Best RC Quadcopter

As you search for a great summer activity, the Holy Stone F180C Mini RC Quadcopter Drone with Camera is a great way to spend countless entertaining hours outside. Offering a flight time of six to eight minutes, the Holy Stone F180C Quadcopter Drone is a bargain. This quadcopter is easy to fly and comes with a bonus stock batter and twelve blades to extend the time you can enjoy flying before you need to recharge the battery.

When we began looking at quadcopters, it was easy to see that the Holy Stone F180C Mini RC Quadcopter Drone with Camera was going to come out on top. Providing great value for the price point as well as excellent quality and durability, this quadcopter is a great choice for anyone. The Holy Stone F180C Mini RC Quadcopter comes with four sensitivity modes, which make it a great choice regardless of whether you are just learning to fly a quadcopter or if you have been doing it for years. The Holy Stone Quadcopter is sure to meet your needs and provide endless enjoyment, from flying to watching the videos you record.

If you are looking for a Quadcopter that is able to do a little more than our top pick, the Discovery Quadcopter Drone with HD Camera is going to be perfect for you. This quadcopter comes with a return home function that allows for your Discovery Quadcopter to easily find its way home at the touch of one button. As an added bonus, the Discovery Quadcopter also comes with 2LiPo Batteries to double the potential flight time as well as a 2200mAh Power Bank which will enable you to charge your quadcopter on the go.

If both the Holy Stone F180C Mini RC Quadcopter Drone and the Discovery Quadcopter Drone are unavailable, or just outside of your price range, the Eachine H8 Mini Headless Mode 2.4G 4CH 6 Axis Nano Quadcopter Drone RTF Mode 2 is the quadcopter for you. Despite its long name, the Eachine Nano Quadcopter is a great deal while still offering a one key return home function as well as LED lights for nighttime flying.

What is an RC Quadcopter?

The RC quadcopter falls into the category of being a multi-rotor RC. Also called a quadrocopter, quadricoptor, and a quad rotor RC helicopter an RC quadcopter is the fastest growing development in radio controlled vehicles that are able to take off vertically, hover, and fly in all directions.

Quadcopters are classified as rotorcraft as opposed to fixed wing air crafts. This is because their lift is generated by a set of rotors, or vertically oriented propellers. Compared to a typical helicopter, a quadcopter is able to provide more stability as well as the ability to perform tricks in the air.

How Does an RC Quadcopter work?

The RC quadcopter has four propellers that are arranged in a cross formation. Two of the propellers spin clockwise and two of the propellers spin counter clockwise. The two that spin the same direction are located diagonally from one another. Each of the propellers is controlled by its own motor. Aerodynamically speaking, quadcopters are unstable and to compensate for this, it requires an onboard computer for stable flight.

A quadcopter can control its roll and pitch rotation by speeding up the two motors on one side and slowing down the motors on the other side. For example, if you wanted your quadcopter to roll left, you should speed up the motors on the right side of the frame and slow down the two on the left.

For a more in depth explanation on how quadcopters fly, Quad Qwack posted this great

Registering your RC Quadcopter with the Federal Aviation Administration

If you own a small unmanned aircraft system, or a UAS, there is a potential that you are going to need to register is with the Federal Aviation Administration. Any unmanned aircraft that weights more than 0.55 pounds, or 250 grams, and less than 55 pounds, or 25 kilograms, must be registered before you can fly it outdoors. Neglecting to register your quadcopter with the Federal Aviation Administration can result in civil and criminal penalties. In order to register the unmanned aircraft, you must be thirteen years of age or older, if the owner is younger than thirteen, it must be registered by someone who is over thirteen. The person registering the quadcopter must also be a U.S citizen or a legal permanent resident.

Once you have met the above guidelines, registering is easy. The registration process is simple and can be done online. All you need to register is an email address, a credit or debit card, and a physical address (and a mailing address if it is different from your physical address). Once you have registered, you will receive a registration number that must be marked on the aircraft. Your registration is valid for three years.

For more information on how to register your quadcopter, the

How We Picked

Decided which RC quadcopters were going to be our top picks required taking many different factors into consideration. These factors included flight time, charge time, camera, ease of use, weight, accessories, price.

