Searching for the world's leading lithium-ion battery manufacturers typically yields a familiar list: CATL, BYD, LG Energy Solutions, Panasonic, and a few other large battery producers. While this list is useful, it doesn't answer the real question most buyers face: Which manufacturer is best suited for our application?
At Grepow, we primarily serve OEM and ODM clients. Many of them aren't sourcing millions of identical electric vehicle batteries. They need batteries designed for limited interior space, optimized for high discharge currents, optimized for flight time, or equipped with custom battery management systems.
Therefore, this guide ranks manufacturers by application scenario, explaining which suppliers suit different areas, from electric vehicles and grid storage to robotics, drones, remote-controlled models, wearables, and industrial equipment.
Electric Vehicles: Five Leading Manufacturers by Battery Deployment
For automotive programs, deployed battery volume provides a useful measure of established scale. The table below uses full-year 2025 global battery usage in electric, plug-in hybrid, and hybrid vehicles as a completed-year benchmark for this 2026 guide. It measures batteries installed in vehicles, rather than announced factory capacity. (SNE Research)
| Rank | Manufacturer | 2025 Global EV Battery Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | CATL | 39.2% |
| 2 | BYD | 16.4% |
| 3 | LG Energy Solution | 9.2% |
| 4 | CALB | 5.3% |
| 5 | Gotion High-Tech | 4.5% |
For the complete top 10 and analysis of these manufacturers' performance, see Electrive's detailed coverage of the SNE Research results. (Electrive)
Robotics: Manufacturers for Service Robots and Custom Platforms
Our robotics shortlist separates established cell supply relationships from robot-specific development and custom battery engineering. For an OEM, the practical question is how much integration its own team plans to handle.
LG Energy Solution
Suitable for: Service and logistics robot manufacturers sourcing cells for an engineered pack.
LG Energy Solution offers a concrete example of a major cell producer working with a robotics company. In November 2024, it announced an agreement to become Bear Robotics' exclusive cylindrical battery supplier, with supply scheduled from 2025 for the Servi Plus and Carti 100 platforms. We would consider it for projects with the resources to manage pack integration and supplier qualification. (LG Energy Solution)
Samsung SDI
Suitable for: Robot OEMs exploring battery development around tight installation spaces.
Samsung SDI's relevance extends beyond its automotive business. Its February 2025 agreement with Hyundai Motor and Kia targets robot batteries with improved energy density, output, and space utilization. This supports considering Samsung SDI for development partnerships; the announcement describes joint development, rather than a ready-to-order robot battery catalog. (Samsung SDI)
Grepow
Suitable for: Robotics teams needing application-specific cells or battery packs.
Our robotics portfolio covers companion robots, humanoids, mobile robots, underwater systems, and competition robots. We develop custom cells for companion robots and offer cell and pack solutions for underwater platforms, including high-rate LiPo and LiFePO4 options. We see our role in projects where battery design needs to follow the robot's available space and operating demands. (Grepow Robotics)
Drones and UAVs: Manufacturers for Flight Endurance and Integrated Power
For drone projects, we recommend deciding early whether the requirement is a cell for an internally developed pack or a complete battery system. These three suppliers represent different approaches to that decision.
Grepow — Tattu
Suitable for: Commercial multirotor OEMs and operators seeking integrated UAV batteries.
Our Tattu portfolio includes soft packs, smart UAV batteries, and charging systems for applications such as agricultural spraying, inspection, and mapping. We offer stock, semi-custom, and custom solutions, including battery management and protection systems. This makes us a candidate when the project needs the battery, charger, and aircraft integration considered together. (Grepow UAV Batteries)
Amprius
Suitable for: UAV developers prioritizing endurance and able to qualify cells within their own pack design.
Amprius is relevant for its silicon-anode cell technology and documented aviation customers. In July 2025, it reported shipments of SiCore cells to multiple drone customers from its U.S. pilot line, including cells for AALTO. We would evaluate Amprius at the cell level, with the aircraft developer or a pack partner responsible for the finished battery system. (Amprius)
Epsilor
Suitable for: Professional UAV manufacturers needing application-specific propulsion packs.
Epsilor focuses on engineered battery systems for demanding applications. Its electrical mini-UAS offering includes lithium-ion propulsion packs with cell selection, mechanical packaging, monitoring, balancing, and smart battery management. This is a relevant option for aerospace teams seeking pack engineering support rather than purchasing bare cells alone. (Epsilor)
RC Models: Manufacturers for Racing, Aircraft, and Custom Builds
Our RC shortlist focuses on suppliers with dedicated model battery ranges or established pack-building services. Here, we would compare the available pack configuration and support for the specific model before comparing company size.
Grepow — Gens ace
Suitable for: RC racers, recreational users, and model brands sourcing dedicated LiPo packs.
