8 Best Hubsan Drones: One for Every Occasion! (Winter 2024)
In this guide, we reviewed six of the Hubsan drones and comprehensively ranked them according to various features such as flight and motor functionality, transmission system, and battery power, among other features.
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Last updated: November 07, 2024
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Initially, drones were reserved for the government for military operations. However, this amazing technology wasn’t meant to just stay in the government’s hands. And eventually, in 2006, people were free to use drones for making films, memories, and connections.
We reviewed 8 of the best Hubsan drones with the Hubsan Zino Pro Plus as our Editor’s Choice to see which topped in flight time, battery power, speed, and camera quality. But it’s not enough for a drone to fly high at 25 km/h and take good pictures; other features are needed to increase functionality and performance. Simply put, your drone needs to be ‘smart’ enough to serve you and protect itself to some degree.
"A 4K UHD camera, gimbal camera stabilizer, and one-click operation make this drone the perfect entry-level option for a fantastic piloting experience."
"This drone impresses on all fronts, whether it’s the flight time, photo resolution, video resolution, or the control distance, with the ability to fly even in windy conditions."
"A highly portable drone that weighs less than two oranges and comes with a foldable design. It also comes with a gimbal stabilizer for smoother filming."
What it is: For general purpose. The drone will be used on different occasions - mainly for taking photos and video recording. However, the model can also be used for geographic mapping, hunting and fishing or just for fun.
What are its best features?
Sturdy and lightweight
Compact foldable design for travel
Equipped with 8KM video and 4K UHD camera
Features one-button operation for easy use
Gimbal camera stabilizer offers smooth footage
What could be improved?
Poor customer service
The Hubsan Zino Pro Plus is the first option on our list, offering a sturdy, lightweight, and compact foldable design that allows you to carry it anywhere with you. With a flight time of 40 minutes in windless conditions, the Zino Pro Plus is a must-have on your travel. It has a brushless motor and 8KM video transmission for top quality.
The Hubsan Zino Pro Plus is best suited for those who are new to using drones. It is designed with no controller or spare parts, making it easy to use. With just one button, you can take off or land. The drone also has GPS auto return to home and one button operation. You can easily take shots with the 4K UHD camera mounted on the 3-axis gimbal camera stabilizer if you’re a beginner. This ensures that you take stable and smooth footage.
What it is: For general purpose. The drone will be used on different occasions - mainly for taking photos and video recording. However, the model can also be used for geographic mapping, hunting and fishing or just for fun.
Why is it special?
The gimbal stabilizer for smooth films
Lightweight (weighs 249 grams)
Obstacle avoidance and return home features
Long transmission range
What are the flaws?
Constant obstacle avoidance calibrations
The Hubsan Zino Mini Pro is a superior drone built for speed and flight endurance. This drone can stay in the air for 35 minutes and reach a top speed of 57km/h. This drone has a 3000mAh Lithium-ion battery and also comes with an intelligent battery manager. The intelligent battery manager can charge up to four batteries sequentially, which increases the number of times you can fly the drone in a day.
The smooth imaging ability of the zino mini pro drone due to the gimbal stabilizers was impressive, in our opinion. The tri-axis gimbal stabilizer, level 5 wind resistance, and different flight filming modes allow filming of smooth 4K footage. The drone also allows manual bitrate adjustment for better resolution, which is something most other drones set automatically. The zino mini pro improves flight safety by incorporating visual obstacle avoidance, out-of-control protection, and return home features. However, the obstacle avoidance feature needs to be calibrated every two weeks, which can be a hassle.
The Hubsan Zino Mini Pro has one of the longest transmission ranges in the Zino mini and X4 series. The Zino mini pro has a 10 km transmission range which is 50 times better than the Hubsan H502S X4 drone.
What it is: For general purpose. The drone will be used on different occasions - mainly for taking photos and video recording. However, the model can also be used for geographic mapping, hunting and fishing or just for fun.
Score components:
34%
Video
9.1
27%
Photography
10.0
12%
Geographic mapping
8.4
8%
Fishing
8.7
6%
Hunting
8.7
5%
Spy / Surveillance
8.6
5%
Racing
8.2
3%
Fun
7.0
Video
9.2
X
What it is: The drone will be used for video recording: professional cinematography, blogging, or any other purpose. The product’s required to feature high-resolution camera, wide field of view, and large memory card capacity, among other specs.
