The Best Vape Battery Chargers of 2021: Lightning in a Charger
Vape battery chargers are a must-have accessory for vapers who prefer using high-powered vaping devices like box and mech mods. They are also essential for other battery-powered devices that take high-capacity batteries like 18650s or any similar battery type. Battery chargers have several different characteristics that depend on a user's personal preferences.
James BickfordUpdated: April 7, 2021
Most popular
Efest LUC V4 Charger
10/10
Many different cell types supported
Has four protections: over-voltage, over-discharging protection, short-circuit and built-in reverse polarity protection
The charger has an alarm notification
The Efest LUC V4 charger has four independent, adjustable battery slots to accommodate several types. There is an LCD readout for each sl...
The battery chargers on this list can service a wide variety of batteries, although two are compatible only with 18650 cells. The rest are multi-platform, meaning they can take various cells, but they were also chosen based on their performance, their features, their price point as well as their ease-of-use.
An external USB port lets users charge their USB compatible devices while there is a cell in the second slot
The Efest LUC V4 charger has four independent, adjustable battery slots to accommodate several types. There is an LCD readout for each slot. When users insert a battery, the Efest detects its voltage, as well as the time remaining to recharge. The LCD screen also tells users of the current charging mode and when the charge is done.
Users can also select from among variable amperages, 0.5A, 1A or 2A. The Efest LUC V4 charger can charge 18650 batteries as well as the larger-capacity 26650 cells. When a user sets the Efest LUC V4 for 0.5A or 1A charging, all four slots are available. When it is set for 2A charging, only two slots can be used.
The Efest LUC V4 comes with a 12V power supply and a user’s manual. It also has an external USB port for charging other battery-powered mods. Users need to install a cell into slot #2 and then press and hold the power button to activate the external charger.
The microprocessor can detect and charge batteries based on their type
Active Current Distribution technology (ACT) diverts power from fully-charged batteries to ones that are still charging
Cons:
No overcharging or automatic shut-off protection
The Nitecore Intellicharger i4 is an updated version of a previous charger that has several improvements. The new Intellicharger i4 is two times faster than the original i4. It features 1.5A charging rather than the .75A output of the first i4.
The Nitecore i4 has four slots with a metal rail for the batteries, also a new addition. The slots, and the charger, both support Li-ion and Ni-Mh batteries, as well as many other popular styles. The slots can handle cells within a range of 30mm (1.2 inches) to 69mm (2.7 inches).
The Nitecore Intellicharger i4 comes with a user manual and a mains cable that connects to the external power source. The unit itself features two connectors, one for a 12V DC connection and the other for the primary power source.
The asMODus D-500-TY battery analyzer and charger is a multi-use unit that charges as well as analyzes batteries. The unit has only a single battery bay, so it does not have the same capability as multiple-bay units.
The D-500-TY has the aim of informing vapers on three essential battery specs: the resistance, the capacity, and the max output capacity. The device has four modes, and a four-button control panel to switch between modes. The LCD above the panel also lets vapers know all they want to know about their cells.
When users insert their cell to charge it or check the resistance, the capacity or the output, they have to select the mode, using the “Mode” button. The device beeps at specific points, like when it analyzes the resistance.
It has an automatic shut-off when charging finished
Works well with larger cells as well
Cons:
No LCD screen
Can get a little hot
The Nitecore Q2 charger is a small, portable device that has two charging modes. The Q2 measures 4.94″ x 2.35″ x 1.43″ so it is perfect for on-the-go trips and vacations. Also, the Q2 is compatible with most car adapters.
The Nitecore Q2 features two battery slots, with individual LED lights. The Q2 charger supports only Lithium-ion and IMR batteries. As the Q2 has actual current diversion (ACD), it can send power to a cell when needed and stop it when it is full.
It can also read and detect the appropriate current for each cell. One slot features 1A charging and the other has 2A charging. The device does away with an LCD and instead has two LED lights above each slot. The LED turns either red (for an error), light red (charging), or green (charging complete).
Crisp and clear LCD shows all relevant information
External USB charging port
Cons:
Heavy, not portable
The Efest LUC V6 is one of the biggest battery chargers out there, as it has six independent slots. Amazingly enough, the V6 has only one operating button, and measures 4.4″ x 3.7″ x 1.4″. The single operating button is to change between the different amperage outputs, which range between 0.68A and 2A.
The Efest V6, like its cousin the V4, has a digital LCD for vapers to check the voltage and the current status of the battery charge. Also, like the V4, the V6 features an external USB charging port that functions only when the whole unit is unplugged.
The Efest LUC V6 supports various battery types from 18650 to the larger, more high-capacity 26650. The battery slots can take cells that measure somewhere between 30mm (1.2 inches) and 70mm (2.8 inches).
The VaporFi 2-Bay battery charger is a simple-to-use device, designed for both amateur and experienced vapers alike. It is exclusively a 18650 battery charger, as it does not take any other sized or capacity cell.
The unit can output a maximum voltage of 4.2V. It has an automatic cutoff feature that stops charging when the cell is full. The unit comes with an AC wall charger pack. There is a selector switch on the side that lets users select the preferred charge.
The choice is between 4.2V and 3.7V. The device is free of any other buttons or switches and is also free of any LCD. There are LED lights that indicate when the cells are charging and when they are done.