Our Gens ace range includes Redline, Bashing, Advanced, and Classic products, alongside batteries for RC aircraft. We also provide OEM and ODM battery services for model manufacturers. The range gives buyers a starting point by model category, while custom development addresses requirements beyond the catalog. (Grepow RC Batteries)
MaxAmps
Suitable for: RC builders seeking customized packs assembled in the United States.
MaxAmps began serving the RC market in 2004 and builds battery packs to order. Its customization options include plugs, wire, and wrapping, making it worth considering when a standard pack does not match the installation. Its U.S. manufacturing claim concerns pack assembly and should not be read as a claim that every cell is manufactured domestically. (MaxAmps)
Thunder Power RC
Suitable for: RC aircraft enthusiasts and builders evaluating performance-oriented LiPo packs.
Thunder Power RC offers battery ranges for uses including sport flying, helicopters, and electric ducted-fan aircraft. The company states that it builds packs in-house in Las Vegas, matching cells by voltage and internal resistance. We include it as a specialist pack manufacturer with a clear RC focus. (Thunder Power RC)
Smart Hardware: Manufacturers for Consumer Electronics and Wearables
For smart hardware, our shortlist covers broad consumer electronics production, miniature rechargeable cells, and custom geometry. We would first identify whether the device can use an established cell format or needs a battery developed around its enclosure.
ATL
Suitable for: Consumer electronics OEMs developing phones, tablets, wearables, and AR/VR devices.
Amperex Technology Limited offers rechargeable cells, packaging solutions, and system integration across these product categories. Its published capabilities include customization of chemistry and structure, along with development from prototypes through mass production. ATL is a relevant candidate when the project needs consumer battery expertise across both cell design and production. (ATL)
Sunwoda
Suitable for: Consumer device manufacturers seeking battery production and related integration capabilities.
Sunwoda identifies consumer batteries as a core business, covering cells, batteries, structural components, and related electronics. Its offering combines product design with large-scale manufacturing and includes PCBA services. We would consider it for programs where the battery belongs within a broader electronics manufacturing and integration plan. (Sunwoda)
VARTA Microbattery
Suitable for: Earbud, sensor, and wearable designers using miniature rechargeable button cells.
VARTA's CoinPower range targets compact applications including wireless headsets, health sensors, smartwatches, and connected devices. The company provides a range of defined cell dimensions and design-in support. This gives hardware teams an established miniature format to evaluate before committing to a custom cell shape. (VARTA)
Grepow
Suitable for: Smart hardware teams needing nonstandard battery shapes and integrated protection.
We develop round, curved, thin, and other custom-dimension cells, together with battery structures and battery management systems. Our customization services can cover the cell, electronics, and enclosure as one project. We would start by reviewing the device's internal drawing and electrical requirements to determine which design options are feasible. (Grepow Custom Battery Solutions)
How We Recommend Comparing Lithium Battery Manufacturers
Once the application shortlist is clear, we recommend sending each lithium battery manufacturer the same project brief. This makes responses easier to compare and gives suppliers a concrete basis for discussing feasibility.
Include operating voltage, capacity, continuous and peak current, available dimensions, temperature range, charging requirements, expected annual volume, and destination markets. For a connected battery, specify the required communication interface and information the host device needs to receive.
Then ask three questions:
What will you manufacture?
Identify who makes the cells, assembles the pack, and develops its electronics.
How will you validate it?
Request sample testing against the intended load profile and operating conditions.
How will you support production?
Confirm qualification responsibilities, lead times, traceability, and design-change procedures.
We use these questions to turn a list of lithium battery producers into a project-specific supplier comparison.
Conclusion
Choosing among lithium-ion battery manufacturers starts with matching the supplier's actual role to the product. Automotive deployment establishes scale; documented robotics programs, UAV systems, RC ranges, and consumer electronics capabilities establish different kinds of relevance.
At Grepow, our focus is custom cells and application-specific battery systems. If your project needs that approach, share the available space, load profile, and production requirements with us so we can assess a suitable design.
FAQ
Who makes lithium ion batteries for everyday electronics?
ATL, Sunwoda, VARTA Microbattery, and Grepow are examples. Their offerings range from consumer electronics batteries and miniature button cells to customized designs.
Are Tattu and Gens ace separate battery manufacturers?
Both are Grepow brands. Tattu focuses on drone batteries, while Gens ace serves the RC market, so they should not be counted as independent manufacturers.
Should our robotics company source cells or a complete battery pack?
Source cells when your team can manage pack engineering and qualification. Consider a complete pack supplier when you need support with protection electronics, packaging, and integration.
Which manufacturers should we evaluate for custom wearable battery shapes?
ATL and Grepow both describe cell customization capabilities. VARTA is another option when a defined miniature button-cell format suits the enclosure.
What should a UAV OEM include in its first battery inquiry?
Provide voltage, capacity, continuous and peak current, dimensions, temperature range, and charging requirements. Include communication needs, annual volume, and destination markets so suppliers can assess integration and qualification.
