First Person View, or FPV, simply means you can see as if you are inside the drone. In that respect, it's similar to the way the term is used in gaming. And, just as in gaming, some take the FPV concept a lot more literally. So much so, in fact, that FPV drone pilots are generally expected to be wearing video goggles. It is steeped in the history of the drone world. Even as a drone expert, it was a barrier I was nervous to cross – exciting and competitive – but I'm glad I gave it a go.
Some drone enthusiasts still build drones this way, placing a camera on the front of the ‘copter and piloting via a live view seen on video goggles. Additionally, the cameras that they use to record are still often just the best action cameras attached to the top. By piloting in this way, FPV fliers learn to master speed and dart through narrow gaps. FPV has always been popular with the hobby community, and even served as a spectator sport – everything from “Mini Air Shows” in 2015 to commercial TV events like Drone Racing League and Multi GP.
FPV pilots have also struck creative gold; eye-catching one-shot flights travel from the skies right into buildings, so everyone wants in on FPV. It is no longer the preserve of self-building enthusiasts; you can buy ready-made sets, and most drones have some kind of video relay.
We look at all the options and we look for speed, manoeuvrability, safety, latency (the responsiveness of the controls), and crash resistance (you will crash, but these drones should be built to handle it). Our best overall pick, the DJI Avata, handles all these in a balanced way, but the other options all have their merits...
It's fair to say Adam has long been into his gadgets, but when the chance to make them fly came along he grabbed his soldering iron and lept to the head of the queue. He built drones from wood, carbon fibre, and 3D-printed materials (as well as buying some off the shelf when the world caught up), and became a bestselling author of The Drone Pilot's Handbook.
Top Picks
Best overall
The Avata 2 is a welcoming and capable FPV drone which boasts a brilliantly simple interface and a top-notch stabilized 4K camera (saving on strap-on GoPros). It's robust, and has great safety features like pause and return all of which mean almost anyone can fly it and get amazing footage.
Best all-in-one FPV kit
Taking a balance between fun and cost, this kit gives you everything you need to experience and understand FPV, with a few more options than the more child-friendly 'Lite' set. A brilliant start for any FPV novices.
Best first FPV
On one hand the DJI Neo is cheap, smart, safe follow-me drone that works without a controller. THEN you can also add DJI's cheapest FPV goggles and controller (or get a kit) for a relatively inexpensive FPV. Impressive.
Best for freestyle
Want acrobatic excellence and perfect flow? The Nazgul has the right balance to handle tight corners while pulling off some tricks that'll impress – plus support for the latest video systems. Nice.
Best FPV kit for kids
This kit is the cheapest version of the successful Cetus series from BetaFPV; limited modes won't stop the kids having fun, especially indoors.
Best tiny FPV drone
A nano drone to start flying with a motor-to-motor measurement of just 75mm and a Ready To Fly (RTF) bundle means this is very giftable.
Best for cinematography
Arguably superseded by the Avata, the bigger, heavier, DJI FPV boasts collision sensors and the ability to go out shooting (and performing stunts) even against very strong breezes.
Best overall
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The DJI Avata 2 is a refinement of the already brilliant Avata. It's different from most FPV drones in that nearly everyone can fly it almost immediately out of the box, yet have access to top-of-the-line features high-resolution digital goggles. Why? Because of DJI's unique RC Motion 3 controller which lets you almost become part of the drone with a single 'floating joystick'. It's not as weird as it sounds, I promise.
Purists can buy a traditional RC controller with sticks if they prefer (in fact that is needed to unleash the full manual mode), but the fact this isn't part of the standard bundle speaks to how successfully DJI have replaced the 'traditional' FPV piloting method.
The Avata 2 is very robust – and believe me, I checked, with a tree branch and the ground! The ducted design, known as "cinewhoop" also makes the drone good at relatively smooth flights so capturing amazing video is easy. Stunts are also available, even with just the 'Motion controller' thanks to DJI's 'Easy Acro' feature.
The initial bundle price is a bit off-putting, and perhaps more so since I think you'd be crazy to buy with less than three batteries, but the built-in camera has excellent stabilization and 4K so there is no need for expensive extras like action cameras. You're also getting high-end digital goggles with OLED into that deal. Flying it hard and fun will eat the battery fast – you'll be lucky to get 10 minutes when you really push it – but that's still very good.
