Drone racing has really taken off in recent years. With televised events and big cash prizes from the professional Drone Racing League, the hobby-come-sport will continue to grow in popularity. If you want to get involved in drone racing, finding the best racing drone is the first and most important step.
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1. DJI FPV – Best FPV racing drone
- Price: Check latest price at Amazon here
- Speed: 87MPH (140km/h, 39m/s) in manual mode
- Flight time: 20 minutes
- Control system: DJI motion controller
- Weight: 795 g
- Flight Distance: 16.8 km
- Transmitter power: 2.400-2.4835 GHz
- Controller: 300 minutes
Good controller ergonomics
Fast and agile
High-quality FPV with clear, visual feedback
Adaptable flight modes catering to different skill levels and racing requirements
Easier to fly than many FPV drones
Poor head strap quality
Premium price point
Chunky weight
The DJI FPV is the best FPV racing drone. This is simply because of its unparalleled features, advanced technology, and exceptional performance. The immersive and dynamic flying experience is second to none.
Many drone racers love its sharp and responsive controls that allow for precise maneuvering, critical in the high-speed environments of drone racing.
The DJI Motion Controller is a one-handed option that includes tilting controls, more akin to a remote aeroplane. The DJI FPV is designed to cut through the air with minimal resistance and flies up to 87 MPH in manual mode.
This immersive experience is further enhanced by the high-quality video transmission system. It offers real-time, clear, and fluid FPV visuals critical for effective racing.
It ensures that pilots have accurate and immediate visual feedback, essential for navigating through intricate racing tracks and for making split-second decisions. I definitely recommend you wear the VR headset for the most immersive racing experience.
The DJI FPV also features multiple flight modes, allowing pilots to choose between full manual, sport, or normal mode. This adaptability makes it suitable for both novice and experienced racers who want to refine their racing skills.
However, it is expensive, so you should consider your skills, how much you want to fly it, and whether this is worth it based on your racing goals and budget.
Combo (Goggles V2), First-Person View Drone with 4K Camera | Video capture: 4K FHD | S Flight Mode | FOV: 150° | Low-Latency Transmission Safety Features: Emergency Brake and Hover
2. EMAX Tiny Hawke 2 FPV – Best Beginner Racing Drone
- Price: Check latest price at Amazon here
- Speed: 80 km/h49.7 mph
- Flight time: 8~9min
- Control system: DEVO 7 / DEVO F7
- Size: 72″L x 72″W x 41″H
- Weight: 370g(Battery included)
various options for video transmission.
Very affordable for novice racers.
The googles tend to fall down making it difficult to read some portions of the screen.
If you’re looking for the best FPV racing drone that’s cheap and ideal for new racers, the EMAX Tiny Hawke 2 is certainly worth checking out.
This is the latest version of the Tiny Hawke 2 and features some great improvements that make it an effective beginner race drone. For example, the drone boasts a redesigned FPV transmission system with the Runcam Nano 2 camera that’s known for its wide dynamic range and sharp optics.
- See also: our ranking of the best mini drones
- Or, our ranking of the best drones for kids
There are various options for video transmission, including 25mw for capturing indoor footage as well as 100mw and 200mw options. The latter two offer increased range and object penetration, allowing you to capture clear video when racing outside. The camera has an adjustable mount so you can customize your preferred flight angle.
There’s plenty of speed with this racing drone, thanks to the 16000kv motors. These have a 7% increase in power on previous Tiny Hawke models, allowing you to achieve faster propeller speeds and outpace the competition.
This RTF (ready to fly) drone’s frame is designed for durability and aerodynamics, so it’s crash resistant and able to perform racing maneuvers. It also has a throttle response LED system built into the frame which increases in brightness depending on each motor’s throttle input.
Finally, the EMAX Tiny Hawke 2 has a 4.5 star rating from over 300 reviews on Amazon, so it’s clearly popular among racing enthusiasts.
Video Resolution: 1080p | Control Type: Remote Control | Battery Cell: Lithium Polymer
3. Hubsan H122D X4 Storm FPV Racing Drone – Best Racing Drone Under $200
- Price: Check latest price at Amazon here
- Speed: 5.6m/s
- Flight time: 6 Minutes
- Control system: 2.4Ghz RC Control Series
- Size: 3.7 inch X 3.7 inch
- Weight: n/a
Compact size.
