Best VR Drones (& How to Pick a VR Headset for a Drone)

More and more pilots are switching to either FPV drones or VR-like drones to have an immersive, enjoyable experience flying a drone.

What are the best VR drones?

The best VR drone is the DJI Avata with Goggles 2 and Motion Controller. Standard drones such as the DJI Mavic 3 series and Mini 3 Pro let you enjoy an immersive VR experience with DJI Goggles Integra and DJI RC Motion 2.

In this guide, I’ll share the top VR drones you can buy. I’ll also explain everything to know about FPV/VR systems and how to use VR headsets with drones.

Note: To enjoy the absolute best experience with a VR headset, some standard drones are compatible with DJI Goggles Integra, but this will only work with DJI RC Motion 2.

1. DJI Avata #

With this kit, you can enjoy the VR experience at its fullest when flying the DJI Avata in Normal Mode with the motion controller and DJI Goggles 2.

SPECSDJI AvataWeight 410 gFlight Time Up to 18 minsCamera 1/1.7-inch CMOS capable of recording in 4k at 60 frames per second or 2.7k at 120 frames per secondBest VR Goggle CompatibilityRecommended DJI Goggles 2 and DJI Goggles Integra. It’s also compatible with DJI FPV Goggles v2Is it compatible with DJI RC Motion 2? Yes, and DJI Motion Controller Can you use head-tracking? YesFlight ModesNormal, Sport, and Manual (acro) Modes. It can be flown as an FPV drone and as a standard drone as well.

✅ Pros #

• It’s the most effortless way to fully enjoy the VR experience with compatible goggles and a motion controller
• The camera quality is excellent to admire the VR image
• Because it is an FPV drone, the transmission latency is very low, and it is the most responsive combination for a real-time reaction
• It can be flown in Manual Mode as an FPV drone with a compatible DJI FPV Remote Controller
• The battery life is decent
• It’s a Cinewhoop drone with duct guards that protects the motors and propellers, and it’s safe to fly close to objects and people, indoors and outdoors, in forests, etc.
• It’s exceptionally durable and can be flown long-range without issues, even with the motion controller

❌ Cons #

• It doesn’t have three-axis gimbal stabilization, but the image will be decently stabilized when using head-tracking
• When tilting down to 90 degrees, you will see the edge of the frame
• The entire kit can be pricy and does not even come with the DJI FPV Remote Controller if you also want to fly this drone with a gimbal controller

The most refined way for DJI to create an immersive experience with FPV goggles is the Avata with the DJI Goggles 2 and original Motion Controller. This is by far the best VR experience you get for more than a few reasons.

The latency is very little. For instance, standard drone latency is generally between 120ms and 200ms, but with Avata, we have 30ms to 40ms latency.

On top of that, the refresh rate of the screen and the live image is incredibly high, which will offer you a unique experience when flying in VR mode.

You don’t need to know how to fly FPV drones to use Avata. 

You can simply fly it in Manual Mode, connect your goggles and motion controller, set the head tracking on from the goggles, and enjoy one unique experience you don’t want ever to end.

Moreover, knowing that Avata is the only DJI drone (FPV or non-FPV) created in a Cinewhoop style (with duct guards) makes this drone a perfect choice to fly in close proximity to objects and explore nature as never before.

2. DJI Mavic 3 Pro #

The DJI Mavic 3 Pro with DJI Goggles Integra (or Goggles 2) and DJI RC Motion 2 provides one of the best VR experiences we can get with a standard drone.

SPECSDJI Mavic 3 ProWeight 958 gFlight Time 43 mins per battery packCameras– Hasselblad: 4/3-inch CMOS capable of recording in 5.1k at 50 frames per second or 4k at 120 frames per second and photograph at a resolution of 20 MP. It has a 1-3x zoom.– Medium Tele: 1/1.3-inch CMOS capable of recording in 4k at 60 frames per second and photographing at a resolution of 48 MP. It has 3-7x zoom. – Tele Camera: 1/2-inch CMOS capable of recording in 4k at 60 frames per second and photographing in 12 MP resolution with a hybrid zoom of 7-28xBest VR Goggle CompatibilityCompatible with DJI Goggles Integra and Goggles 2Is it compatible with DJI RC Motion 2? YesCan you use head-tracking? YesFlight ModesNormal, Sport, and Explore Modes

✅ Pros #

• It’s one of the best professional consumer drones capable of obtaining unique types of footage with three cameras
• The cameras have excellent dynamic range and resolution, and one is capable of hybrid zoom up to 28x
• This drone is perfectly compatible (as with any Mavic 3 series) with the DJI Goggles Integra (and Goggles 2) and DJI RC Motion 2
• It offers a fresh VR experience with crisp image quality and the lowest digital latency found in a standard non-FPV drone
• This drone also has an active omnidirectional sensing system when flying with or without the headset
• It can stay in the air for a long time, has excellent wind resistance, and is capable of long-range transmission
• It can be flown with obstacle avoidance in Normal Mode with the Integra and RC Motion 2

❌ Cons #

• The drone is costly, and combined with the Integra and RC Motion 2, it becomes expensive for regular pilots to enjoy this experience
• Although it has low latency, it cannot be compared with Avata’s VR experience

The DJI Mavic 3 Pro is by far the best standard drone when seeking flight experiences with VR.

