7 Best FPV Quadcopters

1. SNAPTAIN S5C WiFi FPV Camera Drone (Best Budget)

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Editor’s Rating: 4.6/5.0

The SNAPTAIN S5C is incredible value considering the features packed into this FPV quad. It’s an ideal flying camera for the novice dipping their toe into aerial film and photography.

• Best feature 1: FPV real-time transmission
• Best feature 2: 3D view mode for FPV goggles
• Plus points: Easy to fly, headless mode, 3 speeds, voice control, altitude hold, 3D flips
• Minus points: Flimsy prop guards, low average flight time, vague instructions

First Person View (FPV) Capability

The camera on the SNAPTAIN S5C is a 720P HD model with a 60° wide-angle lens. The WiFi provides instant real-time FPV transmission between drone and smartphone. You can also put a regular phone into Virtual Reality (VR) goggles (not included). VR glasses provide the ultimate FPV experience.

SNAPTAIN S5C’s Standout Features

You may want to consider the SNAPTAIN S5C FPV quadcopter if you’re an inexperienced pilot. It has a simple one-button takeoff/landing function and three different speed modes. This puppy uses smart voice controls and a headless mode that make flying even easier. Others are the altitude hold function and smartphone app control. There’s also an option to perform impressive 3D flips if that’s your thing.

Trajectory Flight functions let pilots draw flight paths on a screen that the drone follows on autopilot. The drone’s 720P HD camera won’t win you any awards on the quality front. Despite that, the quality is good enough to enjoy and share on social media. The SNAPTAIN S5C certainly gives newbies a perfect introduction to aerial filming and photography.

The Not So Good

The “protective” propeller guards—though welcome—are quite flimsy. They’re better than nothing, but they should be stronger. The flight time is just 7+ minutes which is on the low side of average for a quad in its class. There’s a bonus battery, though, which doubles the flying fun to around 15 minutes. Charging time is average and takes about 90 minutes or less.

The final gripe is the vague user manual, but don’t let that put you off. Fans of this quad upload video tutorials to YouTube to assist anyone who needs guidance.

2. Hubsan H123D X4 Jet FPV Racing Drone (Best Value)

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Editor’s Rating: 4.8/5.0

The Best Value pick goes to the Hubsan H123D X4 Jet FPV Racing Drone. It’s a micro racing quad driven by powerful brushless motors and a 7.6V 980mAh Li-Po battery.

• Best feature 1: 5.8Ghz real time FPV aerial photos & video transmission
• Best feature 2: Powerful brushless motors
• Plus points: Built-in RC screen, carbon fiber frame, adjustable camera angle, acro mode
• Minus points: Small size, long charging time

First Person View (FPV) Capability

The Hubsan X4 H123D comes equipped with a 720P HD FPV camera. It’s adjustable with a range of 8–45 degrees. That’s always useful for drone racing. Aerial footage saves to an onboard SD card. The camera transmits clear 5.8Ghz FPV real-time transmission to the integrated controller screen. Pilots can also wear FPV goggles for a fully immersive FPV racing experience.

Hubsan H123D X4’s Standout Features

Hubsan’s X4 Jet is a competent little racer and lots of fun to fly. It’s robust too and uses lightweight carbon fiber for its frame like most other racing quads. There’s a menacing look to this bird, and that’s never a bad thing when it comes to competition time. Flight time is around 10 minutes flat out, and the range is roughly 492 ft. (150m). The fast top-speed is somewhere around 56mph (25m/s).

Drone pilots can enjoy this small quad for casual flying or competitive racing. The Acro mode lets pilots perform 360-degree flips and rolls. Its low power protection brings the quad back to base before the battery dies. The X4 also supports firmware upgrades in Expert Mode when attached to a USB port.

The Not So Good

This drone is small and fast for its size, and that’s half its appeal for some fans. But its size also makes it harder to judge when flying at high speeds among obstacles. It’s a great learner quad for folks already familiar with flying drones. The flight time is typical for a racer though not impressive. The 2+ hour charging time is long and makes extra batteries necessary extras.

3. DJI Phantom 4 Starter FPV Camera Quad (Top Pick)

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Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5.0

The Top Pick FPV camera quadcopter is the much-loved DJI Phantom 4 Starter Bundle. Some of the extra items in this package include a DJI controller, quality case, and a 64GB memory card.

• Best feature 1: Premier P4 platform for immersive FPV experience
• Best feature 2: Intuitive app for easy ultra-HD 4K gimbal camera control
• Plus points: Easy to fly, auto-takeoff/landing, return to home, long flight time, long range
• Minus points: Scant app guidelines, only front-facing avoidance, cost of DJI batteries

First Person View (FPV) Capability

The Phantom 4 is the kind of drone you want to experience through First-Person View (FPV) goggles. DJI’s FPV FatShark Goggles (not included) provide the ultimate immersive experience. They present pilots with a view of the world that was impossible only a few years ago. The downside is that DJI goggles are expensive. The good news is that they’re compatible with some other drones.