Durable carbon fiber frame.
The motors tend to get stuck mid-flight causing the drone to flip over.
This isn’t as fast as some of the more expensive racing drones, reaching speeds of up to 5.6m/s, but it’s a great choice for beginners and young racers looking to practice.
The Hubsan H122D X4 is a mini racing drone that has a compact 3.7 inch x 3.7 inch design and is lightweight, so it’s easily portable. It still offers plenty of durability, however, thanks to the well made carbon fiber frame.
One thing we really like about this drone is the Expert Mode option that allows you to fly the drone faster and with higher sensitivity. This is perfect for more advanced races as it helps better navigate tight angles at speed.
This storm racing drone has a 720P camera that helps you capture distinct and clear images. It has an adjustable lens angle as well as real time FPV video capabilities.
With the HS001 display and 5.8 G real time transmission, you can see the world through your drone as you race it. It comes with both HS001 and HS002 goggles for you to view the drone’s journeys through.
You can also perform some cool tricks and maneuvers with this drone, including flips and rolls, with just one key! It also has a max descent speed of 2m/s.
The Hubsan H122D X4 offers up to six minutes of flight time and has a range of 100 meters.
4. Walkera F210 3D Edition Racing Drone – Fastest Racing Drone Under $400
- Price: Check latest price at Amazon here
- Speed: 50 mph
- Flight time: 8~9min
- Control system: F3
- Size: 72″L x 72″W x 41″H
- Weight: 370g(Battery included)
Modular carbon fiber frame design protects the drone from damage due to crashes.
Easy to take apart and reassemble.
The Devo 7 transmitter is basic and low end.
The Walkera F210 3D Edition is one of the most popular FPV ready-to-fly drones among racing enthusiasts.
For starters, this drone is extremely durable thanks to the modular carbon fiber frame design. This protects it if you ever crash during a race or when practicing. You can also bring it to a quick stop to help reduce the risk of collisions.
This RTF drone also has an intelligent F3 flight control system that helps it stay stable and allows you to perform a range of maneuvers like flips, rolls and race course moves. The drone is really agile and can deal with the demands of complex, technical courses.
It can reach speeds of up to 50 mph, so it’s an extremely fast drone. Thanks to the F3 flight system and the professional speed controller, you can freely set the speed as you wish.
Another benefit of the Walkera F210 is its high quality 700TVL HD camera. The camera has a 5.8 G real-time image transmission for live FPV streaming, and it even has night vision so that you can record when it’s dark.
This drone is easy to take apart and reassemble, so you can use it as it is or customize it. This makes it great for both beginners and more experienced racers.
You can fly the Walker F210 3D for about eight to nine minutes at a time, and it weighs 370g, so it’s lightweight and portable.
This drone has Devo 7 Transmitter 700TVL Camera
5. Arris X220 V2 RC Quadcopter FPV Racing Drone – Best FPV Racing Drone with Easy Flight Modes
- Price: Check latest price at Amazon here
- Speed: n/a
- Flight time: 8 min
- Control system: F4 flight Controller
- Size: n/a
- Weight: 0.88kg
Ready to fly out of the box.
Feattures motors and propellers designed for racing.
It doesn’t bind to the Flysky x6b receiver.
This is a preassembled drone that’s ready to fly straight out of the box. Every Arris X220 V2 has been well calibrated and pre-flied, so you can rest assured it’s been tuned and tested.
The frame is lightweight and agile yet durable, with a 4mm carbon fiber plate arm for added strength. One of the most notable aspects of this racing drone is the unique “X” symmetrical design with a chamfered edge design on the arm, giving it a particularly sleek look.
Where this RTF racing drone is really impressive is how nice it is to fly. It features the Arrix 2205 brushless motor and 5045 propellers that are specifically designed for racing and deliver high performance. It also has an M5 steel shaft for improved structural strength and a centrifugal fan design to keep the drone cool during high speed flight.
There are three different flight modes – GPS, Altitude and Manual. The drone has a range of other useful flying features, including accurate position hold, return to home and intelligent orientation control, all of which help to deliver a smooth and enjoyable flying experience.
The Arris X220 V2 also has a 1200 TVL FPV mini camera with 5.8 G video transmission. It captures excellent footage in both bright and low light conditions and the camera angle is easily adjustable.