Score components:
35%
Video Resolution + FPS
9.8
10%
Camera adjustability (degrees)
N/S
10%
Live View (FPV) Quality
N/S
8%
Max memory card capacity (GB)
N/S
7%
FOV (degrees)
N/S
5%
Camera Mount Type
10.0
5%
Max height (meters)
N/S
5%
Smartphone controlled
10.0
3%
Follow me
5.0
3%
Altitude hold
10.0
3%
Circle Fly
10.0
3%
360° flip
5.0
3%
VR glasses compatibility
5.0
Photography
10.0
X
What it is: The drone’s going to be used for taking photos – it’s expected to possess a high-resolution camera, Altitude Hold feature for stabilization, as well as other useful features in this case – such as Circle Fly or Gesture Control.
Score components:
45%
Photo Resolution (Mp)
N/S
15%
FOV (degrees)
N/S
10%
Camera adjustability (degrees)
N/S
10%
Max memory card capacity (GB)
N/S
10%
GPS
10.0
7%
Camera Mount Type
10.0
3%
Altitude hold
10.0
Spy / Surveillance
8.8
X
What it is: The drone is going to be used as a quiet surveillance device. We were targeting on those with great camera specifications (Live View quality in particular), impressive control distance, and additional handy features, such as GPS or Obstacle Detection.
Score components:
20%
Live View (FPV) Quality
N/S
15%
Video Resolution + FPS
9.8
10%
FOV (degrees)
N/S
9%
Camera adjustability (degrees)
N/S
8%
Flight time (min)
8.6
7%
Max memory card capacity (GB)
N/S
5%
Control distance (meters)
9.0
5%
GPS
10.0
3%
GLONASS
10.0
3%
Circle Fly
10.0
3%
Trajectory flight
5.0
3%
Return Home
5.0
2%
Protection Guards
5.0
2%
Obstacle Detection
5.0
2%
Altitude hold
10.0
2%
Smartphone controlled
10.0
1%
Galileo
5.0
Geographic mapping
8.5
X
What it is: The device will be used for mapping and surveying. Ideally, it’s a specifically designated device with weatherproof construction, great camera and suitable software. However, more simple models can be used for casual hiking, for instance.
Score components:
15%
Video Resolution + FPS
9.8
10%
Photo Resolution (Mp)
N/S
10%
Live View (FPV) Quality
N/S
10%
Flight time (min)
8.6
7%
Control distance (meters)
9.0
5%
FOV (degrees)
N/S
5%
Camera adjustability (degrees)
N/S
5%
Max height (meters)
N/S
5%
GPS
10.0
5%
Trajectory flight
5.0
4%
Obstacle Detection
5.0
3%
Circle Fly
10.0
3%
Altitude hold
10.0
3%
GLONASS
10.0
3%
Operating temperature range (C)
N/S
2%
Protection Guards
5.0
2%
Return Home
5.0
2%
Max wind speed resistance (m/s)
7.6
1%
Galileo
5.0
Racing
8.2
X
What it is: If you intend to use your drone for racing, it must be light, highly maneuverable, and fast, of course. These devices are also wind resistant and feature Protection Guards or Obstacle Detection function.
Score components:
30%
Max speed (km/h)
9.7
20%
Control distance (meters)
9.0
10%
Flight time (min)
8.6
10%
Max wind speed resistance (m/s)
7.6
5%
Max ascend speed (m/s)
N/S
5%
Max descend speed (m/s)
N/S
5%
Obstacle Detection
5.0
5%
Protection Guards
5.0
5%
Return Home
5.0
5%
Headless mode
5.0
Fishing
8.7
X
What it is: The product will be used for fishing. A high-quality camera with wide field of view is required in the first place. Also, the device must be ultra-quiet and feature an extra-long control distance.
