Many buyers believe that drones are relatively new. In fact, the first inventions falling under this definition were used by the military back in the middle of the 19th century. Then unmanned aerial vehicles developed for a long time specifically for military needs. However, like other technologies, over time, the popularity of quadrocopters reached ordinary users. Of course, consumer decisions are far from what is being produced for the army today. But the most advanced devices still offer impressive capabilities. Therefore, we decided to compile a rating of the best quadcopters to help people who are interested in such devices with a choice.
- Most Popular Quadcopter Manufacturers
- Best cheap drones before 140 $
- 1.MJX Bugs 3
- 2. Syma X5UW
- 3. Ryze Tech Tello
- 4. Xiaomi MiTu Minidrone 720P
- The best quadcopters for price and quality
- 1. Xiaomi Mi Drone 4K
- 2. DJI Mavic Air
- 3. Walkera QR X350 Premium
- 4. DJI Spark Fly More Combo
- The best drones with a good camera
- 1. YUNEEC Typhoon H
- 2. DJI Mavic 2 Pro
- Which quadcopter is better to choose
Most Popular Quadcopter Manufacturers
Today, drones are no longer a gimmick that only professionals acquire, and gradually began to move into the category of devices available to the average consumer. Therefore, many manufacturers are trying to occupy at least a small piece of this market. But very few people succeed, and we have collected only five really interesting companies:
- DJI. This brand was created back in 2006 and has gradually grown to the greatest company in the market. Today, over 60% of all drones are manufactured under the DJI brand. Her copters are expensive, but it cannot be said that this is undeserved.
- Syma. A Chinese company originally manufacturing radio-controlled helicopters. It was they who brought the brand success, thanks to which it was able to start producing its own drones (and quite affordable ones).
- Xiaomi. Yes, and there is no way without them. Of course, the range of quadcopters from this manufacturer is very modest, but in terms of price and quality they are almost the best.
- Walkera. And again the Chinese, but only dealing with quadcopters with cameras. The price of their products is very reasonable, and the quality is sometimes even better than analogues.
- Yuneec. A company working with Intel. This fact alone is enough to get interested in her products. True, if you have enough money, because first of all the manufacturer is aimed at the top segment.
Best cheap drones before 140 $
And since we were talking about accessibility above, we will start with this category. Technologies are developing, which makes interesting, albeit not the most necessary devices, everything is cheaper. These include quadrocopters. First of all, they are entertainment that, like VR glasses or radio-controlled cars, will spend most of the time on the shelf. But the buyer can easily get an interesting experience, shoot several exciting videos in his hometown or at a resort, and even fill his video blog.
Important! The quality of videos in budget quadcopters is very mediocre. All models described below, except Bugs 3, can only shoot at 720p.
1.MJX Bugs 3
Opens TOP 4 inexpensive quadcopter from MJX. The Bugs 3 does not come with a camera, but its axleless gimbal can be used to attach devices from GoPro or competitors. The manufacturer offers black or red color options for the copter body. But the color of the screws, protection and landing supports is always black. The remote control supplied with the Bugs 3 is painted white. Also included are instructions, branded stickers, power supply and battery. The capacity of the latter is 1800 mAh, which is enough for 19 minutes of flight. It will take 4 hours for the quadcopter to fully charge.
Advantages:
- affordable price tag;
- works on modern brushless motors;
- battery life;
- easy to learn for a beginner;
- flight range up to 500 meters;
- decent equipment;
- many accessories (optional);
- the frame is made of impact resistant plastic.
Disadvantages:
- when installing the camera, it is only enough for 10 m of work.
2. Syma X5UW
The next line was taken by a very good quadrocopter from Syma. Model X5UW will cost the buyer only 56 $, and if you try, you can find it for 7-9 hundred cheaper. And for this amount, the quadcopter is equipped with a camera. On the one hand, this is an excellent proposal, clearly bypassing almost any analogue in terms of attractiveness. But there are nuances that you need to pay attention to before buying this device.
The X5UW comes with a 1MP camera. The proprietary software of the manufacturer allows you to enjoy the flight in the first person. But the broadcast quality (Wi-Fi, 2.4 GHz) is quite mediocre, and the quadcopter is only suitable for the first acquaintance with FPV.
