It’s always better when you get an airsoft AEG (automatic electric gun) that already comes with a battery. But that’s not always the case.
In many cases, the battery that comes with the AEG isn’t as good as you’d want. So you may want to upgrade with the best airsoft battery you can get.
Of course, that just gives you another problem—which battery is the best? To help you find what you’re looking for, we’ve compiled a list of suitable options, plus tips on how to choose among them.
The 5 Best Airsoft Battery : Comparison Chart
Here’s a quick overview on your best options:
| Image | Name | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
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Tenergy 9.6V Airsoft Battery (Nunchuck) |
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Valken Airsoft Battery |
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Keenstone Airsoft Batteries |
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Tenergy 9.6V Airsoft Battery (flat) |
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Tattu 9.6V NiMH Battery |
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Best Picks for Airsoft Battery
With so many battery options available for your AEG, which one do you get? You can save yourself a lot of time and trouble by starting with this list of terrific options.
These all come with the same specs (NiMh, Nunchuck shape, 9.6v, 1600 mAh, and works with Mini-Tamiya connectors. We do offer 2 variants of the Tenergy, as we also listed a flat shape here.
But each one comes with its own set of benefits.
Tenergy 9.6V Airsoft Battery
You can get just the batteries, or select the pack with the charger too. The drawback of not getting the charger is that you’ll want a smart charger for this, or you want to make sure you don’t overcharge it.
What makes this nice is that when you need to recharge this, it doesn’t take long at all.
Once you charge this up, it also lasts a good long while. Some players report getting 8 hours for each charge.
The higher voltage also improves the trigger response.
It measures 4.65 inches long, with a width of 0.69 inches for each column. It also weighs just 6.7 ounces.
Valken Airsoft Battery
This NiMh battery has a longer lifespan than standard LiPo batteries. The LiPo can last about 150 to 250 cycles, but this can go past 1,000 cycles.
This also lasts a good long while when you’re in a firefight. While the other players are moaning about their dying batteries, yours will still hold a charge.
In fact, this may have more of an oomph than what a regular 9.6v battery might offer. It offers a crisper performance than what you’d get with other NiMh batteries.
Keenstone Airsoft Batteries
Plenty of airsoft vets like this battery. It offers just about the same performance as premium batteries, but this is a bit more affordable.
Some who have upgraded to this battery will certainly notice a significant performance improvement.
You’ll find that you can boost your pellet velocity to 400 fps. Also, you may find that you’re able to fire 600 rounds and still have plenty of power to spare.
Tenergy 9.6V Airsoft Battery
This sure has nice safety features, which includes short-circuit protection and reverse polarity. It also has a 5-hour safety time so you don’t over-charge it.
The performance is spot on, and many say that it gives you the best performance short of shifting to the more expensive LiPo. It will boost your firing distance, and offers a consistent firing rate.
Tattu 9.6V NiMH Battery
The power you get is seems greater than what an average 9.6v NiMh battery can offer. It sure boosts your rpm, which makes you a more effective fighter in the field.
It will also hold its charge all day, and the sturdy connector can withstand battlefield conditions. Expect to use this for 6 hours straight without any performance downgrade.
What is the Best Airsoft Battery?
There’s no single answer to this question that will satisfy everyone.
It depends on many factors, including the type of AEG you have. Best for one AEG may not even work for another airsoft gun.
The batteries for bigger airsoft weapons are also different from what you need for electric pistols. For these pistols, you either use the particular rechargeable battery that comes with the pistol, or you go with disposable alkaline batteries.
Factors to Consider Before Buying Your Airsoft Battery
To make sure you get the best battery for AEG airsoft, you have to read the product specs and airsoft battery reviews to get a fair idea of the performance you’ll receive. When you read these spec sheets and reviews, make sure you focus on the following factors:
Battery Shape
Your AEG may accommodate only a specific battery shape, and there are 3 basic battery shapes available.
Brick
This is when the battery cells are set in 2 columns. Brick batteries that have higher than 1600 mAh are generally bigger, and they tend to fit only in an AEG with a large buttstock battery compartment. You may have a large Tamiya connector if you use a high-capacity Brick, which means you may need an adapter to connect the battery to the charger.
