What's in This Bundle
- 4x Panasonic NCR18650GA, 3,450mAh, Button Top (unprotected)
- 1x XTAR VC4SL 4-slot LCD USB-C charger
- 1x Type-C QC3.0 fast-charge cable, storage pouch, and manual (included with the charger)
A complete kit for anyone running a 4-cell device or building a small pack — four matched, genuine high-capacity cells paired with a charger that does more than just charge: it tests, monitors, and reports on each cell individually.
A note on Button Top GA cells: the market has two distinct versions sold as "NCR18650GA Button Top." The version in this bundle is an unprotected bare cell with a mechanically converted raised terminal — full 10A discharge capability, same internal cell as the Flat Top version. A separate, longer "Protected Button Top" version also exists elsewhere with a built-in PCB that caps discharge at 5A. If you've seen the GA advertised with a 5A limit, that's the protected variant, not what's in this listing.
This listing is for Button Top. Looking for Flat Top? Click here to buy: Panasonic NCR18650GA Flat Top + XTAR VC4SL 4 Bundle.
Why This Pairing Makes Sense
The NCR18650GA is one of the most popular high-capacity 18650 cells on the market — strong energy density, a genuine 10A continuous discharge rating, and a long track record in flashlights, e-bikes, and general electronics packs. Four cells bought together as a matched set means consistent capacity and internal resistance across the group, which matters for anything running cells in series or parallel. Button Top is the terminal type required by devices with spring-loaded battery contacts.
The XTAR VC4SL is a real step up from a basic charger: an LCD display showing live capacity, current, and internal resistance per slot, plus a capacity-test (grading) mode that charges, discharges, and recharges a cell to verify its actual capacity rather than just trusting the label. Given the wrap-printing quirk noted below, this cell is a good candidate for that verification — you can confirm actual measured capacity rather than relying on whichever number happens to be printed on the wrap.
Panasonic NCR18650GA — Battery Specs
| Parameter |
Value |
| Brand & Model |
Panasonic/Sanyo NCR18650GA |
| Capacity |
3,450mAh typical (3,350mAh minimum, 3,300mAh rated at 0.67A) |
| Nominal Voltage |
3.6V |
| Charge Voltage |
4.20V |
| Standard Charge Current |
1.475A |
| Discharge Cutoff Voltage |
2.5V |
| Max Continuous Discharge |
10A |
| Energy Density |
693 Wh/l volumetric, 224 Wh/kg gravimetric |
| Terminal Type |
Button Top (unprotected, mechanically converted) |
| Protection Circuit |
None (unprotected cell) |
| Weight |
~46.5-47g |
| Cell Dimensions |
~18.33mm x 65.08mm |
A note on wrap printing: due to regulatory changes in some markets, genuine GA cells are sometimes printed with their minimum capacity (3,300mAh) on the wrap rather than the 3,450mAh typical figure — the actual cell capacity hasn't changed, it's a labeling convention. This is exactly the kind of ambiguity the VC4SL's grading mode can clear up — run the test and see the real number rather than guessing from the wrap.
