Incidentally, this is why car manufacturers put lithium-ion batteries in their electric vehicles. Higher energy density also means better weight to power ratio. Without getting too technical, Pale Blue Earth batteries can pack a lot of power despite giving up some space for the BMS and charging port. One of the things we most appreciate about lithium-ion technology is that it offers higher energy density. Internal circuitry cuts off charging when a lithium-ion battery is fully charged. Once again though, lithium-ion batteries do not suffer from this problem because they cannot be overcharged. NiCad batteries can suffer from the lazy battery effect after numerous episodes of overcharging. It occurs when a NiCad battery fully discharges extremely quickly. This problem is known scientifically as 'voltage depression'. The same circuitry in NiCad batteries that allow for the memory problem can also create another problem known as the 'lazy battery effect'. Their built-in circuitry is intentionally designed to prevent the problem altogether. Lithium-ion batteries do not suffer from the memory effect. The battery will not discharge even though there is juice left in it. Here is the problem: when the internal circuitry determines the battery is dead, it cuts off the circuit. The result is that the battery appears dead even when it is not.

Topping off a battery with a charge is risky to the battery’s future capacity and performance. This becomes a problem anytime a user charges up a battery that is not fully discharged. Next time the battery is used, its memory reverts to that charge level even though the cell itself is fully charged. There are times when that internal circuitry 'remembers' the power level at the point the battery was last charged. However, the reason they generally do is pretty basic: NiCad batteries suffer from the well-known memory problem.Īlso known as the 'memory effect', this problem is caused by a NiCad battery's internal circuitry that monitors charge level. So it's not necessarily a given that USB-C rechargeable Li-ions will last longer. Lithium-ion is much better chemistry and technology.īoth NiCad and lithium-ion batteries can be charged 1000+ times if handled, used, and maintained properly. First-generation NiCad batteries may have been the best choice way back when they were new, but that was a long time ago. But setting aside product marketing, there are legitimate reasons to choose Li-ion over NiCad. But what about NiCad's? Should you replace them with lithium-ion?Īs a leading brand of USB (micro-USB and USB-C) rechargeable batteries, we think lithium-ion is almost always the best bet for AA, AAA, C, D, and 9V batteries.

If you read our blog posts regularly, you know we often talk about the superiority of lithium-ion USB rechargeable batteries over alkaline disposables.

Replacing old, worn-out batteries with new lithium-ion cells is often discussed in the context of alkaline versus Li-ion technologies.

Nicad c battery