Drones — or as RC hobbyists tend to call them, "quadcopters" — are everywhere now, and for good reason. They're inexpensive, fun to pilot and even can be useful. One variant of these remote-controlled vehicles is the mini quadcopter. With high-powered miniature motors and propellers, there's no better way to have fun in the air and no easier way to get a bird's-eye view. We've compiled a list of the top 10 mini quadcopter models available right now and compared their attributes to make it easy to find the best quadcopter for you.
Comparison Table
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Product FAQ
Often, within the drone and quadcopter piloting communities, there are heated conversations about the specifics for the various drone model classifications. Mini quadcopters are no exception. These specific points of contention and potential use cases can be murky, so before we get to the list, let's go over a few miniquadcopter-related questions.
1. What Makes a Mini Quadcopter "Mini"?
2. What Can You Do with a Mini Quadcopter?
3. Are They Hard to Fly?
How We Reviewed
We took a look at a variety of mini quadcopter models and compared their features, noting the pros and cons inherent to each. We've also listed their pricing information and where to purchase them. By providing you with a narrowed list of products, it's our aim to make it easier for you to make a clear choice on which flying craft is the right pick for you.
Overall Price Range of a Mini Quadcopter
Image via Pexels
The price of a mini quadcopter often depends on the length of its battery life and how long it takes to charge,as well as the transmission range of the radio receiver. The image quality of the camera, should there be one included, also often impacts the price. The list of quality mini quadcopter models we have reviewed here range in price from $15 to $1,000.
What We Reviewed
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Features
This brushless mini quadcopter has a 90mm wheelbase, about as big as the palm of your hand, and a weight of 42.9g. It features an 800TVL 150-degree camera, and a 1103 7800KV motor. For power, it ships with a 350mAh 2S 7.4V 25C lithium-ion battery. The ease of set-up, low price and tight control makes it a good choice for those looking to get into flying FPV sport quadcopters.
Where to Buy
This model is available from a variety of online retailers such as Amazon and Banggood. It is also available from the manufacturer's website.
Warranty
No warranty information is available from the manufacturer, LDARC, meaning it is likely not covered.
Pros
Cons
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Features
Inexpensive and with a high-definition FPV camera, this mini quadcopter includes a bonus battery and eight replacement propeller blades. Its transmitter runs on four AA batteries and has a control transmission range of 100-120 meters, with video transmission clocking out a distance of about 50 meters. The unit itself charges with a lithium battery. It takes about 60 minutes to achieve a full charge, which then will give you about 7-9 minutes in flight. The camera resolution is 1280p x 720p, making it an inexpensive choice for novices in the field who want to capture some relatively usable aerial footage.
Where to Buy
This model is available from a variety of online retailers such as Amazon and eBay. It is also available from the manufacturer's website.
Warranty
A 30-day whole-unit warranty is offered by the manufacturer for quality-related issues. A replacement is covered. Additionally, the product comes with a 90-day accessory warranty for any reason. Returns for new and unused items are allowed.
Pros
Cons
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Features
This mini quadcopter has pre-programmed, guided flight paths, an app-based video editing suite, gesture control, an HD camera and a gimbal, which provides pivoting support for the camera. This drone's emphasis on cinematography, however, doesn't mean it's lacking in power. This quadcopter features a 50kph propulsion, a 2km video transmission range, 16-minute maximum flight time and immersive FPV. It can sense obstacles at a range of 5 meters and hover accurately anywhere at a range of up to 30 meters. It has a 170mm wheelbase and a maximum speed of 31mph.
Where to Buy
This model is available from a variety of online retailers such as Amazon and Banggood. It is also available from the manufacturer's website.
Warranty
DJI offers an opt-in paid warranty for $60 that covers two full replacements, water damage and ensures speedy delivery of replacements with an express shipping option.
Pros
Cons
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Features
This beginner-friendly mini quadcopter comes with a smartphone-compatible receiver and helpful, basic notes printed on the receiver's front panel. The video transmission range to your smartphone is about 30 to 40 meters while the control range carries this flying machine up to 80 meters out. With a charge time of about an hour, you get about 6-8 minute of flight.
Where to Buy
This model is available from a variety of online retailers such as Amazon and eBay. It is also available from the manufacturer's website.
Warranty
This mini quadcopter comes with a 30-day manufacturer's warranty.
Pros
Cons
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Features
This inexpensive, foldable drone sports a surprisingly large control radius of 100 meters and a flight time of 7-10 minutes. In addition, it only takes 30 minutes to achieve a full charge, so you can get back to enjoying your drone faster. It contains a rechargeable 3.7V 220Mah battery, and the receiver takes four AAA batteries. It connects to your smartphone for control and display of the FPV video signal.
Where to Buy
This model is available from a variety of online retailers such as Amazon and eBay.
Warranty
No warranty is offered.
Pros
Cons
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Features
The cheapest model on this list, this mini quadcopter would make an excellent gift to children or other fans of RC toys who have an interest in flying drones. It has a flight time between 5 and 7 minutes, and the battery takes 45 minutes to get back up to a full charge.
Where to Buy
This model is available from a variety of online retailers such as Amazon and Gearbest.
Warranty
The manufacturer offers a 12-month warranty from date of purchase.
Pros
Cons
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Features
This race-ready mini quadcopter boasts wide-ranging compatibility with a variety of pro control receivers, allowing it to respond accurately and quickly to commands from the ground. It relays real time stats to the controller, such as battery capacity, voltage and remaining flight time (although flight time is usually only up to 4 minutes.) It features seven 32-bit ARM processors for further heightened performance.
Where to Buy
This model is available from a variety of online retailers such as Amazon and Banggood. It is also available from the manufacturer's website.
Warranty
No warranty is offered.
Pros
Cons
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Features
This portable, extremely advanced drone is a power tool that offers 27 minutes of flight time, a control range of 7 kilometers, a top speed of 40mph and 4K video resolution. It is powered by a 2970mAh rechargeable battery and features a 3-axis gimbal. This drone truly approaches the level of professional quality, and isn't recommended for beginners.
Where to Buy
This model is available from a variety of online retailers such as Amazon and Banggood. It is also available from the manufacturer's website.
Warranty
DJI offers an opt-in $$ warranty that covers two full replacements, water damage, and ensures speedy delivery of replacements with an express shipping option.
Pros
Cons
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Features
This relatively inexpensive mini quadcopter charges in about 45 minutes and has a flight time of 5 minutes. Its control distance is 30 meters, and it runs on an included 3.7V 150mAh battery. The receiver runs on two AA batteries (not included).
Where to Buy
This model is available from a variety of online retailers such as Amazon and eBay.
Warranty
No warranty is offered.
Pros
Cons
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Features
This low-price, lightweight quadcopter has a flight time of 8 minutes and it recharges fully in half an hour to an hour. The unit runs on a 3.7V 380mAh lithium rechargeable battery, while the receiver runs on four AAA batteries (not included). This drone is a good choice for beginners because it is relatively simple to operate.
Where to Buy
This model is available from a variety of online retailers such as Amazon and Banggood.
Warranty
No warranty is offered.
Pros
Cons
The Verdict
Image via Pexels
Choosing a quadcopter often entails weighing complicated technical factors, but it's crucial to remember that a quadcopter exists to serve the needs of the user. If you're looking for something fun to fly, a more inexpensive model is best. If you're looking to race, however, it's important to buy one that will meet the rigorous mechanical expectations of RC sport usage. If you want to capture beautiful aerial footage, choosing one with an advanced camera system is a must.
Featured image via Pexels
