There’s something magical about the first time you fly a Tiny Whoop through your living room. These palm-sized drones zip between furniture, dive under tables, and perform acrobatic flips—all while being safe enough to bounce harmlessly off your ceiling. They’ve sparked a revolution in FPV (first-person view) flying, creating an entirely new category of drone that you can fly year-round, rain or shine, day or night, without leaving your house.
But Tiny Whoops aren’t just indoor toys. They’re serious training tools, capable FPV platforms, and the gateway drug that’s introduced thousands of people to the addictive world of drone racing and freestyle flying. Whether you’re looking at the nimble 65mm, the versatile 75mm, or the powerful 85mm variants, understanding these micro drones will help you choose the perfect size for your flying style.
What is a Tiny Whoop?
The term “Tiny Whoop” originally referred to a specific product—a modified Blade Inductrix quadcopter with FPV camera and upgraded motors, created by Jesse Perkins in 2016. But like Kleenex or Xerox, the name has become synonymous with an entire category: small brushed or brushless FPV drones with propeller guards (ducts) that make them safe for indoor flight.
The defining characteristics of a Tiny Whoop are:
- Ducted propellers: Full propeller guards that protect both the props and everything they might hit
- Lightweight design: Typically under 50 grams, keeping them below regulatory thresholds in many countries
- FPV capability: An onboard camera transmitting live video to goggles or a screen
- Compact size: Small enough to fly in a typical living room or bedroom
These drones have spawned a global community of pilots who race through offices, fly through parking garages, and create intricate indoor courses. There are dedicated Tiny Whoop racing leagues, freestyle competitions, and thousands of YouTube videos showcasing incredible flying in places you’d never fly a larger drone.
The Three Core Sizes: 65mm, 75mm, and 85mm
While Tiny Whoops come in various configurations, three sizes dominate the market. The measurements refer to the diagonal motor-to-motor distance (wheelbase), which directly impacts flight characteristics, power, and where you can fly them.
65mm: The True Indoor Champion
The 65mm Tiny Whoop is the smallest and most truly “indoor” of the three sizes. These featherweight flyers typically weigh 20-30 grams all-up (with battery) and are genuinely safe to fly around people, pets, and fragile objects.
Strengths:
- Incredibly safe—the ducts and low mass mean collisions rarely cause damage to the drone or surroundings
- Can fly in tiny spaces: bedrooms, offices, even large closets
- Longest flight times relative to size (often 3-5 minutes)
- Least intimidating for beginners and bystanders
- Quietest of the three sizes
- Often exempt from drone regulations due to low weight
Limitations:
- Limited outdoor capability—even light wind makes flying difficult
- Less powerful—you won’t be doing aggressive freestyle maneuvers
- Smaller camera sensors mean lower video quality
- Can feel “floaty” or sluggish to experienced pilots
- Shorter range due to lower power video transmitters
Best for: Pure indoor flying, absolute beginners, flying around family, apartment dwellers, learning basic FPV skills in confined spaces.
Popular 65mm models: Mobula6, Meteor65, BetaFPV 65X, GEPRC Tinygo
75mm: The Goldilocks Size
The 75mm category represents the sweet spot for many pilots—large enough to handle light outdoor conditions, small enough to still fly indoors comfortably. These typically weigh 30-40 grams and offer noticeably more power than their 65mm cousins.
Strengths:
- Versatile—genuinely capable both indoors and in calm outdoor conditions
- More powerful motors provide snappier response and better control
- Can handle light wind outdoors (5-10 mph)
- Better camera options with improved video quality
- More stable in flight while still being compact
- Still safe enough for indoor flight with reasonable caution
Limitations:
- Slightly more dangerous indoors than 65mm—you’ll want to avoid flying near faces
- Shorter flight times than 65mm (typically 2-4 minutes)
- Louder—the increased motor speed is noticeable
- Requires more space—tight hallways and small rooms become challenging
Best for: Pilots who want one drone for both indoor and light outdoor flying, those progressing beyond pure beginner level, anyone wanting better video quality without sacrificing indoor capability.
