When building or upgrading your FPV racing drone, one of the most important decisions you’ll face is choosing between 4s Battery VS 6s Battery. Both options have their strengths, and the right choice depends on your flying style, experience level, and performance goals.
In this guide, we’ll break down the key differences between 4s Battery VS 6s Battery, including speed, efficiency, flight time, and application scenarios—helping you make the best decision for your quadcopter.
4s Battery VS 6s Battery: What is the Difference?
The voltage is the main distinction between 4s Battery VS 6s Battery. Four 3.7V cells connected in series make up the 4S pack, which has a nominal voltage of about 14.8 volts. Six cells are linked in series to create the 6S pack, which has a nominal voltage of roughly 22.2 volts. When compared to the 4S battery, the 6S battery’s higher voltage allows it to give more power and better performance. However, it may lose power more quickly, which results in shorter flight periods. Check here to learn more about FPV battery last time.
Power and Batteries
- P = I x V
- P = Power (watts/W)
- I = Current (amps/A)
- V = Voltage (volts/V)
An object’s power is a measurement of its work capacity. Racing quads can consume about 2,500 watts (2.5 kilowatts/kW) of power when operating at maximum speed. That is the equivalent of 3% of a Honda Fit’s power (the VTEC variant, that is)!
The problem with a 4S lipo is that it needs to have a high current capacity in order to give the craft that much power. Based on the 2.5kW power consumption case, a 4S battery would need to deliver approximately 169A of current (2.5kW/14.8V = ~169A) to maintain the drone’s trajectory. This amount of power and current can be supplied by high-end and/or big capacity 4S packs, but prolonged high current consumption can harm the battery cells, significantly reducing pack longevity.
The benefit of a 6S pack is that the voltage rise drastically lowers the current needed to give the craft the same amount of power. Using the given scenario, the 6S battery would only need to deliver ~112A of current (2.5kW/22.2V=~112A) in order to power the craft for 2.5kW.
The lifespan of a battery pack can be extended by lowering its current demand. This is so that there is less stress on the pack as a whole, as each cell just needs to draw a smaller amount of current. The individual cells of a battery pack are connected in series, or like a chain. Each cell in the pack must produce 50A of current when the battery is required to supply a current load of, say, 50A. Each cell in a 6S pack does not need to produce as much current as the cells in a 4S battery because there are more cells in a 6S pack. This is presuming that the same amount of power must be supplied by both packs.
The current draw of the 6S pack will increase if a 6S FPV drone’s power consumption is higher than that of a 4S drone, for example, because of larger or higher kV motors. This will cause just as much harm as taking a high current from a 4S battery. If the weight of the two craft is comparable, the 6S craft can outperform the 4S FPV drone with larger, faster motors; nonetheless, for most racing situations, the 4S racing drone’s present speed and acceleration are more than sufficient.
Battery Capacity and Weight
One apparent drawback of 6S packs is that a battery with the same capacity as a 4S can weigh about 50% more. While this is true, a 6S drone racing battery can have a capacity that is sufficiently less than that of a 4S battery while yet providing the same amount of power for a predetermined amount of time.
19.2 Wh of energy translates to 19.2 watts for one hour, 38.4 watts for thirty minutes, or 1185 watts for sixty seconds from the batteries. The energy storage capacity of both batteries is equal, as demonstrated by the above equation. This basically means that a quad with either battery could fly for about the same amount of time. This is predicated on the idea that the two quadcopters weigh roughly the same and use the same amount of power.
Utilizing a 6S battery pack with a lower capacity has the drawback of lowering the cells’ current-drawing capacity due to their reduced surface area. Because of this, a lot of 6S drone racing setups will use batteries with a capacity of about 1000mAh.
Motor kV
4S or 6S batteries power 5 inch FPV drones. The KV ratings of your motor must guide your battery selection. For instance, the CNHL 4S 2000mAh and CNHL 6S 1500mAh are great choices for 2000–3000KV and 1600–1900kV, respectively. Lower KV alternatives are more economical and cautious, whereas higher KV options are typically more aggressive and power-hungry. A LiPo battery’s capacity, expressed in milliampere-hours (mAh), tells you how much current you can continually drain from the pack for an hour, or until it runs out. Because larger batteries have a greater take-off weight, they can significantly impair flight performance. The space that large LIPO packs require on top of your drones is another drawback to using them.
| Feature | 4S Battery | 6S Battery |
|---|---|---|
| Voltage | 14.8V | 22.2V |
| Weight | Lighter | Heavier |
| Speed | Moderate, good for beginners | Faster, higher thrust |
| Efficiency | Lower efficiency | More efficient (less current for same power) |
| Flight Time | Slightly shorter | Can be longer with proper tuning |
| Price | More affordable | Higher cost |
| Best For | Beginners, budget builds, casual flying | Competitive racing, long range, pro pilots |
Pros and Cons of 4S Batteries
Advantages:
- Lightweight, easier to handle
- Affordable and widely available
- Perfect for beginners learning to fly FPV
Drawbacks:
- Less efficient compared to 6S
- Lower top speed and thrust
- Can suffer from voltage sag during aggressive maneuvers
Pros and Cons of 6S Batteries
Advantages:
- Higher efficiency (draws less current for same power)
- Better throttle response and speed
- Longer flight times with the right setup
- Reduced voltage sag
Drawbacks:
- Heavier, adds more weight to the quad
- More expensive
- Requires compatible motors and ESCs
Choose 4s battery VS 6s battery for your racing drone?
- Choose 4S Battery if you are a beginner, on a budget, or prefer a lighter build.
- Choose 6S Battery if you want higher performance, professional racing speed, or long-range efficiency.
