Three picks for RC planes, cars, and multirotors — chosen for balance-charging accuracy, port flexibility, and genuine safety margins. Whether you charge one pack a week or run a full field bag, one of these fits your setup.
For most RC hobbyists: SkyRC iMAX B6 AC/DC (~$45) — balance charges 1S–6S, runs from wall power or 12V DC, clear per-cell voltage display. For faster turnaround with multiple packs: HTRC T240 Duo AC 200W (~$70) — dual independent charging ports. On a tight budget: SkyRC B6 Neo 50W (~$28) — same balance-charging safety at the lowest price point in this guide.
Four factors separate a charger worth trusting with a $200 battery bag from one that isn't:
The iMAX B6 AC/DC is the charger most RC hobbyists settle on, and for good reason: it balance-charges 1S–6S LiPo, LiHV, LiFe, NiMH, and NiCd packs from a single unit, runs directly from a wall outlet or a 12V DC source at the field, and its LCD display makes per-cell voltages easy to read mid-charge. There's nothing proprietary to learn — set cell count and current, plug in the balance lead, start.
At 50W / 5A output, it comfortably handles the 2200–3000mAh 2S–4S packs most beginner-to-intermediate planes, cars, and multirotors use. The built-in safety cutoffs and audible alerts on completion or fault make it a reasonable first charger to trust unattended for short periods — though the safety practices in our LiPo charging guide still apply.
The T240 Duo adds a second, fully independent charging channel — each port runs its own program, current, and cell count simultaneously, at up to 100W per channel (200W combined). For anyone charging a field bag of 4–6 packs between flight sessions, this cuts total charging time roughly in half compared to a single-port unit.
Beyond capacity, the T240 Duo supports storage charge/discharge modes that hold packs at the correct voltage for long-term storage — a feature that matters more as your pack collection grows. The trade-off is a larger footprint and a learning curve slightly steeper than the iMAX B6's straightforward interface.
The TB6-B strips the feature set down to the essentials — balance charging, 1S–6S coverage, standard safety cutoffs — at the lowest price point in this guide. For a pilot with one or two packs and no need for dual-port speed or storage-mode extras, it does the core job without paying for capability that would go unused.
The display is smaller and the interface less polished than the iMAX B6's, and at 50W it's matched to smaller packs rather than large 4S–6S capacities. For a first charger on a strict budget, or as a reliable backup unit, it's a sound choice.
| Spec | iMAX B6 AC/DC ★ | HTRC T240 Duo | SkyRC B6 Neo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Output | 50W / 5A | 200W / 10A (100W/ch) | 50W / 5A |
| Cell range | 1S–6S | 1S–6S | 1S–6S |
| Channels | 1 | 2 (independent) | 1 |
| Power input | AC or 12V DC | AC only | 12V DC only |
| Storage mode | Yes | Yes | No |
| Best use | All-around | Multiple packs | Budget start |
Whichever charger you choose, correct balance-charging practice matters more than the unit itself — see our LiPo battery charging guide for charge rates, storage voltage, and safety protocol. For the full battery selection reference, see the RC Batteries Guide.
For most RC hobbyists, the SkyRC iMAX B6 AC/DC is the right charger to own. It covers every common cell count and chemistry, runs from wall power at home or 12V DC at the field, and its display keeps per-cell voltages visible enough to catch a problem pack before it becomes a bigger one. It's the charger this guide would recommend as someone's only charger.
Pilots charging multiple packs between sessions will get real time savings from the HTRC T240 Duo's second channel. Those starting on a strict budget can trust the SkyRC B6 Neo for the same core balance-charging safety at a lower price — just plan to upgrade if your pack sizes or count grow.
Buy iMAX B6 on Amazon →10-page PDF covering the equipment checklist, pre-flight routine, LiPo handling protocol, and the 5 most common beginner mistakes — formatted for the field.