After we need to fly drones, we want appropriate controllers to obtain a stay picture and transmit instructions to the drone. In case you don’t purchase a drone as a equipment, you will need to look individually for drone controllers.

What are the very best drone controllers?

The most effective drone controllers are the DJI RC, DJI RC Professional, and RC-N1 for DJI customary drones. The DJI FPV Distant Controller 2 and Radiomaster TS16x are additionally implausible drone controllers that can be utilized with flying FPV drones and the DJI FPV Movement Controller for an immersive, distinctive expertise.

On this article, I need to share with you just a few issues to recollect when shopping for a drone controller and some suggestions that will help you determine which controller it is best to select in your drone.

How do drone controllers work?

A drone controller, distant controller, or RC, are bodily units that may make a radio or wi-fi connection to the drone on a particular frequency to assist the pilot ship enter indicators to the drone.

Normal drone controllers (non-FPV) transmit inputs to the drone AND obtain knowledge similar to a stay picture, telemetry, and extra.

Taking a DJI controller, for example, the usual DJI RC-N1, the place you’ll have to join your telephone to the controller for the drone to fly, will let you obtain a stay picture in your telephone by the DJI Fly app. 

The drone you’re flying has a module, on this case, a DJI O3 transmission system, that may act each as a receiver and a transmitter.

With customized FPV drones that would not have a digital DJI video transmitter, normally, the VTX module will solely transmit video to the goggles, and the drone would require a separate radio receivers module, similar to TBS Crossfire or FrSky XM+, that may have a special broadcast channel and a hyperlink between the drone and the controller.

However on this case, the distant controller ought to have a appropriate transmission module, and issues might get difficult right here.

What forms of controllers exist?

Normal drone controllers: These might be from DJI, similar to DJI RC-N1, DJI RC, or DJI RC Professional, which can each transmit knowledge to the drone and obtain a stay picture, and non-DJI drone controllers, which have comparable features.

FPV drone controllers: These can be vastly extra advanced controllers that enable for further features and can solely transmit knowledge to the drone. The picture can’t be acquired by the controller however by the goggles. 

Movement Controller: Created by DJI, these controllers use movement motion and numerous controls to simplify flying some appropriate drones (similar to DJI Avata). 

Movement Controllers will solely transmit knowledge to the drone and will not have as a lot vary as an peculiar controller.

These controllers have been launched not too long ago and could also be international to some drone pilots, and so they require completely different abilities to be taught to fly than customary gimbal-based controllers.

Different RC controllers: Similar to the FPV drone controllers (and in some instances, even the FPV drone controllers can be utilized as such), they’ll enable a hyperlink to different RC units, similar to RC planes, RC vehicles, helis, and RC boats.

In lots of instances, RC automobile controllers may differ from customary gimbal controllers. 

These controllers may have a slim compatibility vary, so you will need to be certain that if you wish to purchase a separate controller in your drone, the controller can hyperlink to the drone.

That’s why we need to lengthen this text and make it easier to acquire the right controller in your drone.

Many controllers can be found in the marketplace in the present day, so our choice will embrace solely the very best drone controllers that can be appropriate with acquainted drones and controllers with broad compatibilities. 

» MORE: Are you able to fly DJI drones with out a controller?

Finest customary drone controllers

1. DJI RC

DJI RC

Distant Controller for DJI Mini 3 Professional/DJI Mavic 3/DJI Mavic 3 Cine, Light-weight Physique, FHD Display, 4hr Battery, Precision Management Sticks, O3+ Transmission

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DJI RC is a complicated drone controller from DJI appropriate with a number of DJI drones.

The controller comes with an included display, eradicating the necessity for pilots to attach their telephones to the controller to fly their drones.

