Choosing the right motors for your DIY quadcopter is not plain and simple. A motor is one of the critical components of the propelling system of a crewless aerial vehicle. Choosing a motor based on its features and price alone would not be so wise. You should also check if they are compatible with your kit. In this post, I have listed 7 of the best motors for your quad.
Best Drone Motors Reviewed In This Guide
- Crazepony DX2205
- Crazepony EMAX RS2205
- iFlight XING-E 2207
- Emax MT2213-935KV 2212
- Hobbysky 2300kv 2204
- Parrot AR Drone 2.0 motor
- Coolplay Anti-clockwise and Clockwise Motor
Best Drone Motor List
1. Crazepony DX2205
Best Overall
Crazepony is a Chinese company known for making drone accessories and components. Their products are high-quality, high-performance, and affordable. The package includes two clockwise and two counter-clockwise 2205 2300KV Brushless Motors.
Each motor weighs just 28.8g. So the total payload due becomes 115.2g – ideal weight for an FPV racing drone. You should also take into consideration that these brushless motors support QAV210, X220, and QAV250 FPV quadcopter kits. Other kits may or may not be able to accommodate Crazepony DX2205 drone motors.
Lastly, for excellent thrust, it is advised to use a 4s lipo battery (but you can use a 2s lipo as well). The hole size of this motor is M3 and shaft diameter M5. Make sure you note these specifications before buying this product for your quadcopter kit.
Crazepony DX2205 is Suitable For –
This product is ideal for building a new high-powered quadcopter. Buying these for an older kit would be expensive. Most people who purchase these drone motors for an older kit are Crazepony’s loyal customers.
Say one of the motors gets damaged in a crash, then you can replace it with a new one and keep the rest three as a backup for the future. This way, purchasing this package can be cost-effective.
Pros:
- Prompt customer service.
- Lightweight and compact design.
- It can extend the flight duration.
- Scratch-resistant.
Cons:
- The connecting cables are a bit short for a 200mm frame. It might need an extension.
2. Crazepony EMAX RS2205
Overall Runner-Up
EMAX RS2205 is the upgraded version of RS2205. Compared to Crazepony DX2205, this product has way better features, although it’s high-price makes people turn their head away to other cheaper versions. If the price is not an issue, and you want quality and precision over anything else, you should check out this product.
Compared to its previous version RS2205, this motor is 2g lighter and offers 100g of additional thrust. This version is suitable for 210, 220, 250, and 280 FPV racing drones. Also, they go well with 5-inch propellers like 5030, 5035, and 5045.
The package includes two clockwise and two counter-clockwise EMAX RS2205 2300KV Brushless Motors. If you have been a part of the drone enthusiasts community, I am sure you must have heard the buzz about this product on social media. There is a reason everyone is talking about it.
Crazepony EMAX RS2205 is Suitable For –
Brushless motors from high-end brands like Cobra, Lumenier, and Scorpion are quite expensive. Also, they are more suitable for applications like aerial photography or occasional recreational usage.
For racing purposes, everyone can’t invest a lot of money on components. These drone motors are perfect for those who desire quality and affordability.
Pros:
- It can offer mind-blowing performance when used with a lighter frame.
- Upgraded features.
- The latest N52SH curved magnets are more efficient.
Cons:
- A little bit noisy.
- Only suitable for small quads (210-220mm).
- Connecting cables are a bit long.
3. iFlight XING-E 2207
Best Value
iFlight is a trusted and reputable drone manufacturer. It makes all kinds of drone components and parts. The XING-E is one of its popular series of brushless motors. While purchasing the XING-E 2207, you get to choose between three exciting colors (blue, black, and red).
XING-E 2207 motors are explicitly designed for FPV drone racing. They are high powered and far more precise than other products in this price range. The package includes 4 XING-E 2207 2750KV motors, 4 M5 nylon propeller nuts, and 16 mounting screws.
Also, note that the shafts in the XING-E 2207 are made from stainless steel instead of titanium alloy. Also, the aluminum top is of much higher quality than it’s previous versions.
iFlight XING-E 2207 is Suitable For –
Do you crash your quadcopter quite often? Are you tired of replacing the motors again and again? iFlight XING-E 2207 is quite sturdy and can withstand tree crashes and collisions due to device failure. However, note that the manufacturer is not liable to replace the motor if it gets damaged due to a collision.
Pros:
- Perfect drone motors for FPV racing.
