A tiny whoop is a type of small quadcopter that’s popular among both casual pilots and drone enthusiasts. Whoops are distinguished by their round shape, small size, and included FPV camera. These drones are a great choice for indoor racing; they’re small enough to dodge around furniture items, durable enough to handle a few crashes, and simple enough for even the most inexperienced drone pilots to control.
With tons of tiny whoops on the market, it can be hard to choose the best one. To make your search easier, we’ve gathered three simple whoops that are perfect for casual indoor racing based on the following five criteria.
Motor Type
Two types of drone motors exist on the market: brushed and brushless. The first tiny whoops used brushed motors because they are significantly cheaper and easier to replace. Brushed motors are lighter and can work with almost any controller, so they’re a great choice for a small casual drone.
The main downside to brushed motors is that they break down easily. Although most drone hobbyists love the chance to tinker with their drones, many drone purchasers are looking for a low-maintenance option. Brushless motors last longer if they are taken care of, so they are frequently used for modern whoop designs.
Brushless motors are capable of much higher speeds than brushed motors, but they also require more battery power. Higher speeds aren’t necessarily an advantage for indoor drones as they can result in unwieldy controls. Larger batteries also tend to add weight to the drone and reduce flight times.
Ultimately, the differences between brushed and brushless motors are mostly a matter of taste, especially for such a tiny design. Both brushed and brushless whoops are capable of good speeds, steady flight patterns, and simple maintenance.
Battery Cells
Most whoops are advertised as either 1S or 2S. This label identifies the number of cells in the drone’s battery. Single-cell batteries are low in voltage and aren’t capable of high speeds, but they also weigh less.
As mentioned before, high speeds aren’t the most important feature of an indoor drone. 1S whoops fly well, are easy to handle, and don’t need to charge for particularly long. Most whoops with brushless motors use a 2S battery to compensate for their higher speed capabilities and voltage requirements.
Battery type is directly related to the drone’s flight time. A drone’s flight time is impacted by the size of the battery, the drone’s weight, and the amount of power that the motor consumes. Faster drones usually have shorter flight times unless the battery size has been increased to compensate for the power draw.
The average 1S whoop drone has a flight time between two and seven minutes. Longer flight times are possible, but they usually require a much larger battery.
It’s worth noting that 1S drones are usually cheaper than 2S models, although the difference grows smaller as technology progresses. Both 1S and 2S whoops are great for casual flying; just remember the battery type so that you can purchase a replacement if necessary.
Weight
For a drone as small as a tiny whoop, weight is surprisingly important. Even a few extra grams can make the drone more difficult to lift off the ground, reducing flight speeds and consuming more battery power in the process.
Most of a drone’s weight comes from the frame. Whoops are usually made with lightweight yet durable plastic frames. Metal frames are stronger, but they’re also heavier; you’re more likely to find a metal frame on a whoop with a brushless motor and a 2S battery.
When you’re checking drone weights, remember that the weight of the batteries is not always included in the description. Most whoop batteries weigh between 5 and 8 grams; a drone that only weighs 22 grams will actually weigh 30 with a full-sized battery included.
Configuration
Whoop drones are made by a wide variety of companies, so there are no uniform standards for drone setup and configuration. Some whoops require an external computer program; others need to be bound to the controller before they’re ready to fly.
If you don’t want to worry about configuration, look for a drone that’s marked as ready-to-fly (RTF). These drones can usually be pulled out of the box, turned on, and flown in a matter of minutes. Expect an RTF drone to come with a controller unless otherwise noted.
For drone hobbyists who are willing to spend a little more time setting things up, consider finding a whoop that uses a digital program like Betaflight. This will let you adjust the way your controller interacts with the drone, review flight statistics, and even tweak your FPV experience.
Don’t forget to check what kind of receiver your whoop drone is equipped with. Some whoops only work with a single type of controller while others can be bound to nearly any controller on the market.
Camera Quality
Whoop drones are known for their FPV capabilities. There’s something magical about flying through your own house from the perspective of a tiny pilot. However, an FPV experience is only as good as the camera that’s attached to the drone.
Drone cameras are advertised in a variety of ways. Some drones give the pixel counts; look for 720p or 1080p for a clear FPV image. Other drones describe the video quality in terms of television lines, or TVL. Expect a minimum of 600 TVL on a standard whoop drone.
Your FPV experience will also depend on the quality of the video transmission. A great camera with a slow video feed will still give you a choppy view through your FPV goggles. If you’re having trouble with the feed from your whoop drone, consider upgrading the antenna on your receiver.
High-quality cameras usually weigh more; if you’re more interested in aerial tricks than camera footage, you may want to choose a lightweight drone with a cheaper camera.
The 3 Best Small Whoop Drones
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1. EMAX Tinyhawk S
We mentioned the Tinyhawk S in our list of the best indoor drones, and for good reason; it’s one of the best beginner tiny whoops on the market.
The Tinyhawk S is a ready-to-fly whoop drone with smooth controls and a decent FPV camera. The main feature of this little drone is the ability to switch between 1S and 2S batteries. If you’re flying inside, use the 1S battery for stable controls and longer flight time. If you want to take your Tinyhawk to the park, pop in the 2S battery to reach speeds up to 55 mph.
