Are you looking for an FPV drone? Are you having a hard time choosing the best one in the market?
FPV drones are prevalent today due to the immersive, sky-high, and out of this world experience they offer. Flying a (first person view) FPV drone can be a lot of fun and addicting.
One of the most popular uses of FPV is for drone racing. FPV technology is also beneficial for search and rescue operations and inspections. FPV drones are also good flight simulation and practice platforms.
Whatever your reason is, you are probably looking for FPV drones and are planning to buy one. If you do, then you have come to the right place, because in this article, I’ll be sharing my list of the best FPV drones in the market.
Best FPV Drones
FPV drones are highly associated with drone racing, but in this article, I will focus on FPV drones in general and not on racing drones. I’ll provide you with a comprehensive list of the best FPV drones including the cheap and micro quadcopters that belong in this category. I know that you are already very excited, so let’s get started!
1. Eachine Wizard X220
Specs
Motors: 2205 2300 kV
ESC: 20A BLHeli_s
Frame: Carbon Fibre “X” Frame with 4mm arms
Motor-to-motor: 220mm
Props: 5″ Tri-blade props (5040)
FC: SP Racing F3 (clone)
VTX: 200mW 48 Channel 5.8 GHz
Camera: 700 TVL CMOS
Eachine Wizard X220 is one of the cheaper FPV drones that you will find in the market. But, don’t be fooled by its price because this model changed the history of ready to fly (RTF) racers that used to be low quality.
For its price, it provides all the cool features that you will find in top-end racing FPV drones at a fraction of the cost. Wizard X220 is available in two configurations RTF and ARF (Almost Ready to Fly). But what caught my attention is that it ticks all the right boxes in terms of size, material and most especially the Cleanflight/Betaflight compatibility.
Overall, Wizard X220 is well-built and can withstand crashes. If you are planning to build one, this is probably better than what you are about to make minus the hassles and risks. This FPV drone is solid and proven.
Eachine Wizard X220 is a great entry-level racing quadcopter. It is very easy to tweak, so if you love building and customizing things, then you will love this. In fact, this is compatible with most propellers, so if you want to change it, then you will not have a hard time finding one. Unfortunately, this might not appeal to complete beginners as it’s not that easy to fly.
Read More: 10 Best Drones for Kids in 2019 – Ultimate Buying Guide
PROS
- Easy to tweak
- Strong and heavy built
- Great entry-level racing FPV drone
- Ideal for those who want to custom build
- ARF version comes with cable ready
- Great acceleration and lifts
- Excellent light streamline design and power
- Compatible with several propeller types
- Easy to upgrade or customize
- Incredible flight performance
- LEDs under motors for orientation and flying at night
CONS
- Not beginner-friendly
- No spare parts provided
- Charger is not the best quality
- Lacks on screen display (OSD)
2. Blade Inductrix FPV RTF Drone
Specs
Approximate Flight Time: Up to 4 minutes
Canopy/Body Material: Plastic
Channels: 4 Channels
Completion Level: Bind-N-Fly
Flying Weight: 24g
Height: 28mm
Length: 83mm
Main Blade Material: Plastic
Main Frame Material: Plastic
Main Rotor Head Type: Multi-Rotor
Skill Level: Level 1
Width: 83mm
If you are looking for a beginner FPV drone, then this is for you. Blade Inductrix FPV RTF is designed for indoor flying and fits even into the smallest of places.
This is one of the micro FPV drones that surprises me in terms of its performance because it’s too small. But don’t mind its size because this is equipped with a 25mW video transmitter that is capable of transmitting Fatshark channels 1 through 8. Its camera is lightweight and perfectly protected, and it has high-performance motors.
You will have an easy and convenient flying experience with Blade Inductrix because this comes with 4.5-inch FPV monitor, so you don’t have to spend on a full goggle system. It also comes with brilliant white and red LED lighting for illumination, which also serves as an indicator when the battery gets low because it blinks.
If there’s a downside with this FPV UAV, it would be its short flight time as it only lasts for about 3-4 minutes but charging the battery takes 45 minutes. The good thing with this is that you can solve it by buying many batteries.
