Which 3-Inch Micro FPV Drone with DJI O4 Should I Buy? Specs Comparison and Buyer’s Guide

I’m currently in the market for a new 3-inch FPV drone that’s compatible with DJI O4 or O4 Pro Air Units. I’ve rounded up the popular models and compare them closely. I thought this would be an excellent opportunity to share my decision-making process and help others figure out which model might best suit their flying style.

If you’re interested in even smaller FPV drones with the DJI O4 Air Unit (2-inch and below), check out this comparison: https://oscarliang.com/micro-drone-dji-o4-lite-comparison-mar-2025/

Why 3-inch?

A 3-inch FPV drone hits the sweet spot for park freestyle ripping— powerful enough for acro tricks, yet small and quiet. Unlike 5-inch FPV drones that are intimidating and loud, and require more open space, 3-inch quads are compact, more discreet, and easier to control while still being incredibly fun to fly.

They typically weigh under 250g including battery, keeping them regulation-friendly in many regions. They also handle wind far better than smaller drones like whoops and still offer around 4–6 minutes of flight time per battery. On top of that, they’re powerful enough to carry small action cameras such as the DJI Osmo Nano or Insta360 GO 3.

This makes 3-inch drones highly versatile — perfect for both smooth cinematic flying in tighter spaces and agile freestyle in parks, all without the noise, risk, or hassle of larger drones.

Specifications Comparison

Apart from my past experience with these brands and their drones, and feedback online, we can get a pretty good idea the strengths and weaknesses of each drone from this specifications comparison table.

Let me explain the specs and what to look out for.

When it comes to FC, the specific processor (F4, F7, etc.) doesn’t matter much these days. You won’t notice any real performance difference as long as the drone is well-tuned from the factory.

For the ESC, a higher current rating is generally better, but anything 30A or higher should be adequate for a 3-inch build. Another important factor is the firmware. Ideally, choose open-source firmware such as AM32 or Bluejay (or BLHeli_S, which can easily be flashed to Bluejay for a performance boost). The reason open-source firmware is preferred is long-term support — closed-source projects can be discontinued without notice, as we saw when BLHeli_32 was effectively shut down last year. While existing BLHeli_32 ESCs will still work fine, you won’t be able to update them anymore. It’s not a deal-breaker, but worth keeping in mind for future compatibility. Between AM32 (32-bit) and Bluejay (8-bit), there’s currently little to no noticeable performance difference, so either will serve you well.

The input voltage (battery cell count) a drone supports depends on both the FC/ESC and the motor KV. Some FC/ESC stack might take both 4S and 6S, but the motor KV are usually designed for a specific voltage, for instance, 2500-3000KV for 6S, 4000-4500KV for 4S. Although we recommend 6S for 5inch builds, personally I find 4S perfectly adequate for 3-inch quads — it provides plenty of punch without the extra weight, cost, and fragility of 6S batteries.

GPS is optional for micro drones of this size unless you plan to fly long range. That said, it’s nice to have — you can enable GPS Rescue mode, which can save your drone in the event of signal loss or disorientation. You can always add a GPS module later, but if you’re not very technical, having it preinstalled is a convenient bonus.

Finally, arm thickness is a good indicator of durability and crash resistance. Thicker arms generally mean a tougher frame that can handle more abuse. Pay attention not only to the arm thickness but also to how wide the arms are shaped in product photos — thin or narrow arms tend to snap more easily on impact.

AstroRC Shuttle V2

Product Pages:

• AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3wyMr8r
• Banggood: https://oscarliang.com/product-7bzj

The AstroRC Shuttle V2 is the most affordable drone on this list, but I am not sure about how practical that frame design is. Personally, I’m not a fan of the inverted rear motors. While it looks unique, it complicates repairs and configuration — particularly for beginners. It also makes takeoffs and landings more challenging, as the inverted motors can easily get caught in grass or debris.

Because of this unconventional frame, the Shuttle V2 is slightly heavier than most of the other drones here. Combined with its relatively small 1404 motors, it lacks the same level of power and responsiveness as the top contenders.

