Best FPV Drones for 2025 | FLYING Magazine

The popularity of drones continues to grow. With the widespread adoption of technology in fields as diverse as agriculture and search and rescue operations, it’s easy to think of drones as another tool of industry.

While there are over a million registered drones in the United States, many are used for other purposes, such as the thrill of flying. One of the best examples of this is First Person View (FPV) drones.

FPV drones are the ones you see capturing adrenaline-charged footage of zigging and zagging through canyons or abandoned factories. They are also the drones you see flying at incredible speeds through obstacles on drone racing circuits, such as the Drone Racing League. It’s an exciting part of the drone industry, and contrary to popular belief, it’s not only for those who know how to build these UAVs from scratch.

FLYING will share our favorite FPV drones currently on the market. Our list includes something for everyone, from beginners to pros. We’ll cover specs of each and who the drone is best suited for. Our list of FPV drones consists of five high-quality aircraft:

Before we get into the details of each drone, let’s talk about FPV basics.

FPV 101: The Basics

When you think about drones as a tool for industrial applications, commercial drone pilots operate while keeping the drone in sight. The FAA does not allow Part 107 pilots to fly with goggles or other devices.

If you want to fly FPV drones professionally, you can do this, but you need to have a license and a visual observer who is watching the drone at all times. Side note: If you want to learn all the rules for legal drone operations, check out online courses like Altitude University and the Pilot Institute.

When flying FPV, pilots do the opposite of what commercial drone pilots do. They are seeing through the drone’s (camera) eyes via a live video feed. It feels like you’re sitting inside the drone and flying it yourself.

There is a lot of variation in FPV drones. Some pilots prefer to build their own drones from scratch. Others prefer to buy components and assemble them into ready-made pieces. Still, others prefer to buy drones that come with everything needed to fly them right out of the box. For this reason, you will rarely find two FPV pilots who like the same drone setup. That being said, most FPV drones have the following components:

FPV drone: A lightweight aircraft built for speed and maneuverability that also houses the camera.
FPV camera: A small onboard camera that captures the video footage used to fly the drone.
Video transmitter (VTX): This device sends the video feed from the drone to where the pilot is looking at it. In most cases, these are the goggles.
FPV goggles: A wearable headset that displays the live feed video from the drone.
Radio controller (remote or transmitter): The hand-held controller that allows the pilot to control the movement of the drone.
Receiver: This device is installed on the drone and allows the drone and remote to communicate.

There are three options when buying FPV drones that determine what you get in the box. Another side note: Our list does not include any DIY build drones as there is just too much variation in drone setups and pilot expertise in building them to recommend a good drone.

Bind-and-Fly (BNF): Prebuilt drones that need you to “bind” your controller and headset. Basically, you get the drone, and you need to provide the remote and goggles.
Ready-to-Fly (RTF): Drones that come fully set up, including a controller and sometimes goggles.
DIY build: Custom-built drones for maximum personalization.

For the drones on our list that are BNF, we recommend the DJI FPV Remote Controller 3 ($199) and the DJI Goggles 3 ($499). They will be the easiest to use for each. Also, some of the drones on our list allow you to select the camera you want it to come with. We recommend the DJI O4 Air Unit Pro ($229).

Now, on to the list.

Top Five FPV Drones 2025

DJI Neo: $199 (BNF)

The Neo is a great drone for first-time FPV pilots. The drone is small, durable, and easy to control. For $199, you can get the basic drone and a battery, but we recommend the Fly More Combo for $418. This bundle includes an extra battery and a remote, saving you the cost of buying a separate controller. The camera isn’t good enough for professional-level footage, but it is perfect for those looking to become professional FPV pilots.

Weighing just 135 grams, the Neo features a half-inch sensor capable of capturing 12MP photos and stabilized 4K video at 30fps. You can get up to 18 minutes of flying time on a single charge which is pretty good for a drone of this size. The Neo also features propeller covers making it very durable. As a new pilot, you’ll appreciate the beating this drone can take as crashes are part of learning to fly FPV.

DJI Avata 2: $1,199 (RTF)

If you are looking for the next level up from the DJI Neo, look no further than the DJI Avata 2. This drone comes with everything you need. The Avata 2’s camera is significantly better than the Neo and is more than capable of producing professional-level images and video. Just like the Neo, DJI has designed the Avata 2 with guards around the propellers and a robust hull. The drone offers flight times of up to 23 minutes and a top speed of 60 mph.

