Best FPV drones 2024: Take the ultimate level of control

If you're a thrill seeker, the best FPV drones are the UAVs for you. Admittedly, your feet are fixed firmly to the ground so you're not going anywhere, per se. But thanks to FPV goggles, where you can see what the drone sees — like a bird's eye view — and controls that allow you to flip roll and dive the drone, you're undoubtedly in for a treat.

FPV drones are notoriously difficult to fly in acro mode, but for getting to grips with this, we have plenty of traditional FPV kits that will help you learn how to fly in this mode. Drones are heavily discounted for Black Friday and the savings have already started. The DJI Avata Pro-View Combo is $45 off at Amazon, and it's a great older model.

Alternatively, you're more interested in capturing photos and videos at a more relaxed pace, the best camera drones will be more suitable for you.

The Quick list

Best FPV Drones we recommend in 2024

Best FPV drone overall

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The DJI Avata 2 comes almost hot on the heels of its predecessor, the DJI Avata, to deliver a more advanced FPV drone that's suitable for beginners and experienced FPV Pilots. With features including GPS positioning, rear and downward sensors and two controller options, this is an FPV drone that blends the ease, convenience and technology of a camera drone with the robust and exciting characteristics of FPV models.

DJI is well-known for making drones easy to use, and the DJI Avata 2 is no exception. Taking the concept of simplicity a step further, the Avata 2 can be easily flown by both absolute beginners and experienced FPV pilots thanks to its multiple flight capabilities.

At the simpler end, although this drone can be flown n manual/acro mode, it also features GPS positioning, rear and downward sensors allowing it to be flown in a hybrid way that combines the thrill of FPV but with the simplicity of a camera drone.

The beauty of this drone is that it's easy to use, as discussed in our full DJI Avata 2 review. The kits come with everything you need, including DJI Goggles 3 and a Motion 3 Controller, which is easy and intuitive to use. The DJI FPV Remote Controller 3 can be purchased separately and unlocks the ability to fly in Manual mode for a true FPV experience.

Not many FPV drones can capture 4K video, and that's where the DJI Avata 2 shines. You can record 4K up to 60fps, using either a Normal color profile or D-Log M if you want to be able to professionally edit and color grade your footage afterwards. We've found still image quality to be excellent too, thanks to the 12MP 1/1.3-inch sensor and 12mm equivalent lens.

You'll get up to 23 minutes of flight time from the Avata 2, which is fairly impressive for an FPV drone. It's also worth noting that the batteries used here are smart batteries, meaning they automatically discharge. We think they're much easier to use than traditional LiPo batteries found on traditional FPV drones.

• Read our full DJI Avata 2 review

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Best older model

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You may be wondering why we'd include an older model drone in our guide, but the DJI Avata is still available to buy and it's a great FPV drone. What's more, it's also available for a lower cost than at launch making it a great option for those on a budget.

You'll find some features typical of camera drones built into the Avata, such as GPS positioning and downward sensors, along with the freedom to fly manually in acro mode. The only downside here is that if you want to fly in acro mode, you'll need to buy the FPV Remote Controller 2 which is only available separately.

You do get a Motion Controller included, though, which we've found to be an intuitive way to fly the Avata and is great for beginners, but it doesn't give as much freedom as the FPV Remote Controller 2. The latter, however, is only suitable for more experienced pilots because flying in acro mode isn't easy.

Video can be captured in 4K up to 60fps, 2.7K at up to 100fps and 1080p at up to 100fps with DJI Goggles 2. The DJI FPV Goggles V2 however, can shoot 2.7K and 1080p video at a rate of up to 120fps.The video quality from the 48MP 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor with an f/2.8 lens with a 12.7 mm equivalent focal length is excellent overall, as we discussed in our DJI Avata review.

The DJI Avata features a cinewhoop design with prop guards around the propellers to protect them in the event of a crash. These can be purchased separately and replaced if damaged. The drone is 180 x 180 x 80 cm and weighs in at 14.46 oz/410 g with a battery, which is quite heavy for a drone of this style, but it does include 20 GB of built-in storage alongside a separate microSD card for additional video storage.

You can get the Avata by itself, or in two kits with different goggle choices. There's also a Fly More Bundle available if you want more extras.

• Read our full DJI Avata review

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Best beginners freestyle kit

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If you're aiming to learn how to fly FPV drones in acro mode where you can flip, dive and roll the drone, the Tinyhawk III Plus Freestyle could be the perfect FPV drone for you. Scoring a perfect score in our Tinyhawk III Plus Freestyle review, this is a drone that's perfectly tuned for freestyle flight and can be run with 1S or 2S battery configurations where you can control speed and power depending on your flying ability.

