The world of FPV (First Person View) drone flying has experienced exponential growth over the past few years. What started as a hobby for people who loved drone technology and tinkering with electronics has become a multimillion-dollar industry.
In 2023, this segment of the drone industry was valued at $117 million and is projected to reach almost $400 million by 2030. That kind of growth is attracting significant attention from investors and sponsors.
One example can be seen in the premier circuit for drone racing, the Drone Racing League (DRL). For several years, the United States Air Force has been the primary sponsor of DRL, aiming to promote STEM and aviation careers. The Air Force was the primary sponsor of a new event this year, the DRL U.S. Air Force Miami Invitational, which took place on February 1, 2025. It all points to a part of the drone industry that is here to stay.
If you are looking to get into flying FPV drones, you’ll find lots of reviews focused on the best drones worth buying. What many people forget to mention in these reviews is that when it comes to FPV drones, many do not come with a headset or controller. It’s hard to fly an FPV drone without a headset to see the live feed.
Fear not. FLYING will discuss what to look for in a headset and make a few recommendations on good ones worth exploring.
What to Look for in an FPV Headset
Commercial drone pilots are used to looking for a drone that will deliver end products for their clients and buying the complete system in one offering.
For example, if you need a drone to capture real estate photography, the DJI Mavic 3 Pro is a great option. The drone is ready to fly out of the box, complete with the drone, batteries, and remote. That’s not how it works with FPV (most of the time).
Pilots have many different factors that influence their choices, including the battery, type of headset, remote specifications, and drone size. For this reason, many FPV drones come in one of three configurations:
- 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 this article, we will focus on BNF, as these drones do not come with a headset. Our list has something for everyone, from beginners to pros. In addition to our recommendations, here are a few key factors to consider when selecting an FPV headset:
- Display quality: Look for OLED displays with high resolution (ideally 1080p or better) and fast refresh rates for crisp, smooth visuals.
- Field of View (FOV): A wider FOV offers a more immersive feel, typically between 40 degrees and 60 degrees.
- Latency: Lower latency means more responsive control. Modern digital systems like DJI O4 and Walksnail Avatar offer latency under 30ms.
- Ergonomics: A comfortable fit with adjustable straps, face padding, and weight distribution is essential for long sessions.
- Battery life: Most goggles offer 90-120 minutes of runtime. Check compatibility with your existing battery packs.
- Compatibility: Make sure your headset works with your drone’s video system—analog, DJI, Walksnail, or HDZero.
- Recording capabilities: Onboard DVR is a must for reviewing flights and creating content.
- Budget: Like any hobby, FPV drone flying can get expensive. Stick with headset options that fit your budget. This is especially true for new pilots just getting into this segment of the drone industry.
Our Top 5 Recommendations
With so much variability in the FPV drone community with regard to what equipment you use, you’ll want to make sure the headset you select is compatible with the drone and remote you are flying. These headsets are all high-quality and well-respected in the industry, but ultimately, you’ll need to make sure it is the best one for your specific needs. Our selections include the following models:
- Best budget HD goggles: Eachine EV800D
- Best for comfort and long flights: Skyzone SKY04X V2
- Best analog-compatible goggles: Fat Shark Scout FPV Goggles Headset FSV1132
- Best walksnail-compatible goggles: Walksnail Avatar HD Goggles X
- Best overall FPV goggles: DJI Goggles 3
Eachine EV800D: $109.99
When it comes to FPV Goggles, there are analog and digital models. With our digital world, you might think everyone wants to be digital. In the FPV world, many pilots prefer analog because it doesn’t have the latency issues that are sometimes seen in digital models.
Analog headsets are a great place to start because they are also budget friendly. One headset we like in this category is the Eachine EV800D. For just over $100, you can get this headset and begin your FPV drone adventures.
The EV800D comes with a 5-inch 800×480 high-brightness LCD screen, offering you a wide 82-degree field of view. With the built-in 2000mAh battery, you get up to two hours of operation, making it perfect for extended flying sessions. The headset also has an integrated DVR for recording footage at up to 720×576 resolution. It’s a little bulky but lightweight at just 375 grams. That’s a lot to get out of a budget-friendly headset.