Popular 75mm models: Mobula7, Meteor75, BetaFPV 75X, GEPRC CineLog25, NewBeeDrone Hummingbird
85mm: The Outdoor-Capable Beast
The 85mm Tiny Whoop stretches the definition of “micro” drone. These aircraft typically weigh 45-55 grams and deliver performance that rivals some larger 2-3 inch drones. They’re the choice for pilots who want Tiny Whoop convenience with serious outdoor capability.
Strengths:
- Genuinely outdoor-capable—can handle moderate wind (10-15 mph)
- Powerful enough for aggressive freestyle flying
- Best video quality of the three sizes
- Longer range video transmission
- More durable construction to handle outdoor crashes
- Can use larger, higher-capacity batteries
- Feels more like flying a “real” FPV drone
Limitations:
- Less practical for indoor flight—the power and size make indoor flying more risky
- Heavier weight may trigger drone registration requirements in some countries
- Shorter flight times due to aggressive power-to-weight ratio (2-3 minutes)
- Louder and more intimidating
- More expensive—components cost more at this size
Best for: Experienced pilots wanting outdoor capability in a small package, those progressing toward larger FPV drones, anyone prioritizing video quality and performance over pure indoor safety.
Popular 85mm models: Mobula8, Meteor85, BetaFPV 85X HD, GEPRC CineLog30
Brushed vs. Brushless Motors
Within each size category, you’ll encounter both brushed and brushless motor options—a choice that significantly impacts performance, maintenance, and cost.
Brushed motors were the original Tiny Whoop standard. They’re cheap, simple, and work well for pure indoor flying. However, they wear out relatively quickly (10-20 hours of flight time) and offer less power and efficiency than brushless alternatives. Today, brushed motors are mostly found on the smallest, cheapest beginner drones.
Brushless motors have become the standard for 65mm and larger Tiny Whoops. They’re more expensive upfront but last virtually forever with proper care, deliver significantly more power, and provide better flight characteristics. The performance difference is dramatic—a brushless 65mm drone feels like a different aircraft compared to a brushed version.
Unless budget is a serious constraint or you’re buying a drone specifically for a young child, brushless is the way to go. The improved durability and performance justify the higher cost.
Flight Controllers and Firmware
Modern Tiny Whoops typically run one of two flight controller firmwares: Betaflight or EMUFLIGHT. Both are open-source and highly capable, with Betaflight being more common and having broader community support.
The flight controller is the brain of your drone, processing input from the gyroscope and accelerometer, interpreting your control commands, and adjusting motor speeds hundreds of times per second to keep the drone stable and responsive.
More advanced Tiny Whoops may include features like:
- GPS modules for return-to-home functionality (uncommon on micros but available)
- Barometers for altitude hold
- OSD (on-screen display) showing battery voltage, flight time, and other telemetry in your FPV feed
- Blackbox logging for analyzing flight characteristics
- Multiple flight modes from stable “angle mode” for beginners to fully manual “acro mode” for advanced pilots
Batteries and Flight Time
Tiny Whoops universally use LiPo (lithium polymer) batteries, typically 1S (3.7V) for 65mm drones and sometimes 2S (7.4V) for 75mm and 85mm variants. Battery capacity ranges from 250mAh to 450mAh or more, with larger batteries providing longer flight times at the cost of added weight.
Realistic flight times are:
- 65mm: 3-5 minutes with appropriate batteries
- 75mm: 2-4 minutes depending on flying style
- 85mm: 2-3 minutes with aggressive flying, up to 4 minutes when cruising
This might seem short compared to consumer camera drones, but it’s actually ideal for learning. Battery swaps are quick (just unplug and plug in a new one), and having 5-10 batteries means continuous flying for extended sessions. The short duration also forces you to make every second count during practice.
Battery management is critical. Always use a proper LiPo charger with balance charging capability. Never discharge batteries below 3.0V per cell. Store them at “storage voltage” (around 3.8V per cell) if you won’t fly for more than a few days. Proper care means your batteries will last hundreds of cycles.
