I know, why should we talk about mini drones when summer is almost here and we can go out and play with our bigger birds?
First off all, every beginner should start his journey with a mini drone. Investing a fortune into a quadcopter that will probably end up crashing is worthless.
Secondly, you can find mini drones with excellent flight performances that meet the needs of professional FPV racing pilots.
While Mini Drones are approximately the size of your palm, Nano Drones are even smaller, measuring as much as a box of matches. They may be little but most of them come with a camera and plenty of nice features.
Mini drones can be equipped with “standard” cameras that allow only to record videos\take photos and with FPV cameras that are capable of broadcasting live video to the pilot on the ground. If you need a mini drone with a camera for FPV flights, I recommend looking for one with 5.8G VTX because WiFi FPV has to much latency.
Top 5 mini drones with camera
I need to underline that all the mini drones from the list below were personally tested by me or by someone from the FirstQuadcopter.com review team
1 Eachine E010, aka Poor Man’s Tiny Whoop
I added the Eachine E010 to the top of the list because is one of the most affordable, easy to learn, durable, and safe to fly indoors mini drones.
Thanks to the ducted propeller design, everything is safe in your house – from your finger to your curious cat :)
I know it doesn’t have a camera, but it can easily be equipped with a tiny 5.8G FPV camera. For an extra 20 bucks, you can also opt for the E010C, which natively comes with an 800TVL 25MW VTX camera.
Main features: Ducted propellers (Whoop design), Headless mode and 3D Flips
Product Size: 9.5 * 9.5 * 5cm Flying time: about 5 minutes
2 JJRC H37 Elfie / Eachine E50 mini foldable selfie drone
Maybe the Elfie drone is not the smallest one, but thanks to its foldable design and smartphone control, you can take it everywhere.
As I mentioned, you don’t need a physical remote controller, the aircraft can be controlled through your smartphone. You can control it using virtual sticks or by tilting your phone.
The altitude-hold feature works very well and allows one-hand control.
If you like the concept, the Eachine E55 is an even more compact sElfie drone.
Main features: Foldable arms, WiFi camera, APP control, Altitude-hold, Headless mode and RTH
Product Size: 13.5 * 6.5 * 2.5cm Flying time: about 10 minutes
3 Cheerson CX-17 Cricket
I reviewed the CX-17 Cricket about a month ago, and I was pleasantly surprised by its good wind resistance. Usually, small drones are easily taken by the slightest breeze but this one stands very well.
Although the Cheerson CX-17 is a very cheap mini drone, it comes will all the latest features and a Wi-Fi FPV camera.
Being very small and easy to control, my 7-year-old boy just loves to play with it.
Main features: Propeller protectors, Altitude-hold, Headless mode, RTH, Wi-Fi FPV camera, APP control, and Multiple control modes
Product Size: 11.6 * 11.2 * 3.4cm Flying time: about 6 – 7 minutes
4 Hubsan H111D mini drone with 5.8G FPV camera
Unlike the other mini drones from this list, the Hubsan H111D comes with a complete 5.8G FPV system. The H111D’s transmitter is equipped with a 5.8G FPV monitor.
Priced for $80, the Hubsan H111D is a great entry-level FPV drone. It is an affordable way to practice both LoS and FPV flights.
My only disappointment regarding this mini Hubsan was the lack of altitude hold. In my opinion, it is a must-have feature for first-time pilots.
Main features: Complete 5.8G FPV system (camera + monitor), Dual speed rate, Headless flight mode, multi-color LED lights
Product Size: 6.8 * 6.8 * 2.5 cm Flying time: about 5 minutes
5 Cheerson CX-10WD is the world’s smallest drone with a camera
Cheerson Hobby continuously improved the CX-10 series. While the first model of the family has no camera or any fancy features, the CX-10WD is equipped with a Wi-Fi camera and many cool features.
To allow convenient storing and carrying, the Cheerson CX-10WD‘s transmitter is provided with a dedicated compartment for the drone. The remote controller is extendable, so kids and adults can comfortably use it.
Main features: Multiple control modes (RC and Smartphone APP), Altitude hold, One Key Take off/Land, Headless flight mode, Camera with real-time image transmission
Product Size: 4.2 * 4.2 * 2.5 cm Flying time: about 4 minutes
Top 5 mini drones with camera: Final words
I hope you have found the above information useful in your search for an affordable small Drone with a camera. As I previously mentioned, our review crew personally tested these mini drones, so if you need more details about any of them, contact us.
As we are only in the middle of 2017, I’m sure the list above will be updated with new and more interesting mini-drones as they are announced.
If you want a more versatile mini drone, check my Best Tiny Whoop alternative list.
What about the syma x20? It looks like a great mini quad
Drones are a lot of fun but can become dangerous when not operated properly due this I recomand mini drones for newbies. Smaller drone less damages!
Thanks Kyle for this awesome list!
I’m looking for a cheap mini drone. I like the design of the E010 what camera would you suggest for it?
I missed bayang toys x9. Also on a devo it flys amazing you can also flash dual flite modes and acro mode. Many people have left useful setup info on youtube wiki rcgroups and many others.
Buy JJRC H8 a mini drone with open source software easily moded. Buy blue flyte controller board at banggood STLink usb programming tool by new frames or make them. 615 motors 720 8520 and 1103 brushless motors must by esc solder in front of H8 on board ones for brushless. It has a bluetooth telemetry app on playstore by silverware. Add fpv camera. Yes the H8 does it all. Just need to use your imagination and someones already done it with the H8 H8s. Flourian 101 JJ 1000. Check out rcgroups H8. Many many links and a wonderous fun time.