6 Best Racing Drones: FPV, RTF, Foldable, with Camera (2024)

Got a need for speed? For serious competition or sometimes just for fun, people love racing drones. And it’s exciting, so it’s easy to see why. But you can’t race just any kind of drone, however. 

To race properly, it takes a drone that’s not just fast, but also a drone that’s durable and easy to control. In this ranking we break down the six best racing drones with features like FPV, RTF, GoPro mounts and a whole lot more.

By the time you’re finished reading, you’ll be at the starting line for many thrilling drone racing experiences to come.

Our Top Picks

Race through the top picks in our ranking.

A Closer Look: Best Racing Drones

Don’t make a speedy decision. Read our in-depth racing drone reviews, instead.

Leading off our list of the best racing drones is the Walkera F210. This quadcopter is extremely fast and very durable, we learned, with outstanding turn-key performance. The motor is brushless. Also notable, the 3D aerobatic mode, with a lower battery indicator, horizon line and signal alarm functions.

A solid performer with intuitive controls, based on feedback, this drone is not for beginners, we learned but otherwise it handles like a Ferrari right out of the box. With the F210, switching into aerobatic mode is nearly automatic, and it’s overall durable enough to handle inadvertent collisions, including three crashes into a grassy field.

FPV, or first-person view racing drones provide perspective on the action like no other, and the best FPV racing drone in our list is the iFlight Nazgul 5. With great design and a well thought-out structure, this BNF (bind-and-fly) drone comes with everything you need to get started. The frame is durable, high-quality carbon fiber weave, with TPU inserts to help absorb shock.

Those who’ve used the Nazgul 5 comment that the weight and power does take some getting used to, but otherwise it’s a smooth flier, and it heads directly where you point it. Few snags are experienced getting it set up, we learned, and once it’s up in the air, this drone can really rip. The range is great, and the VTX camera combo is very high quality, based on feedback.

Drone enthusiasts interested in an RTF racing drone should consider the ARRIS Dazzle. With a Q X7 transmitter, this is a great quad with lots of power, based on feedback, and the drone comes out of the box ready to fly. There’s a rush tank VTX camera and Foxeer lollipop antenna, among many other important features. And there’s also an ARRIS Dazzle 5″ drone frame, with a 2450KV high-efficiency brushless motor.

Those who’ve tried the ARRIS Dazzle call it an amazing quad that’s very fast with parts that are easily replaceable and fairly inexpensive. It may be better suited for a hobbyist instead of an experienced flier, according to some. But otherwise, the easy-to-use controller can be set for up to fifteen RC units. It even flew great in a blizzard, according to reports.

For a quality folding quadcopter that also offers full HD live streaming, check out the Parrot Anafi. This racing drone comes in a variety of configurations, depending on what you’re looking for. No matter which one you choose, though, this drone is fantastic, according to reports, with long flight time and about a half dozen special flight options. We also like the GPS position hold.

Some did find the drone to be somewhat susceptible to WiFi interference, though, but overall, the video and image quality are excellent, with impressive auto-focus and auto-exposure, we learned. The gimbal control and image stabilization offer 180 degree tilt, and otherwise, the drone flies quietly, while remaining stable and highly maneuverable.

The ARRIS X-Speed could be the right choice for you if a quality camera is particularly important for your first racing drone. The camera mount on this well-reviewed and relatively affordable racing drone is mounted on an anti-vibration plate for added protection, and the camera can be angled while flying fast. It’s also set back a bit in the frame to protect it in the event of a crash.

The camera itself can be replaced with a high-quality option, if that’s what you choose, or there’s also a GoPro mount if you prefer to go that route for capturing your footage. Either way, though, the X-Speed is very durable and assembled well. The transmitter and flight-controller also arrived pre-configured and ready to go, we learned.

For kids and beginners who are just getting to drone racing, we recommend the Tinyhawk II RTF racing drone from EMAX. This sturdy drone comes with everything beginners need to get started, with a good controller and an FPV headset. A racing drone meant for large spaces, this drone is resilient to impact, remaining light and flexible with some extra propellers just in case.

Some do replace the goggles, but generally speaking, this tiny whoop comes ready to fly and the camera is good. Overall, the kit included with purchase is everything a beginner needs to get started with drone racing, and it’s overall very rugged and stable for new pilots who are just learning to fly, according to reports.

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Further Reading