This page is part of the ONYX Battery Guide
This guide compares 21700 battery cells for ONYX RCR and CTY2 builds, with a focus on capacity, current capability, tabless construction, voltage sag, thermal performance, and selecting the right cell for the intended battery configuration.
For complete AMORGE pack configurations, capacities, current ratings, fitment, and pricing, see ONYX AMORGE Batteries: RCR and CTY2 Options.
Recommended 21700 Cells for ONYX Builds
Current ratings alone do not determine how a cell performs under load. Internal resistance, electrode and current-collector design, and thermal behavior affect voltage sag, heat generation, and sustained current capability.
These are my current 21700 cell recommendations for ONYX builds based on performance, capacity, availability, and practical battery configurations.
| Rank | Cell | Capacity | Continuous | Burst | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Great Power 60Q | 6000mAh | 40A | 60A | Tabless |
| 2 | Reliance RS50 | 5000mAh | 40A | 50A | Tabless |
| 3 | Tenpower 50XG | 5000mAh | 50A | 60A | Tabless |
| 4 | EVE 50PL | 5000mAh | 45A | 80A | Tabless |
| 5 | Ampace JP50 | 5000mAh | 40A | 60A | Tabless |
| 6 | Samsung 50S | 5000mAh | 25A | 30A | Conventional |
The Great Power 60Q stands apart primarily because it combines 6000mAh capacity with high current capability. For an ONYX build where additional capacity is valuable without moving away from a performance-oriented cell, the 60Q is my first choice.
The Reliance RS50, Tenpower 50XG, EVE 50PL, and Ampace JP50 make up the current group of high-performance 5000mAh tabless 21700 cells. Their individual current ratings differ, so the best choice depends on the pack configuration and intended electrical load.
The Samsung 50S remains a conventional 5000mAh 21700 alternative when specifically required, but my current preference for new performance-oriented ONYX batteries is toward the higher-performance tabless options.
Tabless 21700 Cells
Traditional cylindrical lithium-ion cells use current-collector tabs to connect the internal electrode structure to the cell terminals. Under high current, these relatively concentrated electrical connection points can contribute to resistance and localized heating.
Tabless cells distribute the electrical connection across more of the electrode edge. This reduces the current bottleneck and can improve electrical and thermal performance under high loads.
The primary advantages of tabless construction for an ONYX battery are:
- Lower internal resistance
- Reduced voltage sag under load
- Higher current capability
- Better heat distribution
Tabless architecture became widely known through Tesla’s 4680 cell, but the same general current-collector concept is now available in 21700 cells suitable for high-performance battery packs.
Because ONYX battery packs commonly use the 21700 cylindrical cell format, cells such as the Great Power 60Q, Reliance RS50, Tenpower 50XG, EVE 50PL, and Ampace JP50 can be used when designing compatible 21700 pack architectures.
The cell format alone does not determine compatibility. Pack dimensions, series and parallel configuration, bus bars, cell interconnections, BMS capability, wiring, connectors, insulation, and thermal limits must all support the selected cells and intended current level.
This becomes especially important in applications involving:
- High-current motor controllers
- Field weakening
- Racing configurations
- Aggressive launch tuning
- JAWS MODE
- SICKO MODE
In these applications, reduced internal resistance and voltage sag can help the battery maintain voltage and power more effectively under heavy load while reducing resistive heat generation within the cells.
Choosing an ONYX Battery Cell
For ONYX builds, I generally recommend using high-performance cells even when the bike is primarily used for normal street riding.
The goal is not simply to build a battery capable of delivering the maximum possible current. The goal is to give the battery more electrical and thermal headroom than the bike normally requires.
A battery built around cells with substantial current capability places less relative load on each cell during acceleration and sustained riding. This becomes increasingly important as controller current, motor power, field weakening, and acceleration settings increase.
High-performance cells therefore are not limited to racing or maximum-power builds. They can also provide useful headroom in a street-oriented battery that normally operates well below its maximum capability.
Capacity vs Current Capability
Cell selection involves a balance between energy capacity and power capability.
The Great Power 60Q provides 6000mAh per cell, giving it a capacity advantage over the 5000mAh cells in this comparison while retaining high current capability.
The Reliance RS50, Tenpower 50XG, EVE 50PL, and Ampace JP50 provide 5000mAh per cell with performance-oriented tabless construction and different discharge capabilities.
The Samsung 50S also provides 5000mAh, but uses conventional construction and has lower listed current capability than the tabless performance cells in this comparison.
For most current ONYX builds, I prioritize the 6000mAh and 5000mAh tabless options unless a specific battery configuration calls for the Samsung 50S.
Cell Current vs Battery Pack Current
An individual cell’s current rating should not be confused with the current capability of the complete battery pack.
Pack current capability depends on several factors, including:
- Number of cells in parallel
- Cell current capability
- BMS limits
- Bus bar and cell interconnection design
- Wiring gauge
- Discharge connectors
- Pack construction
- Thermal conditions
For example, increasing the number of cells in parallel distributes the battery load across more cells. However, the complete battery can only safely deliver the current supported by the entire electrical path.
A high-current cell does not automatically make a battery a high-current pack if the BMS, bus bars, wiring, connectors, or thermal design become the limiting factor.
For complete ONYX battery configurations and pack-level current ratings, see ONYX AMORGE Batteries: RCR and CTY2 Options.
High-Performance ONYX Builds
High-output configurations such as JAWS MODE and SICKO MODE increase battery demand substantially.
Higher controller current, stronger acceleration settings, and field weakening can place significantly greater electrical and thermal loads on the battery than normal street riding.
This is where additional cell and pack current capability becomes particularly valuable. Building around the final performance target from the beginning provides more headroom and avoids selecting a battery that becomes the limiting component as the bike is upgraded.
Previous Cell Options
Previous versions of this guide also included:
- BAK 50D
- BAK 45D
- EVE 40PL
- Molicel P50B
- Molicel P45B
- Molicel P42A
These cells were removed from the primary recommendations because the current 5000mAh and 6000mAh options provide a more relevant combination of capacity, performance, availability, and practical AMORGE battery configurations for current ONYX builds.
Their removal from the primary comparison does not mean they are unsuitable cells. It reflects the current recommendations and battery options covered by this guide.