Analysis of cylindrical lithium battery advantages and common models

Author: Jesse

Aug. 04, 2025

Analysis of cylindrical lithium battery advantages and common models

1. Definition of cylindrical lithium battery

Cylindrical lithium battery is a kind of lithium ion battery, its shape is cylindrical, so it is called cylindrical lithium battery. The structure of a typical cylindrical battery includes: casing, cap, cathode, anode, separator, electrolyte, PTC element, gasket, safety valve, etc. Generally, the battery shell is the anode of the battery, the cap is the cathode of the battery, and the battery shell is made of nickel-plated steel plate.

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2. The development history of cylindrical lithium battery

Since Tesla's battery day in September proposed large cylindrical cells, large cylindrical cells have once again become the focus of the battery industry in the market. In addition to Tesla, China's leading cell factories have also begun to invest in the mass industrialization of large cylindrical cells.

According to the data shown by Tesla, the large cylindrical lithium battery will increase the energy by 5 times on the basis of the cylindrical cells, increase the mileage by 16%, and reduce the cost by 14%. Its technical temptation is very significant. However, during the period of rapid development of China's new energy vehicles in the past, first-line brands including CATL and BYD all focused on the technical route of square cells. At present, the industrialization of power batteries is basically based on square batteries, and even Tesla has purchased square batteries with a capacity of about 161Ah in China for use in one of its models.

From a technical perspective, both technical routes have their own value and advantages. In a complex battery system, although batteries account for the highest cost, in terms of safety and cost performance, we cannot only focus on one dimension of batteries. For example, Tesla has industrialized and applied the cylinder and to electric vehicles with energy exceeding 70KWH through advanced management system design. In fact, it is using advanced management to optimize the performance of the battery system.

3. Relative advantages of cylindrical lithium battery

● Advantages of small capacity flexibility

Due to size and process limitations of cylindrical cells, the capacity of a single cell is usually small. For example, ternary battery 3.5Ah, iron-lithium battery 6Ah, iron-lithium battery 15Ah, iron-lithium battery 20Ah, etc. Aside from electric vehicles and large-scale energy storage markets, in other fields, such as AGV, portable energy storage, and home energy storage, the capacity of single-module batteries is usually not very large. In practical applications, the large-capacity square cells positioned for automobiles and large-scale energy storage do not necessarily exactly match the market demand, including size and capacity.

The small-capacity cylindrical lithium battery can be connected in parallel to meet the battery module capacity needs of certain market demands. For example, the two types of lithium batteries 24V60Ah and 48V30Ah used in AGV cars are relatively common needs. Three types of cylinders, , and , can be combined in parallel to form the required 60Ah or 30Ah modules. At the same time, there are more flexible operation possibilities in the space structure to meet the design requirements of different models.

● Cost advantage

In the production and manufacture of all lithium-ion batteries in lithium battery companies in the world, the process standardization of cylindrical lithium battery is the highest, and it is also the earliest commercialized battery. The assembly efficiency is significantly higher than that of square batteries and pouch batteries. The winding process of cylindrical batteries has reached the level of 200PPM with the gradual improvement of automation. Even though the efficiency of large cylindrical lithium batteries is slightly lower than that of traditional / cylindrical cells, it is much higher than the efficiency of stacking or winding processes of square cells and pouch cells (usually around 10PPM).

The reason for the small capacity of the cylindrical lithium battery is that the strip-shaped continuous pole piece after coating is cut into strip-shaped small pole pieces, and the miniaturization of the pole piece can improve the utilization rate of the entire pole piece material. Usually under the same screening criteria and automation level, the material utilization rate of cylindrical cells is 3-5% higher than that of square cells.

● The heat dissipation effect is obvious

Lithium-ion battery fires are all caused by thermal runaway, and the spread of thermal runaway is also the main concern of battery system safety performance. Cylindrical structure is the most likely solution to thermal runaway, while square and pouch structures are basically unsolvable. The low capacity of a single cell causes thermal runaway to release less energy, which is different from high-energy, large-capacity square cells or pouch cells. At the same time, with the gradual improvement of material safety, the heat release caused by thermal runaway is reduced, which significantly increases the safety of the battery system.

