Which is better Li-ion or Li Po?

08 Apr.,2024

 

Do you want to delve into the intricacies of li ion vs li polymer batteries and understand their differences? If the answer is yes! then check out this blog post which covers everything about lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries from what each type of battery is and their respective advantages and disadvantages. This informative blog post will be of great interest to anyone who uses batteries in their daily life, providing insight into which type of battery is best for their needs.

Li po vs Li ion battery

When it comes to portable power, lithium batteries are the best option for portable power due to their effectiveness, longevity, and adaptability. Lithium-ion (Li-ion) and lithium polymer (LiPo) batteries are the two primary varieties. Although they both employ lithium, their chemistry, designs, and functionalities differ. Selecting the appropriate battery for robotics applications, electric cars, RC, UAV, and UAS applications requires an understanding of the distinctions.

Before moving to the comparison of the Lipo vs Li ion battery, we have to first understand, what Lithium-ion and Lithium-polymer batteries are.

What is a Lithium-Ion Battery?

Lithium-ion batteries (LIB) are a family of rechargeable batteries having high energy density and are commonly used in consumer electronics. Unlike the disposable lithium primary battery, a LIB uses intercalated lithium compound instead of metallic lithium as its electrode.

Usually, LIBs are significantly lighter than other kinds of rechargeable batteries of similar size. LIBs are heavily used in portable electronics. These batteries can be commonly found in PDAs, iPods, cell phones, laptops, etc. This term is also known as an LI-ion.

Lithium ions move from the negative electrode (anode) to the positive electrode (cathode) when a LIB is discharging (cathode). Lithium ions move in the opposite direction when a LIB is charging, the negative electrode becomes the cathode and the positive electrode becomes the anode.

Advantages of Lithium-Ion batteries

Pros of Li Ion Batteries: Why Choose Li Ion over Li Polymer?

  1. A typical LIB can store 150 watt-hours of electricity per kg of battery, compared to 100 watt-hours in a nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery and only 25 watt-hours in a lithium-ion battery.
  2. LIBs hold a charge well. They usually lose approximately 5% of their charge each month, against a 20% monthly loss for NiMH batteries.
  3. LIBs do not require complete discharge before recharging.
  4. LIBs can handle more charge/discharge cycles.

Disadvantages of Lithium-ion Batteries

  1. The LIBs start to degrade the moment they leave the factory. They usually last for only two to three years from the date of manufacture, regardless of whether used or unused.
  2. LIBs are highly sensitive to higher temperatures. Higher temperature leads to a much faster degradation rate than normal.
  3. If a LIB is fully discharged, it gets damaged.
  4. LIBs are comparatively expensive.
  5. There exists a small possibility that if the LIB pack fails, it may burst open into flame.

What is lithium polymer battery?

A lithium polymer battery (LiPo, LIP, or Li-Poly) is a rechargeable battery with a soft polymer casing and a soft external "pouch" for the lithium-ion battery inside. It could also be a lithium-ion battery with a gelled polymer as the electrolyte. However, the term is most commonly used to describe a type of lithium-ion battery that comes in a pouch. The more accurate name for this type of battery is lithium-ion polymer battery.

Lithium-polymer batteries are lighter and more flexible than other kinds of lithium-ion batteries because of their soft shells, allowing them to be used in mobile and other electronic devices, as well as in remote control vehicles.

Lithium-Polymer (LiPo) batteries are the latest iteration of rechargeable battery technology. They have a number of advantages over other types, such as the Li polymer battery having higher energy density and longer service life due to their pouch cell construction that uses less space than traditional cylindrical cells. LiPo batteries also boast better performance in high temperature environments because they can handle larger charge/discharge currents with more stability compared to other chemistries. The thin film packaging reduces possible damage from physical shock or vibration, while also enabling these power sources to be lighter weight for applications requiring portability or mobility like drones and wireless speakers. Finally, greater flexibility creates opportunities for customizing design size when powering consumer electronics including smartphones and tablets making them an ideal choice wherever reliability is essential!

The lithium polymer batteries (LIPO) are most commonly used in mobile devices, power banks, very thin laptop computers, portable media players, wireless controllers for video game consoles, wireless PC peripherals, electronic cigarettes, and other applications where small form factors are considered.

