Ever dreamt of flying a drone? Not long ago, they were the preserve of military and science fiction films, but now they’re a household favorite. With the rapidly advancing technology, their sizes have significantly reduced. You can now get the same power and performance in a miniature replica that’s a fraction of the original size.
Top 10 Best Mini Drone Comparison Table
| Picture | Name | Features | Rating (1-5) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Cheerson CX-10 Mini | 3 speed modes Automatic speed control Multi-channel technology Low battery alarm Low price | 2.5 | $ |
 | Parrot Airborne Cargo MiniDrone | Propeller circuit breaker Flight sensitive sensors VGA mini camera 1GB internal flash memory Free Flight Mini app | 3 | $$ |
 | SYMA X12 Mini Nano RC Quadcopter | Propeller guards Low battery alarm Low price | 3 | $ |
 | TOZO Q2020 Drone RC Mini Quadcopter | Propeller guards Emergency stop Altitude hold function Headless mode | 3.5 | $ |
 | Holy Stone HS170 Predator Mini RC Helicopter Drone | Propeller guards 3 speed modes Headless mode Return home function | 4 | $ |
 | Hubsan X4 (H107C) 4RC Quad Copter with Camera | 3 MP built-in camera Greater flying range Distinct flying modes | 4 | $ |
 | JJRC H36 Mini Drone Gyro Headless Mode | Headless mode Return home function 12-month warranty 30-day money-back guarantee Low price | 4.5 | $ |
 | EACHINE Mini Quadcopter Drone | Headless mode 2 speed modes Return home function Altitude hold function | 4.5 | $ |
 | TENKER Skyracer Mini RC Helicopter Drone | Foldable design 3 speed modes Altitude hold function Headless mode Return home function | 4.5 | $ |
 | DJI Mavic Air, Fly More Combo | Foldable design Powerful sensor system Impressive top speed Greater flying range DJI GO 4 app | 5 | $$$$$$$ |
These mini drones are all the rage right now and they are available everywhere – in all shapes, sizes or configurations one could imagine! You can use them just to fly around as toys or to shoot aerial photography or for surveying. Because they are so small, you don’t even need to register them with any government agencies.
Comparing to professional drones, these are much more affordable, easy to use and resistant to crashes, making them the ideal starting point for beginners and hobbyists. If you intend to buy one, there’s such mind-boggling variety in market that choosing the best mini drone is going to be challenging.
To help you with that, we have compiled this handy guide which has all the necessary information and reviews of some of our favorite models. So, without further ado, let’s get started.
What Types Of Mini Drones Are There?
Mini drones are usually classified by their motors. There are two types of motors: brushed and brushless. Brushed DC motors are less powerful as they are designed for indoor use. If you’re a beginner or lack in piloting skills, it’s best to stick with brushed motors. If you are experienced and want more sustained power during outdoor flights, opt for brushless motors. The latter are more costly though.
Benefits of Best Mini Drone
Buying the best mini drone models is rewarding in many ways. They are designed with user’s safety in mind, so you get plenty of safety features. For instance, they come with detachable prop guards which are placed along the outer perimeter of drone propellers. The propeller, which moves very quickly, can leave the pilot with a stinger at top speeds.
The prop guard acts as a barrier and prevents any collateral damage during a crash. This is especially necessary for beginners. Those with piloting skills or those who are upgrading to high-speed racing drones may skip using prop guards as their added weight slows performance. Similarly, high-end models offer better durability as they have stronger frames.
They are usually made of plastic or carbon fiber. Plastic is more cost-effective, so it’s ideal for beginners. For higher performance or racing, carbon fiber is the obvious choice. Some of these models also come with features like advanced cameras, FPV goggles and GPS sensors for flight navigation.
If you do not like to manually input the instructions each time, you can even get programmable mini drones which are capable of autonomous flight and mission planning. With the right package of features, you will save a lot of time and money down the road.
Downsides Of Mini Drones
The biggest drawback of these mini devices is battery life. Their propellers require a lot of power and because the batteries are small, the flight time (time in air) is significantly compromised. Typically, batteries take up to an hour to charge and the flight times are just 5-7 minutes. It is thus better to carry a few spare batteries to enjoy some extra flying time.
10. Cheerson CX-10 Mini 2.4G 4CH 6 Axis LED RC Quadcopter Toy Drone
The Cheerson CX-10 is an economic mini drone with 6-axis design, meaning its gyroscope is adjustable. This promotes flight stability, making it a great option for inexperienced pilots and kids. The manufacturer recommends it for users aged 14 years and above.
