10 Common Types of LiPo Battery Connectors: Pros, Cons, and Applications (2025)

Mari Chen

Hello everyone, I am Mari Chen, a content creator who has been deeply involved in the lithium battery industry and the chief content officer of yungbang . Here, I will take you through the technical fog of lithium batteries - from material innovation in the laboratory to battery selection on the consumer side; from cutting-edge battery research and development to safety guidelines for daily use. I want to be the "most knowledgeable translator" between you and the world of lithium batteries.

At a glance: which connector fits which job?

Connector	Typical continuous current	Typical wire (AWG)	Size class	Lock/retention	Typical uses
JST‑RCY	up to ~3–5 A practical	22–28	Micro	Latch	Micro receivers, small accessories
JST‑XH (balance)	~3 A per pin	22–30	Very small	Friction	Balance leads only (2S–6S)
XT30	~30 A (burst ~60 A)	16–20	Small	Friction	Micro–small FPV quads
XT60	~60 A (burst ~100 A)	12–14	Medium	Friction	General 3–6S RC
XT90 / XT90S	~90 A (burst 100–120 A)	8–10	Large	Friction	Large UAV, e‑skate, e‑mobility DIY
Deans (T‑Plug)	~60–90 A community use	14–16	Medium‑small	Friction	Legacy RC cars/planes
EC3	up to ~60 A	14–16	Medium‑small	Firm fit	3–6S RC aircraft/cars
EC5	~100–120 A	12–14	Large	Firm fit	Large RC aircraft/high‑power cars
Traxxas High‑Current / iD	~60 A class usage	12–14	Medium	Snap‑fit	Traxxas vehicles, iD charging
Anderson Powerpole PP15‑45	15/30/45 A per pole	20–10	Medium	Optional	DIY rigs, ham radio, robotics

Note: Values vary by brand, authenticity, and assembly quality. Always consult the official datasheet for your exact connector and use case.

Scenario buckets (then alphabetical within each bucket)

Micro/lightweight (<15–20 A): JST‑RCY, XT30
General RC 3–6S (20–70 A): Deans (T‑Plug), EC3, XT60
High‑current (>70 A): EC5, XT90/XT90S
Proprietary ecosystem: Traxxas High‑Current / iD
Modular DIY/ham: Anderson Powerpole PP15‑45
Balance/charging only: JST‑XH

Micro/lightweight (<15–20 A)

JST‑RCY (aka BEC)

Specs: 2.5 mm pitch; rated 3 A per JST with AWG 22; contact resistance ≤10 mΩ; −25°C to +85°C. See the manufacturer’s details in the JST RCY eRCY.pdf (JST, datasheet). Practical RC guidance often limits it to around 5 A to avoid heat rise, as noted in the RC connectors overview by EuroRC (2023+).
Pros: Very compact and lightweight; polarized with a positive latch; widely sold pre‑terminated.
Cons: Low current ceiling; small contacts can loosen with repeated stress; not robust for propulsion discharge.
Best for: Micro receivers, LEDs, tiny accessories, and very small LiPo packs.
Assembly & safety: Prefer proper crimping; avoid solder‑wick into crimps; monitor temperature—do not use for main discharge.
Availability/pricing (2025): Inexpensive pre‑crimped pigtails are ubiquitous via electronics and hobby distributors.

XT30

Specs: Widely accepted at ~30 A continuous and up to ~60 A burst with 16–20 AWG, high‑temp nylon housing, gold‑plated contacts; mating life roughly in the hundreds to ~1000 cycles depending on brand. See a consolidated overview in the XT series comparison on Digi‑Key Forum (2024).
Pros: Excellent size‑to‑current ratio; low resistance; very popular in micro to small FPV.
Cons: Solder cups are small; not suitable above ~30 A continuous; quality varies across clones.
Best for: Small FPV quads and lightweight builds up to roughly 4–5 inch props.
Assembly & safety: Pre‑tin cups and wire; minimize heat dwell to protect nylon; verify polarity before heat‑shrink.
Availability/pricing (2025): Widely available; typically a few dollars per pair depending on brand and retailer.

