Micro Quadcopters: Best 5 Amazing Products You Must See

With the development of the latest technologies and the increased popularity of UAVs, there is a wide range of quadcopters out there. They are available in different dimensions, shapes, performances, and other features and they can be customized quite easily.

As for the size, these interesting devices range from very small to big ones. So, if you are looking for a small model, you should consider a micro quadcopter.

As you will see, these small quads have many benefits compared to other choppers. Quadcopters, in general, are the great tools and they can be very useful for various occasions, which led to various applications in different fields.

For example, they are widely used in aerial photography, surveying, mapping, meteorology, engineering, or for entertainment. More and more institutions, organizations, and individuals use them for a variety of purposes and that’s because they are easy to use and not so difficult to manage. Moreover, quads can reach places where big choppers are of no use.

Micro quads are usually more durable and cheaper than other conventional quadcopters and drones due to their technical simplicity. Because of their small size, they are almost unobservable while flying, which makes them very popular. However, finding the best micro quadcopter can be a challenging task.

You will find hundreds of different models on the market, and it’s not easy at all to find the model that best fits your needs. In the following text, you will see a list of the top 5 quadcopters of this kind, and find more about their size and other features.

Also, you’ll find other useful information about them like where you can fly them, who should use them, what is the difference between them and regular sized quads, what model to choose, pros and cons, etc.

The 5 best selling products on the market

DBPOWER Hawkeye-I Quadcopter

Looking for a palm-sized transformable quadcopter with a quality camera? If so, you must check out the DBPower Hawkeye-I Quadcopter! It is one of the bestselling, pre-built, small drones. The appealing design, perfect control system, 2MP HD camera, and ultra stable flight are the main advantages of this aircraft.

This impressive quad is able to perform various breathtaking movements while flying, such as hand throwing flight and 360º flips. Therefore, it is easy to control and suitable for beginners.

By purchasing this drone, you get access to friendly customer service, teaching video, and welcome guide. Also, you’ll get 3.7V 450mAh Li-Po battery for the quad (it charges in about 1h), while the AAA batteries for its controller are not included in the package. It is a small and lightweight drone since its dimensions are 3.5 x 3.5 x 1.4 inches and it weighs one pound.

DBPOWER Hawkeye-I quad features 4 motor drivers, 2GB micro SD card, blades with protective guard, and 6-axis gyro for precise and stable flying. Also, it contains 4-channel and 2.4G transmitter which provides easy control.

You can have control over the speed of this aircraft at any moment since there are three speed modes – low, medium and high. Control distance is 30 m and the flight length is 6-9 min.

What makes this model different from its competitor is the ability to transform into RC car with 2 big wheels for climbing on the wall, or 4 small wheels for running on the ground. In addition, it has a 2MP camera for a 720p HD video. It allows you to record from the sky and take high-resolution photos. According to numerous customer reviews, this quad is at the very top in this category.

 

Hubsan X4 (H107L)

Hubsan X4 H107L is the bestselling, and one of the most popular models, when it comes to miniature quads. The Hubsan company sales a number of beautiful small quads, but this one has the greatest popularity due to the excellent features, high build quality, modern design, and great flying capabilities.

It comes with 4 micro coreless powerful motors, a 2.4Ghz frequency with 4 channels, 6-axis flight control system, improved mode, a quality 3.7V lithium metal battery with a capacity of 240mAh, USB charger, and much more. If we take into account all of these features, the price is really affordable.

The product dimensions are 2.3×2.3×1 inches (about 6x6x2.5 cm), and in accordance with such a small size, the weight is also low – just 1.4 pounds. Its superb 6-axis flight control system comes along with adjustable gyro sensitivity, which results in the super stable flight.

Also, there are 4 rubber feet as well as 4 small LED lights (2 white and 2 blue). All components are well composed in a lightweight one-piece black frame with a great durability.

Thanks to these features, this Hubsan quadcopter has some impressive flying capabilities. The flight time is around 7 min, while the control distance is around 100 meters. It is ideal for either indoor or outdoor flight and you can use this quad during the night because it is designed to fly in the dark as well. If you want to find out much more about this model, we suggest checking out our Hubsan X4 in-depth review.

