What is a Cinewhoop?
Cinewhoops are compact FPV drones, generally quadcopters, that are designed to be safe and work well in tight areas. They are ideal for indoor use although many can be used outdoors as well. The propeller guards make them safe and prevent damage to the drone as well as obstacles. This article will list the best cinewhoops on the market.
The name comes from a combination of the term ‘cinematic’, referring to the drones intended use for filming purposes, and the term ‘whoop’ which is a name for drones that have propeller guards or ducts.
The propeller ducts were once thought to improve efficiency and that’s what brought them to a large audience, however it wasn’t long before people realised that the ducts were really useful for indoor flight purposes.
Most designs have since reverted to a simple prop guard in order to strike the balance between protection and weight reduction, but it was an interesting few years of discovery.
In this article, I’ll break down my current recommendations on the best cinewhoops on the market.
Our Top 6 Best Cinewhoop Recommendations
No other way to put this, choosing a cinewhoop is a matter of money. Get what fits your budget as a first option. These are a premium category of drone as they are designed for a very particular purpose. You can easily buy a 3-5″ racing quad or even some Tiny Whoops to do this job for half the price, BUT it won’t do it as well. However, if you’re not on some broke boy stuff and you’re in the market for the best cinewhoops, purpose built for a cinematic god… then let’s get it!
To save you time, these will be in descending order starting with our number 1 pick. But first, a quick comparison table.
| Name | Size (mm) | Dry Weight (g) | Motor (kv) | Battery | Connector | Cost (USD) | |
| #1 | Cinebot30 | 127 | 235 | 3450/2450 | 4S/6S | XT60 | $540 |
| #2 | Avata | 120 | 410 | N/A | 4S | N/A | $1,428 |
| #3 | Taycan C25 | 112 | 140 | 4000 | 4S | XT30 | $240 |
| #4 | Foxwhoop 35 | 142 | 268 | 3650/2650 | 4S/6S | XT60 | $470 |
| #5 | Pavo25 | 108 | 153 | 4500 | 4S | XT30 | $225-350 |
| #6 | Flex 25 | 78 | 140 | 4500 | 4S | XT30 | $500 |
#1 – GEPRC Cinebot30 HD O3 FPV Drone
GEPRC has a range of products and has made improvements and enhancements to earlier models. The Cinebot30 is one of their latest releases. It is the top of my list for the best cinewhoops due to its versatility and durability.
This cinewhoops tough, agile, and looks great. It has 3-inch props and an LED strip on the prop guards lights up for an impressive display. What makes it so tough is the PC/PET used on the guards and the super-strong 7075 aluminum and carbon fiber body.
It sports SPEEDX2 1804 motors and boasts a top-notch DJI O3 camera. The camera delivers 4K 60fps (frames per second) footage and it has 20GB of integrated storage. The goggles are not included but receive a 120fps feed at 1080p.
Jitters and vibrations are radically reduced thanks to TPU pads (flexible Thermoplastic Polyurethane) that act as shock absorbers and rubber shock mounts. This, combined with the build and other features allows for stead jitter-free aerial photography and cinematography. This cinewhoop is equally happy indoors, thanks to the small footprint, and outdoors.
The GEPRC GEP-F722-45A AIO v2 is the flight controller used to operate the Cinebot30. Disassembly is a breeze, all you have to do is remove 6 screws.
There are two different options in terms of batteries. The 4S takes 4-cell 4S LiPo batteries with the SPEEDX2 1804-3450KV motors while the 6S version uses 6-cell 6S batteries and the SPEEDX2 1804-2450KV motors. The 6S has a longer range and more power than the 4S.
Find out more about the Cinebot30 in this video.
+ Pros
- Versatile for indoor and outdoor use
- Small and light enough for intricate indoor action
- Durable build and materials
- Quality DJI O3 camera
- Small footprint
- Light-up propeller guard
- Quick and easy to disassemble
– Cons
- Rather expensive
- Batteries are an extra expense
Specifications
| Size (mm) | Dry Weight (g) | Motor (kv) | Battery | Connector | Cost (USD) |
| 127 | 235 | 3450/2450 | 4S/6S | XT60 | $540 |
#2 – DJI Avata
While DJI is best known for top-end hobby and commercial drones, they are also a big player in the cinewhoop market. Their Avata is available in a range of combinations. The Pro View comes complete with the new RC Motion 2 controller and DJI Goggles.
It is a nifty 3-inch FPV drone that is a pleasure to operate. The plastic build is tough making this a durable cinewhoop option and you can expect roughly 12 minutes flight time.
The camera has a decent field of view and will produce 12MP still images and video at 4K and 60fps. The FPV Controller 2, as most would expect from DJI, allows for precision flying. The experienced is enhanced with the use of DJI Goggles 2.
While most users will enjoy the DJI Avata it is an ideal option for beginners. It is easy to use and portable enough to take anywhere. Piloting is made even easier thanks to the downward and forward obstacle avoidance.
It has Remote ID making it regulation compliant. It also works with the DJI Fly App which is a handy tool to have.