FPV Systems: Analog vs. Digital
The FPV system—camera, video transmitter (VTX), and receiver/goggles—is what transforms a simple drone into an immersive flying experience. Tiny Whoops typically use one of two technologies:
Analog FPV has been the standard for years. It uses traditional video transmission in the 5.8GHz band, providing low-latency video with characteristic “static” that increases with distance or interference. Analog systems are cheap, widely compatible, and have minimal delay—critical for precise flying. The downside is relatively low resolution and image quality that degrades with distance.
Digital FPV systems like DJI O3 (formerly Caddx Vista), HDZero, and Walksnail provide dramatically better image quality with HD or even 4K resolution. The video is crisp, clear, and looks almost like a video game. However, digital systems are significantly more expensive, heavier (challenging for the smallest Tiny Whoops), and can have slightly higher latency.
For beginners, analog remains the best choice—it’s affordable, compatible with budget goggles, and the lower quality actually helps you focus on learning to fly rather than getting distracted by beautiful scenery. As you progress, digital systems become more attractive for their superior footage and immersive experience.
Building vs. Buying Pre-Built
Unlike larger FPV drones where building from components is common, most Tiny Whoop pilots start with pre-built “Bind-and-Fly” (BNF) or “Ready-to-Fly” (RTF) options.
Pre-built advantages:
- Assembled by professionals with proper soldering and configuration
- Tested and tuned before shipping
- Often include warranties
- Perfect for beginners who don’t yet understand electronics
- Faster path to flying
Building your own:
- Deeper understanding of how everything works
- Ability to customize every component
- Potentially cost savings (though not always)
- Satisfaction of flying something you built
- Essential skill if you want to progress in FPV
Most pilots start with a pre-built drone, crash it repeatedly, learn to repair it, and eventually feel confident building their next one from scratch. It’s a natural progression that builds skills organically.
Choosing Your First Tiny Whoop
So which size should you choose? Here’s a decision framework:
Choose 65mm if:
- You’ll primarily fly indoors
- You have limited space (apartment, small house)
- Safety around people/pets is paramount
- You’re an absolute beginner with no flying experience
- Budget is limited
- You want the longest flight times
Choose 75mm if:
- You want both indoor and outdoor capability
- You have moderate space for indoor flying
- You’re willing to trade some safety for better performance
- You want better video quality without going too large
- You’ll sometimes fly in parks or open spaces
Choose 85mm if:
- Outdoor flying is your primary goal
- You have experience with drones or RC aircraft
- You want the best video quality and performance
- You’re using this as a stepping stone to larger FPV drones
- Indoor flying is secondary or not important
For most people reading this, 75mm represents the best starting point—it’s forgiving enough for learning yet capable enough to grow with your skills.
Essential Accessories
Beyond the drone itself, you’ll need:
FPV Goggles or Screen: This is your window into the drone’s perspective. Budget options start around $100-150 for analog goggles, while high-end digital goggles can exceed $500. Many beginners start with a simple screen receiver before investing in goggles.
Radio Transmitter: You need a controller compatible with your drone’s receiver protocol. Popular options include the Radiomaster Zorro, BetaFPV LiteRadio series, or more advanced transmitters like the Radiomaster TX16S. Expect $50-200 depending on features.
Batteries: You’ll want at least 5-10 batteries for continuous flying. Budget $5-10 per battery.
Charger: A multi-channel LiPo charger that can charge 4-6 batteries simultaneously saves huge amounts of time. Expect $30-80 for a good charger.
Spare Parts: Props break constantly (it’s flying, not crashing, that’s the surprise). Stock up on propellers, and consider spare motors and other components as you progress.
Practice Space: Clear an area free of valuable breakables. Even with ducts, repeated crashes into your TV aren’t recommended.
The Learning Curve
Be realistic about expectations. Flying a Tiny Whoop in manual (acro) mode is genuinely difficult. You will crash. A lot. Your first battery pack might consist entirely of takeoffs followed immediately by crashing into walls, furniture, or the floor.
This is completely normal and expected.
Most pilots follow a progression like this:
Week 1: Learning to hover in place without immediately crashing. Getting comfortable with the basic controls.
Weeks 2-3: Moving forward, backward, and side to side. Learning to navigate around basic obstacles.
