Characteristics of lithium-ion battery

High energy density per volume as characteristics of lithium-ion batteries.
260Wh/kg with Panasonic NCR18650GA
No memory effect, and long charge and discharge cycle life.

Characteristics of lithium polymer battery

Due to thin type, they are suitable for power supply of small devices.
Because the electrolyte is in a gel state, they are more stable than liquid lithium-ion batteries.
Compared with lithium-ion batteries using metal tubes, they are more vulnerable to external shocks as the outer skin is laminate.

Not suitable for use in high temperature or high humidity environment.

Capacity per weight

It is said that energy density is higher in lithium polymer batteries, but there is no big difference compared with lithium-ion batteries.

Lithium polymer batteries with laminated exterior have a slightly higher capacity per weight than lithium-ion batteries of a metal pipe.

Safety

Safety of electrolyte is higher in lithium polymer batteries, but lithium-ion batteries using a metal pipe are strong against external pressure and can be used in harsh environment.
Lithium polymer batteries change their characteristics only by touching them by hand, so safety is very low if there is no outer case.

Charge/discharge characteristics

Lithium polymer batteries made in China that are used for drone and so on remove the safety mechanism and have a short cycle life of dozens of times.

Lifespan

Lifespan of lithium-ion batteries and lithium polymer batteries is not much different if they are used with proper charging and discharging.
Lifespan of lithium-ion batteries and lithium polymer batteries made in China may be less than 1/5 as compared with those made in Japan.

Memory effect

Neither lithium-ion batteries nor the lithium polymer batteries have memory effect, but proper use will maintain performance of about 80% of the initial value at 300 cycles of use.
In the case of performing impossible discharge or rapid charge, touching the lithium polymer battery by hand, or giving a shock such as falling, significant performance deterioration will occur.

Measures against natural discharge

There is almost no natural discharge for both lithium-ion batteries and lithium polymer batteries.
Due to the application of the safety regulation in 2016,shipping with less than a certain capacity is required, so we recommend charging within 3 to 6 months after purchase.
Batteries manufactured by foreign manufacturers may have a very high natural discharge amount.

Performance comparison result

Lithium polymer batteries are suitable when it is necessary to fit then in a certain space, but lithium-ion batteries have resistance and much higher resistance to internal and external pressure.
Since lithium polymer batteries and lithium-ion batteries do not differ greatly in performance, it can be considered that the versatility of lithium-ion batteries is high overall.