Quick Answer
Matek makes more flight controller variants than any other brand we stock, and the naming scheme is genuinely confusing. The short version: H743 boards are the flagship line for ArduPilot and INAV fixed-wing builds. F405 boards are the mainstream sweet spot. F722 splits the difference. The F411 is the budget pick for small wings, and the G474-HELI is a specialist for flybarless helicopters. We stock 14 active Matek flight controllers, and this guide covers every one.
Why Matek Dominates Fixed-Wing Flight Controllers
If you build fixed-wing or VTOL aircraft in the UK, you have probably encountered a Matek board. They are the go-to for INAV and ArduPilot wing builds because nobody else offers this many UARTs, barometers, and mounting formats at these prices. The H743-WING V3 alone gets over 4,700 organic searches a month landing on our product page, yet we have never written a guide explaining the range. That ends now.
The confusing part is the naming. Matek uses the MCU type (H743, H7A3, F405, F411, F722, G474) followed by a variant suffix (WING, SLIM, MINI, WLITE, WTE, TE, VTOL, HELI). The suffix tells you the form factor and target use. Two boards with the same MCU can have completely different feature sets.
The Full Lineup at a Glance
| Board | MCU | Clock | Mount | IMU | Baro | UARTs | Built-in RX | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H743-WING V3 | STM32H743 | 480MHz | 30.5x30.5 | ICM42688-P | DPS310 | 8 | None | Flagship ArduPilot wing |
| H743-SLIM V4 | STM32H743 | 480MHz | 30.5x30.5 | ICM42688-P | DPS310 | 7 | None | Compact H7 wing |
| H743-WLITE | STM32H743 | 480MHz | 25x25 | ICM42688-P | DPS310 | 7 | None | Micro H7 wing |
| H743-MINI V3 | STM32H743 | 480MHz | 20x20 | ICM42688-P+ICM42605 | DPS310 | 5.5 | None | H7 for micro builds |
| H7A3-WING | STM32H7A3 | 280MHz | 30.5x30.5 | ICM42688-P | SPL06 | 6 | None | Budget H7 wing |
| H7A3-SLIM | STM32H7A3 | 280MHz | 30.5x30.5 | ICM42688-P | SPL06 | 6 | None | Cheapest H7 |
| F722-SE | STM32F722 | 216MHz | 30.5x30.5 | MPU6000+ICM20602 | BMP280 | 6 | None | Multirotor AIO |
| F722-WING | STM32F722 | 216MHz | 30.5x30.5 | MPU6000 | BMP280 | 5+ | None | F7 wing |
| F405-WING V2 | STM32F405 | 168MHz | 30.5x30.5 | ICM42688-P | BMP280 | 6 | None | Mainstream wing |
| F405-WTE | STM32F405 | 168MHz | 25x25 | ICM42688-P | SPL06 | 6 | ELRS + WiFi | All-in-one wing |
| F405-TE | STM32F405 | 168MHz | 30.5x30.5 | ICM42688-P | SPL06 | 6 | None | Compact F4 wing |
| F405-VTOL | STM32F405 | 168MHz | 25x25 | ICM42688-P | SPL06 | 6 | None | VTOL builds |
| F411-WTE | STM32F411 | 100MHz | 22x22 | BMI270 | SPL06 | 2+2 | None | Budget micro wing |
| G474-HELI | STM32G474 | 170MHz | 20x20 | ICM42688-P | None | 4 | None | RC helicopter FBL |
H743: The Flagship H7 Wing Controllers
The H743 family runs the STM32H743 at 480MHz with 2MB flash and 1MB RAM. This is the most powerful processor Matek uses, and it matters for ArduPilot — the firmware loop, EKF navigation, and sensor fusion all benefit from the headroom. If you are building a serious long-range or autonomous wing, start here.
