Radio Equipment

Everything you need to control your quad

Radios, TX modules, receivers, antennas, and any other misc accessories for radios, all you need to get control over your craft

If you're trying to decide, or don't even have any prior experience, this list will hopefully help you!

Prices may depend on where and when you source the parts, (prices and specs are sourced from the manufacturers website at the time of the writing when possible)

Budget
Mid-range
High-end
Highly varied

Radios

Gamepad style

BetaFPV LiteRadio 3

$59.99

Protocol: ELRS/FrSky

Gimbals: Pot

Output: 100mW

Module bay: Lite

Weight: ???

Likely the cheapest you can get without it being absolute crap. Decent build quality and upgraded gimbals from the original LR2 (SE). I'd recommend going up to some of the following picks, but it'll do if you're on a very tight budget. But keep in mind that it doesn't run standard software

Jumper T-Lite V2

$72.50/84.50

Protocol: ELRS/4in1

Gimbals: Hall

Output: 150mW

Module bay: Lite

Weight: 258g

The V1 used to be the best budget option for a while, about the cheapest you could've gotten a multiprotocol radio. It got hard to find as Jumper discontinued it a while back, but now it's back! Still IMO the cheapest way to get an ok ELRS radio nowadays, though lacking slightly in the power output

Radiomaster Zorro

$99.99/119.99

Protocol: CC2500/4in1/ELRS

Gimbals: Hall

Output: 250/100mW

Module bay: Lite

Weight: 350g

Proven to be one of the best options in this price range, would be one of my top 3 picks. Good hardware with room for individual upgrades and adjustments, a large screen which is a luxury for this kind, overall a good radio. Though it doesn't use standard-size batteries, you'll need 18350 cells

IFlight Commando8

$129.99/139.99

Protocol: ELRS 2.4GHz/900MHz

Gimbals: Hall

Output: 500mW/1W

Module bay: Lite

Weight: 315g

IFlight makes good BNF quads... their entry into the radio market was a pretty big surprise. It had a rough start, but now everything is fixed. It's made to be easy to transport. Compact switches, folding antenna, and removable sticks that don't jut out, it makes for a good travel radio

TBS Tango2

$159.95

Protocol: Crossfire

Gimbals: Hall

Output: 1W

Module bay: Lite

Weight: 345g

If you want a small game-pad style radio, with top-end build quality, this is the one to go for. A large internal battery, and integrated crossfire for those who already run it. TBS make good quality stuff, but for users who don't already run crossfire, it is recommended to get an ELRS module, even though you'd be limited to 250Hz

Compact style

Radiomaster TX12 MK II

$99.99

Protocol: CC2500/ELRS

Gimbals: Hall

Output: 100/250mW

Module bay: JR

Weight: 412g

A successor to the older TX12, improving a lot of the key features. Better gimbals, and internal ELRS, while keeping the good bits like a full-size module bay and nice ergonomics for smaller hands, and an overall increase in the build quality

Radiomaster Boxer

$139.99

Protocol: 4in1/CC2500/ELRS

Gimbals: Hall

Output: 100/1000mW

Module bay: JR

Weight: 532.5g

Right between a TX16S and a TX12. It comes with pretty much all of the features of the TX16S - full-size gimbals, a 6-value button array, a lot of switches, and an internal transmitter module capable of transmitting at up to 1W with ELRS

TBS Mambo

$139.95

Protocol: Tracer

Gimbals: Hall

Output: 100/250mW

Module bay: JR

Weight: 412g

The larger sibling to the Tango2, like the TX12, but more premium. Focused on giving users the features of full-size radios in a small form factor. Full-size module bay and plenty of switches... and Tracer internally. That's my main gripe with it, as it's just not that great. Same as with the Tango, I'd suggest going the ELRS route

Protocol:

More detail about compatibility is in the FAQ. Slightly different here, as for the most part, I listed the actual RF tech used in the radios

CC2500 - The main chip used in FrSky radios, used for ACCST transmission
4in1 - A collection of the 4 chips used in nearly all 2.4GHz Radio controllers, allowing you to bind it to pretty much anything. FrSky, FlySky, Spektrum, Futaba, and a lot more
ELRS - Also in more detail in the FAQ, it's an open-source, long-range, high-performance link, and IMO the best option going forward

Gimbals:

Refers to the sensor type used to get the angle of the stick, we mainly see these two used:

Pot - Potentiometer, relies on physical contact to measure, susceptible to wear
Hall - Hall Effect sensors, use magnets to measure. It should practically last forever