This listing is for Button Top. For Flat Top click here
XTAR VC4SL — Charger Specs
|
| Parameter |
Value |
| Input |
Type-C, QC3.0 (9V⎓2A) |
| Charging Current (CC) |
3A×1 / 2A×2 / 1A×4 / 0.5A×4 / 0.25A×4 — steps down automatically as more slots are occupied, or can be manually adjusted within what the slot count allows |
| Charging Method |
3-stage charging (trickle → constant current → constant voltage), 4 independently monitored slots, dynamic power allocation based on input power available |
| Cut-off Voltage |
4.2V ±0.05V (Li-ion) / 1.45V ±0.1V (Ni-MH/Ni-Cd) |
| Cut-off Current |
≤120mA |
| Operating Temperature |
0°C to 40°C |
| Dimensions |
L156mm x W115mm x H35mm |
| Net Weight |
212g |
| Display |
Color LCD — press Mode to cycle between capacity, current, and internal resistance readouts per slot in real time |
| Special Modes |
Capacity/grading mode (charge → discharge → recharge cycle to verify true capacity), storage mode (charges or discharges cells to their rated storage voltage to extend battery life), standard charge mode |
| Compatible Cell Sizes |
3.6V/3.7V Li-ion: 10440, 14500, 14650, 16340, 17335, 17500, 17670, 18350, 18490, 18500, 18650, 18700, 20700, 21700, 22650, 25500, 26650, flat-top 32650. |
| 1.2V Ni-MH/Ni-Cd: AAA, AA, A, SC, C. Supports protected 20700/21700 cells; spring-loaded slots can also fit two 32650s and two 18650s at once |
| Safety |
Reverse polarity protection (displays "Err," shows 0V, and stops automatically), auto cut-off when fully charged, multiple charge protections |
A realistic note on charge time: the VC4SL's 1A-per-slot rate (with all four bays occupied and the QC3.0 adapter active) is just under this cell's 1.475A standard charge current — a safe, unhurried rate. Expect a full charge in roughly 4-4.5 hours for all four cells at once.
Why the Capacity Test Mode Matters for a 4-Pack
Buying four cells at once is exactly the scenario where verifying consistency pays off — and for a cell with a wrap-printing convention that can understate its own capacity, being able to actually measure it rather than read it off the label is a genuine advantage. The VC4SL's grading mode runs each cell through a charge-discharge-recharge cycle and reports its actual measured capacity, so you can confirm all four cells are performing consistently before committing them to a build.
Where This Bundle Actually Fits
-
High-capacity flashlights and headlamps — long runtime is the main draw of this cell
-
E-bike and general electronics packs — a long-standing popular choice for runtime-focused builds
-
4S, 2S2P, or similar DIY pack configurations where capacity matters more than burst current
-
Portable power and backup power applications built from a verified, matched set of four
Not recommended for sub-ohm applications — this cell's 10A ceiling and energy-focused design make it a poor match for that use case specifically, even compared to other moderate-drain cells. If you need a vaping-focused cell, look at the Samsung 30Q or 25R instead.
Things Worth Knowing Before You Use This Kit
-
This is an unprotected cell. The charger enforces its own voltage and current cutoffs, but your device still needs to handle discharge-side protection.
-
Don't mix these cells with older ones you already own, even if they're also GA cells — that's exactly what the grading mode is for, if you want to check compatibility before combining batches.
-
10A is a real ceiling. Don't use these in devices that regularly demand more current than that — a dedicated high-drain cell is the safer choice for those applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this Button Top version protected or unprotected? Unprotected. This is a bare cell with a mechanically converted raised terminal, retaining the full 10A discharge rating. A separate "Protected Button Top" version with a built-in PCB also exists on the market, capped at 5A due to the protection circuit — that's not what's included here.
Can this charger really tell me if a cell is underperforming? Yes — the grading/capacity test mode charges, discharges, and recharges a cell while measuring the actual capacity delivered, rather than relying on the printed rating. For a cell like the GA, where wrap printing can show a lower minimum-rated figure, that's a genuinely useful way to see the real number.
Why does the wrap sometimes say 3300mAh instead of 3450mAh? Some regulatory labeling requirements call for printing the minimum rated capacity rather than the typical figure. The cell's actual capacity hasn't changed — it's a labeling convention, not a different or lower-capacity product.
Do I need to charge all four cells at once? No — each of the four slots operates independently, so you can charge one, two, three, or four cells at a time, and mix different cell sizes or even NiMH batteries across the slots if needed.
What happens if I insert a cell backwards? The display shows "Err" for that slot and the voltage reading drops to 0 — the charger stops working on that slot automatically rather than attempting to charge.
In stock now. This bundle ships as a matched set of four genuine Panasonic NCR18650GA Button Top cells with a verified XTAR VC4SL charger — ready for high-capacity flashlights, e-bikes, and general electronics out of the box.
