How to Choose Battery Chemistry (LiPo vs NCM vs LFP)
Chemistry decides everything: energy, C-rate, life, safety and cost rarely come together. Drag the sliders to tell us your priority and we rank the options live; the full spec table is below.
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What matters most to you?
Energy density
3Wh per kg — higher means longer range, lighter pack
Power / C-rate
3Sustained high-current output — higher suits high thrust
Cycle life
3Charge cycles before capacity drops to 80%
Safety
3Thermal-runaway risk — higher is safer
Low cost
3Relative affordability — higher is cheaper
Recommended for you: LFP (LiFePO4)（3.8）
1LFP (LiFePO4)3.8
2Lithium Polymer (LiPo)3.6
3LTO (Titanate)3.6
4NMC / NCA3.4
5Lead-acid3
Lithium Polymer (LiPo)
Common in RC & consumer
Energy density
Power / C-rate
Cycle life
Safety
Low cost
150–200 Wh/kg; 20–60C; 300–500 cycles
FPV, racing and crop-spraying drones where C-rate and weight matter
NMC / NCA
High energy
Energy density
Power / C-rate
Cycle life
Safety
Low cost
200–260 Wh/kg; 3–10C; 500–1000 cycles
Long-endurance industrial drones, EVs — max energy density
LFP (LiFePO4)
Safe / long-life
Energy density
Power / C-rate
Cycle life
Safety
Low cost
90–160 Wh/kg; 1–5C; 2000–4000 cycles
Storage, industrial/security drones — safety & life first (weak in cold)
LTO (Titanate)
Extreme life / C-rate
Energy density
Power / C-rate
Cycle life
Safety
Low cost
60–110 Wh/kg; 10C+; 3000–7000 cycles; good cold
Special high-power, fast-charge, extreme-cold — costly
Lead-acid
Lowest cost
Energy density
Power / C-rate
Cycle life
Safety
Low cost
30–50 Wh/kg; 200–300 cycles; heavy, polluting
Starter & stationary power — rarely flown
Quick pick by use case
FPV / racing → LiPo (C-rate & weight); long range → NCM (energy); safety & life → LFP (storage/industrial); special high-power or cold → LTO; ground stationary power → lead-acid.
Disclaimer: scores are typical ranges that vary by cell chemistry, maker and duty cycle; not a purchasing or performance guarantee. Confirm with the cell datasheet and independent testing. This page compares specs objectively and does not disparage any chemistry or brand.
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