Axisflying Manta30

Product Pages:

• AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3IYVN8J
• Banggood: https://oscarliang.com/product-tbaa

The Axisflying Manta30 is the most expensive drone on the list — and you can see where the money goes. It has a beautiful, well-engineered frame, high-quality electronics, and beefy 2004 motors designed for 6S batteries. However, it’s also extremely heavy — more than 40% heavier than the popular Seeker30! The robust frame design contributes to that extra weight.

While the Manta30 is likely a fast and powerful machine, the added mass makes it less efficient, noisier, and less nimble than lighter competitors. Another limitation is its limited FPV compatibility — it only supports analog and DJI O4 Lite air unit, making it one of the least versatile models on this list.

One more thing to note: the camera sits quite far back behind the front motors, which means you’ll see propellers in the video when using wide-angle mode (both in the goggles and HD recording) — something to keep in mind if you prefer clean, cinematic footage.

Rate S30 Pro

Product Pages: https://oscarliang.com/product-xgll

The S30 Pro from Rate is one of the most affordable options in this comparison. While its specs may not stand out on paper, it offers excellent value for money if you’re on a budget.

It’s lightweight and equipped with appropriately sized motors, giving it plenty of power and snappy responsiveness in the air. One common criticism I’ve seen is its mediocre PID and filter tuning out of the box, but that’s not a dealbreaker. If you enjoy tuning your own quad (like I do) or don’t mind copying someone else’s tune, you can easily get it flying the way you like.

Note that the S30 Pro are sold without an FPV system preinstalled, so you’ll need to purchase and install your own camera and VTX. Still, for pilots who like to customize their builds or already have spare gear, this is a great entry-level 3-inch option at a very reasonable price.

DeepSpace Seeker3

Product Pages:

• AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c45TiVH1
• Banggood: https://oscarliang.com/product-fbby

The DeepSpace Seeker3 sits at the premium end of the market — and it shows. The build quality and hardware selection are top-notch, and the overall design feels thoughtful and well-executed. You’re definitely getting what you pay for here.

Despite including a GPS module, the Seeker3 remains one of the lightest drones on the list — a rare combination that gives it an edge for both freestyle and long-range flying.

Compared to the other high-end option, the Manta30, I personally prefer the Seeker3’s open construction. True, you get less protection from debris or water splashes, but in exchange, it’s much easier to access the electronics, and they get much better airflow for cooling. Most importantly, it’s significantly lighter, which translates to better efficiency, flight time, and overall agility in the air.

Sub250 Oasis30

Product Pages: https://oscarliang.com/product-bahp

The Oasis30 is essentially a 3-inch version of the Oasis25 — Sub250 simply extended the arms and fitted it with larger 3-inch propellers. However, it still uses the same 1404 motors as the 2.5-inch model, which struggles in this larger setup and feels underpowered.

While the 1404 motors can handle 3-inch props, they’re best suited for efficiency and endurance flights, not for freestyle or racing where fast throttle response and torque are crucial. Don’t get me wrong, the Oasis30 will cruise smoothly and deliver decent flight times, but it simply can’t match the power and agility of competitors using larger 1505 or 2004 motors.

Another concern is its 3mm thick arms — the thinnest on this list. This raises questions about durability and crash resistance, especially if you fly aggressively or practice acro.

If you’re a fan of the Oasis lineup, I’d honestly recommend sticking with the Oasis25 instead. It’s more compact, more responsive, and overall flies better thanks to the same motor-to-prop ratio being more balanced.

Conclusion – Which 3-inch FPV Drone Would I Choose?

For me, the DeepSpace Seeker3 stands out as the best 3-inch FPV drone with DJI O4 in this comparison. It offers the perfect balance of power, weight, and design, comes with a solid factory tune, and even includes GPS straight out of the box. It’s lightweight, efficient, and versatile — everything I want in a micro freestyle or cinematic park flyer.

However, if you’re on a tight budget, the Rate S30 Pro is also a great value pick. It’s the cheapest option, yet still has decent specs and solid performance. For beginners or those looking for a simple, affordable entry into 3-inch drones, it’s a very practical choice. But it seems you can only get it from Banggood at the moment.