The Best FPV Drones of 2024

As an FPV drone enthusiast, I have tried my fair share of drones over the years. My hangar is filled with quads I’ve bought, built, or borrowed for reviews.

But there are a select few that have stood the test of time and remain my go-to drones today.

In this post, I’ll share which FPV drones I still use regularly in 2023 and why. Whether you’re looking to add to your fleet or are curious about what a seasoned FPV pilot flies, read on for my current top picks.

Some would argue that the latest FPV drone from DJI, known as the DJI Avada, is the best choice for 2023.

Instead, we’re going to focus exclusively on the hobby of FPV and discuss the current releases that I’ve tested this year to tell you what my top choices are.

This post will serve as a direct mainline into the RC hobby of FPV.

TLDR: My Pick

iFlight Chimera7 Pro V2

Specs

Camera

1. GEPRC MARK5 HD O3

My most recently reviewed model, the GEPRC MARK5 HD, serves as my backup to the QAV-S.

When shooting FPV videos, especially with a group, having a backup drone is crucial in case you crash or have technical issues. You never want to be grounded mid-shoot!

I chose the MARK5 due to its similarly fantastic flight abilities and high-end performance. It comes with a removable GoPro foam mount that I’ll have to reinstall.

An alternative option I considered was the iFlight Nazgul5 Evoque F5.

It has a cool “ducted” design to protect the propellers. This would come in handy when flying low near water or over snow.

Both models have superb performance – the iFlight Evoque is likely just a bit better for freestyle. But I’m very pleased with the MARK5 in either role.

The Mark 5 from GapRC is a lighter and more agile race-inspired alternative from the same company behind the Nazgul Evoke. It has a streamlined design focused on performance and speed.

Specs

GEPRC Mark5 Series Quick Comparison List

My Thoughts:

The GapRC Mark 5 lives up to its billing with a super lightweight and responsive frame perfect for FPV freestyle flying.

It’s on the pricier side but you get what you pay for with powerful electronic components and an ultra durable design focused on performance. If you value agility and speed above all else, the Mark 5 is fantastic option.

Best larger cinewhoop: GEPRC Cinelog35 HD

For flying with a GoPro style camera indoors or in tight spaces, the Cinelog35 is hands-down my favorite cinewhoop style drone. Despite having propeller guards, this thing flies incredibly well! I’m continually impressed by how nimble and controllable it is.

Another major plus is how quiet the Cinelog35 is compared to other quads in its class. Anyone filming with me definitely appreciates the stealthier props.

I opted to remove the GoPro-style camera mount and installed my own phone holder. This lets me film with my phone’s camera which I’ve been preferring lately. But the Cinelog35 has plenty of mounting options to suit your payload.

1. GEPRC Cinebot30

2. iFlight Nazgul Evoke V2

My number four pick is a five-inch FPV-style drone designed to get you started in learning how to fly FPV freestyle.

Specifically, it is the iFlight Nazgul Evoke V2, which also comes with DJI O3 onboard. If you’re looking to save some money, an analog version is available.

If you’re looking to save some money, an analog version is available. This is my top pick for a bind-and-fly freestyle drone for 2023.

The drone comes pre-tuned with an F7 flight controller and also features updated Zing Series 2 motors.

These are 2207 motors, and I recommend using Ethix-style props with this drone. You’ll find that this drone performs almost flawlessly right out of the box.

FPV (First Person View) drone flying has exploded in popularity over the past few years. The ability to put on a pair of FPV goggles and feel like you’re sitting in the cockpit of your drone is an amazing experience.

As we move into 2023, there are some clear front runners emerging when it comes to the best FPV drones currently available. In this post, I’ll be counting down my top 5 picks for the best FPV drones of 2023 so far.

#5 – BetaFPV Cetus Pro

Kicking off the list we have the BetaFPV Cetus Pro. This is one of the best ready-to-fly FPV drones currently available for new pilots looking to get into the hobby.

Features:

• Plug-and-play design, no building required
• Durable and crash-resistant
• 75mm 3″ propellers
• F4 OSD flight controller
• 800TVL CMOS FPV camera
• 25-500mW VTX with Smart Audio
• Supports 2-4S batteries
• binds easily to all FrSky and FlySky radios

The Cetus Pro comes completely pre-built and ready to fly out of the box. The 3″ prop size makes it a versatile drone that can be flown indoors or outdoors. It’s an ideal beginner FPV drone thanks to the prop guards that add protection, and the high quality components that can take crashes during training.