Blade Inductrix FPV RTF is one of the best FPV drones under 200 in terms of design, capacity, and of course, price. This kit is convenient for anyone who wants to get his feet in flying FPV drones. The size and capabilities of this micro FPV drone are well-loved by beginners making it the best entry-level FPV drone.
Read More: 15 Best Drones with Cameras 2019 Reviews: Ultimate Buying Guideline
PROS
- Lightweight
- Small and portable
- Easy to set up and fly
- Great for beginners
- Everything you need to use this is included
CONS
- Short flight time
- Long battery charge time
- Signal strength is not so great
3. DJI Mavic Pro
Specs
Camera Resolution: 12mp
Video Resolution: 4k at 30fps
Max Flight Time: 27 minutes
Max Speed: 40mph
Range: 7km
Mavic Pro is from DJI, the leading brand in the drone market. You can bank on its quality, performance and in-flight experience because this will give you the best one.
Mavic Pro is a pocket-size FPV drone with OcuSync transmission technology and Full HD 1080p video streaming. It supports 4K video at 30fps and 12mp stills. If you want an FPV drone with camera to film high-quality footage, Mavic Pro is the answer.
This quadcopter is very impressive because despite being light and small, it remains stable even if there is wind. You can continue filming without worries because you’ll get the best footage.
Also, it will inform you if you are in a no-fly zone. The best thing I love with Mavic Pro is the smooth in-flight experience. This FPV drone is very responsive and easy to control, making it great for both beginners and experts.
Don’t get me wrong with this – Mavic Pro is considered an advanced drone but many beginners start with it because it includes various modes to keep up with your skill level. If you are just new to flying drones, start with the beginner’s mode and move your way up.
Perhaps, the downside with Mavic Pro is its price because it’s way more expensive compared to the other brands in my list. However, I think it’s worth it because it has a flight time of 27 minutes, very stable, delivers high-quality footage and photos, and very easy to maneuver.
Read More: 5 Best Cheap Drones Reviews 2019 – Budget Drones Under $100
PROS
- Portable
- Stable
- Crash-resistant
- Better flight time
- Can withstand wind
- Obstacle avoidance
- Quieter than other drone models
- Can be controlled via hand gestures
- Has built-in Active track feature mode
CONS
- Expensive
- Camera doesn’t offer a wide view
- The bad light may have blue color interferences
4. Force1 Drone U818A
Specs
Dimensions: 330 x 340 x 55mm
Platform: Quadcopter
Diagonal motor distance: 230mm
Flight features:One-key return / Headless mode / 3D flips
Propulsion: 8.5mm coreless (motors) / 135mm propellers
Weight: 131g (with battery)
Camera resolution: 1MP stills
Video: 1280 x 720 / 32kHz mono audio
File format: JPEG/AVI
Battery: 3.7V 500mAh Li Po
Charging time: 80 minutes
Flight time: about 8-10 minutes
Control distance: about 50 to 100 meters
Transmitter power: 4 AAA batteries (not included)
Get in the pilot seat with Force1 FPV drone. This quadcopter allows you to watch FPV live video feed with its built-in 2mp drone camera and VR headset.
This is another great FPV drone for beginners because it is very easy to fly. It is equipped with beginner-friendly functionalities like Altitude Hold and Headless Mode that kids and adults love and enjoy as it makes their flying experience more convenient and fun.
This FPV drone can perform tricks and 360-degree flips with a push of a button. You can also trace your custom flight path on the screen, and this FPV drone camera will fly into that path unassisted. Yes, it’s that smart!
Force1 U818A is best for selfies and flight videos. It also offers an immersive virtual reality drone flight experience because you can sync your VR headset directly with the controller to bring life to your flight. Flying this FPV drone is never dull that I don’t want to put it down. But when the low battery alarm blinks, it’s time to land.
Force1 U818A is very affordable compared to Mavic Pro but its a close competition to that model when it comes to the features and the in-flight experience because this is very stable. If you are looking for the best FPV drones under 200, this is one of them.
