Nitecore launches 18650 battery with 4,000mAh and built-in USB-C port

Nitecore's new NL1840R 18650 battery combines a high capacity with built-in charging electronics, eliminating the need for a dedicated charger. The 14.4Wh battery has an integrated USB-C port, while a small LED on top indicates the charging status. It lights up green when the battery is full and red while charging.

Using the USB-C port is optional. The NL1840R can also be charged in external chargers compatible with Li-ion batteries and should work in flashlights with built-in charging electronics. Compatibility may depend on the battery's length, which Nitecore lists as 2.8 inches. This makes the NL1840R slightly longer than the other batteries in the NL1840 series.

According to Nitecore, the battery supports at least 500 charging cycles. It should retain 80 percent of its original capacity after reaching that figure. The NL1840R does not set a new capacity record, as Nitecore has offered 14.4Wh batteries rated at 4,000mAh and 3.6V for some time. These models also carry the 1840 designation in the company's product database, and most competitors already offer comparable capacities. However, lower-capacity batteries remain common.

Nitecore has not yet announced a price, although the NL1840R is unlikely to be cheap. For comparison, the NL1840HP currently costs $23.95 in the US. Shipments should already be underway, although the battery has not yet appeared at all regional distributors that are working with Nitecore.