A lithium battery is a type of rechargeable battery that uses graphite or other carbon materials as the negative electrode and lithium-containing compounds as the positive electrode. It is a type of battery that uses lithium metal or a lithium alloy as the positive/negative electrode material and a non-aqueous electrolyte. What are the different types of lithium batteries？ Let’s find out by reading the following.
1. Classification by appearance
(1) Cylindrical lithium battery
Cylindrical lithium-ion batteries: the model name is typically 5 digits long. The first two digits are the battery diameter, the middle two digits are the battery height, and the last digit 0 indicates the cylindrical shape. The unit is millimeters. The most commonly used cylindrical lithium batteries:
- 18650 lithium battery
- 14500 lithium battery
- 18500 lithium battery
- 21700 lithium battery
- 26650 lithium battery
- 32650 (32700) lithium battery
(2) Square lithium battery
A square lithium battery typically has an aluminum or steel shell and is widely used in exploration and mapping, medical equipment, and portable testing equipment.
2. Classification by shell
(1) Steel shell lithium battery
Most early lithium-ion batteries were steel shells. Although the steel shell is heavy and has poor safety, it has strong stability. Many manufacturers later optimized the structural design by incorporating safety valves, PTC, and other devices, thereby greatly improving its safety performance. Some directly replaced the steel shell with an aluminum shell and a soft pack, as in the current mobile phone battery.
(2) Aluminum shell lithium battery
An aluminum-shell lithium-ion battery is lighter and slightly safer than a steel-shell lithium-ion battery.
(3) Soft package lithium battery
Soft-package lithium-ion batteries are gradually expanding their market share due to their lightweight, low mold cost, and high safety.
3. Classification by positive electrode material
There are currently four types of positive electrode materials used in lithium-ion batteries:
- Lithium Cobaltate Battery
- Lithium Manganate Battery
- LifePo4 Battery
- Ternary Lithium Battery
| Items | Lithium Cobaltate Battery | Ternary Lithium Battery | Lithium Manganate Battery | LifePo4 Battery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tap density (g/cm³) | 2.8～3.0 | 2.0～2.3 | 2.2～2.4 | 1.0～1.4 |
| Specific surface area (m²/g) | 0.4～0.6 | 0.2～0.4 | 0.4～0.8 | 12～20 |
| Gram capacity (mAh/g) | 135～140 | 140～180 | 90～100 | 130～140 |
| Voltage platform (V) | 3.7 | 3.6 | 3.7 | 3.2 |
| Cycle performance | ≥500 times | ≥500 times | ≥300 times | ≥2000 times |
| Safety performance | Poor | Good | Good | Excellent |
| Application areas | Small and medium batteries | Small batteries / small power batteries | Power batteries, low-cost batteries | Power batteries / ultra-large capacity power supplies |
The comparison of the properties of lithium-ion battery positive electrode materials is shown in the table above.
4. Sort by electrolyte
- Liquid lithium-ion battery: Liquid lithium-ion batteries use a liquid electrolyte, which is an organic solvent + lithium salt.
- Polymer lithium-ion battery: Polymer lithium-ion batteries use solid polymer electrolytes, which can be “dry” or “colloidal”; most polymer electrolytes are currently colloidal. The main matrix of the polymer is HFP-PVDF, PEO, PAN, and PMMA.
- All-solid-state lithium-ion battery: “All-solid-state lithium battery” is a lithium battery that uses solid electrodes and electrolyte materials and contains no liquid components within its operating temperature range; the full name is “all-solid-state electrolyte lithium battery”.
5. Sort by Installation Types
(1)Rack Mounted
Rack-mounted lithium batteries are designed to fit seamlessly into standard 19-inch server racks, typically in 2U, 3U, or 4U sizes. This format is especially popular in setups that demand scalability and centralized power management. Commonly used in data centers, telecom base stations, and industrial control rooms, rack-mounted batteries feature a modular design that makes expansion and maintenance straightforward.
(2)Wall Mounted
Wall-mounted batteries are a sleek and space-saving solution, often chosen for home energy storage or small commercial setups. These units are mounted directly to the wall, offering a clean and unobtrusive look. Housed in metal or ABS plastic enclosures and typically built with IP-rated protection, wall-mounted batteries strike a good balance between functionality and aesthetics.
(3)Portable / Mobile
Compact, convenient, and portable lithium batteries are built for mobility. Most models come with built-in handles or wheels, making them easy to move around as needed. They’re ideal for outdoor storage applications, emergency power restoration, and mobile power supply scenarios. Whether you’re dealing with off-grid needs or field maintenance work, portable batteries are a practical choice.
(4)Stacked / Modular
Modular or stacked battery systems offer ultimate flexibility. Designed to be expanded vertically, these systems can scale up in capacity simply by stacking additional modules. They’re particularly suitable for residential storage and solar energy systems. Popular products in this category include alternatives to the Tesla Powerwall and Techfine’s own modular storage battery series.
(5)Cabinet Type
Cabinet-type batteries are built into protective metal enclosures, offering excellent heat dissipation and physical durability. These large-capacity systems are commonly used in commercial and industrial settings, including factories, utility-scale solar projects, and power-grid energy storage. With centralized management and a robust design, they’re ideal for high-demand applications.
| Installation Type | Advantages | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Rack Mounted | Standardized, easy maintenance, scalable | Telecom base stations, data centers |
| Wall Mounted | Space-saving, visually clean | Home energy storage, office, commercial storage |
| Stacked / Modular | Flexible expansion, easy to install | Residential storage, small commercial systems |
| Portable / Mobile | Easy to carry, fits various use cases | Outdoor power, emergency backup |
| Cabinet Type | High capacity, centralized control, well protected | Industrial storage, solar plants |
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