The model measures 1.6 x 1.6 x 0.9 inches and weighs just 5.6 ounces, so it is clearly one of the smallest mini drones available. It comes with 3 speed modes and is capable of changing speed automatically. It has a range of 50m and can flip in all 360 degrees. Thanks to multi-channel technology, it can even be flown along with other drones in the same area at once without interference.
It comes with a small 2.4GHz wireless remote control, so you don’t have to fiddle with connecting your phone to the drone. However, due to its small size, some pilots may find it hard to use the controls. The Cheerson CX-10 comes with built-in 3.7V lithium battery that can be charged using the cord included in the package.
This battery is good enough for a flight time of up to 8 minutes and it takes about 20 minutes to charge fully. Once the battery runs low, the drone even sounds an alarm so that you can land the mini drone safely. Given its user-friendly features and low price, this model is clearly a solid choice for beginners. It is in fact, the lowest priced model on our list. So, if you do not want to spend much, this one is probably the best mini drone for you.
Pros:
- 3 speed modes
- Automatic speed control
- Multi-channel technology
- Low battery alarm
- Low price
Cons:
- No propeller guards
Check Prices On Amazon
9. Parrot Airborne Cargo MiniDrone – Travis (Yellow)
The Parrot Airborne Cargo Mini Drone is a flying robot with a 3-axis gyroscope and an accelerometer, which work together to avoid turbulences. They measure and analyze each subtle movement of the drone and if there is any divergence, the autopilot automatically adjusts the position.
And if in case, the mini drone collides with an object in air, the propeller circuit breaker automatically comes into action to reduce potential damage. Measuring 7.3 x 7.1 x 1.6 inches and weighing 2.24 ounces, it is a compact device designed for stability and speed. Its flight sensitive sensors automatically detect when the drone is airborne and start the engines automatically, thus ensuring quick stabilization.
It can achieve speeds of up to 11 mph and perform 360° acrobatic flips and stunts with accuracy. While in flight, it allows taking aerial photos using the embedded VGA mini camera (480X640) and 1GB internal flash memory. The drone is suitable for both indoor and outdoor operations. You can pilot it using Bluetooth or through Free Flight Mini app which is available on both Google Play and Apple App Stores.
The drone has small compartments for holding objects and a base for attaching things like mini figures and building blocks. You can thus customize it as per your liking. With lithium-polymer 550mAh battery, it can fly for up to 9 minutes. The battery is removable and takes 25 minutes to charge fully.
This requires a 2.6A charger which is not included in the package, so you need to pay extra for it. Overall, it’s a feature-rich product, especially useful for those who’re looking for action-packed adventures.
Pros:
- Propeller circuit breaker
- Flight sensitive sensors
- VGA mini camera
- 1GB internal flash memory
- Free Flight Mini app
Cons:
- Charger is not included in the package.
8. SYMA X12 Mini Nano 6-Axis Gyro 4 Channel RC Quadcopter (RED)
The SYMA X12 is another great mini drone with 6-axis gyroscope. It measures 8.7 x 1.5 x 3.9 inches in size and weighs just 10.7 ounces. Aided by its high-quality craftsmanship, it cannot just fly in narrow rooms but also withstand wind.
Its maximum flying range is 20 meters and thanks to its 2.4GHz radio (which supports spread spectrum technology), the flights are interference-free. Thus, you can fly more than one drone in an area at a time. It also includes a remote control that allows it to perform tricks like 3D 360 degree flips in air.
For night-time flying, it has LED lights. It can fly in air for about 5 minutes but it takes 40 minutes of charging for that, which is a bit too long. Once the battery runs low, you get notified with a warning signal. This gives you sufficient time to land the drone safely to avoid high-altitude crashes.
It even features detachable propeller guards for protection. The price of this product is notoriously low and the package even includes spare propellers, USB charger and a screw to fasten propellers. All this makes it a really good option to consider.
Pros:
- Propeller guards
- Low battery alarm
- Low price
Cons:
- Short battery life
7. TOZO Q2020 Drone RC Mini Quadcopter Altitude Hold Height Headless RTF 3D 6-Axis Gyro 4CH 2.4Ghz Helicopter Steady Super Easy Fly for Training [Black]
The TOZO Q2020 is a compact mini drone with the latest 6-axis gyro flight control systems and integrated propeller guards for safer user experience. Measuring 7 x 7 x 3.5 inches and weighing 1.76 ounces, it’s a bit larger than a typical toy drone. Also, it’s a bit more advanced. Unlike most mini drones, it comes with a sensor that allows for attitude hold.
You just have to release the throttle stick to make it maintain the current height, it’s that easy! This feature is especially useful when flying indoors. And even if you fly it outdoors with other drones, the flight is going to be smooth and interference-free, thanks to its 2.4GHz technology. The TOZO Q2020 also has an auto-flipping function and supports headless mode so that you don’t have to strain your neck when orienting the drone in air.
