Illustrative render of the Samsung INR18650-15Q cell✱ Render
Illustrative render generated from published specifications. Not a photograph of the actual cell.
18.15 × 64.6 mm · 43 g
18650NMC Mooch-tested · 18 A

Samsung INR18650-15Q

Samsung · also sold as INR18650-15L · released 2006
Capacity1500 mAh5.4 Wh · 125.58 Wh/kg
Mooch continuous18 ASize to this figure
Resistance30DC internal resistance
Voltage window3.6 V2.5 – 4.2 V
Standard charge750 mA~2 h to full

At 1500 mAh, this ranks #149 of 169 18650 cells in our database. On the lower end for capacity among 18650 cells. Higher discharge than 85% of 18650 cells in our database. Great for high-drain builds.

Full specifications

Electrical
ChemistryNMC
Nominal voltage3.6 V
Max charge voltage4.2 V
Discharge cutoff2.5 V
Max continuous discharge18A (Mooch-tested)
Mooch CDR (trusted)18 A
Standard charge current750 mA
Standard discharge current1500mA
Internal resistance30 mΩ
Physical
Form factor18650
Dimensions18.15mm × 64.6mm
Weight43 g
Top typeFlat Top
ProtectedNo
Wrap colorGreen (Light)
Insulator ringWhite
Performance
Capacity1500 mAh
Energy5.4 Wh
Specific energy125.58 Wh/kg
Energy density323.09 Wh/L
Power density (gravimetric)1,507 W/kg
Power density (volumetric)3,877 W/L
Year released2006
Operating Limits
Charge temp0°C to 50°C
Discharge temp-20°C to 75°C

Independent test data: Mooch's test of the INR18650-15Q ↗

At the standard 750 mA charge rate, a full charge takes about 2 hours. The last bit is a slow taper to top it off.

Voltage operating window

Cutoff
2.5V
Nominal
3.6V
Max charge
4.2V

Usable range: 1.7V

C-rate conversion: Samsung INR18650-15Q (1500mAh)

C-RateCurrent (A)Theoretical runtime
0.2C0.3 A5h 00m
0.5C0.75 A2h 00m
1C1.5 A1h 00m
2C3 A30m
3C4.5 A20m
5C7.5 A12m
8C12 A7m 30s
10C15 A6m

Highlighted row is closest to the rated 18A continuous discharge.

Charging

RateCurrentEstimated time
0.5C750 mA~2h 00m
1C1,500 mA~1h 00m

These are estimates for the constant-current phase. Real charge time is a bit longer because of the slow taper at the end.

Datasheet

Pack scaling

Series voltage configurations

ConfigNominal VMax VMin VCommon use
1S3.6V4.2V2.5VFlashlights, single-cell devices
2S7.2V8.4V5VRC vehicles, 7.2V packs
3S10.8V12.6V7.5VPower tools (10.8V nominal)
4S14.4V16.8V10VEbike (small), some power tools
7S25.2V29.4V17.5VEbike (24V system)
10S36V42V25VEbike (36V system)
13S46.8V54.6V32.5VEbike (48V standard)
14S50.4V58.8V35VEbike (52V high-power)
16S57.6V67.2V40VDIY powerwall

Parallel capacity scaling

ConfigCapacityEnergyMax discharge
1P1,500 mAh5.4 Wh18 A
2P3,000 mAh10.8 Wh36 A
3P4,500 mAh16.2 Wh54 A
4P6,000 mAh21.6 Wh72 A
5P7,500 mAh27 Wh90 A
6P9,000 mAh32.4 Wh108 A

Example pack configurations

7S2P
24V ebike / small pack
14 cells25.2V nominal3,000mAh76Wh36A maxCell weight: 0.6 kg (add ~15% for wiring and BMS)
13S4P
48V ebike standard
52 cells46.8V nominal6,000mAh281Wh72A maxCell weight: 2.24 kg (add ~15% for wiring and BMS)
16S4P
DIY powerwall
64 cells57.6V nominal6,000mAh346Wh72A maxCell weight: 2.75 kg (add ~15% for wiring and BMS)
4S6P
Power tool replacement
24 cells14.4V nominal9,000mAh130Wh108A maxCell weight: 1.03 kg (add ~15% for wiring and BMS)

Design a custom pack with this cell:

Application suitability

PowerwallsUsable for powerwalls but lower capacity means you'll need more cells to hit your target kWh.
Ebike PacksNot enough discharge for ebike use. Voltage sag would be a problem under load.
Car AudioMight work for smaller setups. Check your amp's peak current draw.
High-Drain VapingUsable in regulated mods at moderate wattage. Not recommended for mechanical mods.
FlashlightsLower capacity means shorter runtime. Better cells are available for flashlight use.
Power ToolsSufficient discharge and capacity for most power tool packs.

Physical dimensions

Dimensions18.15mm × 64.6mm
TopFlat Top
Format18650

Similar cells

Same format and chemistry, within ±500mAh capacity:

CellmAhCDRWhWeightWh/kg
Samsung INR18650-15Q (this cell)150018A5.443g125.58
ATL INR1865020006A7.445g164
Cham CMICR18650F820005.1A7.445g164
Great Power ICR 1865020004A7.444g168
HYB ICR18650NM20007.4
Samsung ICR18650-2020004A7.4

Frequently asked questions

Handling and safety

Lithium cells can be dangerous if mishandled. A few things to keep in mind:

  • Never charge above 4.2V or discharge below 2.5V.
  • Store cells at around 3.6-3.8V (roughly 40-60% charge) for long-term storage.
  • Don't mix cells with different capacities, chemistries, or states of charge in a pack.
  • Inspect wraps before use. A torn wrap can cause a short circuit.
  • Always use a BMS or balance charger appropriate for your pack configuration.
  • Keep cells away from metal objects, keys, and coins. A short across the terminals can cause fire.

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Specs come from manufacturer datasheets and independent testing; Mooch-tested discharge ratings are shown when available because they reflect real continuous performance better than headline datasheet numbers. Browse the full 18650 & 21700 cell database to compare every cell.

Disclaimer: We do our best to keep the information on this page accurate, but we cannot guarantee that all specifications are correct or up to date. Cell characteristics can vary between production batches and may change over time. Do not rely solely on this data for safety-critical applications. Always verify against the manufacturer's official datasheet before use.