Advantages of the LiPo battery

  1. Li polymer battery offers high specific energy compared to other lithium batteries.
  2. It is used in less-weight devices such as smartphones and thin laptops as well as smart wearables due to its lightweight and compact size.
  3. Lithium Polymer battery offers high capacity and hence can be used to hold more power.
  4. Li polymer battery is safe from explosion, unlike Li-Ion battery.
  5. It does not lose its charging capacity as fast as a Li-Ion battery. Hence its life span is greater than 1000 times which is higher than a Li-Ion battery. lithium polymer battery charging time is very short.

Disadvantages of LiPo Battery

  1. Li polymer battery supports less recharge life which is about 300 to 400 cycles.
  2. Its chemistry leads to fire when the LiPo battery is punctured.
  3. Lithium polymer battery requires special care during charging, discharging, and storage.
  4. Li polymer battery is expensive. The cost is almost double that Li-Ion battery.

Comparison between Lithium-Ion and Lithium-Polymer Batteries

Lipo vs Li ion battery comparison based on their specification:

Specifications

Lithium-Ion Battery

Lithium Polymer Battery

Energy density, WH/Kg

Higher, 100 to 250

Lower, 130 to 200

Cost

Cheap

Expensive, almost double than Li-Ion

Size

Big

Slim

Chances of explosion when overcharged

Like to explode if do not handle with care


Safe from explosion



Li-po vs Li-ion Battery Life

The charging capacity is reduced over time. Life span < 100 times

It does not lose its charging capacity as much as compared to Lithium-Ion. Lithium polymer battery life span > 1000 times

Duration of charging

Long

Short

Weight

Heavier

Light in Weight

Conversion rate

About 85 to 95 %

About 75 to 90 %

Nominal cell voltage

3.2 V

3.7 V

Safety concern

Not stable

Stable

Environment concern

Very dangerous

Somehow

 

Li po vs Li ion battery Which One to Choose?

Your unique needs will determine whether you choose lithium polymer (LiPo) or lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. So before choosing Li ion vs Li polymer you need to identify you needs.

  • LiPo batteries are ideal for thin designs since they are lighter and more pliable in shape. Wearables and drones are among the applications where they are desired.
  • Because of their solid construction, Li-ion batteries offer superior safety and a higher energy density. They work well with gadgets like laptops and electric cars.

To choose the ideal alternative for you, take into account elements like energy density, safety, and the intended use. When it comes to selecting between Lipo vs Li ion battery never get confused again.

 

Conclusion

In this blog post, we have learned about Lipo vs Lithium ion and what Lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries are subject to advantages and disadvantages. Lithium-ion batteries are ubiquitous and yield heightened energy density, whereas lithium-polymer batteries provide greater pliancy in terms of structure and better safety. Ultimately, one's preferences and specific needs will determine whether to opt for one over the other. Regardless of the type of battery you select, it's evident that lithium-based technology has been a game-changer in the realm of powering our gadgets and will continue to play an indispensable role for many years to come. Hence, it's crucial to stay abreast of the upsides and downsides of various battery types, such as lithium-ion and lithium-polymer, to remain up-to-date with the latest technology trends.


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Lithium-ion Battery vs Lithium-polymer Battery

Today, portability is an indispensable part of almost every electronic device. This has given rise to the creation of numerous different types of batteries. However, out of all different kinds of batteries, Lithium-Ion and Lithium Polymer are the most popular.

While Lithium-ion batteries have remained traditionally in all your portable gadgets and smartphones, Lithium Polymer batteries are the ones that get utilized in more advanced devices and modern flagship gadgets.

Now you might think if both these batteries get used in electronic gadgets, why we are discussing lithium-ion battery vs lithium polymer battery. However, you must understand that there are differences between the two, mainly based on longevity and battery safety.

Understanding li-ion battery

Lithium-ion batteries have existed for a long time now, and it is still the most prevalent battery choice for almost every electronic device. The main reason why these batteries are so popular is that they are long-lasting, hold a high energy density, and are comparatively affordable to create.