Weight	390 grams
Dimension	168.4×123.7×46.2 mm with out controller sticks
Battery life	As much as 4 hours
Transmission Vary	As much as 9.3 miles (15km) with DJI Mavic 3
Does it additionally obtain video?	Sure
Have an included display?	Sure, 5.5 inches, Full HD decision, 60 frames per second show, multitouch, and max 700 nits
Compatibility	– O3 Video Transmission System, which incorporates DJI Mini 3 Professional and DJI Air 2S – O3+ Video Transmission System, which incorporates DJI Mavic 3, Mavic 3 Traditional, Mavic 3 Cine, Mavic 3 Professional, Mavic 3 Professional Cine – O2 Video Transmission System, appropriate with DJI Mini 3

✅ Professionals

• It comes with an included display, eradicating the necessity to use a cell phone to fly the drone
• It has a implausible transmission vary
• Broadly appropriate with a number of DJI drones
• Has an ergonomic look that feels rugged and never plasticky 
• Clean gimbal management
• Additional devoted buttons
• It comes with preinstalled DJI Fly app and is ready-to-use
• Requires no setup earlier than any flights

❌ Cons

• It’s barely cumbersome and heavier than some drones (similar to DJI Mini 3 Professional)
• It’s barely expensive 

With the DJI RC distant controller, you merely can not go improper, as it’s so straightforward to make use of and requires no setup in any respect earlier than launching the drone. 

The DJI RC can be appropriate with the above-mentioned drones and could also be additional used with yet-to-be-released DJI drones that embrace the identical O3 and O3+ transmission programs. 

As a drone pilot, you’ll absolutely discover a major distinction and improve from the traditional DJI RC-N1 distant controller, which requires your cell phone to fly the drone.

2. DJI RC Professional

DJI RC Professional

Excessive-bright show, highly effective efficiency, environment friendly management, excellent audio, and video efficiency.

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The DJI RC Professional is the skilled model of the DJI RC, appropriate with solely a handful of DJI drones however with higher transmission vary and penetration, a brighter show, and some extra distinctive perks.

Weight	680 grams
Dimension	183×137×47 mm with antennas folded and controllers not mounted
Battery life	As much as 3 hours
Transmission Vary	15km
Does it additionally obtain video?	Sure, with an O3+ video transmission system
Have an included display?	Sure, it has a 5.5-inch show at Full HD decision, 60 frames per second, and may attain 1000 nits on sunny days
Compatibility	The DJI RC Professional is at present appropriate with DJI Mavic 3, DJI Mavic 3 Cine, DJI Mavic 3 Traditional, DJI Mavic 3 Professional, DJI Mavic 3 Professional Cine, and DJI Air 2S, however will help extra plane sooner or later

✅ Professionals

• It’s a singular DJI controller made for professionals
• Has probably the greatest vary transmissions and penetration with probably the most superior receiver module
• You possibly can stay stream from this controller, which is ideal for content material creators
• It has 32GB of inner storage
• Twin Band Wi-Fi 6
• Mini HDMI output which might help show on extra displays
• Has an out of doors mode the place the show can be exceptionally shiny and visual in full daylight
• Very easy working expertise with implausible gimbals and excellent efficiency
• It’s made for the longer term

❌ Cons

• It’s very costly for non-professionals
• It’s a heavy controller, not preferrred for backpacking and light-weight journey

3. DJI RC-N1 (RC231, mode 2)

DJI RC-N1 (RC231, mode 2)

RotorLogic DJI Mini 2 Distant Controller Use for DJI Mavic 3, Mini 2, Air 2S Drone (Contains 2 Management Sticks. Exclude Retail Field and RC Cables).

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The DJI RC-N1 (RC231 mannequin, mode 2) is the most recent customary controller used amongst most DJI drones with in depth compatibility.

It’s the one to decide on should you’re on the lookout for a price range controller in your appropriate DJI drone or in case your unique DJI RC-N1 dies.

This RC often comes with a DJI drone once you purchase one, however it’s a difficult product to purchase individually, even from the official DJI web site.