Phantom 4 pilots can also use cheaper third-party FPV goggles. It’s vital to check the compatibility of alternative brands first and make sure they deliver on expectations.

DJI Phantom 4’s Standout Features

Aerial photography and videography is the purpose of the Phantom 4. Stunning footage is achievable using the intuitive DJI app. Users can control the 12 MP ultra-HD 4K gimbal camera from the ground with remarkable ease. Everything about this drone is straightforward and tailored around the pilot. It has auto hover, auto takeoff/landing, return to home (RTH), and effective subject tracking.

The Phantom 4’s long 28-minute flight time allows plenty of opportunity to explore the world from above. An impressive 4.3-mile range lets pilots reach places other flying cameras can’t access. And the quad’s Sense & Avoid system keeps the drone safe by stopping and hovering if it meets obstacles.

The Not So Good

Some new users complain that DJI doesn’t cover the apps’ full potential in its guide. Another criticism is that the obstacle avoidance is only front-facing. Still, the front is the most vital area to have avoidance technology. Even so, fans would have liked back and side sensors as well. The final gripe is the high cost of extra DJI Intelligent Flight batteries.

4. U28W Peregrine Wi-Fi FPV HD Camera Drone

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Editor’s Rating: 4.4/5.0

The U28W Peregrine is an excellent First Person View FPV quadcopter for novice pilots. It’s also packed with lots of features for such an affordable camera drone.

• Best feature 1: Wi-Fi First Person View FPV 720P HD camera
• Best feature 2: Three speed modes
• Plus points: Headless mode, altitude hold, 1-key lift/land, 360° flips, smartphone control
• Minus points: Not good in winds, exaggerated flight time, vague instructions

First Person View (FPV) Capability

The Peregrine’s remote controller (RC) comes with a smartphone clamp. An Android/iOS flight app gives users full control of all drone and camera functions. The phone’s screen provides a bird’s eye first-person view of the world in real time. The camera has a 720P HD resolution and uses a 120° wide-angle lens to capture stills and video.

U28W Peregrine’s Standout Features

This quad is small, simple to fly, and aimed at novice users at any age. It’s also an affordable camera drone which means compromises. The aerial video and photos are not striking, but the quality is decent and exciting enough for first-time pilots. Beginner-friendly features include three-speed options, 1-key takeoff/landing, a headless mode, and an altitude hold function.

It’s possible to fly the U28W Peregrine with only a mobile device or with it attached to the controller. One of the most exciting features is the Custom Route mode. All you do is draw a flight route on the mobile device and the quad follows. Pilots can also perform impressive 360° flips once comfortable flying the quad. A simple one-button action is all it takes to achieve these impressive aerial stunts.

The Not So Good

This camera quadcopter is a mini lightweight model. That makes it safe to fly indoors as well as outside. The downside is that it’s too light to control in the wind. That’s something to think about for anyone who lives in blustery locations. Alas, the makers exaggerate the 10-minute maximum flight time. Around 7-minutes is a more realistic figure, but at least there’s a bonus battery included.

The last complaint is the vague instructions—a common gripe with cheaper camera drones.

5. Holy Stone HS100 GPS FPV RC Camera Drone

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Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5.0

This is the Holy Stone HS100 Navigator FPV camera drone. It sits somewhere between toy models and mid-range camera quads. It’s a feature-packed craft with plenty of pilot-friendly controls.

• Best feature 1: 1080P 120° First Person View (FPV) Wi-Fi camera
• Best feature 2: Built-in auto-return-to-Home (RTH) function
• Plus points: 3D VR compatible, headless mode, 1-key takeoff/landing, altitude hold, follow me
• Minus points: No mechanical gimbal, not stunt able, long charging time

First Person View (FPV) Capability

HS100’s uncluttered remote controller (RC) has a clamp to accommodate a regular smartphone. The phone’s screen displays the First Person View (FPV) live video feed. The WiFi camera is a 1080P HD model with a wide 120° adjustable angle lens. The live feed, aerial vids, and photos are decent quality for a drone in its price category. This quad is an excellent choice for first-time pilots.

Another welcome feature is the Navigator’s 3D virtual reality (VR) compatibility. The flight app’s VR icon delivers real-time 3D visualization to VR glasses (not included).

The HS100 Navigator’s Standout Features

Holy Stone’s HS100 Navigator comes with GPS assisted flight that provides accurate positioning. The drone has a reassuring built-in auto return to home (RTH) feature. That means users don’t have to worry about the dreaded flyaways. The quad returns to base if the battery power gets too low or the craft starts to lose its signal. And the headless mode lets pilots fly without thinking about orientation.