The drone is super responsive when flying in the VR/FPV mode with Integra and RC Motion 2, and it also benefits from flying at high speeds even in Normal Mode, where you will also benefit from the seamless omnidirectional anti-collision sensors.

Please remember that this combination is quite expensive.

However, if you’re looking for a professional drone capable of recording and taking the best images you can get and still enjoy a seamless VR flying experience, there is no better choice than this one.

3. DJI Mini 3 Pro #

The DJI Mini 3 Pro is fully compatible with the DJI Goggles Integra and DJI RC Motion 2. 

SPECSDJI Mini 3 ProWeight 249 gFlight Time – 34 mins with the Intelligent Battery– 47 mins with the Intelligent Battery PlusCamera 1/1.3-inch CMOS capable of recording videos up to 4k at 60 frames per second or photographing in 48 MPBest VR Goggle CompatibilityCompatible with DJI Goggles Integra and DJI Goggles 2Is it compatible with DJI RC Motion 2? YesCan you use head-tracking? YesFlight ModesNormal, Sport, and Cinematic Modes

✅ Pros #

• It’s inexpensive to get into flying VR drones with the Integra or Goggles 2 and Motion RC 2
• This drone is capable of flying for a long time and comes with two compatible batteries
• Easy to set up and fly, beginner-friendly, and good drone performance
• Excellent camera quality for filming and photographing
• It has forward, backward, and downward avoidance sensors when flying in Normal Mode
• Quiet drone compared to Avata
• Lightweight and portable, weighing under 250 grams, so you may benefit from relaxed drone laws

❌ Cons #

• It does not fly as fast as Mavic drones or Avata
• It may have higher latency than the Mavic, Avata, or any FPV drones

The DJI Mini 3 Pro is a cheaper yet extraordinary alternative to the Mavic series.

Use head tracking to fully benefit from the VR performance with the DJI Goggles Integra and DJI RC Motion 2. You can also capture unique types of content while experiencing a new world from above.

Because the Mini 3 Pro is lightweight and portable, you can easily take it with you in your backpack and travel because neither the Integra goggles nor the motion controller weighs too much.

4. DJI FPV #

If you’re like me and are looking for the cheapest way to get into flying an FPV drone with a ready-to-fly kit, you’re making the right choice with the DJI FPV.

SPECSDJI FPVWeight 795 gFlight Time Max 20 mins per battery packCamera 1/2.3-inch CMOS capable of recording in 4k at 60 frames per secondBest VR Goggle CompatibilityIt’s compatible with DJI FPV Goggles v2 and, after firmware updates, with DJI Goggles 2 and DJI Goggles Integra Is it compatible with DJI RC Motion 2? Yes, and the original motion controllerFlight ModesNormal, Sport, and Manual (acro) Modes

✅ Pros #

• It’s a fantastic long-range drone capable of reaching high speeds, especially in Manual Mode
• You can explore the world from above while flying in Normal Mode with good stability
• The drone has great flight performance, can fly in high winds, and has unique aerodynamics
• It’s the cheapest way to get an entire kit and enjoy the immersive VR experience with original FPV headsets
• This drone can fly in three modes and has an emergency brake system
• It comes with forward obstacle avoidance sensors that work in Normal Mode

❌ Cons #

• You cannot use head tracking with it
• This drone is not resistant to crashes and is quite heavy
• It has a single-axis gimbal that will tilt the horizon line when turning left or right at high speed while flying in Normal Mode

Between the drone, the DJI FPV Goggles V2, and the DJI FPV Remote Controller 2, it’s the only way to enjoy immersive VR experiences with FPV goggles when flying in Normal Mode from above for under $1000.

Custom FPV drone kits that may be cheaper cannot offer you the same experience.

The DJI FPV uses a robust digital transmission system where the goggles receive and display the image with very low latency at 120 frames per second.

Although you may not be able to use the head-tracking and motion controller like the above-mentioned kits, you can still fully explore the world from above with the camera tilted down.

From my personal experience, I did not expect it to be so good. I loved the VR experience in Normal Mode, as there was minimal risks involved.

What do we know about DJI Goggles Integra, and how can this be used with standard drones for VR experiences? #

The DJI Goggles Integra is the newest FPV/VR headset released by DJI that was created with broad DJI compatibility outside of the FPV drone area. 

