Top 5 Best FPV Mini Quad Antennas 2017

Finding an antenna that suits your flying style and fits your budget can be a daunting task.  We have rated the Top 5 FPV Mini Quad Antennas based on the cost performance ratio, picture quality, range and general performance to help you make an educated decision.

#1 Pagoda

The Pagoda is an open-source antenna design which is sold by multiple manufacturers. It features an omnidirectional circularly polarized pattern and a good axial ratio of 1.3, providing all around solid coverage.  The simplified manufacturing process keeps costs low allowing a competitive price for an antenna with high performance.  We rate the Pagoda as the #1 antenna as it consistently has superior picture quality and range in all field tests and is economical.  Although it can be fragile, companies such as Emax make the Pagoda II antenna which utilizes a 3 tiered 1 oz copper PCB to replace the typically fragile wire elements. Others are also following this type of design to improve the Pagoda's durability. Alternatively, a 3D printed protector can be purchased.

Cost: $13.00 - $19.00 per pair (average)

Pros

• Good axial ratio (1.3) thus allowing reduced multipath interference
• Superior picture quality and range
• Optimal radio frequency performance
• Variety of size options (50mm, 65mm and 80mm)
• Cost effective

  Cons

• Fragile

Browse

• Emax Pagoda II (Multiple Sizes)
• Realacc Pagoda (65mm)

 #2 Aomway

The Aomway features a 4 leaf clover omnidirectional circularly polarized antenna design.  We rate the Aomway #2 as it is an antenna that consistently provides stable results and is one of the most cost effective antenna on the market.  Although the Aomway is fragile compared to some of its counterparts and may not be ideal for beginners, caps are now offered with some models to increase the strength of the lobes.  It's recent release(the 3.3 GHz 4-Cloverleaf Antenna (RHCP)) features a 3.3GHz system that has better penetrability than the previous 5.8GHz models which allow it to travel further without dramatically increasing the size of the antenna.

Cost: $12.00 - $18.00 per pair (average)

Pros

• • • Good picture quality and range
    • Available in standard (85mm) and short (60 mm) size
    • Good radio frequency performance
    • Highly cost effective

 Cons

• • • Easily damaged with unprotected antenna lobes
    • Axial ratio is not optimal therefore increasing multipath interference

Browse

• Aomway Antenna (85mm)
• Aomway Antenna (60mm)
• Aomway Canopy Case

#3 Foxeer

The Foxeer comes in at #3 due to its decent picture quality and range and durability.  While we find that it tends to cut out more frequently than the Pagoda or the Aomway, we still think that the overall performance is good.  It is a mid-range priced hardy antenna that will stand up to abuse as it is well protected.   It is an omnidirectional circularly polarized antenna with a standard (91mm) and mini (61mm) version and  a variety of colors.

Cost: $16.00 - $24.00 per pair (average)

Pros

• • • Decent picture quality and range
    • Standard (91mm) and mini version (61mm)
    • Not easily destructible

  Cons

• • • Axial ratio is not optimal thus increasing multipath interference
    • Heavy in weight
    • Lacking radio frequency performance
    • Moderately priced

Browse

• Foxeer Antenna (91mm)
• Foxeer Antenna (61mm)

#4 Axii

The Axii comes in at #4, narrowly passing the Triumph at #5. The Axii has gained popularity for it's Lumenier Axii Stubby 5.8GHz Antenna (RHCP) known for its RF pathway technology, allowing it to be incredibly light weight (7.6g) and less than half the size of most 5.8GHz CP antennas.  It boasts a near "perfect" axial ratio, providing true circularity and is available in both RHCP and LHCP.  We feel that the performance of the Axii mirrors that of the Triumph and we were expecting a bit more for a high-end priced antenna.

Cost: $40.00 per pair (average)

Pros

• • • Slightly higher gain
    • Optimal axial ratio of 1.0 thus allowing reduced multipath interference
    • Flexible and can be bent to any angle
    • Compact and light
    • "Stubby" option (24mm)
    • U.FL option for direct VTX connection (only 2g)

Cons

• • • Lacking picture quality and range
    • High in price

Browse

• Lumenier - AXII 5.8GHz Antenna (70mm)
• Lumenier - AXII 5.8GHz Stubby Antenna (24mm)

#5 Triumph

Although it only lost by a nose to the Axii, the Triumph takes our final #5 spot.  We awarded this spot to the Triumph because it has a great "Stubby" option that is a mere 50mm and because of its enhanced durability.  While we really like that it was created with a special foam-filled and ultrasonic welded enclosure to secure the antenna, we feel that it fails to perform as one would expect for the price.  We find that the picture quality and range aren't great and it tends to cut out when there is object interference.

Cost: $40.00 per pair (average)

Pros

• • • Not easily destructible
    • Standard (85 mm) and "Stubby" (50 mm) options

Cons

• • • Lacking picture quality and range
    • Slightly lower gain
    • Axial ratio is not ideal therefore increasing multipath interference
    • High in price

Browse

• TBS Triumph 5.8GHz (85mm)
• TBS Triumph 5.8GHz Stub (50mm)

We want to note that this is our top 5 recommended list for FPV antennas when attached to your quads VTX (transmitter), not your receiver (Goggles, monitor, etc). Although all of these would perform well on your receiver, there are some alternate options when it comes to these antennas which we will cover in another article.