Score components:
15%
Live View (FPV) Quality
N/S
11%
Control distance (meters)
9.0
10%
FOV (degrees)
N/S
10%
Flight time (min)
8.6
10%
Video Resolution + FPS
9.8
7%
GPS
10.0
5%
Camera adjustability (degrees)
N/S
5%
Max height (meters)
N/S
3%
Max wind speed resistance (m/s)
7.6
3%
Circle Fly
10.0
3%
Return Home
5.0
3%
Obstacle Detection
5.0
3%
GLONASS
10.0
3%
Operating temperature range (C)
N/S
3%
Charging time (min)
8.4
2%
Trajectory flight
5.0
2%
Altitude hold
10.0
2%
Smartphone controlled
10.0
Hunting
8.7
X
What it is: The drone’s going to be used for hunting purposes. It must be extra-quiet and compact, as well as have a powerful, high-capacity battery. The case must be sturdy, operate at low temperatures, and withstand all weather elements.
Score components:
13%
Live View (FPV) Quality
N/S
12%
FOV (degrees)
N/S
11%
Control distance (meters)
9.0
10%
Flight time (min)
8.6
10%
Video Resolution + FPS
9.8
7%
GPS
10.0
5%
Camera adjustability (degrees)
N/S
5%
Max height (meters)
N/S
3%
Max wind speed resistance (m/s)
7.6
3%
Circle Fly
10.0
3%
Return Home
5.0
3%
Obstacle Detection
5.0
3%
GLONASS
10.0
3%
Operating temperature range (C)
N/S
3%
Charging time (min)
8.4
2%
Trajectory flight
5.0
2%
Altitude hold
10.0
2%
Smartphone controlled
10.0
Fun
7.3
X
What it is: Drones used for fun must feature a wide array of additional functionality – such as a 360° flip, Voice and Gesture control, RGB lights, and Protection Guards/Obstacle Detection.
Score components:
10%
Flight time (min)
8.6
10%
Charging time (min)
8.4
10%
Follow me
5.0
10%
Circle Fly
10.0
10%
360° flip
5.0
6%
Control distance (meters)
9.0
5%
Max speed (km/h)
9.7
5%
Obstacle Detection
5.0
5%
Trajectory flight
5.0
5%
Voice control
5.0
5%
Gesture control
5.0
5%
Headless mode
5.0
5%
Altitude hold
10.0
3%
Max height (meters)
N/S
3%
Protection Guards
5.0
3%
Return Home
5.0
Why is it special?
Wind resistance
High-quality images and video
Long transmission range
What are the flaws?
No built-in obstacle avoidance
The HUBSAN Zino 2 gives other top-tier HUBSAN models a run for their money in terms of features and functionality. It’s a fairly high-end device with level 5 wind resistance allowing it to fly even in some unfriendly weather conditions. Furthermore, it can hover in calm weather. It comes with a 3800 mAh battery and precise battery calculation, so you always know how much longer the device can fly. With endurance flying speeds of 25 km/h, the device will fly for a maximum of 33 minutes. Hovering seems to consume more power, with the total runtime cut down by approximately two minutes.
Notably, besides flight, the HUBSAN Zino 2 also has video and imaging capabilities with a 12 MP 4K 60 fps camera. Of course, with these features, there are also other elements of the drone worth mentioning, such as the image transmission that allows you to look through the camera in real-time. Additionally, it can be equipped with ND filters for better images, has a 3-axis gimbal for stabilization, and more. With all these, the drone is pretty heavy, so you may need to register it with the Federal Aviation Administration. Once done, you can control the device for up to 6,000 meters, although you’d have to be careful not to get into restricted fly zones. That said, it can be used for commercial purposes or as a device for fun.
What it is: For general purpose. The drone will be used on different occasions - mainly for taking photos and video recording. However, the model can also be used for geographic mapping, hunting and fishing or just for fun.
What are its best features?
The stable hoover altitude hold
And the real-time FPV
What could be improved?
Low transmission range
High charging time (two hours)
The Hubsan X4 H501SS pro has some of the best features in the X4 series. It has a 20 minutes flight time which is about the highest flight time you can get out of any Hubsan X4 drone. However, where it lacks in flight time longevity, it makes up for it in cool features that make it easy for beginners. The headless mode allows the drone to use the front-end perspective of the pilot instead of its own, making it easier to fly the drone. Headless mode combined with the follow me and altitude hold modes make the H501SS drone beginner-friendly.
