This research presents a method for efficiently and reproducibly comparing diverse battery thermal management concepts in an early stage of development to assist in battery system design. The basis of this method is a hardware-based thermal simulation model of a prismatic Lithium-Ion battery, called the Smart Battery Cell (SBC). By eliminating the active chemistry, enhanced reproducibility of the experimental boundary conditions and increased efficiency of the experimental trials are realized. Additionally, safety risks associated with Lithium-Ion cells are eliminated, making the use of the SBC possible with thermal management systems in an early state of developed and without costly safety infrastructure. The integration of thermocouples leaves the thermal contact surface undisturbed, allowing the SBC to be integrated into diverse thermal management systems.