge it once a day, the service life of the built-in lithium battery is about 1 to 1.5 years. It should be noted that if the battery is frequently over-discharged or uses inferior charging equipment, it may begin to decay in less than 300 times.

For external 18650 lithium batteries, it can be charged 500 to 1000 times, depending on its capacity and quality. Generally speaking, the capacity of external batteries is between 2500mAh and 3500mAh, which makes them support longer use time and reduce the charging frequency. A 3000mAh 18650 battery can be used for nearly two years if used once a day, which is much more economical and practical than the built-in battery.

If you have two 18650 batteries, the number of charging times is doubled, and the risk of battery damage due to long-term overuse is avoided.

Keeping the battery charged at the right temperature is also an important factor affecting the number of charging times. The optimal operating temperature of lithium-ion batteries is between 20°C and 30°C. If the battery is frequently charged at too high or too low a temperature, the life of the battery may be shortened by more than 30%. In this case, a battery that can be charged 500 times may significantly reduce its performance after 300 times.

Power is also a key factor in determining battery life. Electronic cigarette devices with high power output consume more battery and usually accelerate battery loss. If the output power of an electronic cigarette device is 60W, the battery life may be shortened by 20%-30% compared to the battery of a 30W device.

2. Usage habits

Avoiding deep discharge is a key to extending the life of e-cigarette batteries. The optimal power range of lithium-ion batteries is between 20% and 80%. When the power is too low, deep discharge will damage the internal chemical structure of the battery and reduce the number of recharges. If you are used to waiting until the battery is completely exhausted before charging, a battery with 300 charging cycles may only be used about 200 times. On the contrary, if the battery power is kept within the appropriate range and only 20%-30% of the power is consumed each time, the number of battery charges can be close to the theoretical value.

The choice of charging equipment is also very important. Using an inappropriate charger or a charger with too high power may cause the battery to overheat and affect its life. Taking the lithium battery commonly used in e-cigarettes as an example, the standard charging current should be 0.5C (C represents the capacity of the battery). If your battery is 2000mAh, the ideal charging current is 1A. If you use a current of 2A or higher to charge, it will accelerate battery aging and reduce its number of charging cycles.

The output power setting when using e-cigarettes also has a direct impact on the life of the battery. Although high-power devices can provide stronger smoke effects, they will also consume batteries faster. For example, if you set the device to 50W power mode, the battery consumption will be twice as large as 25W power each time you smoke, and the number of times the battery can be charged will be reduced by about 20%-30%. Long-term high-power use will also cause the internal temperature of the battery to rise, further damaging its life.

Temperature control is another factor that is often overlooked. Lithium batteries are prone to aging when working in high temperature environments, and their efficiency will decrease in low temperature environments. Especially in summer, avoid placing e-cigarettes in cars or direct sunlight. Such high temperature environments will shorten the battery life by about 30%.

Daily maintenance also includes avoiding leaving the battery idle for a long time without charging. If you do not use e-cigarette equipment for a long time, it is recommended to keep the battery power at about 50% to avoid excessive self-discharge of the battery.

 

3. Charging equipment quality

It is recommended to use a charger that matches the capacity of the lithium-ion battery of the e-cigarette. If your battery capacity is 2000mAh, it is recommended to use a 5V 1A charger. If you use a charger with too high power, such as a fast charger, although the charging speed will increase, the excessive charging current will cause the battery to heat up internally, which may reduce its charging times by more than 30% in the long run. Overheating can also affect the material structure of the battery, causing problems such as battery expansion and leakage.

Poor-quality charging cables usually cannot withstand stable current transmission, which may cause unstable or damaged battery charging. If you find that the charging cable becomes hot or has poor contact during charging, it is recommended to replace it with a reliable quality cable immediately.

Many users will use mobile phone chargers or charging heads of other devices to charge e-cigarettes, but not all charging heads are suitable for e-cigarette batteries. Taking common chargers as an example, the power range of most mobile phone chargers on the market is between 5W and 20W, while e-cigarette batteries are usually more suitable for charging power of 5W to 10W. If you use a charging head with too high power, it may cause the battery to lose more life in a short period of time, and even increase the risk of damage.

The charging environment is also crucial to extending the number of battery charges. Charging in a humid or overheated environment will greatly shorten the battery life. In a humid environment, the charging interface is easily damp and oxidized, resulting in a decrease in battery charging efficiency. If the battery is charged at too high a temperature (over 40°C), the number of times it can be charged may be halved in just a few months. Keeping the battery charged at a suitable temperature of 20°C to 30°C can extend the number of times it can be charged by about 20%-30%.

 

4. Ambient temperature

High temperature environments are particularly harmful to batteries. The ideal operating temperature range for lithium batteries is between 20°C and 30°C. If used or charged in an environment above 40°C for a long time, the battery life may be shortened by about 30%. In real life, many people are accustomed to placing electronic cigarettes in cars or in direct sunlight, which can cause the battery to overheat, and in severe cases may cause the battery to swell or even explode. Assuming that a battery designed to be charged 500 times may only be charged 300 times in a high temperature environment. Therefore, in the hot summer, avoid placing electronic cigarettes in cars or other confined spaces, and choose a cool and ventilated place when charging.

Low temperature environments are also not conducive to battery charging. Below 0°C, the internal chemical reaction of lithium batteries slows down, resulting in a significant decrease in the battery's charging and discharging efficiency. Under such conditions, the battery may only be able to use 70%-80% of its capacity after being fully charged, and the charging time will be extended. When using an e-cigarette outdoors in winter, if the temperature is -10°C, a battery that could be charged 300 times may only be charged about 200 times.

Rapid temperature changes can also cause damage to the battery. For example, when entering a warm room from the outdoors in a cold winter, or entering an air-conditioned room in a hot summer, the e-cigarette battery will experience a large temperature difference. If charged immediately under such circumstances, the temperature change inside the battery will accelerate its aging process. To avoid this, it is recommended to wait for the e-cigarette to return to normal room temperature after the temperature change before charging.

The ambient temperature during charging has a direct impact on charging efficiency and safety. Charging in a high or low temperature environment will not only prolong the charging time, but also cause the battery to overheat or incompletely charge. For example, when charging in an environment above 35°C, the battery temperature is likely to exceed the safe range, which may reduce the number of charges by 20%-30%, while increasing the risk of damage. If the room temperature is below 10°C, the battery's chemical reaction rate decreases, the charging speed becomes slower, and long-term inefficient charging will also reduce the battery's charging efficiency.