Factual 4S vs 6S comparison for a 5-inch quad: voltage, current, motor KV, heat, weight and why 6S became the standard.
On a 5-inch, the cell count decides almost the entire power train. A 4S pack delivers 14.8 V nominal and a 6S 22.2 V. At the same power, more voltage means less current, and less current means less heat in the ESC and wiring. That is why 5" freestyle and race moved from 4S to 6S between 2020 and 2026, though 4S has not disappeared.
Power is voltage times current. If a 6S gives 50% more voltage than a 4S, it needs about a third less current for the same thrust. Fewer amps load the ESC, the MOSFETs and the wiring less, so they run cooler and with less voltage sag. On acceleration peaks, that heat difference is the main technical reason to prefer 6S on a 5".
KV is revolutions per volt. Since 6S supplies more voltage, it pairs with lower KV motors to reach the same final rpm. A 4S 5" usually runs 2400 to 2750 KV motors, and a 6S one 1700 to 1950 KV. The result at the propeller is similar, so you do not gain raw thrust by going 6S, you gain efficiency and temperature. Do not mix a 4S KV motor with a 6S battery: it overrevs it.
6S is the standard for a modern 5", but 4S is not a bad option. 4S packs and high KV motors are usually cheaper, weigh a bit less per cell and are everywhere on the used market. On micros and sub-5" builds, 4S is still the norm. If you are on a budget or already own 4S batteries, a 4S 5" flies perfectly well, only with the ESC working at higher amps.
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