Best FPV Goggles for Drones 2022

If you’re going to fly FPV, the googles you choose will be nearly as important as the drone itself.

You’ll want them to be comfortable, fast, reliable, feature rich, robust, etc, etc, etc!

And unfortunately, they are not cheap. Especially if you want to avoid products that will spoil your enjoyment by dropping signal and/or having too much latency to allow you to really feel like you’re onboard.

This post will help you choose the best FPV goggles for you and your drone.

FPV Goggles Reviewed in This Guide

1. DJI Goggles Racing Edition
2. DJI Immersive FPV
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4. Makerfire Mini FPV Goggles

FPV Goggles List

1. DJI Goggles Racing Edition

Best Overall

DJI is an innovative drone and camera technology company based in Shenzhen, China. It is one of the most upbeat and forward-thinking drone organizations. The DJI FPV Goggles must be used with DJI drones, although they are perfectly compatible with drones manufactured by other brands. 

I’d also like to call your attention to the fact that these are not 3D Goggles. They do provide the immersive experience of the 3D goggle from Google and Samsung but without letting you sense the surrounding environment. When you put on these FPV Goggles, you will feel like you are actually sitting inside the drone while it is airborne. 

The 1080p resolution screen brings to you clear and concise images of the area beneath the drone. However, images are only going to be crystal clear if your drone is equipped with an equally good FPV camera. Using these goggles with a cheap or budget-friendly drone will most certainly result in frustration.

The package includes a body headband pagoda antenna, a connector charger wire clip, micro USB cable, HDMI cable, and a cleaning cloth. The product is black in color. The headband is cushioned with red-colored foam. 

In addition to that, these first-person view goggles offer seamless video transmission (just 50 ms latency). 1280×960 is the highest resolution provided by this product, although you can go even higher by increasing the FPS. 

DJI Goggles Racing Edition is Suitable For – 

These first-person view goggles work well with DJI drones. You don’t need to fiddle with any connecting cables. The DJI Mavic will connect with these goggles without any configuration. Further, the advanced technology used by DJI eliminates the need for a touchpad. 

To guide the drone while airborne, simply move your head (this feature is known as head tracking) in the desired direction. However, it may take a while to learn how to use head motions to control the drone.

Pros:

• 148-degree field of view.
• It can also be used with non-DJI drones.
• Negligible latency (50ms).
• Head tracking mode makes it possible to use this device hands-free.

Cons:

• It does not show pictures in 3D. 
• Bulkier than virtual reality goggles by other brands.

2. DJI Immersive FPV

Overall Runner-up

DJI Immersive FPV is a flagship product of DJI, one of the best drone companies. This technologically advanced product comes with two 1920×1080 ultra high-quality displays. This product is intended to be used with any of the DJI FPV drones. 

The OcuSync wireless transmission system makes it possible to connect up to four wireless devices to the drone. The idea is to give you an immersive experience like never before.

DJI Goggles offer an option to enjoy the video in more than one resolution. The 720p/60fps screen resolution allows you to view the video at a wide-angle, whereas for close range, 1080p/30fps works best. There are several more screen resolutions available.

Also, DJI takes tremendous pride in having an extremely low latency (less than 110ms). These FPV goggles will make you feel like you are flying in the sky. Unlike Eachine VR-007 Pro, the DJI Immersive FPV goggles have two “2K” screens. One for each eye. Each screen can offer 1280×1440 resolution. 

Notably, this is a 100 percent hands-free device. The head tracking mode makes it possible to control the yaw and tilt of the FPV drone with your head movements. By turning your head left or right, you can change the drone’s yaw, whereas to get back to the original position, simply straighten your head. The same goes for the Head Tracking Gimbal mode.

DJI Immersive FPV is Suitable For –

DJI Immersive FPV goggles offer an excellent field of view FOV for drone racing, surveillance, rescue missions, or other recreational purposes. Further, those who are interested in higher image quality can also benefit from this device. You can enhance your drone flying experience by using this device with a DJI drone. 

Pros:

• Strong overall and good value, especially for beginners.
• It offers a maximum screen resolution of 1920×1080.
• There is an option provided to select the aspect ratio and frame rate.
• Patched-in receiver module. No external antennas.

Cons:

• You can’t view videos in the same format as that of the drone camera.

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Best Value

The Scout FPV Headset is another expertly engineered FPV goggles from FatShark. Not only the look and feel of this product are different from Attitude V5, but it also has some premium features added to it. 

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For instance, the Attitude V5 had two external antennas. Such is not the case with Scout FPV Goggles. These FPV goggles come with an omnidirectional and another patched-in antenna. 

Also, the button placement is far more organized. The functional keys are located at the top-right side of the device, whereas the power button is placed conveniently on the top left corner. Plus, in the black and white color casing, this product appears more adept. 

The package arrives with a sturdy and long-lasting carrying case, an instruction manual, some FatShark stickers, receiver modules, and a 18650 2600mAh Battery. Not to mention, the 5G8 Patch Antenna is built-in. 

The slot and connecting cable ports are located at both ends of the device. A USB-C slot, AV in port and headset port is located at the right side of the device. Also, you will find a miniSD card slot and an auxiliary port on the left-hand side. 

Fat Shark Scout is Suitable For –

Just like Attitude V5, these are budget-friendly FPV goggles meant to introduce you to the virtual reality world. You can use these goggles for professional purposes, but keep in mind that it offers a screen resolution of 1136 x 640/60fps. 