General RC 3–6S (20–70 A)

Deans (T‑Plug / Ultra Plug)

Specs: Designed for high‑current RC use; genuine W.S. Deans emphasizes build quality and shows how to spot authentic parts. For context and authenticity guidance, see Deans Ultra Plug product page (W.S. Deans, 2025) and identify genuine Deans guide (W.S. Deans, 2025). Community practice often places continuous usage in the ~60–90 A range when well‑assembled.
Pros: Compact footprint; strong contact pressure; long legacy support in RC communities.
Cons: Housing can soften if overheated during soldering; many low‑quality clones; adapters often needed when mixing ecosystems.
Best for: RC cars and planes, especially where clubs or legacy fleets standardized on Deans.
Assembly & safety: Use genuine connectors; employ a hot, fast soldering technique to reduce heat soak; add strain relief.
Availability/pricing (2025): Readily available; genuine pairs commonly in the mid‑single‑digit USD range.

EC3

Specs: Uses 3 mm bullet contacts housed in a polarized shell; commonly paired with 14–16 AWG. Within the Horizon/Spektrum ecosystem, EC3 appears across mid‑power ESCs and packs; see the Spektrum Avian 100A Smart ESC page (Horizon Hobby, 2025) for context on EC compatibility.
Pros: Secure fit and low contact resistance; widely supported in Horizon/Spektrum gear.
Cons: Assembly requires soldering bullets then insertion; replacing an individual pin later is tedious.
Best for: 3–6S aircraft and cars at moderate current.
Assembly & safety: Keep bullets clean; ensure correct polarity when inserting into housings; verify full bullet engagement.
Availability/pricing (2025): Common and affordable; typically a few dollars per pair depending on brand.

XT60

Specs: Commonly cited at ~60 A continuous (~100 A burst) with 12–14 AWG, high‑temp nylon housing, gold‑plated contacts. For a consolidated view comparing XT series, see the Digi‑Key Forum XT overview (2024). Note that ratings vary with authenticity and solder quality.
Pros: Extremely common; robust and easy to solder; good all‑rounder for 3–6S.
Cons: Bulkier than Deans in tight bays; many clones with varying plastics and plating.
Best for: General RC planes/quads and 1/10–1/8 cars from ~20–70 A systems.
Assembly & safety: Prefer authentic parts; pre‑tin; mind strain relief; check polarity every time.
Availability/pricing (2025): Ubiquitous; usually mid‑single‑digit USD per pair.

High‑current (>70 A)

EC5

Specs: 5 mm bullet contacts in polarized housings; commonly 12–14 AWG; widely used on high‑power setups within the Horizon/Spektrum ecosystem. See high‑current ESC context in the Spektrum Firma 160A ESC V2 dual IC5 page (Horizon Hobby, 2025). EC5 is widely regarded in the ~100–120 A class when properly assembled.
Pros: Handles higher currents than EC3; firm retention; polarized shell.
Cons: Higher insertion/removal force; larger and heavier; individual pin replacement is difficult after assembly.
Best for: Large RC aircraft and high‑power cars, typically 6S+.
Assembly & safety: Use adequate iron power and good technique; keep bullets clean to maintain low resistance.
Availability/pricing (2025): Widely available; typically high‑single‑digit USD per pair.

XT90 / XT90S (anti‑spark)

Specs: XT90 is a ~90 A class connector; XT90S integrates an anti‑spark resistor for safer plug‑in and less contact wear. Typical wire is 8–10 AWG with high‑temp nylon housing. For a consolidated overview, see the XT series comparison on Digi‑Key Forum (2024).
Pros: High‑current capability; XT90S reduces inrush current and sparking during connection.
Cons: Larger and heavier than mid‑class connectors; anti‑spark resistors can fail if repeatedly abused by hot‑plugging under heavy load.
Best for: Large UAVs, e‑skateboards, and e‑mobility DIY where >70 A is common.
Assembly & safety: Respect polarity; avoid plugging under load; consider pre‑charge practices for very large capacitive systems.
Availability/pricing (2025): Widely stocked; XT90S pairs often in the high‑single‑digit USD range.

