
In our daily work as a lithium battery manufacturer, one thing is clear: off-the-shelf batteries rarely meet real-world device requirements.
The 3.7V lithium battery has become the industry standard for portable electronics, medical devices, IoT sensors, GPS trackers, wearables, and smart consumer products. However, differences in space constraints, discharge rate, safety standards, and operating environments make customization not just beneficial—but often necessary.
This guide is written from first-hand manufacturing and engineering experience. We’ll explain how 3.7V lithium battery customization works, what parameters truly matter, how OEM buyers should evaluate suppliers, and how custom battery design improves performance, safety, and product lifespan.
A 3.7V lithium battery refers to a single lithium cell with a nominal voltage of 3.6–3.7V and a full charge voltage of 4.2V.
| Battery Type | Chemistry | Typical Shape | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Li-ion | NMC / NCA | Cylindrical / Prismatic | Industrial, GPS, POS |
| LiPo | Lithium Polymer | Pouch | Medical, wearables |
| LiFePO4 | LFP | Prismatic | Not standard at 3.7V |
For most custom 3.7V batteries, Li-ion and LiPo are the primary choices.

Modern devices are smaller and thinner. A custom battery allows:
Irregular shapes
Ultra-thin pouch designs
Cable exit orientation control
Different devices require different:
Discharge current (C-rate)
Pulse current capability
Temperature tolerance
Medical and industrial devices require:
Redundant protection circuits
Certified cells
Traceable production batches
| Chemistry | Energy Density | Cycle Life | Safety | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NMC | High | Medium | Good | Consumer electronics |
| NCA | Very High | Medium | Moderate | High-performance |
| LiPo | High | Medium | Very Good | Medical, wearables |
Capacity is not simply “bigger is better”.
We always calculate capacity based on:
Average load current
Peak current
Required runtime
Aging margin (20–30%)
Example calculation:
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Device current | 200 mA |
| Runtime | 8 hours |
| Required capacity | 1600 mAh |
| Design margin | +25% |
| Final capacity | ~2000 mAh |
Standard devices: 0.5C–1C
Wireless modules: 2C pulse
Medical motors: 3C–5C burst
Custom cell selection prevents:
Voltage drop
Overheating
Premature aging
Protection Circuit Module options:
Overcharge protection
Over-discharge protection
Over-current protection
Short-circuit protection
NTC temperature sensing
For medical batteries, dual MOSFET + NTC is strongly recommended.
| Form Factor | Advantages | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Pouch (LiPo) | Ultra-thin, flexible | Wearables, medical |
| Cylindrical | Stable, standardized | GPS, trackers |
| Prismatic | Compact, rigid | Industrial devices |

Customization includes:
JST, Molex, Hirose connectors
Wire gauge (AWG 24–30)
Wire length tolerance ±1mm
Heat-shrink or tape wrapping
Labeling & QR traceability
| Certification | Purpose |
|---|---|
| UN38.3 | Transportation safety |
| IEC 62133 | Cell & pack safety |
| CE | EU market access |
| RoHS | Environmental compliance |
| MSDS | Shipping documentation |
For medical batteries, additional requirements may include:
ISO 13485 manufacturing
Biocompatibility evaluation (device level)
Application requirement analysis
Electrical & mechanical design
Sample prototyping (7–15 days)
Performance & safety testing
Certification support
Mass production & QC
After-sales technical support
| Metric | Off-the-shelf | Custom Battery |
|---|---|---|
| Space utilization | 70–80% | 95%+ |
| Cycle life | 300–500 | 500–800 |
| Safety incidents | Higher | Lower |
| Device reliability | Medium | High |

Infusion pumps
Patient monitors
Breast pumps
Hearing aids
Asset trackers
Smart meters
Remote sensors
Smart wearables
Handheld terminals
Yes. Special electrolyte and cell screening allow operation down to -20°C or lower.
Typically 300–1000 pcs, depending on cell type and tooling.
Samples: 1–2 weeks
Mass production: 4–6 weeks
LiPo offers better form factor flexibility and swelling tolerance, but safety depends on protection design and manufacturing quality.
From our experience, successful OEM projects depend on:
Engineering communication
Stable cell supply
Transparent testing data
Long-term technical support
A reliable partner doesn’t just supply batteries—we reduce your device failure risk.
3.7V lithium battery customization is no longer optional for modern devices. It directly impacts product reliability, safety, user experience, and brand reputation.
If you are developing medical, IoT, or industrial equipment, working with an experienced customization-focused battery manufacturer will shorten development cycles and reduce total cost of ownership.