Description
XTAR VC4 Battery Charger: Four Bays, USB Powered, With a Live Display
The XTAR VC4 is a four-bay USB battery charger with a tachometer-style LCD that shows what each cell is doing as it charges. XTAR says it charges Li-ion and Ni-MH cells in sizes from 10440 to 32650, four 18650s at a time, and picks the charging current for you, from 0.1A up to 1A.
We’ve replaced this page’s old description, which had been written for the two-bay XTAR VC2 and said it took 21700s. XTAR doesn’t list 21700 cells for the original VC4, so if you use 21700s, look at the VC2 instead.
🔌 XTAR VC4 at a Glance
✔ Four charging bays
✔ Runs from any 5V USB supply (micro-USB)
✔ Automatic current, 0.1A to 1A
✔ Li-ion and Ni-MH, 10440 to 32650
✔ Four 18650s at once
✔ Tacho-style LCD with a switchable backlight
XTAR VC4 Specifications
XTAR’s own figures for the VC4.
| Spec | XTAR VC4 |
|---|---|
| Bays | Four |
| Input | 5V USB, micro-USB port |
| Charging current | Automatic, 0.1A to 1A |
| Chemistries | Li-ion and Ni-MH |
| Sizes | 10440 to 32650; four 18650s at once |
| Display | Tacho-style LCD; backlight can be switched off |
Which Batteries Does the VC4 Charge?
XTAR lists Li-ion and Ni-MH cells from 10440 to 32650, including four 18650s at once. It doesn’t list 21700s for the original VC4 – XTAR describes its VC4L as the version that added protected-21700 support.
The 18650s we stock – the Vapcell K25 18650, Sinowatt 25SP 18650 and Sinowatt 30SP 18650 – all charge in the VC4, four at a time.
Will not fit: 21700 cells, which XTAR doesn’t list for the original VC4, or any battery that isn’t a rechargeable Li-ion or Ni-MH.
How to Use the XTAR VC4
- Plug the VC4 into a 5V USB supply.
- Check each battery’s wrap first: never charge a cell with a torn wrap or a dent.
- Slide the negative contact back and drop the battery in, positive end to the positive terminal.
- The VC4 chooses the current, and the display shows each cell’s progress.
- Take the batteries out once they’re full, and don’t leave them charging unattended.
How Long Does Charging Take?
At the VC4’s top rate of 1A, a flat 2500mAh 18650 takes roughly two and a half hours, plus a little longer for the final top-off; a 3000mAh cell, roughly three. If the VC4 chooses a lower current, charging takes longer.
XTAR VC4 Troubleshooting
| Problem | Likely cause and fix |
|---|---|
| The display shows no battery | Slide the contact back further and reseat the cell, and check it’s the right way round. |
| Charging seems slow | The VC4 tops out at 1A a cell, so a large cell from flat takes a few hours. |
| A 21700 won’t fit or charge | XTAR doesn’t list 21700s for the original VC4. Use the XTAR VC2 or another 21700 charger. |
| A battery gets hot | Stop charging and let it cool. Replace any cell that runs hot or has a damaged wrap. |
XTAR VC4 vs XTAR VC2 vs Efest LUSH BOX
| XTAR VC4 | XTAR VC2 | Efest LUSH BOX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bays | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Charging current | 0.1–1A, automatic | 0.5A per bay | 1 x 2.1A or 2 x 1.0A |
| Cells | 10440–32650; no 21700 listed | 18350 to 26650, including 21700 | 18650 only |
| Power bank | Not listed | Not listed | Yes |
For a dual-18650 mod with a spare pair, the VC4. For 21700s, the VC2. For charging on the move, the LUSH BOX.
Charging Safety
Charge on a hard surface away from anything that could burn, never leave batteries charging unattended, and never carry loose cells in a pocket with keys or coins. Don’t charge or use a battery with a torn wrap or a dent. For dual-battery mods, keep cells as a pair: charge them together and replace them together.
Buy the XTAR VC4 Near You
Need an XTAR VC4 charger today? Our Totton vape shop, Hythe vape shop and Holbury vape shop stock vape batteries, chargers and spares, and the team can check which resistance suits your device and e-liquid. Bring your batteries in and we’ll check they suit it. Stock varies by store, so give us a call before you travel. Ordering online instead? See our delivery options.
You May Also Like
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the XTAR VC4 charge 21700 batteries?
XTAR doesn’t list 21700s for the original VC4. It describes the VC4L as the version that added protected-21700 support. For 21700s, we’d use the XTAR VC2.
How many batteries does the VC4 charge at once?
Four, including four 18650s.
How is the XTAR VC4 powered?
From any 5V USB supply, through its micro-USB port.
Can the VC4 charge Ni-MH batteries?
Yes. XTAR lists Li-ion and Ni-MH.
Does the XTAR VC4 need a plug?
It runs from any 5V USB supply, such as a USB plug or a computer port.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.