Best FPV Drone Kits for Beginners in 2025 (RTF, DIY & More)

By Matt Fleischer, aka MattyFleischFPV, FPV pilot since 2015.

Last updated 7/25/25

FPV (First Person View) drones have taken the world by storm and if you look closely it’s everywhere now. They’re used in commercials, films, sporting events, and sadly, even in war.

FPV Drone Kits Comparison Table

Kit Name	Type	Video System	Price	Included Items	Best For	Link
EMax Tiny Hawk III	RTF	Analog	$239	Drone, Goggles, Radio	Absolute beginners	See Kit
Bardwell QAV-S 3” (Analog)	DIY	Analog	$249	Build parts, video guide	Learning to build	See Kit
Bardwell QAV-S 2 5” (HD Ready)	DIY	HD (DJI/Walksnail compatible)	$299	Build parts, video guide Supports DJI O3/Walksnail	Serious beginners, HD build	See Kit
DJI Avata 2	RTF	Digital (DJI O4)	$999+	Drone, Motion Controller, Goggles	Filming & safety	See Kit
HGLRC Draknight 2”	RTF	Analog	$199	Fully built drone + gear	Small spaces	See Kit
BETAFPV Cetus X RTF	RTF	Analog	$159	Drone, Goggles, Radio	Indoor & true beginners	See Kit
EMAX EZ Pilot Pro	RTF	Analog	$239	Drone, Goggles, Radio	Beginner, easy setup	See Kit

Mattyfleisch’s Journey Into FPV

FPV first bit me back in 2015 when I first found Tiny Whoop browsing YouTube. Seeing these tiny drones, and the happy faces of people around them showed me how fun and awesome they are. The smiles alone made me realize this was something that could put a smile on just about anyone’s face, including my own.

It led me to getting my whoop, then my first 2-inch, 3-inch, and eventually 5-inch mini quad that I built myself using Stinger Swarm’s instructions.

Now with two identical Stingy quads, I was finally armed with something I could rapidly test fly and learn with.

From adrenaline-pumping freestyle tricks to cinematic footage that rivals Hollywood, the possibilities are endless with FPV. However, getting started can feel overwhelming—there are so many kits, components, and terms that you may not yet understand.
This guide simplifies everything. Whether you’re looking for an all-in-one kit, a DIY project, or a ready-to-fly drone, you’ll find the perfect beginner option here.

FPV Terms for Beginners:

• RTF: Ready-to-Fly (just charge and go)

• BNF: Bind-and-Fly (needs compatible controller and goggles)

• DIY Kit: You build it yourself

• Analog vs Digital: Analog is cheaper, digital (like DJI) gives HD video

• Whoop: A small ducted indoor-friendly drone

What Is an FPV Drone Kit?

Click here for my favorite FPV drone kit

An FPV drone kit is your gateway into the world of immersive flying. These kits typically include:

• A frame to hold everything together.
• Motors and propellers to provide thrust.
• A flight stack (flight controller and ESC) to control movement.
• Optional extras like goggles, radios, or cameras.

Kits come in two main types:

• DIY kits: For those who want to build and understand every part of their drone.
• Ready-to-fly (RTF) kits: Pre-assembled drones for beginners who want to start flying immediately.

Beginner FPV Drone Kits Comparison

Tips for Choosing a Beginner FPV Kit

Before you even think about buying your first drone, it helps to understand the basics:

• Sim Compatibility: Practicing on a simulator like Liftoff or Velocidrone is the cheapest way to get good without crashing a real drone. I personally went this route, and admittedly did not spend enough time in it. I crashed A LOT, and it cost me an arm and a leg. Ended up spending a lot more time in the sim, and it helped me fast-track my motor skills very quickly.
  • Pro tip: use whatever simulator you enjoy. I like Velocidrone for its realism. The others are fine, too. Don’t get hung up on which one — What matters is getting started NOW.
• RTF vs. BNF: RTF (Ready-to-Fly) kits come with everything, while BNF (Bind-and-Fly) kits require a separate controller and goggles.
• Analog vs. Digital: Digital systems, such as those offered by DJI, typically provide better video quality but come at a higher cost. Analog is cheaper and has less latency – although with DJI’s O4 Race Mode, that difference is becoming increasingly negligible.
• Controller Compatibility: Not all radios work with every drone. Multiprotocol transmitters give you more options. I like full sized radios with full sized gimbals that have expansion ports on the back.