It has several functions (USB data transfer, external charging)
Battery Priority Selector switch gives users more control
It can detect and set the right current for any compatible battery
Cons:
Cannot take any cells larger than 18650
The Nitecore UM10 is a single-cell charger suitable for Li-Po and IMR batteries. The device has only one slot, but it supports various types and capacities, with the largest one being 18650 cells. The device features a micro USB port on the back, where there is also a switch marked “Battery” and “USB.”
This switch lets the user choose what to charge. When the UM10 has an external power source, users can choose to charge the connected USB device first, then the battery. Conversely, users can also switch the device to the “Battery,” so it charges first, then loads the USB device.
The single-slot can accommodate batteries between 30mm (1.2 inches) and 69mm (2.8 inches) in length and diameter. The UM10 comes with a USB charging cable, and can also act as a data transfer point when plugged into another device.
The Hohm School 2-slot charger features 2A charging for each slot and can take li-ion batteries with or without PCB/PCM. The slots each have adjustable metal rails, so the charger can take cells as small as 30mm (1.2 inches) and as long as 71mm (2.8 inches).
The Hohm School requires no LCD or any other type of display, as it is entirely autonomous. It can detect and calibrate the current or charge for each battery. With its built-in BLD or battery length detection system, the Hohm School 2 measures the cell and then determines the correct amperage, bringing it up or down. The unit also features overcharge, short-circuit, and reverse polarity direction for added protection.
The ESYB S6 6-bay vape battery charger features six independent battery slots with metal rails that can fit almost any size battery. The unit can handle everything from double and triple-A batteries to the larger 18650 and 26650 variety. Each bay has its LED that monitors and shows the current status of the cell.
The ESYB S6 also has two charging modes, CC (constant current) and CV (constant voltage). Each bay has a different capacity. The four center bays can hold four Li-Ion 18650 batteries and use 0.5A charging. At the same time, users can install two more cells on the outer two bays to enable 1A charging for those two cells.
The S6 comes with various safety features as well. It stops charging automatically when the process is done. The S6 also comes with reverse polarity, overcharging and over-voltage protection. The entire charger comes encased in a fire-resistant, ABS plastic to keep it sturdy and durable.
Types of Battery Chargers
The vape battery chargers here, no matter if they are 18650 battery chargers, 20700 battery chargers or 21700 vape battery chargers, all have a lot in common. Only one is an exclusive 18650 battery charger, while the others can fit various sizes and types.
All chargers should at least have the following:
Reverse polarity protection: keeps batteries from charging when they are installed improperly
Over-charging protection: stops charging a cell once the process is complete
Short-circuit protection: to protect against overcurrents and break the connection
One main difference between all these chargers is the number of slots they have. They have single, dual, triple, quad and sextuple slots for charging many batteries at the same time. For someone who is a heavy vaper, and has a lot of different box mods, a charger with multiple bays would be the best choice.
The vape chargers with many slots can also take several battery types, which make them perfect for non-vaping uses as well. Also, even if they are 18650 battery chargers, they can become 20700, as well as 21700 or 26650 battery chargers whereas a moderate to beginner vaper would go with the smaller, more manageable and easier-to-use, dual or triple slot chargers.
How to Charge Vape Batteries
All the best 18650 battery chargers, as well as all the best 20700, 21700 and 26650 battery chargers, come with standard safety features. These features do not mean that users should ignore basic battery safety rules. Rules like:
Never use or charge batteries with torn, broken or ripped wraps
Never leave batteries in the charger after they have finished charging (over-charging protection will solve this problem, but it is best to remove full cells)
Make sure the charger is compatible with the chemical elements inside battery (e.g., lithium-ion, lithium-polymer, NiCad, NiChrome, etc.)
Never force an ill-fitting battery into a slot, make sure the cell fits comfortably
If you have replaceable cells for your mod, charge them in an external unit; do not charge them via the device’s USB port
Which Charger Is Right For You?
The best 18650 or even best 26650 battery chargers might not be the “best” for everyone. Picking the best battery charger depends on how often and for what exactly you need batteries. A unit like the ESYB S6 that has six slots is perfect for people who need batteries all the time for whatever reason, vapes, flashlights, smoke detectors, personal electronics, etc..
While something like the Nitecore UM10 has only two battery bays, is smaller and therefore much more portable, while also having several non-charging features. The Nitecore UM10 can act as a data transfer point, as well as an external USB charger for other portable vape mods.
The Nitecore UM10 is suited more for people always on the go, and who need more than just a charger. With that said, people should pick the charger that best suits their needs. Whether it is for a triple-celled 18650 vape mod, or running a simple flashlight or having a portable back-up charger, these units can do it all.
Final Thoughts
Vape battery chargers have their place in the supply chain that supports the biggest and most potent vaping mods, namely 18650 box and mech mods. Without chargers, vaping wouldn’t exist, and choosing the best 18650 battery charger comes down to a few things.
Safety is first, so make sure they have several protections or even a heat-dissipating design that will prevent it from overheating. Then come the added features like LCD screens, intelligent, onboard microprocessors, as well as several ports to charge many batteries simultaneously.
With these characteristics checked off the list, the best 20700 battery charger or the best 21700 charger then comes down to personal preference, and with the selection above, it should not be a hard decision.
Published: July 25, 2019Updated: April 7, 2021
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James Bickford
My way of understanding the significance of vaping came not only through the disruption of smoking but its effects on society as a whole. Now I bring people to vaping and bring vaping to people. I love using new gear, writing in-depth reviews and generally nerding out about vaping to like-minded people.
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