 

Inguity Max Speed

The next amazing model you must see is a personal 3D quad, the Inguity Max Speed. It looks very nice, especially when you turn the LED lights on in the dark. This product comes with new and improved flight capabilities.

For instance, the Inguity max speed quadcopter is able to tilt at 45 degrees while flying, which is very important when using it in windy weather. Although you can get it at a pretty low price, the quality is very high, so you will use it for a long time.

The product’s weight is only 1.2 pounds and the small dimensions (5.5×5.5×1 inches), make this personal 3D quadcopter easy to store and suitable to carry. This fast acrobatic drone is very durable, since its frame is made from crush resistant polymer, and the motors are ensured with flexible blade guards.

There are 4 motors in total, which work in opposite directions and they are pitched differently. The controller range of  2.4GHz and 6-axis accelerometer provide fast and stable flight. Also, it contains magnetometer for better heading stabilization and 3D flips.

It is very easy to control such a quad, and therefore, it is perfect for beginners. In order to run this stunt drone, you’ll need the removable LiPo battery of 3.7V and 300mAh. You can charge this battery in 45 minutes by USB 120V A/C charger, and the fully charged battery allows 8 mins of flight.

It is intended for either indoor or outdoor flight, and what’s more, the internal lights make it suitable for the night flight alike. According to the owners’ reviews, this personal 3D quad is declared as the fastest and most acrobatic drone in its category.

 

Holy Stone HS170 Predator Mini RC Helicopter Drone

Another great model you must see is the Holy Stone HS170 Predator quadcopter. It is the best choice for the drone trainers and it is intended only for the experienced RC copter pilots. This wind-resistant drone has an embedded headless security system which prevents losing the quad. Good performance make it stable and flexible aircraft.

Being this copter only weighs 14.4 ounces (0.9 pounds) and measures 5.3×1.6×5.3 inches, it is lightweight and easy to carry. In addition to the quadcopter, the package also includes 4G remote controller, four additional rotating blades, Li-Ion battery, screwdriver, USB charging cable, and user manual.

As for the product specifications, it features 2.4GHz technology as well as 6-axis stabilization system. These great characteristics make this copter ultra stable, easy to control, and quality build.

Holy Stone quadcopter is powered by battery 350mAh 3.7V Li-Ion battery, and the charging time is from 60 to 80 minutes. Fully charged battery allows 6-8 minutes of flight, and you can control this drone at a distance of 30-50 m.

Who can use this amazing RC copter? Manufacturer recommended it to people of 14 age and up. When using this copter for the first time, you must read the user manual carefully. The owners are very satisfied with this quad and there are only the good feedbacks.

 

Cheerson CX-10 Mini

Cheerson CX-10 Mini RC quadcopter is also on the list of our best selling small quads. Even though this may not the best model in its class, you will get a pretty good mini quad at a low price. That’s why many people decide to buy it.

Simply said, this is a lightweight small drone with nice durability and a well-designed smooth appearance. This copter comes in nice bright orange plastic frame, has great flying stability and three different flight modes.

The size of the resulted quad is 1.65×1.65×0.79 inches (4.2×4.2×2 cm), and the main rotor is 29 mm in diameter. Even better, it only weighs 29g due to the lightweight plastic airframe. Other important features are the frequency of 2.4G, 6-axis design, and an integrated speed control with 3-level speed flip function.

Also, it requires a 4channel radio to fly. Besides the quad, you get two main blades, as well as a transmitter, USB cable, and user manual in the package.

When it comes to the batteries, Cheerson mini orange quadcopter requires lithium battery (3.7V 100mAh) while the transmitter needs two 1.5V AAA batteries. The average charging time is 30-40 minutes only.

The flight time is up to 4-8 minutes, and you can control it at a distance up to 40 m. It’s quite easy to control it, so even the kids can use it and have a lot of fun. In general, the majority of owners are satisfied with this model. For a better insight on what this tiny drone offers, we suggest that you also take a look at our Cheerson CX-10 Mini in-depth review.

 

Where can you fly min quads?

