Best RC Battery Chargers in 2026: Picks by Use Case

A hobby LiPo battery charger. — SOURCE PHOTOGRAPH
A LiPo charger as an object. Safety pages refuse how-to-bypass language.
SokilFPV · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo credit & source ↗

From the September 2026 research edition. Product details and prices are dated source records; confirm the exact model and manual before buying or making changes.

A charger is the piece of RC gear you use every single time you drive, yet it is often the last thing people think about. Many brushless RC cars ship without one. Traxxas's Stampede 4X4 Brushless page lists battery and charger as not included and recommends the EZ-Peak 2970. Horizon Hobby's ARRMA Granite 223S and Big Rock 223S pages say the same.

This guide groups current hobby chargers by the job they do best: charging smart packs, charging two big packs at once, charging on a budget or at the track, and moving up to high-power DC setups. We use the manufacturers' published specifications and list prices. We have not bench-tested these chargers ourselves, so we note where independent reviewers have weighed in.

Prices below are list or retailer prices as of September 17, 2026, unless noted, and they change often. Several chargers that still show up in "best of" lists are sold out or appear to have been replaced, and we flag those.

Quick answer

Traxxas iD packs: EZ-Peak Live 4S 12 A (2971), $119.95, or EZ-Peak Live Dual (2973), $199.95.

Spektrum Smart G2 packs: you need a Spektrum Smart charger with G2 firmware. The S1100 G2 is $124.99 and the S2200 G2 is $319.99.

Budget DC charger for the track or bench: the ISDT 608AC was about $60 in a 2020–2023 review. Several newer ISDT models were sold out when we checked.

High power for big packs: ToolkitRC M8AC and Q6AC, and ISDT K4 (sold out at ISDT Shop), offer hundreds of watts on DC input.

Before buying any charger, check it against the CPSC recall list (see our charging safety post).

How to choose: the specs that matter

Watts, not just amps

A charger's watt rating limits how fast it can charge high-voltage packs. Power is roughly voltage times current. A 4S LiPo reaches 16.8 V at full charge (4.2 V per cell), so charging a 4S 5000 mAh pack at 1C (5 A) needs about 84 W near the end of the charge. The same current on a 2S pack (8.4 V) needs only about 42 W. On a 100 W charger, that 4S pack can be charged at 1C, but charging two at once calls for more power.

AC, DC, or both

AC chargers plug into a wall outlet.
DC chargers need a separate power supply or a 12 V source, and they often have higher power limits on DC.
AC/DC chargers can do both, but the AC rating is usually lower. The ISDT 608AC is a clear example: it is a 200 W charger, but its removable AC power supply is 60 W, so it charges at up to 60 W from the wall.

Charge rate and chemistry

Horizon Hobby's lithium safety sheet says to charge at no more than 1C unless the maker says otherwise. Check that the charger supports your chemistry (LiPo, LiHV, NiMH) and your cell count.

Smart-pack compatibility

If you use Traxxas iD or Spektrum Smart batteries, that can decide the question for you. Spektrum's Smart G2 FAQ says G2 packs require a Spektrum Smart charger with G2 firmware. See our Smart Batteries post for details.

Best for Traxxas owners

Traxxas's 2023 iD charger guide lists five EZ-Peak models. An iD charger "instantly recognizes the pack's type, cell count, and capacity" and sets the charge for you. All five charge 5–8 cell NiMH packs, and the "Live" models add Bluetooth.

Model	Max current	Cells (LiPo)	Key features	List price
2970 EZ-Peak Plus 3S	4 A	Up to 3S	Single port	Not captured
2972 EZ-Peak Dual 3S	8 A	Up to 3S	Dual	Not captured
2981 EZ-Peak Plus 4S	8 A	Up to 4S	Single port	Not captured
2971 EZ-Peak Live 4S	12 A (1–12 A)	2–4S	100 W; Bluetooth; one-button storage charge; 100–240 V AC	$119.95
2973 EZ-Peak Live Dual	26+ A total (1–16 A per side)	2–4S	200 W total; "MAXX Charge" sends full power to one pack; 2 A USB port; dual fans; 916 g	$199.95

Pick for most Traxxas 4S owners: the 2971 EZ-Peak Live 4S. It handles 2S to 4S, has a storage-charge button, and its app can monitor up to four chargers.