Month 2: Smooth flying through open spaces. Beginning to chain together turns and maneuvers.
Months 3-4: Flying through gaps, under furniture, around corners with confidence. Beginning to attempt simple flips and rolls.
Months 5-6: Confident freestyle flying. Able to fly smoothly in challenging spaces.
The timeline varies dramatically based on natural aptitude and practice time, but progress is always gratifying. That moment when you successfully fly through a gap that seemed impossible just days earlier—it’s genuinely thrilling.
Simulators like Velocidrone, Liftoff, or DRL Simulator dramatically accelerate learning by allowing you to practice without breaking props or draining batteries. Many pilots spend weeks in simulators before ever flying a real drone, building muscle memory and confidence.
The Community and Culture
The Tiny Whoop community is remarkably welcoming and supportive. Online forums like Reddit’s r/TinyWhoop, Facebook groups, and Discord servers are filled with pilots eager to help beginners troubleshoot problems, recommend gear, and share flying tips.
Local flying groups often have Tiny Whoop nights where pilots gather indoors (especially during winter) to fly together, share drones, and help each other improve. These events are perfect for beginners—experienced pilots love introducing newcomers to the hobby and will often let you try their equipment.
There’s also a creative, playful element to Tiny Whoop culture. Pilots build elaborate courses through their homes, film creative freestyle videos in unusual locations, and constantly push the boundaries of where these little drones can fly. The #TinyWhoop hashtag on YouTube and Instagram is an endless source of inspiration and entertainment.
Beyond Recreation: Practical Applications
While most people fly Tiny Whoops for fun, they have legitimate practical uses:
Industrial Inspection: 65mm and 75mm drones can fly into confined spaces—inside pipes, HVAC systems, crawl spaces—that are difficult or dangerous for humans to access.
Search and Rescue: Small drones can search through collapsed structures or dense vegetation where larger drones can’t navigate.
Real Estate: Flying through homes to capture unique interior footage.
Training: Before flying expensive camera drones or racing quads, Tiny Whoops provide low-stakes training that builds essential skills.
Entertainment: Creating unique perspective footage for videos and social media.
The Future of Tiny Whoops
The category continues evolving rapidly. Recent trends include:
Better cameras: 4K recording capabilities in increasingly smaller packages Improved battery technology: Higher capacity and faster charging Autonomous features: GPS, return-to-home, and obstacle avoidance in micro drones Modular designs: Easy-swap components for quick repairs and upgrades Lighter materials: Carbon fiber frames and advanced plastics reducing weight Digital FPV miniaturization: HD video systems light enough for even 65mm drones
The fundamental concept—safe, indoor-capable FPV drones—remains as relevant as ever, but the execution keeps improving.
Making the Leap
If you’ve been curious about FPV drones but intimidated by the cost, complexity, or danger of larger quads, Tiny Whoops are your entry point. They’re affordable, safe enough to learn on, and genuinely fun from day one.
Start with a 75mm brushless Tiny Whoop, basic analog goggles, and a budget transmitter. Spend time in simulators. Join online communities. Find local pilots if possible. Clear some space in your living room and prepare to crash a lot while having an unreasonable amount of fun.
The amazing thing about Tiny Whoops is that they’re simultaneously perfect for beginners and endlessly engaging for experts. You’ll never “outgrow” them—even pilots flying massive 7-inch long-range quads still pull out their Tiny Whoop for indoor sessions on rainy days or to fly around the house while dinner cooks.
These palm-sized drones have democratized FPV flying, making it accessible to anyone with a few hundred dollars and a living room. They’ve introduced thousands of people to a hobby that combines the thrill of racing, the artistry of freestyle flying, and the technical satisfaction of understanding and maintaining sophisticated machines.
So grab a 65mm, 75mm, or 85mm Tiny Whoop—whichever fits your goals and space—and discover why this little drone has captured the imagination of pilots worldwide. Your ceiling will never look quite the same once you’ve learned to rip through your house at 30 mph with video goggles strapped to your face.
Welcome to the Tiny Whoop revolution. Try not to break too many propellers.