– Flight Time: The flight time a quadcopter can get is important. Generally, as a rule, you aren’t going to be looking at a long flight time for your quadcopter, this is the trade-off for being able to have a light-weight quadcopter. Most quadcopters can get about five to ten minutes per charge, although there are some RC quadcopters that will allow for fifteen, and even up to thirty minutes of flight time.
– Charge Time: Since recharge times for RC quadcopters can vary from forty-five all the way up to two hours, having a spare battery is a great idea so you can switch them out and extend the length of time you are fly for. For the sake of this review, we chose quadcopters that had the lowest charge to fly time ratio.
– Camera: Almost all quadcopters are outfitted with cameras onboard, and those that aren’t are usually able to carry a small camera. Typically, to save weight the cameras that are onboard are lower resolution. Some have an onboard MicroSD and others that are live streamed back to the controller over Wi-Fi or 5.8 GHz.
– Ease of Use: Many of the quadcopters that we chose to review are well suited for beginners as well as more experienced users. It takes time to get used to the controls, and being able to control the altitude, direction and speed all at the same time in a 3D flight zone.

The Best RC Quadcopter: Holy Stone F180C Mini RC Quadcopter Drone with Camera

Holy Stone F180C Mini RC Quadcopter Drone with Camera
The Holy Stone F180C Mini RC Quadcopter Drone with camera is our top choice simply because of the features you get along with the price you pay for those features. The camera that is equipped to this quadcopter Is a 1280 x 720 pixel which is also capable of taking still photos. The quadcopter also has four sensitivity modes which enables it to be used by anyone, regardless of their skill and experience level with a quadcopter. The Holy Stone F180C Mini RC Quadcopter Drone features a 360 degree four-way (left, right, forward and backward) flip continuous roll for perfect action and performance. Another great feature of the Holy Stone is that comes with a bonus stock battery as well as eight extra blades which enables you to enjoy longer flight time. The Holy Stone F180C Mini RC Quadcopter Drone offers amazing features for a great price.

Flaws but not deal breakers

Like any product on the market, there are things about the Holy Stone F180C Mini RC Quadcopter Drone with Camera that are lacking in comparison to some other models, but in the long run, they are non-issues. The first thing we noticed about the Holy Stone F180C Mini RC Quadcopter Drone is that it weights one pound. This means that it is going to have to be registered with the Federal Aviation Association. This isn’t a huge deal since the registration process is incredibly simple and inexpensive. The other thing we weren’t huge fans of regarding the Holy Stone F180C was its flight time. The flight time on this quadcopter is only six to eight minutes. This, however, becomes a non-issue when you consider its charging time is only 30 minutes and it comes with an extra battery.

Step up Pick: Discovery Quadcopter Drone with HD Camera, Return Home Function and Headless Mode

Discovery Quadcopter Drone with HD Camera, Return Home Function and Headless Mode

If you are looking for a quadcopter that is comparable to the Holy Stone F180C Mini Drone, but offers a few additional features, the Discovery Quadcopter Drone with HD Camera, Return Home Function and Headless Mode is going to be a perfect option for you. One benefit to the Discovery Quadcopter Drone is that since it weighs just 4.6 ounces, registration with the Federal Aviation Administration isn’t required. The Discovery Quadcopter also features two joysticks that allow you to move the quadcopter in any direction you want to. It also features an HD camera which is going to allow for enhanced high resolution still images as well as video, and a one touch return home function. Like the Holy Stone F180C Mini Drone, the Discovery Quadcopter comes with an additional battery, but also comes with a 2200mAh power bank which will enable you to charge the batteries on the go. With a price tag of 89.99, and six axis gyro stability, the Discovery Quadcopter Drone is an excellent choice for those who are willing to spend a little more money on their quadcopter purchase.

