* If you make a purchase through any of the Amazon links on this site, we may earn a commission. This costs you absolutely nothing.
Are you looking forward to buying a new FPV drone?
Then you are at the right place! It does not matter if you are new to the world of drones or you have been flying them for years. You will always find the prospect of owning one exciting.
With this review of seven best FPV drones, you will be in a position to get a great option in no time.
In this article, we shall also explain what an FPV drone is and provide answers to some of the more common questions you may have. You will also find a buying guide to help you make an informed choice for your next FPV flying machine.
Table of Contents
Recommended Best FPV Drone
Holy Stone F181W
If you want to buy the top drone, you should go for the Holy Stone F181W. It is the best drone currently available in the market when you consider the cool features that it has.
Some of the exciting features in this drone include flying in headless mode, performing 360 flips, and 6-axis gyro stabilization systems. On top of that, you can add an awesome looking controller that feels like you are playing a game on the Xbox or PlayStation gaming consoles.
The drone can provide you with 8 minutes of awesome flying time.
A detailed review of the Holy Stone F181W is provided below, but you can check out the price for this amazing FPV drone on Amazon right away.
Review of 7 Awesome FPV Drones
The reviews of the FPV drones are based on the customer feedback that have been received for these drones. We have included some of the key aspects of drone flying capability in this review.
Without further ado, you will find detailed reviews of 7 sweet FPV drones below.
1. Holy Stone F181W Wifi FPV Drone with 720P Wide-Angle HD Camera
Are you looking for a great drone to help you learn how to fly, practice new skills with a ready-to-fly starter drone? Then the Holy Stone F181W should, without a doubt, be your first choice.
The Holy Stone F181W drone comes with an amazing camera of 720 pixels with an angle of about 120 degrees. The camera is capable of shooting and recording pictures in HD quality. The imaging sensor of this drone also features an autofocus capability which reduces the possibilities of the images coming out shaky.
Photos and videos will always be stored in the default 4GB SD card that is included in the package. The SD card should be enough for all your needs. In case it is not, you can consider inserting an SD card with more storage.
It is also capable of performing 360 degrees flips by a press of a button and 4-way flips. It also comprises of the return home feature and has 6-axis gyro stabilization systems.
Holy Stone F181W comes with a controller that looks like Xbox joystick or a typical PlayStation controller. Holding the controller is very comfortable since most people are familiar with the joysticks.
Its controller is compact and sleek and fits into the palm of the hands without causing any problem. Despite not having any special anti-slipping materials, you will not encounter any problems with the drone’s controller.
The remote control of this drone is divided into two parts, the upper part which is occupied by a small screen tasked with relaying real time in flight details such as thrust, altitude and inclination. There is a 360 flip button located on the left side while a video/camera button is located on the right side.
The Holy Stone F181W blades help in offering extra protection whenever the drone crashes. If you are a beginner, then this feature will be very useful.
The Holy Stone F181W comprises of 3.7 V 750 mAh battery which ensures the drone is up and running for a minimum of eight minutes.
If the drone’s camera is switched on or if the drone will be performing several rolls or evasions, it tends to run out of juice faster. Flights will typically last less than the expected eight minutes.
Here is a video of some footage taken from this drone:
- Has a high-quality camera.
- Easy and safety fly features.
- The drone comes already assembled and ready to fly.
- Comes with two batteries to help in doubling the flying time.
- Consists of an Altitude Hold Mode that allows the drone to hover on its own.
- This drone is not in a position to handle anything that is stronger than a mild wind.
- There are parts such as the camera which are delicate and its wires can easily get loose.
- It heats up quickly hence one has to break after every 10-minute flight to avoid destroying the drone’s internal components.
2. DBPOWER MJX X400W
DBPOWER MJX X400W FPV Drone is currently one of the hottest drones in the world capable of taking aerial pictures and videos. It is a reliable, simple and dependable drone which has been well received by most flyers.
This FPV Drone is an entry-level drone which works well as training before you graduate to a more advanced drone.
Most beginners love the manner in which the DBPOWER MJX X400W FPV Drone flies, and also how easy it is to control.
