4s vs 6s LIPO Batteries? Which Do I Buy As A New Pilot? - FPV Questions

[@JoshuaBardwell]

For the record, I did some more research and 4s definitely is cheaper. I swear I remember them being about the same but not today.

[@noisybirdfpv8874]

Yep

[@GeKoFPV]

its not just the batteries, you can often find 4s KV motors on sale, vs 6s KVs are more hyped and therefore often more expensive. Same with finding stuff in stock :)

[@Eldiablo_FPV]

​@@GeKoFPV That's the point to me, i alteady stick with 4s for all reasons that you mentioned.

[@LostCloudx4]

Depends where you are too. Here in Thailand a 1300 4S is about the same price as a 950-1050 6S of the same brand. TBH here most prices are the same...e.g. a 650 4s is only about 1usd cheaper than a 1000. Makes it super hard to choose batts

[@tk-maker]

yup, almost 1.5x the price. I fly 6s drone XING2 2207 with 4s battery for cinematic and some soft freestyle. pure awesome and relaxing

[@rumblefish_FPV]

I fly 4s, the parts where cheaper because apparently 6s is the thing now. 4s batteries are also easier to find since they sit on the shelves longer in my experience. Honestly this is like mountain bikers debating wheel size. I used to beat people on much fancier bikes than mine with supposedly the correct size wheels for their chosen discipline. People like to think they can buy their way to proficiency but in reality what matters is time in the saddle. Where quads are concerned it's stick time that matters. Mr Steele once told me that what matters is consistency. get your setup done and then slowly refine it. It's not about revolution it's about evolution. Maybe I'll fly 6s one day but I'm in no hurry. 4s is getting me more than enough stick time.

[@levitatedfpv9742]

4s since I started and still happy with it a year later. Saved a good chunk of change bashing those rather than 6s. Even flew 4s with 6s motors for a while 🤷‍♂️. Beginners don't have a need for that amount of power imo. Breaking stuff more often by carrying even more momentum in crashes doesnt equate to a good time

[@tk-maker]

I still fly mostly 4s (on 6s drone), feel comfortable

[@FpvSage]

True I had a small crash into a tiny branch but apparently 6s had so much inertia my prop ripped out of the motor

[@WKfpv]

4s is lighter, cheaper, you can still ripp the shit out of it and you don't have to worry about voltage spikes because everything is 6s rated nowadays lol

[@noisybirdfpv8874]

Yep 4s 2550kv and all up weight 670g rips just fine 6s would probably do better in an extended punch out but most people just don't do that all that often.

[@levitatedfpv9742]

No doubt. Rn I'm running 2555KV with 695 AUW on my Manta and it feels just fine to me

[@GeKoFPV]

I agree, my 5 inch AUW is 520g with 4s 2300 KV and is just perfect with some gemfan F3s or Ethix pb J

[@modquad18]

I personally prefer 4s, but I build my models super light and don’t haul a GoBlow

[@Curiousity0309]

It actually dawned on me not that long ago, that flying a quad with a spoiler protects the battery in a crash.

[@brentsheldon8667]

Definitely go for 6s. I started with 4s and moved to 6s and have a boat load of 4s batteries I haven't been using because I primarily fly 5" and 7" quads.

[@swartzfpv2020]

Same here!! Agreed 👍

[@tk-maker]

you can fly 6s drone with 4s battery for cinematic, no waste. i am using XING2 2207

[@Sugalime3D_FPV]

You can theoretically make two 6S batteries out of three 4S batteries of the same type if you dare to disassemble and recombine battery cells...

[@noisybirdfpv8874]

4s flies fine for me, and when on sale can get 2 for the price of one 6s, if 6s was as cheap I'd go with it no problem. My 5" freestyle is 670g auw, gopro session 5

[@Sugalime3D_FPV]