Module bays:

The slot in the back of the radio where you can put a TX module. Higher output power, protocols that the radio itself is incapable of. There are mainly two standard-ish sizes:

JR (Full-size/Micro) - An older standard. physically larger, so more room to fit cooling, more features like an external screen, etc...
Lite (Nano) - First introduced on the FrSky X-Lite radio, a more compact option for smaller radios. Less available options and the smaller space

Full size

Eachine TX16S

$177.99

Protocol: 4in1

Gimbals: Hall

Output: 100mW

Module bay: JR

Weight: 736g

A collaboration between Eachine and Radiomaster, they made a surprisingly good radio. Externally adjustable hall gimbals, pretty much the same feature set as the more expensive TX16S MK II, but with a price much closer to when the OG TX16S first came out. Less available, but the price may make up for that

Radiomaster TX16S MK II

$199.99

Protocol: 4in1/ELRS

Gimbals: Hall

Output: 100/250mW

Module bay: JR

Weight: 750g

The radio to end all radios, if you want the top of of the top, this is the one to get. A large color touch screen, all the switches and pots you'd ever need, faster charging and better ergonomics from the original, and amazing build quality make this radio very futureproof and versatile for not only quadcopters

FrSky QX7

$40+

Protocol: ACCST V1/V2

Gimbals: Pot

Output: 100mW

Module bay: JR

Weight: 613g

I'm putting these here for a few reasons. It is hands down the cheapest way to get a full-size radio like this... if you buy it used. I've seen it go for as low as $50-60 used, and for that price it works well. There are some drawbacks tho. Needs to be flashed to EdgeTX to run full baud rate, and even then it's limited to 500Hz

TX Modules

Misc

iRangeX IRX4 Plus

$41.99

Freq: 2.4GHz

Output: 100mW

Module bay: JR

Weight: 45g

One of the original 4in1 multiprotocol modules available to buy, it still holds up pretty well today, both with its price, and reliability. Decently well known, and at a lower price than the TBS one, while offering something for the radios with full-size module bays

iRangeX IRX4 Lite

$45.99

Freq: 2.4GHz

Output: 100mW

Module bay: JR

Weight: 32g

Pretty much a direct competitor to the TBS MPM, but (in my opinion) better in pretty much all aspects. Cheaper, better known, officially supported by the Multiprotocol project, and better documented. The same goes for the larger one as well

Jumper JP4in1

$39.99

Freq: 2.4GHz

Output: 100mW

Module bay: JR

Weight: 42

Another offering in the 4in1 category, this time from Jumper. They have a lot of experience manufacturing radio hardware, as well as 4in1 systems in specific. For an even lower price, it's a good alternative to the IRX4

ELRS

Happymodel ES24TX

$28.99

Freq: 2.4GHz

Output: 250mW

Module bay: JR

Weight: 9.5g

The original ready-made ELRS module to hit the market. It still holds its ground, as it's one of the best modules for the price if you're just getting into ELRS without intent to go the full range with 1W of output power

Happymodel ES24TX Pro

$37.99

Freq: 2.4GHz

Output: 1W

Module bay: JR

Weight: 51g

An upgrade for the ES24, its 1W of output power will be way more than what you will reasonably need, but if you want to have the confidence of almost never failsafing, it's a great option. No extra fancy features also help to bring the price down too

Happymodel ES24TX Slim Pro

$47.99

Freq: 2.4GHz

Output: 1W

Module bay: Lite

Weight: 50g

If you want to upgrade your Tango2 as recommended above or a different radio that uses the Lite bay, this would be your best bet. Even if 1W is overkill, it's still a great module to get the best even out of the most compact radios

Namimno Flash

$49.99

Freq: 2.4GHz

Output: 1W

Module bay: JR

Weight: ??

One of, if not the best value modules out there is made by a surprisingly unknown manufacturer. It includes all the things you'd want and adds a small screen to change settings without ever turning the radio on, with its external power port

AxisFlying Thor

$84.90

Freq: 2.4GHz

Output: 1W

Module bay: JR

Weight: 105g

If you want overkill, this is the way to go. More than enough power for anything you'd want, the color screen and full external control make it a universal module for radios that might've not supported it otherwise, and it's overall really well built

Jumper AION

$29.99

Freq: 2.4GHz

Output: 500mW

Module bay: Lite

Weight: ??

