Lithium-ion or lithium-polymer? The (what seems like) endless debate on batteries in modern consumer electronics. Today, we’re going to talk about the differences between these battery types. While we may not be able to settle the score once and for all on which is better. we hope to give you the information you need to make the best possible choice!
A lithium-ion battery is a rechargeable battery format that first grew in popularity thanks to their adoption by major electronics companies in the early 1990s. They are essentially a group of very rigid electricity generating compartments, which consists of three pieces: a positive electrode; a negative electrode; and an electrolyte, or liquid chemical compound between them. Most lithium-ion batteries, unlike more traditional ones, also include an electronic controller, which regulates power and discharge flows so your battery doesn’t overheat or explode.
The most significant difference between lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries is the chemical electrolyte between their positive and negative electrodes. In Li-Po batteries it isn’t a liquid. Instead, Li-Po technology uses one of three forms: a dry solid, which was largely phased out during the prototype years of lithium polymer batteries; a porous chemical compound; or, a gel-like electrolyte. The most popular among these is the last one, which is the type of battery you’ll find in newer laptop computers and electric cars. The catch is that plenty of companies are not actually selling you a true Li-Po battery, instead it’s a lithium-ion polymer battery, or a Li-ion in a more flexible casing.
Both lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries have their pros and cons. Typically, the advantages of a lithium-ion is their high power density, lack of what’s called the memory effect (when batteries become harder to charge over time), and their significantly lower cost than lithium-polymer. In the words of Wired, “Lithium-ion batteries are incredibly efficient. They stuff freakish amounts of energy in a tiny package.” But, as anyone might have seen with the recent saga of a certain cellphone brand being banned from flights, lithium-ion batteries are inherently unstable, suffer from aging, and are potentially dangerous. If the barrier that separates the positive and negative electrode is ever breached, the chemical reaction can cause combustion (fire). As Li-ion batteries have become more popular in consumer electronics, businesses have tried to lower costs by cutting corners. While quality batteries are perfectly safe, you should always be careful when buying no-name brands.
Lithium-polymer batteries, on the other hand, are generally robust and flexible, especially when it comes to the size and shape of their build. They are also lightweight, have an extremely low profile, and have a lower chance of suffering from leaking electrolyte. But lithium-polymer batteries aren’t perfect either: they are significantly more costly to manufacture, and they do not they have the same energy density (amount of power that can be stored) nor lifespan as a lithium-ion.
True to form, we’ve gone ahead and future-proofed your external battery needs by offering both lithium-ion and lithium-polymer. Our Li-Po batteries, the 22000mAh Power Bank and the 12000mah Power Bank, maintain the same quality you know and love from RAVPower. Despite their thinner profiles, they boast a huge range of internal features. These include short circuit and overcharge/discharge protection, fire retardant shell, and electronic iSmart charging module. You’ll also find Li-Po batteries in our 18000mAh Car Jump Starter. One the other hand, most our other power banks house lithium-ion interiors. And as with our lithium-polymer lineup, your Li-ion external battery contains extra features to keep you safe.
For RAVPower’s selection of Li-Ion and LiPo power banks, please click here
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RAVPower’s 16750mAh Li-Ion Power Bank
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. Find it here.We can’t wait to help you pick out your next external battery. Tell us in the comments below why you prefer lithium-ion or lithium-polymer!
Do you want to delve into the intricacies of li ion vs li polymer batteries and understand their differences? If the answer is yes! then check out this blog post which covers everything about lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries from what each type of battery is and their respective advantages and disadvantages. This informative blog post will be of great interest to anyone who uses batteries in their daily life, providing insight into which type of battery is best for their needs.
When it comes to portable power, lithium batteries are the best option for portable power due to their effectiveness, longevity, and adaptability. Lithium-ion (Li-ion) and lithium polymer (LiPo) batteries are the two primary varieties. Although they both employ lithium, their chemistry, designs, and functionalities differ. Selecting the appropriate battery for robotics applications, electric cars, RC, UAV, and UAS applications requires an understanding of the distinctions.
Before moving to the comparison of the Lipo vs Li ion battery, we have to first understand, what Lithium-ion and Lithium-polymer batteries are.
