Drone racing is one of the hottest hobbies around. If you are new to it and want to give it a try, You can quickly get into it and ready to fly with an FPV (first person view) racing drone. You can compete with the robust, high speed and agile machines in this list.
Walkera Rodeo 110
This compact quadcopter is appropriately designed for indoor use. Sure, its one of the smallest, but still hosts many features. For example, you can capture high quality pictures and video while racing, thanks to its HD camera and no lag 5.8 GHz video transmission. You can improve your technical skills because the Walkera Rodeo 110 needs extra precision while executing acrobatics that is made possible because of the light weight. Additionally, you can fly fast with less weight dragging the machine. Walkera still provides other options like the F210, if you want something on the heavier side. More features include;
- High strength carbon fiber frame
- Brushless motor power
- Great thrust to weight ratio
- Easy installation and disassembly
- Closed modular design
- Brushless motor
Weaknesses
- You can take the Walkera Rodeo 110 out for a spin outdoors, but because of its small size and weight, it won’t be able to endure strong winds. With the battery included, it weighs around 150 grams. It will seem fidgety trying to control it in windy environments, which won’t be appreciated much. Also, it does not have a GPS, meaning you have to manage it in visible sight, lest you lose it.
Walkera F210
When it comes to out of the box solution for everything, the F210 emblems that. It is one of the best you can find today with all the features necessary that are applicable well into the future. Of course, its delicate, but the design is in such a way that the core components are well protected, and the vulnerable parts are easy to replace. It packs normal and night vision cameras, has a sturdy build and is easy to customize. This racing drone is fast, powerful, and extremely agile to navigate through demanding corners on technical courses. More features include;
- User-friendly flight firmware
- Carbon fiber and aluminum frame
- Customizable flight firmware
- Optimized receiver
- Signal alarm function
- Anti-drop ability
- Motor protection cover
Weaknesses
- The downsides to the Walkera F210 is how everything seems to be proprietary to the manufacturer. For example, say your props are damaged, then you can only find replacement parts from Walkera. That goes for things like the RC controller, which if lost, you’ll be hard-pressed to find another type that’s compatible with this quad.
Force1 kit
This racing quad comes with everything you need to be on your way to the skies, except for the battery, which you’ll have to buy separately. Everything from the remote controller, battery charger, VR headset, and the Force1 drone is neatly packaged in a strengthened carbon fiber case, which you can re-use multiple times on your travels. This quad has an impressive flight radius range of 3000 feet (0.91 kilometers). It has a solid carbon fiber frame, with a sleek aerodynamic look to it. More features include;
- One button takeoff
- One key automatic 360-degree flips
- Ultra-quiet brushless motors
- CCD sensor
- Virtual reality drone
- Spare propellers and screws
Weaknesses
- Well, this is not really a weakness, but you will still need to get its exclusive battery to fly it. So, you have two options with the 3s and 4s batteries. The 4s battery with 1300 mAh packs quite a punch with a thrust to weight ratio of over 5.
ARRIS X-Speed 280
This quadcopter is designed with speed in mind. The front airfoil directs air up and over the drone, improving the gadgets flight speed. You can use it right off the bat because its assembled, tested and calibrated in the factory before it’s shipped to you. The screen on the controller shows high quality real-time video, flight control information and signal. There’s even a vibration damper plate, which keeps the Sony 700 camera stable for clear and high-quality images. You can buy FPV goggles easily because most of them work well with the Radio link transmitter found in the X-Speed 280. You only need to charge the battery and become competitive. Other features include;
- Reduced and controlled wiring
- Super-fast
- Easy to assemble and repair
- Integrated OSD
- Beautiful design
- High quality video and stills
- Stylish transmitter
- Preassembled and ready to fly
Weaknesses
- This drone is fast, very fast. Therefore, a newbie drone enthusiast will likely crash and likely destroy it. For that reason, its not a good option for starters, who better to take it slow, and buy a less expensive type and become acclimatized to the thrill.
HGLRC Wind5 6S
This is a high quality and thrilling racing drone at an affordable price. The 6s sports 1600 KV motors that perform well regardless of the environment. It has an excellent flight control system, plus the camera with starlight sensors takes quality footage even in low light conditions. The grayish body and orange blades give it a sleek overall design. From the onset, you can see deliberate ventilation on the carbon fiber casing to allow airflow, keeping the 6S cool, as it zooms its way in a race. The materials used make it lightweight yet resilient and durable. It can get through multiple crashes and abuse without cracking. By design, the drones back arms are longer than those in the front to create less drag when it forges ahead. Other features include;
- Low latency camera
- 180-degree field of view
- Interchangeable video formats
- NTSC and PAL system support
- Beta Flight OSD telemetry
Weaknesses
- If you love racing drones freestyle, then the 6s will work for you. However, newbies will find a hard time getting used to it because it lacks many automated features found in other models.
UVify OOri
This quad is taunted as the first smart racing drone. Even though its small, it logs impressive speeds of up to 80 km/h. It also features an FPV screen to get into the thick of things right away. All you have to do is insert the battery, power it on, and you’re ready to fly the drone. It has three speed modes, for beginners, intermediate users, and speed enthusiasts. This feature is convenient for beginners, who can slowly upscale the speed as they improve on their control. Even when things go down south, there are extra propellers included in the package and tools required to get it fixed. At such a small size and weight of only 73 grams, you won’t have to register it with the FAA. Its white color looks dashing, and the black lens of the camera peers like an eye set right at the center. The LEDs and red propellers also complement its aesthetics. Other features include;
- Propeller guards
- Adjustable camera angles
- LCD screen controller
- Speeds of up to 80 km/h
- Fast charging battery
- Fun LEDs
Weaknesses
- The downside of having a drone of this size is the inability to control it well in open environments. Additionally, the UVify OOri only has a 600mAH battery, which lasts a relatively short time. However, you can still charge it fully in 30 minutes. You can get extra batteries if you wish to lessen this issue.