In terms of flaws, these are far fewer than the previous model. The Goggles 3 are very comfortable, and even have pass-through (dual cameras so you can look through without taking them off, though activating this could be a touch easier). The latency is as low as 24ms, too.
Read my full DJI Avata 2 review for more details
Best all-in-one FPV kit
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The Cetus is a small drone with the relatively unusual addition of an optical flow sensor. Not only does this offer drift-free hover, but a gentle automatic landing when the battery is failing – both huge boons for beginners.
First-time pilots can work their way up through three modes, including a full traditional FPV style. The same applies to the tech; the goggles and controller are of the same kind you can use with other real RF drones.
The controller, in fact, has an especially pleasing feel for ‘noobs’, with real RC-controller sticks surrounded by a more game-like housing. Indeed it can be used as a USB joystick when connected to drone simulators. It’s a shame that this is a live-view experience only – you’ll need to invest in pricier goggles for a record option – but this package is more about fun.
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Best overall
✅ You are looking for a safe option: The drone design is smart, with cages around the props and a low weight that can't do much harm.
✅ You want to keep the budget under control: Because you can start with a 'toy' that takes selfie pics, but grows by adding controllers, you don't need to buy it all at once (but you can – there is a bundle).
❌ You don't have a phone: This drone relies on an app for almost everything except simple 'follow me' actions.
The DJI Neo, new in fall 2024, is a bit of a departure for the world's leading drone company. While it was involved in the Tello before, and has other FPV drones including the amazing Avata 2 on this list, this is the first time DJI has offered directly a drone which is so clearly useful to younger pilots (and, let's be fair, all of us), and that brings digital FPV to a really accessible price range.
What really sets the Neo apart is that you don't need to buy it all at once (or you don't need to buy the FPV experience all at once.
By the end of November, DJI has even made this surprisingly affordable with the new Goggles N3.
This, then, is a drone which gets a lot of credit for safety and robust design – it has a cage-like design to keep fingers from propellors, and rounded edges – and it's very light; less than a third that of a football, so it can't do much harm.
Brilliantly you don't need to buy all the accessories on day one, making this a flexible drone that can grow with you, great for developing piloting skills which are increasingly useful (there's good money in professional FPV flying too). It's also just a good drone, fun, with a healthy flight time of around 15 mins, not at all bad for something so light it could do little real harm.
Read more: my full review of the DJI Neo
4. iFlight Nazgul 5
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Powered by Xing-E 2207 2750KV motors, the Nazgul 5 might be named after the baddies in Lord of the Rings, but that power is a useful thing if you choose to act responsibly; many drone pilots lamented the increase in weight to the latest GoPro cameras, but this powerful machine seems unconcerned by the extra grams. (Perhaps that’s why it uses the Succex-EF4 flight stack?)
With 5mm thick carbon arms, this drone is going to be difficult to break even in a pretty fast collision, but if you want to try iFlight is offering the machine in both (fast) 4S and (screeching) 6S versions.
It can even keep up with a fixed wing. The firm is also well known for the quality of its default PIDs (flight settings), and this machine is no exception, which means even pilots used to the consumer-friendly experiences of camera drones should be able to transition to the world of FPV.
The drone includes the Caddx vista HD digital video transmission system, so you’ll likely need DJI FPV Goggles which will be something of an investment in themselves though. Other than that, you get a good selection of accessories in the box: antennas, tools, rubber battery stickers, props, and more.
Best FPV kit for kids
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This very small, bare-bones version of the BetaFPV Cetus is not designed for long-range flying – our reviewer James found it was best kept within 25m / 80ft – but the pricing means that this is still a reasonable deal as a gift for the kids.
The inclusion of analog VR02 goggles means you'll be able to see though the basic camera, so this is a real FPV drone and, of course, being a kit, it's also easy to get going as you know everything works together. The tiny controller is also well suited to small hands – even smaller than a typical game console controller.
On the down-side, there is only the 'Level' flight mode in the Lite drone, so once you've mastered that there will be no progression to the stunts and tricks of a true FPV master. These, however, realistically need weightier frames and more motor power so perhaps that makes sense.
Read our full review of the Cetus Lite FPV
Best tiny FPV drone
6. EMAX TinyHawk 3 RTF
Our expert review:
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The EMAX TinyHawk 3 is a great nano drone to start flying with; the wheelbase (motor-to-motor measurement) is just 75mm, so the drone is smaller in the box than either the controller or goggles but, crucially, all those things are available in the same box, assuming you choose the Ready To Fly (RTF) bundle.
