Best Drone Kit
If you're eager to embark on the journey of building your own drone, I've got you covered with the best drone kits for 2024. After extensive research on over 25 DIY drones, I consider the SunFounder 250 as the top choice. Dive into the details of this kit and explore the rest of the top 5 best drone kits below.
Best Drone Kit: SunFounder 250
- Pre-assembled the 250 quadcopter and...
- Full glass fiber frame kit, ultralight...
- It runs the firmware of CC3D flight...
- Weight: 519g ; Duration of flight: 7...
- CC3D software debugging guide and...
The SunFounder 250 is a popular pick among hobbyists and beginners because of how lucrative its assembly is. It is very fun for its complex customization yet not too elusive to overwhelm any experienced drone user. You get the following in the SunFounder 250 kit: the main frame, a balance charger, 4 MT2204-2300KV CW Motor, adapters for the power, a USB cable, allen wrench, nylon zip, velcro tape, CW propellers, Li-Po battery and miscellaneous peripherals. The SunFounder 250 uses an OpenPilote software and a 12A brushless controller. FPV handling is also very responsive and the price simply rocks. If you have the budget for a very good DIY drone, this is what you should buy first.
Best Value Drone Kit: Targethobby QAV210
Targethobby QAV210 is also one of the more popular DIY drones on the market because of the inexpensive price that includes a lot of value for its customization and access. It lacks some essential components like the camera, a transmitter and batteries but you can easily buy those for cheap at any drone dealer. Its frame is made of 3K carbon fiber with numerous mounting holes. The bumps at each edge of its four arms help secure the interior parts of the drone should it crash at some point. It also includes Hobbymate’s 2204 motor and a BLheli 15A electronic speed control for good stability.
Best Racing Drone Kit: iActive FPV Mini Robocat
- FULL 3K CARBON FIBER - The QAV270...
- SUPER STRONG & SMOOTH FLIGHT - 2mm full...
- PLENTY OF SPACE - Easily fit your FPV...
- Shockproof - Equipped with rubber...
- EASILY ASSEMBLED - Suitable for both...
The iActive FPV Mini Robocat uses a very simple method to get you assembling the drone in just a few minutes. It is also one of the fastest DIY drones available, making it a very good racing quadcopter drone. The Robocat includes four MT2204 2300KV motors, four 6030CF propeller prop, and four Simonk !2A electronic speed control. The carbon fiber frame is also responsible for the Robocat’s lightweight build. However, you will need to buy a flight controller board, receiver, transmitter and soldering iron to complete the job. Contrastingly, this racer is only good for highly experienced drone pilots; beginners beware.
Best Drone Kit for Beginners: SIMREX X101
The SIMREX X101 looks like an aerial LEGO but also serves as a great way to introduce you to the world of drone assembly. Thanks to its blocky appearance, the SIMREX X101 also appeals to kids who find interest in drones. The drone kit includes the following: one 3.7V 600mAh Li-Po Battery, four Propeller Motor Combo, and a 2.4 Ghz Transmitter (mode 2). It even includes a built-in camera (which is just decent; nothing grand) and the best entry-level DIY drone for any age. It’s a good choice if you aren’t planning to buy a drone that costs at least $100 yet.
Best Premium Drone Kit: DJI Phantom 4 Pro Plus Drone Kit
- Camera with 1-inch 20MP sensor the...
- Five-directions of obstacle sensing
- Remote controller with built-in screen...
- Mobile App: DJI GO 4. It will not work...
The famous DJI Phantom 4 Pro Plus comes as a drone kit too. Of course, this UAV is nothing less than expensive and it is strictly made for the experts of flying a drone. However, ironically, this drone is already premade but with included accessories for you to have the chance to personalize the phantom. It includes the following: a DJI 5870mAh battery, a 20 MP camera, two genuine DJI 5870mAh high-cap batteries and a touch screen transmitter. So why did I still put the DJI on this list if it is already ready to fly? It’s simple: the components and the extra accessories are amazing.
What Drone Kit Would I Buy? And, Why...
Nothing beats the exhilarating feeling of building your own drone and watch it fly in full stability. If you need the best drone kit, I highly recommend going for the SunFounder 250. And if you prefer a cheaper yet valuable alternative, look for the Targethobby QAV210. Looking to participate in the exciting world of drone racing? Then, the iActive FPV Mini Robocat is what you are looking for. For beginners, the SIMREX X101 is a cheap and valuable way to start. But if you know a lot about drones already and want the best classy UAV, stick with the DJI Phantom 4 Pro Plus Drone Kit.
Drone Kite Buying Guide:
Included Parts
Simply put, the more the included parts in a package, the better. Do all the drone kits include all parts? Sadly, no. However, the ones with incomplete components are always the cheapest ones. Some drone kits already include a ready-to-fly drone but with added custom accessories however, those are more expensive than a regular DIY drone. The most important parts that are required are the drone frame, the motor, and the cable. Others such as the camera and batteries may not be part of the kit at all. Fortunately, finding for those is easy since there are a lot of drone dealers that sell those.
The Frame
A good frame always means a strong foundation for your drone. The priority type of frame you need to look for is the carbon fiber type since this is the lightest of the metal frames and can last for a very long time without much maintenance.
The Motor
Of course, the kit needs to include a motor along with the frame. However, some stock motors are either slower than usual or more fragile. Luckily, you can always interchange it via modding.
To Camera, or Not to Camera?
Cameras are always optional with DIY drones but those that include built-in cameras are always somewhat lackluster. Buy a custom camera instead.
Drone Kit FAQ:
By default, DIY drones are always cheaper since you don’t have to pay for the labor. Hobbyists prefer purchasing DIY drones because you can get to customize your own UAV with different parts that are more competitive than the stock components from premade drones.
Specifically, a decent DIY drone will cost around $50 to slightly more than $100. It is cheaper than premade drones since a lot of the parts are either missing or the extra features are absent. Instead, you will have to buy those parts separately.
For starters, the drone will not function unless you build it up yourself, obviously. Unlike ready-to-fly drones, drone kits may not include the following: a camera, batteries and controller board. Finding those extra parts are no hassle since every drone dealer sells those.
If you are having a rough time building your drone from just following the instruction manual? You can always consult the internet. You should be able to find help in many different platforms including forums, the drone subreddit, Quora or YouTube how-to videos.
