The popularity of AliExpress as a platform for the purchase of electronics and components
AliExpress is one of the world's largest marketplaces offering products from many Chinese manufacturers, including electronics and accessories. Among them are lithium batteries, a significant part of which is produced in China.
The main advantage of AliExpress is low prices. Direct deliveries from manufacturers without intermediaries and the absence of customs duties for small amounts make AliExpress prices often the lowest on the market.
A wide range, but also risks. More than 1,000 brands offer a wide range of batteries, but along with decent models, there are many low-quality batteries and fakes.
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The main dangers of cheap batteries from AliExpress
Buying inexpensive batteries from AliExpress is fraught with the following problems:
- Substandard materials and assembly. Unsuitable, outdated, or substandard components may be used.
- Non-compliance with production standards. This can lead to a short service life and potential hazards such as fire and damage to machinery.
- Poor soldering and assembly quality. Improper assembly and soldering can cause fire, overheating, and damage to the battery.
- Missing or faulty protection. The overheating, short circuit, deep discharge and Overcharge Protection System (BMS) is missing or not working correctly. Poor-quality BMS can lead to premature battery failure due to overcharging.
When buying lithium batteries on AliExpress, you should be prepared for possible low-quality products. A low price can be deceptive and lead to a risk to equipment and personal safety.
Lack of protection
Cheap lithium batteries from AliExpress are often deprived of an important protection — the power controller (BMS). This is critical, as lithium batteries require mandatory management for safe operation. Serious risks arise without BMS:
- Rapid degradation. Without protection from deep discharge, the battery quickly loses capacity, dropping to 80% of its original capacity after 3 months of active use.
- Overheating and fire. The lack of thermal sensors and overheating protection makes lithium batteries dangerous at elevated temperatures. Overheating may cause an explosion or damage to the housing.
- Recharge. Without BMS, a poor-quality charger can lead to overcharging of the battery beyond the permissible level (for example, above 4.4 V). This can cause overheating and fire.
Cheap AliExpress batteries often lack BMS protection or do not work properly, which makes their use dangerous. The consequences can range from damage to machinery to life-threatening.
Recommendation: If you use low-quality batteries, be sure to additionally install a high-quality BMS to increase service life and improve safety.
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The problem with fakes
The large number of fakes on AliExpress makes it difficult to choose a quality product. Even a careful study of the reviews does not guarantee that you are purchasing an original product. Many sellers fake reviews, which creates additional risk.
Is there any way to avoid this?
Buying batteries on trusted sites, although it costs more than on AliExpress, is the only way to reduce the risk of buying a fake. The methods of battery counterfeiting in China are constantly being improved. For example, a common method is to embed "pacifiers" — non-functioning elements filled with sand, instead of full-fledged ones, especially in assemblies for electric bicycles.
Fakes of LiFePO4 batteries with low capacity, as well as the use of used cells, are common. Without video unpacking and verification, it is almost impossible to prove that the product does not meet the stated characteristics. AliExpress is not responsible for any losses incurred in such cases.
There are also problems with delivery. The use of untraceable shipping methods (due to the ban on air transportation of lithium-ion batteries) allows fraudsters to avoid responsibility for the undelivered goods. Waiting for a parcel for several months and then being rejected by AliExpress is a real problem, the solution to which often lies beyond the capabilities of the Russian buyer. It is extremely difficult to achieve justice in such situations.
Non-compliance with the declared capacity and characteristics
A common problem when buying cheap batteries from AliExpress. The declared capacity often turns out to be greatly underestimated in fact. Checking this yourself requires specialized equipment, such as an IMAX B6 device, which is accessible only to professionals. It is extremely difficult to prove the discrepancy between the characteristics of the AliExpress administration.
It is even worse when other characteristics, such as charge and discharge currents, do not correspond to reality. A customer who expects a certain discharge current (for example, 10A) may encounter a significantly lower actual value (for example, 5A), which makes the battery unsuitable for powerful electrical appliances such as electric bicycles or electric vehicles.
Theoretically, the capacity can be roughly estimated by weight, but fraudsters actively use this method, faking batteries by adding sand or other filler to them to increase weight, but not capacity. The tightness of the case makes it difficult to detect tampering.
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Problems with overheating, fire
Many people have seen videos about fires related to lithium batteries. Most often, the danger comes from low-quality Chinese batteries and assemblies that do not have effective protection. The production of such batteries often uses materials that do not dissipate heat well.
What temperature is considered normal?
The normal heating of lithium batteries is up to 42-45 degrees. Higher temperatures accelerate wear. Real manufacturers use thin aluminum housings to dissipate heat. Cheap ones often use iron, which dissipates heat much worse, leading to overheating and rapid failure. Low-quality internal resistance also affects heating and shortening service life.