It’s possible to stay aloft for up to 7 minutes, OK for a machine with tiny 2-inch props, or blast along at up to 50mph (again impressive at this size). If you’re doing so in low light the array of LEDs provides the opportunity to wow the assembled crowds; their brightness responds to the accelerator.
In the past, Emax’s kits have included gamepad-like controllers, but this includes the new E8 transmitter which has a more traditional feel, better for learning pinch controls. It also has a mount for the bundled Transporter 2 receiver screen, which can either be worn as a traditional FPV screen or used atop the controller if preferred. The Transporter 2 can record video to an SD card, too.
While there isn’t the power to carry a GoPro, the camera provides surprisingly good-looking video – much more so than other small drones – thanks to its dynamic range, white balance, and the 200mw VTX (transmitter) which ensures better transmission than many in the category. The only real complaint is the ‘land now’ warning seems to come a little early, so the drone is better suited to racing flight than aggressive “acro” (acrobatics).
Best FPV drone for cinematography
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The DJI FPV came out before the Avata. It is a drone with a lot of possible uses; it has a good quality camera that (if you supply fast enough MicroSD cards) can capture 4K at 60fps. Unusually for a dedicated FPV drone, the camera features mechanical stabilization (as does the Avata), albeit only on the X-axis (impressive digital image stabilization handles the Y-axis and camera vibration well).
Delicate gimbal motors might seem vulnerable, but the frame has a degree of roll-bar-like protection for the camera, and, perhaps more importantly, this is where DJI’s other major area of development plays a significant role: collision sensors – unlike the Avata which trusts the frame. They will either stop to hover or even steer around objects rather than hit them.
The real distinction though, and why it still makes our list under this heading is that the extra heft makes it such a good choice for filming in tricky conditions – for a practiced pilot at least. All DJI's camera drone tools are there, like the two lower (but still exciting) speed options. An ‘all stop’ button can also initiate hover nearly immediately, while the drone boasts the usual GPS-powered return-to-home expected on a consumer drone of this price.
DJI’s dedicated ‘FPV Goggles V2’ operate at 120fps and are also thoughtfully designed, with a large field of view not too taxing on the eyes or headband; the visual quality is breath-taking compared with early analog equivalents, but arguably the newer DJI Goggles 2 are more portable, bringing us back to the Avata (see our separate guide to the best FPV goggles).
Read my full DJI FPV Combo review for more details
Best freestyle FPV drone
Best for DJI O3 FPV
7. GEPRC MARK5 HD O3 Freestyle
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Freestyle airframes are built to take a lot of punishment with naked propellors for maximum efficiency. DJI’s latest transmission & control system for the FPV community, the O3, is a little bigger than its predecessor and can’t fit in many prior builds, which is why this airframe is such a good choice for someone going freestyle; it’ll let them use all the latest DJI gear (goggles, controller etc.) to maximum effect, while still mounting the FPV camera without problems. The kit also comes with all tools required to tweak your camera angle (many pilots like to experiment with this) and replace props.
Mostly, though, we love the power and flexibility; 4S and 6S versions lay down 1960KV and 2450KV through the SpeedX2 2107.5 brushless motors. And when you decide you want to check the engineering you can check the parameters live using Bluetooth and the SpeedyBee phone app – a much better solution than plugging into a computer.
Best compact FPV for power
8. GEPRC CineLog 35
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Bigger than some whoop-class drones, the CineLog 35 has a few refinements which make for longer flights. It’s also possible to sacrifice some minutes and direct the power to lift heavier GoPro cameras. You can hold a GoPro 10 aloft to record your flights for posterity using the included mount. Better still, the camera – if attached – will be connected to a dampening platform to reduce the jelly effect from the drone’s motors.
Nevertheless, the aircraft's 203 x 203mm pusher frame is 236.6g so you can also fly free of weight restriction concerns when you’re operating without a recording camera. GEPRC offers both a 4S and 6S edition of the compact quad.
Cheap FPV Mode
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In the broadest sense of the term, the Mini 2 SE is, already, an FPV drone because you can fly it by seeing through the camera. Better yet it captures excellent video (for the price) and images for a drone that's considerably cheaper than others in its stable. The only problem is that – by the strictest of enthusiast definitions – it isn’t technically an FPV drone.
