A Guide to Buying Quadcopter Chargers and Batteries

FPV quadcopter batteries have a tough job. The average freestyle or racing quadcopter requires huge amounts of power to operate, and only the most advanced batteries, such as LiPo and Li-Ion, can deliver it without deteriorating in the process. But chargers also play a crucial role in keeping your quadcopter's batteries in optimum working condition, which is why you need a combination of quality quadcopter charger and batteries to ensure you can fly your quadcopter for as long as possible. With that said, there are a couple of important things you need to consider when buying replacement drone battery chargers and batteries in order to make sure you get the most fly time out of your drone, and the most out of the batteries.

Quadcopter Batteries

Quadcopter batteries are available in different voltages, which is indicated by their S-rating. Most batteries used by mini-quadcopters (models with 5-inch propellers) is 4S. However, 6S voltage has become much more popular in the past few years, and racing drones use 6S almost exclusively. 4S packs are still considered ideal for beginners, as they're less expensive, and there's less chances of frying an ESC. If you own a micro-quadcopter (models with 3-inch propellers or smaller), then there's less flexibility when choosing batteries, as these models are designed with a specific weight in mind, and throwing that weight off with a smaller or larger battery will heavily impact this delicate equation.

A quadcopter battery's ability to deliver current is indicated via the C-rating. However, there's no standard of determining the C-rating of a battery, so many manufacturers make it up. Generally, a 100C battery will outperform a 50C battery, but two 50C batteries from different manufacturers probably won't perform even remotely close.

Lastly, you need to factor in the capacity of the battery, which is measured in mAh (milliamp-hours). The more milliamp-hours a battery has, the longer the flight times. On the flip side, the more capacity a battery has, the heavier it will be, which can make the quadcopter handle worse. That being said, you'll have to find a balance between weight and capacity that works for you best.

Quadcopter Battery Chargers

First thing to note is that many brands have proprietary batteries that are compatible with their quadcopters, meaning they also have a compatible quadcopter charger to go along with it. Generally, these chargers will take a lot of time to charge the batteries, which is why many people opt to get a better charger. When shopping for a better quadcopter battery charger, you need to make sure the charger and the batteries your quadcopter uses are compatible. Besides compatibility, some of the other factors you'll need to consider when buying a quadcopter charger include:

Balance Charging Function - This process checks the voltage of each and every cell and ensures steady voltage while charging. This is an important feature, because if the required voltage fluctuates or drops, the battery can get damaged or even catch fire. Luckily, most chargers come with balanced charging
Cell Compatibility - As briefly aforementioned, before you shop for a quadcopter battery charger, make sure it's compatible with the batteries. Some affordable LiPo chargers can support 2S or 3S LiPo, whereas some higher-end chargers can support a range of 1S to 6S LiPo batteries
Power Output - The power output of the charger represents the power the charger provides to the battery, which can be 50W or above. The more output the charger has, the faster it will recharge the battery. However, more is not necessarily better, as batteries charge best when charger slower
Current Rate - As aforementioned, batteries have a charge rate that's expressed in C-rating. However, some chargers specify their charge rate in Amps, which can lead to confusion. In order to get the value in Amps, all you have to do is multiply the C-rating with the battery capacity.

So Why Should You Upgrade the Battery and Charger That Came With Your Quadcopter?

Usually, all mid-range batteries provide a sub-par flying time. Upgrading your quadcopter battery will significantly increase your flight time per charge. Just pay attention to the quadcopter's maximum mAh and see if the battery you're looking to buy is compatible with it. But if you get a new battery, you shouldn't just throw away the old one. It's always a good idea to have an extra battery, as that can basically allow you to get even more flight time.

As far as chargers go, you should just make sure the model you buy is compatible with the batteries you want to charge with it. Higher output chargers are preferred as they allow quicker charging of the battery. Make sure you're charging safely by following the instructions set by the manufacturer, such as using the correct charging voltage and current, and try not to leave the batteries unattended while they're recharging.