Skyzone SKY04X V2: $499.00
The Skyzone SKY04X V2 FPV Goggles are another great choice for pilots who want an analog headset, especially when comfort is important. The headset offers dual 1280×960 OLED displays, giving you rich, detailed visuals with a 46-degree field of view. You’ll also benefit from the built-in SteadyView receiver, which merges the signals from the headset’s dual antennas for a smoother video with less tearing or breakups. The 60fps DVR allows for high-quality flight recording, and users can easily switch between 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios.
So why is this headset perfect for comfort and longer flights? Well, that’s because it is lightweight at only 267 grams. It also has adjustable diopters (-6 to +6) and interpupillary distance (58-71 millimeters), which eliminate the need for corrective lens inserts. This level of personalization makes them ideal for long flight sessions, reducing eye strain and headset fatigue. The breathable foam padding and balanced fit add to the comfort and let you fully enjoy the flying experience.
Fat Shark Scout FPV Goggles Headset FSV1132: $217.97
The Fat Shark Scout FPV Goggles (FSV1132) stand out as one of the best analog-compatible headsets for beginners and intermediate pilots because they offer performance without complexity. Fat Shark is a well-respected brand in the industry, with many pilots flying with nothing but Fat Shark. These goggles have a 4-inch 1136×640 high-resolution LCD screen and a wide 50-degree field of view. You’ll love the built-in 5.8GHz diversity receiver. This device helps to enhance signal stability by automatically selecting the stronger of the two antennas.
The headset includes a built-in DVR for onboard flight recording and support for RaceBand frequencies. The adjustable head strap and well-ventilated foam padding ensure a snug yet comfortable fit for extended use, while the embedded fan prevents lens fogging during intense sessions. USB-C charging and a built-in 18650 battery compartment add to the convenience, allowing for quick recharging and longer flight times.
Walksnail Avatar HD Goggles X: $459
If a headset is Walksnail-compatible, it means it is designed to work with the Walksnail Avatar HD digital video transmission system. This system was developed through a partnership with CADDX and Fat Shark. Walksnail is a digital HD video feed, has low latency, is plug and play, meaning if a drone uses a Walksnail Avatar VTXvideo transmitter, you won’t need additional adapters, and supports firmware updates from Walksnail, meaning your headset won’t become obsolete when newer versions come out.
The headset integrates perfectly with the Walksnail Avatar HD system and provides 1080p video at up to 100fps. The goggles use H.265 encoding, so pilots will appreciate low latency with high-quality video. On the comfort side, the headset weighs only 290 grams and offers adjustable interpupillary distance (57-72 millimeters) and diopter settings (+2.0 to -6.0), eliminating the need to wear corrective lenses. It’s the perfect headset for digital FPV flying without sacrificing comfort or quality.
DJI Goggles 3: $499
We’ve selected the DJI Goggles 3 as the best headset overall for several reasons. Some FPV pilots aren’t a fan of DJI headsets because they don’t integrate well with smaller cameras/drones, and newer DJI goggles don’t always support older DJI drones. While we see their point, the DJI Goggles 3 still has one of the best pictures on the market, is fairly priced, and integrates perfectly with the DJI O4 Air Unit Pro (a camera used by many of the most popular FPV drones).
The DJI Goggles 3 deliver an immersive and high-performance experience for drone enthusiasts. Equipped with dual 0.49-inch micro-OLED displays, each offering a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels and a 100Hz refresh rate, these goggles provide crisp visuals with ultra-low latency, down to just 24ms when paired with compatible drones like the DJI Avata 2. Additionally, features like Real View PiP (Picture-in-Picture) allow pilots to maintain situational awareness by displaying a live feed of their surroundings without needing to remove the headset. The goggles also support a variety of video formats, including 3D and panoramic content, making them versatile for both piloting and media playback.
Flying FPV drones can be a thrilling hobby or a great way to make a living. Since many drones don’t come with a headset, pilots must select the best one for their needs as a separate purchase. Our list has a little something for everyone, so choose the one that best suits your needs.
Also, remember that if you are flying FPV for money, you need a Part 107 license. You can begin the journey toward certification using online courses like those offered by Altitude University and the Pilot Institute. Happy racing!
FAQ
Can I use the same FPV headset for both analog and digital drones?
Only if the headset has modular or hybrid capabilities. Most are built for one or the other.
Are more expensive goggles always better for beginners?
Not necessarily. Many budget goggles offer great performance and are more forgiving to learn on.
What’s the benefit of built-in DVR in FPV goggles?
It lets you record flights for review or sharing without needing an external camera.
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