But what truly impressed us was the orbit mode and real-time FPV(First Person View). These two features blend well with the 1080p HD camera to produce fantastic images and videos. The orbit mode allows you to shoot a video from any angle, while the real-time FPV provides an immersive piloting and shooting experience. The drone also contains brushless motors, increasing propeller durability and reducing that buzzing drone noise. Additionally, the drone comes with a return home safety feature in case of low battery and loss of transmission.
However, the H501SS has a low transmission range of only 400 meters compared to the Zino Mini pro. However, data transmission is fast due to the 5.8 GHz transmitter and 2.4 GHz receiver.
What it is: For general purpose. The drone will be used on different occasions - mainly for taking photos and video recording. However, the model can also be used for geographic mapping, hunting and fishing or just for fun.
Score components:
12%
Geographic mapping
6.4
8%
Fishing
6.8
6%
Hunting
6.8
5%
Spy / Surveillance
6.4
5%
Racing
6.4
3%
Fun
7.6
Spy / Surveillance
N/A
X
What it is: The drone is going to be used as a quiet surveillance device. We were targeting on those with great camera specifications (Live View quality in particular), impressive control distance, and additional handy features, such as GPS or Obstacle Detection.
Score components:
20%
Live View (FPV) Quality
N/S
15%
Video Resolution + FPS
N/S
10%
FOV (degrees)
N/S
9%
Camera adjustability (degrees)
N/S
8%
Flight time (min)
6.4
7%
Max memory card capacity (GB)
N/S
5%
Control distance (meters)
6.4
5%
GPS
N/S
3%
GLONASS
N/S
3%
Circle Fly
N/S
3%
Trajectory flight
N/S
3%
Return Home
N/S
2%
Protection Guards
N/S
2%
Obstacle Detection
N/S
2%
Altitude hold
N/S
2%
Smartphone controlled
N/S
1%
Galileo
N/S
Geographic mapping
N/A
X
What it is: The device will be used for mapping and surveying. Ideally, it’s a specifically designated device with weatherproof construction, great camera and suitable software. However, more simple models can be used for casual hiking, for instance.
Score components:
15%
Video Resolution + FPS
N/S
10%
Photo Resolution (Mp)
N/S
10%
Live View (FPV) Quality
N/S
10%
Flight time (min)
6.4
7%
Control distance (meters)
6.4
5%
FOV (degrees)
N/S
5%
Camera adjustability (degrees)
N/S
5%
Max height (meters)
N/S
5%
GPS
N/S
5%
Trajectory flight
N/S
4%
Obstacle Detection
N/S
3%
Circle Fly
N/S
3%
Altitude hold
N/S
3%
GLONASS
N/S
3%
Operating temperature range (C)
N/S
2%
Protection Guards
N/S
2%
Return Home
N/S
2%
Max wind speed resistance (m/s)
N/S
1%
Galileo
N/S
Racing
N/A
X
What it is: If you intend to use your drone for racing, it must be light, highly maneuverable, and fast, of course. These devices are also wind resistant and feature Protection Guards or Obstacle Detection function.
Score components:
30%
Max speed (km/h)
N/S
20%
Control distance (meters)
6.4
10%
Flight time (min)
6.4
10%
Max wind speed resistance (m/s)
N/S
5%
Max ascend speed (m/s)
N/S
5%
Max descend speed (m/s)
N/S
5%
Obstacle Detection
N/S
5%
Protection Guards
N/S
5%
Return Home
N/S
5%
Headless mode
N/S
Fishing
N/A
X
What it is: The product will be used for fishing. A high-quality camera with wide field of view is required in the first place. Also, the device must be ultra-quiet and feature an extra-long control distance.
