Quick Answer
The Holybro Kakute H7 is the full-size option with Bluetooth, a MicroSD slot for Blackbox logging, and 30.5mm mounting, making it ideal for 5 inch and larger builds. The Kakute H7 Mini strips the Bluetooth and SD card to fit a 20mm form factor at just 5.5g, aimed squarely at 3 and 4 inch freestyle whoops. Both share the same STM32H743 processor running at 480 MHz and six UARTs.
What These Two Boards Have in Common
Both the Kakute H7 and H7 Mini run the same STM32H743 processor at 480 MHz, which is plenty of headroom for Betaflight, iNav, or ArduPilot. They each provide six UARTs, nine PWM outputs, and an onboard OSD chip (AT7456E). The latest revisions ship with the ICM-42688-P IMU, which is a step up from the older MPU6000 in terms of noise performance. Both boards have a JST-SH 6-pin port for DJI and Caddx HD systems, a 5V 2A BEC, and support battery input voltages from 2S to at least 6S. For firmware setup advice, our ArduPilot setup guide covers the flashing process.
Kakute H7: The Full-Size Option
The Kakute H7 V1.3 measures 35x35mm on a standard 30.5x30.5mm mounting pattern and weighs 8g. Where it differs from the Mini is the inclusion of a built-in ESP32-C3 Bluetooth chip, compatible with the SpeedyBee app for wireless tuning. That means no digging out a USB cable just to adjust PID values at the flying field.
It also has a full-size MicroSD card slot for Blackbox logging, which is important if you want to analyse your flight data without relying on onboard flash memory. The board supports up to 8S input voltage, dual JST-SH 8-pin ESC ports for four-in-one ESCs, and a 9V 3A BEC designed for power-hungry HD video transmitters. The barometer is a BMP280, and the IMU is an MPU6000 on V1.3 (later revisions move to the ICM-42688-P). This board suits 5 inch freestyle and racing builds, long-range cruisers, and any application where connector convenience matters more than weight.
Kakute H7 Mini: Compact and Light
The Kakute H7 Mini V1.5 drops to a 20x20mm mounting pattern with dimensions of just 31x30x6mm and a weight of 5.5g. Holybro removed the Bluetooth module and MicroSD slot to hit that size, replacing them with 128 Mbit of onboard flash for logging. The Mini uses the SPA06 barometer and, on V1.5, the ICM-42688-P IMU.
One feature the Mini keeps that the full-size H7 lacks is a VTX on/off pit switch. This lets you cut power to the video transmitter from your radio, which is handy at race meets or when waiting for GPS lock. Battery input tops out at 6S. This board is built for 3 inch and 4 inch cinewhoops and freestyle builds where every gram counts.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Kakute H7 V1.3 | Kakute H7 Mini V1.5 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | STM32H743 480 MHz | STM32H743 480 MHz |
| IMU | MPU6000 | ICM-42688-P |
| Barometer | BMP280 | SPA06 |
| UARTs | 6 | 6 |
| Bluetooth | Yes (ESP32-C3) | No |
| Blackbox | MicroSD slot | 128 Mbit onboard flash |
| VTX Pit Switch | No | Yes |
| Max Battery | 2S-8S | 2S-6S |
| BEC 9V | 3A | No |
| Mounting | 30.5x30.5mm | 20x20mm |
| Dimensions | 35x35mm | 31x30x6mm |
| Weight | 8g | 5.5g |
Which One Should You Buy?
Pick the Kakute H7 if you are building a 5 inch or larger drone and want Bluetooth tuning, an SD card for Blackbox, and higher voltage headroom. It pairs well with the Holybro Tekko32 F4 ESC for a tidy stack build. For more FC buying advice, see our F4 vs F7 vs H7 comparison.
Pick the Kakute H7 Mini if you are putting together a 3 or 4 inch build and need to save weight. The VTX pit switch is a bonus for pilots who spend time at race events. Browse the full flight controller range or autopilots collection for other options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run ArduPilot on the Kakute H7 Mini?
Yes. Both boards support ArduPilot, iNav, and Betaflight. Check the ArduPilot setup guide for flashing instructions.
Is the IMU upgrade from MPU6000 to ICM-42688-P worth it?
The ICM-42688-P has lower noise and better temperature drift compensation, which translates to smoother flight performance. If you have a choice, go for the newer IMU.