Best Battery for Drone: Choosing Between Li-Ion and LiPo Batteries

Drones are powerful aerial devices that fly up to 9 miles without interruption. While you might benefit from their diverse uses in aerial drone racing, military surveillance, parcel delivery, or even casual flying, their performance relies on the chosen battery cell. 

This is where comparing Li-Ion battery to LiPo battery for a dronemakes sense. As being the highly popular choices for drones, each of these have strengths and drawbacks for specific use cases. 

In this blog, you will explore meaning, features, benefits, cons, and maintenance requirements for Li-Ion and LiPo drone batteries. So, continue reading it till the end. 

Li-Ion Batteries for Drones

Li-Ion batteries are dominating the market from the year 1920 till today, which makes them a convenient source of fuel for drones. This rechargeable battery features a technology which is many decades old,  yet still runs as the obvious choice for any drone model. 

Technically, it contains positive and negative electrodes with liquid electrolyte. This keeps the drone safe to use for consistent hours. 

Reasons to Choose Li-Ion Drone Battery

Now, let’s consider the features of this battery for a drone. 

1.     High Energy Density: 

A high energy density means the battery is more powerful than any other battery. The Li-Ion battery stores more energy as compared to its weight and smaller size. 

If you are using a drone for casual flying, cinematography, or even professional use, this feature supports extended drone flying time. 

2.     Cost-Saving Battery:

Li-Ion is readily available and is easy to manufacture. This makes the battery come in with affordable prices. 

3.     Durable Casing:

Most of the Li-Ion batteries are built in a hard shell which is durable enough against premature breakage or damage. Also, its resilience against varying temperatures in different locations is a crucial advantage for flying the drones. 

4.     Longer Battery Cycles:

Having a strong energy storage capacity, this liquid battery for a drone has longer battery cycles. This makes them safe for use up to 2-3 years. 

5.     Easier to Maintain:

Comparing with other battery types, this one is easy for storing and maintaining over the lifespan. You don’t have to worry about damage, excess heat, or explosion without any unknown cause. 

Drawbacks:

Here are some of the major cons of using the Li-Ion battery.

1.     Lower Shelf Life:

Considering its durable casing and longer flight times, the battery fails to sustain for more than 3 years. So, if you are looking for a permanent battery, you might want to consider its alternatives.

2.     Fails in Excess Heat Temperature:

This kind of a battery can overheat when you are consistently using the drone for longer hours. 

3.     Lack of Flexibility:

While the casing fits to every standard drone model, it is difficult to fit this battery on every modern device due to its inflexible design. 

4.     Lower C-Rating:

C-Rating means charge and discharge cycles of a battery. The lower C-rating suggests that the battery is inefficient in performing high-speed drone activities like racing or aerobatics. The Li-Ion battery fails to impress as it gets discharged quite easily, requiring frequent replacement. 

LiPo Battery for Drone 

This is another popular battery for drones used in high-performance activities, which is necessarily aerobatics or RC racing. Unlike Li-Ion batteries, a gel-like substance or solid chemical electrolytes runs this battery through its shorter lifespan. 

Having come into existence much later than Li-Ion batteries, polymer batteries still make it to the top for varied reasons. 

Reasons to Choose LiPo Batteries

Take a look at some of the best features along with their benefits when choosing a LiPo battery. 

1. High Discharge Rate:

The battery supplies quick bursts of power to a drone flying in a racing event or aerobatic program. This is ideal for using drones for a shorter duration.

• Lightweight and Compact:

A LiPo battery for a drone is known for having a compact size and weighs much less than its competitors. 

• Consistent Power Output:

It has a consistent voltage running even though the battery releases quick bursts of power, which makes the drone running at the same speed. 

• Flexible Designs:

These batteries are available in different shapes and forms, with each of the designs being flexible to fit into any drone system. 

Drawbacks:

1. Expensive:

Manufacturers have to undergo complex processes in making liPo batteries which naturally pass on the costs to the ultimate buyers. 

• Less Long-Lasting:

As compared to other batteries, polymer batteries have reduced lifespan due to insufficient power storage. 

• Rapid Discharge Cycle:

As much quicker the power output it produces for running a drone, just as fast it discharges after a certain point. Though you are charging the battery, its inefficient cycle keeps its use limited for a shorter duration. 

• Requires Maintenance:

A regular maintenance to prevent the voltage from going below the threshold is always a requirement. Otherwise, this battery for a drone can get highly sensitive to overheat, fire explode, or even excess swell. 

Li-Ion vs. LiPo Drone Battery: Which is Better?

Here are a few ways to compare Li-Ion and LiPo batteries for your chosen drone model. 

1. Energy Density (Capacity per Weight):

Li-ion batteries last longer in flight mode for the same weight. 

• Weight & Size:

LiPo is better for its lightweight and flexible casing for weight-sensitive drone racing.

• Discharge Rate:

LiPo is more suitable for performance-driven drones requiring high bursts of energy. 

• Voltage Stability:

Li-Ion batteries provide more consistent voltage for long duration flight times. 

• Flight Time:

Li-Ion is better for long-range drones, especially mapping, surveillance, or parcel deliveries.

• Charge Cycles:

Li-Ion battery for a drone is a perfect solution with 3-5 times more charge cycles, lasting longer over time. However, it takes more time to charge completely. 

• Cost-Effective:

Li-Ion is more cost-saving due to its lower price and reliable qualities.

Final Words

We hope you found this blog useful. As you see, the Li-ion battery is the best choice if you need longer flight time, durability, and safety. You can use them for commercial, mapping, long-range drones. 

Contrarily, LiPo batteries win your attention for high power output, fast discharge, and lightweight performance. Whether you are using drones for racing, FPV, or stunt, this is a good but costly alternative. Choose RC Battery for buying both these types of a battery for a drone.