You'll find everything you need to get started within the Tinyhawk III Plus Freestyle package. Along with the drone itself, you'll get Emax Transporter 2 HD FPV Goggles, an Emax E8 Transmitter, two sets of propellers, two 1S batteries, a six-port USB battery charger and a wealth of other accessories.

Accessories such as extra batteries can be purchased separately, and we think it's worth stocking up on more so you can increase your flight times. A battery typically lasts for around three or four minutes and the goggles will run for around four flights on a single charge.

This drone features an HDZero digital VTX, and the Transporter 2 HD FPV Goggles produce an HD image and can capture up to a 720p 60 FPS (1280 x 720 px) video using the built-in DVR when a microSD card is inserted. These videos can be viewed in the goggles or downloaded to your computer where you can share your best FPV flights to social media and beyond.

This kit isn’t cheap, and there is a less expensive analog version, but what you get is well worth the money in terms of quality, versatility and performance.

• Read our full Tinyhawk III Plus Freestyle review

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Best for beginners

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The BetaFPV Cetus X is the flagship model in the Cetus series, delivering power and flight capabilities not available with the other models. The Cetus X is available in two slightly different models, and we reviewed the Cetus FC version. This option features position hold, hovering and emergency landing in Normal flight mode which makes learning how to fly FPV easier for beginners.

These features make the Cetus X behave more like a camera drone than a FPV drone, which is great for getting used to using FPV goggles. Beyond this, the most useful mode is Manual/Acro where the Cetus X is powerful enough to perform freestyle tricks such as rolls, flips and dives etc.

We think the Cetus X is a great choice if you're looking to go from a beginner user to an experienced FPV pilot, and it won't break the bank. It's a reasonably budget-friendly drone and in the kit you'll find everything you need to get started: the drone, goggles, controller, batteries, charger and a number of other helpful accessories.

One thing to bear in the mind is that the battery life is fairly short; each set of batteries will provide around five minutes of flight, although that's pretty good for microwhoop FPV drones. You'll get a full charge in about 20 minutes, so we'd recommend purchasing extra batteries to give you with longer flight times while you're waiting for more to charge.

The Cetus X is a powerful and fun drone, with better endurance and power than the other three Cetus models. Plus, it comes with goggles that can record the 480p FPV video feed.

• Read our full BetaFPV Cetus X review

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Best cheap FPV drone

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Coming in at a low cost and providing a great way for beginners and children to get into FPV, the BetaFPV Cetus Lite FPV Kit is the perfect option. Check out our Cetus Lite FPV Kit review to learn more about this small and lightweight FPV drone kit that offers the perfect amount of power for beginners flying indoors. It's a basic analogue kit, but you get everything you need to get started.

It includes all the necessary components to start, such as analog FPV goggles and batteries. This kit is known for its simplicity and user-friendly design, making it suitable for everyone, including children. It's a budget-friendly way to dive into the world of FPV hassle-free.

We've found the Cetus Lite FPV Kit incredibly easy to fly, making it a great option for getting to grips with FPV goggles and basic flight. Releasing the left control stick will automatically center it, and the drone will always stay level. It can't do flips, rolls or dives so if you fancy some stunt-flying, this isn't the FPV drone for you — but if you're simply looking to nail the basics of steady flight, the Cetus Lite will be ideal.

The downside, of course, is that you won't be able to level up your flying skills by using the Cetus Lite and for most users, that will make the lifespan of the product rather short. On the upside, you'll also get used to using FPV goggles by flying this drone, so if you're not sure if FPV piloting is for you, this is an inexpensive to discover if FPV drones are for you.

• Read our full Cetus Lite FPV Kit review

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Best for 4K video capture

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The DJI FPV has been around for a while now and DJI has since released two DJI Avata models, but the FPV is still going strong. The bonus here is that you can pick one up new for an attractively low price and this large and powerful FPV drone, when compared to traditional models, can be flown like an FPV or camera drone depending on the mode you're flying in.

Features include GPS positioning and sensors that slow the drone when obstacles are detected, although it won't bring the drone to a complete stop so caution is always required. It's an impressive drone despite its age and we enojyed its performance in our DJI FPV review.

The camera provides both the digital FPV video feed as well as the ability to capture immersive footage up to 4K at 60fps. This can be captured in the Standard color profile for straight out-of-camera footage, or in D-Cinelike (RAW) for color grading and incorporating into a professional workflow. At over a year since its release, the DJI FPV is available for a competitive price.