Plus, with a 50-degree field of view, you can survey a particular territory but do not expect a crystal clear view. Of course, the image quality also depends on the camera mounted on your drone.

Pros:

• Lightweight (350 grams). Box goggles usually weigh more than 400 grams.
• Equipped with head tracking. 
• Perfect for recreational purposes like drone racing.
• Equipped with two diversity receiver antennas. One in-built and another external.

Cons:

• The image quality is average. 
• The signal transmission is not sound when operated from indoors. For an immersive experience, you need to stay stationed out in the open.

4. Makerfire Mini FPV Goggles

This is by far the most unique looking FPV goggles available in the market. The receiver modules are located right on the top of the frame (double RP-SMA antenna). The screen functions can be modified with the buttons located on the top of the frame. The top view appears a lot like a remote drone controller. 

This product does not come with an in-built Digital Video Recorder (DVR). They have provided the AV out port so you can record the footage sent by the drone’s signal transmission system. 

Further, the built-in 3.7V/1200mAh high-capacity Li-ion polymer battery can be charged via the USB port located on the edge of the frame. The manufacturer provides a USB charging cable. 

Notably, this product is a lot cheaper than others on the list, but it also has its shortcomings. The weaknesses of this product won’t limit the fun and enjoyment of recreational users. But they may become a detriment for professionals. 

Also, near-sighted or far-sighted users are not advised to purchase these FPV goggles. The screen may appear way closer than it is, or you will feel cross-eyed while staring at it. You can wear glasses, but they may feel extremely uncomfortable. There is no guarantee that these FPV goggles will go well with your prescription glasses.

Makerfire Mini FPV Goggles is Suitable For –

Barring a few shortcomings, this product has a lot to offer for those looking for the best FPV goggles at a low price point. The instruction manual comes with a frequency table so you can configure this device easily. 

The LED screen shows the current frequency and other necessary details. I would recommend this FPV goggle to someone who wants to use their drone hands-free or simply watch their favorite movies up-close.

Pros:

• Includes the AV out port as well.
• Extremely low or negligible latency (10ms).
• Comes with tried and tested RP-SMA antenna.

Cons:

• It only suits users with perfect eyesight.
• No in-built DVR.

Are FPV Goggles Worth It?

FPV goggles are one of the essential accessories for drone racing. Usually, the high price point of branded FPV goggles prevents beginners from beginning their drone piloting career. 

However, I can say without hesitation that a feature-rich FPV goggle can boost your drone racing experience by miles. A phone screen has its limitations. To win drone racing tournaments, you are required to divert 100 percent of your focus and energy into guiding the unmanned aerial vehicle. 

How Do I Choose FPV Goggles?

Just like it is important to pick the right flight controller, propellor system, or frame kit for your aerial vehicle, it is also crucial to pair it up with the right First Person View FPV goggles. I am assuming that you have put together your drone by yourself, but even if you haven’t, you will find that there are tons of options when it comes to FPV goggles. For a beginner, choosing the right FPV goggle can be challenging. 

Below I have listed a few features that you need to look for when choosing an FPV goggle for your quadcopter. 

• Vision Correction: Make sure the FPV goggles you are about to purchase have vision correction. Wearing virtual reality goggles on top of prescription glasses can be extremely uncomfortable. 
• Field of View (FOV): The Field of View (FOV) is another essential factor you need to consider before purchasing an FPV goggle. A wide-angle screen offers a larger FOV.
• Price: Generally, the price of an FPV goggle depends on the screen resolution and type of the receiver module. The price of an FPV goggle can range from $70 to $500.
• Interpupillary Distance (IPD): IPD is the distance between the centers of the pupils of the eyes. Every human on earth has a distinct IPD. Make sure the device you are about to purchase has provisions to adjust the IPD.
• Head Tracking: This is one of the most fundamental features of an FPV goggle. A software application monitors your head’s movement so you can guide the drone in the direction you want.

Why Are FPV Goggles so Expensive?

A growing number of drone enthusiasts want to switch from a conventional wireless remote controller to virtual reality goggles. However, the high price point of these devices stops them from doing so. 

But what makes these virtual reality goggles so expensive? Most FPV goggles over $100 come with OLED screens instead of the old Kopin LCD modules. Even major tech companies like Samsung use OLED screens in their televisions, mobile phones, and wearable devices. 

OLED screens are manufactured in a limited quality as the mainstream electronics companies do not yet use them. Also, they are challenging to make. Hence, the better the quality of the OLED screen, the higher the price of the product. 

Can You Fly FPV Drone Without Goggles?

To be exact and accurate, yes, you can fly an FPV drone without goggles. In fact, virtual reality is a newer concept. Companies like DJI and FatShark have made FPV goggles available for regular people like you and me. 

FPV goggles are necessary if you are flying your drone more than 50 meters apart from the base station. They might cost you anywhere from $70-$500; you are better off flying your drone with FPV goggles.  

Conclusion

With the advancement of technology, more and more drone accessories are expected to arrive in the market. As a drone enthusiast, you should try your best to learn and stay informed about these inventions. 

FPV goggles have been around for quite a while now, although I won’t be surprised if they seem new to you, especially if you are new to this space.

From the above list, I would suggest FatShark Scout for those who are looking for feature-rich yet affordable goggles for their drones. Scout is far better and also cheaper than it’s close cousin Attitude V5.