Score components:
15%
Live View (FPV) Quality
N/S
11%
Control distance (meters)
6.4
10%
FOV (degrees)
N/S
10%
Flight time (min)
6.4
10%
Video Resolution + FPS
N/S
7%
GPS
N/S
5%
Camera adjustability (degrees)
N/S
5%
Max height (meters)
N/S
3%
Max wind speed resistance (m/s)
N/S
3%
Circle Fly
N/S
3%
Return Home
N/S
3%
Obstacle Detection
N/S
3%
GLONASS
N/S
3%
Operating temperature range (C)
N/S
3%
Charging time (min)
9.6
2%
Trajectory flight
N/S
2%
Altitude hold
N/S
2%
Smartphone controlled
N/S
Hunting
N/A
X
What it is: The drone’s going to be used for hunting purposes. It must be extra-quiet and compact, as well as have a powerful, high-capacity battery. The case must be sturdy, operate at low temperatures, and withstand all weather elements.
Score components:
13%
Live View (FPV) Quality
N/S
12%
FOV (degrees)
N/S
11%
Control distance (meters)
6.4
10%
Flight time (min)
6.4
10%
Video Resolution + FPS
N/S
7%
GPS
N/S
5%
Camera adjustability (degrees)
N/S
5%
Max height (meters)
N/S
3%
Max wind speed resistance (m/s)
N/S
3%
Circle Fly
N/S
3%
Return Home
N/S
3%
Obstacle Detection
N/S
3%
GLONASS
N/S
3%
Operating temperature range (C)
N/S
3%
Charging time (min)
9.6
2%
Trajectory flight
N/S
2%
Altitude hold
N/S
2%
Smartphone controlled
N/S
Fun
N/A
X
What it is: Drones used for fun must feature a wide array of additional functionality – such as a 360° flip, Voice and Gesture control, RGB lights, and Protection Guards/Obstacle Detection.
Score components:
10%
Flight time (min)
6.4
10%
Charging time (min)
9.6
10%
Follow me
N/S
10%
Circle Fly
N/S
10%
360° flip
N/S
6%
Control distance (meters)
6.4
5%
Max speed (km/h)
N/S
5%
Obstacle Detection
N/S
5%
Trajectory flight
N/S
5%
Voice control
N/S
5%
Gesture control
N/S
5%
Headless mode
N/S
5%
Altitude hold
N/S
3%
Max height (meters)
N/S
3%
Protection Guards
N/S
3%
Return Home
N/S
What are our favorite features?
Xbox/PS-like controller
Provides two flight modes: expert and normal mode
Can perform flips in expert mode
What could be better?
Low flight time
Lack of camera
The Hubsan X4 H107L drone is the smallest drone on this list. This micro quadcopter weighs about 50 grams and is no larger than the average man’s palm. The drone is built for fun rather than filming and photography, as it has no camera. It has a 100 meters transmission range suitable for flying in the house or backyard. Flying this micro drone in large open requires caution because the transmission might cut off.
However, despite its small size, the H107L drone is tough. We were impressed by its ability to still work after a few crashes. Additionally, the drone comes with a set of extra propeller blades and a propeller guard. The propeller rotor guard ensures safety around the house from the spinning propellers. The drone is also easy to fly, can perform flips, and has bright red and blue LED lights for night flying. The color-coded LED lights also allow the user to determine the drone’s orientation.
Compared to other drones in the X4 series in this list, the H107L drone has the lowest flight time. The H107L drone also lacks other features that increase flying functionality like headless mode, GPS positioning, follow me mode, and hoover mode.
What it is: For general purpose. The drone will be used on different occasions - mainly for taking photos and video recording. However, the model can also be used for geographic mapping, hunting and fishing or just for fun.
Why did it make our list?
High flight speed
The automatic return home failsafe feature
The long transmission range
What is not ideal about it?
The relatively low camera resolution 720p
Low flight time due to a small battery
The Hubsan H502S is a sturdy and lightweight drone that later came in the Hubsan X4 series. The H502S improves on almost everything from the H107L, the first drone in the X4 series. We were impressed by the flight speed of this drone despite its relatively short flight time. This Drone has about 12 minutes of flight time which decreases to 10 minutes on a windy day. However, the H502S has a 36km/h flight speed which is as fast as a cruising speed of a Ruppells vulture.
The drone has an automatic return feature in case of control and transmission loss. This failsafe feature blends well with the GPS positioning, follow me mode, headless mode, and the FPV real-time transmission. This mix of features makes the drone perfect for highly mobile videography. The H502S drone has a 720p HD camera, and a stable hoover allows impressive aerial imaging capability. You can capture images and videos at a distance of up to 200 meters due to the drone’s relatively long transmission range.