It has 3 speed modes and can fly in the range of up to 45 meters. It features bright LED lights for easy flying in dark. It is known to be ultra-responsive and easy to use. Yet, if in case it goes out of control, just long-press the speed button on remote and it will stop instantly to prevent more damage.
It can fly in air for up to 10 minutes and requires 60 minutes of charging time for that. Overall, it’s a nice product and comes in multiple colors (black, white, green and yellow), so you can pick the color you like. It is simplistic, feature-rich and yet user-friendly, which makes it perfect for beginners.
Pros:
- Propeller guards
- Emergency stop
- Altitude hold function
- Headless mode
Cons:
- Short battery life
6. Holy Stone HS170 Predator Mini RC Helicopter Drone 2.4Ghz 6-Axis Gyro 4 Channels Quadcopter Good Choice for Drone Training
This one is another great mini drone for beginners. It measures 3.6 x 2 x 0.1 inches weighs just 0.3 ounces. It has a 6-axis gyroscope to maintain stability in the face of moderate winds and is equipped with 2.4GHz technology to minimize interference. It has decent-looking propeller guards and bright LED lights that make it easy to identify in dark.
Another good thing is that its features 3 different speeds and headless mode, so pilots of any skill level can operate it with ease. Also, it has color-coded front and rear rotors for easy orientation.
This mini drone can fly in a range of 30-50 meters and is known to deliver good wind-resistance. It is also capable of performing 360-degree flips and other awesome maneuvers. The flight time is about 6-8 minutes and for this, the charging time can be as much as 80 minutes. Overall, it is a simple, powerful and reliable mini drone for beginners.
Pros:
- Propeller guards
- 3 speed modes
- Headless mode
- Return home function
Cons:
- Short battery life
Check Prices On Amazon
5. Hubsan X4 (H107C) 4 Channel 2.4GHz RC Quad Copter with Camera – Green/Black
The Hubsan X4 is a trendy-looking, solid product with above-average power level and outstanding maneuverability. It comes with an adjustable built-in 6-axis gyroscope that translates your every input in the remote without any delay into flight maneuvers.
The gyroscope enables super stable flight and the motors also deliver an outstanding level of acceleration and speed. Measuring 2.7 x 2.7 x 1 inches and weighing 14.4 ounces, it is really small but durable. There is a 0.3 MP built-in camera on it, although the SD card is not included.
Its flying range is around 100 meters, which is much more than what you normally get and it is capable of 360 degree flips. It can stay airborne for up to 7 minutes, which is the standard flight time. There is a USB charger included in the package, so you can charge it also by computer.
Unlike most mini drones, it features two distinct flight modes: normal and expert for users with varied experience levels. And all this comes at a very reasonable price, making it a great option to consider.
Pros:
- 3 MP built-in camera
- Greater flying range
- Distinct flying modes
Cons:
- SD card is not included with the camera.
4. JJRC H36 Mini Drone 2.4G 4CH 6Axis Gyro Headless Mode Remote Control RC Quadcopter RTF One-key Return-Blue
The JJRC H36 is another great mini drone with built-in 6-axis stabilization for stronger wind resistance and ease of control. It measures 3.4 x 1.2 x 3.4 inches and weighs just 2.72 ounces. It has enough safety features that you can fly it indoors as well as in wind.
The flying range is about 30 meters. It features headless-mode function through which it considers the direction opposite to that of the remote as the correct one. This is especially useful when the drone is flying at a height where the user is not able to judge its direction with bare eyes. It also comes with a return home function that allows it to fly back to the position of the 2.4GHz remote by simply pushing a button.
To navigate safely even in dark, it has big LED lights. For those who love action, the remote features a 3D Roll button for 360-degree flips and continuous rolls. The drone can deliver wonderful in-air performance for up to 5 minutes. The charging time is almost 50 minutes and the battery is removable.
To ensure customer satisfaction, the company offers a 12-month warranty on it. Yet, if you face any issues or do not like it for any reason, you can easily avail the 30-day money-back guarantee, so your investment is completely safe.
Pros:
- Headless mode
- Return home function
- 12-month warranty
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Low price
Cons:
- Short battery life
3. EACHINE Mini Quadcopter Drone, E010 2.4GHz 6-Axis Gyro Remote Control Nano Drone for Kids Adults Beginners – Headless Mode, 3D Flip, One Key Return (Green)
The EACHINE E010 is a cool mini drone with a little mock cockpit on the fuselage, giving it a futuristic ‘flying sports car-like’ appearance. It features 6-axis stabilization and propeller ducts which make it so durable that it can easily bounce off the walls without damage. It measures 3.7 x 3.7 x 2 inches and weighs just 1.76 ounces.