It features a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor capable of capturing 12MP photos and 4K HDR video at 60fps, with a 155-degree ultra-wide field of view. The $1,199 combo includes the DJI Goggles 3 and RC Motion 3 controller for intuitive motion-based control, including one-push acrobatics like flips and rolls. Additional features include Turtle Mode for self-righting, binocular fisheye visual positioning sensors for enhanced stability, and 46GB of internal storage expandable via microSD.

iFlight Nazgul Evoque F5 V2 O4 6S HD: $629.99 (BNF)

The iFlight Nazgul Evoque F5 V2 O4 6S HD is a high-performance FPV drone designed for freestyle and cinematic flying. It comes with DJI’s O4 Air Unit Pro already installed, so out of the box, you get 4K video at up to 120fps and 1080p live view at 100fps, ensuring low-latency, high-definition visuals. The Nazgul features a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor, 155-degree ultra-wide FOV, and RockSteady 3.0+ stabilization for smooth footage. Its durable frame includes XING2 2207 1750KV motors, a BLITZ Mini F722 flight controller, and a BLITZ Mini E55 55A ESC, supporting up to 6S LiPo batteries.

You only get about 7.5 minutes of flight time per charge, but that’s because this drone can fly at speeds of over 100 mph. FPV pilots will also appreciate the DeadCat frame design if you’re looking to capture professional-quality videos. DeadCat designs move the front two arms of the frame outward so the front propellers don’t come into view on the video. This is an excellent drone for pilots looking for speed, maneuverability, and high-quality video footage.

GEPRC MARK5 DC HD O3 FPV: $538.99-$573.99 (BNF)

The Mark 5 is a high-performance 5-inch quadcopter designed for freestyle and cinematic FPV flying. It features a carbon fiber frame with a 225 millimeter wheelbase, 5 mm-thick arms, and 2.5 mm top and bottom plates. Powered by SPEEDX2 2107.5-1960KV motors and a SPAN G50A BLHeli_32 50A 4-in-1 ESC, it delivers strong power and precise throttle control. The SPAN F722-BT-HD V2 flight controller features a built-in Bluetooth module, enabling wireless tuning via a smartphone.

The camera is the DJI O3, which is not as good as the O4, but it still offers 4K video at 60fps with a 155-degree field of view, providing clear and stable footage. Flight times are between 6-8 minutes per charge, so you’ll want to buy extra batteries. It’s a great drone for intermediate-level FPV pilots.

iFlight Chimera7 Pro V2 O4 6S HD: $779.99 (BNF)

If you are ready for the big leagues of FPV drones, an excellent drone is the iFlight Chimera7 Pro V2 O4 6S HD. For starters, the drone is designed for long-range flying with flight times of up to 30 minutes. Equipped with DJI’s O4 Air Unit Pro, it offers 4K stabilized video at 100fps and a 155-degree ultra-wide field of view, ensuring immersive visuals. The drone’s robust 7.5-inch DeadCat frame minimizes propeller interference, while XING2 2809 1250KV motors provide efficient thrust with flight times of up to 30 minutes using an 8000mAh 6S battery and a maximum speed of around 86 mph.

The longer flight times mean you can take this drone out farther than any of the other ones on our list. With 30-minute flight times, the Chimera is ideal for capturing footage across vast landscapes of rugged terrain or similar FPV footage. If you want to fly the best and work with the best, this is the drone for you.

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Flying FPV drones can be a fun and exciting hobby or a profitable way to make a living. Once you understand the basics of FPV drones, they can become pretty addictive. From the beginner-level DJI Neo to the professional’s choice of the Chimera 7, you can’t go wrong with any of the drones on our list. Select a drone that matches your skill level and start enjoying the thrill of flight, FPV-style.

FAQ

Do you need a license to fly FPV drones recreationally in the U.S.?

You must pass the FAA TRUST test, but a full Part 107 license is only needed for commercial FPV flying.

What is the best way to practice flying FPV without crashing real drones?

Using an FPV simulator like Drone Racing League’s simulator or Zephyr Drone simulator is the safest and fastest way to build skills.

How durable are FPV drones compared to regular camera drones?

FPV drones are generally more rugged and built to survive crashes, especially models designed for beginners.

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