As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Quadcopters are transforming the way things are being done not only in professional cinematography and photography but also in how people indulge in fun activities with the use of toys. This creates a challenge to the interested parties as you will need to make a choice of which company to trust among the overwhelming number of manufacturers.
For instance, Syma Toys is a drone manufacturer that you could rely on, located in Shantou, China. They are the producers of the already popular Syma Quadcopter.
Some of their most popular quads in this category are the Syma X11 mini-quadcopter and the X5C-1 Explorer 2015 version which features a 6-axis Gyro system. You can also check out the Syma X5SW Plus quadcopter drone – an improvement of the former. These are just some of the notable Syma quadcopters that you can settle on but this article will expose some others that you could put on your list of preference from this company.
The best Syma quadcopters to consider
The Syma X11 Hornet Quadcopter drone
Compared to the Hubsan drones, the Syma X11 Hornet is a relatively better entry-level drone due to more specs and an affordable price. It has an excellent build quality and you will be absolutely amazed by this toy-grade quadcopter.
The plastic used to make it is pretty versatile and your drone will withstand many crashes, which is quite convenient for beginners. You have also been given a margin of error while using this drone thanks to the prop guard, which feels pretty flexible and rubbery in consistency. It is also good to note that the blades of the X11 Hornet drone are fixed to the drone using screws compared to the snap on type of attachments for other similar drones.
The controller for this drone is also something you should look forward to using. However, if you are not used to using joysticks you might find the drone’s controller a bit uncomfortable till you get used to it. The control range of this drone is about 30m after which you start feeling that you are out of control of your drone.
It is worth mentioning that the drone is not among the most agile ones, but the prop guard offers some safety and stability while flying. The drone is weighed down by its poor agility and maneuverability and the flight time is consequently reduced.
This Syma quadcopter has two flight modes and the faster learner or one with experience in flying drones might opt to put it on the higher rate. It is also able to do flips, but since its agility, is in question, this should be done when the drone is at least 6 feet above the ground. The battery of the Syma X11 is a 200mAh battery which can get charged in 35 minutes. You will enjoy an average flight time of about 7 minutes while using this drone.
Some of the key features of the Syma X11 are:
- Comes with an Indoor/Outdoor 4 channel RC
- Features a 3-axis stabilization system
- It has one prop guard and spare set of 4 propellers
- 4GHz Spread Spectrum Technology Controller
The Syma X11 quadcopter is a good entry-level drone and it is among the best beginner quadcopters in the market. However, seasoned drone pilots will not be contented with it. This quad doesn’t feature a camera but it is quite affordable costing about $30 including the shipment costs. For more information on this model, we suggest checking out our Syma X11 in-depth review.
The Syma X5C-1 Explorer 2015 Version
To start with, the Syma X5C-1 is considered to be the best seller drone in its category. It is affordable, going for about $60 and it also fairly easy to fly. It comes with improved or added specs compared to its predecessor model. It is a fully assembled 2.4 GHz drone with the stability that you would desire for outdoor and indoor flying.
It comes with a USB charging cable, 4 spare rotors, 2 landing skids as well as 4 guard bumpers just to name a few of its components. The stability and improved power make it great for beginner flyers.
Thanks to the 6 axis flight controls, you can try a range of maneuvers, from yaw, roll, to pitching. The trim buttons on the controller double up as the remote control for this drone. The Syma X5C-1 also features a camera that is remote controlled; this will aid you in conserving the battery and capturing snapshots only when you are at an appropriate altitude.
There is also an expert mode that is meant for more experienced drone pilots. In this mode the sensitivity of the joysticks will be increased to help you to easily and skillfully undertake more complex pitch turns as well as other advanced ones. The Syma X5C-1 also features internal LED lightning that will enable you to fly at night or in instances where you find yourself in places that are dimly lit.
