Today we will have a detailed overview of the two most popular drones under $200 and make an in-depth comparison of the SRCC F11 and ZLRC SG906 series. Last year we reviewed both of these two GPS-enabled drones, so our comparison is based on real-user experience. Our SJRC F11 4K Pro versus ZLRC SG906 Pro 2 article covers battery life, flight range, and camera performance.
Both F11 and SG906 have numerous revisions. Over time they have been constantly updated. The first F11 model was revealed somewhere in 2018 and the original SG906, or so-called Beast, in April 2019. While SJRC stuck to 2-axis gimbals, all ZLRC drones are equipped with 3-axis mechanical gimbals since 2020. In 2021 ZLL introduces the first drone under $200 with an advanced collision avoidance system. The SG906 Max, aka Beast Pro 3, is available with two camera options, with and without EIS (electronic image stabilization).
Firstly, let’s have a closer look at each one of these two rivals so that we can continue with the comparison.
ZLRC SG906 Pro 2
The Beast Pro 2 was introduced in August 2020 with a starting price of $169.99. Its biggest upgrades compared to its predecessors was the 3-axis gimbal and higher capacity battery (3400mAh). The previous Beast had only a 2-axis gimbal and a 2800mAh battery.
Folded in, the aircraft measures 17.4 x 8.4 x 7cm and weighs 560 grams. The included shoulder bag allows easy transportation and can store all the stock accessories plus a couple of spare batteries.
ZLRC SG906 series comparison
| Beast series | Camera Gimbal |
Battery Flight time |
Flight Range |
EVO Sensor |
| SG906 | 1080P/4K | 7.4V 2800mAh 25minutes |
600m | No |
| SG906 Pro | 4K/2-axis | 7.4V 2800mAh 25minutes |
800m | No |
| SG906 Pro 2 | 4K/3-axis | 7.6V 3400mAh 28minutes |
800m | No |
| SG906 Max (Pro 3) | 4K/3-axis | 7.6V 3400mAh 26minutes |
1200m | Yes |
| SG906 MAX V2 | 4K/3-axis+EIS | 7.6V 3400mAh 26minutes |
1200m | Yes |
SJRC F11 4K Pro
I reviewed the SJRC F11 4K Pro in December 2020 and I was impressed by its image quality, to be honest. It has probably the best true 4K camera that you can under $200. The 2-axis mechanical gimbal, combined with electronic image stabilization (EIS), ensures super-smooth footage.
My only complaint was regarding the lack of an optical flow sensor. It drifts a lot in an indoor environment. Some other reviewers had the luck to receive the F11S 4K Pro with OFP and they had a much better experience with this upgraded version.
SJRC F11 series comparison
F11 series |
Camera Stabilization |
Battery Flight time |
Flight Range |
OFP Sensor |
| SJRC F11 V1 | 1080P/EIS | 3s/2500mAh 26~28min |
1200m | Yes |
| SJRC F11 Pro | 2K/EIS | 3s/2500mAh 26~28min |
1200m | Yes |
| SJRC F11 Pro 4K | 4K/2-axis+EIS | 3s/2500mAh 26~28min |
1500m | No |
| SJRC F11S Pro 4K | 4K/2-axis+EIS | 3s/2500mAh 26~28min |
1500m | Yes |
SJRC F11 4K Pro vs ZLRC SG906 Pro 2 comparison table
In the table below, I tried to compare the most important specs of both drones. I highlighted blue where the F11 4K Pro excels and with green where the SG906 Pro 2 shines.
| F11 Pro 4K | SG906 Pro 2 | |
| Size | Folded: 176 × 105 × 80 mm Unfolded: 450 × 405 × 80 mm |
Folded: 174 x 84 x 70 mm Unfolded: 283 x 253 x 70 mm |
| Weight | 585 grams | 546 grams |
| Camera | 3840×2160@30fps | 2048×1080@25fps |
| Stabilization | 2-axis gimbal + EIS | 3-axis |
| Range | 1500m | 1200m |
| Active tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Obstacle avoidance | No | No |
| Geofence | No | No |
| Optical flow sensor | No | Yes |
| Second camera | No | Yes |
| Battery | 3S/2500mAh | 2S/3400mah |
| Flight time | 26 minutes | 28 minutes |
| FAA registration | Yes | Yes |
| Price at RCGoing | $199.99 | $150.88 |
SJRC F11 4K Pro vs ZLRC SG906 Pro 2: Image quality
Despite that both drones are advertised with a 4K camera, only the F11 4K Pro is capable of recording UHD videos. Also, while the F11 combines a 2-axis mechanical gimbal with EIS, the Beast Pro 2 adopts a 3-axis gimbal. Both allow remote camera angle adjustment (PTZ), but I felt the F11’s dial knob control more precise than the SG906’s Up/Down key approach.
Personally, I liked more the videos that came out from the SJRC F11 4K Pro. Maybe on YouTube, they look similar but comparing the RAW footage on a UHD TV, there is a significant difference.