Lithium-ion or Li-ion batteries are rechargeable kinds of batteries that are profoundly compact. This is the reason why they get used for electric vehicles such as aerospace purposes. Also, in Lithium-ion batteries, the positively charged lithium-ions get transferred from the anode by the electrolyte to the cathode and vice versa.

Since these lithium-ion batteries are long-lasting, they can last for approximately 2-3 years or 300-500 charge rounds.

Understanding lithium-polymer battery

The Lithium Polymer battery is another rechargeable battery type that utilizes a polymer electrolyte rather than a liquid electrolyte. This variation in choice makes lithium-poly batteries to be highly effective and secure for use.

These lithium polymer batteries are handy and hence are obtainable in varied configurations and sizes. Lithium-polymer battery technology again utilizes a positive and negative electrode with a dry thick, permeable chemical or gel-like electrolyte.

As a consequence, polymer batteries can extend a lower profile, resilient, and sturdier designs. Hence, it might not be wrong to say that lithium polymer batteries are safer. However, this does not imply that they remain immune from problems like getting punctured or overheated.

Difference between li-ion and li-polymer battery

The most fundamental distinction between lithium-polymer and lithium-ion batteries is the biochemical electrolyte within the negative and positive electrodes. While a lithium-ion battery uses a liquid electrolyte, a lithium-polymer battery uses a dry solid, gel-like electrolyte.

Mentioned below are some significant points of distinction between a lithium-ion vs lithium polymer battery.

Pricing

When comparing lithium-ion and lithium polymer batteries, li-ion batteries win the race. The price of a lithium-ion battery cost starts around INR 250 per piece and goes as high as INR 1,50,000.

On the other hand, the price of a lithium polymer battery starts at approximately INR 750 per piece, and it can range up to INR 2,50,000 per piece.

Versatility

When speaking of versatility, lithium-polymer batteries are more versatile than lithium-ion batteries. This is because there is no end to manufacturing different shapes and sizes of lithium polymer batteries.

Moreover, lithium-polymer batteries can get molded in different ways and can get utilized for multiple purposes.

High power

Both lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries are suitable for robust and high-power use. Nevertheless, lithium-ion batteries are more effective and prevalent than lithium-polymer batteries. This is because they possess higher power levels making them fitting for massive usage.

Robust and lightweight

Lithium-polymer batteries are highly prevalent in terms of their robust nature and the property of being lightweight than lithium-ion batteries. Due to their sturdy design, lithium-polymer batteries hold less risk of leakage.

Suitability and portability

Both lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries are compact. However, lithium-poly batteries are more portable as they hold a small and sleek design.

Also, when speaking of suitability, lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries are both fitting and effective in various ways. Lithium-ion is suitable for electric transport, whereas lithium-poly is suitable for mobile phones.

Safety features

The safety of a battery is a primary concern for many consumers and producers. When comparing lithium-ion v/s lithium-polymer batteries, li-ion batteries are likely to collapse in critical circumstances because the two contrasting elements in these batteries can quickly meet.

On the contrary, lithium polymer batteries are pretty safe compared to lithium-ion batteries as their electrolyte is not likely to leak.

Lifespan

The lifespan of lithium-ion batteries is relatively higher than that of lithium polymer batteries, and there is no retention impact in the lithium-ion batteries. However, lithium-ion batteries are likely to lose their storage capacity as they grow old.

Self-discharge

The lithium-polymer battery life circle is more concise, and these batteries save less energy than the equivalent-sized lithium-ion batteries. However, the lithium-polymer batteries are more secure, hold fast charging, and possess a low self-discharge level. This implies that these lithium-polymer batteries would not drain off much if you do not utilize them for quite some time.

Lithium-ion vs lithium polymer battery – Which one to choose?

While both lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries come with their own set of pros and cons, if you prefer a battery that presents adequate power without caring about the high delivery time, you can opt for lithium-polymer batteries.

This is because lithium-polymer batteries hold reduced storage space, though they can render enough power. On the other hand, if you need power for a long time with a low delivery time, you can opt for lithium-ion batteries as they carry a higher charge and run for an extended time.

Which is better Li-ion or Li Po?

Lithium-ion vs Lithium-Polymer Batteries.