I live in Germany (Market). Most available 6S lipos seem to be for heavy 5-inchers. The most available sizes are (2024-01-05): * Tattu R-Line 6S 1200 mAh (197g, 52€) * Tattu Funfly 6S 1300 mAh (215g, 31€) * Tattu R-line 6S 1400 mAh (223g, 51€) * Tattu Funfly 6S 1550mAh (260g, 46€) 1050 mAh is really not available. 1200 mAh is the smallest 6S battery you can buy (SFAIS). In comparison with 4S you get much cheaper and more available lighter lipos. * You get 4S 350, 450, 650 mAh as well... * Tattu R-line 4S 850 mAh (92g, 21€) * Tattu R-Line 4S 1300 mAh (150g, 21€), same energy like 6S 866 mAh * Tattu Funfly 4S 1550 mAh (181g, 21€), same energy like 6S 1033 mAh * Tattu R-Line 4S 1800 mAh (197g, 39€), same energy like 6S 1200 mAh * Tattu 4S 2200 mAh (223g, 30€), same energy like 6S 1446 mAh I plan to build light 5 inch racing drones that do 3D freestyle, with a light Runcam Thumb Pro or later perhaps digital onboard recording. E.g. with the Five33 Lightswitch V2 frame and TWIG ET5 frame. Somehow I don't like the situation on the market for 6S, because there are only very heavy batteries and they are significantly more expensive than 4S. IMO 4S 1300 - 1550 mAh is perfect for a lightweight 5 inch freestyle drone. That means 6S 850 - 1050 mAh would be perfect as well, but they don't exist on market... Racers fly with these heavy 6S 1200 - 1300 mAh lipos ? 4S has the advantage that you can use the lipos from your 3.5 inch 4S copter on your 5 inch copter by connecting them in parallel. 2x XT30 to 1x XT60. And tie the batteries well with a ribbon. Since you can't get small 6S lipos and you don't normally build a 3.5 - 4 inch in 6S. However, the method would also work for 6S! I mean building your sub250 quads 3 - 3.5 inch for 3S (with the corresponding motor KV) and for your 5 inches just connect 2x 3S batteries in series rather than parallel. The problem here, however, is the battery cables, which are designed for an XT30 plug. This means that the same current flows through a battery as from the entire battery. When connected in parallel, both batteries share the current. So in principle it would only work if you have a sub250 3 - 3.5 drone that flies 3S XT60 Lipos. For example, there are 3S XT60 Lipos on the market in 850, 1050, 1050, 1300, 1550 mAh. PS: With parallel you can add the mAh together. When in series the mAh stays the same but the voltage doubles... I see one big disadvantage in 4S compared to 6S. You need the 50% more powerful electric current ESC. Which are usually significantly more expensive. For a 5 inch with 2207 motors e.g. a 65 amp and not a 45 amp ESC.

[@franciscohompler2773]

As a german I wouldnt buy from german shops but from manufactureres since its a lot cheaper! Here what I got: GNB, 1300mAh, 6s, 195g, 26eu if you buy 5 CNHL Black Series, 1300mAh, 6s, 245g, 18eu if you buy several

[@VibriaFPV]

I fly 4S too, just to keep the weight a bit down, plus I don't need the power from 6S, the quad I have fly 160 km/h on 4S so that is plenty power

[@brinsonwyche9388]

straight to the point and gives a legit reason, thank you

[@ninmarioscc]

Bluntly producing the show killer suggestions. Polls are underrated

[@JohnCuppi]

I still only fly 4S on 5”. The batteries are significantly cheaper, and I don’t care about flying with a GoPro.

[@GeKoFPV]

I also still fly 4s only since I started 1.5 years ago. My main 5 inch freestyle rig is 520g with a Action 2 and a 1300 mah 4s and 2305 motors. More than enough power. If it were to go for a much more beefy 5 inch build I'd consider trying 6s, but for lightweight builds, I think its not necessary... and the chance of ESC failure is probably way lower.

[@rawpicsfpv3516]

i have a pretty similar setup, maybe 50-80g lighter though:) i am just about to switch cause especially in cold weather it does sag quiet a bit at the last 1-1.5min flightime

[@nategroll4051]

4s only. Prices are great!

[@maro0016]

4s is fine for cinematic - I also fly however most of the time 6s

[@MCsCreations]

Only 4s here as well.

[@mxracingunlimitedltd7784]

Maybe im crazy but i bought two 5s 1550mah's to try out on my 6s Nazgul5 and it actually flies great and gets the long flight times.. Its pretty amazing lol! I had some 4s 5" drones and with the right motors for 4s it really not bad and you wont notice anything on a 5". If anything its something to look forward too when you build you first purpose built 6s 5.1" FPV Drone and then really feel the power! But i feel like just get a 6s drone bc you could even run a 4s on them and theyre also fine for starting out honestly and the Nazgul5 with a GoPro is alittle heavy of a drone.. Flew fine in the beginning when all i used were left over big 4s packs. Now i only use 4s on my 3" & 3.5" drones so im going for tiny as possible 4s 650-850mah like the smaller Tattu Batteries. For 5" drones ive had plenty of good luck with certain Amazon brands especially for the price like Ovonics, Zee, and they also sell Tattu/Gens Ace batteries which are always good..

