Lithium-ion or lithium-polymer battery?

What is the best choice?

Lithium-ion battery or lithium-polymer battery - do you know which battery technology is better?

Especially at a time when the power bank is increasingly becoming a constant companion for many, the choice of battery technology can have an influence on the requirements that such a charging station can fulfil when you are on the move. Whenever there is no power socket available, you need a reliable way to charge your smartphone or other devices on the go. Both lithium-ion batteries (Li-Ion) and lithium-polymer batteries (Li-Po) can be used in mobile charging stations.

What is the difference?

Lithium-ion batteries are characterised by the fact that they have a low self-discharge rate. This means that the charging capacity of a power bank is used rather sparingly as long as it is not used to charge the smartphone. Periodic deep discharging is not necessary with this technology, as the maximum number of cycles of a lithium-ion battery can be increased by shallow charging anyway. This means that the battery will last longer if you never fully discharge it and preferably never fully charge it either. Always keep the lithium-ion battery between a level of 20 and 80 per cent to ensure a long service life.

The lithium-polymer battery is characterised by its very low weight and is particularly inexpensive to manufacture. This makes it less susceptible to overcharging and overheating. However, polymer technology is somewhat more temperature-sensitive overall, which is why a smartphone usually contains a lithium-ion battery. This technology does not use a liquid electrolyte, which means that no solid housing is required for the battery, resulting in a much wider range of applications and fits. However, the lithium polymer battery has a lower energy density, which is why this variant needs to be charged more frequently. Here too, you can significantly increase the service life of the rechargeable battery with flat charging cycles.

The decision depends on the need

Whether you should opt for a power bank with a lithium-ion battery or one with a lithium-polymer battery therefore depends on its intended use and your personal preference. The big advantage of a lithium-ion battery is that you can use it for much longer on a single charge. So if you don't have access to a power socket for a longer period of time, this could be the better choice. However, it is important to note that such batteries can age very quickly. The ageing process begins immediately upon completion and not just when the battery is put into operation.

If you want a longer service life and greater charging power, buying a lithium polymer battery could be the right decision. However, this version is less suitable for longer use without recharging. A decisive advantage of the polymer battery is its variable design. You should always take care when handling a power bank or other devices with rechargeable batteries. Never expose the battery to temperatures that are too high or too low and recharge it in the flattest possible cycles. In this way, you will achieve a longer service life for both variants and avoid damaging the device.

If you have any further questions about lithium-ion batteries, power banks with lithium-polymer batteries or other products, we at InLine® are here for you. Get in touch with our team or find your answer and more tips and tricks in our blog.

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