The main advantage of lithium-ion battery over other rechargeable batteries is energy efficiency. This advantage stems from more specific advantageous characteristics to include having a higher energy density relative to its physical size, a low self-discharge rate of 1.5 percent per month, and zero to low memory effect.
The lifespan of rechargeable batteries is primarily defined by the charge-discharge cycle they can handle. Lithium-ion batteries can typically manage hundreds of cycles while mid-grade variants can handle 1000 cycles before losing 30 percent of their original maximum charge capacity. More advanced Li-ion variants can retain their capacity up to 5000 charge-discharge cycles.
When compared to other types of rechargeable batteries such asNiCd and NiMH or rechargeable alkaline batteries, lithium-ion batteries are faster to charge. Depending on the hardware specifications of a particular device that uses a Li-ion battery, as well as the actual mAh capacity of the Li-ion battery, a full charge can take one to two hours while other rechargeable batteries with similar capacities might take half or twice as long.
