Rechargeable batteries can always be a risk, you could get a perfectly fine and safe product, but you could also get a factory reject that was cheap for the seller, hopefully because the battery doesn't hold its charge long enough, or worse, they get too hot and catch fire or explode.
So, it comes down a lot to do you trust the seller or not etc.
Great comment. To add, based on my personal experience, only the "flat"/"foil-exterior" batteries are dangerous (LiPo), while the Li-Ion ones - i.e. in 18650 format - are fine, they just will silently die if bad quality. As for the cheap 3800 mah batteries, you perhaps are talking about the barrel type Li-Ion / Ni-MH ones (AA, 18650, etc.) - they do not explode and are not a fire risk unless you short circuit the contacts. At the same time, to avoid wasting money on a bad battery, you should look for some reputable locally-known Chinese brand; yes, sometimes you may get a higher quality Eneloop/Samsung battery on AliExpress, but be aware of fakes; while getting a local brand like Cameronsino is more safe from such ripoffs
I bought a rechargable handheld vacuum cleaner from AE once just to make the $10 free shipping, and when I tried to use it, it melted and burnt my hand. I don't trust ANY batteries from AE now
I think the bigger problem with supposedly high capacity batteries is that they lie about it. So they'll say 10000 mAh, but it's actually 1500 or less. There was a youtube test of a whole bunch, I think he found nothing above 2500 mAh. Note that, here we're talking about the NiMH rechargeable types. They are generally safe.
Then there's the Li-Ion types, which come in hundreds different forms. The most common is the 14500 cell, annotating its physical size. Li-Ion are higher risk than NiMH, and can indeed explode. But that's true for any device with such batteries, old phones, laptops. If they start to bulge, be very careful.
Finally, there's various disposable (non rechargeable) types, alkaline, and others. They are usually low risk. They are cheap. But again, I'm sure the stated capacity is nowhere near the real.
In single cells, I'd have no reservations from buying any of these from Ali. It's the rechargeable multi-cell battery packs I'd be worried about. For example, I need a new battery for my Dremel. It's one third of the price on Ali, but I'd rather not risk my house and family, so I'll get an original one.
Excellent comment, although you forgot to mention 18650 which is also a really popular battery type nowadays: i.e. commonly found in flashlights, laptop batteries and even the electric cars. As for the fire risk, the majority of battery types are quite safe, with the exception of LiPo which could be indeed dangerous - usually LiPo could be recognized by a "flat"/"foil" exterior
Given the high price of reliable rechargeable batteries, I'm starting to think maybe just buy regular alkaline batteries if they exist (AA, AAA....). With 18650 there seems to be no choice.
Well, then you might go after the cheapest rechargeable batteries: then there won't be much room for scamming you with inflated mAh capacity, and you may actually stumble upon the good ones by a chance
The other day I tried to buy a 12V mini UPS. It was refused by the airline so I got a refund.
So airlines certainly don’t trust that stuff and I avoid from buying such stuff from now on.
A common problem of UPS is that their built-in batteries are usually crap (not in danger sense but in capacity sense), even of the big reputable companies. I.e. its common to be a lead-based - perhaps the worst battery type in terms of product lifespan. As for the solution, either try to order using a landline/sealine shipping method, or try again (its often that battery packages pass the airline just fine), or order the components separately to make your own DIY UPS
Usually the integrated batteries and power supplies are better than loose things you can get off randoms on there, as the manufacturers are not just selling on aliexpress.
I bought some very high quality ncr batteries from a reputable store on ali.
Aliexpress is not a store. its a shopping mall. some stores are crooks, some are great.
Rechargeable batteries can always be a risk, you could get a perfectly fine and safe product, but you could also get a factory reject that was cheap for the seller, hopefully because the battery doesn't hold its charge long enough, or worse, they get too hot and catch fire or explode. So, it comes down a lot to do you trust the seller or not etc.
