LiPO VS NiMH: Which One is Better?

Lipo (Lithium Polymer) and NiMH (Nickel-Metal Hydride) batteries are two popular types of rechargeable batteries used in a wide range of electronic devices. With the continuous improvement of high-tech technologies and the continuous demand for energy-saving and environmental protection, more and more energy-saving and environmental protection products have been applied to the market. As far as the battery market is concerned, lithium batteries have quickly replaced traditional lead-acid batteries with various advantages and become the main force in the energy storage market. There are many categories of lithium batteries, ternary materials, lithium iron phosphate materials, lithium ions, iron manganese acid, polymer lithium batteries and other types.

So which is better for lithium-ion batteries and polymer lithium-ion batteries? Please see the analysis of the advantages of lithium polymer batteries for everyone. In this blog post, we will compare Lipo vs NiMH batteries in terms of their advantages and disadvantages, applications, and how to choose the right battery for your specific needs.

This post will be useful for designers and buyers who are looking to choose the right type of battery for their products. By comparing the advantages and disadvantages of Lipo and NiMH batteries, discussing their typical applications, and providing tips for choosing the right battery for each application, this post will help designers and B2B buyers make an informed decision when it comes to battery selection. Whether they are designing a new product or looking to source batteries for their existing products, this post will provide valuable insights into the pros and cons of Lipo and NiMH batteries, and how to choose the right battery for their specific needs.

What is Lithium Polymer Battery?

Polymer batteries are the third-generation lithium-ion batteries developed on the basis of the original steel-shell and aluminum-shell batteries. With their lighter, thinner and higher energy density characteristics, they are favored by domestic and foreign communication terminal manufacturers and design companies. Lithium polymer (LiPo) batteries are rechargeable batteries that use a polymer electrolyte instead of a liquid electrolyte. They are commonly used in portable electronic devices, remote-controlled vehicles, and drones due to their high energy density and high discharge rate. However, they require careful handling to avoid damage and overheating, which can cause swelling, leaking, or even fire hazards. LiPo batteries are made up of multiple cells containing a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a polymer electrolyte. They can be charged using various methods, but they need special handling and storage procedures to avoid safety hazards.

What is NiMH Battery?

Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery is a type of rechargeable battery that uses nickel oxide hydroxide and metallic hydride as electrodes and potassium hydroxide as the electrolyte. NiMH batteries have a higher energy density and are more environmentally friendly than traditional nickel-cadmium (NiCd) batteries. They are commonly used in portable electronic devices such as digital cameras, portable music players, and cordless phones. NiMH batteries are also used in hybrid electric vehicles and other applications that require high energy density and long cycle life. However, NiMH batteries have a lower self-discharge rate compared to other rechargeable batteries, which means they lose their charge more quickly when not in use.

Advantages of LiPo Battery?

LiPO batteries are not only high in safety, but also have the advantages of thinning, any area and any shape. Lighter aluminum-plastic composite films are also used in the shell. However, its low-temperature discharge performance may still have room for improvement.

GOOD SAFETY PERFORMANCE: Polymer lithium batteries are structurally packed in aluminum-plastic flexible packaging, which is different from the metal shell of liquid batteries. In the event of safety hazards, lithium-ion batteries will simply explode, while polymer lithium batteries will only bulge, and at most they will be incinerated without exploding.Therefore, the safety performance of polymer lithium batteries is excellent.

SMALL THICKNESS: Lithium battery manufacturers can make the batteries thinner and ultra-thin according to customer needs, and the thickness can be less than 1mm.Some can even be assembled into credit cards.There is a technical bottleneck in the thickness of ordinary liquid lithium batteries below 3.6mm, while the 18650 battery has a standardized volume.

LIGHT WEIGHT: Batteries with polymer electrolytes do not require a metal shell as a protective outer packaging, so when the capacity is the same, it is 40% lighter than steel-shell lithium batteries and 20% lighter than aluminum-shell batteries.When the volume is generally large, the capacity of the polymer battery is larger, about 30% higher.

SHAPE CAN BE CUSTOMIZED : Polymer batteries can be added or reduced according to practical needs. For example, the new notebook of a certain brand uses trapezoidal polymer batteries to make full use of the internal space.

LARGE CAPACITY: Polymer batteries have a capacity of 10 to 15% higher than steel-shell batteries of the same size and specifications, and 5 to 10% higher than aluminum-shell batteries. They have become the first choice for color-screen mobile phones and MMS mobile phones. Most of the new color-screen and MMS mobile phones on the market today also use polymer batteries.

Advantages of NiMH Battery

The packaging is the same as civilian No. 5 and No. 7, the voltage is close, and it can replace traditional dry batteries. It has high capacity and high current, can be recycled, and is green and environmentally friendly. It is a very good product for civilian use. Due to the long and shoddy domestic batteries, the market for civilian nickel-metal hydride batteries has been occupied by foreign brands.

1. The energy density of nickel-metal hydride batteries is low, and it is based on water as the electrolyte, so it is not easy to burn, and its safety performance is better than that of lithium batteries.
2. The working mode of the hybrid power system requires the battery to be charged and discharged quickly, and the nickel-metal hydride battery has good fast charge and discharge performance.
3. The manufacturing cost is lower than that of lithium-ion batteries.

Disadvantages of NiMH Battery

Nickel-metal hydride batteries generally cannot be used after 300 cycles. They are generally manifested as self-discharging. The second is that the internal resistance increases and it is full when it is charged, and it is light when it is used, and the voltage cannot be maintained.Characteristics of nickel-metal hydride batteries: Nickel-metal hydride batteries (NIMH) are one of the most widely used green and environmentally friendly batteries in modern electronic products. They have the advantages of large monomer capacity, stable discharge characteristics, strong versatility, and low heat generation.The disadvantage is that it is large in size and heavy in weight.

LiPo Battery VS NiMH Battery

Lithium polymer (LiPo) batteries and Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries are two types of rechargeable batteries that have some key differences.

Let me to make a summary about their differences, LiPo batteries have a higher energy density, nominal voltage, and discharge rate than NiMH batteries, making them well-suited for high-power applications. However, they are more sensitive to temperature fluctuations and overcharging/over-discharging, which can cause safety hazards. NiMH batteries have a lower energy density, nominal voltage, and discharge rate than LiPo batteries, making them better suited for low-power applications. They also have a lower self-discharge rate and are more tolerant of temperature fluctuations and overcharging/over-discharging, which makes them more reliable and safer to use.

LiPO Battery VS NiMH Battery: How to Correctly Choose?

The correct choice of LiPo battery or NiMH battery depends on the device and application you are using. Here are FIVE MAIN factors to consider：

The correct choice of LiPo battery or NiMH battery requires multiple factors to be considered.You need to make decisions based on the needs of the equipment and applications you use, and ensure that the battery is used and maintained correctly to ensure its long-term use.

All in all, LiPo and NiMH batteries have different characteristics and advantages depending on the application. LiPo batteries are lightweight, have a high energy density, and discharge rate, making them suitable for high-performance devices such as RC models and drones. However, they require more caution and attention due to their sensitivity to overcharging, overheating, and puncture. On the other hand, NiMH batteries are less expensive, have a lower self-discharge rate, and are less sensitive compared to LiPo batteries. They are suitable for low-power devices such as remote controls, flashlights, and toys. Ultimately, the choice between LiPo and NiMH batteries depends on the specific needs of your device and application, and proper usage and maintenance are essential for both types of batteries to ensure their longevity and safety.