So, a copter from Syma can fly on a single charge for no more than 7 minutes. After that, his battery with a capacity of 500 mAh will have to be charged for more than 2 hours. The control range via the remote control is also not impressive at 70 meters. True, such autonomy is hardly required more. The drone has the functions of automatic take-off and landing, as well as one-touch return. The X5UW remote is very simple and is best used in conjunction with software.
Advantages:
- the quadcopter is easy to control;
- excellent functionality for its price;
- the ability to transmit images in real time;
- everything you need out of the box;
- automatic takeoff and landing;
- more accessible than most competitors;
- control will be mastered even by a child;
- flight along the specified route;
- the gyro system consists of 6 axes.
Disadvantages:
- flight time does not exceed 8 m;
- delay in signal transmission;
- loss of connection leads to a fall.
3. Ryze Tech Tello
It is not entirely correct to attribute the creation of Tech Tello exclusively to Ryze, because two more manufacturers, DJI and Intel, had a hand in the development of this copter. The first gave the drone a flight control system. The "blue" brand, which, by the way, last summer created the cover for one of the issues of Time with the help of quadcopters, acted as a supplier of 14-core processors installed in Tech Tello.
But the benefits don't end there. Ryze Tech Tello is a quadcopter with a high-quality 5MP camera capable of taking good (for its class) images with a resolution of 2592 × 1936 pixels. In this case, the captured photos and videos can be transferred to a smartphone at a distance of 100 meters via Wi-Fi. The same maximum control range through wireless modules (software is used for devices based on iOS / Android).
Advantages:
- great design;
- lightweight and compact;
- the highest build quality;
- excellent handling;
- reasoned price tag;
- camera quality;
- the ability to connect a controller;
- good flight speed.
Disadvantages:
- no USB cable for charging the battery included;
- short duration and flight altitude;
- all material is saved only to the smartphone.
4. Xiaomi MiTu Minidrone 720P
The release of the excellent Tech Tello quadrocopter did not leave indifferent not only buyers, but also manufacturers. Many wanted to compete with the curious Ryze copter. The brand Xiaomi did not stand aside, which now does not seek to conquer space. The Chinese decided to declare themselves with a miniature quadcopter MiTu. The width and length of this device is only 91 mm, and its thickness is slightly less than 4 cm.
Because of the desire to make its model more compact, Xiaomi installed a 920 mAh battery in the quadcopter. As a result, the maximum flight time of the MiTu is 10 minutes.
The Xiaomi drone is equipped with a good one, for the price tag in 77 $, a 2 MP camera. It can record HD video (albeit without stabilization, which does not affect the quality in the best way) and photos with a resolution of 1600 x 1200 pixels.Among the useful options of the quadcopter are altitude hold, the function of air combat with drones of a similar model, as well as automatic landing / takeoff and the ability to launch with a throw.
Advantages:
- built-in 4 GB storage;
- good quality of shooting;
- stability of management;
- acceptable cost;
- excellent appearance;
- additional options;
Disadvantages:
- modest flight time;
- distance not more than 50 meters;
- there is no image stabilization.
The best quadcopters for price and quality
Looking at the options presented above, and then at your wallet, which has a little more than 10 thousand extra rubles? Then check out another four of our TOP quadrocopters. The devices considered in this category range from 280–700 $... At the same time, they do not have a common positioning, because we wanted to choose the best quadcopters in terms of cost and quality. Of course, top-end solutions were not included here, but their capabilities will seem superfluous to the average buyer.
1. Xiaomi Mi Drone 4K
The Mi Drone has been on the drone market for several years. However, this does not prevent the Xiaomi device from remaining one of the most desirable and popular devices in the class. And this is at a rather big cost, as for a Chinese brand! The weight of the quadcopter is also large (1390 grams). However, this is justified by the 5100 mAh battery. It is enough for 27 minutes of continuous flight (maximum). Up to 100 percent of the battery is charged in an hour and a half.
The Mi Drone's movement speed is no worse than its popular competitors. So, the drone gains height at a speed of up to 6 m / s, and for flight this figure is 3 times higher.
The quadcopter is capable of boasting a large operating range of 2000 meters, and its maximum flight altitude is limited to 120 m. For positioning a drone from the Xiaomi brand, it provides GLONASS / GPS, supplemented by ultrasonic and optical sensors. As for the complete camera, it can write video in 4K, take photos with a resolution of 4000 by 3000 pixels, and can also be controlled along three axes.