PROS
- Durable
- Portable
- Stable
- HD camera
- Decent flight time
- Has two flight speeds
- Has extra battery and motors
CONS
- Not fast
- Lacks thrust
- Doesn’t fly well in high winds
- Not enough controller information in the manual
5. Holy Stone GPS FPV RC Drone HS100
Specs
Weight (Including Battery)：700g
Flight time: 12-15 minutes
Charging Time： 3-6 hours
Wi-Fi Distance: 150m
Max transmission distance：500m
Dimensions: 500 x 500 x 175mm
Camera Lens：FOV 120°/2.0
Recording Modes：HD 1280 x 1080p
Holy Stone GPS FPV RC Drone HS100 has a surprisingly amazing camera. This quadcopter actually reminds me of Phantom 4 Pro due to its design but at less than half its cost.
This FPV drone is large but manageable. It is suitable for both beginners and professionals. It’s also recommended for those who love flying drones for recreational purposes because it is effortless to control.
I love its design, and I’m delighted with its superior performance. It is very stable and is packed with helpful features that make piloting easy for beginners.
For instance, it has an emergency stop, one key takeoff, Follow Me Mode and Headless Mode. It is also GPS assisted, so you are assured all the time that you can locate your drone. Also, it has a Return-To-Home feature that prompts the drone to head home when the battery runs low.
I had a great experience flying Holy Stone HS100. It has a decent flight time and delivers high-quality pictures and videos, making it among the best FPV drones with camera at an affordable price.
PROS
- Affordable
- Good looking drone
- Decent flight time
- Rechargeable remote
- Great camera for pictures and videos
- Integrated GPS/GLONASS system
- Remote control includes simple and advanced functions
- Built-in brushless motors for strong propulsion force
CONS
- No bonus battery
- Battery takes too much time to charge
- Drone is heavy, must be registered with FAA
What is FPV Drone?
An FPV drone refers to the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with a camera that wirelessly transmits a video feed to goggles, a headset, a mobile device or another display giving you a “first-person view” of the drone while flying it. FPV drones can be remotely controlled or may be programmed to fly autonomously through software-controlled flight plans accessing data from onboard sensors and GPS.
From the user’s perspective, flying an FPV drone is like piloting a telepresence robot because it enables virtual presence wherever the device flies. When we talk about FPV, most associate this with FPV drone racing which is very popular among hobbyists. Aside from that, FPV drones are used to enter an unsafe environment for a search and rescue mission. They are also used to inspect physical infrastructure that is difficult to access like bridges and high buildings, and in agri-tech to survey crops and livestock more quickly.
How to Fly FPV Drones
Flying FPV drone is not easy, but if you keep practicing, you will definitely get better over time. Before flying your FPV, you need to have the following:
- Video Transmitter. Transmits the image to the ground.
- Video Receiver. Receives the image from the sky.
- Camera. Captures the image being transmitted.
- Display. Shows you the transmitted image. Goggles are more fun to use for this.
If you want to fly further, it’s recommended that you get an antenna to improve your range.
Once everything is set up, you can start flying. It’s best if you bring a spotter or someone who will look at your drone while flying to reduce your risk of a crash because you will be limited to what your drone’s camera can see. A spotter can tell you when you’re getting close to an obstacle.Here are some tips to avoid common FPV beginners mistakes so you can have a more fun FPV flying experience.
For beginners who haven’t flown a drone ever, check out this: How To Fly A Drone For Beginners
Is FPV For You?
Not everyone wants or needs a FPV. In fact, personally, I was never interested in this before I purchased my first UAV. But after flying drones for some time, I came to a point when I wanted to experience more, and that’s what I found in FPV drones.
When you wear your FPV goggles, you will get to experience the most immersive FPV experience as you get to see what your camera sees. It feels like you are flying too.
FPV gives you an exhilarating experience, especially when racing. It allows you to feel like a bird without leaving the ground. Once you get to fly quadcopters in FPV, you’ll have a different view of the whole flying experience, and I’m pretty sure, you’ll get one for yourself or I could be wrong. But then, those who have tried FPV have never turned back.
Conclusion
FPV drones come in different sizes and prices. If you are about to purchase your first FPV drone, I suggest that you get a cheap one first and upgrade it later. Flying FPV drones is fun, but it’s not easy, you wouldn’t want to get an expensive drone and keep crashing it, right?
If you have been flying FPV drones, then get one with more features or functionalities that you can maximize. Take your in-flight experiences to the next level by investing in a solid FPV drone.
Have you tried any of the FPV drones above? Feel free to share your experience with us below.