Choosing the Best LiPo Battery Charger and Power Supply for FPV Drones

In this LiPo battery charger buyer’s guide, we’ll explore how to choose the ideal charger and an appropriate power supply based on the requirement of your FPV drones, highlighting key features and considerations. Our goal is to help you select the best LiPo charger for your specific needs and budget.

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If you’re new to FPV, we recommend starting with our guide on LiPo Battery Basics, which explains the essential terminology used throughout this article: https://oscarliang.com/lipo-battery-guide/

Top LiPo Charger Recommendations

We’ve compiled a list of the best LiPo chargers suitable for FPV drone pilots at all skill levels.

If you’re concerned about parallel charging, consider investing in a dual-channel or even four-channel charger to avoid slow, one-at-a-time charging. However, if you’re comfortable using a parallel charging board, a single-port charger can simultaneously charge multiple batteries. Before attempting parallel charging, ensure you familiarize yourself with the proper safety procedures: https://oscarliang.com/parallel-charging-multiple-lipo/

Opt for a Smart Charger

Smart chargers are the industry standard today, thanks to their powerful features and capabilities. Non-smart chargers (or non-programmable chargers) might be cheaper and straightforward to use (you just plug in the balance cable and it still automatically start charging), however, they only offer basic charging functionality, often lack important safety features. Investing in a high-quality modern charger will enhance safety and experience, and likely last throughout most of your FPV career.

Example of an non-programmable Charger

A smart charger (or programmable charger) boasts numerous practical features. It can charge various battery types, including the popular LiPo and Li-ion used in drones, and allows you to customize charging parameters such as charging current, cell count, and end voltage. Additionally, smart chargers feature a display that provides essential information like charging progress, battery voltage, and charging current in real-time.

Example of a modern smart charger

Modern smart chargers also offer discharging and storage charging capabilities, addressing most of your battery management needs. Another advantage of smart chargers is their ability to measure internal resistance. Although not always highly precise, this feature is useful for monitoring battery health over time.

Ensure Cell Count Compatibility

Most LiPo chargers today support 1S to 6S LiPo batteries, which is exactly what you want. However, always double-check the specifications before buying. A 6S-compatible charger have 6S balance port, so you can plug in and charge 6S, as well as 4S, 3S, 2S and 1S batteries, which covers nearly all your FPV charging needs—from larger quads like 7-inch and 5-inch drones down to smaller micro quads, such as 3-inch and 2-inch models.

However, if you’re primarily flying tiny whoops powered by 1S batteries, consider getting a dedicated charger specifically designed for these smaller batteries, which are easier to use. Check out my recommended Tiny Whoop chargers here: https://oscarliang.com/best-tiny-whoop/#Best-Tiny-Whoop-Chargers

Understanding Charging Current Requirements

Charging current determines how fast you can charge a LiPo battery. A higher charging current means faster charging, but if it’s too high, it can cause the battery to overheat—posing a safety risk.

The appropriate charging current depends on two main factors:

• The maximum charging current the LiPo battery can safely handle
• The power and current limits of your charger

It’s generally safe to charge LiPo batteries at 1C, which means the charging current is equal to the battery’s capacity. For instance, 1C for a 6S 1500mAh battery would be 1500mA (or 1.5A). Some LiPo batteries are advertised to handle fast charging at 2C or higher. However, be aware that charging at higher rates increases the risk of battery overheating and reduced battery lifespan.

Each charger has a power rating (watts) and a maximum charging current rating (amps). The actual maximum current it can deliver is limited by whichever of these is reached first, based on the battery’s voltage. This is defined by the formula:

Power (W) = Voltage (V) × Current (A)

For example, a 100W charger charging a 6S LiPo battery at 25.2V can deliver a maximum charge current of:

100W ÷ 25.2V = ~3.97A

How Many Watt Do I Need for My Charger?

A LiPo charger’s power is measured in watts. To calculate the wattage required for your charger, use this simple formula:

Watts = Charge Current (Amps) × 4.2V × Number of Cells

Example, charging a 6S 1300mAh batteries at 1C:

• 1C = 1.3A (since 1300mAh = 1.3A)
• Maximum voltage per cell = 4.2V
• Number of cells = 6

Calculation:

1.3A × 4.2V × 6 = 32.76 watts (approximately 33W)

Now, if you want to parallel charge multiple identical batteries simultaneously,—say, four 6S 1300mAh batteries at the same time—you’ll need 132W (33W × 4). So, you’d need a charger rated at at least 132W to charge four of these batteries at 1C simultaneously. With that said, if your charger is not powerful enough (less than 132W), you can still charge all four batteries at once, but you’ll need to reduce the charge rate (current) to stay within the charger’s wattage limit.