Unlike the Hubsan X4 107L, the high 5.8Ghz transmission frequency in the H502S drone cannot penetrate through common obstructions like doors and walls. This transmission frequency makes the H502S X4 drone better suited for open spaces with few to no obstructions.
What it is: For general purpose. The drone will be used on different occasions - mainly for taking photos and video recording. However, the model can also be used for geographic mapping, hunting and fishing or just for fun.
What are its best features?
Detachable gimbal and filter
Low light-capturing for night recording
Visual landing support
What could be improved?
No obstacle avoidance sensors
The Hubsan Zino 2+ drone improves on almost everything the Zino mini pro can do. The Zino 2 plus can fly for 39 minutes and reach up to 5km above sea level. This drone also has various resolutions, from 4K HD to 720 HD resolutions. These resolutions allow the user to choose how much space will be occupied by a video. Additionally, the gimbal on this drone is detachable, making it easy to replace in case of damage.
We tested the Zino 2+ drone and were impressed by its image tracking feature, which follows the user’s image. You can also alternate between visual image tracking and GPS active tracking mode if trees and walls highly obstruct the area. The Zino 2+ also comes with creative video and imaging features like hyper-lapse, slow-motion, panoramic, follow mode, and line fly mode. These neat recording features and a tri-axial gimbal stabilizer allow smooth transitions from recording you to recording your surroundings. The Zino 2+ drone also handles well when flying at night. This foldable drone has amazing low-light capture capability that allows you to capture good images at night.
The Hubsan Zino 2+ drone is the only drone on this list, and the zino and X4 series with a detachable gimbal and filter. Additionally, this drone also has level 6 wind resistance, the highest wind resistance level on this list.
What it is: For general purpose. The drone will be used on different occasions - mainly for taking photos and video recording. However, the model can also be used for geographic mapping, hunting and fishing or just for fun.
What stands out?
High flight time
Waypoint mode
Point of interest orbiting feature
What cons did we manage to find?
Lack of avoidance sensors
Shortest transmission range of the zino series in this list (6km)
The Hubsan Zino Mini SE drone is built for flight endurance and has some of the best specs in the Zino drone series. This drone has a 40 minutes flight time but can reach 45 minutes on a windless day. The brushless motors and 6 km HD transmission allow the drone to take off from 6,000 meters. This takeoff altitude means you can film and take photographs from the top of a mountain (as long as it’s not taller than 6km).
In our opinion, the waypoint mode and optical flow positioning system were the most impressive features of the Zino Mini SE drone. The waypoint mode allows you to chart a course on a GPS map, and the drone will follow that course. This feature can be convenient when you want to record yourself and your surrounding without holding the controller. The Zino Mini SE drone also handles well flying at night. The drone has a bright downward-facing LED light which aids the optical flow positioning system when landing at night. Other neat safety features that increase nighttime capabilities include out-of-control protection, low battery return, and home recognition.
Unlike the Zino mini pro, the Zino Mini SE drone lacks an obstacle avoidance sensor which is why it has a higher flight time. Obstacle avoidance sensors drain power from the battery.
Things to Consider
Recreational and commercial drones are popular because they tap into two desires that almost everyone has: the desire for flight and the desire to photograph ourselves. You are both a pilot and a photographer/filmmaker with a drone. And to fully utilize these capabilities, you will need to know how to choose the right drone for you. This buying guide will help show you the factors to consider when acquiring a drone.
What Is Special About Hubsan Drones?
Hubsan offers some of the best drones in the market with impressive specs at competitive prices. The Hubsan Zino mini pro was the first drone under 250 grams with obstacle avoidance. The Hubsan company is always looking to improve its products with regular software and firmware updates.
Important Features
A drone can have as many special features as a manufacturer can fit in the software and firmware. However, there are some features at the heart of drone technology that you should consider when buying a drone.
Flight time
A drone’s flight time depends on the battery power, type of motors, and the drone’s flying weight.