[@tk-maker]

I started 4s drone (MARK 4 + XING2 2207 2755kv), build another 6s drone (APEX HD + XING2 2207 1855kv) , but I fly the 6s drone using 4s battery, it smooth like cinematic. so no waste for 4s and 6s battery. also both XING2 bell is interchangeable

[@tacticalFPV]

4s makes more sense if you also fly planes given that most small to mid sized prop planes are 3s-4s. So I’m on 4s but I do 6s for 7” quads because that’s a must. I have a plane with a 2000cm wingspan that’s 4s. The cell count just goes a lot farther with fixed wings.

[@duderguy1571]

4s 5" power pick go reeeeee🚀

[@dondupuis4007]

The spoiler does get to you, his point made😊

[@TomasWatchReviews]

in the big relatively open areas 6s is the way to go on 5".. But on the tight track, like flying around the apple trees in the garden 4s fees much better because of the less weight. To use full potential of a 6s in a tight place you have to be a mad man. Most people are going to perform a lot better with 4s in the tight space like garden or forest. I actually fly 4s on a 6s 5" drone. I fly racing style and I never feel like I would need more power. And the drone is never stressed out because it is built for 6s.

[@ninjamonkeyfpv8855]

I've never flown 6s.. I've been flying 4s since 2018..

[@LostCloudx4]

:O My foxwhoop 35 uses both. I have tested both and 90% of the time go with 4s. I can fit bigger capacity for lighter weight. Depends on flight... Going crazy no camera flight on 6S is a bit too crazy. Cruisy flight with camera on a 1300-1500 4S, For a longer flight with the insta360 (heavy) ill go a 1000 6S for the extra grunt but it just means I've getting a similar flight time to a 4s 1500 with the caddx walnut onboard...

[@gartsworld-RC]

Iam flying 6s on my 3"🙈 I love it 🤙🏻

[@Sugalime3D_FPV]

If you fly a lot of drones with 2S batteries (2.5", 2S 550mAh), 4S is not so bad (3.5" 4S 550 mAh). Some 3" quads fly with big 2S batteries... Or just connect four 2S batteries to a 4S battery (2S2P). Because you can use 2S batteries connected in parallel on a 4S copter. It's mostly the case that people don't fly 3S batteries, so you don't have this advantage with 6S.

[@rawpicsfpv3516]

i wish there was a proper 6s 850mah, the 1050s are quiet heavy

[@richardheedfpv9626]

Gnb do a 930 6s lihv. Same weight at normal 850.

[@rawpicsfpv3516]

@@richardheedfpv9626 ii dont think they are avaliable in europe, but htx for the hint:)

[@richardheedfpv9626]

@@rawpicsfpv3516 hobbyrc

[@chrisbee5481]

Ovonic has some. Also dogcom I think. Maybe even cnhl

[@Sugalime3D_FPV]

Everything has its advantages and disadvantages. I see an advantage in the fact that I can connect 4S batteries of my 3.5 inch parallel to use them on my 5" Ultralight Longrange and 5" Freestyle drone. Also, an advantage of 4S over 6S is that there is a 44% lower chance of the battery dying from a single cell. A disadvantage of 4S is of course the higher current and the larger XT connector. What I find strange is that there are hardly any 4S batteries with XT90 plugs although my freestyle drone is designed for 52 amps and actually needs minimum an XT90 (45 amps) and not an XT60 (30 amps) plug. Actually even an XT120 (60 amps). But you can solder the XT60 Lipos with XT90 connectors. Only the cables may still be designed for 30 amperes... Actually, you would even have to replace the cable that is directly connected to the lipo cells...

[@zappex92]

4s best fly

[@Sugalime3D_FPV]

You can theoretically make two 6S batteries out of three 4S batteries of the same type if you dare to disassemble and recombine battery cells... So it is not waste of money if you switch later to 6S. Only your motors are unusable anymore and if anythning else can handle 6S...

[@Sugalime3D_FPV]

Of course all three 4S batteries should be same verison and have pretty the same discharge cycles...