Incredibly, for a tiny drone at this price, you get headless mode and return home function to prevent damage in case it feels hard to orient this flying machine. The drone is also equipped with altitude hold function, so it can hover at a set altitude and perform stunts while remaining in one spot. It can automatically flip in all 360 degrees to deliver an amazing 3D performance for you and your friends.
It also features FPV mode (first person view), so you can take breathtaking video footages and even transmit them live to your smartphone. All you need to do is to install the dedicated EACHINE app on your phone and pair it with the drone.
The EACHINE E010 comes with 2 speed modes (high and low), so it is suitable for beginners as well as experienced pilots. It can fly within a range of 30 meters for up to 5 minutes and requires about 45 minutes for full charge. All in all, it’s a nice little flying machine.
Pros:
- Headless mode
- 2 speed modes
- Return home function
- Altitude hold function
- Free EACHINE app
- Low price
Cons:
- Short battery life
2. TENKER Skyracer Mini RC Helicopter Drone for kids Quadcopte with Altitude Hold 3D Flips and Headless Mode One key take off/landing good choice for Beginners
The Tenker Skyracer Mini is unique as it can be folded to fit into the remote control. Measuring 4.5 x 4.5 x 1.2 inches and weighing 11 ounces, it is pretty compact and easy to carry. Designed for beginners and kids, it has 3 speed modes from low to high and can both take-off and land simply at the push of a button. It has a flying range of about 50 meters.
If you are flying it indoors, the altitude hold function can be particularly handy as it sets the movement of drone to a desired height. You can thus make it perform 360-degree flips and other stunts in one spot.
If you still face any trouble piloting it, you can have it return to you by pressing the return-home button on remote. It features headless mode and LED lights for easy navigation. The flight time is of 5-8 minutes and this requires 40 minutes of charging. Also, the price is very low. Thus, from all aspects, the Tenker Skyracer Mini is one of the best options for beginners.
Pros:
- Foldable design
- 3 speed modes
- Altitude hold function
- Headless mode
- Return home function
- Low price
Cons:
- Short battery life
1. DJI Mavic Air, Fly More Combo, Onyx Black
The DJI Mavic Air is a unique, folding mini drone that’s a bit larger in size than average. It measures 6.5 x 1.6 x 3.2 inches and weighs 15.2 ounces. When folded down, it fits snugly in the palm of a hand. Even its remote is foldable. The drone is equipped with a 3-axis gyroscope and forward, backward and downward dual-vision sensors to avoid obstacles in path.
Additionally, its infrared sensing system, GPS and computing cores also collect and transmit information from the surrounding environment for better flight performance. These sensors work best at speeds under 17.9 mph. The top speed is 42.5 mph. The Mavic Air is not just super fast in air but also capable of making 360-degree flip moves.
It has an impressive flying range of 4000 meters and can be controlled through remote or even through phone by installing the DJI GO 4 app. It supports a lot of self-piloted flight modes, so it is very easy to use for beginners. For safety, it features bright LEDs, propeller guards and even a return home function.
It also features an advanced Mavic Air camera that’s capable of recording videos at 100 Mbps data rate and it has various capture modes as well. It can stitch 25 HDR photos together within 8 seconds to create crystal-clear 32 MP sphere panoramas which you can then view with DJI Goggles.
It also has 8 GB of internal storage so that you can save the photos and videos directly on to the device. For professional aerial photographers, this is probably the best mini drone. It can stay airborne for up to 21 minutes and requires 50 minutes of charging time. Overall, it’s an advanced, feature-rich mini drone that’s convenient and easy to use. The price is on the higher range but it’s completely worth it.
Pros:
- Foldable design
- Powerful sensor system
- Impressive top speed
- Greater flying range
- DJI GO 4 app
- Return home function
- Advanced Mavic Air camera
Cons:
- High price
Check Prices On Amazon
Editors Choice of Best Mini Drone
After analyzing all popular options, we found the DJI Mavic Air to be the best mini drone. It has a foldable, easily portable design and superior sensor system to prevent crashes. It also has a much greater flying range and top speed than most other mini drones, making it a preferred choice for pilots who love to experiment with their skills.
It even has an advanced camera to capture videos and create panoramas. These are some of the features that you don’t usually find in other mini drones. The users also seem to be very happy with its performance. Actually, there is no real reason to not like it, which is why we recommend it to our readers.
Which one do you think is the best mini drone? Do share your views and experiences by leaving your comments in the box below.
Related Reviews:
