The 10 Best Spy Drones | Robotics World

This review has been updated 5 times since it was first published in March of 2019. Whether you’re trying to explore your neighborhood, film an indie movie, or find your missing dog, these spy drones can reveal a whole new world. Each comes equipped with a camera that you can control via a remote or your smartphone, allowing you to see and record everything the machine sees. Just make sure you follow all applicable laws whenever you fly. When users buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn commissions to help fund the review.

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Top 10 Spy Drones

10. DeerC HS110D

The DeerC HS110D (around $198) is completely white, which helps it stand out against the sky for easy tracking. You can still take it out after the sun goes down, as it has LED navigation lights that allow you to keep an eye on it wherever it may be.

9. DJI Phantom 2 Vision+

The DJI Phantom 2 Vision+ (around $1440) is a premium model with an excellent gimbal, giving you incredibly stable images. It’s ideal for filmmakers or anyone who needs professional-quality pictures, but its price tag makes it unfeasible for most hobbyists.

8. Force1 U49W

The Force1 U49W (around $143) can provide you with up to 15 minutes of continuous airtime, which should be more than enough to get the lay of the land. Don’t worry about when it runs out of juice, either, as it comes with a spare battery to get you up and flying again in no time.

7. Potensic FPV

You can control the Potensic FPV (about $50) with just your smartphone, making it easy to take with you on trips or to a friend’s house. Everything it sees is displayed right there on the screen, ensuring you don’t miss anything happening on the ground.

6. Altair Aerial AA108

If you want to accomplish regular local reconnaissance missions, the Altair Aerial AA108 (around $120) will follow a predetermined flight path that you set up on your phone. It’s ideal for security purposes, or even just for newbies who are nervous about controlling it manually.

5. Holy Stone F181C

There’s no need to worry about losing the Holy Stone F181C (about $60), as it has a one-key return feature that brings it back when summoned. Of course, that won’t help you if it gets shot down over your neighbor’s yard, so don’t cause any problems.

4. Spacekey DC-014

Capture everything in view with the Spacekey DC-014 (about $56), as it sports a 120-degree, wide-angle lens capable of providing panoramic images. It will show you those pictures in true color as well, so you won’t have to sacrifice quality in your quest for grand shots.

3. Teeggi MJX Bugs

The Teeggi MJX Bugs (appx. $169) can be sent as far as 300 meters out before it loses its signal. This should be enough to give you an eyeful of the goings-on in the neighborhood, and you can then share the footage with your friends and family via the companion app.

2. Holy Stone HS120D

You won’t need to squint to make out what the Holy Stone HS120D (appx. $128) is seeing, as it boasts a 1080p, full-HD camera. Not only that, but it has a 75-degree adjustable wide-angle lens that lets you capture a great deal of the immediate surroundings.

1. DBPower DP818A

If you’re new to the world of aerial imagery, the DBPower DP818A (around $70) represents a solid starting point. It has two speed modes, which gives you some variety without making things too complicated, and its one-button takeoff simplifies the hardest part about flying.

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