Another great feature of the Tinyhawk S is its durable yet lightweight frame. This drone can easily take a few knocks and bumps without bending or breaking the propeller guards.
If you’re new to whoop racing, start your journey with the Tinyhawk S. This simple yet elegant drone has everything you need to get flying immediately.
EMAX Tinyhawk S Specifications:
| Product: |   |
|---|---|
| Specifications: | • Weight: 30 grams (without batteries) • Flight time: Six minutes • Battery: 450 mAh lithium-polymer • Motor: Brushless • Camera: 600 TVL • Headless mode: Yes • Altitude hold: No • Autopilot: No • FPV: Yes |
Pros
• Uses both 1S and 2S batteries for varied flight times and speeds
• Comes with a controller and carrying case for easy handling
• FPV camera angle can be adjusted mid-flight to change perspective
• Struts are stronger than previous Tinyhawk models
• Brushless motor has been engineered for low weight and high speed
• Can reach speeds of 55+ mph for fast flying outdoors
Cons
• Camera is not of the best quality
• Frequent crashing may knock camera out of place
What Do Other Reviews Say?
Albert Kim notes that the Tinyhawk S has several upgrades from the original Tinyhawk, including stronger propeller guards.
2. BETAFPV Beta65 Pro 2
BETAFPV is one of the most popular manufacturers of whoop drones. These instantly recognizable blue-and-white whoops are known for great flight mechanics and durable construction.
Out of BETAFPV’s many available whoop drones, the Beta65 Pro 2 is one of the most accessible. The Pro series includes drones that are lighter and faster than other BETAFPV models; out of this series, the Beta65 Pro 2 is the smallest. This drone is speedy, smooth, and a lot of fun to fly.
Although the Beta65 Pro 2 is fully assembled, it doesn’t quite qualify as ready-to-fly. A controller is not included, so you’ll need to bind your own to this whoop; BETAFPV drones have SPI Frsky receivers. You’ll also need to configure the drone with the included Betaflight software.
Overall, the Beta65 Pro 2 is a great whoop drone for pilots of all skill levels. If you don’t mind a little configuration, you’ll be very pleased with the way this drone handles itself in the air. Check out the Beta65 Pro 2 before you continue shopping; it’s a very well-rounded choice.
BETAFPV Beta65 Pro 2 Specifications:
| Product: |   |
| Specifications: | • Motor: Brushless • Weight: 24 grams • Battery: 1S HV 300 MAh • Flight time: Two-and-a-half minutes • Camera: 600 TVL • RTF: No |
Pros
• Lightweight, speedy, and easy to maneuver, making it good for beginners
• Quality construction with durable components helps drone withstand usage
• Smooth FPV makes for a great flying experience
• Settings can be adjusted with included Betaflight software
Cons
• Does not come with a controller
• Requires some configuration before using
• Camera is of moderate quality
• May be too fast for indoors
What Do Other Reviews Say?
Andy RC notes that there is not a significant amount of difference between the various entries in the BETAFPV series.
3. NIHUI FPV Micro Drone
Although it’s not one of the most well-known whoop drones on the market, the NIHUI Micro Drone is a surprisingly competitive option with smooth flight capabilities. This little drone only costs half as much as the other entries on this list, so it’s a good choice for pilots on a budget.
Despite its price, the CMXUHUI Micro Drone has a great FPV camera with clear transmission. The camera works in both well-lit and dark environments, so it’s a good choice for indoor flight.
The NIHUI FPV Micro Drone is durable and easy to fly. It might not be fast, but it holds a stable flight pattern and maneuvers well around household objects. This drone is best suited to indoor flight, but it also has a higher speed setting for outdoor racing.
Overall, the NIHUI FPV Micro Drone is fun and easy to use. If you’re looking for a simple whoop to play with, give the Poke Micro Drone a look.
Product Specifications:
| Product: |  |
|---|---|
| Specifications: | • Motor: Brushed • Weight: 25 grams (with battery) • Battery: 25C 200mAh lithium-polymer • Flight time: Five minutes • Camera: 5.8ghz HD • RTF: Yes |
Pros
• Cheaper than other entries on this list
• Clear FPV with great camera quality, so takes great footage
• Multiple speed settings for a variety of flights
• Speed and control are well-suited to indoor flight
• Withstands bumps and crashes due to its durability
• LED light for nighttime flying, so can fly drone in dark settings
Cons
• Included controller is not the highest quality
• Input lag may interfere with flight
What Do Other Reviews Say?
GBLynden’s RC considers the ARRIS Poke Micro Drone to be a good choice for indoor flight.
Conclusion:
It’s hard to go wrong with any of the whoop drones on this list. The ARRIS Poke Micro Drone is a great budget option, and the Beta65 Pro S has every feature a drone pilot might be looking for. However, if you just want a well-rounded tiny whoop that you can fly right out of the box, the Tinyhawk S is still the best option on the market.
Take a look at the Tinyhawk S on Amazon; it is easy to fly and comes with some great features. Both the Tinyhawk S and its predecessor, the classic Tinyhawk, are excellent choices for pilots of all skill levels.
If you’re looking for more tiny drones, check out our lists of the best mini drones and nano drones. Come back sometime and check out some more of our product reviews and best-in-class lists!