The notable features of the Syma X5C-1 are:
- It is equipped with an HD camera together with a 2GB micro SD card
- It is able to undertake flips just at the press of the button with 360 degrees eversion
- Has wind resistance ability and it can be flown both indoors and outdoors
- You will enjoy maximum stability thanks to its 6-axis Gyro stabilizing system
- 100 minute charge time and 7 minute flight time
The only drawback of this beginner drone is its camera. Compared to other beginner quadcopter drones (for instance, the Hubsan X4) this quad only offers a 2MP camera though it is still able to shoot 720p videos. The angle at which the camera has been fixed to this drone also interferes with the quality of the photos and videos since most of them will be in diagonal views.
The control range distance for this drone is about 80m and it costs about $50. For a much better insight on this model, as well as the entire X5 series, we suggest checking out our article about the best Syma X5 series models.
The Syma X5SW Plus Quadcopter drone
Of the Syma quadcopters this is the most advanced quadcopter model among Syma’s X5 range of toy-grade quads. This drone is also the priciest one in this range, though by only a small range and it uniquely features the FPV video over Wi-Fi. The X5SW is so identical to the X5SC as well as the X5S but what tells it apart is the FPV feature.
The flight time of this drone is about 6 to 8 minutes when the prop guard and camera are turned off and it reduces to about 4 minutes when these are turned on.
You will get to enjoy a FPV camera, for a shoestring budget with the Syma X5SW and this being after you have installed the Syma FPV app on your Android or iOS smartphone. It is good to note that this app is only available for Android devices of 4.2 and above. After installing the app, you need to run it and then turn on your drone. The camera of this drone takes about 30 sec to set up its own Wi-Fi hotspot and once this is running, you should then connect your phone to view the FPV feed from the Syma X5SW camera.
This drone comes with a phone holder which can be attached at the top of its transmitter. Thanks to this it’s easier for the drone pilot to transmit the FPV feed while operating the drone.
One drawback of the FPV feed relying on Wi-Fi for transmission is that there is a lot of lag or latency in the transmission. This implies that this drone cannot be flown while one is completely using the FPV feature and it should also be kept within site for a better experience of the flight. This will help you to avoid crashes especially when the X5SW is flown in close proximity to buildings or trees. The latency becomes strikingly noticeable when the drone exceeds the 50m from the controller which affects the video transmission to the point of it seeming like a slideshow.
The Syma X5SW has a 4 channel RC with a charging time of about 130 minutes, the control distance as mentioned is 50m. It has a built-in Gyro and night time flights are possible. The package of this drone comes along with a transmitter, 500mAh battery, landing gear, protective frames, a pair of spare propellers, a screwdriver as well as a USB charger connected cable.
There key features of this drone are:
- It is an upgraded version with better flight control as well as a longer flight time
- No FAA registration is required for this drone
- Features FPV real-time video streaming thanks to its HD camera
- Has the headless mode courtesy of the IOC, (intelligent orientation control) function
- It also has a 6 axis Gyro flight control systems, the 3D lock feature, has a more scheduled flight
This drone is not meant for fast RC racing but the FPV feature could come in handy if you want a drone that will enable you to align and take frame shots. It is a pretty affordable flying camera as drones with the FPV feature costs about 10 to 20 times as much as the Syma X5SW Plus. It goes for about $129 which is fair considering its features.
The Syma X8G Quadcopter
This is the newest model of the X8 series of Syma quadcopters and it is also a pretty affordable drone. It features a better quality camera in comparison to the X5 and X8 series of Syma quadcopters and a 5MP camera with a resolution of about 1080p. The control range of this drone is about 100m which is an improvement on the X8W model. This drone is appropriate for beginners as it is easy to fly and it is quite stable even when you will be facing a stronger wind.
Syma X8G features one of the latest 6 axis flight control system which guarantees that you will have stabilized flight. Its maneuverability implies that is a good drone to be flown both indoors as well as outdoors. The headless mode will enable you to control the drone regardless of the direction in which it is facing using the remote controller.
You can also make use of a button on the controller to try out some outstanding air stunts; it is even able to perform a 360 degree eversion in the air.
The LED lights on this drone mean that you can fly it at night with good visibility. On the other hand, the blade protectors and the landing gear assure offer extra-safety during flight. The camera is able to take quality photos and they will be saved on the 4GB memory card. The flight time is about 7 to 8 minutes which is relatively short compared to similar drones from other manufacturers. The battery (a 2000mAh battery) can be charged with a USB cable which is somehow convenient.