My Advice: Don’t let time slip away while you contemplate gear. Look to what is working for other people, and give it a shot. This is most of the gear I personally fly with every time I go out. You will need to explore to find what you like, but if you don’t get started that process will never begin.

Benefits of Starting with a Beginner DIY FPV Drone Kit

Starting with a DIY FPV drone kit can set you up for success.

Here’s why:

• Learn the Basics: Building or assembling a drone teaches you how it works, making future repairs easier.
• Save Money: Bundled kits reduce costs compared to buying individual parts—and they ensure compatibility. It will work.
• Customize Your Experience: Kits grow with you as you learn to tweak and upgrade components.
• Replacement Parts: As you break stuff, you can replace parts easily, and the best part (IMO) is that you can use pretty much any parts you need to.
  • This is a big departure from 2,3,4 inch prebuilt drones that have specific parts, wiring harnesses, etc that might require a more careful repair session. DIY kits are built on 5-inch frames and can take just about any standard parts.

Best FPV Drone Kits for Beginners

Non-DIY FPV drone kits usually involve a prebuilt drone that often includes proprietary parts click for an example these are usually easier to get going (you literally open the box, charge the bateries, and fly) however they can be damn-near impossible to fix if you break something.

Pros and Cons of Whoop Kits

Pros:

• All-in-one package gets you in the air FAST 💨
• Comes with everything needed to get in the air
• Relatively inexpensive
• Reasonable durability
• Tons of fun
• Perfect for a birthday or Christmas gift
• Works as an on-ramp for the greater FPV hobby

Cons:

• Hard to fix
• Difficult to find parts
• Lower quality radio
• Lower quality goggles
• Not very customizable

FPV Kit Goggles

FPV drone kits sometimes come with box goggles, but if you plan on growing beyond the first drone – you’ll want to understand the different video transmission types.

• Analog (5.8GHz)

  • Traditional and ultra-low latency (≈ 20ms or less)

  • Uses VTX (Video Transmitter) and analog FPV goggles or receiver modules

  • Cheaper, lightweight, but lower image quality (standard definition)

  • Popular analog systems: TBS Unify, Rush Tank, Foxeer

• DJI Digital FPV (O3 / O3+ / Air Unit)

  • Digital HD video feed (720p–1080p @ 120fps)

  • Moderate latency (~28ms in low-latency mode)

  • Requires DJI FPV Goggles V1/V2/2 or Goggles Integra

  • Closed ecosystem, excellent range and penetration

• Walksnail (Avatar System)

  • Competing digital HD system

  • Resolution: Up to 1080p @ 120fps

  • Latency: Around 22–30ms

  • Compatible with Avatar goggles and HD VTXs

  • Modular, more open than DJI

• HDZero (formerly Shark Byte)

  • Open-source digital HD system

  • Lower latency than most digital options (~19ms)

  • Uses standard 5.8GHz RF with digital encoding

  • High performance in racing applications

• Analog-to-HD Converters / External DVRs

  • Analog transmission with on-board HD camera (like a GoPro) for recording only

  • Not a true HD feed to goggles, but used for editing/post-production

FPV Kit Radios

Some kits use different radio protocols than the standard, so you may need to purchase a new radio when transitioning to other drones & the gimbals might not be good enough for 5-inch quads where pilots need more stick resolution.

Radio Protocols

Don’t be overwhelmed; there are many radio protocols. Truth be told if you’re starting out, you’ll be fine with any of these except R9:

• TBS Crossfire

• TBS Tracer

• ExpressLRS (ELRS)

• FrSky ACCST (D8/D16)

• FrSky ACCESS

• FrSky R9

• Spektrum DSMX / DSMR

Where to Start

I highly recommend the EMax Tiny Hawk III Bundle. It’s a well-known kit, parts are readily available, and troubleshooting is easy. It also comes with everything needed to get started.

Here are some other FPV kits to look at

1. Beginner DIY FPV Drone Kit – QAV-S Joshua Bardwell SE 3” – Analog

Description:
This DIY kit includes all the components to build a lightweight 3-inch analog freestyle drone, designed to stay under the 250g limit. Ideal for beginners who want to learn to build and fly with analog FPV gear.

Features:

• QAV-S Joshua Bardwell Edition 3″ carbon fiber frame.

