LBF LiIon Rechargeable / Powerbank Batteries Review – 21700 and 18650
Rechargeable with Powerbank function
21700 and 18650 size
Type C-USB
Last Update 16-04-2025
This review is about the LBF Rechargeable LiIon Batteries with powerbank function.
LBF was kind to send a 21700 and a 18650 for me to test.
The package includes:
- a plastic case
- a USB C-to-C cable
- a 21700 Battery
- a 18650 Battery
These are protected button top cells with LiIon technology, have a protection circuit on the top positive pole that serves both as a charging and as a discharging circuit.
This means these cells can be recharged like any other USB-C battery BUT can also serve as very portable powerbanks!
It’s not common to find cells that can serve as powerbanks, most can only be recharged and can only be discharged when used as batteries, inserted in a flashlight or other batteries powered tool.
All functions are automatic, the circuit is very efficient in understanding if we connected a flashlight, phone or portable headphones or a charging cable.
There is a small blue LED indicating the battery is on.
I have tested both and the specs I’ve come out with are:
21700 Cell: (my measurements)
- Weight: 77gr/2.7oz
- Diameter: 21,65mm/0,852in
- length: 76,35mm/3,006in
- capacity: 4117mah (5.000mah declared)
- charging rate (30w charger): 4.8v, 2.4A, 11w approx
- output (as a powerbank): 5.1v, 1,67A 8w approx
18650 Cell: (my measurements)
- Weight: 54gr/1,9oz
- Diameter:18,65mm/0,738in
- length:70,85mm/2,79in
- capacity: 3018mah (3200mah declared)
- charging rate (30w charger): 4,7v, 2.6A, 12w approx
- output (as a powerbank): 5v, 1A, 5w approx
Being batteries with just a button top circuitry, the results are pretty good, mostly on the larger 21700 cell.
The results are done with my USB meter shown in the pictures, all results are purely indicative, other chargers and cables, other usb powered electronics could give different outputs.
Keep in mind the powerbank function is mostly though to be used in emergency, survival, backup situations.
You can power an OrcaTorch DC710 flashlight or Brynite PT16 flashlight (2 lights it fits in well) with the larger 21700 and in an emergency you can charge your phone to go back home.
The idea to have a spare battery that can also charge other electronics you might need is really cool.
Here’s the cardboard box and the usb cable zip bag:
The batteries come in a sturdy plastic box with a lanyard loop on the back:
Both fit in the box well, you could fit 2×21700 in the case.
Here are both LBF rechargeable batteries:
21700 and 18650.
The USB-C port sits on the positive pole, a few mm from the top
it’s a standard port as on cellphones, chargers etc. It accepts any good cable, better if PD compatible for faster charging.
The top button with LED and HOT symbol.
The bottom is flat and has some rings from the flashlight’s springs already after a couple insertions (nothing bad).
To carry my spares I bought some silicon sleeves, both batteries fit, although the sleeve is for 18650’s.
The 21700’s fit a bit tight, especially when protected, second photo.
Comparison Shots!
LBF 21700 battery: 76,35mm
BRYNITE 21700 battery: 74,85mm
the LBF is 2mm longer, it’s one of the longest ones I own.
In hand video!
Here is a YouTube Short (follow me here) about the two LBF Batteries in hand:
Action Shots & Testing
As said, the LBF rechargeable LiIon Batteries have a powerbank function, I tried charging my Brynite PT16 Flashlight (currenly under testing).
I connected the supplied USB-C to USB-C cable to the battery first and then to the flashlight, the flashlight’s LED went orange than red, indicating it was charging.
I was able to charge the supplied blue 21700 without problems, none of the 2 became more than luke warm.
No charging time test was done as both batteries were used and no longer fully charged at the moment of the pictures.
To charge it while on the go, without the exposed poles, a silicone sleeve is handy, it literally transforms the battery into a powerbank!
Here is my testing of the 21700’s powerbank ability:
I got a 5.1v output at 1,65A. The output is very good taking that it’s not a flashlight output but a USB-C output.
The graph was pretty stable.
NOTE: the usb meter results are not lab results, they’re my personal measurement results and experience.
The recharging ability showed a charging of about 4.8v at almost 2.5AH and a pretty stable graph.
Here is my testing of the 18650’s powerbank ability:
I got a 5v output at about 1A. The output is very good taking that it’s not a flashlight output but a USB-C output.
The Wurkkos HD01 should have a 1A charging rate.
The graph was pretty stable.
NOTE: the usb meter results are not lab results, they’re my personal measurement results and experience.
The recharging ability showed a charging of about 4.8v at about 2.6AH and a pretty stable graph.
And last, but not less important, the capacity results:
One is done through a 30W Anker charger and the usb meter, the other on my XTAR VC4S charger, as the 18650 did fit, while the 21700 didn’t.
Last Words and Conclusions:
I got the batteries sent by LBF to review, I was not paid for the review, what you read is my honest and personal opinion.
What I like:
- protected
- powerbank function
- good as emergency powerbanks
What I DON’T like:
- protected and therefore longer
- protection regulates output so high power lights are not compatible (noctigon, emisar etc)
- long for unprotected only flashlight
- much longer than other protected or button top cells
Other considerations:
- I would make them 2mm or more, shorter to fit more lights.
Notes:
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