Proprietary ecosystem

Traxxas High‑Current / iD

Specs: The classic Traxxas High‑Current connector is a robust, polarized design typically used with ~12–14 AWG. The newer iD system adds pack identification for EZ‑Peak iD chargers to detect chemistry and cell count. See the Traxxas iD FAQ (Traxxas, 2025).
Pros: Very user‑friendly charging with iD; strong retention; cohesive ecosystem experience.
Cons: Proprietary lock‑in; adapters required for non‑Traxxas gear; mixed compatibility outside the ecosystem.
Best for: Traxxas vehicle owners who want plug‑and‑play charging and consistent parts.
Assembly & safety: Follow battery and charger manuals closely; use iD‑compatible chargers with iD packs.
Availability/pricing (2025): Broadly available via Traxxas dealers; adapters are common and modestly priced.

Modular DIY/ham

Anderson Powerpole PP15‑45

Specs: Genderless, modular housings with contacts rated 15/30/45 A per pole; 20–10 AWG; UL94 V‑0; tin or silver plating; mating life approx. 1,500 (tin) to up to 10,000 (silver). See the APP PP15‑45 datasheet DS‑PP1545 (Anderson/Mouser, 2024–2025).
Pros: Color‑coded modularity; easy series/parallel blocks; excellent for power distribution and field service; high mating cycle options.
Cons: No integral positive lock without accessories; requires correct crimp tooling and technique; bulkier than RC‑specific plugs for the same current.
Best for: Amateur radio, robotics, test benches, DIY power distribution; some RC use where modularity is prioritized.
Assembly & safety: Use the correct contact size for wire stranding; quality crimp tool is recommended; consider retention clips where vibration is severe.
Availability/pricing (2025): Broad distribution via major electronics suppliers; housings and contacts are sold separately at low unit prices.

Balance/charging only

JST‑XH (balance connector)

Specs: 2.50 mm pitch; ~3 A per contact with AWG 22; 3–7 positions typically for 2S–6S LiPo balancing; −25°C to +85°C. Refer to the JST XH eXH.pdf (JST, datasheet).
Pros: Ubiquitous balance standard on hobby packs and chargers; inexpensive; keyed to reduce mis‑mating.
Cons: Low current pins; housings and pins are somewhat fragile; easy to damage or misalign when worn.
Best for: Balance and cell‑sense leads only—never propulsion discharge.
Assembly & safety: Maintain the cells+1 pin order; keep wires strain‑relieved; replace damaged housings promptly. Many RC build guides emphasize not using balance leads for discharge, e.g., the practical warning in Oscar Liang’s wiring and connectors primer (2023–2025).
Availability/pricing (2025): Extremely common and very inexpensive as loose housings, pre‑crimped leads, or pre‑installed on packs.

How to choose: a quick checklist

Current and voltage: What is your continuous and burst current? Pick a connector comfortably above your continuous draw; consider anti‑spark when large capacitors/voltages are present.
Wire gauge: Match the connector’s cup or crimp size to your AWG. For example, XT90/EC5 typically fit 8–12 AWG, whereas XT30 suits 16–20 AWG.
Ecosystem: Are you locked into Traxxas or Horizon IC/EC gear? Standardizing within an ecosystem reduces adapters and failure points.
Mechanical fit: Space, weight, insertion force, and retention method. Deans is compact; XT60 is robust but bulkier; EC5 and XT90 are physically larger.
Assembly method and tools: Solder cups vs. bullets‑in‑housings vs. crimp terminals. Choose what you can assemble consistently well.
Maintenance and field repair: Powerpoles are modular and field‑serviceable; EC‑style pins are harder to replace in the field.
Authenticity and sourcing: Prefer genuine connectors (e.g., W.S. Deans, name‑brand XT) to ensure material quality and heat resistance.

