In this 30A Battery Discharge Test, I compared four popular LiPo battery packs to see which one holds the most real-world capacity under a moderate 30A load — a realistic draw for many RC vehicles. The packs tested were CNHL, SMC, Zeee, and Turnigy Rapid. This test helps reveal which batteries deliver closer to their rated capacity and maintain better voltage under load.
Battery Test Group / What Makes It Unique
This test group includes four 4S LiPo battery packs that represent a mix of popular and affordable RC options. Each pack was charged at a rate of 1.5C before being discharged at 30 amps. The 30A rate offers a solid middle ground between high-performance and everyday use — ideal for identifying realistic capacity output.
| Battery | Labeled Capacity (mAh) |
|---|---|
| CNHL | 5000 |
| SMC | 5300 |
| Zeee | 5200 |
| Turnigy Rapid | 5000 |
The batteries were all discharged to 3.2 volts per cell, as Zeee’s pack specifies this as the lower discharge limit. Although this is lower than the typical 3.3V cutoff, it ensured consistent testing across all brands.
Load Test Results
The 30A Battery Discharge Test revealed clear differences in usable capacity and voltage retention between the four packs.
SMC delivered the highest usable capacity overall and held voltage the best across the discharge range. CNHL followed closely behind, offering excellent real-world output for a 5000mAh-rated pack. Zeee and Turnigy Rapid fell short, with the Zeee pack showing the weakest voltage retention above 3.5V.
At 10 seconds into the 30A discharge, both the CNHL and SMC held a cell voltage of 4.135V, showing stable initial voltage under load. In contrast, the Zeee and Turnigy Rapid dropped below 3.9V, highlighting their higher internal resistance and limited power delivery under sustained current draw.
Final Thoughts
SMC and CNHL lead this 30A Battery Discharge Test, both demonstrating excellent voltage retention and near-rated capacity. Turnigy Rapid delivered moderate results, while Zeee finished last due to significant voltage drop and lower usable energy above 3.5V.
If you’re looking for a LiPo pack that maintains voltage under load and delivers near its rated capacity, both the SMC and CNHL are strong choices. For those prioritizing cost over absolute performance, the Turnigy Rapid is a fair middle-ground option, but Zeee underperformed relative to its label.
If you’d like full access to the raw data and comparison sheets from my battery tests, consider joining my Patreon community. Tier 1 members get access to the same RC LiPo calculator used in these reviews.