Choosing the right motor size and KV for your FPV drone can be challenging, especially when considering prop size and LiPo voltage. While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer, this guide provides a range of options based on my years of experience of various builds.
Looking to learn how to build an FPV drone from scratch? Check out my comprehensive tutorial here: https://oscarliang.com/how-to-build-fpv-drone/
FPV Drone Components Table
This lookup table is designed to help those building a new FPV drone who may be unsure about the ideal motor and propeller combinations. It’s important to note that this isn’t an exhaustive list, but rather a collection of popular and successful examples for different prop sizes and LiPo cell counts.
I’ve tried to include as many examples as possible, new motor and propeller combinations are regularly being updated, but if you find something missing, please share in the comments below. Your feedback is invaluable in making this resource even better for fellow FPV drone enthusiasts.
| Prop Size | Class | Cell Count | Motor Size | Motor KV | LiPo Battery mAh | Dry Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31mm Triblade | Tinywhoop | 1S | 0603, 0702, 0802, 0803 | 18000-25000 | 300-450 | 20-30g |
| Tinywhoop | 2S | 0802 | 12000 | 300 | 20-30g | |
| 31mm Twoblade | Tinywhoop | 1S | 0802 | 19000 | 300 | 20-30g |
| Tinywhoop | 2S | 0802 | 300 | |||
| 40mm (1.6″) Triblade | Tinywhoop | 1S | 0802, 1002, 1102 | 15000-20000 | 450 | 25-35g |
| Tinywhoop | 2S | 0802, 0806, 1002, 1102, 1103 | 10000-16000 | 300-450 | 30-60g | |
| Tinywhoop | 3S | 1102, 1103 | 8000-11000 | 300-450 | 40-70g | |
| 40mm (1.6″) Twoblade | Tinywhoop | 1S | 0802, 1002, 1102 | 20000 | 450 | 25-35g |
| Tinywhoop | 2S | 0802, 0806, 1002, 1102, 1103 | 10000 | 300-450 | 30-60g | |
| 2″ Triblade | 1S | 1002, 1003, 1102 | 15000-20000 | 450 | 30-40g | |
| 2S | 1103, 1105, 1106 | 6000-11000 | 300-450 | 60-80g | ||
| 3S | 1104, 1105, 1106 | 5500-7500 | 300-450 | 60-100g | ||
| 4S | 1105, 1106 | 5000-6000 | 450-650 | 70-130g | ||
| 2.5″ Triblade | 2S | 1104 | 5000-6000 | 300 | 55-70g | |
| 3S | 1106 | 4500 | 650 | 120-140g | ||
| 4S | 1304, 1404 | 4500-5000 | 450-850 | 140-180g | ||
| 2.5″ Two-Blade (65mm) | Ultralight | 1S | 1102 | 13500 | 300 | 25-35g |
| Ultralight | 2S | 1103, 1104, 1106 | 7000-10000 | 450-650 | 40-60g | |
| Ultralight | 3S | 1104, 1105, 1106, 1203, 1204 | 6000-8000 | 300-550 | 45-65g | |
| Ultralight | 4S | 1104, 1105, 1106, 1203, 1204 | 4000-4500 | 450 | 55-90g | |
| 3″ Triblade | Freestyle | 2S | 1404 | 4500-5000 | ||
| Freestyle | 3S | 1407, 1408, 1507 | 3500-4500 | 550-850 | 120-200g | |
| Freestyle | 4S | 1306, 1407, 1408, 1506, 1507, 1606 | 3000-4200 | 450-850 | 140-260g | |
| Freestyle | 6S | 1408, 1506, 1507, 1606 | 2800-3000 | 550-650 | 140-260g | |
| 3″ Two-Blade | Long Range | 1S | 1103, 1202 | 11000 | Li-Ion 2500-3000mAh | |
| Ultralight | 1S | 1103, 1202, 1202.5 | 11000-14000 | 450 | ||
| Ultralight | 2S | 1105, 1106, 1203, 1204, 1303 | 6000-8000 | 450 | 40-60g | |
| Ultralight | 3S | 1105, 1106, 1108, 1203, 1204, 1207, 1303, 1304, 1404 | 4500-6500 | 300-450 | 55-75g | |
| Ultralight | 4S | 1105, 1106, 1108, 1203, 1204, 1207, 1303, 1304, 1404 | 3500-5000 | 450-550 | 60-80g | |
| 3″ Cinewhoop | 4S | 1404, 1408, 1507, 2004, 2203, 2204 | 3800-4600 | 850-1300 | 180-350g | |
| 6S | 1507, 2203, 2204 | 2800 | 850 | 180-350g | ||
| 4″ Triblade | Freestyle | 3S | ||||
| Freestyle | 4S | 1407, 1507, 1606 | 3000-4000 | 850-1000 | 120-200g | |
| Freestyle | 6S | 1606 | 2000-3000 | 600-850 | 120-180g | |
| 4″ Two-Blade | Ultralight | 3S | 1306, 1404, 1406, 1408, 1504, 1505 | 3500-4500 | 650-850 | 110-130g |