Budget Pick: Eachine H8 Mini Headless Mode 2.4G 4CH 6 Axis Nano Quadcopter Drone RTF Mode 2

Eachine H8 Mini Headless Mode 2.4G 4CH 6 Axis Nano Quadcopter Drone RTF Mode 2

If you are looking to purchase a quadcopter and the Holy Stone F180C Mini Drone and the Discovery Quadcopter Drone are both outside of your price range, the Eachine H8 Mini Headless Mode 2.4G 4CH 6 Axis Nano Quadcopter Drone RTF Mode 2 is an excellent choice. This Quadcopter is smaller than our other two top choices, weighing just 20 grams, or 0.7 of an ounce, but is able to fly the same way as the other two. The Eachine H8 Mini Quadcopter Drone comes features both one touch return as well as Headless Mode which eliminates the need for you to adjust the positioning of the quadcopter before you begin flying it. With a flight time of about seven minutes and a charge time of forty-five minutes it doesn’t have the best charge to fly time ration, but that is countered when you consider it offers the flexibility of night flying with its four LED lights.

The Best Professional Quadcopter for stunts: Air Hogs RC Helix X4 Stunt, 2.4 GHZ Quad Copter

Air Hogs RC Helix X4 Stunt, 2.4 GHZ Quad Copter
If you are looking for a Quadcopter that was designed to do stunts, the Air Hogs RC Helix X4 Stunt Quadcopter is exactly what you need. The Air Hogs RC Helix X4 Stunt Quadcopter is features an incredibly crash resistant frame which protects the rotors of the quadcopter and providing superior durability. Using 2.4 GHz radio control, the Air Hogs RC Helix X4 offers a high strength signal which enables the remote to reach a greater distance, giving you more flying options. Also featuring gyro stabilization, this quadcopter is able to do back flips, barrel rolls and 180 degree flips while maintaining optimal flight stability and top quality control for its operator. Weighing 1.4 pounds, you need to register this Quadcopter with the Federal Aviation Administration. With a flight time of fifteen minutes, you are sure to enjoy showing off new stunts to your friends with the Air Hogs RC Helix X4 Stunt Quadcopter.

The Best RC Quadcopter for Beginners: Syma X5C-1 Explorers 4 CH Remote Control Quadcopter

Syma X5C-1 Explorers 4 CH Remote Control Quadcopter
If you are just starting with flying quadcopters, the Syma X5C-1 Explorers 4 CH Remote Control Quadcopter is sure to help you gain your confidence with flying them. The Syma X5C-1 features a highly elastic plastic protective circle which enhances the in-flight caused wear and tear of the quadcopter’s blades. It also protects against damages caused by collision and falls, which are sure to happen while you learn. This four channel quadcopter comes equipped with gyro stabilization which allows it to stabilize itself during flight and allows you to go up, down, left, right, forward, backward and roll either to the left or to the right. Weighing 1.6 pounds, the Syma X5C-1 Explorers Quadcopter will need to be registered with the Federal Aviation Administration before you begin flying. The biggest thing preventing this quadcopter from being our top choice is the lack of additional batteries for the price, although you could purchase additional batteries if this is the quadcopter you want.

Best Quadcopter Under 100

UDI Gyro RC Quadcopter with Camera RTF Mode 2
The UDI Gyro RC Quadcopter is another great choice if you are looking for an easy to use quadcopter. With a charging time of two hours for a fly time of seven to nine minutes, it definitely not the best choice in regards to the charge to fly time ratio. However, it does have an easily repaired modular design as well as a remote distance of up to thirty meters. Featuring video recording and photo taking, the camera is 640×480 pixels and comes with a 2G memory card that allows you to record while you fly and then upload the images onto your computer. Weighing just 4.2 ounces, the UDI Gyro RC Quadcopter with Camera RTF Mode 2 is convenient and light so it doesn’t need to be registered with the Federal Aviation Administration before flying. The UDI Gyro is an easy to fly, stable quadcopter that comes with four additional blades in case the ones that are on the quadcopter become damaged.

Best Quadcopter Under 200

Hubsan X4 (H107C) 4 Channel 2.4GHz RC Quad Copter with Camera
Another top contender on our list is the Hubsan X4 (H107C) Quadcopter with Camera. This quadcopter comes with the latest six-axis flight control system with adjustable gyro sensitivity which permits an incredibly stable flight path, the Hubsan X4 Quadcopter also comes with four channels which will allow you to ensure you are on a channel that won’t experience interruption. The Hubsan X4 is able to do most of the same tricks as the other planes can, including left flips, right flips, forward flips and backward flips. Despite the advertised lightweight airframe, the overall weight of the Hubsan X4 Quadcopter is 1.2 pounds which means it will need to be registered with the Federal Aviation Administration. The Hubsan X4 Quadcopter leaves much to be desired since it doesn’t come with an extra battery or propellers and also doesn’t come with the Micro SDHC card that is needed in order to utilize the built in camera.

