Rankings
The EMAX Tinyhawk II Freestyle BNF is a micro FPV racing drone delivering 120 km/h top speed and a carbon-fiber frame for aggressive freestyle flying. Its drawbacks are the need for a specific FrSky D8 transmitter, a ham-radio license, and relatively short flight endurance. Ideal for experienced acro pilots seeking high performance in a sub-250 g package.
The APEX FPV Drone Kit is a beginner-focused all-in-one racing drone offering a lightweight 100 g frame and dual batteries for extended flight. Trade-offs include inconsistent video quality and a modest range compared with higher-end kits. Best suited for absolute beginners and indoor flyers seeking a ready-to-fly solution.
The BETAFPV Cetus is a beginner-focused tiny whoop with stabilized hover, multiple sensors and a full RTF package. Its drawbacks are a heavier brushed platform and limited flight time that hinder high-speed racing. Ideal for absolute beginners and indoor practice sessions.
The EZ Pilot RTF kit offers a plug-and-play experience with all necessary accessories and safe prop guards. Its limitations stem from brushed motors, modest video hardware, and a brief 4-minute flight time. Ideal for absolute beginners and indoor hobbyists seeking an affordable starter drone.
The Galvanox Racing RC Drone Obstacle Course Kit offers a portable, weather-proof system with three interchangeable PVC hoops and a stopwatch for quick FPV practice. Its lightweight base design can tip easily, especially outdoors or after crashes. Best suited for intermediate users, educators, and hobbyists seeking an affordable training setup.
| Attribute | | | | EMAX Tinyhawk II | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
300 mAh | 400 mAh | — | 450 mAhbest | 450 mAhbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 35 gbest | 100 g | 3,685 g | 81 g | 35 gbest |
5 minutesbest | — | — | — | 4 minutes | |
— | — | — | 120 km/hbest | — | |
19,000 KVbest | — | — | 7,000 KV | — | |
— | 2 MPbest | — | 0.5 MP | — | |
25 mWbest | — | — | — | 25 mWbest | |
5.8 GHzbest | 5.8 GHzbest | — | 5.8 GHzbest | 2.4 GHz |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | | | EMAX Tinyhawk II | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Battery & Power(3) | |||||
Battery Capacity (mAh) | 300 mAh | 400 mAh | — | 450 mAh | 450 mAh |
Flight Time (minutes) | 5 minutes | 15-18 minutes | — | — | 4 minutes |
VTX Power (mW) | 25 mW | 25-500 mW | — | 25-200 mW | 25 mW |
Camera(2) | |||||
Camera Resolution (MP) | — | 2 MP | — | 0.5 MP | — |
Camera Field of View (°) | 55 ° | 120-150 ° | — | — | — |
Build & Design(4) | |||||
Dry Weight (g) | 35 g | 100 g | 3685 g | 81 g | 35 g |
Frame Material | — | — | PVC | Carbon Fiber | — |
Frame Size (Diagonal) (mm) | 91 mm | — | 540 mm | 115 mm | 82.5 mm |
Propeller Diameter (in) | 1.22 in | — | — | 2.5 in | 1.57 in |
Connectivity(2) | |||||
Transmission Frequency (GHz) | 5.8 GHz | 5.8 GHz | — | 5.8 GHz | 2.4 GHz |
Receiver Type | Frsky D8 | ELRS | — | FrSky D8 | — |
Performance(2) | |||||
Motor KV (KV) | 19000 KV | — | — | 7000 KV | — |
ESC Continuous Current (A) | — | — | — | 5 A | 3 A |
Accessories(1) | |||||
Number of Included Accessories | 6 | 7 | 10 | 3 | 6 |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers praise the Cetus as a safe, easy-to-fly indoor tiny whoop that excels in hover stability thanks to its optical flow, barometer and laser positioning.
Everyday users love the plug-and-play nature, stable hover in Normal mode and crash-resistant design, reporting quick mastery after calibration.
“Users praise its plug-and-play ease for FPV newbies, stable hover in N mode for indoor house flying, quiet operation, and crash resistance; many report quick mastery after calibration.”
“so much fun”
“best drone for beginners UNDER $100 in 2020”
Choose EZ Pilot for a ready-to-fly safe kit at a budget; choose Tinyhawk II for higher speed, brushless reliability and better performance.
Professional reviewers consider the APEX FPV Drone Kit the best budget entry for newcomers, emphasizing its low cost, complete component set, and plug-and-play readiness, while noting the modest video quality and the inconvenience of AAA batteries for the controller.
Everyday users love how quickly they can start flying, praising the fun factor and value for money, but they commonly complain about inconsistent video clarity, the extra battery management for the controller, and the learning curve of altitude hold.
Professional reviewers commend the kit for its rapid, tool-free assembly, the range of hoop sizes, and the added stopwatch and bag, noting the durable PVC construction. However, they caution that the lightweight bases are prone to tipping during crashes and that any Bluetooth spec is likely a misprint, meaning the system is purely passive.
Everyday users echo the reviewers' praise for ease of setup and portability, enjoying the fun of building a personal race course. The most common criticism is the instability of the bases, especially outdoors or after impacts, leading many to add sandbags or weights.
Professional reviewers highlight the Tinyhawk II Freestyle's natural handling and power-to-weight ratio, noting it feels like flying a full-size 5-inch quad while staying sub-250 g. The upgraded VTX and higher-quality camera are praised for delivering a clearer FPV experience, and the drone's quiet operation is seen as a bonus for indoor use. However, experts caution that the platform is geared toward acro pilots, lacks angle-mode friendliness, and requires specific FrSky D8 compatibility and a ham radio license in North America.
Everyday users consistently commend the drone's aggressive performance, durable build, and the included Avan Rush propellers that provide excellent grip for freestyle tricks. Common praise centers on its power, responsiveness, and quiet operation. Recurring complaints focus on limited flight time, the need for a ham radio license, and incompatibility with newer FrSky ACCESS transmitters, making it less suitable for beginners or those without the required hardware.
Professional reviewers consider the EZ Pilot an accessible entry point to FPV, emphasizing its safety features, complete RTF package and adequate flight time for beginners.
Everyday users love the plug-and-play nature, safe prop guards and short indoor fun sessions, praising the value of the all-in-one kit.
