How much does drone racing cost?
$350 buys all 5 essentials. $92 of that is the half that has to fit you, and the rest can wait.
5 priced items · checked 10 Sept 2026 · retailer prices, we earn a commission
Everything essential, cheapest sensible pick
$350
5 items, nothing rented
Cheapest real way in
$92
The half that has to fit you. Borrow or rent the rest.
Against 247 hobbies
Top 8%
Dearer than 92% of them. Median hobby: $84.
What each thing costs
Every essential item, cheapest sensible option first. Mid-range and top picks alongside.
Buy this first
$92The cheap half of the kit, and the half that has to fit you. You keep all of it whatever you decide about the rest, so this is where the first money should go.
The main buy
$258The expensive part, and the part worth deferring. Rent, borrow or buy used until you have done drone racing enough times to know you are staying.

Flight Controller Tuning Software
$129Software used to configure your drone's flight controller, tune its performance, and update firmware. Essential for optimizing flight characteristics.
F405 Wing Fixed Wing Flight Controller Support INAV Ardupilot VTOL for RC Airplane
mid $150·top $152
Later, if you stay
Not needed to start. These are the upgrades that matter once the habit has stuck.


Multimeter
$15Indispensable for diagnosing electrical issues, checking battery voltage, continuity, and ensuring proper power flow through your drone's systems.

Drone Racing costs more to start than 92% of the 247 hobbies we price. The median is $84.
Cost questions
How much does Drone Racing cost to start?
About $350 for the 5 essential items, taking the cheapest sensible option for each. $92 of that is the cheap half, and the remaining $258 can wait until you know you are staying.
What does each thing cost for Drone Racing?
FPV Goggles: from $129. Flight Controller Tuning Software: from $129. Soldering Iron: from $50. LiPo Battery Charger: from $30. Hex Driver Set: from $12.
Is Drone Racing an expensive hobby?
Drone Racing costs about $396 to start, dearer than 92% of the 247 hobbies we price. The median hobby costs $84, so this is one of the pricier ones to get into.
What should I buy first for Drone Racing?
lipo battery charger, soldering iron, hex driver set — $92 together. They are the cheap half of the kit and the half you keep whatever you decide about the rest.
Hobbies that cost about the same
The 6 nearest to drone racing by startup cost, out of 247.
