INR18650-25R — 18650 lithium-ion cell

About the Samsung SDI INR18650-25R 18650 Li-ion Cell 2,500 mAh 20 A

The INR18650-25R is the 20 A continuous reference in the 18650 format. Capacity is a modest 2,500 mAh because the electrode is built for current: initial AC impedance at or below 18 mΩ keeps terminal voltage up when the load is heavy, which is what power tools and high-output handhelds actually need.

Why pack builders specify it

• 20 A continuous discharge at 45 g, an unusually high current-to-weight ratio for 18650
• Initial AC impedance at or below 18 mΩ so voltage sag stays small under load
• Standard charge 1.25 A with 4 A maximum, so packs recover quickly between shifts
• Discharge rated to -20 °C, usable in cold-chain and outdoor equipment

Typical applications

• Cordless power tools – Drills, drivers and impact wrenches where burst current defines performance
• High-output flashlights – Turbo modes that pull 15-20 A from a single cell
• RC and drone packs – High C-rate builds where cell mass is the constraint
• Industrial handhelds – Scanners, meters and test equipment with peaky load profiles

Where it fits

Use the 25R when peak current per cell is the binding constraint. If the same pack runs longer between charges than it spends at full load, the 30Q gives 500 mAh more for a 5 A lower ceiling, and the 35E gives 1,000 mAh more at 8 A.

Charging and pack integration

Charge CC-CV to 4.2 V within the current limits listed above and stop discharge at 2.5 V. These are unprotected industrial cells: a BMS or protection circuit is required, interconnects must be resistance or laser welded rather than soldered, and cells of different model, batch or state of charge must not be mixed in one pack. Charging below 0 °C is not permitted unless the pack implements a low-temperature charge strategy.

Certifications and documentation

UN38.3, MSDS, IEC 62133-2, UL 1642, CE, RoHS, REACH, PSE, KC, BIS, CB. UN38.3 test summary, MSDS and the cell specification are available on request.

Packaging

Specification basis: Official Samsung SDI spec + cross-checked.