| Ultralight | 4S | 1306, 1404, 1406, 1408, 1504, 1505 | 2500-3000 | 450-650 | 110-130g | |
| Long Range | 3S | 1404 | 3500-4000 | Li-Ion 2500-3000mAh | 130-180g | |
| Long Range | 4S | 1404 | 2500-3000 | Li-Ion 2500-3000mAh | 130-180g | |
| 5″ Triblade | Freestyle | 4S | 2306, 2207, 2207.5, 2306.5, 2207.5, 2208, 2308 | 2300 – 2700 | 1300-1600 | 250-450g |
| Freestyle | 6S | 2306, 2207, 2207.5, 2306.5, 2207.5, 2208, 2308 | 1700 – 2000 | 1000-1400 | 250-450g | |
| Racing | 4S | 2306, 2207, 2207.5, 2306.5, 2207.5, 2208, 2308 | 2500-2700 | 1300-1600 | 250-300g | |
| Racing | 6S | 2306, 2207, 2207.5, 2306.5, 2207.5, 2208, 2308 | 1800-2100 | 1000-1400 | 250-300g | |
| 5″ Two-Blade | Ultralight | 4S | 1606, 1806, 2004, 2204, 2205 | 2300-3000 | 750-1000 | 150-250g |
| Ultralight | 6S | 1606, 1806, 2004, 2204, 2205 | 1600-2300 | 450-700 | 150-250g | |
| 6″ | Freestyle | 4S | 2207, 2207.5, 2208, 2405, 2407, 2408 | 2100 – 2500 | 1300-1800 | 250-450g |
| Freestyle | 6S | 2207, 2207.5, 2208, 2405, 2407, 2408 | 1500-1800 | 1000-1500 | 250-450g | |
| 7″ | Freestyle | 6S | 2510, 2806, 2806.5, 2808, 3106.5 | 1000-1400 | 2200-3000 | 350-500g |
| Long Range | 4S | 2408, 2507, 2508, 2806, 2806.5, 2808 | 1600-1900 | Li-ion 2500-4000mAh | 350-500g | |
| Long Range | 6S | 2408, 2507, 2508, 2806, 2806.5, 2808 | 980-1300 | Li-ion 2500-4000mAh | 350-500g |
Dry weight refers to the total weight of the drone without the battery. Here are the definitions of the terms used in the lookup table.
What’s a Tinywhoop?
What’s a Freestyle FPV Drone?
A freestyle drone is a type of FPV drone optimized for agility, maneuverability, and creative flight. Unlike racing drones, which are built for speed and precision on a track, freestyle drones are designed for performing aerial acrobatics, flips, and complex maneuvers in open environments. They often have powerful motors and responsive controls to execute intricate flight patterns and tricks. Freestyle drones typically carry action cameras such as GoPro to capture dynamic, often acrobatic footage from the pilot’s perspective. Durability is also a key feature, as these drones frequently undergo rough landings and crashes during stunts. Freestyle flying emphasizes personal style, fluidity, and the art of aerobatic flight.
What’s a Long Range FPV Drone?
A long range FPV drone is designed for extended flight distances, often exceeding several kilometers. These drones prioritize efficient power consumption, stable flight characteristics, and reliable communication systems over speed or agility. Equipped with large Li-ion battery packs and efficient propulsion systems, it’s possible to get 20 minutes, 30 minutes or even longer flight time. With advanced GPS capabilities, long-range drones can cover vast areas, making them ideal for exploration or aerial photography. They often feature robust radio equipment to maintain a strong connection over long distances and may incorporate fail-safe mechanisms like return-to-home functions to ensure safe recovery. The focus is on endurance and reliability, rather than speed or acrobatic capability.
What’s a Racing FPV drone?
Conclusion
I hope this lookup table has provided valuable guidance in selecting the appropriate motor size, propeller size, KV, and LiPo cell count for your next drone build. Remember that these are merely suggestions, and there’s always room for experimentation to find the perfect combination for your specific applications and flying style. Happy building and flying!
Edit History
- Mar 2021 – Table created
- Apr 2023 – Article revised
- Jan 2024 – Added more motor sizes/KV to the table
