Most drones run on lithium batteries of two types: lithium-polymer (LiPo), common on FPV racing and freestyle quads because it can deliver huge bursts of current, and lithium-ion (Li-ion), which DJI uses in its camera drones because it stores more energy for its weight and lasts longer per flight. To compare batteries, look at watt-hours (Wh), not just mAh: Wh is the energy in the pack, and it decides both flight time and whether you can take it on a plane.
LiPo vs Li-ion
| LiPo | Li-ion (DJI Intelligent Flight Batteries) | |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | Very high discharge (burst power) | More energy per gram, longer flights |
| Typical use | FPV freestyle and racing | Camera drones, Avata 2, enterprise, Agras |
| Care | Manual balance charging and storage | Built-in battery management |
| Ratings you'll see | Cells (4S, 6S), mAh, C rating | mAh, voltage, Wh |
DJI's spec sheets list Li-ion for the Mini 4 Pro, Mini 5 Pro, Neo, Flip, Avata 2, Air 3S and Mavic 4 Pro packs, and for the TB65 on the Matrice 350 RTK. Several list the chemistry as LiNiMnCoO2 (NMC).
mAh vs Wh: which matters?
mAh (milliamp-hours) is charge capacity at the battery's voltage. Wh (watt-hours) is energy: Wh = Ah × volts. A higher mAh number doesn't mean more energy if the voltage is lower:
- Mini 4 Pro: 2,590 mAh, 18.96 Wh
- Air 3S: 4,276 mAh at 14.6 V, 62.5 Wh
- Mavic 4 Pro: 6,654 mAh at 14.32 V, 95.3 Wh
kWh shows up on bigger systems. A DJI Agras T50 battery holds 1,567 Wh (about 1.6 kWh), and DJI's portable power stations are sized in kWh too. See spray drone batteries.
What the BMS does
A battery management system (BMS) is the electronics inside a smart battery. DJI's Mini 4 Pro manual lists what its Intelligent Flight Battery does on its own:
- Balances cell voltages while charging
- Discharges itself to 96% after three idle days and to 60% after nine, to prevent swelling
- Stops charging when full, too hot, or on overcurrent
- Charges only between 5 and 40 °C
- Hibernates below 10% to avoid over-discharge
- Reports voltage, capacity and current to the drone, and warns of a damaged cell
LiPo packs for FPV don't do any of this, so you manage charging and storage yourself.
Battery life, time and range
- Flight time depends mostly on Wh versus the drone's weight. A Mini 4 Pro battery keeps the drone under 249 g; the larger Plus battery adds time but pushes it over 250 g. See how long can a drone fly.
- Range is limited by battery as much as by radio; plan to land with reserve.
- Lifespan is measured in cycles. Heat, full storage and deep discharges age a pack faster. See drone battery care.
Flying with batteries
All DJI consumer drone batteries we sell are under 100 Wh, so spares go in carry-on with no airline approval needed. The 263.2 Wh TB65 is over 160 Wh and isn't allowed as passenger baggage. Details in drone batteries on a plane.
Thinking about cheaper packs? Read genuine vs third-party DJI batteries. Spares for your drone are in our accessories collection.
Related guides
- DJI battery lights: what the LEDs mean
- DJI battery error, "non-DJI battery" and battery warnings
- DJI battery hibernation mode: how to wake a battery after storage
- DJI battery not holding a charge? Causes and fixes
- Drone battery care: charging, storage and lifespan
- Are all DJI drone batteries the same? Compatibility by model
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