Nitecore i2 Battery Charger  

Two independent slots, four battery chemistries, and charging intelligence that adjusts itself to whatever you feed it. The Nitecore NEW I2 is a dual-bay universal charger built for Li-ion, IMR, LiFePO4, and Ni-MH/Ni-Cd rechargeable cells. That covers every 18650, 20700, and 21700 Vape Battery on the market, plus AA, AAA, and C/D household rechargeables.

Active Current Distribution technology prioritises whichever slot needs power most, switching automatically between 500mA and 1000mA depending on battery capacity and how many cells are loaded.

Fire-retardant PC housing, reverse polarity protection, short circuit prevention, and over-time charging cutoff at 20 hours. Compact at 132 x 70 x 35mm and just 126g without batteries. Over 18s only.

Why vapers choose this:

• Universal chemistry support covers Li-ion, IMR, LiFePO4, and Ni-MH/Ni-Cd in one unit, so a single charger manages your vape cells, torch batteries, and household rechargeables without needing separate devices

• Active Current Distribution automatically shifts charging current to whichever slot needs it most, reducing total charge time when running two batteries of different capacities

• Reverse polarity and short-circuit protection means a battery dropped in the wrong way round triggers a blinking LED warning instead of damaging the charger or the cell

• 126g and barely larger than a phone makes it genuinely portable for vapers who travel with spare 18650s or 21700s

• Overtime cutoff at 20 hours prevents runaway charging on degraded cells, which is a real safety concern with unprotected IMR batteries

Nitecore NEW I2 Battery Charger Features

Smart Detection Takes the Guesswork Out

Slide a cell into either bay, and the NEW I2 identifies the chemistry within two seconds. Four LEDs light up for lithium cells. Two LEDs for Ni-MH. The charger then selects the correct voltage profile and current automatically. For large-capacity lithium cells above 1200mAh, you get 1A charging by default in a single slot.

Smaller cells like 16340 and 10440 drop to 500mA automatically, which protects them from overcurrent damage. No menus, no screens to navigate. You put the battery in and let the charger work.

Why ACD Matters for Dual-Bay Charging

Most cheap dual chargers split current equally between slots regardless of what is in them. Nitecore's Active Current Distribution works differently. Set the left slot to 1A, and the right slot holds at 500mA until the left cell nears completion.

Then the right slot ramps up to 1A once the first cell finishes. Practically speaking? Your primary battery is always prioritised. Pair this with any Vape Mod that takes external batteries, and you always have a charged cell ready.

Manual Voltage for Specialist Cells

LiFePO4 batteries need 3.7V charging voltage instead of the standard 4.2V. The NEW I2 defaults to 4.2V for all lithium cells, which would damage a LiFePO4 cell over time. Nitecore built-in manual voltage selection: hold the V button, cycle through 4.35V, 4.2V, and 3.7V, then release on the correct setting.

Same applies to the rarer 3.8V lithium cells. Most vapers will never touch this, but if you run specialist hardware, the option exists, and it matters.

Dead Battery Recovery That Actually Works

Got an IMR cell sitting at 0V? The NEW I2 flags it as non-chargeable initially, all four LEDs blinking. Hold both buttons until the indicator flashes, and the charger enters recovery mode. It trickle-charges the cell back above safe voltage before switching to normal charging.

Nitecore recommends replacing the cell if recovery fails after several attempts, which is fair advice. But for cells that have been sitting forgotten in a drawer, recovery mode can bring them back.

Built to Not Catch Fire

Fire-retardant PC plastic rated to withstand sustained heat. The charger also monitors total charge time per slot independently. Exceed 20 hours on any single cell and the NEW I2 shuts that slot down, displaying a full-charge indicator regardless of actual state.

That failsafe exists because low-quality cells can develop internal faults during extended charging. Nitecore's approach: cut the risk, alert the user, let you decide what to do with the cell afterwards.

How to Set Up the Nitecore NEW I2 Battery Charger

1. Connect the included power cable to the charger and plug into a mains socket. The charger accepts AC 100-240V, so it works with UK plugs without an adapter.