The DBPOWER MJX X400W FPV Drone offers a lot of features to any newbie flyer providing them with reliable and dependable flight experience. One of the reasons why this drone is popular among most beginners is its ability to sustain crashes.
Considered as an averagely sized drone, the real measurements of the DBPOWER MJX X400W FPV Drone are 3” H x 11.8” W x 11.8” L. It is lightweight weighing below 0.55 pounds which can easily undermine its performance in windy weather. This drone also has a solid 100-meter transmission range that is sufficient for any beginner quadcopter.
One key return mode is one great feature of the DBPOWER MJX X400W. It makes it possible for the drone to fly back to you by pushing the button.
The FPV real-time transmission is another great feature of the DBPOWER MJX X400W drone. This feature will enable one to fly the drone by looking at the screen of their phone. It uses 4 “AA” batteries.
It also consists of a smartphone placeholder that allows you to easily snap your phone whenever it comes to use the real-time FPV. It comes with 12 buttons including one key return, speed setting, LED nighttime light switch and headless mode.
Its flight time ranges between 8-10 minutes that can easily be doubled or tripled by using an extra battery.
Overall, the DBPOWER MJX X400W is considered to be a great drone as it offers a great amount of flight time when you consider the price and the level of expertise that it offers.
- Has an LED light that helps in flying at night.
- It is small in size and lightweight.
- An exceptional drone for beginners.
- Comes with a 3D split screen for VR headset.
- The camera is fixed and hence cannot move much.
- Has a very short flight time.
3. Contixo F18 Drone
The Contixo F18 Drone comes with a backpack and it is all one will need to start an adventure. With its sleek appearance, this drone gets many people attracted to it. Although it is not that large, its features do stand out from the other drones.
The amount of power and stability it maintains will make you love the Contixo F18 Drone.
The Contixo F18 Drone battery is a rechargeable 2100 mAh high capacity that allows up to 16 minutes of flight time. The propellers and spare batteries are available for people who are interested in increasing flight duration.
The Contixo F18 Drone’s flight transmission distance is long and can reach up to one mile. The WiFi transmission distance reaches 1640 feet. This will let you fly the FPV drone at greater distances and heights.
Although it is VR compatible, a VR headset is not included.
The Contixo F18 Drone specs are great and it has been complemented by the brushless motors that add a great sense of agility and speed to the drone.
Setting up the Contixo F18 Drone is easy and it only requires 2 ‘A’ blades at the front and ‘B’ blades at the back. You will need a quick calibration after you have inserted the battery and paired your drone with the transmitter.
The Auto Return to Home and GPS assisted hovering functions makes this drone easy to fly, making it a suitable drone for beginners. It is known to be an easy to operate drone and great for any person who is new to flying.
According to several customers, the Contixo F18 Drone is the best starter drone in the market. Unlike most of the drones that easily crash when one makes a wrong move, this drone will always stay airborne even when a novice is under control.
It only comes with one battery and you might be forced to buy a second battery.
Overall, the Contixo F18 Drone is considered to be an excellent quadcopter that covers all the pilot’s experience ranges.
- Comes with one key return.
- Comprises of ultra-bright LED lights for night time flight.
- It provides good performance, speed, and acceleration.
- Consists of a built-in 1080P HD camera with live video transmission and real-time 5G WiFi FPV.
- It has a GPS assisted flight to help in preventing the loss of the drone.
- Consists of an Altitude Hold Mode that allows the drone to hover on its own.
- The battery only lasts for up to 15 minutes.
- If you prefer having smaller pocket drones then you might be turned away by the Contixo F18 size.
- It doesn’t come with a screen hence you will be forced to use a Smartphone to enjoy the FPV camera.
4. LBLA
The LBLA FPV Drone is among the quadcopters that have become more popular among most of the beginners.
This drone features two great color combinations: green and black. The color combination makes this drone capable of grabbing the attention of any audience whenever it is being flown around.
Exposed motors are one great design that the LBLA FPV Drone features. The drone makes use of coreless motors that offer the drone with speed and power to navigate on air. Its camera is located underneath and can be adjusted manually. Its landing pads can easily be removed or added as per your preference.
The LBLA FPV Drone features three modes of speeds that make it possible for the first time flyers and beginners to learn how to fly. By default, this drone will always be flying at its slowest setting. This makes it possible for the starters to learn basic controls. As you hone your skills, you can increase the speed mode gradually to challenge yourself.