A powerful battery can significantly increase a drone’s flight time. However, this will add more weight to your drone because the more powerful the battery, the bigger it is. For example, the Hubsan Zino 2+ has the highest flight time on our list but is also the heaviest because of its powerful 4s 3800 mAh 17.4V battery. People sometimes get confused because the flight time of their drone doesn’t match what the manufacturer promised. However, most people don’t realize that flight time is affected by many factors. A drone’s flight time can be reduced by extremely hot or cold weather, windy conditions, and added weight. How you fly your drone can also affect the flight time. Flying your drone fast while recording and doing flips, loops, and rolls will strain the battery, thereby reducing the flight time.
Remote control distance
It’s also known as transmission range or distance. The remote control distance is the maximum distance from which you can control your drone before losing connection. Drones will have different ranges depending on the model, configuration, lift power, weight, and even weather conditions. Mostly, the range of a drone will depend on its quality and price.
Toy drones – about 100 meters
Small drones – 200-300 meters
Medium size drones – 4-5 kilometers
High-quality drones – 8 – 12 kilometers
High-end drones with long remote-control distances often have other failsafe features to protect the drone at such long distances, such as out-of-control protection and automatic return home feature in case of transmission signal loss.
People often lose connection and potentially crash their drones because they fly at high speed and pass the transmission limit. Long-range transmission drones are best if you want to do aerial photography or videography.
Max flight speed
The maximum flight speed of a drone depends on the model, design, altitude, weight, and flight conditions. The average maximum flight speed of a consumer drone is 16 m/s, as in the HUBSAN Zino Mini Pro case, while high-end drones and small drones are 22 m/s and eight m/s, respectively. The DRL Racer X has a maximum flight speed of 80m/s and is the fastest drone ever tested. Most drones come with different modes for different flight speeds, such as normal and sports modes. Fortunately, you can increase the drone’s maximum flight speed by reducing the weight and using sports mode.
Usually, when manufacturers state the maximum flight speed, it is arrived at by testing the drone in windless conditions. Strong winds, especially a tailwind, can significantly slow down the drone. However, a headwind can increase the drone’s speed by increasing lift. Therefore, if you want to increase your drone’s maximum flight speed, perform takeoff in a headwind.
Drone size
Usually, a large drone, like HUBSAN H502S X4 FPV RC Quadcopter Drone, will have high flight time and flight speed and long flight distance because it can carry bigger batteries. However, the bigger the drone does not necessarily mean it’s a faster or better drone. A big drone can carry a larger powerful battery, but it can have a lower flight speed or flight time due to the extra weight. Manufacturers usually specify the frame size on the drone’s specs. The frame size of a quadcopter, for example, is the distance from one motor to its opposite corner motor. Another thing to consider is the propeller size. A large drone will require long propellers, which will take up more room. Therefore, you should consider a drone with foldable wings and propellers for easy portability. Unlike nano and mini drones, large drones have the potential for great damage due to their high power. Consider a big drone that comes with propeller guards and obstacle avoidance.
Battery
A drone’s battery is a crucial component because a powerful drone battery means greater flight time, speed, and overall better functionality.
Battery size should be your first consideration because a bigger battery will have a higher capacity. A big battery will allow your drone to fly higher and longer. Case in point, the Hubsan X4 H107L Drone has a 3.7V Li-Po battery that is 6.0 x 11 x 25mm and 2.2g, while the Hubsan X4 H501SS Pro Version has a 7.4V 2700mAh Li-Po that 83x40x16mm and 115g. The H501SS has higher specs because of its large battery. The second consideration should be the type of battery. Lithium-ion polymer batteries are about four times more powerful than common nickel-based batteries. The far ahead in the series of a LiPo battery is, the higher its voltage. Look for the number followed by the letter ‘S’ in a LiPo battery; for example, a 3S lithium battery has three cells wired together to make an 11.1V battery. LiPo is also very stable, lightweight, flexible, and can recharge hundreds of times.