Despite its small size, the Cetus Pro has excellent performance and can hit speeds over 90mph on 4S batteries. The 25-500mW video transmitter gives a clear HD video feed even at long range. Overall it’s a perfect entry level FPV drone in 2023.

#4 – iFlight Nazgul5 HD

Next up we have a popular 5″ racing and freestyle drone, the iFlight Nazgul5 HD. This drone comes pre-built and is one of the best performing 5″ drones right now for FPV pilots looking for speed and agility.

Features:

• 5″ tri-blade propellers
• Powerful 2207 1750KV motors
• SucceX F4 flight controller
• Runcam Nano 3 FPV camera
• 5.8Ghz 40CH 25/200/500mW VTX
• Supports 4-6S LiPo batteries

The Nazgul5 is built for performance and speed. It uses some of iFlight’s latest technology like the SucceX F4 flight controller and blazing fast 2207 motors. This drone is capable of outrageous acrobatics and extreme racing.

While it may be too much drone for absolute beginners, the Nazgul5 is the perfect step up for intermediate pilots looking to progress their skills. It’s durable enough to withstand crashes, while also being easy to repair and maintain. If you want a high performance pre-built freestyle drone, the Nazgul5 is one of the best options available today.

#3 – DJI FPV Drone

The DJI FPV drone has made quite a splash since its release in 2021. This is DJI’s first official ready-to-fly FPV drone aimed at consumers. It comes with everything you need to start flying FPV right out of the box.

Features:

• Plug-and-play simple setup
• Low latency HD video transmission
• 4K/60FPS stabilized video recording
• Intuitive motion controller with manual and normal flight modes
• Intelligent flight modes like Normal, Manual, Sport
• Up to 88mph (140kph) top speed
• 20 min flight times (6000mah battery)
• 10km HD video transmission range
• Emergency brake and hover button

As you would expect from DJI, the drone is extremely user friendly and easy to fly even for beginners. The first person view flying experience is unmatched thanks to DJI’s low latency Ocusync 3.0 video transmission technology. It gives you an incredibly immersive FPV experience.

The camera and video quality are excellent, being able to record smooth, stable 4K/60fps footage or rip around in manual mode for freestyle videos. The drone has a bunch of smart flight modes that make it easy to capture unique shots.

While the cost is on the higher end, the polish and reliability of DJI’s FPV drone make it one of the best all-around FPV drones money can buy today. It’s an excellent choice for anyone wanting to get a taste of first person view flying without the complexities of building your own drone.

#2 – GEPRC CineEye

Next up we have the GEPRC CineEye. This is one of the best cinema FPV drones available right now thanks to its excellent DJI air unit integration and long flight times. It’s the perfect drone for capturing stunning 4K video.

Features:

• Supports DJI Air Unit with Ocusync transmission
• Long range HD low latency video
• Included Caddx Nebula Pro camera does 4K/60fps, 1080/120fps
• 35 min flight times on 6S 8000mah Li-ion packs
• Integrated GoPro mount
• Programmable LEDs for orientation
• Durable and lightweight design
• 30A BLHeli_S ESC running up to 6S

The CineEye comes tuned and ready to fly out of the box. With the DJI Air Unit and Caddx camera it’s capable of streaming a crystal clear, low latency HD video feed to your goggles even at long range. This makes capturing epic cinematic FPV footage easy.

It’s also designed with cinematography in mind. The frame accommodates large 6S 8000mah batteries for long flight times. You can mount your GoPro to get the best possible 4K video quality. There are LEDs for orientation and added visual effects.

For any FPV pilots focused on creating jaw-dropping videos andinematic content, the GEPRC CineEye is arguably the best turnkey camera drone available right now.

#1 – iFlight Nazgul Evoque V2

Taking the top spot as my pick for the best FPV drone of 2023 so far is the iFlight Nazgul Evoque. iFlight are known for making some of the best performing, most durable FPV drones out there, and the new Nazgul Evoque may be their best yet.

Features:

• 5″ tri-blade propellers
• T-Motor F60 2450KV motors
• SucceX-E F7 45A ESC stack
• Supports 6-8S LiPo batteries
• Caddx Vista Nebula Pro camera does 4K/60fps, 1080/120fps
• DJI air unit compatibility with up to 10km HD video transmission range
• 30 min flight times on 8000mah batteries
• Lumenier AXII Long Range antenna
• Intuitive OSD

This drone has some of the best components money can buy with the SucceX F7 flight controller/ESC, powerful T-Motor F60 2450KV motors, Caddx Nebula Pro HD camera, and option to add a DJI Air Unit.

It’s performance is next level, capable of blazing fast speeds while also having the power efficiency for long flight times. The Nazgul Evoque keeps up with modern FPV freestyle tricks with ease.