[@swartzfpv2020]

100% go to 6s! I wasted my time on 4s and wish I would never wasted my money

[@David-ty6my]

I just got 6S 5200mAh for BELOW 30€ including shipping/taxes from CNHL. If you think this is expensive I can't help you

[@DAGODER]

I like the comment: "Have beginner start on 6S and find out how expense shit is when you crash

[@MrThuleanimal]

6s for 7 inch, 2s for 1.6 inch and I'm going with 4s for my 3.5 inch.

[@billmcdonald4335]

Do what Bardwell suggested at the start. Your flight time will be hella longer.

[@R.B_B]

Bubby or Bobby has a channel? I teally wnat to see his 4s quad with a spoiler.

[@speedy0_FPV]

6s and maby some 3s if you do racing

[@itunes530]

So this is mainly about 5inch drones. what about things like an O3 djinn 25 or siren 3. I run 6s on all my 5 inchers but im just wondering about a mini 2.5 - 3 inch.

[@uhu4677]

Does it really make a difference? Is the difference big or just like 5%? I once heard, 6s is more efficient. But is it always true? Is it true at all? Is there any scientific test?

[@michaelwilson3946]

4s

[@spfpv6753]

4s all day. I have three 5s for fun.

[@chiefdenis]

Seems like bobby is giving everyone else a chance by flying 4s... with a spoiler

[@BeautyBeastRC]

More powaaaaaa!! 🤣

[@Editer38738]

Learn on 6s

[@WanderinWizard]

Getfpv says $10 more for 6s over 4s i still fly 4s it’s safer maybe new kit would prove otherwise still cheaper fuel and more of it mean more fly time lol

[@xORLOCKx]

4s packs are cheaper.. I fly proxy so torque is more important than peak thrust.. so why waste my money on 6s? I'm never hitting peak thrust.. I smash and destroy packs.. 6s makes no sense unless I'm racing. 4s seems safer on my ESC. I'm happy on 4s. And yes..4s is way cheaper. Look at Rlines.. 4s is way cheaper than 6s. Plus they are lighter weight. 4s is just safer all around and cheaper. My 3 cents. For proxy freestyle

[@EduardoSantos-vn9rj]

I have a FPV 6S, can I use a battery 4S ? just plug play ? all drone 6S can runny with battery 4S ?

[@apair4002]

6s build use 4s lipo, yes it can, obviously less overall performance.

[@alainassaf]

get 4s and your electronics will be more durable. also you will kill less lipos, because 4s kinda 'tell' you when that they are almost empty, while 6S just suddenly die in flight.

[@GODlikeTeaching]

If Anyone reads this, go with 6s, mount the battery with the cells horizontaly, you will crash, remove any chells you puncture the foil, you will end up with 5S or even 4S, limit throttle if it is to powerfull.

[@MikeBanger]

Spoiler Alert! lol

[@jumpstartfpv]

4s Coz the hobby is expensive as it is and only going up.

[@Editer38738]

Anyone want 30 4s ?lol Knoxville, Tennesse

[@Pintosonic]

If you fly with a GoPro don’t waste your time on 4S, 6S is just way better on quads with an AUW of 650g or more. However if you never fly with a GoPro, you might save about 5$ per LIPO by choosing 4S over 6S. On a craft with an AUW of 550g or less you will not see a big performance difference between 4S and 6S. However due to the very small cost difference between 4S and 6S most people go for 6S and I think it’s the way to go because nowadays FCs and ESCs are all reliable on 6S so there’s no big downsides.

[@noisybirdfpv8874]

Price difference depends on what brand and where your buy your packs from. Price can actually be significantly better if on sale simply because of demand of 6s, 4s can have a better discount, but as I said just depends. I often get my 4s orange warped lipos for almost 1/2 the price, I know they're not racing quality but I only freestyle. Think on the last sale they were $12-14 each

[@Pintosonic]

@@noisybirdfpv8874 Yes but within the same brand, same capacity and same C rating a 4S pack will be cheaper than a 6S pack. Of course some brands are cheaper than other, some retailers might give some rebates on some particular packs and not others to manage their inventory but if you keep things equal 4s is a little cheaper than 6S but not by much.

[@noisybirdfpv8874]

@@Pintosonic just have to know where to buy and keep an eye out, I'm talking same brand, c rating and as close as can be what hours.

[@scottm2398]

A pilot lol

[@jozafax]

4s