Panasonic FM 470uF 35V Low-ESR Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors (4X) Review (2026)

What it is and who it's for

This listing is a four pack of genuine Panasonic FM series 470 microfarad, 35 volt low ESR aluminum electrolytic capacitors, sized for soldering onto the power pads of an FPV quadcopter's electronic speed controller. It is aimed at builders who need to add or replace filtering capacitors on one or two builds rather than stock up for a whole fleet, since the small pack size keeps cost down for occasional use. Pilots seeing video noise, lines, or static in their FPV feed that traces back to electrical noise from the motors often add or replace a capacitor like this as one of the first troubleshooting steps, making this pack useful to have on hand during a build or repair session.

Design and materials

Panasonic's FM series is a well regarded low ESR electrolytic capacitor line, and this specific part is rated at 470 microfarads and 35 volts with a tolerance around plus or minus 20 percent. Low ESR, meaning low equivalent series resistance, matters for this application because it lets the capacitor respond quickly to the rapid current spikes drawn by spinning motors, smoothing out voltage dips that would otherwise show up as electrical noise on the video signal. The capacitor is built in a compact radial leaded package around 10 millimeters in diameter and 20 millimeters tall, rated for operation across a wide temperature range with a long rated service life at its maximum temperature, which is typical for this class of part.

Performance in the air

Adding a properly rated low ESR capacitor like this to the power pads of a flight controller or ESC stack is a well established way to reduce electrical noise that shows up as horizontal lines or static in an analog FPV video feed, since it smooths out the voltage ripple caused by motors drawing current unevenly during rapid throttle changes. The 35 volt rating gives comfortable headroom above the voltage of a fully charged battery on 4S and lower setups, which is the range this capacitor is intended for. Pilots flying higher voltage 6S setups should confirm their pack's fully charged voltage stays safely under the 35 volt rating before using this part, since exceeding a capacitor's voltage rating can cause it to fail.

Fit and compatibility

This capacitor solders onto the positive and negative power pads found on most flight controllers or all in one boards, a nearly universal mounting point across FPV builds regardless of frame size. The 470 microfarad, 35 volt rating suits typical 3S to 4S FPV power systems, which covers the large majority of 5 inch and smaller quads currently in use. As noted above, 6S and higher voltage builds need their own voltage check against this capacitor's 35 volt limit, and pilots running unusually high current setups may want to consult their board's documentation for the manufacturer's recommended capacitor value before soldering one in.

Value and what to watch for

Buying genuine Panasonic FM series capacitors rather than an unbranded equivalent is a small extra cost that buys peace of mind on a part that is easy to overlook but genuinely affects video quality. The four pack size is well matched to builders who only need a spare or two rather than a bulk supply, though pilots who build often or who tend to lose capacitors in hard crashes may find themselves reordering more frequently than with the larger 12 piece pack sold under the same Panasonic FM line. Because this is a small, low cost part, the main risk is simply running out at an inconvenient time rather than any quality concern with the capacitor itself.

Frequently asked questions