Xtar VC4SL Charger
(10 reviews)
A four-bay charger with an LCD screen and USB-C: the Xtar VC4SL shows voltage, current, capacity and internal resistance, and charges at up to 3A on one bay.
Characteristics
- Bays: 4 independent bays
- Charging: USB-C QC3.0, up to 3A (1 cell)
- Display: LCD: voltage, current, capacity, resistance
- Compatibility: Li-ion 10440 to 32650 + NiMH AA/AAA
- Real-capacity and internal-resistance test
Detailed overview: Xtar VC4SL 4-bay USB-C battery charger
The Xtar VC4SL is a smart four-bay charger built for users of rechargeable cells, especially flashlight, vaping and photography enthusiasts. It recharges both Lithium-ion cells and NiMH batteries, and automatically detects the chemistry of each cell inserted to apply the right charging profile.
Its compatibility is very broad. On the Li-ion 3.6/3.7V side, it accepts 10440, 14500, 16340, 18350, 18650, 20700, 21700, 26650 and up to 32650 formats, including protected 18650 and 21700 cells. On the NiMH/NiCd 1.2V side, it takes AA, AAA and other cylindrical formats. You can set the charging current of each bay, from 0.25A to 3A, to nurse a small cell or quickly recharge a large 21700.
Power comes over USB-C with QC3.0 fast charging: plug it into a USB wall charger, a power bank or a car socket. A single occupied bay reaches up to 3A, two up to 2A each, and all four at 0.5A or 1A. The LCD screen shows in real time the voltage, current, charged capacity and internal resistance of each cell, a valuable figure for spotting a worn cell.
The VC4SL goes further than a simple charger: it measures the real capacity of a cell through a dedicated test function, and offers a storage mode that brings cells back to an ideal storage voltage. Rugged and complete, it is aimed at anyone who wants to charge and monitor their cells precisely, without investing in a laboratory analyser.
Full specifications
Detailed characteristics
Charging capacity
| Number of slots?Number of batteries that can be charged at the same time. | 4 |
|---|---|
| Compatible formats?Accepted battery formats (AA, AAA, 18650, 21700...). | AAAA, AAA, AA, C, D, 10440, 14500, 14650, 16340, 17350, 17500, 17670, 18350, 18490, 18500, 18650, 18700, 20700, 21700, 22650, 25500, 26650, 32650 |
| Compatible chemistries?Recognised battery chemistries (Li-ion, LiFePO4, NiMH, NiCd...). | Li-ion, NiMH, NiCd |
| Max charging current?Maximum charging current per slot, in milliamps. | 3000 mA |
| Adjustable charging current?The user can manually pick the charging current. | Yes |
| Independent charging per slot?Each slot manages its own charge, independent of the other cells (different formats and chemistries can be mixed). | Yes |
Power input
| Power source?Built-in mains plug, USB port (Micro-USB or USB-C) or 12 V car socket. | USB-C |
|---|
Output and features
| USB output (device charging)?The charger can also act as a power bank: it uses the inserted cells to charge another device. | No |
|---|
Display and diagnostics
| Display?Type of visual feedback on charging status. | Detailed LCD screen |
|---|---|
| Automatic chemistry detection?The charger automatically adapts its charging profile to the inserted cell, with no manual setting. | Yes |
| Test / repair functions?Advanced functions beyond plain charging: real capacity measurement, internal resistance, reconditioning of worn cells, discharge cycles. | Real capacity test, Internal resistance test, Reconditioning / revival, Manual discharge cycle |
Size
| Weight?Weight of the empty charger, in grams. | 212 g |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (L × W × H)?Length × width × height, in millimetres. | 156 × 115.5 × 35 mm |
User manual / Instructions for use
Our tester's review: Christophe Delpuech
The VC4SL is the charger we recommend when you want a versatile, readable model without stepping up to a high-end analysing charger. Its four bays swallow 18650 and 21700 cells just as happily as AA and AAA NiMH, and the LCD screen finally gives you useful data: voltage, real current, charged capacity and, above all, internal resistance, handy for spotting a tired cell. USB-C power is a real plus, you plug it into any phone charger, power bank or car socket. You pick the charging current, from 0.25 to 3A, to nurse small cells or speed up big ones. Two honest downsides: it is a little bulkier than average, and at this price a better-finished cable would have been welcome. But for charging and monitoring your cells day to day, it does a flawless job.
Frequently asked questions: Xtar VC4SL 4-bay USB-C battery charger
Lithium-ion cells of 3.6/3.7V from 10440 to 32650 (including 18650 and 21700, protected cells too) and NiMH/NiCd 1.2V batteries in AA, AAA and cylindrical formats. The charger automatically detects the chemistry of each cell inserted.
Yes. Its LCD screen shows the internal resistance of each cell, and a dedicated function measures the real capacity in mAh, useful for assessing the health of older cells.
Through a USB-C port compatible with QC3.0. You plug it into a USB wall charger, a power bank or a car socket. A single occupied bay can reach up to 3A.
Yes, from 0.25A to 3A depending on the bay and the number of cells charging. You pick a low current to protect a small cell, or a high one to quickly recharge a 21700.
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Published on 19/07/2026, updated on 14/08/2026