This drone is considered to be very responsive to control and comes with a control range of approximately 50 meters.
This drone also comes with an automatic take-off and landing tool which makes the entire flight operation easier. It also has an automatic return to home function. One needs to check if the return flight path is clear before they can activate the return to the home button.
The ability to splash in water is one feature that the LBLA FPV Drone has compared to other drones. In case you are planning to fly the LBLA FPV Drone near water and make a splash, it is possible to do so thanks to the drone’s water-resistant body. It is one of the best performance features a person can get if he or she has plans of enjoying the full true nature.
This drone also features beginner-friendly function such as the headless mode and the altitude hold function. Although it is easier for one to understand the altitude hold function, the headless mode is a unique feature that makes the drone easy to control.
The drone’s LED lights are situated on each arm of the motor serving as a visual positioning system. It is an important feature for night time flight operations.
- Has a water-resistant body, allowing you to splash the drone in water.
- The drone is compatible with 3D VR headsets.
- Has Wi-Fi pairing with Smartphones.
- Its camera is of poor quality.
- Its battery is not that impressive.
- Has limited control range and few features.
5. Potensic T25 Drone
The Potensic T25 Drone is considered to be an excellent purchase for any person who is interested in owning a high-quality drone.
Flying without spending a fortune is simple with the drone. It consists of advanced features which operate well without any hitches. It is well engineered and structured to help it withstand any crashes. It is also a relatively cheaper drone.
The Potensic T25 Drone is available in a compact size and weighs barely a kilogram when it is loaded with the camera. Its small size makes it perfect for flying indoors where it is not spacious. You can easily pack it into a backpack during your travels thanks to its compact size.
It is also fitted with the 1080 HD camera which is known for shooting excellent videos and photos. Its camera also has a wide view thanks to its adjustable angle of up to 90 degrees. Its camera is of high quality and captures great aerial videos and photos.
It also comprises of a removable battery of 7.4V 1000mAH which is rechargeable and well equipped with an energy-optimized system which helps in improving flight experience.
It also comes with a single button for taking off and landing.
This drone has image transmission and storage feature responsible for offering better quality still videos and shots. It is advisable for you to channel all the videos and shots in SD card when shooting. There is also an SD slot for the card.
There are several drone features contained in this drone that ensures you never lose your drone when flying. It comprises of a GPS tracking technology which makes it possible for you to locate your drone in case you misplace it or lose it during its flight.
It has an easy to operate controller since it’s easy to understand the buttons and press the correct ones when needed.
- Using this drone is very easy.
- Has a GPS Follow Me feature included.
- It is possible to tilt its camera.
- There is lack of stability in the video shots.
6. Holy Stone GPS FPV RC Drone HS100
The Holy Stone GPS FPV RC Drone HS100 is a worthy buy for beginners and advanced pilots.
This drone comes with great features such as the Return to Home that makes it possible for the drone to turn and get back home whenever the battery runs low. Compared to the other types of drone, Holy Stone GPS FPV RC Drone HS100 costs a bit lower and comes with a longer flight time together with other greater features.
It also comprises a Follow Me Mode which makes it possible to make the drone follow you when you have GPS enabled on your phone.
The GPS assisted flight in this drone helps in ensuring the safety of the drone is assured all the time. One will be in a position to tell the location of the drone and whenever the battery gets low, the drone will automatically return home thanks to its return to home feature. In case the contact breaks and one loses signal, the Holy Stone GPS FPV RC Drone HS100 will return home by itself.
The camera on this drone is situated ideally for you to capture widest views for videos and images. This camera does have a wider angle of 120 degrees.
Holy Stone GPS FPV RC Drone HS100 has a flight time of between 12 and 15 minutes. The Li-ion battery can take up to three and six hours to charge.
The fly in headless mode refers to when you are flying the Holy Stone GPS FPV RC Drone HS100 for kicks without having any purpose in mind. For instance, you will just be flying the drone to take random pictures. When in this mode, whenever you push the throttle forward, it will always operate in the forward direction and vice versa.