Weight	Approx. 390 grams with out a cellular gadget
Dimension	150x100x35mm folded
Battery life	4 hours when charging a cellular gadget or 6 hours when not charging
Transmission Vary	7.5 miles (12km), but it surely is determined by the drone
Does it additionally obtain video?	Sure, on the cellular gadget linked
Have an included display?	No
Compatibility	The DJI RC-N1 is extensively appropriate with a variety of DJI drones similar to Mini 2, Mini 2 SE, Mini 3, Mini 3 Professional, Mavic Air 2, Mavic Air 2S, Mavic 3 (plus Cine and Traditional), and Mavic 3 Professional (plus Cine)

✅ Professionals

• It’s an affordable little controller with easy efficiency
• Glorious transmission vary
• Broad compatibility with DJI drones
• Light-weight and moveable
• You possibly can join an iPad or Android pill as an alternative of a telephone, supplying you with an infinite display benefit

❌ Cons

• It’s exhausting to seek out it individually
• It doesn’t have an included display
• The construct high quality, transmission vary, and extra features can not examine with DJI RC or RC Professional

Through the years, there have been a number of variations with completely different compatibilities of the DJI RC-N1. Nonetheless, total, it’s the similar controller as a few years in the past—good, robust sign and with no points.

It’s uncommon for the RC-N1 to go improper or break, however should you want a brand new controller, you should have issue discovering this one outdoors of a drone pack.

With some creativity, you are able to do one thing with this controller you can not with others. As an illustration, whereas I used to be flying my Mavic Air, I typically linked my iPad to the RC to fly and see it on an even bigger display. 

It’s attainable so that you can try this, whereas, with the DJI RC or RC Professional, you will have to look into HDMI output displays as an alternative.

» MORE: DJI RC vs. DJI RC-N1

Finest FPV drone controllers

FPV distant controllers are a number of and distinct from customary controllers as they can’t obtain video feeds, have completely different transmitter protocols, haven’t any throttle spring rigidity, and have quite a few customized buttons for different FPV features and instructions.

Listed here are a number of the greatest controllers in FPV.

1. DJI FPV Distant Controller 2

Weight	346 grams
Dimension	190×140×51 mm
Battery life	As much as 9 hours
Transmission Vary	Max 6.2 miles or 10 km
Does it additionally obtain video?	No
Have an included display?	No
Compatibility	DJI FPV Drone, DJI Avata, DJI FPV Goggles V2, DJI Goggles 2, Integra

✅ Professionals

• It has very easy and delicate joysticks for correct FPV flights 
• It’s easy, compact, and environment friendly
• Good transmission sign
• Light-weight and moveable
• A wonderful controller to coach in FPV simulators
• It’s reasonably priced

❌ Cons

• Slender compatibility vary 
• Doesn’t work with non-DJI drones

Strictly for DJI FPV and Avata (and appropriate headsets), the DJI FPV Distant Controller 2 is the one you must fly these drones, however it’s also a superb cheap alternative to coach in simulators with this RC.

Though I personally personal just a few FPV distant controllers, I at all times practice in Liftoff with the DJI FPV Distant Controller 2, which works seamlessly.

2. Radiomaster TX16S Mark II

Radiomaster TX16S Mark II

MAX Version 2.4GHz 16 Channel EdgeTX OpenTX Radio Transmitter Leather-based Grips CNC Completed Elements Mode 2 (Carbon Purple, 4-in-1 w/Corridor V4.0).

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Weight	750 grams with out batteries
Dimension	287x183x129 mm
Battery life	Is dependent upon the protocol you employ, transmitting energy, and so forth.
Does it additionally obtain video?	No
Have an included display?	Sure, to show knowledge and settings
Compatibility	Helps over 40 protocols

✅ Professionals

• It is among the best-known FPV radios of all time
• It has a easy end and is a sturdy controller
• Has a 4.3 IPS colour show (for menu, settings, and configurations, to not obtain stay pictures)
• Exterior module bay
• 4 in 1 multi-protocol module
• Can help over 40 completely different protocols which will cowl compatibility with nearly any FPV drone (typically an exterior module could also be wanted)
• As much as 16 channels
• Very easy and high quality gimbals (which may also be upgraded)
• It’s appropriate not solely with FPV drones however with different plane, RC boats, vehicles, and so forth. (relying on the protocol)

❌ Cons

The Radiomaster TX16S is among the most used distant controllers for FPV drones that helps all kinds of protocols and may set up extra into the exterior module, together with Crossfire, ELRS, and so forth.

