Built Right, From the Inside Out:
Why Cheap Batteries Cost More Than You Think
It’s easy to get caught up comparing specs and prices when shopping for battery packs. On the
surface, many options look nearly identical: same voltage, similar capacity, maybe even the same
mount type — but wildly different prices. So what gives?
The short answer: not all batteries are built the same. And in the race to hit lower and lower price
points, some manufacturers are cutting more than cost — they’re cutting corners that directly
impact safety, performance, and longevity.
We decided to take a deeper look.
What We Found Inside
After disassembling a few low-cost battery packs currently flooding the market, a clear pattern
emerged: they’re cheap for a reason. The component choices, lack of protective features, and
shortcuts in construction may help shave dollars off the sticker price, but they come at a very real
cost to the end user.
Here’s what stood out:
No Heat Dissipation Measures
These packs run hot. There’s little to no thermal management inside — no heat sinks, thermal
pads, or even venting strategies. Excessive heat is one of the fastest ways to degrade lithium-ion
cells and is a known risk factor for swelling, performance drop-off, and even thermal events.
Contact Materials Not Rated for High Current
Some of the contact blocks and connector housings we found weren’t even made of materials
rated for the temperatures they could reach under heavy use. That’s not just poor design — it’s
dangerous. Under sustained current draw, these components risk deformation, melting, or
electrical failure.
No Current Limiting or Overcurrent Protection
Rather than limiting output current or using active monitoring systems to protect the pack and
the gear it powers, these batteries rely purely on temperature-based shutdown — assuming it
exists at all. In other words, the battery will keep pushing power until it either overheats or the
equipment fails. It’s reactive, not proactive.
Why We Build Differently
At Core SWX, we’ve made a conscious decision not to chase the lowest possible price. We’re
not interested in building throwaway packs that work for six months and disappear.
Instead, we focus on long-term value:
These aren’t “nice to haves.” They’re the reason our packs are trusted by professionals powering
high-stakes productions, remote field operations, and critical gear.
The Illusion of Saving Money
On paper, the cheaper pack looks like a deal — until you factor in the real cost. Here’s what that
could look like:
- ⋆The battery runs hot → cell degradation begins sooner
- ⋆Protection circuits fail or are absent → damage to your camera or light
- ⋆Pack dies prematurely → you’re back to buying another (and maybe another)
- ⋆It fails mid-project → downtime, reshoots, lost trust, or lost clients
Suddenly, that “budget-friendly” price doesn’t feel so friendly.
You’re Not Just Buying Power. You’re Buying Confidence.
When you invest in a battery pack, you’re not just paying for volts and watt-hours. You’re
paying for design integrity. For performance you can rely on when it matters most. For support
when you need it. And for peace of mind that your gear — and your reputation — is protected.
We won’t promise to be the cheapest. We promise to be the best value over the long haul.
Because cutting corners doesn’t power great work — but doing it right does.
Feel the power. Built right. Inside and out. Choose CORE.