The one key takeoff refers to the extra feature which was added to this drone to make the one button takeoff possible. This feature makes it possible for you to keep your hands free whenever you are flying this drone.
- Its camera has a 720p HD FPV.
- Consists of an altitude hold feature.
- The drone can fly for 12-15 minutes.
- There are times when the drone’s rotor armature might become fragile.
- Its 2.4 GHz channel control can at times attract some form of interference.
7. Holy Stone HS160 Shadow
Considered to be one of the best drones in the market under $100, the Holy Stone HS160 Shadow is capable of capturing high-quality videos and images at different angles.
It has a unique and comfortable design. It is not that big making it easier to carry. It is also flexible and foldable thanks to the fuselage and ABS plastic that made the drone compact and portable. The size of this drone’s camera is palm-sized and the drone is quadcopter thereby preventing it or anything else from getting damaged or hurt.
The Holy Stone HS160 Shadow overall weight is approximately 3.8 ounces making it super light while the drone’s compact design made it resilient to crashes. It contains two LED lights at the front which act as light and help in identifying the camera whenever you are shooting at night. Its battery is attached at the bottom and the drone comprises on an altitude hold feature which makes it possible for its users to maintain and balance the height of the drone. It also makes it possible for its users to focus on the horizontal moments that ensure high-quality pictures are taken.
Holy Stone HS160 Shadow consists of an FPV mode which helps in streaming 720p full HD video to your smartphone. This provides the drone users with the transmission of real-time images without any delay or lag. Shooting and viewing images and videos using the Holy Stone HS160 Shadow drone is easy.
The drone comes with a 3.7 volt 500 mAh battery with a charging time of around 100 minutes. Its flight time is around 8-9 minutes which is not the best when you consider the drone’s price range. However, the Holystone firm provides an extra battery.
You will have to use a remote controller to operate your Holy Stone HS160.
- Comes with a 720P full HD camera.
- Its batteries are durable.
- The drone is highly responsive.
- The design of this drone made it more resilient to crashes.
- Has a long recharging time.
- Shorter flight time.
- Wi-Fi and flight range is limited.
Buying Guide for the FPV Drones
You are bound to have a difficult time choosing the right FPV drone if you are new to drone flying. There are several types of FPV drones currently available in the market making it even more difficult for beginners to choose the best drone type. However, this guide offers you with some of the important factors you should consider whenever you are shopping for an FPV Drone.
Level of FPV Drone Experience
The cheaper drones are known to lack essential features that make their operation easy. This means the cheaper drones do not fit flyers who are not experienced in drone flying.
In case you are not sure about your capability in operating cheaper drones, it is essential that you go for drones that have auto take off and headless mode features. Going for a drone with auto-landing capability will make it easier land your drone back to the ground safely.
It is important that any drone buyer looks at such aspects whenever they are shopping for drones.
Type of Environment the Drone Will be Used
Before purchasing a new drone, it is highly recommended that you first consider where you are planning to fly the drone. In case you are using it outdoors, it will be much better if you go for a much stable drone which should be larger.
Smaller drones are better used indoors and work better outside when it is not windy. There are drone manufacturers that go to an extra mile and provide details on support for various wind strengths. In case you are not sure on the type to go for, it is advisable that you go for a drone that can be used both indoors and outdoors.
Type of Material Used in Drone Creation
No one would like to throw their drones away a few weeks after purchasing them. It is therefore advisable for any buyer to consider the type of material used in making the drone. For instance, most of the cheaper drones are made from ABS and ordinary plastics.
Carbon and Fiberglass drones are more durable due to the stronger materials used in making them. However, when shopping for expensive drones, it is advisable that you avoid the drones made from aluminum since they tend to lower their quality.
Replacement FPV Drone Parts Availability
At some point, your drone is bound to get damaged or break. It is important that you buy a drone with readily available replacement parts. When shopping for a drone, take your time and check if the manufacturer sells the drone’s spare parts. You can also carry out an online search for retailers who might be having the drone’s spare parts.
Some of the drone’s important parts that you should ask if there are replacement parts include batteries, controllers, propellers, motors and landing gear. Some drones do not use universal parts; this can cause a bigger challenge in case you need to do some repairs.