Reduction of the operating life of equipment
Unstable voltage generated by cheap batteries leads to rapid wear of equipment, especially under uneven load. This disadvantage is particularly noticeable in mobile devices, flashlights, and equipment requiring stable voltage, including solar power plants.
What does all this lead to?
To the fact that the battery is wearing out fast enough. At the same time, it also harms the equipment to which it is connected.
About environmental risks
Manufacturers of cheap batteries often ignore environmental regulations by using unsafe materials such as low-quality lithium oxides. This leads to the release of harmful fumes during operation, worsens the disposal situation, and harms the environment and health.
What does it mean?
That environmentally unsafe materials may be used in production. For example, low-quality lithium oxides.
What does this lead to?
That a lot of harmful vapors are released during the operation of the battery. Which are harmful to humans, pets, and the environment. At the same time, such batteries are not suitable for subsequent processing. That is, after certification from the operational resource, they are suitable only for disposal. Thereby causing additional damage to the environment.
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Warranty issues, seller support
Guarantees for batteries from AliExpress often turn out to be useless. Even if the warranty is stated, the return or replacement of low-quality goods is usually associated with the payment of return shipping, which may cost more than the battery itself. Unscrupulous sellers actively use this scheme. As a result, it is extremely difficult for the buyer to prove that the product does not meet the stated characteristics.
Service and information support also leaves much to be desired. Sellers often do not provide technical documentation, ignore requests, or hide real data. In this regard, the purchase of cheap batteries from AliExpress is a lottery with a high risk of low—quality goods.
Even statements about cooperation with authorized services often turn out to be false. Contacting these centers usually shows a lack of real cooperation with sellers. It is necessary to independently verify the accuracy of such information.
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Final warnings
When purchasing cheap batteries from AliExpress, you should be prepared for the following problems:
- Mismatch of characteristics: Batteries often do not match the stated capacity and voltage, especially under load. The discrepancy can be up to 90%.
- Lack of warranty: Even with normal operation at the beginning, replacing or repairing a defective battery under warranty is a difficult task.
- High risk of forgery: Sellers can give out non-original batteries for products of well-known brands (LG, Samsung, Panasonic).
- Long-term delivery: Shipping from China can take several months, especially outside of Asia.
- Equipment deterioration: The use of low-quality batteries can lead to the rapid failure of equipment (smartphones, electric vehicles, etc.).
- Environmental risks: Materials harmful to the environment may be used in the production of low-quality batteries.
AliExpress, despite its anti-fraud efforts, cannot completely eliminate the risks. A lot of virtual shops and sellers avoid responsibility, so buying inexpensive batteries from this site is always fraught with risk.
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How to protect yourself when buying batteries
To be sure of the quality and durability of the purchased battery, follow these tips:
- Careful selection of the seller: Choose sellers with a proven reputation and extensive experience on AliExpress. Stores with recent openings are most likely fraudulent. Study the seller's reviews and rating, but keep in mind the possibility of "swirling" reviews. Pay attention to the recommendations of acquaintances or friends.
- Verification of the declared characteristics: Ask the seller for technical documentation, photos and videos confirming the characteristics of the battery. Reliable sellers will provide such information without any problems.
- Caution with low prices: Do not buy batteries at too low prices. Well-known brands such as Panasonic are worth a certain amount; if the price is significantly lower, then this may be a sign of forgery. Promotions and sales from the manufacturer are the exception rather than the rule.
- Request for additional information: Do not hesitate to ask the seller for additional information, including photos and videos of the production process. Reliable sellers are ready to answer your questions.
- Verification of certificates (if stated): Carefully study the description of the battery, including the availability and compliance of certificates, if any, declared by the seller. Take your time with the purchase.
Effective savings:
If you still decide to purchase from AliExpress, actively use the discounts and promotions provided by the site administration. Check for promo codes and free shipping in honor of the holidays.
Verification of originality:
If the battery is positioned as "original" from a well-known brand (Samsung, LG, Panasonic), send a request directly to the manufacturer. Usually, such companies do not sell batteries directly to individuals.
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Alternative and safe sources of battery purchase
For guaranteed battery quality and durability, experts recommend:
- Authorized service centers of equipment manufacturers: It offers original batteries used by the manufacturer itself.
- Electronics stores with a good reputation (preferably local): Such stores provide the possibility of warranty service.
- Specialty stores that sell exclusively batteries: This guarantees high quality and compliance with specifications.
Follow these guidelines for maximum battery life.:
- Do not recharge.
- Use only high-quality original chargers.
- Do not store in a discharged state.
- Do not store at low temperatures (below 5°C).
- Avoid mechanical damage to the housing.
- Do not overload. Do not exceed the recommended currents.
To summarize
Although cheap batteries are available on AliExpress, their quality and reliability are often questionable. To achieve maximum durability and safety, it is better to purchase batteries from trusted stores or manufacturer's service centers.