Review: The ultra-rugged EBL BRC 18650 Rechargeable Batteries

EBL sent us their rugged BRC 18650 Rechargeable Batteries 3000mAh – Protected Button Top. We took them on two cold trips and reported back.

Note: EBL sent us the EBL BRC 18650 Rechargeable Battery 3000mAh – Protected Button Top. However, this is a completely independent review. All thoughts about this item are our own.

EBL BRC 18650 Rechargeable Battery 3000mAh – Protected Button Top

Pros

• High capacity 3000mAh (and rechargeable)
• 3.7V continuous discharge
• Low self-discharge, with EBL claiming that a 100% battery will still have 75% of its charge after three years.
• Operates from -40 to 140 Fahrenheit.
• The power not drain fast while using it at 16 Fahrenheit.

Cons

• I cannot find any shortcomings.

EBL BRC 18650 Rechargeable Battery 3000mAh — Technical Specifications

All of the technical specifications for the Smart Rapid Battery Charger for Rechargeable 3.7V/3.6V Li-ion IMR Batteries are from the EBL website.

• Battery Size: 18650 Battery
• Battery Type: Li-ion
• Capacity: 3000mAh
• Nominal Voltage: 3.7V
• Rechargeable: Yes
• Charge Current: Standard: 400mA | Max: 2200mA
• Discharge Current: Standard: 440mA | Max: 6000mA
• Discharge Cut-off Voltage: 3V
• Internal Resistance: ≦80mΩ
• Weight of Single 18650 Cell: 1.55oz
• Dimensions of Single 18650 Cell: 0.71*2.66 inch (18.5*67.5mm)

EBL BRC 18650 Rechargeable Battery 3000mAh — Ergonomics and build quality

EBL 18650 batteries (button top) in EBL Smart Rapid Battery Charger.

Ergonomics

Admittedly, discussing ergonomics for batteries seems rather silly. However, I will say that as a night photographer, I prefer button tops out in the field. I can feel which side is the “positive” side. This goes for both inserting them into the EBL rapid smart charger as well as inserting them into the lights that I use while in the dark.

Build quality

The batteries feel solid.

The EBL 18650 batteries have a button top instead of flat top. The button top form factor makes it a little easier to use in the dark. After all, I am evaluating this as a night photographer. Other than that, there’s not much of a difference in terms of performance or function.

I cannot evaluate this, but EBL claims that the batteries have a slow discharge, claiming that if it is fully charged, it will still retain a 75% charge after three years. The batteries also operate from -40 to 140 Fahrenheit (-40 C to 60 C). The high desert gets rather hot — and rather cold. However, I would run for the hills if it ever got to -40 or 140 Fahrenheit!

EBL BRC 18650 Rechargeable Battery 3000mAh — In the field

EBL BRC 18650 Rechargeable Battery 3000mAh – Protected Button Top

I took the batteries on two short night photography trips.

I used the batteries for my ProtoMachines LED2 light painting device, which uses two batteries.

On another trip, I also used one in my Ants on a Melon RGB Critter BT.

In each instance, the batteries seem to last for a very long time with both, lasting the entire evening and having plenty of charge for most likely two more nights.

One of the night photography trips involved temperatures around 16 degrees Fahrenheit (-8.8 C). Brrrrrrr. The batteries held their charge for the entire night, and didn’t seem to flinch. They seemed to hold their charge noticeably longer than my other batteries had in that temperature, although to be fair, my other batteries are also several years older.

About EBL

EBL 18650 batteries (button top)

EBL has been around for over 26 years, making Ni-MH and lithium-ion batteries in many different forms, including AA, AAA, C, D, 9V, 18650, and more. The products I have seen so far are innovative and seem to be solidly made.

• Posted on January 8, 2025