The 10 Best Pocket Drones | Robotics World

This review has been updated 9 times since it was first published in November of 2018. Don’t let their diminutive form factor fool you: these pocket quadcopters pack plenty of high-flying capabilities into those tiny airframes — racing across the sky, performing stunt maneuvers and aerial acrobatics, and streaming spectacular views from above to your smartphone. Just be sure to comply with laws governing drones and the airspace they fly in to avoid running afoul of the authorities. When users buy our independently chosen editorial recommendations, we may earn commissions to help fund the review.

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Top 10 Pocket Drones

10. UDI U34W Dragonfly

Piloting the UDI U34W Dragonfly (around $100) is about as easy as remote-controlled flying gets. The compact, but durable, airframe can withstand a number of crash landings, and you can program customized flight paths for it to follow on your smartphone.

9. Kolibri Torpedo

The Kolibri Torpedo (around $21) sports a unique shape vaguely reminiscent of a futuristic, extraterrestrial lander, with propellers mounted beneath the chassis, rather than overhead. Paired with an iOS or Android device, it’s a fun way to stream and record aerial images.

8. Eachine E10C

Smaller than your handheld phone but capable of taking airborne snapshots in 2-megapixel HD with gyroscopic stabilization, the Eachine E10C (about $36) is a fun alternative to setting up a timer or using a camera on a stick to capture selfies.

7. JJRC H47 Elfie

The slimline design and foldaway blades of the JJRC H47 Elfie (about $58) make it an exceptionally handy grab-and-go option for taking along on adventures great and small. It’s ready to launch at the drop of a hat when you want to cherish the moment with a few high-res snapshots.

6. DJI Spark

While it may only fit into the roomiest of pockets, the DJI Spark (appx. $679) packs an audacious punch for a machine no bigger than a snack cake. Using facial recognition to launch it from your open palm, you direct it with hand gestures to take amazing aerial photos and video.

5. Holy Stone HS190

As fun to fly as it is inexpensive, the Holy Stone HS190 (around $30) can pull off aerial acrobatics and entertaining stunts with ease. With its foldable design and compact controller, it can be tucked safely into a cargo pouch to accompany amateur pilots wherever they roam.

4. Drocon Ninja

Foldable propeller arms that tuck snugly against its flanks when they’re not in use protect the Drocon Ninja (around $56) from sustaining rotor damage between sorties, while a 120-degree, wide-angle camera lens and autonomous flight modes enable it to capture panoramic aerial views.

3. Syma X22W

If you or your kids have more enthusiasm than skill when it comes to remote controlled flying machines, you might want to get in some practice time with a beginner-friendly model like the Syma X22W (around $100) before launching hundreds of dollars worth of gear into the heavens.

2. Holy Stone HS220

The foldable rotor arms on the Holy Stone HS220 (appx. $130) aren’t just for space-saving storage; they can be extended outward for FPV flying with a 3D VR mode, and carrying out more agile aerial maneuvers, or tucked inward for a tighter profile and greater stability in flight.

1. DJI Mavic Air

Boasting a maximum flight time of 21 minutes and a top speed of 42 mph, the DJI Mavic Air (around $798) is powerful aviation technology that fits in the palm of your hand. Designed to optimize stability in a lightweight frame, it puts exceptional imaging capabilities at your fingertips.

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