Quick Answer
At around £50-65, the Radiomaster Pocket ELRS offers genuine hall effect gimbals and built-in 2.4GHz ExpressLRS in a pocket-sized package. It punches well above its weight for beginners, sim pilots moving to real drones, and anyone flying micro quads. If you need more channels or a bigger screen, you will want to look further up the range.
Who Is the Radiomaster Pocket ELRS For?
Beginners who want a proper radio from day one. Most budget controllers at this price point use cheap potentiometer gimbals that develop centreing drift after a few months. The Pocket uses hall effect sensors, which are smoother, more durable, and hold their calibration far longer. That is not something you normally get without spending twice as much.
Sim pilots making the jump to real hardware. If you have been grinding Liftoff or Uncrashed and want to fly actual drones, this radio works with your existing ELRS receivers. Same protocol, same latency, no dongles or adapters needed.
Micro and whoop pilots. The Pocket is small, light, and easy to throw in a bag. If your main flying involves tiny indoor quads or you travel to fly, the compact form factor is a genuine advantage rather than a compromise.
Don't Let the Size Fool You
The spec sheet at this price point usually means cut corners. RadioMaster did not do that here. You get:
- Hall effect gimbals with adjustable tension, the same tech found in radios costing three times as much
- Built-in ELRS 2.4GHz, so you are not buying a separate module or worrying about compatibility
- Proper switches and buttons (two 2-position, two momentary, plus a user button) for arming, beeper, and flight mode switching
- EdgeTX firmware out of the box, with full access to the Lua scripting ecosystem
- Cross-platform USB-C connectivity for simulator use on PC or Mac
The screen is small and monochrome, and you only get 8 channels. For most recreational flying that is plenty. Competitive freestyle pilots and those running complex mixes will feel the pinch, but that audience is not who this radio is aimed at.
How Does It Compare?
Here is how the Pocket stacks up against the next tier of RadioMaster controllers:
| Radio | Price | Gimbals | Screen | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pocket ELRS | ~£50-65 | Hall effect | 1.3" mono LCD | Beginners, travel, whoops |
| TX12 MKII | ~£90-100 | Hall effect | 2.4" colour | All-round flying, more channels |
| Boxer | ~£100-140 | Hall effect | 4.3" colour | Pilots wanting a colour screen and more I/O |
| TX15 ELRS | ~£125-130 | Hall effect | 3.5" colour | Room to grow, serious hobbyists |
What Are the Limitations?
No radio at this price is perfect. The Pocket has a few genuine trade-offs worth knowing about:
- 8 channels only. Fine for basic flying, but if you run OSD controls, GPS, or a gimbal you will run out of aux channels.
- Small screen. Navigating EdgeTX menus on a 1.3-inch display takes more patience than on a larger radio. You will want to configure most things in EdgeTX Companion on a computer instead.
- No internal multi-protocol module. You get ELRS 2.4GHz. If you need Crossfire or access to other protocols, you are out of luck unless you plug in an external module via the bay (which is there, but defeats the purpose of a pocket radio).
Verdict: Who Should Buy It?
The Radiomaster Pocket ELRS is the best radio you can buy for under £65. The hall effect gimbals alone make it worth the money, and the built-in ELRS means you are ready to fly out of the box.
If you are just getting into FPV, primarily fly micro quads, or want a travel-friendly backup radio, buy it. You will not find better value.
If you already know you will need more channels, want a colour screen for on-the-go tuning, or plan to get serious about freestyle racing within the next few months, stretch to the TX12 MKII or Boxer instead. You will save yourself an upgrade later.
For more help choosing the rest of your gear, check out our guides on the best FPV goggles for 2026 and essential FPV drone parts every pilot needs to know. Browse our full range of radio controllers to compare options side by side.
FAQ
Q: Does the Radiomaster Pocket ELRS work with simulators?
A: Yes. Plug it in via USB-C and it shows up as a gamepad. Works with Liftoff, Uncrashed, Velocidrone, and most other simulators without any extra drivers.
Q: Can I use external ELRS receivers with it?
A: You do not need to. The radio has ELRS built in. It transmits directly to any ELRS receiver bound to it, including those already installed on your drone.
Q: Is it compatible with Crossfire?
A: No. The Pocket only supports 2.4GHz ELRS. For Crossfire, you would need a radio with a multi-protocol module or an external bay, like the TX12 MKII or Boxer.