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Vanon 5.5Ah Battery: Better Than Makita's 5.0Ah?

· 5 min read · Watch the video →

Can a third-party, budget-friendly tool battery truly outperform a genuine name-brand one? I put the Vanon 5.5Ah 18V Li-Ion battery to the test against a Makita 5.0Ah battery, and while the runtime was impressive, the charging speed tells a different story.

Disclosure: Vanon sent this unit for testing. All opinions and test results are my own.

What I Built

My garage is full of Makita tools, so I’m always on the lookout for reliable batteries, whether they’re genuine or third-party. For this test, I received a Vanon 5.5Ah 18V Li-Ion battery, a compatible charger (MTC2003), and five battery wall mounts. The batteries are designed to work with Makita 18V tools, and I tested their fit and function with a Makita drill and a Makita leaf blower.

The unboxing revealed the battery and charger, along with some documentation. The charger itself looks very similar to Makita's own chargers, and even features the classic Makita "Easter egg" chime when a battery is inserted or removed, which was a pleasant surprise. The battery arrived with a partial charge (two out of three indicator lights lit).

A notable extra was the set of five wall mounts. These simple brackets securely hold Makita 18V batteries, clicking them into place until a release is pressed. For anyone with a growing collection of batteries, these are a fantastic way to keep things organized and easily accessible in the workshop.

Why It Works

Both the Vanon and Makita batteries are 18V Li-ion packs. The core difference often lies in the quality and density of the individual cells, as well as the battery management system (BMS) that protects them. The Vanon battery label claims 5.5Ah and 99Wh, slightly more than the Makita's 5.0Ah and 90Wh. However, when comparing weights, the Vanon came in at 21.0 ounces, while the genuine Makita was 22.3 ounces. While modern battery cells can offer more capacity in a smaller, lighter package, a significant difference in weight for a claimed increase in capacity can sometimes be a red flag. Lighter weight could mean fewer cells or lower-quality cells.

A teardown of the Vanon battery revealed a BMS, which is a crucial safety feature often missing in budget batteries. This is a positive sign, indicating some level of protection against overcharge, over-discharge, and overheating. The internal cells were labeled "Reboren 18650 SL26R 240703 3.6V." The main positive and negative connections to the battery terminals appeared somewhat haphazardly soldered, with one strand looking like it didn't get a full connection. While not ideal, the spot welds connecting the individual cells seemed solid, with no parts popping off when I tried to pry them. I couldn't perform a direct comparison with a torn-down Makita battery due to specialized screws, but the presence of a BMS and decent spot welds are encouraging.

Parts & Specs

Math & Run-Time Numbers

To assess real-world performance, I conducted two primary tests: a runtime test on a Makita leaf blower and a recharge time test using compatible chargers.

Leaf Blower Runtime Test:

Both batteries were fully charged before this test. I used a stopwatch to record how long each battery powered the leaf blower at maximum speed. A paper towel taped to the blower's end helped visualize when airflow stopped.

The Vanon battery delivered over a minute more runtime, which is a noticeable difference, especially considering its slightly higher advertised capacity and lighter weight.

Recharge Time Test:

After being fully depleted by the leaf blower, both batteries were placed on their respective chargers (Vanon on MTC2003, Makita on DC18RC). I again used a stopwatch to measure the time until each battery indicated a full charge.

This is where the Vanon battery truly showed its budget nature. The recharge time was significantly longer than the genuine Makita battery. This could be due to a less efficient charging circuit in the Vanon charger or slower charging capabilities of the cells themselves.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Cons:

When To Use This vs. Alternatives

The Vanon 5.5Ah battery presents an interesting dilemma. If your primary concern is maximizing runtime on a budget and you don't mind extended charging periods, this battery could be a viable option. For homeowners or DIY enthusiasts who use their Makita tools intermittently and can afford to let batteries charge overnight, the extra runtime and lower cost are appealing. The included wall mounts are a definite plus for garage organization.

However, if you're a professional or someone who relies on rapid battery turnover to keep working, the slow charging speed of the Vanon is a major drawback. In such scenarios, investing in genuine Makita batteries, which charge significantly faster, would be a much better choice. While the Vanon battery does have a BMS, the overall internal build quality doesn't inspire the same confidence as a name-brand product.

Bottom Line

The Vanon 5.5Ah 18V Li-Ion battery offers more runtime than a genuine Makita 5.0Ah at a lower price, making it an attractive option for casual users. However, its significantly slower charging time is a considerable trade-off. For those prioritizing quick turnaround and proven reliability, the genuine Makita battery remains the superior choice, despite the higher cost. If you can live with the long charge cycles, the Vanon is a decent budget alternative.

Final Wrap-Up

What are your thoughts on third-party tool batteries? Do you prioritize runtime or charging speed? Let me know in the comments below! If you found this real-world testing helpful, please consider giving us a like and subscribing to the channel for more hands-on reviews. We have plenty of other content coming up that you won't want to miss.

Gear mentioned in this post

All the tested gear from this video lives on the Gear Store with affiliate links that support the channel at no extra cost to you.

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