• Xilo Stealth 1404 4500KV motors (3S–4S compatible).

• LUX F4 AIO Flight Controller with 35A ESC.

• Caddx Ratel 2 micro camera and 600mW VTX for analog video feed.

• Sub-250g dry weight for more flexible legal flying (no FAA registration required in the US).

• Includes antenna, camera, hardware — everything but the receiver and battery.

Price: $249.99 (approx.)

2. BETAFPV RTF Cetus Beginner FPV Kit

• Description: This kit comes with the Cetus brushed whoop quadcopter, LiteRadio2 SE transmitter, and VR02 FPV goggles, providing everything needed to start flying.
• Features:
  • Self-protection function for auto-landing during low battery or signal loss.
  • Turtle mode to flip the drone upright after a crash.
• Price: $159.99

3. Beginner DIY FPV Drone Kit – QAV-S 2 Joshua Bardwell SE 5” – HD Ready

• Description: This DIY kit includes components necessary to build a 5-inch FPV drone, compatible with DJI O3 or Walksnail systems (FPV system sold separately).
• Features:
  • Upgraded QAV-S 2 frame with X-Lock Arm Mechanism.
  • Xilo Stax V2 45A BLHeli_32 ESC and F4 Flight Controller.
  • Stealth 2207 6S 1800KV motors.
• Price: $299.99

4. Intermediate DIY FPV Drone Kit – QAV-S 2 JohnnyFPV Edition 5” – HD Ready

Description:
Designed in collaboration with pro pilot JohnnyFPV, this 5-inch DIY drone kit is built for cinematic freestyle with style and performance in mind. The foldable arms and premium parts make it ideal for pilots looking to capture smooth footage while pushing aggressive lines.

Features:

• QAV-S 2 JohnnyFPV Signature Edition frame with X-Lock Arm Mechanism (foldable arms for compact transport).

• Lumenier 2307 JohnnyFPV V3 6S motors for ultra-smooth response and thrust.

• Argus F7 Flight Controller and 55A 4-in-1 ESC.

• HD Ready: Supports DJI O3 or Walksnail Avatar FPV systems (not included).

• Reinforced aluminum front camera cage and GoPro mount included.

• Designed for cinematic freestyle and smooth HD footage.

Price: $369.99

5. HGLRC Draknight 2″ 2S Beginner RTF Kit

• Description: A compact, fully assembled kit suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, powered by 2S LiPo batteries.
• Features:
  • Stable flight controller for smooth flying experience.
  • Durable build to withstand minor crashes.
• Price: $199.99

6. EMAX EZ Pilot Pro Beginner FPV Drone RTF Kit

• Description: This Ready-To-Fly (RTF) kit includes the EZ Pilot Pro drone, Transporter 2 FPV goggles, and the E8 transmitter. It’s designed for ease of use, making it ideal for beginners.
• Features:
  • Improved frame for durability.
  • 200mW VTX capabilities for better video transmission.
  • Solid pin PH2.0 connector for reliable power delivery.
• Price: $239.99

If you’re more interested in higher-end beginner FPV drones, please read on. I’ll discuss the drone I would start with, radio, goggle, charger, batteries, tools, and more…

But What About DIY Building an FPV Drone?

The best part about pre-made kits is it’s an easy onramp into the hobby, and they also make for awesome gifts!

But if you’re more interested in building a drone, and getting deeper into the hobby — it usually takes some skills in being able to repair things because you will crash a lot.

Pros and Cons of a Ready to Fly

Pros

• Easier than building
• Fixable (if you know how)
• Tons of parts available
• Customizable

Cons

• Expensive
• You’re hoping the person who built it did a good job

Build A Drone (With Guidance)

Joshua Bardwell has a build-it kit that gives you everything you need to build one for yourself. I think this is by far the best way into the hobby because it makes it simple to get rolling. It comes with almost everything you need to get started, and he has some excellent videos on how to build the drone.

That’s why I highly recommend looking at the Joshua Bardwell FPV drone kit (which comes in a few flavors) because it’s a solid blueprint for getting started in the hobby with a beginner drone. It is essentially a drone in a box, with a video that shows every step needed to get it flying. It doesn’t get much closer than that — having the man himself holding your hand and walking you through all the steps in the videos is going to make for the best build experience.

