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How to Choose Components for Building a Drone? ​

Beginners often find it difficult to determine which components and specifications to choose, and more importantly, how much it will all cost. Below is a list of compatible components for various build types.

Note: Your receiver choice must match your radio transmitter.

Note: As of 2022, support for flight controllers based on F722 and F411 processors is gradually being phased out due to limited memory (512kB). Currently, firmware features are being scaled back for these chips; Betaflight 4.4 uses a new cloud build system to manage this. Detailed explanation here.

Check out RotorBuilds for community build examples.

65mm Brushless Tiny Whoop (Analog Video) ​

  • Motors: 19000-23000KV (size 0702 / 0802 / 0803)
  • AIO Flight Controller: 4-in-1 (FC + ESC + Receiver + VTX), ideally with built-in ELRS 2.4GHz
  • Camera: Nano-size (e.g., RunCam Nano 3, Foxeer Razer Pico, Caddx Ant Lite)
  • Propellers: 31mm 3-blade (e.g., Gemfan)
  • Frame: 65mm (e.g., HappyModel Mobula6, BetaFPV Meteor65)
  • Batteries: 1S 300-380mAh with BT2.0 or GNB27 connectors (ensure drone and battery connectors match)

75mm Brushless Tiny Whoop (Analog Video) ​

  • Motors: 18000-20000KV (size 1002 for freestyle, 0802 for lightweight builds)
  • AIO Flight Controller: 4-in-1 (FC + ESC + Receiver + VTX), e.g., HappyModel CrazyF4 ELRS. Alternatively, an AIO without VTX + a separate VTX (e.g., OVX300).
  • Camera: Caddx Ant Lite or similar
  • Propellers: 40mm 3-4 blade (e.g., Gemfan, HQProp)
  • Frame: 75mm (e.g., HappyModel Mobula7, BetaFPV Meteor75)
  • Batteries: 1S 450-550mAh with BT2.0 or GNB27 connectors

75mm Brushless Tiny Whoop (Digital Video: HDZero/Avatar) ​

  • Motors: 18000-20000KV (size 1002)
  • AIO Flight Controller: 3-in-1 (FC + ESC + Receiver) with built-in ELRS, e.g., HappyModel CrossF4 ELRS
  • Video System: HDZero Whoop Bundle or Walksnail Avatar Mini 1S Lite Kit
  • Propellers: 40mm 3-4 blade
  • Frame: 75mm (e.g., HappyModel Mobula7, BetaFPV Meteor75)
  • Batteries: 1S 450-550mAh with BT2.0 or GNB27 connectors

80mm Brushless Tiny Whoop ​

  • Motors: 18000-20000KV (size 1002 / 1003)
  • AIO Flight Controller: 3-in-1 (FC + ESC + Receiver) with built-in ELRS
  • Video System: Digital kits (same as 75mm) or Analog (e.g., OVX300 VTX + Caddx Ant Lite camera)
  • Propellers: 45mm 3-4 blade (e.g., Gemfan)
  • Frame: BetaFPV Meteor75 Pro
  • Batteries: 1S 550mAh with BT2.0 or GNB27 connectors

CineWhoop ​

  • Frame: Designed for 2" to 3.5" propellers with 25.5x25.5mm mounting
  • AIO Flight Controller: 15-35A (depending on motor draw + 20% margin) with F405 / F7 / H7 processor
  • Motors: 1404 to 2004 size. For a full GoPro, use 2004 size on 6S (2600-3200KV). For a "Naked" GoPro, 1408 size on 4S (3800-4200KV) is sufficient.
  • Video System: Digital (Caddx Vista, DJI O3, Walksnail Avatar Lite, HDZero) or compact Analog
  • Batteries: 600-1000mAh depending on the motor/prop combo

2" to 2.5" Toothpick ​

  • Frame: 88-100mm for 2", 110-120mm for 2.5"
  • Motors: 1102-1106 size. ~7500KV for 2S, ~5500KV for 3S
  • AIO Flight Controller: 15-25A with F405 / F7 / H7 processor
  • Camera: Nano-size
  • Video System: Lightweight Analog (HappyModel OVX300, TBS Unify Pro32, Rush Tiny Tank) or Digital (Caddx Vista, Avatar Lite, HDZero)
  • Propellers: 2-3 blade (Gemfan, HQProp)
  • Batteries: 300-500mAh 60-80C

