Technology has certainly come a long way, and in the short time that drones have been available for recreation, we’ve also seen the introduction of FPV drone goggles.
This amazing device gives you a first-person view of what your drone is seeing, and makes it easier to race your drone or just get a whole new perspective on its flight path.
If you’re ready to take your drone ownership to the next level, you’ve probably already started shopping for the best FPV goggles.
One quick search can show you how complex these drone glasses can be though, which is where this handy buying guide will be able to help you out.
We’ve gone through the best drone racing goggles and standard headsets on the market to come up with our top picks in all price ranges.
You’ll learn about the important features and FAQs to do with FPV goggles so you can feel confident about your purchase and get the most out of this unique piloting experience.
FPV goggles come in all shapes and sizes which is why it can be hard to narrow down your search to just one decent pair.
We’ve scoured the market to find the best FPV goggles in all categories and prices, to make your quest for the ideal pair even easier.
Our Reviews Of The Best FPV Goggles
BEST OVERALL
DJI Racing Edition Goggles
If you’re super serious about finding a quality drone racing headset and have the money to spare, the DJI Racing Edition Goggles are the best choice.
This FPV drone headset has all of the features you could hope for including up to 50ms latency, 148 degrees field of view, and a Global Shutter Sensor that stops that annoying jello effect.
These FPV quadcopter goggles display a pretty crisp picture with a 1280×960 resolution showing at 50 frames per second. You’ll feel as though you’re actually in the air with your drone, and it will give you a competitive edge for racing.
The latency is minimal and you get a super wide viewing range, so it’ll feel as though you’re right up there taking on the skies.
However, there are some minor negatives to take into consideration with the DJI Racing Edition Goggles.
One issue is that although they’re meant to be compatible with a few different platforms if you use them with the Mavic 2 Pro or Zoom you’ll drop your range down to about 1,000 feet.
For this price, it doesn’t seem these are the best choice for compatibility with that model.
Customers loved how easy these goggles were to set up and start using, so even if they’re your first pair there’s no need to worry.
You’ll get all of the required gear like cables, connectors, cleaning cloths, and antennas, so there’s nothing more to spend to get started.
The DJI Racing Edition Goggles are fairly priced at around $480 on Amazon, and they come with a 12-month warranty on some parts.
For a mid-range pair of drone goggles that have some of the clearest visuals around, these are definitely our top pick.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Weight: 3.5lbs
- Compatible With: DJI Spark, Mavic, Phantom, and Inspire
- Latency: 50ms
- Resolution: 1280x960
- FOV: 148 degrees
RUNNER-UP
Fat Shark
If you don’t want to spend a lot to get your goggles and don’t need the clearest picture around, the Fat Shark are considered great value for money.
They’re a lightweight and offer a 720p resolution with 16:9 WVGA screen, so for the price, it’s pretty sufficient.
Customers were pretty happy with the additional features that made this a standout. You’ll get a battery included, adjustable headband, and it has a built-in fan to keep from overheating.
These little extras are surprising to find for the lower price tag. The latency on these is minimal or nonexistent which is another bonus to consider.
To make these work, you’ll need to purchase a receiver as well so the price is bumped up a bit and the compatibility with other devices is lacking.
When you combine the two there are probably better options out there in the best budget FPV goggles range.
The screen on the Fat Shar Dominator V3 Goggles is quite clear and you’ll get a pretty crisp picture even from long distances.
The headset itself is pretty comfortable and there’s a lot you can do to make adjustments to settings to get them just right.
Having this type of adjustability makes it a better choice for more users so you don’t have to worry about whether the specifics will be right for you.
The Fat Shark Dominator V3 Goggles can be purchased through Amazon for around $300, but keep in mind you’ll also need a receiver.
As one of the more budget-friendly options, they’ve got a lot to offer and would make a great pair for your very first set provided they’re going to be compatible with what you’re already working with.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Weight: 1.4lbs
- Compatible With: Fat Shark OLED receiver
- Latency: Minimal
- Resolution: 720p
- FOV: 37 degrees
ALTERNATIVE
Epson Moverio Glasses
If money is no object and you simply want the clearest picture from your drone goggles, the Epson Moverio Glasses might be the way to go.
These are the most lightweight goggles on the market so you’ll barely feel them on your head, but they’re still capable of achieving 148 degrees field of view and a latency of around 50ms.
Customers loved these glasses for their crisp picture and how effortless they capture everything without a lag or wobble.
These are ideal for serious drone racers because of their high cost but once you put them on you’ll see why they’re in this price range, all thanks to a 1080p high definition resolution.
On the downside, some users have found them a little hard to get comfortable. You’ll need to adjust them for a while to get the perfect spot on your nose which people found annoying for a pair of goggles priced so high.
This includes the physical fit of the glasses and also settings of the screen, so be prepared to put in some work.
With a transparent display, you’ll be able to see what’s going on around you in real time without removing your goggles.
It also features a front facing camera that will capture the 1080p images for you so you can relive the magic of the race or flight. This makes it feel just like a real piloting experience and it can add to the atmosphere quite a bit.
The Epson Moverio is a costly affair at around $700 on Amazon, so it’s up to you to decide whether it’s worth that price.
Without as much comfort as cheaper brands, they could be tiresome to wear, but for the clear viewing field you get, you might be willing to sacrifice a little.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Weight: 2.5oz
- Compatible With: DJI
- Latency: 50ms
- Resolution: 1080p
- FOV: 148 degrees
BEST FOR THE MONEY
Arris FPV Goggles
When you want the cheapest FPV goggles around, but don’t want it to be a total waste of money, the Arris FPV Goggles are the ones for you.
These are our pick for the best FPV goggle under $100 which is a tough price range to cover. However, they come with a standard 480×320 resolution and lightweight feel of just 6.4oz, so they still have a lot to offer.
