Cinewhoops are exceptional small FPV drones, perfect for capturing professional-grade commercials and real estate videos, and cinematic footage. With their propeller guards, they can fly around people and indoor relatively safely, and also ideal for teaching beginners how to fly FPV drones. In this post, we’ve compiled a list of the best cinewhoops available right now. Explore these top choices to enhance your filmmaking and flying experience.
What is a Cinewhoop?
Cinewhoops are a unique type of micro FPV drones, featuring propeller guards (also known as ducts) and they can carry action cameras, like GoPros, for capturing smooth aerial footage. While not as fast as 5″ freestyle FPV drones, Cinewhoops prioritize safety and stability, allowing pilots to safely fly close to their subjects indoor and outdoor. The resulting footage boasts a level of cinematic quality that is nearly impossible to achieve with a 5″ quad.
Advantages of a Cinewhoop
- Safe indoor flying and around people thanks to its propeller guards
- Smooth and slow flight capabilities, ideal for capturing relaxed cinematic shots
- Budget-friendly, thanks to their smaller size and less powerful components
Disadvantages of a Cinewhoop
- Shorter flight times due to the extra drag and weight of the prop guards, and relatively inefficient propeller motor combo
- Less nimble and slower compared to typical freestyle drones
- Steady cruising is a strong suit, but not the best choice for performing freestyle moves or fast pace flying
Which Cinewhoop Size Is Best For You
Cinewhoops come in five common sizes: 1.6-inch, 2-inch, 2.5-inch, 3-inch, and 3.5-inch. These refer to the sizes of the propeller used on the drone.
Generally, the larger the cinewhoop, the more powerful and faster it is. Bigger drones can carry heavier payloads—such as a GoPro or larger batteries—handle wind better, and offer greater stability. On the other hand, smaller cinewhoops are more compact and agile, making them ideal for tight spaces. They’re also lighter, quieter, and less intimidating to fly.
If your goal is to stay under the 250g weight limit, a 1.6-inch or 2-inch cinewhoop is ideal. When paired with a small battery and a naked GoPro, you can typically stay under the limit. These sizes are best used with HD FPV systems such as the DJI O4 Pro Air Unit, allowing you to eliminate the need for a separate action camera while still capturing high-quality footage.
If you plan to carry a full-size action camera like a GoPro or DJI Osmo Action, a 2.5-inch or 3-inch cinewhoop should handle the load without issue. While these will likely exceed the 250g limit, they are better suited for managing the additional weight. For the best possible stability in outdoor, windy conditions, a 3.5-inch cinewhoop is recommended—assuming you don’t have strict size or weight requirements.
For beginners, any cinewhoop size will work for learning to fly. If you plan to use a GoPro in the future, a 3-inch or 3.5-inch cinewhoop offers more flexibility. If you’re just looking for a compact drone for casual park flying and don’t prioritize video quality, a 2-inch or 2.5-inch model may be the best fit. Also, remember that larger cinewhoops handle wind more effectively, so consider your local weather conditions when choosing your size.
BNF Recommendations
In this section, we’ll recommend some top cinewhoop options (BNF – bind and fly models) for each size available on the market.
BetaFPV Pavo20 Pro
You can get the Pavo20 Pro here:
The BetaFPV Pavo20 Pro cinewhoop is one of the smallest cinewhoops that is compatible with DJI O3 and O4 Pro. This drone excels in indoor flying conditions due to its excellent handling capabilities. Although it requires DIY assembly of the DJI O4 Pro Air Unit, is relatively straightforward, even for beginners. In order to reduce weight and maximize flight efficiency, it might not be as crash-resistant due to reduced material use, it’s worth considering if you seek a compact, unobtrusive drone suitable for safely flying around people and property. See my full review here: https://oscarliang.com/betafpv-pavo20-pro-dji-o4-pro/
GEPRC Cinelog30 V3
Get your Cinelog30 V2 from these vendors:
The Cinelog30 is one of the best cinewhoops for professional cinematic work. This isn’t a freestyle basher—its relatively fragile prop guards make it less ideal for beginners or those who crash frequently.
But as a professional-grade cinewhoop, the GEPRC Cinelog30 V3 is superb—perfect for filmmakers, content creators, and pilots focused on capturing smooth cinematic footage in tight spaces. It’s also one of the most efficient and least noisy cinewhoops in its class.
