Drone Battery Charging Time: How Long It Takes? 2024 Updated
The best drones are those that fit your flying style. If you’re a casual flyer, you might be content with a drone that has a shorter flight time. On the other hand, if you’re looking to get the most out of your drone experience, you’ll want one with a longer flight time. So, how long do drone batteries take to charge?
The answer to this question depends on the type of battery your drone has. The most common types of batteries are LiPo (lithium-polymer) and NiMH (nickel-metal-hydride).
LiPo batteries are typically used in drones because they offer a high energy density, which means that they can hold a lot of power in a small package.
NiMH batteries, on the other hand, are not as energy-dense, but they’re more resistant to temperature changes and don’t require a special charger.
In this article, we will discuss drone battery charging time: how long it takes to charge a drone battery, and the different factors that affect charging time. We will also provide some tips on extending your drone battery’s life.
Table of Contents
What Type of Batteries Do Drones Use?
In general, there are two types of batteries that are used in drones: LiPo (lithium-polymer) and NiMH (nickel-metal-hydride).
LiPo batteries are the most common type of battery used in drones. This is because they offer a high energy density, which means that they can hold a lot of power in a small package. LiPo batteries are also relatively lightweight, which is important for drones because every ounce counts.
The only downside is that LiPo batteries have a higher risk of bloating, which can damage the battery and potentially lead to a fire. To avoid this, it’s important to follow the charging and storage instructions that come with your drone.
The other type of battery used in drones is NiMH. NiMH batteries are not as energy-dense as LiPo batteries, but they’re more resistant to temperature changes and don’t require a special charger. They’re also considerably cheaper than LiPo batteries.
NiMH batteries are less commonly used in drones because they’re not as powerful and they’re heavier than LiPo batteries. However, they may be a good option if you’re looking for a cheaper drone battery.
READ: 7 Things To Do Before Travel With Your Drone
Average Charging Times For Common Drone Batteries
Considering that drones come in all shapes and sizes, it’s not surprising that there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The charging time for your drone battery will depend on the type of battery, the capacity, and the charger.
In general, most consumer drones use LiPo batteries. These batteries have a capacity of around 3,000 to 5,000mAh. To give you an idea of how long it takes to charge a drone battery, here are some common charging times for LiPo batteries:
- 3S 5000mAh: 5 hours
- 3S 10000mAh: 10 hours
- 4S 10000mAh: 12 hours
As you can see, the charging time for a drone battery can vary quite a bit. The type of battery, the capacity, and the charger all play a role in how long it takes to charge a drone battery.
| Drone Model | USB Charging | Charging Hub |
|---|---|---|
| DJI Spark | 80 mins | 55 mins |
| DJI Mavic Mini | 90 mins | 50 mins |
| DJI Mavic Mini 2 | 90 mins | 50 mins |
| DJI Mavic Air 2 | – | 1 hour and 35 mins |
| DJI Mavic 2 | – | 1 hour and 30 minutes |
| DJI Phantom 4 | – | 1 hour and 10 minutes |
The above table shows the usual charging times for some of the more popular consumer drones on the market.
As you can see, the charging time for a drone battery can vary quite a bit. The type of battery, the capacity, and the charger all play a role in how long it takes to charge a drone battery. Of course, you don’t have to wait for the battery to be empty before charging it. In fact, it’s better for the battery (and for your wallet) if you don’t.
READ: DJI Mavic Air 2 & DJI Air 2s Serial Number| How To Find?
When to Take The Drone Battery off The Charger?
We are often asked how long to leave a drone battery on the charger. The answer, unfortunately, is not as simple as we would like it to be.
As a general rule of thumb, you should take your battery off the charger when it reaches 100%. However, this isn’t always necessary. Some batteries have a “storage mode” feature that will stop the charging process once the battery reaches 100%. This is designed to prolong the life of the battery.
This is why it is safe to leave DJI drone batteries charging overnight. But, if your drone doesn’t have this feature, or if you’re not sure, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and take the battery off the charger when it reaches 100%.
Other batteries have a “trickle charge” feature that will keep the battery at 100% without overcharging it. This is also a good way to prolong the life of your battery.
The bottom line is that you should consult your drone’s manual to see what it recommends. Every drone is different, and each one has its specific charging requirements.
How Long Does a Drone Battery Last?
After all this talk about charging times, you might be wondering how long a drone battery lasts. The answer, unfortunately, is that it depends.
The flight time of a drone is affected by several factors, including the type of drone, the weight of the drone, the wind conditions, and the battery type. In general, most consumer drones have a flight time of between 20 and 30 minutes.
However, some drone batteries last much longer. So the following are some general guidelines:
| Type of Drone | Flight Time |
|---|---|
| Lightweight Drones | 20-30 minutes |
| Heavy Drones | 15-20 minutes |
| Racing Drones | 5-10 minutes |
A drone’s flying time can vary significantly, as you can see. How long a drone can stay in the air depends on the kind of drone it is, how much it weighs, and what kind of battery it uses.
