Panasonic NCR18650PF vs LG MG1: 2900mAh/10A cells' discharge capacity test

People usually buy these cells for their capacity/price ratio and 10A max discharge current. Queen Battery sells NCR18650PF for $2.35 and MG1 for $2.20 (shipping not included).

As always, and the tests were done using ZKETECH EBC-A20, which supports up to 20A discharge, 4-wire measurement and is PC-connected.

I'm using the v2.5 of my battery holder with 0.3mm thick pure copper pads.

I've followed all the prescriptions of the IEC61960-2003 standard concerning battery's capacity measurement. Before each discharging cycle each battery was charged at standard current mentioned in its datasheet to charge end voltage (4.2V) (cut-off at 0.1A, which is the lowest supported by EBC-A20). Before each discharging or charging i've held a 1-1.5hrs pause. The environment temperature was about 25°C. To be sure in results i've done each test minimum twice.

Panasonic NCR18650PF

This cell was marked C AV 7522 where C is the rank and 7522 is the production date code (7-2017 5-May 22)

I've found a plenty of official datasheets for this cell across the web with different Std charge current ratings (1925mA, 1,35A, 1375mA). 1.375A was mentioned in two of 4 datasheets so i chose that current.

The main specs from the most complete Panasonic NCR18650PF datasheet (pdf):
Rated capacity: 2700mAh at 20°C
Minimum capacity: 2750mAh at 25°C
Typical capacity: 2900mAh at 25°C
Nominal voltage: 3.6V
Standard charge current: 1.375A
Charge end voltage: 4.2V
Charge cut-off current: 100mA
Max. discharge current: 10A
Discharge cut-off voltage: 2.5V
AC impedance at 1KHz: ≤35mΩ
Maximum weight: 47g

My sample's measured weight is 46.23g

DC internal resistance at full charge is 26-29mOhm

Capacity test results:

More than 2950mAh at 0.2C discharge and almost 2800mAh even at 10A - great performance. Nothing to add.

LG 18650 MG1

This guy's marking is LGGBMG11865 P265I214N2 where P265 is the manufacturing date (P-2016, 265th day of the year - Sep 22)

The main specifications from LG MG1 datasheet (pdf):
Minimum capacity: 2750mAh
Nominal capacity: 2850mAh
Nominal voltage: 3.62V
Standard charge current: 1.425A
Max. charge current: 2.85A
Charge end voltage: 4.2V
Charge cut-off current: 50mA
Max. discharge current: 10A
Discharge cut-off voltage: 2.5V
AC impedance at 1KHz: ≤35mΩ
Weight (approx.): 46g

My cell weighs 44.78g

DC internal resistance at full charge is 30-33mOhm

Capacity test results:

Just look at these curves! How beautiful they are! At 0.2C MG1 showed almost 2850mAh and at 10A - almost 2700mAh.

COMPARISON

At 2A:

Both cells go equal up to the middle then MG1 starts slowing down. At the finish NCR18650PF has 324mWh more than MG1

At 5A:

The same thing goes here - NCR18650PF outruns MG1 by 436mWh

At 8A:

The difference is 421mWh in favor of NCR18650PF. Look at the curves in the beginning - MG1's curve is more linear.

At 10A:

The picture doesn't change much - NCR18650PF gives out 363mWh more than MG1.

CONCLUSION

Obviously Panasonic NCR18650PF is the winner but
1. it was manufactured later than MG1
2. Despite the lower capacity MG1 curves i liked more
3. MG1 is a bit cheaper which will result in a good economy when buying 100 or more cells.

Here is the video version of this review:

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