| Chemistry | Lithium Cobalt Oxide (LiCoO₂), Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC), etc. | Lithium Iron Phosphate |
| Energy Density | High (150–250 Wh/kg) | Moderate (90–160 Wh/kg) |
| Cycle Life | 500–1,500 cycles (typical) | 2,000–5,000+ cycles |
| Safety | Higher risk of overheating/thermal runaway | Very safe and stable chemistry |
| Charging Speed | Fast | Fast (but slightly slower than Li-ion in some cases) |
| Operating Temp Range | Wider range; better in cold | Performs worse in cold, especially for charging |
| Cost | More expensive per kWh | Lower cost per cycle (longer life = better ROI) |
| Voltage | Higher (~3.6–3.7V per cell) | Lower (~3.2–3.3V per cell) |
| Applications | Phones, laptops, EVs (NMC/NCA types), high-performance gear | Solar storage, EVs (budget models), power tools, off-grid |
| Environmental Impact | Uses more rare metals (e.g. cobalt, nickel) | Uses more abundant, non-toxic material
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