Back to lower prices again, the Jumper AION is a very affordable module for Lite bays, great if you want to upgrade a small radio to ELRS at an affordable price. You also get a screen to also give you full external control, a rarity at this price. But you only get 500mW of output power

BetaFPV Micro TX

$39.99/49.99

Freq: 2.4GHz

Output: 500mW/1W

Module bay: JR

Weight: ??

And lastly, two more modules from BetaFPV. Comes in both black and white versions, to possibly fit your preferred radio color, as well as RGB that will most definitely make you a better pilot ;) It's overall a pretty nice module for the price as well

BetaFPV Nano TX

$39.99

Freq: 2.4GHz

Output: 500mW

Module bay: Lite

Weight: ??

Similar to the Micro, just made for Lite bays, and missing its screen and black color variant. Still a nice module, but if you want more than 500mW of output power (same goes for the AION), you might want to reconsider the Happymodel ES24TX Slim Pro

Radiomaster Ranger Micro

$39.99

Freq: 2.4GHz

Output: 1W

Module bay: JR

Weight: 48g

Radiomaster's brand new ELRS module, with great build quality and performance. Only having the features you actually need also makes it quite reasonably priced, and even more so with the starter bundle that includes 3 receivers for only an extra $20

Radiomaster Ranger Nano

$39.99

Freq: 2.4GHz

Output: 1W

Module bay: Lite

Weight: 48g

Very similar to the bigger one in terms of features, in a Nano bay size. One of the only few Nano TX modules to also use 1W to get the most out of even the smaller radios on the market

TBS

TBS Crossfire Micro TX V2

$69.95

Freq: 900MHz

Output: 1W

Module bay: JR

Weight: 48g

The original go-to protocol for anything long-range, and the best option to get Crossfire compatibility. Fits into most radios with the JR bay, and 1W output will give you comparable range to ELRS... and that's the thing. I wouldn't recommend the TBS systems for new users unless you're already in the ecosystem

TBS Crossfire Nano TX

$69.95

Freq: 900MHz

Output: 1W

Module bay: Lite

Weight: 48g

A sized-down version of the standard Micro TX, to fit into any other radio that uses the Lite bay. Outputs the same 1W to compete, just in an even smaller form factor, but still falls into the same trap as its bigger counterpart

TBS Tracer Micro TX

$69.95

Freq: 2.4GHz

Output: 1W

Module bay: JR

Weight: 75g

Similar to ELRS (and other modern radio systems), Tracer is running on 2.4GHz but uses a different modulation, called FLRC. This offers it higher update rates up to 250Hz, and range up to about ~5km (both still lower than ELRS). So similarly to Crossfire, I would not recommend it to new pilots

TBS Tracer Nano TX

$69.95

Freq: 2.4GHz

Output: 1W

Module bay: Lite

Weight: 75g

As with the Crossfire Nano TX, this module is a sized-down equivalent to the Micro one, and also fits any radios that use the Lite bay. Very similar in terms of power and features

TBS MPM

$59.95

Freq: 2.4GHz

Output: 1W

Module bay: Lite

Weight: 50g

Designed in collaboration with Radiomaster, it offers the four main RF chips as described above with the 4in1 radios. Made by TBS, it offers higher quality than some other external 4in1 modules

Receivers

ELRS

Happymodel EP1 (TCXO)

$16.99

Features: (TCXO)

Weight: 0.41g

One of the first ELRS receivers to hit the market, it is still widely used to this day. Good price-performance, well known, and now with the new TCXO variant, it makes it even more reliable

Happymodel EP2 (TCXO)

$16.99

Features: (TCXO)

Weight: 0.44g

Along with the EP1, it was one of the first to come out. Meant for micro quads, it uses a tiny on-board ceramic tower antenna for the easiest and smallest possible installation. Also now available in a TCXO variant

Happymodel EP1 Dual (TCXO)

$21.99

Features: (TCXO)

Weight: 1g

A newer addition to the Happymodel receivers, this receiver uses two antennas in a true diversity configuration for an even better signal reception. Ideal whenever you need the most range and reliability. Also with TCXO variants

BetaFPV SuperD

$19.99

Features: TCXO, PA, LNA

Weight: 1.1g

Another true diversity offering for a slightly lower price than the Happymodel ones. It was the first receiver to hit the market with both true diversity, TCXO, and other nice features

Radiomaster RP1/RP2

$18.99

Weight: 2.2g (RP1 + antenna), 0.55g (RP2)

Grouping external/internal antenna receivers, it's pretty much in the same difference as the Happymodel EP1/EP2. The radiomaster RP series receivers have nice big pads to make soldering a breeze, and also good and durable antennas