The key features of the Syma X8G:
- Comes with a 1080p HD camera
- Features a 4 channel function with a 6 axis Gyro system as well as the Headless mode
- Has the 2.4G anti-interference technology
- It can be flown both indoors and outdoors
This is a suitable drone for enthusiast beginner drone pilots. You can take quality photos with this quadcopter but its flight time is slightly low compared to similar drones from other manufacturers. It goes for about $138 USDs.
If you think that this product could be useful for you, then you can buy it here.
The Syma X9 Flycar Quadcopter
This is a new, unique and pretty cool Syma quadcopter that is built to be both flown in the air and driven on land. It has a four axis structure and it is both a vehicle and an aircraft with a 6 axis Gyroscope. The drone has a modular design structure to facilitate easy assembly as well as maintenance.
The 4 axis structure allows this drone to be more flexible as well as to execute rapid movements while it’s in the air during a flight. This drone can also be flown both indoors and outdoors and it is quite a wind resistant quadcopter. The 6 axis Gyro offers you 6 axis flight controls systems, a 3D lock as well as a more scheduled flight. The integration of vehicle and the aircraft means that you can drive this drone on land and it can also take a flight in the air.
This 2.4 GHz Radio controlled drone is able to execute a number of maneuvers like the 360 eversion and various rolls. Using the Throwing flight you can be able to throw this drone in the air and then immediately begin flying it. You can also be able to drive or fly this drone for long distances without interference due to the use of a new radio technology, this consumes less power and it enables the drone to give a more rapid response.
The quad uses a 600mAh batteries and it has an operating area of about 40 to 50 meters. The charging time for the battery is approximately 100 minutes and the playing time is about 5 minutes.
The key features of this Flycar are;
- It is a 2 in 1 drone; you can fly or drive it
- Has a 4 axis structure
- Has the throwing flight feature and the 360 degree eversion
- Features a 2.4GHz radio control
- Has a 6 axis Gyro Control system.
The Syma X9 Flycar costs about $45 and it is suitable for beginners drone pilots who would wish to experience what it feels like to fly and drive a quadcopter. It does feature a camera and its playing time is relatively short.
Like this amazing product? Then you can check its price on Amazon.
Who are these quadcopters meant for?
Syma quadcopter are good beginner drones that have pocket-friendly price tags compared to drones from other manufacturers. They are also fully assembled and their safety is ensured thanks to the prop guards.
The Syma X11 Hornet is a good beginner quadcopter. It is affordable, safe to fly but its control range is relatively low compared to other Syma quadcopter. It does not feature a camera and the seasoned drone flyers will not be impressed with it.
On the other hand, the Syma X5C-1 drone is considered to be the best entry-level drone and thus is the most appropriate drone for beginners. It is affordable, easy to fly and quite safe for beginners. This drone has a low-quality camera compared to other drones in its range.
The Syma X5SW Plus drone is the most advanced drone among Syma’s X5 series and is equipped with FPV feature. It is great if you are a hobbyist who wants an affordable drone that has the FPV feature as it is about 10 to 20 times cheaper. You will however suffer some lag and latency due to the nature of transmission of the FPV feed. This drone also has a relatively short flight time, about 5 minutes compared to other drones.
If you are an enthusiastic drone flyer you will fall for the Syma X8G drone. It will enable you to take high-quality photos and videos due to its high quality camera. It is a good pick for beginners as it has the appropriate stability and it is quite safe to fly. The controller distance is relatively longer compared to other Syma drones.
The Syma X9 Flycar is a unique and cool beginner quadcopter that is pretty affordable. You will not only fly this drone but you can also drive it on land.
In conclusion, Syma quadcopters are good beginner drones due to a number of features which guarantee safety and stability for the advanced ones. On the other hand, they have a shorter flight time which is drastically reduced in case they have a camera. But if you are looking for an affordable drone for a beginner pilot, this is the right company for you.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates.