Who says you have to break the bank for a drone? With a budget as low as $15, the Syma X12 emerges as the best nano drone. Packed with brilliant controls and a compact size, it proves that affordable drones can still deliver an impressive flying experience. Dive into the details and explore the top 5 best nano drones that won't burn a hole in your pocket.
The Best Nano Drones for 2024:
The Syma X12 is a drone I wish I had when I was a kid (given that commercial drones already existed during my childhood) because it was everything I could have wished for: a petite flying saucer that I can play inside the house. It’s a miniature quadcopter that includes a usb charger, a PlayStation-like controller, a propeller guard and extra propellers. It is also crash-free too so you don’t have to worry if the drone runs out of batteries in mid-air. The best part about the Syma X12 is that it still resembles a quadcopter without being so difficult to control.
If you haven't heard of Syma, be sure to check out our best Syma drone review for an overview of their top drones.
The Eachine E010 is arguably one of the cutest drones ever. It is such a joy to play at home or in the backyard since you don’t even need any professional help to fly this mini UAV. It uses a durable nylon build to keep It resistant from crashes no matter how many bad landings you make. However, it can only last up to 5 minutes but at least the charging is pretty quick. The E010 can also reach an altitude of up to 100m, making it good to use in open areas without wind. Best of all, the E010 is very cheap.
Technically, nano drones are more for kids but if you want something that mostly appeals to the young admiring droners, you should get them a Cheerson CX-10. It is so small, you can cover the whole drone with your entire palm. And thanks to its small size, you can do all sorts of crazy aerobatics even if you never had training in drone stunts. However, it can only last up to 4 minutes, but that is what you get for buying a budget nano drone. The drone is best used indoors as It’s not very resistant when it comes to the wind.
This amazing mini flying saucer does not just look like a little buddy from space, it is also a great as an entry-level FPV drone for both young and old droners. Its light build and small figure makes it possible to do frontflips and backflips in mid-air like you are trying to dodge incoming missiles from Area 51. The FPV camera itself and the head-tracking are quite responsive too, but the farthest the UFO can go is just up to 30m. Generally, it looks like a novelty drone but its controls make it plausible as a newbie-level UAV before you buy a more expensive drone.
The JJRC H20 is a mini hexacopter that feels more like a DJI hiding in a small box. While it may be a nano drone, the H20 excels in wind resistance, making it possible to fly outside your home without worrying about it drifting away from you. The drone also includes spare parts and a mini USB charger in case you want to give the hexacopter a fresh start. And the best of all, the price is very cheap. For a hexacopter with lowkey top-of-the-line controls and configurations, you would think this is pretty expensive. If you want to experience the joy of outdoor droning without the high price, go for the JJRC H20 Hexacopter.
Nano drones are very fun to have especially if you just want to play with drones casually with your friends or with your children. That is why I picked the Syma X12 as the best nano drone because it’s a mini quadcopter that is packed full of huge fun inside a small design. It’s already cheap but if you want to go cheaper or if you want a drone that appeals mostly to kids, go with the Eachine E010 or the Cheerson CX-10. If you prefer going FPV, stick with the Poke FPV Mini UFO. And when you want the best nano drone for outdoor purposes, choose the JJRC H20.
If you are looking for a nano drone, then the drone type name should be a dead giveaway to you. The best way to know if it is a nano drone is if it fits the palm of your hand. Some can even go small as the size of a pinch between two fingers but those are more FPV than simple RC drones.
Controls should be easy if you are flying a nano drone. After all, nano drones are either for indoor fun or infiltration inside your neighbor’s property (just kidding). Because of its casual purpose, the controls have to be very simple to the point where even the most inexperienced drone user can fly one properly within a few minutes.
The best thing about the nano drone is the price. Unlike the usual consumer drones, nano drones are far cheaper to the point of costing just $15. Although, if you want the best ones, go with drones that cost around $20 to $50.
An issue with a nano drone is wind resistance. Obviously, not every drone is made for outdoor purposes or else the wind will drift off your drone, only to be never seen ever again. But there are some that specialize in outdoor purposes - specifically quadcopters to octocopters.
The answer will depend on your preference. If you skipped the list of the best nano drones based on my research, you can always check out other forums and reviews if you don’t find what you’re looking for in this article. Personally, I think you’ll find the Syma X12 to be the best nano drone.
Not every drone is ideal for flying inside your household, though. The only good ones are the smallest kinds since large drones like the DJI Phantom 4 Pro can just knock over anything inside the house. Unless you live in a mansion or a house with a high ceiling, it is more ideal to get a nano drone.
Most nano drones have smartphone apps - especially the FPV types. Although, there are some that are much like a pure aerial R/C where all you need is a controller that comes with it. Even if you don’t have a smartphone, the indoor drones with apps always have a PC app version.