One-key takeoff and landing make the HS100 simple to launch. Altitude hold is another handy feature that hovers the craft at a set height as it awaits the next command. The Follow Me mode makes the HS100 Navigator perfect for people footage. It tracks and films subjects on the go which is great for recording action. Flight time and flight range are decent, and the bonus battery is a welcome extra.

The Not So Good

There is some risk of camera shake as this quad doesn’t have a mechanical gimbal. Pilots must take extra care to steady the craft when shooting. And forget the Holy Stone HS100 Navigator if you want to perform aerial stunts because it can’t do them. The long charging time is another of its setbacks.

6. DJI Spark Compact First Person View (FPV) Quad

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Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0

The DJI Spark is small, well-built, and comes with a plethora of intuitive flight features. Add to this its travel-friendly appeal, and you can see why this is such a favorite camera quad.

• Best feature 1: Quality 2-axis stabilized 12MP 1080P HD gimbal FPV camera
• Best feature 2: DJI Flight Autonomy for safer flying
• Plus points: Compact design, palm launch, gesture control, auto QuickShots, DJI GO App
• Minus points: Low average flight time, high cost of batteries, spotty WiFi

First Person View (FPV) Capability

DJI’s FPV goggles give pilots the ultimate FPV experience with head tracking. It’s possible to use third-party VR glasses though they may lack some compatibility issues. The ultra-high-quality screens with DJI headsets give wearers the most immersive FPV experience. The Spark is also a small drone that’s fast and agile. It’s why some pilots love to race it in FPV, although it’s not a purpose racing quad.

DJI Spark’s Standout Features

It’s light, compact, and portable, and that’s just for starters. Launching the Spark at a moment’s notice is quick and super-easy. It scans facial features and takes off from the palm of a hand. It then goes straight into a steady hover. Hand gesture control is perfect for nearby aerial vids and photos. You can also use a smartphone and or radio controller for extra features and a longer range.

The DJI control options, GO App, Intelligent Flight Modes, and Quickshots add to the Spark’s attraction. Quickshots are automated filming modes that provide spectacular results. The current Quickshot options include Rocket, Dronie, Circle, and Helix. And DJI’s Flight Autonomy system provides the drone with safer flying. These include effective obstacle detection technology and subject tracking.

The Not So Good

The 16 minute flight time on a full charge is on the low side of average for a drone in its class. Many users factor the cost of an extra DJI Intelligent Flight battery into the price, but they’re not cheap. The last gripe relates to spotty WiFi that some users experience in certain areas.

7. DJI Mavic Pro Platinum FPV Collapsible Quad

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Editor’s Rating: 4.8/5.0

The final FPV choice is DJI’s Mavic Pro Platinum. It’s a super-quiet, high-quality, foldable mini camera quad. The drone sports a 12MP 4K gimbal camera and an impressive transmission range of 4.3 miles.

• Best feature 1: Integrated 12-megapixel 4K gimbal FPV camera
• Best feature 2: DJI Goggle compatibility
• Plus points: Quiet, gesture control, Flight Autonomy, DJI GO app, long flight time, long range
• Minus points: Price, high cost of batteries

First Person View (FPV) Capability

You must attach a smartphone to the Mavic’s remote controller (RC) to enjoy real-time FPV. For a fully immersive experience, though, you need DJI Goggles or a compatible alternative. FPV goggles deliver an incredible bird’s eye view of the world from the Mavic’s quality camera. The Ocu Sync connectivity link is seamless and ensures real-time viewing with no noticeable delays.

DJI Mavic Pro Platinum’s Standout Features

The Mavic Pro Platinum is an excellent choice for anyone serious about high-quality aerial filming. The 4K camera has a 3-axis gimbal to stabilize footage and produce smooth results. The 18” minimum focus distance, hand gesture controls, and Follow Me mode add to its appeal. Combined, they make this bird a terrific tool for nearby shots of people, places, and things.

Part of DJI’s Flight Autonomy role is to avoid obstacles and provide precise hovering. The Forward Vision System puts the drone into a steady hover whenever it meets obstacles. Its Downward Vision System settles the Pro Platinum into a safe hover indoors or spaces without a GPS. The long 30-minute flight time, extended range, and intuitive DJI app make flying this camera quad fun and easy.

The Not So Good

Few would doubt that the Mavic Pro Platinum offers outstanding value. Alas, high-quality also comes at a high price much to the disappointment of many keen amateurs. Another bummer is the cost of the Mavic Pro Platinum’s Intelligent flight batteries. The flight time is long, but most pilots still need extra batteries. That’s why I chose the convenient 3-battery bundle with accessories for this guide.