The H743-WING V3 is the full-fat version: 8 UARTs, dual IMU support (ICM42688-P primary, ICM42605 backup), DPS310 barometer, 12 PWM outputs, dual camera inputs, and a CAN bus. At 30.5x30.5mm mounting, it fits standard 30mm stacks. The V3 revision updated the IMU from the V2's ICM42605 to the current ICM42688-P and revised the connector layout. The PCB colour changed from purple to blue at the same time, which is the easiest way to tell V2 from V3 if you are buying second-hand.
The H743-SLIM V4 trims the board down to 7 UARTs in a slimmer 30.5x30.5mm package. Same H743 processor, same DPS310 baro, but fewer PWM outputs. We would pick this over the full WING V3 if your build does not need 12 PWM channels (most twin-motor wings do not).
The H743-WLITE is the hidden gem. It packs the full H743 processor into a 25x25mm board with 7 UARTs, 13 PWM outputs, built-in USB-C extender, and dual camera switching. If you are building a compact wing like the Sonic Modell AR Wing or a 600mm FPV plane where 30mm mounting is too big, this is your board. It uses a slightly different H743 variant (VIH6 with 512KB RAM vs VIT6 with 1MB), but for INAV and ArduPilot the difference is academic.
The H743-MINI V3 shrinks the H743 down to 20x20mm for micro builds. It features dual IMUs (ICM42688-P on the primary SPI and ICM42605 as backup) for vibration redundancy, 5.5 UARTs, and a MicroSD blackbox via SDIO. This is the board for a micro long-range quad or a small cinewhoop that needs H7 processing power.
H7A3: The Budget H7 Alternative
The H7A3 boards use the STM32H7A3 processor running at 280MHz. That is still a Cortex-M7 core but clocked lower than the H743's 480MHz. The trade-off is price: the H7A3-SLIM at around £50 and the H7A3-WING at around £66 are the cheapest H7 flight controllers on the market.
For INAV fixed-wing builds, the H7A3 is plenty fast. The 280MHz clock handles the INAV loop comfortably, and the SPL06 barometer is the same sensor used on the more expensive F405-WTE. Where the H7A3 falls short is ArduPilot at maximum sensor load — if you are running dual GPS, CAN peripherals, and complex mission scripts, the H743's extra headroom matters. For a straightforward INAV wing with GPS, compass, and telemetry, the H7A3-SLIM is the best value H7 we sell.
F722: The Middle Ground
The F722 family runs the STM32F722 at 216MHz. It sits between the F405 and H743 in both performance and price. The F722-SE is one of Matek's most popular multirotor boards: dual IMU setup (MPU6000 for stability plus ICM20602 for fast response), integrated PDB functionality, and 6 UARTs. It runs Betaflight, INAV, and ArduPilot.
The F722-WING is the wing-focused variant with 5+ UARTs and the MPU6000 single IMU. Honestly, we would skip the F722 for new wing builds — the H7A3-SLIM costs less and outperforms it. The F722-SE still makes sense for multirotor builds where you want the dual IMU setup and do not need H7 processing.
F405: The Mainstream Workhorse
The F405 is the most widely used flight controller MCU in the FPV world. At 168MHz with 1MB flash, it runs Betaflight, INAV, and ArduPilot without breaking a sweat on most builds. Matek offers four F405 variants, and they serve distinct purposes.
The F405-WING V2 at around £40 is the budget wing FC. It has 6 UARTs, BMP280 barometer, and standard 30.5x30.5mm mounting. For a first fixed-wing build, this is where we point people. The ICM42688-P IMU is the same sensor on boards costing twice as much.
The F405-WTE is the all-in-one pick. It has a built-in ExpressLRS 2.4GHz receiver (CRSF protocol) and ESP WiFi telemetry on board, meaning you do not need to wire a separate ELRS receiver or telemetry radio. At 25x25mm with 6 UARTs and 12 PWM outputs, this is the board for a clean wing build with minimal wiring. We sell this to customers who want plug-and-play — bind and fly with no extra receiver soldering.