Frequency
The frequency in drones ranges from 900Mhz to 5.8. GHz, and the difference come in the speed of data transfer and coverage. Most drones with cameras and FPV use 2.4 GHz and 5.8Ghz to transfer images and videos in real-time. Drones without cameras don’t need high frequencies. A camera-less drone can use lower frequencies like 900Mhz, 1.2Ghz, and 1.3Ghz to transmit data to the remote controller. The difference in these frequencies comes in transmission speed and coverage. The higher the frequency, the higher the transfer speed, and the lower the coverage
900Mhz frequency provides the widest coverage of 116.60 km with a low transfer rate of 10mbps
2.4Ghz frequency provides wide coverage, but the data transfer is a much lower compared to 5.8 GHz
5.8 GHz frequency provides less coverage but transfers data the fastest
Camera
For those getting a drone for photography and videography, the camera is the most important drone feature. And the factors to consider for good image quality include the camera resolution, sensor size, camera aperture, gimbal stabilizer, and focal length. Most high-end drones offer 4K HD camera resolution and allow the user to choose between 4K, 1080p, and 720p qualities. However, a higher resolution in a camera with a small sensor size can result in a less sharp image. A good drone camera should provide high resolution with a larger sensor and a long focal length. A drone gimbal stabilizer reduces vibrations and allows the camera to keep its angle despite the drone’s movement. This stability enables videographers to capture perfectly smooth clips.
You can clean your drone using alcohol, a smooth cleaning cloth, a brush, and canned air. Use the alcohol (preferably Isopropyl) and cleaning cloth to clean grass stains, dirt, bugs, and bloodstains on the shell of your drone. The brush can scrub stubborn stains on the drone’s frame. Use the canned air to clean stains out of hard-to-reach areas of your drone, like the motors and battery compartment. Using compressed air is one of the simplest and safest ways to clean your drone’s motors. You can also use silly putty to remove magnetic dirt particles that stick to the motor.
Clear skies and calm weather are the best conditions to fly your drone. The weather should be clear and quiet with medium cloudiness, normal humidity, light wind, medium temperature, and ordinary geomagnetic conditions. These conditions allow smooth takeoff, flying, and landing.
Remember, flying your drone in windy weather will drain the battery faster as the drone tries to stabilize itself. Unless your drone is waterproof, rainy weather will most certainly cause catastrophic electrical damage. Cold weather will cause your drone’s batteries to lose charge quickly. And extreme temperatures will wear down the computers and batteries.
Before storing your drone, you should ensure it is in optimal condition, especially if you are putting it away for a long time. Properly clean the drone, install the latest firmware, and fix any issues before storing the drone. The drone should be stored at room temperature in a demagnetized place. Ideally, you should put the drone in a protective case. A protective case will provide protection from the elements like water, dust, and other particles. Don’t forget to store the batteries separately, away from direct sunlight. You should remove and discharge the batteries to 40 – 60%. The power discharge reduces the stress on the batteries and increases their lifespan.
Our Verdict
Not just drone enthusiasts can benefit from the features and functionalities that drones provide; filmmakers, kids, vloggers, and entrepreneurs can also benefit. And choosing the right drone that suits your purpose well will allow you to reap maximum benefits. The seven drones we reviewed are premium products from a reputable manufacturer you should consider during your drone shopping.
Our Editor’s Choice is the Hubsan Zino Pro Plus which offers fantastic flight time, high-quality camera resolution, and one-touch operation for everyday outdoor filming. For our premium pick, we settled for HUBSAN Zino Mini Pro because it packs a lot of features and functionalities in a small drone. The Zino mini pro is perfect for traveling and adventuring due to its easy portability and obstacle avoidance obstacle feature. And lastly, our best value pick is the Hubsan X4 H501SS Pro because of its advantageous cost to quality ratio. We hope these choices and the review will help you find the best Hubsan drone in the market.
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References
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Internet of Things (IoT) news, blogs and analysis - IoTAgenda.com
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The GSD is the real-world size of a pixel in your images. This sets a physical limit on the accuracy of your aerial survey. If your GSD is 5cm, the map or model is accurate down to 5cm and no more. The GSD is measured in cm/pixel and is usually ranging from
In 2019 Hubsan launched Hubsan Zino, a foldable drone that is perfect for beginners. Additionally, users can choose to control the drone with a smartphone through the X-Hubsan app, which is available on both Google Play and the App Store. Hubsan's Zino comes qith intelligent fight modes and top-quality camera.