Battery Types Support

While it’s beneficial for a charger to support various battery types, FPV drone pilots generally only use LiPo, Li-ion and LiHV. All the chargers in our recommendations support these battery types. If you require support for other battery types like NiMH, NiCad, or Pb (lead-acid), be sure to check the specifications before purchasing. However, these battery types are generally less relevant for FPV drone pilots.

Understanding Charger Modes

In this section, we’ll discuss common modes in modern smart chargers. A decent charger should at least offer “Balance Charge Mode”, “Discharge Mode”, and “Storage Charge”. Other modes are nice to have but not as essential.

Balance Charge

This mode is the most common and safest way to charge your LiPo batteries. You’ll need to plug in both the main connector (e.g. XT60) and balance connector so the charger can read the voltages of all the cells. The charger will automatically balance the cells during the charge cycle to prevent issues.

Discharge Mode

In this mode, the charger reduces the LiPo battery voltage to its lowest allowed level (e.g., 3V or 3.3V, depending on the charger and settings).

Storage Mode

This mode charges or discharges the battery until the voltage of each cell reaches 3.85V, making it suitable for storage.

Fast Charge

Fast Charge mode doesn’t monitor or balance individual cell voltages during charging. Instead, it only looks at the overall voltage of the whole pack, which carries the risk of overcharging one or multiple cells. You may not see this mode in most chargers nowadays as it’s deemed unsafe for charging LiPo batteries. We don’t recommend this mode unless you’re experienced and know what you’re doing.

Considering the Number of Outputs

When selecting a charger, it’s important to consider the number of outputs. This will determine how many batteries you can charge simultaneously.

Single-output chargers can charge only one battery at a time.

But you can use a parallel charging board to charge multiple batteries simultaneously too. This is a more cost-effective option, but it requires knowledge on how to parallel charge safely.

Chargers with multiple channels or outputs allow you to charge multiple batteries at once without the need for a parallel charging board – many consider this a safer solution. Each output functions as an independent charger, enabling you to charge different batteries regardless of their battery type, capacity, voltage level, or cell count. Multi-channel chargers are more expensive but offer greater flexibility and faster charging, especially if you have a bunch of different batteries.

Don’t Overlook Balance Current

What’s balance current in a charger?

The balance current of a LiPo charger refers to the current used by the charger to balance the voltage levels of individual cells within a multi-cell LiPo battery during the charging process. Balancing the cells ensures that they all have equal voltage levels, which is essential for maintaining the overall health, safety, and longevity of the battery.

LiPo chargers typically have a balance current rating, measured in milliamps (mA), which indicates the maximum current that the charger can use to balance the cells. Higher balance current ratings generally lead to faster balancing and shorter charging times, while lower ratings may result in longer charging times due to slower cell balancing.

Cheaper chargers tend to have lower balance current ratings, such as 0.2A/cell, while higher-end chargers may have higher balance current ratings, up to 1.6A/cell or even higher. It is important to choose a LiPo charger with a decent balance current rating to ensure efficient charging and minimize the time you spend waiting for your batteries to finish charging.

Built-in Power Supply or Not? (AC vs. DC)

Charger with both AC and DC Inputs

When choosing your first LiPo charger, it’s important to understand the difference between AC and DC input options:

• DC input means the charger does not have a built-in power supply—you’ll need to provide your own external power source like a power supply (PSU) or battery.
• AC input means the charger has a built-in power supply, so you can plug it directly into a wall socket. Many of these also support DC input, which allows you to bypass the internal PSU when more power is needed.

Why is this important? The built-in power supply in AC chargers is often less powerful, typically providing only 1/2 or even 1/3 of the charger’s maximum rated power. If you want to use the charger to its full potential, you’ll need a capable external power supply. That said, the internal PSU is usually more than enough for typical use, especially for beginners. You can always upgrade with an external power supply in the future if you want to.