The F405-TE is the compact 30.5x30.5mm variant with 6 UARTs and the SPL06 barometer. The F405-VTOL is purpose-built for VTOL aircraft at 25x25mm with 6 UARTs and 12 PWM outputs, running both ArduPilot and INAV firmware. If you are building a quadplane or tilt-rotor, the VTOL is purpose-made for the job.
F411 and G474: Specialist Boards
The F411-WTE at around £32 is the cheapest Matek flight controller we sell. The STM32F411 runs at just 100MHz with limited flash, which means no ArduPilot support — this is an INAV-only board. It has 2 hardware UARTs plus 2 softserial ports, a BMI270 IMU (the standard Betaflight sensor), and SPL06 barometer. For a micro wing like the Sonic Modell Tiny Hawk or a 400mm INAV cruiser where you just need GPS RTH and basic stabilisation, the F411-WTE does the job at a price that leaves room in the budget for a better VTX.
The G474-HELI is a completely different animal. It is Matek's first flybarless helicopter controller, running the STM32G474 at 170MHz. This is for RC helicopter pilots who want to replace a mechanical flybar with electronic stabilisation. It runs ArduPilot's helicopter firmware and supports up to 4 UARTs. We sell very few of these, but for the heli pilots who need one, nothing else at this price point does the job.
Firmware Compatibility
One of the biggest sources of confusion is which firmware each board supports. Here is the breakdown from our experience:
| Board Family | Betaflight | INAV | ArduPilot |
|---|---|---|---|
| H743 (all variants) | Yes | Yes | Yes (recommended) |
| H7A3 | Limited | Yes (recommended) | Yes |
| F722-SE | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| F722-WING | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| F405 (all variants) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| F411 | Yes | Yes (recommended) | No (flash too small) |
| G474-HELI | No | No | Yes (heli only) |
For more on choosing between these firmwares, see our Betaflight vs INAV vs ArduPilot comparison and our guide on F4 vs F7 vs H7 processors.
Our Picks
Budget INAV wing: The F411-WTE. At around £32, it is the cheapest way to get GPS RTH on a small wing. INAV only, but that is what most budget wing pilots run anyway.
Sweet spot for serious wings: The H7A3-SLIM. H7 processing at F405 prices. If we were building one wing this year, this is the board.
No-compromise ArduPilot flagship: The H743-WING V3. 480MHz, 8 UARTs, dual IMU, DPS310 baro. Nothing else in the lineup has more connectivity.
Plug-and-play with built-in ELRS: The F405-WTE. No separate receiver to wire, built-in WiFi for telemetry, and a clean 25x25mm form factor.
Compact H7 for micro builds: The H743-WLITE. Full H743 power in a 25x25mm package with 13 PWM outputs.
FAQ
Q: Do I need an H7 or is F405 enough?
A: For Betaflight multirotor flying, F405 is plenty. For INAV fixed-wing, F405 handles everything most pilots need. The H7 becomes worth it when you run ArduPilot with complex mission planning, CAN peripherals, or multiple GPS modules. Our F4 vs F7 vs H7 guide covers the processor differences in detail.
Q: Which Matek FC has a built-in ELRS receiver?
A: The F405-WTE. It includes an ExpressLRS 2.4GHz receiver and ESP WiFi telemetry module on the board. You bind it directly without wiring a separate receiver. Read our ELRS guide for more on the protocol.
Q: Can I run ArduPilot on the F411?
A: No. The STM32F411 has only 512KB flash, which is too small for ArduPilot. The F411-WTE is designed for INAV only. If you need ArduPilot at the budget end, step up to the F405-WING V2.
Q: What is the difference between H743-WING V2 and V3?
A: The V3 (blue PCB) updated the IMU from ICM42605 to ICM42688-P and revised the connector layout. The V2 (purple PCB) is the older revision. We only stock the V3.
Q: Which board should I get for a VTOL build?
A: The F405-VTOL is purpose-designed for quadplane and tilt-rotor builds at 25x25mm. For larger VTOL aircraft needing more UARTs, the H743-WING V3 with its 8 UARTs is the upgrade path. See our fixed-wing build guide and ArduPilot setup guide.