Durafly EFXtra & EFX Racer Batteries – 3S & 4S LiPo

Quick Fit Check: Durafly EFXtra vs Current EFX Racer

The current EFXtra and EFX Racer are close enough in their power-system requirements that the same core battery selection works well for both. The biggest difference is not voltage, motor or ESC—it is how broadly each manufacturer specification defines the recommended battery capacity.

3 Best CNHL Batteries for the EFXtra and EFX Racer

1. Best Overall 4S: CNHL MiniStar 1800mAh 4S 120C XT60

The CNHL MiniStar 1800mAh 14.8V 4S 120C LiPo Battery with XT60 Plug is the cleanest overall recommendation when the goal is to keep the airplane light while moving directly into its 4S performance setup.

Its 1800mAh capacity matches the current EFX Racer factory recommendation and sits at the lower end of the EFXtra's recommended 4S range. At approximately 209g, it also avoids adding unnecessary battery mass to an airframe whose main appeal is compact size, strong acceleration and high power-to-weight performance.

Best for: pilots who want a lighter 4S setup, quick throttle response and a battery capacity that remains especially close to the factory EFX Racer specification.

2. Best Higher-Capacity 4S: CNHL G+Plus 2200mAh 4S 70C XT60

The CNHL G+Plus 2200mAh 14.8V 4S 70C LiPo Battery with XT60 Plug is the stronger choice for pilots who want more usable capacity without moving outside the EFXtra's published 4S range.

At 2200mAh, this pack sits near the middle of the EFXtra's 1800–2400mAh range. It is also a practical option for the current EFX Racer where the shared battery bay provides the required physical fit, but the extra weight compared with an 1800mAh pack means the final CG deserves attention rather than being assumed.

Best for: pilots who want more 4S capacity and a practical balance between performance and runtime while keeping the aircraft within a compact battery size class.

3. Best 3S Choice: CNHL G+Plus 2200mAh 3S 70C XT60

The CNHL G+Plus 2200mAh 11.1V 3S 70C LiPo Battery with XT60 Plug is the most natural common 3S option for these two Durafly racers.

The current EFX Racer specifies 2200mAh 3S as its normal 3S setup, while the EFXtra begins its official 3S range at the same 2200mAh capacity. The 70C discharge rating also gives useful headroom for a speed-oriented aircraft without requiring an oversized pack.

Best for: pilots who want the cleaner 3S baseline, slightly less aggressive performance than 4S and a battery specification that naturally overlaps both aircraft.

3S or 4S: Which Setup Makes More Sense?

The EFXtra and current EFX Racer were deliberately designed to make both voltages useful rather than treating 3S as an underpowered fallback.

3S is the easier place to start. A 2200mAh pack keeps battery weight modest, reduces the overall performance level and makes it easier to become comfortable with launch technique, orientation and approach speed before stepping up.

4S is where these aircraft reveal more of their speed-racer character. Acceleration is stronger, vertical performance improves and the airplane carries more energy through high-speed passes. For the EFXtra, 1800–2400mAh gives a useful amount of tuning room. For the current EFX Racer, 1800mAh remains the cleanest factory baseline, although larger packs can be considered when their dimensions fit and the final CG remains appropriate.

Why the Propeller Changes Between 3S and 4S

Both current Durafly platforms use the same basic electronics direction: a 3536-1780KV motor and 60A ESC. The important detail is that the propeller changes with battery voltage.

• 3S: 8x6
• 4S: 7x6.5

This is not simply a convenience recommendation. Increasing voltage increases available motor RPM and power potential, so propeller load has to be managed at the same time. Keeping the larger 3S propeller while increasing voltage can raise current and motor temperature beyond what the stock system was intended to handle.

That is why battery voltage, motor KV, ESC capacity and propeller choice should always be treated as one power system rather than four unrelated specifications.

Which EFX Racer Do You Have?