Nunchuck
This is when you have a wire connecting battery cells in 2 separate column packs. These are generally usable for front-wired AEGs.
Stick
This is when you have one continuous column for your battery cells. If you have an AK, you may need to use this type.
Power (mAh and Voltage)
mAh
This refers to milliamp hours, and you can consider this as your weapon’s fuel supply. The higher the mAh, the more time you’re able to use the airsoft weapon before you need to recharge. Some batteries only offer 600 mAh, but other can go as high as 3,000 mAh.
Just keep in mind that high mAh levels are more expensive, and the batteries with this power level can be quite large.
Voltage
Some batteries offer 8.4v, but the normal max voltage is 9.6v. You may want to regard voltage as the battery’s horsepower, and it can really affect your firing rounds per minute. If your airsoft weapon can fire 750 rounds per minute, you can boost the rpm to 850 (or even 900) with a 9.6v battery.
There are higher voltage options with a few batteries, but in general these aren’t recommended. These batteries are often meant only for highly modified AEGs.
Chemical Composition
AEGs can accommodate various battery chemical types, and each type comes with its own set of benefits and drawbacks.
NiCd (Nickel Cadmium, or NiCad)
This is the original battery for AEGs, and some people like it because of its quick recharge rate.
However, over time its charging capacity decreases, so eventually the battery will die. You can offset this only by discharging the battery regularly.
When you charge a NiCad battery, it produces a lot of heat. Don’t overcharge the battery or the battery might explode.
NiMh (Nickel Metal Hydride)
This type is a solid improvement over the NiCd. The storage capacity doesn’t really decrease over time. It holds a greater charge than a NiCad battery of the same size. It has a much lower self-discharge rate. It’s generally a safer option.
The only drawback here is that it takes a longer time to recharge an NiMh battery.
LiPo (Lithium Polymer)
This is arguably the most popular option here. It’s lightweight, available in different shapes, and offer high power with a smaller size battery.
Li-ion
This is also popular, since it won’t decrease storage capacity over time and there’s no problem if you overcharge. These batteries tend to offer larger capacity levels with greater efficiency.
On the other hand, these are comparatively more expensive than the other types. These are also not as durable as the NiMh and NiCd batteries.
Connector
Tamiya
This is the most common connector type, and just about every AEG has this built in. it works best for low-voltage batteries and motors that offer lower firing rates.
Mini-Tamiya
These are the same as the regular Tamiya, except they’re smaller.
Deans
This is a new type of connector, and it’s becoming more popular. That’s because it offers better performance without increasing the risk of losing voltage.
Tips for Using and Maintaining Your Airsoft Batteries
- Most airsoft AKs are either wired to the front handguard or under the top receiver. That means you need to use a Stick battery.
- But some AKs are rear-wired and has a solid stock. You can use a Brick or Nunchuck battery for these versions.
- For the M16 and M4 variants, the battery design depends on the battery housing location. The Brick battery is typically housed in the front handguard. The Nunchuck will usually be in the fixed stock.
- You can use a Brick or Nunchuck battery for Famas and SCAR rifles, as most of these are rear-wired.
- Most UMP-style rifles and other SMGs are front-wired, so you need a Brick battery.
- Don’t exceed the 9.6v max voltage unless this is specifically allowed by the manufacturer. If you do, you may damage your weapon and void the warranty.
- Only use LiPo chargers for LiPo batteries. Using other type of chargers for your LiPo battery can lead to battery failure, and maybe even cause a fire.
- LiPo batteries can come with a fire hazard potential, so store them away from your airsoft gun case and other flammable materials.
What Are the Top Airsoft Battery Brands?
You can’t go wrong with the ones we’ve listed here.
- Tenergy
- Valken
- Keenstone
- Tattu
Final Verdict
We’ve opted for the NiMh here, as it offers full value without being too expensive. Just go with a smart charger to avoid overcharging.
Of course, we also opted for 9.6 volts for maximum power without going overboard.
So which one is the best airsoft battery? If you’re unsure, just go with the Tattu. It’s the most popular among these batteries, and it receives consistently high praise.