This drone has a high quality 4S Li-Po battery that delivers up to twelve minutes of flying time.
Ready-to-fly with Frsky Q X7 Radio + Flycolor 4-in-1 Tower + 4S Battery + ARRIS HS1177 Camera, motors are brushless
6. iFlight Nazgul5 HD FPV Racing Drone – Brilliantly Durable Racing Drone
- Price: Check latest price at Amazon here
- Speed:
- Flight time:
- Control system: SucceX-E F4
- Size: n/a
- Weight: 393.4g (without battery)
Known for speed, agility, and great camera quality.
The motors have guards on the arms.
The battery strap holder needs improvement.
Produced by popular brand iFlight, the Nazgul5, named after the Lord of the Rings characters, is easily one of the best racing drones on the market.
This drone is a great mix of high speed, agileness, and camera quality. For starters, it has a 1200 TVL Caddex Ratel mounted camera that allows you to capture crystal clear imagery and seamless video. The camera performs well even in low light and the drone comes with a joystick that can be used to change the camera settings.
The Nazgul5 has a 5 inch frame made of 3K carbon fiber, so it’s extremely durable and reliable, even if it crashes. There are also motor guards on the arms to give the engine extra protection in the event of an impact. If you do accidentally break an arm, you can easily replace them by removing just one screw.
The Xing-E 2207 1700KV motors provide plenty of power, allowing the drone to fly at rapid speeds. The drone has a great range and can easily scale buildings.
Finally, the Nazgul5 comes with the SucceX-E F4 Flight Controller, which is high quality and easy to use. All of this makes it a great racing drone for both beginners and more advanced flyers.
With a 4.5 star rating on Amazon, you can be sure this is a popular option among drone racers.
This drone is a Freestyle Quadcopter with Tbs Crossfire Nano Rx | Battery: Lithium Polymer
How To Pick
So what do you need to consider when buying a drone for FPV racing? Sure, things like camera quality and image transmission speed are still important, but drone racers also prioritize speed and agility.
Of course, you need a fast drone to zoom past and outfly the competitors. Different races have different speed thresholds, with some drones capable of topping 80mph, so this is vital. You also need a drone that has a smart flight system that allows for agile maneuvers, particularly for navigating tricky courses.
Another thing to consider is the drone’s durability. Crashes are more likely to happen when flying at high speeds and doing tight maneuvers, so you should look for a drone that is strong and crash resistant. Battery life, usability, weight and size are other factors you should be mindful of.
To save you having to go through all that yourself, we’ve done the hard work for you. We’ve reviewed loads of different drones and have picked out the best racing drone for each budget and experience level. Simply read on to learn all about the best racing drones on the market.
Factors To Consider When Buying A Racing Drone
Size and Weight
The size and weight of a drone affect its manoeuvrability, speed, and performance. Lighter and well-balanced drones tend to be more agile and stable, making them much better for racing. When choosing a racing drone, pick a compact and lightweight yet well-balanced model.
The Winner: I recommend the Hubsan H122D X4 Storm FPV Racing Drone as a compact, mini drone.
Speed and Control Systems
Your control system is vital as it affects the responsiveness and precision of the drone’s movements. A balance of high-speed and responsive controls is advantageous in racing, so find a good balance of these when selecting a racing drone.
The Winner: For a fast drone that hits speeds of 50 mph, check out the Walkera F210 3D Edition Racing Drone.
Budget Pick | Mid-range Pick | Top Pick |
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Primary Rating: 4.4 | Primary Rating: 4.3 | Primary Rating: 4.7 |
$139.99 | N/A | |
Controller
A reliable and ergonomic controller keeps you comfortable while also giving you maximum precision – crucial for the split-second reactions needed in racing. Reliable, ergonomic controllers help maintain effective and uninterrupted control during races and avoid any potential mishaps due to controller failures.
The Winner: Drone racers prioritising a controller should consider the DJI FPV and its DJI Motion Controller.
Drone Range
Drone range is how far the drone can travel from the controller without losing signal. You MUST make sure you’ve got enough range to get around the racecourse without losing any control or the ability to get real-time feedback during the race.
The Winner: For a drone with extensive range, we recommend the iFlight Nazgul5 HD FPV Racing Drone which has an an antenna that gives it plenty of reach.