This point matters because older EFX Racer information can easily be mixed with the current model.

The current 1100mm EFX Racer uses the same general 3536-1780KV / 60A / 3S-4S power-system direction as the EFXtra. That is the EFX Racer configuration this battery collection is primarily built around.

The original first-generation EFX Racer used an older and different motor/ESC configuration. If your aircraft has the earlier 2836-2300KV motor and 50A ESC, do not automatically apply current EFX Racer battery and propeller guidance to it. Check the electronics actually installed in your aircraft before choosing a battery or changing voltage.

What About 2000mAh 3S and 2400mAh Options?

The collection also includes additional packs that physically fit and can make sense for pilots who want to tune capacity, weight or discharge characteristics rather than follow one default recommendation.

The CNHL Black Series 2000mAh 3S 100C XT60 sits below the usual 2200mAh 3S baseline. It can be considered when a pilot prefers a slightly lower-capacity 3S setup and is comfortable checking the resulting CG and runtime.

The CNHL Lightning LiHV 2400mAh 3S and 4S shorty packs provide another compact fit direction, especially for pilots looking at the upper end of the EFXtra's capacity range. However, LiHV voltage requires more care than a standard LiPo.

Battery Weight and CG Matter at High Speed

A battery can fit inside the compartment and still be the wrong choice if it forces the aircraft outside its intended balance range.

This is especially relevant when comparing the roughly 209g MiniStar 1800mAh 4S with the roughly 250g G+Plus 2200mAh 4S. The capacity gain is useful, but the additional installed weight changes more than flight time. It can affect hand-launch feel, pitch response, stall behavior, glide characteristics and landing energy.

After installing a different pack, always confirm the model's CG before launch. Do not rely on the fact that the battery physically fits the bay.

More Durafly EFXtra and High-Speed RC Plane Guides

For a deeper look at how the EFXtra compares with another compact high-speed platform, read our Durafly EFXtra vs Eflite V900 comparison. It covers speed, 3S/4S power, handling and the longer-term question of where compact high-speed foam racers could go next.

You can also browse more options in the CNHL airplane battery collection or compare additional standard-voltage options in the CNHL 14.8V 4S LiPo battery collection.

FAQ

What is the best 4S battery for the Durafly EFXtra?

A 1800–2200mAh 4S XT60 pack is the easiest starting range for most pilots. The MiniStar 1800mAh 4S 120C prioritizes lighter weight, while the G+Plus 2200mAh 4S 70C adds capacity within the EFXtra's published 1800–2400mAh range.

What is the best 4S battery for the current EFX Racer?

The factory baseline is 1800mAh 4S, making the MiniStar 1800mAh 4S 120C the cleanest recommendation. A larger 2200mAh 4S pack can also be considered where fit and CG have been confirmed.

What 3S battery works for both EFXtra and EFX Racer?

A 2200mAh 3S pack is the clearest common choice. It matches the current EFX Racer's published 3S capacity and sits at the lower end of the EFXtra's 2200–2600mAh 3S range.

Do EFXtra and the current EFX Racer use the same propellers?

Yes. Their current standard setup uses an 8x6 propeller on 3S and a 7x6.5 propeller on 4S.

Can I use the same battery recommendations for an original EFX Racer?

Not automatically. Early EFX Racer versions used a different motor and ESC from the current model. Check the electronics installed in your aircraft before applying current-model voltage or propeller guidance.

Can I use a fully charged LiHV battery?

Only after confirming that the installed ESC and motor system can safely accept the higher full-charge voltage. If that has not been confirmed, charge the LiHV pack conservatively to the normal LiPo limit of 4.20V per cell rather than 4.35V per cell.

Should I choose 1800mAh or 2200mAh on 4S?

Choose 1800mAh when lower battery weight and a lighter racer feel are the priority. Choose 2200mAh when you want more capacity and have confirmed that the extra installed weight still gives the correct CG and handling for your aircraft.