Best Cheap Quadcopter

SYMA X1 4 Channel 2.4G RC Quad Copter
A third top contender for the best RC quadcopter is the Syma X1 4 Channel 2.4G RC Quadcopter. This quadcopter is priced in the mid-range. The Syma X1 Quadcopter features a three-axis flight control system with adjustable gyro sensitivity enabling it to be capable of performing incredible 3D flips, pirouettes, rolls and more, all of which are sure to impress. The Syma X1 Quadcopter has the versatility to be flown both indoors and outdoors, at the flip of a switch and also features a speed up mode as well as 360-degree eversion. It also features four channels which allow you to fly it without the need to worry about interference. Perhaps the largest downfall to this quadcopter is that it doesn’t come with additional batteries or blades. With a 40-minute charging time and a fly time of just five minutes, extra batteries are a must have in order to really enjoy the Syma X1 4 Channel 2.4G RC Quadcopter. This quadcopter was close to being our top pick, however due to the lack of accessories and camera, the added cost of the Holy Stone F180C Mini RC Quadcopter Drone is more than worth the investment.

Best Micro Quadcopter

Hubsan Q4 Nano Mini World’s Smallest Quad Copter

Advertised as the smallest quadcopter, the Hubsan Q4 Nano Mini is a mere five ounces in weight and measures just 1.8 inches by 1.8 inches by 0.4 inches. Despite its small size, the Hubsan Q4 Nano Mini is an incredibly versatile quadcopter. Beginner mode allows for easy flying and is very stable thanks to the integrated gyro. The controller is a four channel 2.4GHz, which allows for an excellent reception to the quadcopter and also ensures you aren’t going to suffer from any interference due to anyone else flying nearby. The Hubsan Q4 Nano Mini is just as capable of doing the tricks and flips as some of the bigger models and is quite durable thanks to the hard plastic frame of the quadcopter. With a USB charger that you can plug into a laptop or cell phone to charge for the quick ten minutes it requires to achieve a full charge as well as the LED lights providing for front and back flying guides, the Hubsan Q4 Nana Mini Quadcopter is a great deal.

Best Indoor Quadcopter

Syma X11 RC Quadcopter
A final contender for the top quadcopter is the Syma X11 RC Quadcopter. Syma X11 RC Quadcopter is a great choice if you aren’t wanting a camera on your quadcopter. Similar to other models we have compared here today, the Syma X11 RC Quadcopter comes with a four channel remote, and is capable of indoor and outdoor flying. Syma X11 RC Quadcopter features a six-axis stabilization system which allows for an incredibly smooth flight. It also includes a prop guard and a spare set of four propellers. Weighing just eight ounces, the Syma X11 RC Quadcopter is capable of moving in all directions and in two different speeds. Unlike some other models that offer four channels to ensure you don’t experience any interference, the Syma X11 RC Quadcopter features just two channels and a flight time of only five minutes, which isn’t too bad since you can reach a full charge in just forty minutes. As an added bonus you can charge the Syma X11 RC Quadcopter by simply connecting it to the controller.

Wrapping it up

After reading through this review it should be easy to see why we think the Holy Stone F180C Mini RC Quadcopter Drone with Camera is by far the best quadcopter overall. Not only is it great for beginners to learn how to fly a quadcopter, but it is also challenging enough that expert flyers are also going to be able to enjoy themselves with it. The Holy Stone F180C Mini RC Quadcopter comes with an incredible amount of features. If the Holy Stone F180C Mini RC Quadcopter is unavailable, our step up pick, the Discovery Quadcopter Drone with HD Camera, Return Home Function and Headless Mode is also a great choice. Finally, if for some reason both of those are unavailable, or are both just outside your price range, the Eachine H8 Mini Headless Mode 2.4G 4CH 6 Axis Nano Quadcopter Drone RTF Mode 2, is also a great choice that you are sure to be able to enjoy yourself with.