My Recommendation

If you’re just starting out, I recommend getting a charger with a built-in power supply (AC input) for convenience. It simplifies the setup—just plug it into the wall and go. However, if you already have a power supply, a DC-only charger might be a better choice. They’re often lighter, cheaper, and more compact.

For a Secondary Charger

Consider a small and portable model that supports both XT60 and USB-C inputs. These aren’t the most powerful chargers for everyday use, but they’re incredibly handy for travel or field charging. You could avoid bringing a charger entirely by packing more fully charged LiPos—but consider the logistics: if each flight lasts around 5 minutes, flying for 2 hours would require 24 LiPo batteries—that’s a lot! Having a charger on hand allows you to recharge batteries while flying, saving both space and money. It’s a smart move for longer sessions or travel.

Choosing the Right Power Supply for Your Charger

If you choose a DC charger, you’ll need to purchase an external power supply (PSU) separately.

There are power supplies specifically designed for LiPo chargers, but many users opt to modify computer or server PSUs as a more cost-effective alternative. Just be sure you have the necessary skills and knowledge before attempting a modification, as improper setup can be dangerous.

Consider the following when choosing a PSU:

1. Power: The PSU’s power should be higher than the power demand of your charger. An overpowered PSU won’t make your charger more powerful, but it will be more reliable and future-proof. An underpowered PSU may cause overheating and burnout issues. If needed, consider setting a power limit on your charger to protect the PSU.
2. Output Voltage: The PSU’s output voltage should be within the input voltage range of your charger.

Here are some PSU options based on their power ratings:

• 100W PSU:
  • AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_De20T6h
  • Banggood: https://oscarliang.com/product-2s1v
  • GetFPV: https://oscarliang.com/product-4fl3
  • RDQ: https://oscarliang.com/product-riwd
• 240W PSU:
  • AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DC75qa9
  • Banggood: https://oscarliang.com/product-pf1z
• 360W PSU:
  • RDQ: https://oscarliang.com/product-rn8w
  • GetFPV: https://oscarliang.com/product-mkbn
• 400-460W PSU:
  • AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DcRiAop
  • RDQ: https://oscarliang.com/product-kq49
  • GetFPV: https://oscarliang.com/product-qf4k
• 600W PSU:
  • AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DkCczYF
  • GetFPV: https://oscarliang.com/product-n9e2
• 1200W PSU:
  • AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DdIby9F
  • Banggood: https://oscarliang.com/product-lq1c

The ToolkitRC P200 PSU (review) is also worth considering. It’s a versatile 200W power supply you can use for various tasks. It features adjustable voltage output and current limit, is compact in size, and has a USB-C output for charging mobile devices and cameras.

How Much You Should Spend On a LiPo Charger

A LiPo charger is a long-term investment in the RC hobby, as it will likely last for years, much like your radio transmitter and FPV goggles. Therefore, it’s wise to allocate a reasonable budget for a quality charger instead of opting for the cheapest option.

The most expensive charger isn’t necessarily the best, but good quality chargers often come at a fair price. Before focusing on the cost, consider what you actually need from a charger. Write down your requirements and find chargers that meet your needs. If you don’t require certain “fancy features,” don’t include them in your list, and prioritize the essential features that will serve you best in the long run.

Desired Features

My favourite features in LiPo chargers include:

• For ease of use, I personally prefer scroll wheels and physical buttons over touchscreens or capacitive buttons.
• Balance charging capability is essential.
• Ability to adjust end voltage.
• Accurate voltage readings.
• Should display internal resistance (IR) both during and after charging.
• Must support at least LiPo, LiHV, and Li-ion battery types.
• Firmware should be updateable, ideally via USB.

Conclusion

Choosing the right LiPo charger for your FPV drone may seem like a daunting task, but with the right guidance and understanding of your specific requirements, you’ll be able to make an informed decision. In this post, we’ve explored various charger options, power requirements, and essential features to help you find the charger that best suits your needs and budget. I will continue to keep this list of recommended LiPo chargers up to date. Please leave us a comment if you have any questions.

Happy flying and charging!

Edit History

• 2015 – Guide created
• 2017 – Smart charger became main stream, added charger’s modes
• 2022 – Updated guide and product links for power supply
• 2023 – Tutorial revised
• 2024 – Recommendations updated
• Mar 2025 – Added 8S charger.
• July 2025 – Updated products.