2. Insert your battery into either slot, positive terminal facing up as marked on the charger body. The spring-loaded contacts accommodate cells from small 10340 up to flat-topped 21700 sizes.

3. Watch the LED indicators. Four LEDs for lithium chemistry, two for Ni-MH. Charging starts within two seconds of correct insertion.

4. For LiFePO4 or 3.8V cells only: press the slot button after detection, hold the V button, and select the correct voltage. Release when the right LED highlights.

5. Leave the charger undisturbed for the full charge cycle. A full 18650 charge from empty takes roughly three to four hours at 1A. The three progress LEDs fill sequentially, and all three remain solid when charging completes.

6. Remove batteries promptly once charged. Nitecore recommends not leaving cells in a completed charger for extended periods.

What's in the Nitecore NEW I2 Battery Charger Box

• The charger unit itself with its two independent bays. 

• One power cable for UK mains connection. 

• User manual and warranty card. 

No batteries included, no USB-C Cable for device charging. This is a mains-powered battery charger only.

The Go-To Charger for Every External Battery Vape

The NEW I2 handles the three cell sizes that matter for vaping: 18650, 20700, and 21700. If your Box Mod or Regulated Mod takes removable batteries, this charger fits them. It also charges every Li-ion size Nitecore lists, from compact 10340 up to large 26650 cells, plus the full range of Ni-MH household batteries.

What it does not do: charge non-rechargeable cells. Alkaline, zinc-carbon, primary lithium, CR123A, and CR2 batteries must never be inserted. The charger has no mechanism to detect primary chemistry, and attempting to charge them risks explosion.

About Nitecore

Nitecore is manufactured by SYSMAX Innovations, a Guangzhou-based company that has built its reputation on intelligent charging systems and portable power solutions. The Intellicharger series, which the NEW I2 belongs to, covers everything from dual-bay compact units like this one up to eight-bay professional stations.

Nitecore chargers carry RoHS, CE, FCC, and CEC certification, and the company carries global product insurance through Ping An Insurance Group. The brand is widely used across the vaping, torch, and photography communities, all of which rely on external lithium cells.

Stock Up and Save

If you run a mod that eats through external cells, a spare charger or a second set of batteries is not a luxury. It is daily logistics. Grab a pair of 18650 or 21700 cells alongside this charger, and you are covered for rotation charging between shifts.

Every order from Pirate Vapes ships the same day before 4 pm, packed to protect hardware during transit. Age-verified checkout, over 18s only. Spend over £25, and your delivery is covered with Free Pirate Post.

Conclusion

The Nitecore NEW I2 does one thing well: it charges your removable vape batteries safely, quickly, and without you needing to think about settings for standard cells. Two bays, universal chemistry support, ACD prioritisation, and genuine safety protections in a unit that weighs less than your phone.

For any vaper running external cells, a dedicated charger like this belongs in the setup. Browse more Vape Accessories and find everything you need at Pirate Vapes.

FAQs

What batteries does the Nitecore I2 charge?

Li-ion, IMR, LiFePO4, and Ni-MH/Ni-Cd rechargeables. That includes 18650, 20700, 21700, 26650, 18350, 14500, 16340, plus AA, AAA, AAAA, C, and D cells.

How long does it take to fully charge an 18650?

Roughly three to four hours from empty at 1A. With two cells loaded, current splits to 500mA per slot unless you manually set one to 1A priority, which extends the time for the second cell.

Can I charge different battery types at the same time?

Yes. Each slot is independently controlled. You can charge a Li-ion 18650 in one slot and a Ni-MH AA in the other simultaneously.

Does it work with flat-top batteries?

Yes. The NEW I2 accepts flat-topped cells including 18700, 20700, and 21700 sizes. Spring-loaded contacts in each bay accommodate varying cell lengths.

Is external battery charging safer than USB charging on my mod?

Generally, yes. A dedicated charger monitors each cell individually, provides correct voltage profiles, and includes protections like overtime cutoff that most mod USB ports lack. For dual-battery mods especially, external charging keeps cells balanced.