F11 4K Pro sample footage
SJRC F11 vs ZLRC SG906: Flight range
I tested the range of these two drones with the same Android phone (Samsung A51), in the same location at the same altitude (70 meters). On paper, the F11 4K Pro has a range of up to 1500 meters and the SG906 Pro 2 about 1200 meters. I was surprised that the actual control range of the F11 is only half of the Beast and the FPV range it’s even worse. My personal record with F11 4K Pro was 637 meters and with its contender 1120 meters.
As you can see in the image above the SJRC transmitter looks more stylish compared to the ZLRC one. Both remote controllers feature status LCD, folding antennas, and phone holder. Personally, I found the Beast RC’s old-school display handier because it provides detailed telemetry data like flight distance and altitude.
SG906 Pro 2 range test
SJRC F11 4K Pro vs ZLRC SG906 Beast Pro 2: Battery life
When it comes to paying almost $200 for a flying toy, I think battery life is a decisive factor (or at least it should be). Despite the fact that these two drones are powered by different types of batteries (2S 3400mAh vs 3s 2500mAh) they are advertised with a similar flight time (26min vs 28min).
During my hovering tests, the F11 4K Pro managed to stay in the air for 27 minutes and the SG906Pro2 for 22 minutes. Those extra 5 minutes are more than welcomed if you have only one battery, especially since the charging process takes about 5 hours.
SJRC F11 battery life test
Bottom Line
With only 200 bucks in your pocket, you will need to make compromises, for sure. You can’t find a perfect drone in this price range (for now at least).
If you are looking for the best image quality for your money, I think the SJRC is an excellent option. In terms of battery life, the F11 is also superior compared to the SG906.
On the other hand, if price and flight range is most important for you then probably the Beast Pro 2 is your drone.
Question. Can you use the 3400mAh battery in the SG906 beast pro 2 which came with the 2800 mAh battery and thereby increase flight time? More general question, Are the batteries interchangeable in all versions of the beast except the first one which I understand had slightly different dimensions?
None of these two are comparable to the DJI AIR2, but they are nice beginner drones. I owned first the SG906 then the F11. Both are fun to fly!
I am a tester for both SJRC and ZLRC and me personally preferer the ZLRC. The Beast 2 is a winner if you don t have the money for a DJI drone
Both look like good drones with a camera for newbies!
What do you guys recommend, an SJRC F11Pro 4K UHD or ZLL SG906 MAX PRO 3?
And why
Hello, my name is Peter and I’m from Poland. For some time now, I have
been following your reviews on http://www.firstquadcopter.com and on the
Youtube channel.
I’m just choosing a new drone for myself. In fact, I almost chose …
three models. And despite the interesting reviews, I can’t decide.
Therefore, I would like to ask you for help. I know it’s not easy
because everyone has different preferences but I count on your experience.
Until now, I was “flying” a small toy drone. However, it is no pleasure
because the battery lasted a few minutes and every gust of wind
disturbed and the drone flew wherever it wanted.
Now it’s time for a more advanced toy. A toy, because the budget is
about $ 200.
My selected models are: SG906 Pro2 or MAX (Pro3), F11 or F11S 4K Pro, M1
Pro or Pro2.
All at a similar price. All in a similar weight. All with similar
functions. Of course, they also have differences. The problem is how to
judge whether the missing functions of one of them will disturb me in
any way. Will the lack of Optical Flow be critical when I don’t plan to
fly indoors? Will the lack of a 3-axis gimbal significantly affect the
quality of photos or videos? Isn’t the lack of smooth camera control
worse than the lack of a third axis of the gimbal?
Lots of questions I don’t know the answer to.
Why do I need a drone? For amateur flying around, for filming and
vacation photos … no professional use. Flights outside in relatively
fine weather. Ease of piloting, functions of autonomous flight, safe
return to the starting point, so as not to lose the drone while learning
to fly, counts.
Accessibility is also important. For example, SG906 MAX will be
unavailable in the EU for some time and import from China is associated
with additional customs duties. The F11S is also hard to find for sale.
So is it worth waiting or giving up these additional functions and
choosing something that will perfectly meet my expectations now?
I will be grateful for any comments and suggestions that will help me
make the right choice.
Best wishes
Peter
Hello, which one has better wind resistance? Which is better to fly with?
I look for my second drone after the toy dron ;) Both are interesting but could buy only one (•‿•)
Both have about the same wind resistance. But the F11 is powered by 3s battery, so I expect a bit more power from it.
Outdoor they are very similar, but without OFP (bottom camera) the F11 fails indoor. It is also important that the SG906Pro2 has only 2K video recording.
Thanks. And what You think about SG906 Max and his laser obstacle avoidance system?
And what with flying experience? I don’t plan indoor flying. More important for me is safety and autonomical functions. Pictures and video only for home use.
And how the M1 drone looks like in comparison to this both.
I don’t have experience with the M1 drone.