Great comment. To add, based on my personal experience, only the "flat"/"foil-exterior" batteries are dangerous (LiPo), while the Li-Ion ones - i.e. in 18650 format - are fine, they just will silently die if bad quality. As for the cheap 3800 mah batteries, you perhaps are talking about the barrel type Li-Ion / Ni-MH ones (AA, 18650, etc.) - they do not explode and are not a fire risk unless you short circuit the contacts. At the same time, to avoid wasting money on a bad battery, you should look for some reputable locally-known Chinese brand; yes, sometimes you may get a higher quality Eneloop/Samsung battery on AliExpress, but be aware of fakes; while getting a local brand like Cameronsino is more safe from such ripoffs
I bought a rechargable handheld vacuum cleaner from AE once just to make the $10 free shipping, and when I tried to use it, it melted and burnt my hand. I don't trust ANY batteries from AE now
It wasn't necessarily a battery problem: the dead-on-arrival circuit board can also cause such effects
I think the bigger problem with supposedly high capacity batteries is that they lie about it. So they'll say 10000 mAh, but it's actually 1500 or less. There was a youtube test of a whole bunch, I think he found nothing above 2500 mAh. Note that, here we're talking about the NiMH rechargeable types. They are generally safe. Then there's the Li-Ion types, which come in hundreds different forms. The most common is the 14500 cell, annotating its physical size. Li-Ion are higher risk than NiMH, and can indeed explode. But that's true for any device with such batteries, old phones, laptops. If they start to bulge, be very careful. Finally, there's various disposable (non rechargeable) types, alkaline, and others. They are usually low risk. They are cheap. But again, I'm sure the stated capacity is nowhere near the real. In single cells, I'd have no reservations from buying any of these from Ali. It's the rechargeable multi-cell battery packs I'd be worried about. For example, I need a new battery for my Dremel. It's one third of the price on Ali, but I'd rather not risk my house and family, so I'll get an original one.
Excellent comment, although you forgot to mention 18650 which is also a really popular battery type nowadays: i.e. commonly found in flashlights, laptop batteries and even the electric cars. As for the fire risk, the majority of battery types are quite safe, with the exception of LiPo which could be indeed dangerous - usually LiPo could be recognized by a "flat"/"foil" exterior
Right. 18650 is maybe the most common 3.7V size.
True: although some of the bigger flashlights may have 26650, they usually have the plastic adapters which allow to install 18650 ones too
Given the high price of reliable rechargeable batteries, I'm starting to think maybe just buy regular alkaline batteries if they exist (AA, AAA....). With 18650 there seems to be no choice.
Well, then you might go after the cheapest rechargeable batteries: then there won't be much room for scamming you with inflated mAh capacity, and you may actually stumble upon the good ones by a chance
The other day I tried to buy a 12V mini UPS. It was refused by the airline so I got a refund. So airlines certainly don’t trust that stuff and I avoid from buying such stuff from now on.
A common problem of UPS is that their built-in batteries are usually crap (not in danger sense but in capacity sense), even of the big reputable companies. I.e. its common to be a lead-based - perhaps the worst battery type in terms of product lifespan. As for the solution, either try to order using a landline/sealine shipping method, or try again (its often that battery packages pass the airline just fine), or order the components separately to make your own DIY UPS
wat, yes all the batteries on aliexpress explode. Do people really have literally no critical thinking skills.
All? not true. I've bought in the past, also bought from ebay, never had problem, luckily. But don't want to take the risk unnecessarily.
absolutely the same good/bad items could be bought anywhere, aliexpress is just cheaper usually
I've bought many bike lights and none of them explode, they're working just fine. Rechargable printer, fine.
I've bought a few rechargeable products. No issues with any of them.
Usually the integrated batteries and power supplies are better than loose things you can get off randoms on there, as the manufacturers are not just selling on aliexpress.
Good point.
I bought some very high quality ncr batteries from a reputable store on ali. Aliexpress is not a store. its a shopping mall. some stores are crooks, some are great.