Flying Time
Some drones can fly for four to five minutes. Such drones will not provide flyers with enough time to accomplish their goals or have fun. Some of the best drones in the market can fly for 15-25 minutes. However, such drones are known to cost more.
Some manufacturers will offer their buyers with extra batteries to change in between the flights making their flying longer. Apart from the flying time, it is better for one to go for a device that takes a shorter time to get fully charged.
Purpose of the Drone
Drone market has expanded considerably in the recent past. It has encouraged the development of devices that are meant for a specific task. For example, one can go for a drone specifically meant for surveillance, photography or acrobatics.
The various types of drones are specifically optimized for particular purposes. For instance, in case you are in need of a drone for your photography, it would be better if you consider going for one that consists of an HD camera with excellent video and image resolution.
FPV Flight Controller Device Range
When shopping for a drone, it is advisable that you consider the range in which you will want to control the drone. This is important for individuals who intend to use their drones for photography. Aerial videos and photos need to be taken for higher altitudes.
However, most drones are known to have 30 meters range which is never enough for aerial photography. You will have to part with more to get drones with long ranges.
Live Feed
Most people are known to prefer watching a live feed of their drones from above. Such drone’s cameras are positioned at the lower part. The captured video is transmitted real-time to the LCD controllers display.
It is possible to watch the captured videos directly on your tablets or mobile phones. However, you will have to download an application that will connect you to the drone’s camera. Such devices are known to offer any person with greater convenience since you will not have to transfer the videos to your PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Budget
Most of the drones meant for recreational use are known to be more affordable. It is possible to get an excellent drone below 100 dollars. However, most buyers are advised to avoid going for cheap drones especially the ones made from low quality plastics. The reason behind this is that the repair cost will, in the long run, increase your total investments.
Commercial drones are known to cost much higher and one will also need to get a license to operate them at an extra cost. It is important for any person to go for a drone whose total investment will never go beyond their initial budget.
FPV Drone FAQs
What makes an FPV drone?
FPV is an abbreviation of First Person View. The term has gained a lot of prominence in the gaming industry where gamers are more familiar with this term.
Instead of having to look up in the sky and flying your drone based on how you are seeing it while in the ground, you will be flying the drone based on what you are seeing through the live broadcast of what is being filmed on the camera of your mobile device or tablet.
There are several benefits associated with flying your drone on FPV mode such as it enables the flyer to get a better orientation concerning the drone including easier time in getting great shots for the camera, smoother flying and the feel of flying.
How does an FPV drone flight controller work?
A basic First Person View set up comprises of an onboard camera that is mounted on a vehicle. It is then connected to a small transmitter which is mounted. The transmitter which is running on a 5.8 GHz frequency thereafter sends a signal to a receiver which is connected to a viewing device such as the FPV goggles or a portable monitor.
However, the range between the receiver and the transmitter varies depending on the amount of power that is emitted from the transmitter and any type of obstructions which might disrupt the signal. There are certain cases where you might be forced to add accessories like sophisticated antennas to assist in helping you get high range and clarity.
One can consider using an alternative FPV set up that will use Wi-Fi instead of sending signals using the 5.8 GHz transmitter. However, the range of using Wi-Fi is limited although it offers the convenience of using either a tablet or a Smartphone.
What is a drone headset?
First Person View headsets are known to provide one with the most rewarding and immersive FPV experience. It helps in removing all the external distractions and places you on the pilot seat. It is made up of the FPV goggles which either have one or two screens depending on the type you are using. The goggles will be displaying live video from the aircraft’s camera. It makes it possible for the flyer controlling the drone to see what the quadcopter is seeing.
FPV headsets are the way to go whether you are taking stunning photos and pictures from above or racing quad at higher speeds.
Conclusion
Which is the best FPV style drone to purchase?
This will depend entirely on what you want to do with it!
Ranging from learning to fly to capturing great aerial videos or getting one as a gift for your friend, the best drone will vary explaining why we have come up with a list of seven drones. This review together with its guide was created to help experienced buyers make the right choice by providing a list of the best drones, their features, pros and cons. Younger flyers would want to check out our best drones for kids article. If you are looking for the FPV racing drone ratings, check that post out. We hope you have enjoyed going through reviews of the world’s top FPV drones.