If you’re looking for a cinewhoop with the DJI O4 Pro that’s powerful, efficient, quiet, and beautifully tuned right out of the box, this would be my top choice. Check out my review to learn more: https://oscarliang.com/geprc-cinelog30-v3/
Speedybee Bee25
Get the Bee25 from these vendors:
The Speedybee Bee25 cinewhoop catches the eye with its outstanding performance in both cinematic capture and agile freestyle flight, packed with features that underscore Speedybee’s quality commitment. Sporting a F405 flight controller and 1404 4600KV motors, it promises 7-8 minutes of flight time with a 4S 850mAh battery. Despite its strengths, including competitive price point, a unique and thoughtful frame design and vertically mounted O3 for easy port access, the Bee25 faces challenges, such as lack of Walksnail support and less durable prop guards.
Nevertheless, its excellent flight stability and responsiveness make it a strong contender for those prioritizing dynamic flight and quality footage, albeit with some compromises. For more information, check out my full review here: https://oscarliang.com/speedybee-bee25-cinewhoop/
DJI Avata 2
The DJI Avata 2 is available in various combos. I recommend the “Fly More Combo” which includes the DJI Goggles 3, Motion controller 3, and 3 batteries.
Designed with flexibility in mind, the Avata 2 is an ideal tool for videographers who prefer to avoid the complexities associated with traditional FPV drones. Its ability to hold position and feature a tiltable camera adds a level of versatility unmatched by typical custom built FPV drones, making it a superb choice for aerial filming.
Building your own cinewhoop provides unparalleled flexibility. You have complete control over every component, allowing you to tailor your drone to your exact specifications and flying style. This level of customization can lead to superior performance, especially for those who enjoy tweaking and optimizing their setups. However, building your own drone involves a steep learning curve, especially for newcomers to the hobby. Building and maintaining your drone requires a thorough understanding of its components and systems, which can be daunting but rewarding for those who enjoy the technical challenges.
The DJI Avata 2 comes as a complete package which is ready to fly straight out of the box with very decent video quality. It’s equipped with built-in GPS for return-to-home functionality and one of the best video transmission systems on the market. For those less inclined to delve into the technical aspects of drone building and maintenance, the Avata 2 is a fantastic choice. It offers a hassle-free experience with the added benefit of professional appearance, which can be a significant factor for commercial use, such as aerial videography for real estate. It also looks more professional than custom built cinewhoops which matters for some people.
Learn more about the DJI Avata 2 in this post: https://oscarliang.com/dji-avata-2/
GEPRC Cinebot25
You can buy the GEPRC Cinebot25 from these AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DBP0SJp
The GEPRC Cinebot25 stands out among cinewhoops due to its exceptional design and impressive flight performance. Running on 2.5″ props, the drone weighs 153g without batteries, delivering agile, stable, and smooth flights, although it may exceed the 250g limit when fully equipped.
The Cinebot25 features user friendly design, it’s super easy to access both flight controller and DJI O3 USB ports. The electronics are fully enclosed in protective plastic housing ensuring durability.
Overall, the GEPRC Cinebot 25 delivers a premium flying experience, exceptional design, and outstanding performance, making it a top recommendation for both hobbyists and professionals. Check out this post to learn more: https://oscarliang.com/geprc-cinebot25/
DarwinFPV CineApe35
Get the DarwinFPV CineApe35 from these vendors:
The DarwinFPV CineApe35 emerges as a budget-friendly 3.5-inch cinewhoop, blending affordability with high performance. Its design, mirroring pricier counterparts with sturdy carbon and inverted motors, ensures durability and crash resistance. Despite a minor hiccup with the GoPro mount alignment, the drone’s construction is commendable.
Equipped with a F411 45A AIO flight controller and 2006 2030KV motors, the CineApe35 promises smooth flights and efficient handling. A notable feature is the inclusion of GPS, rare in its price range, although it may require additional setup for optimal use.
Flight tests reveal stable performance and impressive flight times, especially without added camera weight. Minor issues like antenna quality and current sensor accuracy could be improved, but overall, the CineApe35 offers exceptional value, making it an excellent choice for beginner and intermediate FPV enthusiasts seeking a cost-effective cinewhoop without sacrificing quality. See my review for more info: https://oscarliang.com/darwinfpv-cineape35/
Speedybee Bee35
Get the Speedybee Bee35 cinewhoop from:
The SpeedyBee Bee35 Cinewhoop, a 3.5″ FPV drone, strikes a perfect balance between robust design and affordability, making it an ideal option for both beginners and intermediate FPV enthusiasts. Its size and power comfortably accommodate a full-size GoPro, a feature that sets it apart from smaller cinewhoops like the BetaFPV Pavo20.