Everything about this drone just screams quality and performance. From the durable unibody frame to the ultra clean wiring. Out of all the pre-built options, I think the Nazgul Evoque represents the best mix of performance, quality, and value in an FPV drone today.

Questions to Consider When Buying an FPV Drone in 2023

The FPV drones highlighted in this post represent the top ready-to-fly options in early 2023. However, there are a few key considerations to think about when choosing an FPV drone:

• What experience level are you? Beginners should start with something like the BetaFPV Cetus Pro before moving onto racing drones.
• What do you want to do? Cinematic FPV is different than freestyle. Prioritize video transmission or flight time accordingly.
• What’s your budget? Prices span from $100 to over $1000. Match the cost to your skill level.
• DIY or RTF? Building your own drone is challenging but educational. RTF models trade convenience for less customization.
• Analog or HD Digital? HD systems from DJI and Caddx offer incredible video quality but at a premium. Analog is more affordable.
• What size drone? Micro drones are more agile indoors. 5-7″ drones are faster with longer flight times.

FPV Radio Recommendations

A good radio transmitter is crucial for flying FPV drones. Here are my top radio recommendations for 2023:

RadioMaster TX16S

The RadioMaster TX16S is my favorite high-end radio for FPV. With multi-protocol support, large color touchscreen, Hall sensor gimbals, and open source firmware – it has all the features I need.

Pros:

• Supports nearly every protocol (FrSky, FlySky, Futaba, etc)
• OpenTX firmware is extremely powerful
• Industrial quality gimbals feel precise
• Comfortable ergonomic grip
• USB-C charging

Cons:

• High price tag
• Can be overwhelming for beginners

If budget isn’t a concern, the TX16S is hands down my go-to radio recommendation in 2023. It may take some time to set up, but you’ll have an extremely capable radio that will last years into the future.

RadioMaster Zorro

The RadioMaster Zorro is an awesome budget-friendly radio for FPV pilots. It shares many of the TX16S features in a more compact and affordable package.

Pros:

• Multi-protocol support just like TX16S
• Includes internal ELRS module
• Crisp Hall gimbals
• OpenTX firmware
• Affordable price

Cons:

• Smaller form factor not as ergonomic
• No external module support

For around $100, the Zorro gives you all of the features needed for FPV while cutting back costs with a smaller form factor and built-in ELRS (no external module). If you’re on a budget, it’s one of the best radios out there.

FPV Goggles

To have that immersive first-person-view experience, a good set of FPV goggles are a must. Here are my picks for the year:

FatShark HDO2

The FatShark HDO2 have been my go-to FPV goggles for years. With dual screens, modular bay, and super low latency analog module – they provide an unbeatable immersive experience.

Pros

• Dual screens enlarge field of view
• TruDiversity modules eliminate video breakup
• Amazing optics and screen clarity
• Modular bay to swap components
• Lightweight and comfortable

Cons:

• Pricey
• Lower resolution than newer digital goggles

While they are expensive, the HDO2 offers one of the best analog FPV experiences money can buy. The modular design also means you can upgrade to HD down the road.

Skyzone Sky04X

If you want HD digital FPV on a budget, the Skyzone Sky04X are a great option. They support both analog and DJI HD video plus have a crisp image with minimal lag.

Pros:

• Supports analog and DJI digital video
• 1920×1080 per eye resolution
• Integrated 40ch 5.8Ghz receiver
• Modular design
• Budget friendly

Cons:

• Still pricier than box goggles
• Fiddly button controls

For around $500 you get an awesome HD FPV experience. The high resolution and low latency of the Sky04X make them a sleeper contender for one of the best FPV goggle options this year.

Chargers & Other FPV Gear

To go along with your new drone and goggles, here are some of my recommended chargers, batteries, and other FPV gear for 2023:

• ISDT Q8 – Excellent compact 200W 8 port smart battery charger
• Tattu R-Line V4.0 – My favorite long-lasting 6S LiPo batteries
• iFlight Pocket 2 – Compact 2 port 40W LiPo charger for field charging
• Lumenier AXII – Best all around FPV antenna, comes in many flavors
• Foxeer Lollipop – Awesome circular polarized RHCP antenna for goggles
• TBS Mambo – Great entry level FPV transmitter, can use sims to practice

Final Words

That sums up my picks for some of the best pre-built FPV drones, radios, goggles, and gear for 2023. The world of first person view flying continues to advance at a rapid pace. Exciting new technology emerges constantly in cameras, video transmitters, motors, flight controllers, and more. Each new release makes it easier