Are you in the market for a small, affordable drone? Often, people who are interested in drones don’t want to spend the money to buy a big drone that they can use outdoors before they have some experience flying them. After all, nobody wants to lose thousand dollar drone.
Nano drones are tiny and are best flown in doors. The risk of losing them is small for that reason. However, it can be difficult to know which drone is best. That’s why we’re here to help. Before we list our favorites, let’s talk about what to look for when you buy a drone.
Virhuck Volar-360 RC Nano Drone
The #9 pick on our list is the Virhuck Volar-360 RC Nano Drone. We like it because in spite of its small size, it packs a punch. It weighs less than two ounces, but it has four motors and a 6-axis gyro system for stability. You can use the included controller to pitch, roll, yaw, trim, as well as rotate 360 degrees. It also comes with headless mode and a one-key return key for easy retrieval.
There are a few potential downsides to consider. First, the flying time is pretty low, only about five minutes with a charge – although it does help that it takes only about 15-20 minutes to charge via a USB connector. Second, finding replacement parts is very difficult and none are included. It’s an affordable drone, but more expensive than the Cheerson.
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EACHINE E010 Mini UFO Quadcopter Drone
Coming in at #8 is a drone that’s a little larger but can still fit in the palm of your hand, the Eachine E010 Mini UFO Quadcopter Drone. This drone has 6 gyros for stability and can do a 360 degree roll with ease. Each one of the four propellers is set into a duct, and that makes this drone of the most durable on our list. The controllers are easy enough to use that even small children can get comfortable flying one of these with just a few minutes of practice.
On the downside, the flight time of just about five minutes is a bit low considering that it takes 45 minutes to fully charge. However, unlike some other drones the rechargeable batteries are removable, so you can buy an extra set and avoid the waiting. The props are effective but also sensitive – even getting one hair caught in them can bring this drone down.
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Bangcool Mini RC Drone
Our #7 pick is the Bangcool Mini RC Drone, which is about 3.5” in diameter and very durable. Like the Eachine, this drone has ducts to help protect the propellers, and is remarkably stable in flight. It can do a cool mid-air flip and unlike a lot of inexpensive nano drones, it comes with headless mode. It also comes with a 12-month warranty.
There are a few negatives to consider. First, this drone is not particularly quiet. You shouldn’t expect to fly it while someone is watching television – at least not without annoying them. It also has a relatively long charging time – 30-50 minutes. Removing the batteries is not as easy as it should be, and kids are unlikely to be able to do it on their own. It can get as much as 7 minutes of flight time if you’re just flying and hovering, but aggressive flying will cut into your flight time.
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RCtown NH010 Mini Drone
Our #6 pick is the RCtown NH010 Mini Drone. This drone is very stable considering its small size, and easy enough even for small children to use. It can move in any direction and do flips, and the fact that it comes with ducts to protect the propellers and four replacement propellers makes this particular drone a good choice if you’re worried about crashing. It also has one-key return for easy retrieval.
There are a few potential downsides to keep in mind. First, the batteries are removable but finding replacement battery packs is a challenge. You’ll have to wait 30-50 minutes for your drone to recharge once the battery is drained. However, its low price and easy use make it a good choice for beginners.
Best Smart Nano Drones in 2019 