SPECSDJI Goggles Integra**Weight: 410 gBattery Life:Approx. 2 hrsResolution and Refresh Rate:Full HD at 100hzCompatibility: **DJI Mavic 3, Mavic 3 Classic, Mavic 3 Pro, Mavic 3 Cine, Mavic 3 Pro Cine, and Mini 3 Pro

With the DJI Integra, you can enjoy the experience of flying standard drones with a VR headset of the highest quality possible.

For instance, when flying a drone in standard mode with the DJI Integra, you can activate Head Tracking, which will allow your camera and drone to turn and adjust in relation to your head movements, exactly like with a VR headset. 

Note: For the DJI Goggles Integra to work with any of these drones, you must have the DJI RC Motion 2. Otherwise, you won’t be able to use VR.

Why do we need DJI RC Motion 2 when using DJI Goggles Integra with some drones? #

This motion controller (model RM220) is specifically made to operate in conjunction with the same compatible drones as with DJI Goggles Integra, with combined VR and Head Tracking movements for a seamless viewing experience with the motion of the DJI RC Motion 2.

SPECSDJI RC Motion 2**Weight: 170 gBattery Life:**Approximately 5 hrs****Goggles Compatibility:DJI FPV Goggles v2, DJI Goggles 2, DJI Goggles IntegraDrones Compatibility:****DJI Avata, Mini 3 Pro, Mavic 3, Mavic 3 Cine, Mavic 3 Classic, Mavic 3 Pro, and Mavic 3 Pro Cine

Only the second version of the motion controller, the DJI RC Motion 2 (RM220), will work with standard drones, whereas the DJI Motion Controller (first version) will only work with the FPV drones from DJI.

But learning how to use the motion controller is yet another skill.

No matter how experienced a pilot you are with either a standard or FPV drone, the moment you put on your DJI Goggles Integra and use the DJI RC Motion 2, you must adjust to this new way of controlling the drone.

However, it is much easier to learn than with a standard remote controller, which is fantastic for beginners.

VR Drones & FPV Drones – What’s the difference? #

FPV drones, also known as first-person view, are drones you fly with a specific VR headset. They offer a unique, high-adrenaline experience. Some FPV goggles can be used with standard drones as well.

VR drones are standard GPS drones you can connect to VR or FPV goggles, very similar to FPV, but will offer a yet different approach for observing the world from above.

For instance, you’ll use a headset instead of a phone screen in a safer manner.

There can be some confusion between FPV and VR experiences since they’re similar. Here are some examples to help you understand better.

• An FPV drone with the DJI FPV Goggles V2 will transmit live images in real-time with low latency to fly in acro mode and perform acrobatics or race with the drone.In this case, you will enjoy the full FPV experience.

• Some standard GPS drones (e.g., DJI Mini 3 Pro) can be connected to specific goggles, such as DJI Goggles Integra, offering you an immersive VR experience with the ability to explore the world from above while flying in normal mode.

• A standard GPS drone, for instance, the DJI Mini 3 with the standard RC-N1 remote controller, will use a mobile phone to display a live image.This phone can be detached and placed in a VR headset, where you will enjoy flying the drone as usual, but you will see the live image differently.

How many ways can we connect a drone to a VR headset? #

There are multiple ways to connect a drone, so let’s take a look.

• The DJI Goggles Integra and Motion Controller is the easiest but most expensive way to fully appreciate VR’s beauty with some compatible drones.

• You can also have an immersive experience with any** FPV drone using FPV Goggles**, but you will have to learn how to fly FPV in Manual Mode unless you’re using the DJI Avata and DJI FPV in Normal and Sport modes.

• The most common and widely compatible mode is a** VR Headset that will support sliding your phone in** (the one you use to create a live drone image).This is the cheapest way to enjoy flying drones in VR mode, but you will need to take the phone out of the goggles whenever you need to adjust the settings on the phone screen.

• With Oculus Quest 2, setting up and making it work is a more complicated process. However, you can try it if you already have the Oculus Quest 2 and a drone. 

• With any compatible VR goggles. There are so many drones nowadays, some newer and others older.Depending on the drone manufacturer and the drone itself, it may be incompatible with other VR headsets we didn’t mention in this article.

What else do you need to know about VR headsets and VR drones? #

• When using VR headsets, be aware that the image received is two-dimensional, as the drones will have a single camera to apprehend the image.If you have ever played VR games with Oculus Quest, you know that 3D is displayed on the VR goggles. No existing fully VR drones offer you the same experience as VR gaming.

• VR headsets for gaming will cover the entire visual area, but VR headsets for drones will only show you everything on a limited-size screen.

• In the future, we should expect FPV and VR Goggles to improve even more and for special VR drones to be launched and offer a uniquely immersive experience like never before.