Pick for X-Maxx and XRT owners: the 2973 EZ-Peak Live Dual. Those trucks run on two 4S packs. Traxxas also sells the 2997 Dual 4S Completer, which pairs two 2890X 6700 mAh 4S 25C iD packs with a 2973 for $499.95.

Best for Spektrum Smart (ARRMA and Losi) owners

Horizon Hobby's Spektrum Smart chargers can charge "nearly any RC hobby battery," according to the Smart G2 FAQ, and they are the chargers required for G2 Smart packs. List prices on Horizon Hobby's charger page:

Model	Output	List price
S10 G2 USB-C	USB-C	$15.99
S22 G2	20 W	$23.99
S160 (IC3 or IC5)	60 W	$32.99
S100 USB-C	100 W	$34.99
S220	2 × 20 W	$44.99
S155 G2	55 W	$69.99
S1100 G2	1 × 100 W	$124.99
S250	2 × 50 W	$129.99
S1200 G2	1 × 200 W	$179.99
S2100 G2	2 × 100 W	$199.99
S450 G2	4 × 50 W	$299.99
S2200 G2	2 × 200 W	$319.99

Only some of these carry "G2" in the name. If you run G2 Smart packs, confirm on Horizon's product page that the charger you pick supports G2 before buying.

Pick for a single 3S or 4S truck: S1100 G2 ($124.99). At 100 W it has room for 1C charging of common 3S and 4S 5000 mAh packs.

Pick for 6S and dual-pack vehicles: S2200 G2 ($319.99). Spektrum lists 200 W per channel, or 380 W on one channel, 0.1–20 A charge current, 1–6S LiPo/LiIon/LiFe (LiHV also listed), 1–16 cell NiMH/NiCd, 1–12 cell lead-acid, IC3 and IC5 outputs, and a 2.8-inch LCD.

Best budget and portable chargers

These compact chargers are built around DC input (and, on some models, USB-C), so they can run from a separate power supply. Stock was a real issue when we checked.

Model	Input	Power	Current	Cells	Price and stock (as of Sept. 17, 2026)
ISDT 608AC	10–30 V DC, plus removable 60 W AC supply	200 W DC (60 W on AC)	0.1–8 A	1–6S	About $60 in Oscar Liang's review (first published 2020, updated 2023); current price not verified
ISDT Q6 Nano (BattGo)	10–30 V DC	200 W	0.1–8 A; 10 W discharge	1–6S lithium, 1–16 NiMH	Out of stock at GetFPV, no price shown
ISDT Q6 Retro	Not listed	350 W	16 A	1–6S	$35 sale ($39.99 list) at ISDT Shop, marked "Sold out"
SkyRC B6neo	XT60 DC (10–28 V) and USB-C PD	200 W	0.2–10 A	1–6S	Price not verified
SkyRC B6neo+	Adds PD 3.1, up to 126 W on USB-C	—	—	1–6S	Price not verified
SkyRC B6neo 2	DC and USB-C	Up to 300 W	15 A	1–6S	Price not verified

A note on the Q6 Nano: ISDT Shop's page at the old Q6 Nano web address now shows the Q6 Retro. That may mean the Retro is the Nano's successor, but ISDT has not confirmed that in anything we found.

SkyRC's B6neo page lists a compact 70 × 50 × 31 mm size. The DC-only models need a separate power supply, which adds to the real cost.

Pick if you can find one in stock: the SkyRC B6neo family or ISDT Q6 Retro. Both offer compact 1–6S charging; the B6neo family takes DC or USB-C PD input, while the Q6 Retro listing we found did not state its input. Check a current listing before you plan around either.

