The lithium-ion battery is very popular in a wide range of household electronics. They are common in items like MP3 players, phones, PDAs and laptops. Similar to other technologies, the lithium-ion battery has a wide range of pros and cons.
The pros:
High energy density – A major benefit is the high energy density of the lithium-ion battery. This gives the battery a high-power rating while still remaining at a relatively small size. The compact size makes it a popular choice in the mobile industry.
Low maintenance – There is no need to provide maintenance to the batteries to maintain their performance. Other types of batteries, such as the nickel-based units require a regular discharge to maintain optimal performance.
Quick charging – the lithium-ion battery is quick charging. The time-frame to fully charge is a lot less than alternatives in the market. This is a major reason why they are used in phones and tablets that are in need of the daily charging with regular use.
Light – They are relatively lightweight and small which makes them a practical choice in a wide-range of applications. In addition to small items like a phone, they are also a popular choice for electric cars and golf carts. Plus, they are commonly used in the aerospace industry.
Low self-discharge – The majority of batteries lose a certain amount of charge after disconnecting from a power source. But, the lithium-ion battery has a discharge rate that is much lower than other types of batteries. For instance, nickel-cadmium would lose its charge at a much faster rate even if the battery is left unused.
Longevity – This type of battery has great longevity and continues to give reliable performance over a very long period. Plus, they can receive a regular charge without seeing much of a difference in its capacity.
The cons:
Expensive – The process of making the lithium-ion battery is quite long and expensive. On average, this type of battery costs nearly 40 percent more to produce compared to the nickel-cadmium battery.
Transportation – It isn’t the easiest type of battery to transport and has several restrictions in place. For instance, it isn’t possible to transport the lithium-ion battery in high volume by air. However, it is still possible to fly with a few devices with the batteries in general luggage.
Circuit protection – The usable lifespan can be shortened if the battery is regularly overcharged. Also, these batteries have a built-in protection circuit to maintain the current and voltage and guarantee it is kept within safe limits.