He's how I choose to look at the problem: The view seen on your phone screen (acting as a monitor) is a first-person view. After all, a shooting game in the Doom/Halo style doesn’t require VR goggles. With a little ingenuity it is also possible to get that phone image in front of your eyes FPV-style: Get hold of a headset that can accept a mirrored video signal from your phone or an HDMI signal. If the latter, connect the HDMI to your phone using a device like a MiraScreen).
The fact the Mini 2 SE isn’t the quickest drone is probably useful given that the digital video (especially if mirror-cast) isn’t as responsive as on a racing-style FPV drone. There is a slight lag in the conversion and unconversion of the signal. The experience is still good – plus you get all the advantages of DJI’s video recording system. In the Control menu, you can set the Gimbal Mode to FPV and the camera will tilt with the drone (rather than maintain level horizons), again like a ‘real’ FPV drone. The Mini 2 SE has had the advantage of improvements to the radio range at DJI too – very good news for FPV-style play.
Read my full review of the DJI Mini 2 SE with a sample video.
FPV jargon made easy
Acro: acrobatics ARF: almost ready to fly (some construction needed)
BNF: bind and fly (a drone where you need to buy your own controller
Cinewhoop: Small drones designed for safe flying around people
FPV: first-person view Freestyle: Flying acrobatically / acro for fun
HUD: head-up display
Lipo: Lithium polymer battery
mAh: milli Amp hours (a measure of battery capacity)
PNP: plug and play (a drone where you need to provide the receiver/transmitter)
RTF: ready to fly Spotter: A friend to keep an eye on the wider airspace in case you get lost in the zone.
VTX: video transmitter
FPV systems explained
There are two kinds of FPV systems. Analog and digital. Both involve wearing goggles (We also have a guide to FPV goggles, by the way), but there are notable differences between the technologies.
Analog FPV: What are the advantages & disadvantages?
Analog was the first on the scene, and for a long time the only practical solution. The drone is fitted with a tiny analog camera and low-power NTSC or PAL transmitter (VTX). The pilot’s goggles including a receiver.
The technology is essentially the same as that once found in all TVs, except that you must choose the drone’s broadcast frequency, then make sure you match it on your goggles. The signal is visible to anyone who tunes in (but you won’t be transmitting far – authority rules keep power output to a minimum).
The radio control is 'bound' entirely separately to the drone’s ‘brain’ (flight controller), so does not occupy the same frequencies, but sometimes the transmitter overlays data onto the video feed, looking a bit like old-school VHS on-screen displays.
The tech is still relatively cheap, and the quality deteriorates in a natural way, rather than just dropping out, so you know it is time to turn around. The biggest plus is latency – there is essentially no delay in converting to digital and back, which makes stunt-flying super easy. The downside? Well, there was a reason HDTV came along and replaced this tech in the home! It's great to fly with, but you'll need to strap on a GoPro or equivalent to record good video.
Digital FPV: What are the advantages & disadvantages?
If you’re looking to add a high-quality digital video signal then you need a digital system. The compromises have, over generations, been largely ironed out, so latency (delay) is much less of an issue, though prices are still high.
DJI offer the DJI O3 Air Unit. This works with the newer FPV Goggles which arrived alongside the Avata. It offers a step up in reliability but, be warned, the 20mm lens won’t fit between the typical 19mm pillars on many freestyle frames. You might also try the Caddx Air Unit.
Digital systems ‘bind’ to each other with relative ease, and theoretically offer greater range without glitching video, but the downside is that when the glitches do come they can be more catastrophic than gradually degrading analog.
Do I need to buy an FPV drone to get FPV-style video?
No – most DJI drones have an "FPV mode" which can lean the camera with the drone's fuselage so you'll still get some of the stabilization effect but the video (and the live feed you watch as you shoot it) will have the impression of movement and speed that you get from FPV flying. For some, this will be the best of both worlds, and you'll find some good examples in our guide to the best camera drones and especially cheaper options in the best beginner drones.
How we test drones
Our drone tests are carried out in the field, allowing us to assess the quadcopter for its flight performance, easy of use, and its image quality. All our drone reviews are overseen by Adam Juniper who is one of the UK's leading experts in drones, and who has written several books on flying drones, including The Drone Pilot's Handbook.
As well as pure speed, manoeuvres that matter to us are acceleration, deceleration, turn (how tightly you can turn around some trees, for example, makes a big difference in the real world), climbing and descent. Mixing them all up and seeing the subtleties matters the most, though.