This distant controller can be one of the really useful and greatest you will get for the value if you wish to fly FPV drones.

It comes with the EdgeTX working system however might be put in with OpenTX.

3. DJI Movement Controller for FPV

DJI FPV Movement Controller

Overview: Expertise immersive flight like by no means earlier than with the DJI Movement Controller, which permits the plane to maneuver primarily based in your pure hand motions.

What You Get: DJI Movement Controller × 1, Lanyard × 1

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Weight	167 grams
Battery life	5 hours
Transmission Vary	As much as 6.2 miles (10 km)
Transmission Frequency	2.4Ghz and 5.8Ghz spectrum
Compatibility	DJI Avata, DJI FPV Drone, DJI Goggles 2, DJI FPV Goggles v2, Integra

✅ Professionals

• An progressive new solution to management a drone
• It’s a really beginner-friendly technique of flying drones
• It supplies a implausible expertise to fly a drone with movement controllers
• All of the drone controls are at your fingertips

❌ Cons

• This model is appropriate with solely DJI Avata and the DJI FPV drone
• You have got restricted potential to regulate an FPV drone
• The transmission vary is far lower than that of a distant controller

For a lot of freshmen and other people on the lookout for alternative routes to fly these two drones, the FPV Movement Controller is a implausible technique to do it.

Yet another movement controller, the DJI RC Movement 2, can be appropriate with just a few different DJI drones. Nonetheless, many pilots complained about its points, so we advocate solely the usual FPV movement controller.

In case you’re used to flying drones with gimbal controllers, it is going to be unusual so that you can seize the Movement Controller and instantly fly the drone with it.

Though not difficult, it is best to do it in an open house for the primary time for security causes.

Are there different methods to regulate a drone with out a controller?

Probably not.

Though drone controllers come in several varieties, utilizing your cell phone’s contact display is the one means you may management a drone with out a controller.

However it will apply to only some low-cost drones with minimal transmission vary, that are difficult to regulate from a touchscreen telephone.

Are distant controllers interchangeable? 

Sure, several types of distant controllers can be utilized with completely different drones so long as they’re appropriate with one another.

As an illustration, let’s take the DJI Mini 3 Professional, which can be utilized with DJI RC-N1 and the DJI RC.

Or let’s say that Protek 25 is appropriate with the RadioMaster TX16S by way of the D8 protocol. That drone might be sure with any controllers supporting that protocol.

If we don’t like D8, we are able to swap the module to Crossfire, which can be appropriate with any modules on appropriate distant controllers. 

The thought is that the distant controller has to match the protocol of the drone radio receiver, after which they’ll bind collectively.

Do FPV distant controllers work with customary drones?

FPV distant controllers can not bind to straightforward drones as a result of these drones additionally transmit video feeds, and FPV RC can not obtain video feeds by the goggles. 

And certain, the protocols are completely completely different. 

However an professional could possibly add a customized receiver to a normal drone and bind it with an FPV distant controller.

Nonetheless, you might run into points in these situations and never obtain a video feed on the identical controller.

Do customary distant controllers work with FPV drones?

Similar as talked about above, the usual distant controllers can not work with FPV drones.

That’s as a result of, on high of various radio protocols, the usual distant controllers have spring rigidity on the throttle gear, which have to be eliminated to fly an FPV drone.

What else must you take into accout when selecting a drone controller?

• FPV controllers will differ from customary controllers with extra switches and buttons, and the throttle spring may have zero rigidity.

  As an illustration, a normal drone controller’s throttle gear will at all times come centered, whereas an FPV drone controller at all times requires handbook enter to the throttle.

• Normal drone controllers, as talked about earlier than, have the flexibility additionally to obtain video feeds and shows on a cellular or RC display, whereas the FPV radio controllers can be utilized ONLY for transmitting enter knowledge.

• Usually, customary drone controllers operate on both a 2.4 or 5.8Ghz spectrum, the place FPV radios will function on particular radio bandwidth, relying on the protocol and module.