Liitokala Lii-M4S battery charger review

Today, we are testing the 'Liitokala' battery charger, model Lii-M4S.I It has battery capacity testing. It features four independent charging channels and also includes a USB-C connection.
The device charges all common battery types - lithium-ion, nickel-metal hydride, and apparently even obsolete nickel-cadmium batteries.
The device requires a 2-amp USB power source. It charges two batteries at 1000 milliamps and multiple batteries at 500 milliamps. It can discharge a battery at either 250 or 500 milliamps. It can be used as a powerbank too.

[@ianevans67]

These claim to charge a 26650 but the battery is so fat you can only get one in. You can do 2 if you put them in ch1 and ch3 but no way side by side

[@ishtiaqueahmed903]

The only feature it lacks is that it doesn’t show internal resistance. In that case Lii-500 is the best.

[@Spectra1351]

The Lii-500 internal resistance reader isn’t that accurate… I guess that’s why they didn’t carry on the feature. Sure it’s great to have an idea of what the internal resistance is but I always double check it. I prefer the storage function and easy usb-c input over an inaccurate internal resistance reader! But to each their own preference and needs 😄

[@ishtiaqueahmed903]

​@@Spectra1351 You are right. The resistance reading isn’t 100% accurate. For newer cells It's quite accurate, but it often misreads old cells.

[@KenPSI]

Sending this charger back the only way to tell if a battery is finished is to press a button the display does not turn on to let you know when done!

[@SnapTinker]

You'll need to hold the button down until screen flashes dark. You need to repeat until that happens. Watch the video at 2:18. This is a design flaw of the charger which we have to bear.

[@spaztekwarrior]

Is storage mode for nimh as well? Your example only mentions lithium. If yes, could you just safely charge and then leave 4 nimh AA batteries in the powered on unit it until needed?

[@SnapTinker]

Storage mode is for Li-ion batteries only. NiMh batteries must always be charged full. Inspired by your question I made measurements for NiMh charge mode: charger makes short current pulses at one minute interval after termination. So it does not ruin your batteries.

[@spaztekwarrior]

@@SnapTinker Thanks for this. :) It’s not as fully functional as the Lii 600 but it is less expensive. Nice :)

[@zarjesve2]

Is this model better/newer than Liitokala Lii 500s? I see that Liitokala Lii 500s lack "storage function"...

[@SnapTinker]

Lii-500s is very fast, but it lacks storage function. It needs 12V power source but Lii-M4S-works with any usb charger. Lii-500 costs more. You make choice which values more to you.

[@honda4004]

Hi is it a good product for a struggling carpenter to be able to strip my cordless batteries and build some up with cells out of them .

[@ge9199]

Hello, sir. I want to ask about Liitokala lii500s. In the product specifications on the box & on the official Liitokala website, it does not state that type 21700 batteries can be used in the lii500s, but the battery slot on the charger is suitable for charging type 21700 batteries and many people also do this on the lii500s. My question is, is it safe for the charger & battery if this is done long term? Even though the compatibility specification information is not listed for type 21700 batteries. Sorry, my question doesn't match the content of the video.

[@xmeda]

Beeping of this charger is so loud..

[@ianevans67]

Remove the buzzer or put tape over it to quieten it down

[@ZbygniewNajmrodzki]

*mega*

[@WentzCraft]

Does this capacity test all four slots simultaneously or just slot one?

[@SnapTinker]

All slots work independently. You can test four slots simultaneusly, or only some of them.

[@steviegoenawan]

After how many charge cycles should we re-test the battery capacity using Test Mode?

[@SnapTinker]

Usually, I test old/abused batteries, trying to find bad cells before they die in critical situation. New cells from trusted seller, I only measure voltage. Capacity test is so slow that I avoid doing it in volume. After all, it depends on how accurate information you need from your batteries and how you abuse them with heat or high current load/charge.

[@steviegoenawan]

@@SnapTinker got it, thanks Mate

[@ianevans67]

I've had this m4s and an m4 charger all I want is to test capacity but they are rubbish the display blanks after a minute then will not come back on even if its been overnight while you wait for the test mode to finish. Then it simply wont come back on until you power cycle it then it loses all settings and defaults to basic charging again. Absolute waste of money

[@SnapTinker]

You'll need to hold the current button down until screen flashes black and returns on, after that release finger. Watch the video at 2:18. This is a bit tricky at first. That way the screen stays on.

[@ianevans67]

​@@SnapTinkerThanks I'll try that but it wakes up if you tap a button on the 4s but the original m4 charger with the blue screen simply does not come back on ever it's useless

[@gustavocarrillo5103]

Can it charge button top 21 700 protected batteries?

[@SnapTinker]

I have only unprotected 21700 cells and there is 3mm free space with them. So I believe protected cells should fit.

[@skyilah]

at 300mha it will take 5 hours ro charge 4 batteries , isn't a way too much time ?

[@SnapTinker]

Yes, it is slow, but It has usb-c. I'm trying to get rid of separate power adapters. There is Liitokala fast charge model, but it has a separate power adapter. I hope that some day they'll utilize usb-c capacity, which can reach up to 100W.

[@SharvilSawargaonkar]

Is there a reverse polarity protection

[@SnapTinker]

Yes

[@SharvilSawargaonkar]

@@SnapTinker thank u for replying not may ytbers do that,does it hold data if 5v power is disconnected?

[@SnapTinker]

It resets after power disconnected. Also individual slot resets when battery removed. Default mode is 500mA charge for 18650 lion battery.

[@SharvilSawargaonkar]

@@SnapTinker ok thank you

[@MalcolmJames-sg3zg]

Looks complicated

[@dennistate5953]

Price?

[@SnapTinker]

This is probably cheapest charger with test and storage function.

[@pauldby1479]

Far too complicated

[@SnapTinker]

It is complicated like any charger with lots of functions. I made this video to help others to use it. If you need only charge, just place batteries into slots. No need to press anything. Device resets at power off and individual slot resets when battery is removed.