Common pitfalls to avoid

Using JST‑XH or JST‑RCY for main discharge. These are not intended for propulsion currents. JST‑XH is for balancing only.
Undersized wire in oversized connectors. Poor fill leads to weak solder joints and higher resistance.
Prolonged heat on plastic housings. Melted shells cause misalignment and poor contact; work hot and fast, then insulate.
Mixing clones and authentic parts. Tolerances may differ; stick to one known‑good vendor line when possible.
Plugging high‑current systems under load. Use anti‑spark (XT90S) or pre‑charge methods to reduce arcing and wear.

FAQs

Can I use a JST‑XH balance plug to power a small device? Technically the pins are rated around 3 A per contact on paper, but the connector is meant for balancing and cell sense. For safety and longevity, avoid using JST‑XH for discharge; use JST‑RCY or XT30 for small loads instead (see JST XH datasheet (JST)).
XT60 vs Deans: which should I standardize on? Both work for typical 3–6S RC. XT60 tends to be easier to solder and more common on modern gear; Deans is compact and favored in some legacy setups. If your group standardizes on one, follow that. For cross‑brand comparisons, see the XT vs Deans overview on Digi‑Key Forum (2024).
Do I need anti‑spark? If you’re regularly connecting packs to large ESCs or capacitive loads (>70 A systems), anti‑spark (e.g., XT90S) reduces arcing and extends connector life, though you should still avoid plugging under active load (see the XT series comparison context (Digi‑Key Forum, 2024)).
EC3/EC5 vs XT60/XT90: which is better? It’s mostly ecosystem and preference. EC3/EC5 use bullet contacts with firm fit; XT’s solder cups are straightforward to assemble. Choose based on your gear and the current range. Horizon/Spektrum gear often ships EC/IC‑compatible; see their Avian 100A ESC page (Horizon Hobby, 2025).
Are Anderson Powerpoles safe for RC? Yes when properly crimped and strain‑relieved. They shine in modular DC power distribution and field service. For specs including mating cycles and materials, see the PP15‑45 datasheet (Anderson/Mouser, 2024–2025).

Also consider (for OEM/ODM buyers and advanced builders)

If you’re sourcing custom LiPo packs and want them delivered with specified connectors (XT, EC, JST, Traxxas‑style, Powerpole), you can work with a battery manufacturer. One example is Yungbang Power（永邦电源）, which provides custom pack design and assembly with connector and BMS options for OEM/ODM projects. Disclosure: Yungbang Power is our product.

Sources and further reading

JST RCY: official eRCY.pdf connector datasheet (JST, 2024–2025)
JST XH: official eXH.pdf connector datasheet (JST, 2024–2025)
Anderson Powerpole PP15‑45: official DS‑PP1545 datasheet (Anderson/Mouser, 2024–2025)
W.S. Deans Ultra Plug: product page (W.S. Deans, 2025) and how to identify genuine Deans (W.S. Deans, 2025)
Traxxas iD system: iD FAQ (Traxxas, 2025)
EC/IC ecosystem context: Spektrum Avian 100A ESC (Horizon Hobby, 2025) and Spektrum Firma 160A ESC V2 dual IC5 (Horizon Hobby, 2025)
XT series context: XT30 / XT60 / XT90 and Deans comparison (Digi‑Key Forum, 2024)
Practical usage reminders: RC connectors explained (EuroRC, 2023+) and Wires and connectors primer (Oscar Liang, 2023–2025)

Final takeaways

Pick a connector with current headroom and the right AWG fit.
Standardize within your ecosystem to minimize adapters.
For high‑current systems, consider anti‑spark and avoid connecting under load.
Balance leads (JST‑XH) are for balancing only—never propulsion discharge.
Prioritize genuine components and good assembly technique for safety and longevity.