- Blog/
Are Drones Waterproof? (5 Best Waterproof Drones)
How many times have you looked outside your window when it’s raining and wished you could fly your drone in any weather? It’s an open secret that most drones are not built to withstand water. Here we investigate the waterproof claims of some drones, and look into the best waterproof drones available on the market. Continue reading to learn more about drones and their waterproofing.
**Though most drones are not waterproof, there are waterproof drones available on the market. By waterproof we are talking about drones that can handle a lot of water and not just splashes or light rain. However, note that waterproof drones are generally not designed for saltwater conditions. **
True waterproof drones can be used in water bodies (excluding saltwater) as well as during rainfalls. But that doesn’t mean you can land and take off your drone the water just because it’s waterproof. First, you have to ensure that your drone can float on water.
On the other hand, many drones are advertised as waterproof, while most are actually only splash-resistant. This means you have to find drones that are really waterproof or you end up getting disappointed. Lucky for you, we’ve done extensive research and testing, and here we provide a list of some of the best waterproof drones available on the market.
Things to Look for in a Waterproof Drone #
We think it’s important to briefly talk about the features to look for in a waterproof drone as this will help you make an informed decision when buying a drone. Not all waterproof drones are made equal and knowing what to look out for may be the difference between buying a great waterproof drone or a disappointment.
The first thing you should look out for as we mentioned earlier is if the drone is actually waterproof. Many drones are only splashproof, but some shady manufacturers may advertise them as waterproof. True waterproof drones can be submerged in water or handle a heavy downpour, while splashproof drones can only withstand a small amount of water.
You also want to find out if the drone you’re considering can float a little on water or take off in water. It’s also helpful to have a waterproof remote control. Since you will be using your drone in wet conditions, chances are that your remote is going to get in contact with water and a waterproof drone plus waterproof remote will come in handy then. And lastly, check if the drone can take photos underwater. Having a waterproof drone gives you the special opportunity to capture underwater footage.
Now that you know what to look out for in a drone, let’s take a look at the best waterproof drones available on the market. Here they are:
1. Swellpro Spry+ #
The Swellpro Spry+ is a compact and lightweight drone. This makes this drone easy to carry and transport and you have no reason to leave your drone at home when going on a trip or adventure. There’s also a small and lightweight carry case included in the package for easy transportation.
As you’d expect, this drone is completely waterproof and can easily be used in wet conditions of almost any kind. We particularly like the corrosion-resistant materials that make up different parts of the drone as it allows you to use this drone in saltwater. Saltwater is corrosive and only a corrosion-resistant drone can handle being used in saltwater conditions. Also, this drone can easily land and take off in water.
You’ll be happy to know that the remote controller is also waterproof. Whether it’s rainwater, splashes, or even submersion in water, the remote controller can handle all these as its components (joystick, built-in monitor, and all the switches) are all waterproof.
The Spry+ 4k camera can take high-resolution photos and videos. Also, the onboard camera is enclosed in a tough glass that provides high transparency without distortion and can record above the water or under it. And flying this drone is very easy due to the user-friendly interface. See the price on Amazon
2. PowerEgg X #
There are mixed reviews about the PowerEgg X drone which prompted us to carry out more research about this drone. From our findings, the PowerEgg X drone has very good performance and delivers what it promises.
With a closer look at this drone, you’ll be impressed with the design. Who said drones can’t be stylish? Also, the minimal form factor is a big advantage as it allows you to carry this drone around comfortably. As you’d expect, there’s a carry case included in the package for easy storage and transportation.
Installing the arm of this drone after delivery is very easy and straightforward. A nice bonus is that there’s an extra battery included in the package. And the PowerEgg X delivers on its promise of being completely waterproof. This drone can easily land and take off in water.
The main issue with this drone is the camera which many users have reported to record between 30 – 90 seconds before it stops working. However, there have been a couple of firmware updates and this problem has been solved for the most part. So you can expect to have a better experience with the camera.
The battery life is great, the included charger works well, and the auto takeoff feature is superb. Combine this with the durability of this drone and you’ll be getting a superb waterproof drone for your watery drone exploits.
3. Swellpro Splash 3 #
Made from a durable and tough 3mm reinforced ABS material that creates a completely waterproof seal, the Swellpro Splash 3 drone makes our list of best waterproof drones. We particularly like the floating feature of this drone and the fact that it is specifically built for use in different conditions be it in the rain, snow, or waterbodies (lakes, rivers, and so on).
The corrosion-resistant feature is a nice touch as it allows you to use this drone in saltwater conditions without any damage to it.
Swellpro is renowned for making high-quality waterproof drones and the fact that this is the second Swellpro drone on our list is a testament to the quality of their drones. The very sensitive controller and dual-mode GPS make flying easier, smoother, and more accurate. We also like the return home feature as it allows this drone to go back to its starting point especially when the battery is low.
There are also other intelligent modes like follow me, waypoints, position hold, tap to fly, autoland, and so on. The ruggedness and durability of this drone make it a worthwhile investment as you’ll be getting a drone you’ll be using for a very long time. See the price on Amazon
4. Youcan Robot BW Space Pro Underwater Drone #
Dubbed an underwater drone designed to be fully submerged in water, we were pretty excited to check out the BW Space Pro drone. And we were not disappointed by this drone.
Opening the package, you’ll find the components neatly arranged. Installing the different parts of this component is super easy even if you haven’t used a drone before. Touching this drone gives you the perception that it’s well built, a first impression that quickly proves to be true. After charging the drone, you are ready to hit the water.
This drone comes in different models with the onboard camera being the main distinguishing feature between the models. There’s a model with a FHD camera, another with a 4k camera, and the third model has a 4k camera with a 6x zoom.
All three models are waterproof and perform excellently in water. There are different connectivity options available to you as you connect this drone to your phone or tablet and use it to control the drone. Of course, there’s a sensitive remote control included in the package for easy maneuvering of the drone.
This drone doesn’t have many cons although it would have been nice to have more detailed instructions included. But this isn’t a serious issue as you will figure most things out easily or have any problem solved with a quick search online. See the price on Amazon
5. Goolsky H31 Waterproof Drone #
This is another high-quality waterproof drone you should take a look at. The portable and lightweight design comes in handy during storage and transportation. Installing the arms of this drone after receiving the package is very easy and straightforward. Goolsky delivers on its promise of the H31 being a waterproof drone as you can easily use it in wet conditions. However, the parts of this drone are not corrosion resistant and as such should not be used in saltwater conditions.
There are a number of cool modes like the one key return mode that allows you to call back your quadcopter without any delay. There’s also the headless mode and the built-in six-axis gyro stabilizer that ensure precise positioning in the air. LED lights are attached to this drone for use at night so you can keep track of the movement of your quadcopter.
The high-quality materials used to manufacture this drone make it very durable and long-lasting. And this allows you to get value for your money. See the price on Amazon
Image Credit: Phillip Skraba