Bardwell Drone Kit Comes With:

• Frame
• Motors
• Flight stack (flight controller & ESC)
• Props
• Video guidance for building

What You Need To Fly:

• HD Camera & VTX

In my opinion, that’s the best way to go because once you learn the basics… building, fixing, and upgrading becomes second nature…

And if you’re just getting started, even if you’ve spent 495 days in a simulator, you’re going to crash a lot, and it will break, and you will need to fix it. I guarantee it!

Other FPV Drone Kit Options

I can’t speak for the other kits on the market, but the Apex Evo Mr. Steele edition from GetFPV is essentially what I fly the most. The frame is unparalleled, incredibly durable, easy to maintain, and replacement parts are readily available. The camera and video system uses the rock solid DJI O3 system, and Steele’s motors are powerful enough & efficient enough to run with.

This is a ready-built drone, so it’s not the same experience as building it yourself. While it’s great to get a drone ready to fly, it’s still very important to understand how they work and how to repair them… so if this is your first drone ever, I would still recommend the Bardwell drone kit over this bind and fly.

The Mr Steele bind and fly is a great option if you already know how to build and fix a drone.

How to Build an FPV Drone with YouTube Guidance

It was early 2018 when I started to graduate from smaller whoops to building a 5 inch mini quad, and StingerSwarm (if you don’t know him, look him up!) was my favorite pilot who also had an affordable build on his page. It was using the Stingy frame from a company called XHover, and he had a build video that showed exactly what to do.

If you have a favorite YouTuber that also happens to have a build — by all means go for it. The value of a video showing exactly what to do is immense, even though most channels don’t offer it (mine included).

This is in my opinion the best way to get into the hobby because you will learn how to source parts, how it all works together, while getting guidance from someone you trust to build your quad.

These days I gravitate towards Mr. Steele’s build (the Alien & now the Apex) because his build is the right balance of durability, quality & price for the money — especially relating to the analog builds which can be quite tricky to get clean video with!

But analog has for the most part been abandoned for DJI, and development on the specialty OSD / PDB boards to clean up analog video has all but ceased… So I recommend starting with DJI, because all you need to worry about is a frame, motors, and a flight controller stack choice.

Click here to Save 4% @ GetFPV with code: MATTYFLEISCH2025

Start FPV Small or Go Big?

If you’re looking to get started in the hobby there are a few ways to go about it. Either you want something that’s pre-built so you can get right into flying, or you want to build a drone for yourself so you can understand how to fix it, customize it, and grow as an FPV pilot. If you’re more interested in long-range FPV, click here.

But should you buy a small beginner drone kit, a larger drone, a DJI drone, or build one yourself? — These are common themes on places like Reddit, and there is no right answer.

It’s really whatever you’re up for and interested in, but for those on the fence, I always recommend building a drone for yourself by modeling after a build that already exists. You’ll know the parts fit together, and usually, there’s a video on YouTube that shows all the steps to turning it into a flying quadcopter.

The best part about building something yourself is that you’ll know how to fix things, and that is ultimately going to help keep you in the hobby. Nobody wants to fix other people’s drones!

Starting FPV on a Budget Whoop Drone Kit

Click here to see my favorite beginner drone kits

If you’re unsure if FPV is the hobby for you and want or need to save a bunch of money before you go all in, then I recommend getting a smaller whoop fly kit. These are excellent beginner FPV drones because they’re small, generally inexpensive, and, at the very least, a lot of fun.

DJI Avata 2 Drone Kit

DJI has made massive inroads into the FPV community with their Air Unit and Ocusync digital FPV video systems, and their FPV drone, and the Avata series. They pride themselves in making drones that are not so much repairable but that have a lot of built-in safety features to prevent a crash in the first place. Not only that, but some people want or need a simple drone they can easily get into the hobby with. You might be a realtor looking for a good drone for filming real estate, or you might be a cinematographer that needs something that’s safe to fly near people with — and that is where the Avata 2 comes in. It comes as a kit with DJI Goggles 3, and the new motion controller — and if you spend a little extra money on the fly more package you get 3 batteries (which I highly recommend!).

You might want to check out my video on what I think about it with the motion controller. It was surprising to say the least. Got more here.

Other posts you might want to check out:

How to get started in FPV

Starter FPV Goggles

FPV Gear I Use

Part 107 Assistance

DJI o4 Air Unit info

Small whoops for indoors

Avata 2 review

Long range FPV drones