Advantages:
- impeccable build quality;
- autonomy is one of the best in the class;
- easy to purchase consumables in case of breakdown;
- UHD video recording and 3-axis position adjustment;
- not inferior in manageability to competitors;
- convenient design and many functions;
- no optical distortion.
Disadvantages:
- does not recognize obstacles;
- there is no way to manually adjust the camera parameters;
- sometimes the horizon "falls".
2. DJI Mavic Air
The next place was taken by the best quadrocopter in the rating in terms of price-quality ratio. True, it costs more than other devices, which did not allow us to place it on the first line. If you are willing to spend about 770 $ for a quadcopter, we recommend choosing the Mavic Air. This is one of the most interesting DJI products. Just think about it, with a weight of a little over 400 g and dimensions of 168 × 184 × 64 mm, the manufacturer managed to make the design of the drone foldable and place a battery with a capacity of 2375 mAh in it. Moreover, the autonomy of the Mavic Air can reach 21 minutes, which is very good, both for the stated characteristics and capabilities.
The control range of the quadcopter is limited to 2 km for the radio channel and 80 meters when using a wireless connection via Wi-Fi / Bluetooth. The climb speed in the device is 4 m / s and is limited to 500 meters. The copter descends at a speed of 3 m / s, and flies no faster than 19 m / s. The Mavic Air is equipped with a 12MP camera with an 85 degree field of view. She can write video in UHD at 30 frames / s. If you choose Full HD or HD, then the frame rate rises to 120 fps.
Advantages:
- easily bypasses obstacles;
- branded DJI chips;
- good autonomy;
- one of the best cameras with very high quality optics and a wide range of settings;
- lightness and compactness;
- the presence of a functional joystick;
- folding design;
- control range.
Disadvantages:
- price (but it is justified).
3. Walkera QR X350 Premium
Second place went to the most affordable quadcopter in this category. Walkera QR X350 Premium starts at 294 $which is just fine for the stated capabilities. What possibilities does this device offer? Firstly, high-quality assembly, diagnostic screen and LED indication. Secondly, the impressive range of 2 km over the radio channel (the maximum distance for transmitting content is 1000 m). Thirdly, the battery of the device, the capacity of which is 3000 mAh, is capable of boasting an autonomy of up to 25 minutes! This figure is noticeably higher than most competitors.
QR X350 Premium has many additional features. In particular, the quadrocopter independently returns to the starting point when the signal is lost and the battery is low, and can also be kept at the same height.
Best value for money Walkera drone is also provided with GPS, GLONASS and an excellent built-in camera capable of recording Full HD video and taking photos with a resolution of 4032 × 3024 pixels. By the way, the camera of the device can be controlled along 3 axes at a distance. The QR X350 Premium model has all the necessary sensors: gyroscope, magnetometer, barometer and accelerometer. Of the useful functions of the device, one should note the first-person view through the proprietary application and following the operator.
Advantages:
- excellent value;
- amazing camera;
- flight duration;
- a lot of possibilities;
- excellent build;
- drone reliability;
- there is a possibility of modernization;
- the presence of battery charge indicators;
- 8 gigabytes of internal memory.
Disadvantages:
- impressive weight (1650 g).
4. DJI Spark Fly More Combo
If we talk about which drone is the best according to customer reviews, then the unequivocal answer is the Spark Fly More Combo from DJI. This compact and stylish device is available in five color options.
All software calculations in the drone are performed by a modern 24-core processor, and a set of 3D sensors and GPS / GLONASS links are responsible for the orientation of the device in space. The quadcopter also has an infrared sensor, accelerometer and magnetometer.
Spark Fly More Combo can be controlled by radio or Wi-Fi / Bluetooth. For the first option, the range is limited to 500 m (the same maximum lifting height). In the second, the range is reduced to hundreds of meters. From a full charge of the 1148 mAh battery, the quadcopter can work up to 16 minutes. It will take about an hour to charge the battery, and if you use USB for this, the duration will increase by about 1.5 times.