There are two modes to choose from on the DJI FPV: Sport and Manual. While you're in Sport mode, you can fly up to 60 miles per hour, and in Manual, you can go even faster at an incredible 87 mph. We wouldn't recommend using Manual mode unless you're an expert with plenty of FPV experience, however.

Sport mode is a good, balanced mode suitable for most users. It turns off the downward sensors and while it isn't quite as fast as its Manual counterpart, it's still exhilarating to use.

• Read our full DJI FPV review

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Best for learning to fly manual FPV

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The BetaFPV Cetus Pro Kit is a great option for those looking to take their first steps into FPV and even experienced pilots who would like a small microwhoop for fun. It's not suitable for capturing video, as we explained in our BetaFPV Cetus Pro review, but it is fully geared towards flying and having fun.

The kit comes with everything you need including the drone, FPV goggles, a controller, a carry case, two batteries, a USB charger, a voltage tester and other accessories. Additional batteries can be purchased separately to increase your flight times.

There are also three different speed modes available in three main flight modes: Normal, Sport and Manual. When you're flying in Normal mode, the Cetus Pro makes use of optical flow sensors which help the drone to hold its position and fly over obstacles. It's a good place to start if you're a beginner, and once you get the hang of flying you can switch over to Sport, and then Manual as you become more accustomed to FPV piloting.

Sport mode allows for more control, but it restricts the drone's pitch and roll angle, so it can't be flipped or rolled. When you switch to Manual mode, however, you have complete freedom to enjoy the full potential of the Cetus Pro. Great for experienced pilots, but if you're out of your depth, it's easy to lose control — so don't use it until you're ready!

During the learning stage, it's common to experience crashes, but the Cetus Pro's robust build reduces the risk of damage. If the drone flips upside down after a crash, you can use Turtle mode to flip it back and take off again, saving you the hassle of going to get it. The small batteries give you about 5 minutes of flight time, and although the goggles have a decent 800x480p resolution, it's best to keep the drone relatively close (within an unobstructed range of up to 80m) for a clear video feed.

• Read our full BetaFPV Cetus Pro review

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Best FPV freestyle drone

The Emax Tinyhawk II RTF Kit has been superseded by the Tinyhawk III Plus Freestyle, but it's still available for sale and the kit comes in at a great price. The Tinyhawk II is a great option for beginners because it's not too powerful but it does have freestyle credentials, making it beginner-friendly, and the kit comes with everything you need to start flying.

We particularly like that the Emax Tinyhawk II RTF Kit comes with a gaming-style controller which means, if you've ever played a video game, you'll be instantly familiar with how it feels in your hands. It might be a step away from the traditional FPV controller design, but it's a great place to start.

You'll find three flight modes on the Tinyhawk II: Air, Angle and Manual/Acro. Air mode is a good place to start, with a higher throttled that prevents the drone dropping suddenly. Angle mode limits how much you can pitch and roll the drone while flying, which is good for getting used to controls. And, of course, Manual/Acro mode is for experienced users only, allowing you to go wild in flight.

Despite its small size, you can purchase 3D printed camera mounts for the Insta360 Go/Go 2, and the drone can fly with these small cameras attached, although the flight times are reduced due to the additional weight. The goggles feature a lower resolution of 480x320p compared to the 800x480p of most of the other analog goggles included in RTF kits in this guide.

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Best FPV Drones Frequently Asked Questions

Video and stills photography is complicated enough but add to that the skill and knowledge required to pilot a flying device that does this makes things even more difficult. We've answered some of your frequently asked questions regarding the best first-person view drones.

How we test FPV drones

FPV drones are typically tested over several days in different locations and environments to test flight performance, flight features, overall handling and the image quality and reliability of the FPV video feed to the goggles. FPV drones typically don’t have built-in cameras for video capture, although some models do capture high-quality video so this is always tested when available.

Drones are flown in Acro/Manual mode to test the connection between the aircraft and the controller, latency between the two, the accuracy of the controls and flight performance in general. And if the drones offer any kind of beginner flight modes with basic safety features, these are tested in an indoor environment due to reduced power and to test the sensitivity of the controls.

The testing we conduct here at Space.com is compliant with local aviation laws and restrictions so all flights are safe and legal. Drone laws vary from region to region, so you must check local laws to ensure that you’re following the guidelines for your country before embarking on your first drone flights.