Keep in mind that switching from 4S to 6S often requires upgrading your motors, ESC, and even propellers to handle the higher voltage safely.
Theoretically, a high kV 4S rig (2600kV and higher) can’t match the torque and top speed of a 6S FPV drone with low KV (1600-2000kV) motors. Here, I will introduce the benefits of 6S over 4S.
amp draw
One of 6S’s most significant advantages over 4S is that less current is needed to provide the same amount of power. Voltage multiplied by current equals power, or P = V x I. Increased voltage will result in decreased current to produce the same amount of power. For instance, it requires almost 60A on 4S (at 16.8V) to produce 1000W, but only slightly less than 40A on 6S (at 25.2V).
Reduced amp draw means:
- Reduced strain on your battery
- Reduced “voltage sag” throughout the flight
- Fewer losses from resistance in the cables are also there, but they are minimal.
responsiveness and performance
The motors can change RPM more quickly and consistently, and accelerate more consistently under load because to the reduced voltage sag. This makes the aircraft more responsive and nimble overall. One of the most important things about how your quad handles is likely the faster rate of RPM change.
Can you use 4S battery on 6S FPV drone?
Before attempting this, confirm that your hardware supports 6S voltage! If not, you risk burning your FC and ESC.
You cannot increase the motor output of a 6S quad to 150% and expect it to function similarly on a 4S LiPo. Motor output cannot be increased; it can only be decreased. In Betaflight, reducing motor output essentially limits the output of the ESC, specifically the signal duty cycle to the FETs (the duration of high pulses).
When will you need to fly 8S battery?
It is necessary for you to use motors with the proper KV. For 8S, a range of 1200–1500 KV works well, which is similar to 1600–2000 KV for 6S. Similar to how 6S motors can be flown on 4S motors, 6S motors that are compatible with an 8S voltage can still be flown in Betaflight with a 75% power limit. It also requires an FC/ESC stack that is 8S compliant. Here’s a breakdown of when and why you’d need to fly an 8S battery:
High-Power Freestyle or Racing Builds
- 8S batteries deliver 29.6V (3.7V × 8 cells), which means more power at lower current.
- This gives extremely fast throttle response, perfect for pro-level racing or aggressive freestyle tricks.
Heavy-Lift & Cinematic Drones
- If you’re carrying large cameras (e.g., RED, Blackmagic, DSLR rigs), an 8S setup provides the extra torque needed.
- The higher voltage helps manage bigger motors and props more efficiently.
Long-Range Flights
- On large drones, 8S improves efficiency by reducing current draw, which translates into cooler electronics and longer flight times when paired with big-capacity packs.
Professional Applications
- Industrial inspection, mapping, or heavy-lift cinematography often require 8S because of the payload demands and reliability at higher voltages.
Advantages of 8S LiPo battery
The primary lesson to be learned from the aforementioned essay is that a greater voltage can accomplish a given quantity of power delivery at a lower current. As a result, your battery, the XT60 connector, the wires, the ESC, and the motors all get less heated. Lower current also lessens battery voltage sag, which improves throttle response and control and keeps the aircraft operating at a steady state of performance for the duration of the flight.
Many of the benefits of switching from 6S to 8S remain the same, including lower voltage sag and increased efficiency from fewer system losses. But the returns start to decrease as the voltage keeps rising. Therefore, as we’ll discuss next, it’s critical to balance these advantages against any potential disadvantages of higher voltage.
- Higher efficiency (less amp draw for the same power output)
- More powerful — ideal for big motors and large propellers
- Reduced heat stress on ESCs and wiring
- Supports heavier payloads
Cons of 8S LiPo battery
- More expensive batteries and components
- Heavier weight
- Requires ESCs and motors specifically rated for 8S
- Not beginner-friendly — tuning can be trickier
Do you recommend 8S LiPo battery?
8S batteries are becoming more common in FPV, but they’re definitely not for every pilot. Although building an 8S drone is enticing, I would personally advise delaying for the time being. First of all, the endeavor will probably be expensive. Purchases of brand-new 8S batteries and appropriate chargers are required. There is a limited selection of motors and ESCs. Durability can be an issue with 8S even when it is accessible, since most components are only tested for 6S, and extensive testing for 8S has not yet been done.
Second, because an 8S LiPo battery has more cells, there is a greater chance of damage.
In summary, with the correct configuration, 8S should be able to outperform 6S in terms of flight performance because it is, theoretically, more powerful and responsive. It does, however, come with some serious drawbacks, including greater prices and a dearth of dependable hardware solutions. It might not fit every flying style, too. It may become a more viable option if more manufacturers work on creating and testing 8S-compatible components over time. As usual, the decision to swap should be based on your own demands and flying style.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I use a 6S battery on a 4S drone?
No. Your drone must be designed to handle 6S voltage; otherwise, it may damage your components.
2. Does a 6S battery always give longer flight time?
Not always. While more efficient, flight time depends on tuning, flying style, and weight.
3. Is 6S always better than 4S?
Not necessarily. For beginners, 4S is easier to fly and more cost-effective. 6S is ideal for advanced pilots.
4. Which battery is best for freestyle drones?
Both work well—4S is lighter for smooth tricks, while 6S gives more punch for acrobatic maneuvers.
Final Thoughts
Choosing between a 4S and 6S battery comes down to your goals as an FPV pilot. Beginners and budget-conscious flyers may prefer the simplicity of 4S, while professional racers and performance seekers will benefit from the power of 6S. 8S battery is for high-performance, heavy-lift, or pro cinematic drones where power and efficiency matter most
Ready to upgrade your drone? Check out our collection of FPV LiPo Batteries and find the perfect match for your build.