14500 Lithium Battery 800mAh 3.7V | INR14500 AA-size Cylindrical Li-ion Cell

14500 Lithium Battery — INR14500 800mAh 3.7V AA-size Cylindrical Li-ion Cell

The 14500 lithium battery (model INR14500) is the AA-size member of the cylindrical li-ion family: 14 mm in diameter and 50 mm in height, delivering 800 mAh-class capacity at a nominal 3.7 V — about 3.0 Wh in the same envelope as an alkaline AA, but at 2.5× the voltage. It is charged by standard CC-CV at 4.20 V and is the default choice when a device bay is designed around AA cells but the design can accept a 3.7 V input. CMX Battery supplies it with per-lot capacity, IR and OCV test data, OEM branding, and a downloadable datasheet.

Table of contents: Specifications · What Is a 14500 Battery? · 14mm Family Comparison · Charge & Discharge · Cycle Life & Safety · Applications · Certifications · OEM/ODM & Ordering · FAQ

14500 Battery Specifications

Typical values below reflect the production standard for this format; final parameters ship against the CMX controlled product specification.

What Is a 14500 Battery?

A 14500 battery is a rechargeable cylindrical lithium-ion cell whose designation encodes its geometry: 14 mm diameter, 50 mm height, cylindrical format. The 50 mm length makes it dimensionally interchangeable with AA alkaline cells — the reason it is the most common li-ion retrofit format in flashlight and instrument bays originally drawn for AA.

The critical difference from AA alkaline is voltage: 3.6–3.7 V nominal versus 1.5 V. A 14500 substitutes directly only in devices designed for li-ion input; dropping one into a 1.5 V-only circuit over-voltages it. The cell is a sealed steel can with a CID safety vent; welding is permitted only on the top cap and bottom end, never on the side wall.

14500 vs 14430, 14280 and 14650: 14mm Family Comparison

All four models share a 14 mm diameter; length — and therefore capacity — is what separates them. Use this table to confirm fitment before sampling.

A 14430 needs 7 mm of extra bay depth to accept the 14500; the voltage platform and protection architecture stay the same. For the compact toothbrush and TWS form factors, see the 14280 lithium battery page.

14500 Charge and Discharge Profile

Charging follows CC-CV: constant current at the standard rate until the terminal voltage reaches 4.20 V ± 0.05 V, then hold at 4.20 V until the current tapers to the cut-off threshold. The maximum charge current is 1C (800 mA); routine fast charging above the standard rate accelerates capacity fade. Charge temperature is specified 0–45 °C — below 0 °C, charge current must be limited or charging skipped to avoid lithium plating on the anode.

Discharging is rated 3C-class (2.4 A) for pulse loads such as flashlight high modes; continuous operation should stay at or below 2C (1.6 A), with a 2.75 V cut-off. Discharge must terminate if the cell surface exceeds 60 °C.

14500 Cycle Life and Safety Performance

Cycle life for this format is typically specified at ≥70% of initial capacity after 300 cycles of standard-rate discharge at room temperature. (Cycling at high temperature ≥35 °C, high rate, or high voltage shortens life.)

Safety testing for production cells of this format covers over-discharge, overcharge, external short circuit, drop, heating and crush — all with no fire, no explosion, no leakage. A CID safety vent and optional protection circuit provide overpressure and overcurrent protection inside the sealed steel can.

14500 Battery Applications

Flashlights and high-output portable lighting. The classic 14500 application. High and turbo modes draw 1–2 A bursts inside the 3C-class pulse envelope, and the 3.0 Wh capacity keeps a 500-lumen flashlight running for well over an hour on a single cell.

AA-form-factor instrument retrofits. Wireless doorbells, TV remotes with backlight, garden sensors and measurement instruments originally drawn for AA cells: where the circuit tolerates 3.7 V, the 14500 replaces disposables with a rechargeable cell of the same size.

Toys, RC and hobby electronics. A protected 3.7 V source in the standard AA shell — transmitter packs, small servos and receivers.

Portable medical and field devices. Low-drain instruments that value the documentation package and per-lot test data.

Certifications and Shipping Compliance

Every INR14500 ships against the documentation compliance teams ask for first: UN38.3 (the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria test summary required for lithium transport by air and sea), MSDS, IEC 62133-2 cell safety compliance, CB report, and RoHS declaration. Lot-level documentation — capacity, internal resistance and open-circuit voltage per cell — accompanies each shipment so incoming QC starts from data rather than sampling. For background on cell-level safety standards, see the IEC portal.

OEM/ODM Customization and Ordering

CMX Battery supplies the INR14500 for OEM programs: welded tabs or connectors to your drawing, shrink-wrap or label branding with your model number, and packaging configured to your line. Cells ship at partial SOC with per-lot test data. Samples are available for bench validation before volume commitment; minimum order quantities, lead times and per-lot test-data format are confirmed with your quotation, which comes back within 24 hours. Warranty is one year from date of shipment against manufacturing defects.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a 14500 battery?
A 14500 battery is a rechargeable cylindrical li-ion cell (Ø14 × 50 mm, 800 mAh-class, 3.7 V nominal) — the AA-size member of the 14 mm family. Our model is INR14500.

Is the 14500 battery rechargeable?
Yes. It is a secondary li-ion cell rated for repeated CC-CV cycling at 4.20 V, typically specified at ≥70% capacity retention after 300 standard cycles.

What is a 14500 battery used for?
Flashlights and high-output lighting, AA-form-factor instrument retrofits, toys and RC hobby electronics, and low-drain portable devices that need a rechargeable AA-size cell.

How do you charge a 14500 battery?
CC-CV to 4.20 V ± 0.05 V with taper cut-off; maximum charge current is 1C (800 mA), and charging is specified only within 0–45 °C. Below 0 °C, reduce current or skip charging.

What is the maximum discharge current?
3C-class (2.4 A) for pulse loads such as flashlight high modes; continuous operation should stay at or below 2C (1.6 A) to a 2.75 V cut-off.

Can I use a 14500 instead of an AA alkaline battery?
Only in devices designed for 3.7 V input. The 14500 matches AA dimensions but delivers 3.6–3.7 V nominal versus 1.5 V — dropping it into a 1.5 V-only circuit over-voltages the device.

Is the 14500 available with OEM branding?
Yes — welded tabs or connectors, custom labels with your model number and tailored packaging are standard services, with per-lot test data on every shipment.

Request a Quote

Send your target voltage, capacity, continuous current and mechanical envelope — you will receive a datasheet-matched quotation, sample options and lead time within 24 hours.

Or email sales@cmxbattery.com. Download the typical specifications overview: INR14500 Typical Specifications Overview (PDF). The controlled product datasheet is issued with your quotation on request.