Holy Stone HS150 Bolt Bee
At the time of writing, this racing drone sells for under $50. That price is shocking considering you get a high-quality controller, a charger, eight spare propellers, a propeller crowbar, a screwdriver, four screws, two landing mats, and two extra batteries in the package. Thanks to its small size, it accelerates fast, and you can fly it at up 31 mph (50 km/h), hence the name Bolt. Also, the colors yellow and black compliment each other to make it look like a bee, giving the HS150 a fitting name. Since it’s an entry-level mini racing drone, beginners will appreciate the five speed caps, which you can lift gradually as you get used to the controls. Other features include;
- Six-axis gyro stability
- Headless mode flight
- Auto roll and flips buttons on the controller
- Low battery indicator
- Different speed modes
- Headless mode for novice pilots
Weaknesses
- This is an entry-level racing drone for beginners, and you can expect it to lack some advanced features. For example, it doesn’t have automatic altitude capability, so you must keep it in check all the time, and there’s no camera to see what’s happening when it’s out of your scope of view. Also, its meager size can only carry its small battery that powers the drone for a maximum of 7 minutes in flight.
Odyssey Starfall X
This is not a conventional-looking racing drone because of its rigid outer shell with low drag coefficient design. The black and yellow color scheme makes it conspicuous at great distances. You will want it to be noticeable because you can operate it without any lag at 300 meters away, even though its capped at 500 meters operating range. Its 1300 mAh battery gives you a decent flight time of up to 10 minutes, at such great distances away. It can clock speeds of up to 55 mph (88.51 km/h), and the wind won’t knock it off at all. Best of all, its equipped with a 1080p Panasonic six-layer optical glass camera, so you can perceive everything, even when the Starfall is out of sight. Other features include;
- Six-axis gyroscope
- High-speed processor
- Automatic lock to prevent damage
- Compatible with any 5.8 GHz headset
- Different modes for novice and experts
- Spare propellers
- HD camera
Weaknesses
- The glaring problem with this drone is that Odyssey is a relatively new company. For that reason, getting spares like the vulnerable propeller is quite tricky. Additionally, many users complain about the lack of responsiveness from the company when they need help, and buggy OTA updates.
Eachine Wizard X220
Eachine has been hard at work over the past years, raising the bar for other entrants in the drone racing spectrum. The X220 is the culmination of experience and innovation the company is known for. So, if you are looking for dependability and reliable all-around performance, then this is the racing drone for you. It can withstand a fair share of crashes because of the sturdy frame and robust design. It sports a 1500 mAh battery to power its four 2300KV motors. Other features include;
- Interchangeable propellers
- Easy mods and tweaks
- LED indicators for nighttime flight
- Gyro and accelerometer sensors
- Up to 12 minutes of flight time on a single charge
Weaknesses
- This racing drone doesn’t have stabilization, altitude hold or one key return. Such features or lack thereof make it suitable for pros but won’t help the beginner take off. However, newbies will be forced to learn quickly and reduce the learning curve.
What to consider when buying the best racing drone for you
Some of the racing drones in this list are fitted with an FPV camera/s and with your goggles, you can zoom your way on highly technical tracks. However, some are not as complete and don’t need to be. For example, if your range is short, you can use a cheaper variant without the added accessories like FPV googles found in a complete drone racing kit.
The prices of these drones are relatively affordable, and you can get in on the fun that’s risen quickly in popularity. There’s no shortage of options and opinions on how to participate in drone racing. There are many comparison charts and long written reviews about drones. Here, we won’t bog you down with all the technical mumbo jumbo and will try to keep it as simple whether you are an experienced user or just looking for a new hobby. Here are other factors you need to consider before getting the best racing drone.
Speed and power
If competing in a drone racing league, speed and power are going to be your friend. If your drone is too slow or comes equipped with mediocre motors, you will keep underachieving.
Maneuverability
Power is nothing without control, so you will need to practice a lot to beat the best. Your racing drone needs to be extremely agile as well, to do all sorts of spins and cut sharp corners. Some drone racing leagues are now even judged on the performance of breathtaking tricks done around the racetrack.
Flight time
For a race drone, you don’t need it to be on air for too long. Most competitive events usually take between 5 and 10 minutes. Therefore, if your drone is within or surpasses that time in the air, you won’t have to worry about your quadcopter falling mid-flight in a race. Having a large battery increases the weight of the drone, and leads to more consumption of power. Therefore, manufacturers try to strike a balance between the size of the battery and time in the air. It’s advisable to have extra batteries on hand when you are competing.
Camera/ Fpv racing drone
It will put you at a competitive advantage if the camera in your race drone shows clear and detailed images. However, you don’t need to go all out for 4K cameras, which are not necessary for racing events. Just make sure your drone’s camera gives vivid images, has a decent amount of field of view (FOV) and transmits them to your screen in real-time. If you have an FPV racing drone, well and good. With a first-person view, you will be fully immersed in the flight.
Durability of the racing drone kit
Drone racing is a fast-paced sport and crashes are inevitable. To be competitive, you need to invest in a quality quadcopter, that can be easy to repair when you need to. You will find such on this list, or you could go-slow with a low-quality variant and be last in the competition. The drone racing kits in this review have many spares, to ensure you have what it takes to be competitive for a long time
Get your racing drone kit today
Drone racing might seem like all fun and games but is quite serious for those who participate. The winner can even take home a whopping 100,000 in some competitions. However, many things can go wrong, and you need to maintain your drone’s parts keenly. That said, pick one of the drones featured in this list, and take flight.