The frame offers flexible battery mounting and ease of maintenance, with only four screws needed for internal access. A novel feature is the external USB port, simplifying flight controller adjustments. Although it uses a budget F405 Mini Stack, the Bee35 does not compromise on reliability or component compatibility. Flight performance is commendable, with factory-set PIDs ensuring a smooth ride and impressive flight times on a 6S battery. However, the 3D printed parts’ quality could be better, and the battery strap may feel short for recommended battery sizes.
Overall, the Bee35 stands out for its user-friendly design and solid performance, offering great value in the cinewhoop category. See my review for more info: https://oscarliang.com/speedybee-bee35-cinewhoop/
Choosing the Right Battery for Your Cinewhoop
Selecting the right battery for your Cinewhoop depends on various factors, including motor KV, propeller size, drone weight, and desired flight time. You don’t need an overly large or expensive battery with an extremely high C-rating typically used for racing, as Cinewhoops primarily focus on capturing smooth and relaxed footage, rather than aggressive flying.
Ensure that the battery has a matching connector for your drone, such as XT30 or XT60, to avoid compatibility issues. To find the recommended battery size and cell count for your specific drone, refer to the product page and specifications provided by the manufacturer. This information will help you choose the most suitable battery for optimal performance and flight time.
Selecting the Ideal Propellers for Your Cinewhoop
Cinewhoops often carry significant weight relative to their size, including propeller guards, a large battery, and a GoPro camera. To accommodate this weight, you typically need to increase the propeller size to generate more thrust and enhance efficiency. However, Cinewhoops are generally limited to 3.5-inch or even smaller propellers due to their compact size.
Bullnose propellers are a popular choice for Cinewhoops because they generate more thrust compared to pointy propellers, despite being less efficient. Pointy propellers, while more efficient and have some advantage in other types of FPV drones, may not be the best choice for Cinewhoops due to their lower thrust output.
To further increase thrust output, it’s common to use propellers with more than three blades. Five and even six-blade propellers are popular choices in Cinewhoops, as adding more blades effectively increases the surface area, increasing thrust production.
Since propellers are relatively inexpensive, testing various options with your specific setup is the best way to determine the ideal choice. When evaluating propellers, consider the following factors:
- Efficiency: How does the propeller affect flight time?
- Noise level: Quieter propellers are less likely to disturb people nearby.
- Power: Assess the thrust produced and the amount of throttle required to maintain hover.
- Smoothness: Determine if the propeller causes additional vibration.
- Responsiveness: Evaluate whether the propeller improves flight performance.
By considering these factors, you can select the most suitable propellers for your Cinewhoop, ensuring optimal performance and flight experience.
FAQ & Tips
Best Camera Angles for Flying Cinewhoop
The general consensus for optimal FPV camera tilt angle is 10-20 degrees, while a slightly higher angle is recommended for the GoPro due to its wider field of view (FOV).
Best Flight Mode for Cinewhoop
Both Angle and Acro modes can be used for Cinewhoops, depending on the flying environment. However, Acro mode is preferred in most cases, as it offers smoother flight performance. With Angle mode, you might constantly need to counteract the self-leveling which results in more wobbles in the footage.
Flying in Acro mode indoors is not significantly more challenging. You can transfer your regular flying skills to indoor environments by simply reducing the camera angle. When using Angle mode, consider reducing the angle strength to 20, so it doesn’t resist your inputs as much, providing a better flying experience.
My Cinewhoop Rates
Actual rate:
- Centre Rate 150
- Max Rate 800
- Expo 0.65
Conclusion
In conclusion, Cinewhoops are the perfect choice for capturing stunning, cinematic aerial footage. With various pre-built BNF models available, each offering unique features, choosing the right one depends on your specific needs. Experiment with propeller options and battery choices to optimize flight performance.
Edit History
- Jan 2020 – Article created
- Apr 2023 – Article revised
- May 2024 – Products updated
- May 2025 – Products updated
