Comparing LiFePo4 Cells: Eve vs Gotion vs Valcon

Steps

1. 1

   Step 1: Checking physical condition of Gotion cells

   I start by inspecting three unpacked Gotion cells and a second box of four Gotion cells. I look at the top and the large flat sides to see if they are bulging. The sides and the tops are slightly bowed inward, which means the cells are not bulging. This is at least a good sign.

   What I used

   Item	Amount	Notes
   Gotion LiFePo4 cells	8	Inspected for bulging

2. 2

   Step 2: Checking physical condition of Valcon and Eve cells

   Next, I inspect the Valcon cells and find that they are nicely straight and not bulging, with the sides curving slightly inward. The Eve cells are also straight on the sides and the short ends. They do not bulge like the rest of the cells.

   What I used

   Item	Amount	Notes
   Valcon LiFePo4 cells	4	Inspected for physical condition
   Eve LiFePo4 cells	4	Inspected for physical condition

3. 3

   Step 3: Measuring initial delivery voltage of Gotion cells

   I measure the voltage of the Gotion cells right out of the box. The first cell is 3.3 volts, but the second cell measures 1.5 volts, which is a very bad sign. The remaining Gotion cells measure 3.2 volts, 3.23 volts, 3.22 volts, 3.24 volts, 3.23 volts, and 3.23 volts.

   Because the 1.5-volt cell triggers my alarm bells, I pull it aside to re-measure later since it was delivered at a far too low voltage.

   What I used

   Item	Amount	Notes
   Gotion LiFePo4 cells	8	Voltage tested out of the box

4. 4

   Step 4: Measuring initial delivery voltage of Valcon and Eve cells

   I measure the Valcon cells next, and they all read 3.29 volts, which is a good sign of consistent voltage. The Eve cells are measured right after and all four read 3.24 volts. These are also at a good voltage and match each other directly out of the box.

   What I used

   Item	Amount	Notes
   Valcon LiFePo4 cells	4	Voltage tested out of the box
   Eve LiFePo4 cells	4	Voltage tested out of the box

5. 5

   Step 5: Scanning QR codes on Gotion cells

   I scan the QR codes on the top of the eight Gotion cells and write the specifications on the side. I notice the QR codes are anything but neatly engraved. After struggling to scan them, I find production dates ranging from March 7, 2025, to April 2, 2025, meaning they come from different batches.

   Furthermore, scanning the codes shows they are registered as 340 amp-hours instead of the 314 amp-hours I ordered.

   What I used

   Item	Amount	Notes
   Gotion LiFePo4 cells	8	QR codes scanned

6. 6

   Step 6: Scanning Valcon and Eve cell QR codes

   I try to scan the QR codes on the Valcon cells, but no matter how I hold them in the light, they do not scan at all. I then move on to the Eve cells, which scan immediately. The Eve model number is MB31 with a nominal capacity of 3.14 amp-hours and production dates on February 21 and 22, 2026, showing only one day of difference between them.

   What I used

   Item	Amount	Notes
   Valcon LiFePo4 cells	4	QR codes failed to scan
   Eve LiFePo4 cells	4	QR codes successfully scanned

7. 7

   Step 7: Discovering hidden second QR codes on Gotion cells

   I notice that the Gotion cells have different terminals and a blurry QR code compared to Eve. Peeling back the label reveals a second, fully hidden QR code underneath. Every LiFePo4 cell should only have a single QR code showing its original manufacturing details, so a second code indicates a rebrand or a larger factory cell that failed capacity tests and was resold under another name.

   This explains why the QR code registers 340 amp-hours while being sold as 314 amp-hours. Doing the same test on the Eve cells by removing their label shows no second QR code.

   What I used

   Item	Amount	Notes
   Gotion LiFePo4 cells	8	Inspected for hidden QR codes
   Eve LiFePo4 cells	4	Inspected for hidden QR codes

8. 8

   Step 8: Capacity testing cells using a lithium tester

   I use a special lithium battery tester capable of charging and discharging the cells at 50 amps. The tester charges each cell to 100 percent, discharges it fully, and measures how much energy was actually stored inside. Because we are in the middle of a summer heatwave during the construction holiday, this process takes a long time.

   What I used

   Item	Amount	Notes
   Lithium capacity tester	1	Used to charge and discharge cells at 50 amps

9. 9

   Step 9: Reviewing Gotion capacity test results

   The Gotion capacity results are poor. The cell that arrived at 1.5 volts has lost a lot of capacity and measures only 280 amp-hours, while others measure 306, 330, and 332 amp-hours. Although seven of these cells exceed their 314 amp-hour label, they were originally manufactured as 340 amp-hour cells that failed factory specs.

