After buying a vape, the next step is to select the best vape accessories. Among the numerous trimmings that your vaporizer needs to function efficiently, a quality battery should top that list. Why? There is a truckload of benefits we could list. The most important is that the right battery will ensure your vape receives enough power for optimal functioning. Vaporizers are pretty finicky devices; incorrect handling could lead to it performing poorly. In the worst cases, with cheap vapes, it could lead to a battery explosion. Apart from safeguarding the device itself, the right vape battery ensures your safety while using the device.
Now, the question is, how much are vape batteries? Like any product, vape batteries don't come with a single price tag. Several factors will determine the price, whether you're buying a battery for a budget or high-end cannabis vape.
Battery Size
Of course, the size of the battery will affect the price tag. Vape batteries come in all sorts of sizes, so it's safe to say you're spoilt for choice. But the most popular sizes are 18350, 18650, and 26650. Based on our research, the most recent models of vaporizers commonly use the 20700 and 21700 sized batteries. However, the most widely used vape battery size from the entire selection to date is the 18650.
Knowing which battery you need is really helpful, but what do all these numbers mean?
In a nutshell, these numbers represent the length and width of the battery. The first two digits listed refer to the battery width. And the remaining three digits refer to its length. So, a 18350 battery has an 18mm diameter and 35mm length. Generally, the bigger the battery size, the more it's going to cost. With that said, you can expect the 18350 vape battery to be the cheapest of the bunch, retailing for as little as $10.
The battery's size won't necessarily affect its performance; it's all about getting the correct size for your device.
Battery Life
How long a battery lasts will indicate its quality, and consequently, these aspects affect the price tag. Batteries with a longer battery life tend to cost slightly more than their shorter lifespan counterparts. But is a battery with a longer life span a better model? Not really. Again, the goal here is to purchase the right battery for your vaping needs. How? Batteries with a longer battery life tend to deliver power to your vape at a lower rate. Similarly, batteries with a low battery life have a higher discharge rate. You'll need to purchase such a battery if you'll be charging a high-wattage vape.
After all, the reality is that just like a battery charge won't last forever, neither will the battery itself. That's because, with continued use, the battery will start to degrade. So, whether you like it or not, at some point, you'll need to replace the battery. How soon you do that will depend on how you've been handling the battery. Storage practices, the charging cable you use, and your charging style are some of the things that'll determine how quickly you'll need to replace the battery.
Extra Protection Features
As mentioned before, vape batteries are pretty delicate items; they're bound to degrade with time. You can try and extend its lifespan by purchasing a quality battery with inbuilt protection features. Some manufacturers go all out to include extra protection features to enhance the battery functionality. That, in turn, significantly prolongs its lifespan. But as you can imagine, such bells and whistles will push up the price tag.
Examples of costly features include built-in overcharge protection. Let's face it, no matter how careful you are, you're going to forget your vape on the charger at some point. We won't even rule out the fact that you may accidentally leave it charging overnight. When this happens, it results in overcharging — and overcharging damages the battery prematurely.
A battery with a built-in overcharge protection feature provides some protection when this happens. The feature acts as a safety mechanism that stops the current flow from the power source to the battery as soon as the battery reaches the full charge status. For such a feature, you can expect to pay a little more, but you must admit, it may be worth the price increase to keep your battery and vape safe.
Conclusion
Vape batteries aren't one-size-fits-all. Different aspects of a battery will affect the overall price. But regardless of the battery you pick, make sure that it's the correct size for your device and supports the capacity of your vape.