+ Pros
- DJI quality and reliability
- Durable
- Accurate flying
- User-friendly and suitable for beginners
- Integrated gyro for stabilization
- Remote ID – regulation ready
- Wide field of view
Cons
- Rather expensive
- Not compatible with third-party accessories
- Parts, batteries, and accessories are costly
Specifications
| Size (mm) | Dry Weight (g) | Motor (kv) | Battery | Connector | Cost (USD) |
| 120 | 410 | N/A | 4S | N/A | $1,428 |
#3 – Diatone Taycan C25 MK2
The standout feature of this drone is that it has two action camera mounts, front and rear. This option allows for creative flexibility and opens a range of possibilities in aerial cinematography. The downside is that the weight of two cameras will cause the C25 MK2 to be heavier and therefore less agile in the air.
This Taycan 2.5-inch cinewhoop has a flexible frame that is robust and durable. It can handle the odd bump or crash without damage.
The Taycan C25 MK2 is affordable and comes with a range of accessories including a robust carry case. It does not come with a camera. While this may be an additional cost it is handy if you already have a few as many drone enthusiasts do.
There are various options and bundles to choose from. This video will tell you more.
+ Pros
- Two camera mounts
- Strong and durable
- Use or choose the camera of your choice
– Cons
- The top plate is thin and therefore a weak spot
- It will be heavy and slightly cumbersome with two cameras
- The camera will be an additional cost if you do not have one
Specifications
| Size (mm) | Dry Weight (g) | Motor (kv) | Battery | Connector | Cost (USD) |
| 112 | 140 | 4000 | 4S | XT30 | $240 |
#4 – Foxeer Foxwhoop 35 Cinewhoop
At 3.5-inch this is one of the larger cinewhoop drones on the market. It is not as light and nimble as some of the smaller models but is tough and stable. The carbon fiber arms add to the strength of the Foxwhoop 35.
While it is rather heavy for a Cinewhoop, Foxwhoop has increased the size of the props and the motors. There are two motor options, the 6S with 2105.5 2650kv motors and the 4S 3600kv motors. The flight time is roughly 7 minutes (analog).
It is available in HD and Analog options. The Foxwhoop 35 lacks LEDs, something that most cinewhoops have.
If you want an affordable cinewhoop that is ultra-durable then, provided you don’t mind the low agility, this is a decent option.
+ Pros
- Durable – “Unbreakable” frame
- Stable steady flight
– Cons
- On the heavy side
- Not as agile as smaller cinewhoops
- No LEDs
Specifications
| Size (mm) | Dry Weight (g) | Motor (kv) | Battery | Connector | Cost (USD) |
| 142 | 268 | 2650/3650 | 4S/6S | XT60 | $470 |
#5 – BetaFPV Pavo25 Cinewhoop
The Pavo25 is an ultra-light 2.5″ cinewhoop with a streamlined build. It is an upgrade of their popular 95X V3. The dry weight is a mere 140g. It is highly responsive and allows for precision flying.
Another important feature is that maintenance is quick and easy. Setup is also painless. The frame is sturdy and strong. There were a few reports that the camera mount is somewhat fragile. The Pavo25 lacks a black box.
This cinewhoop works with a range of digital FPV systems including DJI and Walksnail. You can use it with no receiver, Crossfire, ELRS, and other radio receivers.
The camera is the Nebula Pro Nano and it delivers good image quality. You can expect stability in the air. The flight time is a bit disappointing at around 4.5 minutes.
+ Pros
- Streamlined design
- Precision control
- Stable flight
- Enhanced gyro
– Cons
- The camera mount is not particularly durable
- No black box
Specifications
| Size (mm) | Dry Weight (g) | Motor (kv) | Battery | Connector | Cost (USD) |
| 108 | 153 | 4500 | 4S | XT30 | $225-350 |
#6 – Speedybee Flex 25
Despite being a 2.5-inch cinewhoop, the Flex 25 has a wheelbase of only 77 mm, making it one of the smallest options in this segment. Despite that, it still has amazing power. Another advantage of this cinewhoop is the SpeedyBee app. It works on mobile devices and will allow you to set the quadcopter up via Bluetooth.
You can choose from a range of radio receivers such as PNP, Crossfire, and FrSky. The video on the RunCam Phoenix 2 Nano Camera is of decent quality. This is enhanced by the X800 VTX system.
+ Pros
- Compact
- Small wheelbase
- Useful SpeedyBee app
- Nimble
- Durable
– Cons
- Weight distribution is not perfect
- Slightly heavy for the size
Specifications
| Size (mm) | Dry Weight (g) | Motor (kv) | Battery | Connector | Cost (USD) |
| 78 | 140 | 4500 | 4S | XT30 | $500 |
Conclusion
While there are a few other great cinewhoops available, we have reviewed six of the best options. These are outstanding models for all needs and budgets. Give some thought to what you want from a Cinewhoop drone and select the best one for you.
As much as I would prefer to say, ‘any drone can do this job’, the fact is, when flying super close to people, you’ll need the best and safest equipment. Cinewhoops are designed for this purpose and I’d be cautious to use anything without the propguards.
As always, don’t get stuck in analysis paralysis. Get the one that fits your budget, and learn to use it to the best of yours and its abilities.
If you’re looking for practice, check out our recommendations on Drone Simulators.
For real world practice with a huge safety margin, check out our recommendations for the 5 Best Tiny Whoops for Beginners.
Safe flying.