   In a series battery pack, the weakest cell determines the total capacity of the entire pack, meaning this pack would be limited to 280 amp-hours and cause the BMS to shut down early.

   What I used

   Item	Amount	Notes
   Gotion LiFePo4 cells	8	Tested for actual capacity

10. 10

    Step 10: Reviewing Valcon and Eve capacity test results

    I test three of the four Valcon cells, and they show 328, 329, and 328 amp-hours, sitting very close to each other with a minimum of 328.5 amp-hours. The Eve cells test at 329.8, 330.5, 330.1, and 329.5 amp-hours, all exceeding the 314 amp-hour rating with a minimum of 329.5 amp-hours. Both Valcon and Eve cells are tightly grouped, meaning a battery pack made from them will remain well-balanced.

    What I used

    Item	Amount	Notes
    Valcon LiFePo4 cells	4	Tested for actual capacity
    Eve LiFePo4 cells	4	Tested for actual capacity

11. 11

    Step 11: Measuring internal resistance of Gotion cells

    I test the internal resistance of the Gotion cells, but one cell breaks during testing due to maximum stress, leaving seven cells. The first cell reads 0.8 milliohms, which is too high. Others read 0.55 milliohms (acceptable), 1 milliohm (far too high), 0.8 milliohms (too high), 0.47 milliohms (acceptable), and 0.51 to 0.52 milliohms (acceptable).

    Having a 1-milliohm cell alongside 0.5-milliohm cells means the weaker cell will drop in voltage faster under heavy loads, heat up quicker, and potentially lead to thermal runaway.

    What I used

    Item	Amount	Notes
    Gotion LiFePo4 cells	7	Tested for internal resistance
    Resistance meter	1	Used to measure internal resistance

12. 12

    Step 12: Measuring internal resistance of Valcon and Eve cells

    I test the Valcon cells and get readings of 0.38 milliohms, 0.58 to 0.59 milliohms, 0.63 milliohms, and 0.61 milliohms, showing they are slightly higher but very usable and consistent. The Eve cells measure 0.43 milliohms, 0.52 milliohms, 0.60 milliohms, and 0.60 milliohms. This proves that the Eve cells also lie reasonably close to each other in internal resistance.

    What I used

    Item	Amount	Notes
    Valcon LiFePo4 cells	4	Tested for internal resistance
    Eve cell	4	Tested for internal resistance

13. 13

    Step 13: Summary of test results and final verdict on Gotion, Valcon, and Eve

    Watch this part (16:06)

    I can now draw my final conclusions from all the tests. The Gotion cells are completely inconsistent, came at wild voltages including 1.5 volts, have hidden second QR codes showing they are rebrands, and show poor capacity and high internal resistance, so I consider them a dangerous product that I will never use.

    On the other hand, the Valcon cells perform remarkably well with great capacity, consistent internal resistance, and reliable behavior, making them surprisingly good and trustworthy. The Eve cells remain my absolute favorite because they arrive perfectly balanced at the exact same voltage, have clean single QR codes, and match each other closely in capacity and internal resistance.

    • Gotion: Inconsistent voltages, rebranded cells, high resistance, and low quality

    • Valcon: Surprisingly good performance, reliable capacity, and consistent internal resistance

    • Eve: Perfectly balanced out of the box, clean manufacturing, and identical specifications

    Warning

    Always thoroughly test your lithium cells upon arrival because advertised capacity and actual condition can vary wildly between suppliers.

14. 14

    Step 14: Planning future destructive short-circuit and fuse tests

    I conclude that the Gotion cells are completely out of balance, unreadable, rebranded, and potentially dangerous, so I will not use them in my home battery setup. The Valcon and Eve cells are reliable, well-balanced, and exceed their rated capacities. I will place all 15 cells together into one housing with a BMS to perform a dangerous short-circuit test in a future video.

    I plan to test mega fuses, Class T fuses, and circuit breakers against short-circuit currents exceeding 10 kiloamps, and use slow-motion and thermal cameras to document what happens during a thermal runaway.

    Warning

    Short-circuit testing lithium battery packs generates currents over 10 kA and is extremely dangerous.

    What I used

    Item	Amount	Notes
    BMS	1	To be installed for future test setup
    Mega fuse	1	To be tested for short circuit currents
    Class T fuse	1	To be tested in future video
    Slow-motion camera	1	To record future tests
    Thermal camera	1	To record future tests

15. 15

    Step 15: Takeaways

    • Eve and Valcon LiFePo4 cells perform exceptionally well and exceed their rated capacities.

    • Gotion cells showed severe inconsistencies, hidden QR codes, and a dangerous 1.5V delivery voltage.

    • A battery pack's total capacity is always limited by its weakest cell.

    • Cells with high internal resistance heat up faster and can lead to thermal runaway.