The quadcopter drones range from big to very small models; the so-called micro drones. These small drones are palm-sized and they fit the pocket. Their small size makes them suitable for the difficult to reach locations, where the big drones can’t be used. Also, such a size implies a low weight, so they are easy to carry and store because they don’t need much space.

Their width and length are just a few inches, so the majority of them range from 1.5 to 5 inches. Also, they are pretty low (or thin) and in most cases their height is not greater than 1.5 inches. In the future, we can expect that these little ones will be even smaller than today’s models and it would really be fantastic.

As mentioned above, such a small size allows them to reach different places. So, where can you fly them? Actually, you can fly them almost everywhere, except for the danger areas and prohibited locations, such as areas of military airspace and near airports, sensitive locations, national parks, enclosed private properties, and the other locations where the access is not legal.

Across the world, the rules on unmanned aircraft are a little bit different. Therefore, you should be familiar with the specific rules in your country, or in a certain country or region where you will fly your quad.

The micro and mini drones are intended for both indoor and outdoor flight. When using these quadcopters to record or take the photos from the sky, it would be great to find some attractive location. For example, it may be a mountain peak, above the sea when sailing, or the top of a skyscraper. Avoid hardly passable areas such as brushwood and the like. Also, avoid the locations with bad weather conditions.

Differences between micro and regular sized quadcopters

Of course, the basic difference between micro and regular sized quadcopters is in their size. Smaller size means the lower weight alike. Aside from the size and weight, these quads also differ in some performances and technical characteristics.

In comparison to regular sized and large quads, the micro sized models have both advantages and disadvantages. First, let’s see what are their advantages over the regular sized quads:

• They can be used in hard to access places where the bigger quads are of no use.
• Due to the smaller blades, they produce less kinetic energy which reduces the possibility of causing damages to surrounding objects.
• Safer for close interaction, and hence more suitable for indoor use.
• Easier to control in general, and hence more convenient for kids and beginners.
• Simpler technical design along with mechanical simplicity.
• Less noticeable while flying.
• Lower weight (about one pound or slightly more).
• Their price is slightly lower, for a few dollars.

However, there are also a few disadvantages:

• The smaller size implies the less space for bigger components, such as more powerful motors, transformers, batteries and a larger camera.
• They allow less space for additional equipment. The regular sized and large RC quads can be loaded with more features and a variety of accessories.
• Small application in engineering, mapping, and other serious projects (they are mainly intended for fun).
• Less use in field recording from the sky.
• Tiny quadcopters are extremely lightweight, and thus, they cannot struggle with strong winds when flying them outdoors. For windy weather conditions, you must have extensive experience in flying micro drones.

On the other side, the mini and regular sized quadcopters have many identical or similar technical characteristics, functions and capabilities. For instance, they have the similar design and components, including 6-axis gyro, transmitter, frame, batteries, and so on. Also, there are many other similar features, such as flying stability, speed flip functions, frequency, flying and charging time, and almost the same control distance.

Who should use these tiny quadcopters?

The aforementioned quads are the pre-built devices, so they are neither for those people who want to construct a copter themselves nor for those who are interested in buying quadcopter kits. Also, it is not necessary to be professional in this craft to fly such an unmanned aerial vehicle.

These little quads are ideal for beginner drone pilots, as well as for those who already have previous experience in flying larger RC quadcopters. If you are experienced in controlling the big RC drones, it is even easier to fly a tiny quad.

As far as the beginners go, there is no better drone to learn RC flying than the micro models. They are not difficult to use and maintain, easy to learn and also easy to control, durable and safe to fly.   What’s more, these quadcopters are great to enjoy your time in the sky and record surroundings.

If a certain model doesn’t have a built-in camera, you can add a camera yourself and record or take the photos from a bird’s perspective. These copters have a great control system and high flying stability, so everyone can quickly learn how to fly them in just a few days. Previous experiences don’t actually matter so you can be a complete noob.

When learning to fly such a copter for the very first time, it would be good to find an appropriate place for that. Take your first flying lesson indoors, in your house or find an empty room for this purpose. For the outdoor flies, choose a calm windless day, as well as a clean area.

As for the age, these cute copters are suitable for both kids and adults. Most manufacturers recommend their models for persons over 14 years of age, however, even the younger kids can fly them easily. On the other hand, there is no upper limit when it comes to the age of pilots.