Best AC/DC chargers for multiple packs and high power

Model	Channels	AC power	DC power	Current	Cells	Notes
ToolkitRC M6AC	1	120 W max (100–240 V)	300 W (7–35 V, max 30 A)	0.1–15 A	1–6S lithium	1 A balance current; price not listed
ToolkitRC M8AC	1	200 W	600 W	Up to 20 A	1–8S lithium	65 W USB-C output; servo and signal tester; 500 g; price not listed
SkyRC D100neo	2	100 W total	200 W total (100 W per port)	0.2–10 A	1–6S lithium	Price not verified
Hitec RDX2 Pro (#44301)	2	AC/DC, 260 W total	—	Up to 14 A (2S) or 9 A (4S)	6S lithium, 15S NiMH	Optional Bluetooth; about $174 street at launch (Big Squid RC, 2021); still listed at Horizon Hobby
ToolkitRC Q6AC	4	400 W internal	1000 W (XT90 input)	15 A per channel	1–6S	3.5" touchscreen; 65 W USB; 1,150 g; price not listed
ISDT K4	2	400 W	600 W × 2	30 A × 2	LiPo/LiFe/LiIon 1–8S, LiHV 1–7S	Touchscreen; $249 at ISDT Shop, marked "Sold out"; no successor confirmed

Pick for a two-pack basher on AC: SkyRC D100neo or Hitec RDX2 Pro. Both are dual-port AC/DC units. Note the D100neo's 100 W AC limit is shared across both ports, which is less than two 3S 5000 mAh packs need at 1C (about 63 W each at 12.6 V and 5 A), so on AC it will charge two such packs more slowly.

Pick for high-power DC setups (8S trucks, race-day banks of packs): ToolkitRC M8AC or Q6AC. Their big numbers are on DC input, so budget for a suitable power supply.

Don't overlook the included charger

Some ready-to-run kits include a basic charger. The Traxxas Slash 2WD XL-5 with battery ($259.95) comes with a 4-amp USB-C charger. The Traxxas Mini Maxx BL-2s ($289.95) includes a 2-amp USB-C iD charger. The ARRMA Gorgon bundle ($189.99) includes a Spektrum S120 USB-C charger, and the Losi Mini-T 2.0 with battery and charger ($229.99) includes a USB-C charger. These are fine for getting started. A faster charger mainly buys you shorter waits between runs and a storage mode, if yours lacks one.

What to watch out for

AC versus DC ratings. The headline wattage is often the DC figure.
Discontinued or sold-out models. The ISDT Q6 Nano, Q6 Retro and K4 were all out of stock or sold out at the retailers checked.
Smart-pack lock-in. Spektrum G2 Smart packs require a Smart charger with G2 firmware.
Recalled chargers. The CPSC recalled HTRC C240 chargers (December 2024) and HTRC/Haisito T400 chargers (April 2026) over fire hazards. Avoid them, including on the used market.
Charging faster than the pack allows. A 20 A charger does not mean your pack should be charged at 20 A. Follow the pack maker's rate, and use 1C when in doubt.

FAQ

What wattage charger do I need?

Multiply the pack's full-charge voltage (4.2 V per cell for LiPo) by the charge current. A 4S pack at 5 A needs about 84 W. Double that for charging two packs at the same time.

Can a Spektrum Smart charger charge non-Spektrum batteries?

Yes. Horizon's Smart G2 FAQ says Smart chargers can charge "nearly any RC hobby battery." The reverse is not true: G2 Smart packs require a Smart charger with G2 firmware.

Why do some chargers list two power ratings?

AC/DC chargers usually deliver less on AC. The ToolkitRC M8AC, for example, lists 200 W on AC and 600 W on DC.

Is the ISDT Q6 Nano discontinued?

It was out of stock at GetFPV, and ISDT Shop's old Q6 Nano page now shows the Q6 Retro, which was also sold out. That suggests it has been replaced, but we could not confirm it.

Do I need a separate power supply?

For DC-only chargers, yes. AC/DC models can plug into the wall, but often at lower power.