Lithium-ion batteries (LIB) are a family of rechargeable batteries having high energy density and are commonly used in consumer electronics. Unlike the disposable lithium primary battery, a LIB uses intercalated lithium compound instead of metallic lithium as its electrode.
Usually, LIBs are significantly lighter than other kinds of rechargeable batteries of similar size. LIBs are heavily used in portable electronics. These batteries can be commonly found in PDAs, iPods, cell phones, laptops, etc. This term is also known as an LI-ion.
Lithium ions move from the negative electrode (anode) to the positive electrode (cathode) when a LIB is discharging (cathode). Lithium ions move in the opposite direction when a LIB is charging, the negative electrode becomes the cathode and the positive electrode becomes the anode.
Pros of Li Ion Batteries: Why Choose Li Ion over Li Polymer?
A lithium polymer battery (LiPo, LIP, or Li-Poly) is a rechargeable battery with a soft polymer casing and a soft external "pouch" for the lithium-ion battery inside. It could also be a lithium-ion battery with a gelled polymer as the electrolyte. However, the term is most commonly used to describe a type of lithium-ion battery that comes in a pouch. The more accurate name for this type of battery is lithium-ion polymer battery.
Lithium-polymer batteries are lighter and more flexible than other kinds of lithium-ion batteries because of their soft shells, allowing them to be used in mobile and other electronic devices, as well as in remote control vehicles.
Lithium-Polymer (LiPo) batteries are the latest iteration of rechargeable battery technology. They have a number of advantages over other types, such as the Li polymer battery having higher energy density and longer service life due to their pouch cell construction that uses less space than traditional cylindrical cells. LiPo batteries also boast better performance in high temperature environments because they can handle larger charge/discharge currents with more stability compared to other chemistries. The thin film packaging reduces possible damage from physical shock or vibration, while also enabling these power sources to be lighter weight for applications requiring portability or mobility like drones and wireless speakers. Finally, greater flexibility creates opportunities for customizing design size when powering consumer electronics including smartphones and tablets making them an ideal choice wherever reliability is essential!
The lithium polymer batteries (LIPO) are most commonly used in mobile devices, power banks, very thin laptop computers, portable media players, wireless controllers for video game consoles, wireless PC peripherals, electronic cigarettes, and other applications where small form factors are considered.
Lipo vs Li ion battery comparison based on their specification:
Specifications
Lithium-Ion Battery
Lithium Polymer Battery
Energy density, WH/Kg
Higher, 100 to 250
Lower, 130 to 200
Cost
Cheap
Expensive, almost double than Li-Ion
Size
Big
Slim
Chances of explosion when overcharged
Like to explode if do not handle with care
Safe from explosion
Li-po vs Li-ion Battery Life
The charging capacity is reduced over time. Life span < 100 times
It does not lose its charging capacity as much as compared to Lithium-Ion. Lithium polymer battery life span > 1000 times
Duration of charging
Long
Short
Weight
Heavier
Light in Weight
Conversion rate
About 85 to 95 %
About 75 to 90 %
Nominal cell voltage
3.2 V
3.7 V
Safety concern
Not stable
Stable
Environment concern
Very dangerous
Somehow
Your unique needs will determine whether you choose lithium polymer (LiPo) or lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. So before choosing Li ion vs Li polymer you need to identify you needs.
To choose the ideal alternative for you, take into account elements like energy density, safety, and the intended use. When it comes to selecting between Lipo vs Li ion battery never get confused again.
In this blog post, we have learned about Lipo vs Lithium ion and what Lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries are subject to advantages and disadvantages. Lithium-ion batteries are ubiquitous and yield heightened energy density, whereas lithium-polymer batteries provide greater pliancy in terms of structure and better safety. Ultimately, one's preferences and specific needs will determine whether to opt for one over the other. Regardless of the type of battery you select, it's evident that lithium-based technology has been a game-changer in the realm of powering our gadgets and will continue to play an indispensable role for many years to come. Hence, it's crucial to stay abreast of the upsides and downsides of various battery types, such as lithium-ion and lithium-polymer, to remain up-to-date with the latest technology trends.
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