READ: How To Fly Drones Safely Near Birds?
Factors That Influence Charging Time
Batteries, like all technology, have come a long way in recent years. The charging time for a drone battery can vary quite a bit. The type of battery, the capacity, and the charger all play a role in how long it takes to charge a drone battery.
Type of Battery
The type of battery is the most important factor in determining charging time. There are two main types of batteries: Lithium-ion (Li-ion) and Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH).
Lithium-ion batteries are the most popular type of battery for drones. They are lightweight, have a high energy density, and can be charged very quickly. It generally takes between 1 and 2 hours to charge a Lithium-ion drone battery.
Nickel Metal Hydride batteries are not as popular as Lithium-ion batteries, but they are still used in some drones. NiMH batteries are heavier than Li-ion batteries and have a lower energy density. They also take longer to charge. It generally takes between 2 and 4 hours to charge a NiMH drone battery.
Capacity
The capacity of a battery is measured in mAh (milliampere-hours). The higher the mAh, the longer the battery will last. However, the higher the mAh, the longer it will take to charge the battery.
Charger, The type of charger also influences the charging time. There are two main types of chargers: AC and DC.
AC chargers are the most common type of charger. They plug into a wall outlet and can charge your drone battery in 1-2 hours. DC chargers are less common, but they are faster than AC chargers. DC chargers plug into a car cigarette lighter and can charge your drone battery in 30-60 minutes.
Battery Health
The health of your battery also plays a role in the charging time. A brand-new, high-quality battery will charge faster than an old, low-quality battery. LiPo batteries are considered fully charged when they reach 4.2v/cell though their “safe” charging range is between 3.7v/cell and 4.2v/cell.
Nickel-based batteries like NiMH or NiCd are considered charged when they reach 1.45v/cell. Their “safe” charging zone is between 1.2v/cell and 1.45v/cell.
Temperature
You might not think that temperature would affect charging time, but it does. Batteries charge faster in warm temperatures and slower in cold temperatures. So, it will take longer to charge your drone battery if you live in a cold climate.
Batteries work best in temperatures that are slightly above room temperature. If the temperature is too high, the battery could overheat and be damaged.
READ: Tower Inspection Using Drones: PROS & CONS
How to take care of Drone Battery’s health?
We all want our batteries to last as long as possible. Batteries degrade over time, so taking care of them is important. Depending on the type of battery, there are different things you can do to extend its life. Following are some tips for taking care of your drone battery:
Don’t Overcharge Your Drone Battery
Overcharging your drone battery is one of the quickest ways to damage it. Lithium-ion batteries are especially sensitive to overcharging. When you overcharge a Li-ion battery, it produces heat and gas. This can cause the battery to swell, catch fire, or explode. So, it’s important to charge your drone battery only as much as it needs.
Don’t Discharge Your Drone Battery Too Much
Just like overcharging, discharging your drone battery too much is also bad for it. When you discharge a battery below its minimum voltage, it produces heat and gas. This can also cause the battery to swell, catch fire, or explode. So, keeping your drone battery above its minimum voltage is important.
Store Your Drone Battery in a Cool, Dry Place
It’s best to store your drone battery in a cool, dry place. Heat and moisture can damage your drone battery and shorten its life. It also helps to store your drone battery at 50% charge. This will help extend its life.
Avoid Extreme Temperatures
Both hot and cold temperatures can damage your drone battery. Avoid storing your drone battery in extreme temperatures. By extreme, we mean temperatures above or below your battery’s operating temperature.
For Li-ion batteries, the operating temperature is 32-104°F (0-40°C). The operating temperature for NiMH and NiCd batteries is 14-140°F (-10-60°C).
Use a Storage Case
A storage case is a great way to protect your drone battery. Storage cases help keep your drone battery clean and dry. They also prevent short circuits, which can damage your battery. It’s best to get a storage case that’s specifically designed for your drone battery.
READ: What Is Drone Soccer? All You Need To Know
Top 5 Drones with the Best Battery Life
If you’re looking for a drone with a long flight time, here are 5 of the best:
- FIMI X8 Mini
- Autel Evo Nano
- Autel Evo Lite+
- DJI Mavic 3
- DJI Mini 2
These are all great drones with long flight times. We already talked about all the different factors that influence flight time, so we won’t go into too much detail here.
Just keep in mind that the flight time listed in the table is an estimate. The actual flight time will vary depending on factors like weather, wind, and your flying style.
READ: FAA’s Statement On The GPS Requirement For Remote ID
Conclusion
Batteries are an important part of drones, and taking care of them is important. And how long do batteries take to charge? It depends on the type of battery and the charger. Some batteries can take as little as 30 minutes to charge, while others can take up to 12 hours. But, on average, it takes around 2-3 hours to charge a drone battery fully.
This article talked about how long drone batteries take to charge. We also talked about how to take care of your drone battery and what you can do to extend its life. And finally, we answered the question: are drone batteries dangerous?
We hope this article has helped you understand more about drone batteries and how to take care of them. Thank you for reading!