The curved surface structure of the cylindrical lithium battery limits the heat transfer process between the cells to a certain extent, and has a certain positive effect on the spread of thermal runaway. However, square batteries and pouch batteries are basically unsolvable in this regard. Furthermore, with the promotion of the full-tab process, the heat transfer of cylindrical cells is more on the upper and lower end caps of the cells, and the heat transfer on the curved surface will also be reduced.

The above is some analysis and thinking based on different application scenarios of lithium batteries with different structures. Although the focus is on analyzing the advantages of cylindrical lithium battery, it is undeniable that cylindrical cells have shortcomings in certain application fields. At the same time, it is also necessary to objectively understand the own advantages of square cells and pouch cells.

4. Common cylindrical lithium battery models

With the development of lithium battery technology, there are more and more types of cylindrical lithium battery. Cylindrical lithium battery are divided into lithium cobalt oxide, lithium manganese oxide, and ternary materials. The three material systems have different advantages. Let's take a look at the models and specifications of cylindrical lithium battery. Cylindrical lithium battery is usually represented by five digits. Counting from the left, the first and second digits refer to the diameter of the battery, the third and fourth digits refer to the height of the battery, and the fifth digit refers to the circle. There are many types of cylindrical lithium battery, the more common ones are , , , , , , and so on.

● battery

The battery is a cylindrical lithium battery with a diameter of 10mm and a height of 44mm. It is the same size as what we often call the 7th battery. This battery capacity is generally small, only a few hundred mAh, and is mainly used in mini electronic products. Such as flashlights, mini stereos, megaphones, etc.

● battery

The battery is a cylindrical lithium battery with a diameter of 14mm and a height of 50mm. This is also the size of what we have always called the AA battery. This kind of battery is generally 3.7V or 3.2V. The nominal capacity is relatively small, a little larger than the battery, generally mAh, and the discharge performance is superior. The most important application field is consumer electronics, such as wireless audio, electric toys, digital cameras, etc.

● battery

The battery is a cylindrical lithium battery with a diameter of 16mm and a height of 34mm. Due to its shorter height and relatively small capacity, this kind of battery often appears in glare flashlights, LED flashlights, headlights, laser lights, lighting fixtures, etc.

● battery

The battery is a lithium-ion battery with a diameter of 18mm and a height of 65mm. Its biggest feature is that it has a very high energy density, almost reaching 170 Wh/kg, so this battery is a battery with better cost performance. Most of the battery store we often see are batteries, because it is a relatively mature lithium-ion battery, and the system quality is stable in all aspects. It is widely used in occasions with a battery capacity of about 10 kWh, such as mobile phones, notebook computers and other small electrical appliances.

● battery

The battery is a cylindrical lithium battery with a diameter of 21mm and a height of 70mm. Because of its larger volume and greater space utilization, the energy density of the battery cell and the system can be improved, and its volumetric energy density is much higher than that of the battery. Widely used in digital, electric vehicles, balance cars, solar energy lithium-ion battery street lights, LED lights, power tools, etc.

● battery

The battery is a cylindrical lithium battery with a diameter of 26mm and a height of 65mm, with a nominal voltage of 3.2V and a nominal capacity of mAh. This kind of cylindrical lithium battery has the characteristics of excellent capacity and high consistency, and has gradually become a trend to replace batteries. Many products in power lithium batteries will also gradually favor it.

Prismatic vs Pouch vs Cylindrical Lithium Ion Battery Cell | Grepow

Lithium-ion batteries have become the energy storage solution of choice for a myriad of applications, ranging from portable electronics to electric vehicles and renewable energy systems. Within the realm of lithium-ion technology, there are various cell designs, each with its unique characteristics and applications. In this article, we delve into the world of prismatic, pouch, and cylindrical lithium-ion battery cells, comparing their structures, advantages, and use cases.

What is a Prismatic Cell in a Lithium Battery?

A prismatic cell is a type of lipo battery cell that is characterized by its rectangular or square shape. Unlike cylindrical cells, which are tubular, lithium prismatic cells have a flat and often stackable design. The electrode materials are typically arranged in layers, and the cell is enclosed in a sturdy metal casing. These cells are often used in applications where space efficiency is crucial, as their flat shape allows for better packaging in certain devices. It's important to note that lithium ion prismatic cells are just one of several form factors available for lithium-ion batteries. Each form factor has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of cell type depends on the specific requirements of the application.