The Spark Fly More Combo's down and up speed is 3 m / s, and the flight is limited to 13.9 meters per second. There is an autopilot function, a warning about restricted areas, an automatic take-off / landing option and the ability to return to base. As for the camera, its resolution is 12 MP, and the viewing angle is 81.9 degrees. It allows you to record Full HD videos at 30 fps and can be remotely adjusted on two axes.
Advantages:
- autonomy up to 16 minutes;
- software;
- convenient branded remote control;
- gesture control function;
- excellent maneuverability;
- recognizes obstacles well;
- small size and great design.
The best quadcopters with a good camera
Most of the quadcopters described above cannot be called the optimal solution for at least some serious tasks. If you blog on your own website or YouTube, shoot weddings and other special events, look behind large areas by the nature of your activity, or do similar work, then the camera in the drone must record video in high quality.
Ease of control, stability of communication, available functions and other features are also important criteria when choosing. And, of course, it is pointless to expect something phenomenal from inexpensive solutions, to which even a model over 40 thousand can be attributed. But for 100 you will get a really top-end quadcopter.
1. YUNEEC Typhoon H
The YUNEEC brand does not have an impressive market share. However, the manufacturer was initially aimed at the upper segment, where its products are in good demand. So, in terms of demand, Typhoon H, created in cooperation with Intel, is not inferior to the drones of more famous companies.The monitored quadcopter model is equipped with a pair of carbon-fiber legs that rise up during takeoff. This is necessary to ensure that nothing interferes with the view of the 12.4-megapixel camera with a 115-degree viewing angle. It, of course, can be adjusted along three axes, thus capturing the desired frames.
Typhoon H allows you to install additional equipment weighing no more than 1.95 kg. As for the flight speed up, down and sideways under normal conditions, it can reach 5, 3 and 19.4 m / s. At the same time, the maximum flight altitude of the quadcopter is 122 m, and the duration is 25 minutes from a 2160 mAh battery. Of course, the camera records video in 4K resolution, and with stabilization. It's nice that the latter can work even if one of the engines fails.
Advantages:
- 6 screws at once;
- flight time from one charge;
- you can hang a lot of equipment;
- function of following the operator;
- the ability to shoot video in 360 degrees;
- availability of quick-detachable propellers;
- excellent quality of recorded clips;
- folding engine mounts;
- perfectly bypasses obstacles even at night;
Disadvantages:
- impressive dimensions and weight;
- inconvenient information about the charge.
2. DJI Mavic 2 Pro
Hardly anyone was surprised by the leadership of DJI. More specifically, the winner in the final category and overall review is the delightful Mavic 2 Pro. Small dimensions (322 × 242 × 84 mm), modest weight (907 grams) and excellent autonomy (up to 31 minutes from a full charge of the 3850 mAh battery) are just some of the advantages of this quadcopter.
The Mavic 2 Pro is an advanced professional solution. The quadcopter is capable of moving at a speed of up to 20 m / s, ascending to an altitude of 500 meters, and also staying in touch at a distance of up to 5 km (via radio).
It is important that the device has the best camera from the presented rating models. The selected sensor has a resolution of 20 MP, and its viewing angle is 77 degrees. This module can record Full HD video at 120 and Ultra HD videos at 30 frames / s, as well as take pictures with an impressive resolution of 5472 by 3648 pixels.
Advantages:
- top quality images (at ISO up to 1600);
- intuitive control through the complete control panel;
- the ability to receive a picture (FHD) on a smartphone in real time;
- the device is equipped with 8 gigabytes of built-in storage;
- one charge is enough for half an hour of battery life;
- sensors on all sides notify about obstacles;
- very modest weight and size for their capabilities.
Disadvantages:
- impressive dimensions;
- the warranty does not cover damage from obstacles in flight.
Which quadcopter is better to choose
Of course, users may have different goals, so it is very difficult to cover all needs with one rating. To choose the best quadcopter model, you should initially determine the tasks that will be performed. You may be looking for a toy for a few nights. Then it is better to take very compact models for several thousand rubles or even cheaper, which are sold in hundreds on AliExpress.
To transfer things, in turn, cargo quadcopters will be required, which were also not included in our review due to their too narrow focus. But for high-quality video shooting, we recommend taking DJI devices. If you don't have that kind of money, then a model from Walkera is also a good fit. In the budget segment, we liked Xiaomi and Ryze the most. However, other members of the TOP are also extremely good and will perfectly suit specific needs.