When should I choose HX-4S-A20 Rev1.1?

Compact enclosures requiring an ultra-small 35 × 35 × 3.0 mm footprint. Applications with lower continuous current needs of 8A to 10A (up to 20A with cooling). Projects requiring direct-solder all-on-board points without external balance harnesses. Low-drain or extended storage devices requiring ultra-low quiescent current (< 6 µA to < 30 µA). Budget-conscious protection-only 4S lithium-ion battery assemblies.

What are the advantages of BMS: ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A (4S 30A w/ balance) over HX-4S-A20 Rev1.1?

Supports a higher continuous discharge current of up to 30A and handles peak surge currents of 50A to 60A without tripping cutoffs.. Features integrated passive cell balancing circuitry with approximately 60 mA balance current via a dedicated 5-pin interface to equalize cell voltages.. Automatically engages output upon pack assembly without requiring a charging connection jump start, using fixed cutoffs of 4.28V ± 0.05V (overcharge) and 2.55V ± 0.08V (over-discharge)..

What are the advantages of HX-4S-A20 Rev1.1 over BMS: ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A (4S 30A w/ balance)?

Features an ultra-compact square form factor measuring 35 × 35 × 3.0 mm with dedicated direct solder pads (B+, B1, B2, B3, B-, P+, P-) and no external balance harness.. Draws a lower quiescent standby current rated between less than 6 µA and 30 µA, minimizing parasitic self-discharge during storage..

AI comparison report

BMS: ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A (4S 30A w/ balance) vs HX-4S-A20 Rev1.1

Q: Which should I choose: BMS: ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A (4S 30A w/ balance) or HX-4S-A20 Rev1.1?

Choose the ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A first if your 4S battery pack requires active cell balancing or must handle loads exceeding 10A continuous (or surge currents up to 60A). Opt for the HX-4S-A20 Rev1.1 first only when compact space constraints (35 × 35 mm) or ultra-low standby power drain (< 6 µA to 30 µA) outweigh the need for cell balancing and higher current output.

Q: What is the verdict: BMS: ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A (4S 30A w/ balance) vs HX-4S-A20 Rev1.1?

The ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A is the superior choice for high-power, multi-cell battery packs, delivering a continuous discharge current of up to 30A and surge capacity of 50A to 60A, alongside integrated passive cell balancing featuring a ~60 mA bleed current and automatic pack activation. In contrast, the HX-4S-A20 Rev1.1 is limited to 8A to 10A nominal continuous current (up to 20A with active cooling) with a 20A maximum peak cutoff, completely lacks cell balancing, and requires a 16.8V charging input to wake the board. However, the HX-4S-A20 Rev1.1 holds an advantage in form factor and standby efficiency, measuring just 35 × 35 × 3.0 mm compared to the ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A's 56 × 45 × 3 mm board, while consuming a lower quiescent current of < 6 µA to 30 µA versus the 30 µA to 50 µA standby draw of the ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A.

Q: When should I choose BMS: ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A (4S 30A w/ balance)?

Applications demanding high continuous discharge up to 30A. Systems subject to peak surge currents between 50A and 60A. Multi-cell packs requiring integrated passive cell balancing with ~60 mA bleed current. Setups needing automatic circuit activation without an external wake-up voltage. Builds with adequate space for a 56 × 45 × 3 mm board and wiring harness.

Q: What are the advantages of BMS: ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A (4S 30A w/ balance) over HX-4S-A20 Rev1.1?

Supports a higher continuous discharge current of up to 30A and handles peak surge currents of 50A to 60A without tripping cutoffs.. Features integrated passive cell balancing circuitry with approximately 60 mA balance current via a dedicated 5-pin interface to equalize cell voltages.. Automatically engages output upon pack assembly without requiring a charging connection jump start, using fixed cutoffs of 4.28V ± 0.05V (overcharge) and 2.55V ± 0.08V (over-discharge)..

Q: What are the advantages of HX-4S-A20 Rev1.1 over BMS: ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A (4S 30A w/ balance)?

Features an ultra-compact square form factor measuring 35 × 35 × 3.0 mm with dedicated direct solder pads (B+, B1, B2, B3, B-, P+, P-) and no external balance harness.. Draws a lower quiescent standby current rated between less than 6 µA and 30 µA, minimizing parasitic self-discharge during storage..

By CompareAI Editorial Team · Published 2026-09-24 · How we compare

Choose the ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A for high-load applications requiring integrated cell balancing and up to 30A continuous output, or select the HX-4S-A20 Rev1.1…

Who wins: BMS: ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A (4S 30A w/ balance) or HX-4S-A20 Rev1.1?