Advantages of Prismatic Cells

◆Space Efficiency: Prismatic cells are known for their space-efficient design, making them ideal for applications with limited space constraints.

Stackability: The flat shape of lithium prismatic cells allows for easy stacking, enabling the creation of battery packs with higher energy density.

Enhanced Thermal Performance: The flat design aids in heat dissipation, contributing to improved thermal performance.

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What is a Pouch Lithium-ion Battery Cell?

A pouch lithium-ion battery cell, also known as a flexible or flat-cell battery, is a type of lithium-ion battery that features a flexible, flat, and pouch-like design. Unlike traditional cylindrical or prismatic cells, pouch cells are generally made by laminating flat electrodes and separators, then sealing them in a flexible, heat-sealed pouch or bag made of a flexible material, often aluminum or other polymers.

Advantages of Pouch Cells

Flexibility and Adaptability: Pouch cell battery can be molded into various shapes, making them highly adaptable to irregular spaces and unconventional designs.

Weight Reduction: The absence of a rigid casing reduces the overall weight of the cell, making lithium ion pouch cells a preferred choice for applications where weight is a critical factor.

Cost-Effectiveness: The manufacturing process for lithium ion pouch cells is often simpler and less resource-intensive, contributing to cost savings.

What is a Cylindrical Lithium-ion Battery?

A cylindrical lithium-ion battery is a type of rechargeable battery that has a cylindrical shape. These batteries consist of a cylindrical metal casing that houses the internal components, including the positive and negative electrodes, separator, and electrolyte. The most common type of cylindrical lithium-ion battery is the cell, named for its dimensions: 18 millimeters in diameter and 65 millimeters in length. While the cell is the most well-known, there are other cylindrical cell form factors, such as and cells, each with different dimensions and specifications.

Advantages of Cylindrical Cells

Proven Reliability: Cylindrical lithium ion battery cells have been in use for a long time and have a proven track record of reliability and safety.

Ease of Manufacturing: The cylindrical design lends itself to mass production, leading to economies of scale and lower manufacturing costs.

Widespread Applications: Cylindrical lithium ion battery cells are commonly found in a wide range of applications, including consumer electronics, power tools, and electric vehicles.

Prismatic vs Pouch vs Cylindrical Lithium-ion Battery Cell

Prismatic, pouch, and cylindrical lithium-ion battery cells are three common form factors used in various applications. Each type has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of form factor depends on the specific requirements of the application. Here's a brief comparison:

Space Efficiency

Prismatic cells are known for space efficiency due to their flat design.

Pouch cells offer adaptability to various shapes and sizes.

Cylindrical cells are compact and easy to stack, making them efficient for specific applications.

Flexibility

Prismatic cells are less flexible due to their rigid shape.

Pouch cells are highly flexible and can adapt to unconventional spaces.

Cylindrical cells are moderately flexible but less adaptable to irregular shapes.

Weight

Prismatic cells have a moderate weight, depending on the materials used.

Pouch cells are lightweight due to their flexible packaging.

Cylindrical cells have a moderate weight, influenced by the metal casing.

Cost

Prismatic cells may have higher manufacturing costs due to their specialized design.

Pouch cells are often cost-effective, thanks to a simpler manufacturing process.

Cylindrical cells benefit from economies of scale and widespread use, contributing to cost-effectiveness.

Conclusion

In the ever-evolving landscape of lithium-ion battery technology, the choice between prismatic, pouch, and cylindrical cells depends on the specific requirements of the application. Each design offers unique advantages, and manufacturers carefully consider factors such as space constraints, flexibility, weight, and cost to determine the most suitable cell type for a given purpose. As technology advances, innovations in lithium-ion cell design continue to drive progress in energy storage solutions across diverse industries. As a global leader in lithium battery cell manufacturing, Grepow offers professional customization solutions for lithium-ion battery packs and Battery Management Systems (BMS), catering to your specific application requirements. If you have any questions or needs, please feel free to contact us at . 

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