3" Quadcopter ​

  • Frame: 120-150mm for 3" props
  • Stack or AIO: 20-25A with F405 / F7 / H7 processor
  • Motors: 1306-1506 size. ~4000KV for 4S, ~2800KV for 6S
  • Video System: Lightweight Analog or Digital (DJI O3, Vista, Avatar, HDZero)
  • Camera: Nano-size (14mm wide; check frame compatibility)
  • Batteries: 600-850mAh 60-100C

3.5" Toothpick ​

  • Frame: 140-160mm (e.g., Crux35)
  • AIO Flight Controller: 20-35A
  • Motors: 1404-1506 size. ~3900KV for 4S, ~2600KV for 6S
  • Video System: Lightweight Analog or Digital
  • Camera: Nano-size (14mm wide)
  • Batteries: 600-850mAh 60-100C

5" Racing Drone ​

Target: Lower weight is better (approx. 250-300g without battery).

  • Frame: 200-230mm Stretched-X or True-X
  • Motors: 2207 / 2306 size, 1800-2000KV (check race regulations)
  • Stack (FC + ESC): F405 / F7 / H7 processor with 40-65A 4-in-1 ESC (20x20mm mounting)
  • Video System: Analog (low-latency Micro/Nano camera like Foxeer Predator or RunCam Racer + 25mW VTX per regulations)
  • Antenna: Circularly polarized (e.g., Lollipop) recessed in a canopy or mount
  • Propellers: R38, 51466, or 5146.5
  • LEDs: Addressable WS2812 (at least 10 per arm), ideally with an external 5V BEC
  • Batteries: High discharge 6S 1100-1400mAh 100-200C (e.g., Tattu R-Line, Dogcom)

5" Freestyle Drone ​

Target: Weight is secondary to durability and flight feel.

  • Frame: "Bus" style (e.g., Apex 5, AOS 5)
  • Motors: 2207 / 2306 size, ~1800KV
  • Stack (FC + ESC): F405 / F7 / H7 + 40-65A
  • Camera: Micro-size
  • Video System: Digital or Analog; antenna should be mounted on a "stalk" to clear the battery and action camera
  • Batteries: 6S 1100-1400mAh 100-150C

5.5" Freestyle Drone ​

Target: Excellent for carrying a full-size GoPro.

  • Frame: AOS 5.5 or similar
  • Motors: 2208 size, ~1800KV
  • Stack (FC + ESC): F405 / F7 / H7 + 40-65A
  • Video System: Digital or Analog; stalk-mounted antenna
  • Batteries: 6S 1300-1500mAh 100-150C

7" Long Range (Long-Range) ​

Best with: INAV or ArduPilot

  • Frame: Robust, with 5-6mm thick arms (4mm will cause "jello" in video)
  • Motors: 2306 (lightweight) to 2808 size. 1250-1300KV for 6S, 1600-1750KV for 4S
  • Stack (FC + ESC): 35-60A ESC + FC with I2C and Barometer support
  • GPS: High-quality GPS with Magnetometer (e.g., Holybro Nano M8, Matek M8Q, Flywoo Goku M10)
  • Propellers: 7x4x3 (HQProp)
  • Video System: Digital or Analog; stalk-mounted antenna
  • Batteries:
    • Li-Ion packs (18650 or 21700) 4S2P/6S2P for 25-45 min flight time
    • LiPo 4S1P/6S1P for 10-25 min flight time

7" Freestyle/Cinematic ​

Best with: Betaflight

  • Frame: 6mm+ arms, "DeadCat" style (front arms pushed out) to keep props out of the camera view at low tilts
  • Motors: 2406-2808 size, 1300-1500KV
  • Stack (FC + ESC): 45-60A ESC + F405 / F7 / H7 FC
  • GPS: Optional
  • Propellers: 7x3-4.5x3 (HQProp)
  • Video System: Digital or Analog; stalk-mounted antenna
  • Batteries:
    • High-discharge Li-Ion 21700 6S1P
    • LiPo 6S 3000-5000mAh 50C+

For more information, visit Joshua Bardwell's FPVKnowItAll; while some components are US-specific, his breakdowns and examples are excellent.