Choose the ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A first if your 4S battery pack requires active cell balancing or must handle loads exceeding 10A continuous (or surge currents up to 60A). Opt for the HX-4S-A20 Rev1.1 first only when compact space constraints (35 × 35 mm) or ultra-low standby power drain (< 6 µA to 30 µA) outweigh the need for cell balancing and higher current output.

Based on our analysis across 5 dimensions with 20 sources, BMS: ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A (4S 30A w/ balance) scores 7.9/10 overall while HX-4S-A20 Rev1.1 scores 6.2/10 overall.

Dimension	BMS: ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A (4S 30A w/ balance)	HX-4S-A20 Rev1.1
Current Handling & Power Ratings	9/10	5/10
Cell Balancing Functionality	8.5/10	2/10
Form Factor & Physical Interface	6.8/10	8.7/10
Quiescent Current & Standby Efficiency	6.5/10	9/10
Protection Thresholds & Activation Behavior	8.5/10	6.5/10
Overall	7.9/10	6.2/10

Should I choose BMS: ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A (4S 30A w/ balance) or HX-4S-A20 Rev1.1?

Verdict: Choose the ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A first if your 4S battery pack requires active cell balancing or must handle loads exceeding 10A continuous (or surge currents up to 60A). Opt for the HX-4S-A20 Rev1.1 first only when compact space constraints (35 × 35 mm) or ultra-low standby power drain (< 6 µA to 30 µA) outweigh the need for cell balancing and higher current output.

Choose the ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A for high-load applications requiring integrated cell balancing and up to 30A continuous output, or select the HX-4S-A20 Rev1.1 for space-constrained, low-drain designs needing an ultra-compact 35 × 35 mm footprint.

The ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A is the superior choice for high-power, multi-cell battery packs, delivering a continuous discharge current of up to 30A and surge capacity of 50A to 60A, alongside integrated passive cell balancing featuring a ~60 mA bleed current and automatic pack activation. In contrast, the HX-4S-A20 Rev1.1 is limited to 8A to 10A nominal continuous current (up to 20A with active cooling) with a 20A maximum peak cutoff, completely lacks cell balancing, and requires a 16.8V charging input to wake the board. However, the HX-4S-A20 Rev1.1 holds an advantage in form factor and standby efficiency, measuring just 35 × 35 × 3.0 mm compared to the ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A's 56 × 45 × 3 mm board, while consuming a lower quiescent current of < 6 µA to 30 µA versus the 30 µA to 50 µA standby draw of the ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A.

Best for BMS: ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A (4S 30A w/ balance)

Applications demanding high continuous discharge up to 30A
Systems subject to peak surge currents between 50A and 60A
Multi-cell packs requiring integrated passive cell balancing with ~60 mA bleed current
Setups needing automatic circuit activation without an external wake-up voltage
Builds with adequate space for a 56 × 45 × 3 mm board and wiring harness

Best for HX-4S-A20 Rev1.1

Compact enclosures requiring an ultra-small 35 × 35 × 3.0 mm footprint
Applications with lower continuous current needs of 8A to 10A (up to 20A with cooling)
Projects requiring direct-solder all-on-board points without external balance harnesses
Low-drain or extended storage devices requiring ultra-low quiescent current (< 6 µA to < 30 µA)
Budget-conscious protection-only 4S lithium-ion battery assemblies

When not to compare directly

Avoid comparing the ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A and HX-4S-A20 Rev1.1 directly when evaluating full-featured battery management versus minimal protection-only boards, as the ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A incorporates a dedicated passive cell-balancing circuit while the HX-4S-A20 Rev1.1 functions solely as an overcharge, over-discharge, and overcurrent cutoff switch.

What are the key differences between BMS: ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A (4S 30A w/ balance) and HX-4S-A20 Rev1.1?

Current Handling & Power Ratings

The ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A delivers up to 30A continuous and 50A to 60A peak surge current, whereas the HX-4S-A20 Rev1.1 supports only 8A to 10A nominal continuous current and a maximum instantaneous limit of 20A.
BMS: ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A (4S 30A w/ balance): The ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A supports a continuous discharge current of up to 30A and handles peak surge currents of 50A to 60A without tripping protection cutoffs.
HX-4S-A20 Rev1.1: The HX-4S-A20 Rev1.1 provides a nominal continuous discharge current of 8A to 10A (up to 20A with cooling) and has an upper peak current limit capped at 20A.
Scores — BMS: ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A (4S 30A w/ balance): 9/10, HX-4S-A20 Rev1.1: 5/10
Determines whether the BMS can sustain the continuous and peak electrical loads required by the connected application without overheating or triggering protection cutoffs.
Sources: ShillehTek 4S 30A BMS Manual – 18650 Pack Protection, HX-4S-A20 4S 20A BMS 18650 Cell Battery Protection ...
Cell Balancing Functionality

The ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A provides dedicated passive cell balancing with approximately 60 mA bleed current, whereas the HX-4S-A20 Rev1.1 lacks balancing circuitry entirely and operates strictly as a protection module [1, 2].
BMS: ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A (4S 30A w/ balance): The ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A features integrated passive cell balancing circuitry with approximately 60 mA balance current to equalize individual cell voltages via a dedicated 5-pin wiring interface [1, 7].
HX-4S-A20 Rev1.1: The HX-4S-A20 Rev1.1 provides standard 4S pack protection against overcharge, over-discharge, and over-current up to 20A continuous discharge without any integrated cell balancing circuit [2, 6].
Scores — BMS: ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A (4S 30A w/ balance): 8.5/10, HX-4S-A20 Rev1.1: 2/10
Integrated cell balancing maintains uniform state-of-charge across all series cells, preventing premature pack degradation and maximizing usable battery pack capacity over time.
Sources: ShillehTek 4S 30A BMS Manual – 18650 Pack Protection, HX-4S-A20 4S 20A BMS 18650 Cell Battery Protection ...
Form Factor & Physical Interface

The HX-4S-A20 Rev1.1 provides a significantly smaller 35 × 35 × 3.0 mm footprint with all-on-board solder points, whereas the ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A occupies a larger 56 × 45 × 3 mm board area requiring a multi-wire balance harness interface [1, 4].
BMS: ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A (4S 30A w/ balance): The ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A features a larger rectangular form factor measuring approximately 56 × 45 × 3 mm (or up to 4 mm thickness) and uses direct-solder terminal pads (pad hole diameter 3.5 mm) along with a multi-wire balance lead cable assembly [1, 11].
HX-4S-A20 Rev1.1: The HX-4S-A20 Rev1.1 utilizes an ultra-compact square form factor measuring 35 × 35 × 3.0 mm with dedicated direct solder pads (B+, B1, B2, B3, B-, P+, P-) and no external balance harness [4, 6].
Scores — BMS: ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A (4S 30A w/ balance): 6.8/10, HX-4S-A20 Rev1.1: 8.7/10
Pack integration depends heavily on module dimensions, connector types, and ease of soldering or wiring within tight enclosures.
Sources: ShillehTek 4S 30A BMS Manual – 18650 Pack Protection, 3pcs HX-4S-A20 4S 20A 14.8V 16.8V18650 Lithium ...
Quiescent Current & Standby Efficiency

The HX-4S-A20 Rev1.1 achieves a lower standby current draw of less than 6 µA to 30 µA compared to the higher quiescent parasitic draw of up to 50 µA on the ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A.
BMS: ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A (4S 30A w/ balance): The ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A exhibits a higher standby self-consumption profile, with typical operating and quiescent current specifications reaching up to 30 µA to 50 µA, resulting in greater parasitic drain over extended inactivity.
HX-4S-A20 Rev1.1: The HX-4S-A20 Rev1.1 operates with an ultra-low quiescent current rated between less than 6 µA and 30 µA, providing superior standby efficiency and minimizing self-discharge during long-term storage.
Scores — BMS: ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A (4S 30A w/ balance): 6.5/10, HX-4S-A20 Rev1.1: 9/10
Lower parasitic current draw prevents deep discharge and battery drain during extended standby or storage periods.
Sources: ShillehTek 4S 30A BMS Manual – 18650 Pack Protection, HX-4S-A20 4S 20A BMS 18650 Cell Battery Protection ...
Protection Thresholds & Activation Behavior

While the ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A delivers consistent auto-activation upon pack assembly with a 2.55V cutoff, the HX-4S-A20 Rev1.1 requires an initial 16.8V charging voltage input across its terminals to unlock and activate protection output.
BMS: ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A (4S 30A w/ balance): The ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A features an overcharge detection voltage of 4.28V ± 0.05V, over-discharge cutoff at 2.55V ± 0.08V, and automatically engages output once connected without requiring a jump start.
HX-4S-A20 Rev1.1: The HX-4S-A20 Rev1.1 provides an overcharge detection range of 4.25V–4.35V ± 0.05V and an over-discharge cutoff range of 2.3V–3.0V ± 0.05V, but requires connecting a 16.8V charger to the P+/P- terminals to wake and activate the circuit.
Scores — BMS: ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A (4S 30A w/ balance): 8.5/10, HX-4S-A20 Rev1.1: 6.5/10
Precise voltage cutoffs safeguard cell chemistry, while circuit activation mechanisms impact ease of field assembly and maintenance.
Sources: ShillehTek 4S 30A BMS Manual – 18650 Pack Protection, [Type 1] 14.8v Bms 4s 30a 18650 Lithium Battery ...

What are the pros and cons of BMS: ShillehTek CF-4S30A-A (4S 30A w/ balance) vs HX-4S-A20 Rev1.1?