The best features of these goggles is how easy they are to use and their ability to connect with any device on a 5.8ghz band and it’s capable of searching through 40 channels.
As an entry-level headset, it has everything you need, and you can test out what you’re really after in a drone goggle set before you make a larger investment.
On the downside, they’re pretty cheaply made and not intended to last forever. They’re basic in their design and you might find some limitations with the tech, but they never promised to be anything too futuristic.
The screen is basic but viewable, and the field of view is pretty limited as well.
Other notable features that do make it worthwhile is an included 3.7V battery which will give you at least 2.5 hours of viewing time.
You’ll also get real-time video with low delay if you want to watch the action and a double antenna that gives a pretty strong signal. For the price, these are features you wouldn’t normally find in a headset, so they certainly add to its value.
Arris has managed to design a cheap but functional pair of FPV goggles that would suit any beginner, and if you don’t want to spend a fortune just for the flying experience, they will do you just fine.
You can get your Arris FPV Goggles for the best price on Amazon, at just under $50, but don’t expect any warranty coverage.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Weight: 6.4oz
- Compatible With: 5.8ghz bands
- Latency: N/A
- Resolution: 480x320
- FOV: N/A
RUNNER-UP
Makerfire Mini FPV Goggles
Makerfire has created an affordable pair of FPV goggles that just does the basics, making them a good pick for anyone who doesn’t want to spend a lot.
You’ll view images in 480×320 resolution which is adequate enough to see what’s going on, and they work with just about any device on a 5.8Ghz band connection.
The range is pretty impressive because of the double antenna that comes included, and you’ll get a surprising amount of viewing time from just one charge.
You can expect close to three hours on the right settings and it has a built-in 3.7V lithium-ion battery, as well all of the accessories you need to get started.
There are some negatives worth mentioning, including the pretty small screen size. With just a 3.0 inch LCD screen you’re somewhat limited in what you can see, and it’s not recommended for anyone without perfect vision.
People who wear glasses won’t find these to be a comfortable fit either and would be better off upgrading to something with a bit more adjustability.
The Makerfire Mini FPV Goggles come with real-time video return and minimal delay so you can try them out for racing. The super sensitive receivers let them work with more devices, and an auto search function to help you find the right frequency faster.
Priced at around $50 when you shop on Amazon, these are pretty basic when it comes to FPV goggles, but they’re a solid choice for someone who doesn’t want to spend much.
There’s no warranty, a pretty small viewing screen, but some cool features to make the money worthwhile. All in all, the Makerfire Mini FPV Goggles are a good option for those on a tight budget.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Weight: 6.3oz
- Compatible With: 5.8ghz bands
- Latency: N/A
- Resolution: 480x320
- FOV: N/A
The Basics Of FPV Goggles
With a basic understanding of FPV goggles and what their different features can indicate, you’ll be better versed at picking the right pair.
FPV goggles are designed to work with any radio controlled devices, but for this purpose, we’re looking at drone specific models.
The FPV goggles connect to your drone with a camera and allow you to view what’s going on from the viewpoint of the drone itself. Depending on these various features and specifications, you’ll get varying degrees of quality and capabilities.
- Field of view: This is the angle that you can see when you wear the goggles, from the view of the drone’s camera. The more expensive the model, the greater field of view you’re likely to have, with cheaper models having around 25 degrees.
- Resolution: The resolution of the camera indicates how clear the picture is that you’ll receive. They come in different settings like SVGA, QVGA, and FWVGA, all with different levels of quality.
- Compatibility and Connection: This refers to the drones that they are compatible with and whether you need to purchase additional hardware. A receiver comes in various options like 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz and will have different channels to scan.
- Latency: The lower the latency the better the picture, with some models of FPV goggles now boasting zero or minimal latency rates.
- Size: Consider both the weight and the dimensions of a set of FPV goggles and what their adjustability is if any.
FAQ About FPV Goggles
FPV goggles can be technical devices to understand, so we’ve answered some of the common questions regarding this gear.
Educate yourself on the basics of FPV goggles to ensure you’re choosing the perfect set and get a basic lesson in what some of the key features really mean.
What Are FPV Goggles Used For?
First person view goggles can be used for anything that requires radio control, which can be drones or remote controlled airplanes.
FPV goggles when used for drones are most common in racing scenarios but they can also be worn for fun or to keep track of your drone when it’s in the sky.
How Do FPV Goggles Work?
These goggles are made with a camera that mounts to the front of your drone or another flying device, which sends a signal directly to the headset or goggles.
You can view the first person experience as if you were on the drone itself, but all the while standing safely on the ground.
What Is WIFI FPV?
A WiFi FPV is an inexpensive way to operate your drone because they make their own signal and can be connected to any device with internet capabilities.
These FPV goggles usually come with considerable lag due to the wireless connection and they may experience interference.
Which Is Better 2.4 Or 5.8 GHZ?
A 2.4ghz goggle is usually lesser quality than a 5.8ghz one, and that’s because they are more prone to picking up interference.
You might experience more noise and a blurry image due to this, but it isn’t always an indicator of quality. A 5.8ghz goggle is more versatile in the range it can pick up but it often requires additional hardware to work.
The Only Way To Pilot
Having a quality pair of FPV goggles can add a whole new thrill level to your drone flying and prepare you for competitive racing.
There are plenty of options whether you want something basic to test the waters with or are ready to upgrade to a serious headset that gives you an edge on the competition.
Technology is constantly being updated in this field and as it does, we’re seeing even more options with reduced prices that make this type of cool gear available to more drone owners.
As of today, there are some great choices out there in all price ranges, so if you want to take your drone flying to the next level, any of these would make a great addition to your setup.
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