What you need to consider when buying such a quad?

When looking for a ready-to-fly mini quad, there are many things you need to consider as it is not easy to pick up the best for you among thousands of different models on the market. A certain model should give you a good reason to buy it. In the following buying guide, you can find out what to consider regarding these miniature copters.

#1: The price

For most people, the price is the main factor when buying a product. The same goes with these quadcopters. However, it doesn’t mean you need to purchase the cheapest model you find on the web. On the other hand, if you don’t have any previous experience in flying the drones, it’s recommended to take a cheap quad in order to learn the basic moves.

A cheap model is good to get you acquainted with various situations where such a copter may get damaged. You don’t want to break the camera at first flight? Then, opt for some cheap model for the beginning. When you gain a valuable flying experience, you can later invest in a more expensive and more advanced model. In most cases, their price ranges from 20 to 60 dollars.

#2: Build, flight time, and control distance

Typically, these quadcopters are able to fly between 5 and 10 minutes, while the control distance is 30-60 meters. So, take these extents as the average values. Some manufacturers claim a longer flying time and larger control distance for their brands than they truly are, so it is good to check out the owners’ reviews for the real values.

In addition to the length of flying time, it’s also important to have a quadcopter with an ultra-stable flight and a few different flying modes.

Also, you must pay attention to the build details of a certain model. Do not rush! Look carefully for every detail in the quadcopter’s specifications. Particularly, you must pay attention to the features of the motors, micro card, blades, gyro sensitivity, and capacity of batteries. Besides these characteristics, you should find out is a certain quad can be equipped with the additional devices such as camera and the like.

#3: The design and materials

Aside from the technical characteristics, the design is also an important fact when buying such a product. The design mainly depends on the frame, blades and shape. Although all manufacturers aim to produce attractive and eye-catching models, not all tiny quadcopters are equally appealing for customers.

Also, you need to pay attention to the frame material. If you are not a skilled RC pilot, it is better to opt for the metal frame, as it is more resistant to shocks. Models with the plastic frames are usually cheaper, but they are more likely to get damaged.

#4: The camera

Flying a micro drone is very fun, but it’s more interesting if you also use this drone for taking photos and recording. Therefore, the camera is another fact you should consider. Not all tiny quads come with built-in cameras in their construction since most of them do not have a camera, so it is recommended to take one that supports it if you are interested in recording.

However, when you have a quadcopter with a camera, you must always have your quad in the line of your sight while flying it. This requires constant attention and a little experience, too. If you want to have a mini drone for high-quality aerial video, you should opt for 4K or, at least, 720p (1280×720) camera which is capable of shooting detailed footages.

Also, some cameras record videos from the remote control (or directly to laptop, tablet or smartphone), while the others shoot footage directly to microSD cards and USB drives.

Not sure what model to buy?

Yes, there are a lot of beautiful models when it comes to the miniature quadcopters, but you can narrow down your choices if you know exactly what quad you want to fly. Pay attention to the motors and gyros, fly mode, design, batteries and price.

Take into account every detail shown in the product specification, and read the customer reviews as well. Also, when buying such a product, it is useful to know their main pros and cons.

Pros:

• These quadcopters are easy to fly and control. Therefore, they are affordable for both kids and adults, and good for beginners to start learning RC craft.
• Suitable for indoor flights, and also good for outdoor activities when the weather is calm.
• Due to the small size, these drones can pass through hard to reach places.
• In addition to flying, they can be used for recording, too.
• They have a low weight, only about 1.5 pounds.
• Most today’s models have a nice design and appearance.
• You can get one at a low price.

Cons:

• Short flying time (5-10 min) and a little control distance (about 30-50 m).
• Smaller application in engineering and mapping compared to bigger drones. In fact, these tiny quads are mainly intended for fun.
• They have a little free space for additional equipment.
• Due to the low weight, it’s hard to control them when the wind blows.

Take into consideration all cons and pros, as well as the flying capabilities and particular features of a model that attracted your attention. Of course, you should consider the price alike. It is always good to know everything about the offered products before going shopping. At last, compare the offered models and choose one that best fits your needs.