I was observing that, since I've started flying minis (early 2015), people have been swapping to higher and higher kv motors and wonder why since they tend to be more power (current) consuming. Maybe it's because higher kv motors allow for smaller props and frames, which would be better to fill small gaps and fly in squeezed places. What do you think?

More KV means more RPM, higher end speed, and therefore more power!

Of course.... to a point then you have to change lots of other things. The trends in props have changed a bit, so the "tips" are morphing away from BN, back to standard style. So the motor RPM can be increased now. Battery packs are getting better, ESCs are getting better, so there's more 'power' on tap, to handle the higher KV loads.

Personally, id rather have more torque and reach max accleration faster than have more max speed.

Higher kv started to pick up as people were wanting 4" setups to feel more like 5" setups. Then as race frames started getting lighter people realized you can run high kv on a 5" rig without pulling a million amps and ruining batteries.

With a 250g or less rig you can get crazy speed and the lack of torque really isn't that noticeable as there is so little mass to move.


Also higher kv motors with good magnets (n50 and up) have a wider, flatter power band. You get more power within the middle 2/3 throttle, but lose it at the high end. Lower kv with the same prop move that power band to the higher throttle levels