FPV Drone batteries: LiPo vs LiHV vs Li-ion. Voltage, flight time, C-rating, use cases. Which to pick for 5", whoop or long range.
| Feature | LiPo | LiHV | Li-ion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominal V/cell | 3.7V | 3.8V | 3.6V |
| Full V/cell | 4.2V | 4.35V | 4.2V |
| Real C-rating | 50-100C | 80-120C | 5-20C |
| Energy density | ~150 Wh/kg | ~165 Wh/kg | ~250 Wh/kg |
| Cycle life | ~200-400 | ~200-300 | ~500-1000 |
| Best for | Freestyle, race | Competitive race | Long range, cinematic |
| Fire risk | Medium | Medium-high | Low |
| Relative price | 1x | 1.2x | 0.8x |
Three chemistries coexist in FPV, and you pick between them using three numbers: voltage per cell, C-rating (how much current it can dump at once) and stored energy in Wh. LiPo and LiHV are built to deliver current fast; Li-ion is built to store a lot and release it slowly. Mixing up those roles is the most common battery-buying mistake.
Voltage per cell sets how much pressure the pack delivers: a LiPo runs from 4.2 V charged to 3.7 V nominal. C-rating measures how much current it can dump without collapsing; a 5" quad draws high peaks and needs a high C-rating, or the pack sags under load and you lose power. These two numbers, plus capacity in Wh, decide whether a battery suits your flying style.
LiHV charges to 4.35 V/cell (versus 4.2 V for LiPo) and sits around 3.8 V nominal, so it delivers a little more voltage and energy per cell: that extra shows up as punch on launches and accelerations, which is why racers like it. The trade-off is slightly shorter cycle life and the need for an HV-compatible charger to safely reach 4.35 V. For freestyle, a standard LiPo is still the safe, balanced choice; LiHV makes sense when you're chasing that extra bit of throttle response.
Li-ion (18650/21700 cells like the Molicel P42A/P45B) stores a huge amount of energy for its weight, but its C-rating is low: it can't deliver high current peaks. That makes it the king of long range and cinelifters, where flight minutes matter more than raw acceleration. What you must NOT do is fit it to a 5" freestyle build: it can't supply the current those motors demand and the quad will feel choked.
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