- High-quality product at an affordable price.
- Fewer vibrations.
- Good build quality.
Cons:
- The connecting cables need more arrangements.
4. Emax MT2213-935KV 2212
Best Value Runner-Up
Emax is a US-based drone manufacturer. The MT2213-935KV 2212 motors are known to be robust and quiet. They are designed to provide enough thrust to lift even a hexacopter or an octocopter.
The package includes two clockwise and two counter-clockwise Emax MT2213-935KV Brushless Motors. Emax does not provide connecting cables. Also, the mounting holes are sized 16m x 19mm.
These are not the perfect motors for FPV racing drones, but the specifications suggest that they should work great for a quadcopter or a hexacopter used for aerial photography or surveillance. The motors weigh 55g each–which is considered to be heavy for a racing drone.
Emax MT2213-935KV 2212 is Suitable For –
As I mentioned earlier, the Emax MT2213-935KV 2212 brushless motors are ideal for photographers who like to shoot with high-end and heavy equipment. These drone motors offer 850g of thrust. It can easily carry its own weight, the camera, and the rest of the quadcopter– while still being 100 percent effective.
Pros:
- Works great for Tri, Quad, Hexa, and Octo drones.
- Quiet operation.
- High torque.
- Durable and robust.
Cons:
- Heavier than average (weighs 55g each).
- High-priced.
5. Hobbysky 2300kv 2204
- High precision CNC machining exquisite...
- Designed for mini multicopters, better flight...
- CW and CCW propeller adapters included,...
Best Budget
Hobbysky is a famous brand among those interested in building robots. They offer high-precision and affordable materials for students learning and implementing embedded systems projects. The drone motors Hobbysky 2300kv 2204 are crafted using the CNC machines. Enough care has been taken to make them as aerodynamic as possible.
Hobbysky understands a drone enthusiast and continually makes changes to its products to suit the needs of its loyal customers. Each brushless motor is intended to be used with 180, 210, 220, or 250 quadcopter. It weighs just 26g. Your mini quadcopter would perform amazingly well with only 104g of additional payload.
Hobbysky 2300kv 2204 is Suitable For –
With a 3s 75c 1300mah lipo battery, you can expect a flight time of about 10 minutes. Also, these motors are not premium quality, but they are highly efficient. They can be suitable replacements for your old damaged motors or you can use them in a brand new drone. The package also includes 4045 tri-blade props, short and long screws, and four hex tools.
Pros:
- Aesthetically pleasing.
- Lightweight design.
- You can expect more than 10 minutes of flying time.
- Tried and tested by several drone enthusiasts and experts.
Cons:
- Shaft washer is a bit thin.
- The unit may vibrate after extensive use.
6. Parrot AR Drone 2.0 motor
Best Budget Runner-Up
Do you own a Parrot AR Drone 2.0? Parrot is a US-based drone manufacturing company that also specializes in motors for drones. However, most of the Parrot drone motors are not intended to be used with a DIY kit. The AR Drone 2.0 motors also come with an eco-friendly 8-bit microcontroller and a 10-bit ADC controller.
The controller performs the same function as that of a modern Electronic Speed Controller (ESC). If you are going to be using this product with a DIY kit, make sure the flight controller you are using is compatible with the one available with this product from Parrot.
Besides, the 15 W motors operate at 28,000 rpm–in a stable flight. According to the manufacturer, the motor speeds may vary anywhere between 10,350 and 41,400 RPM.
Parrot AR Drone 2.0 is Suitable For –
It is quite common for FPV drone pilots to damage the propeller system once in a while. No matter the quality of a motor, you are going to run into situations where either the entire drone crashes or the motor blows up due to overheating.
To make up for the damage, most people prefer to have spare motors in their toolbox. Parrot AR Drone 2.0 is affordable and comes with all the good qualities needed in a drone motor.
Pros:
- It offers decent rotating speed.
- It comes with a controller.
- Plug and play model.
- Consumes less power.
- Brushless design.
Cons:
- Too expensive for a DC motor.
7. Coolplay Anti-clockwise and Clockwise Motor
Best Super Cheap
A lot of Syma drone users have noticed that the performance of the device declines with usage. This is quite common when the unit is being used frequently. Wear and tear to the propeller system can slow down the drone. Coolplay motors are designed for models X5, X5C, and X5C-1 from Syma.
The biggest benefit of using Coolplay motors with your Syma drone is you don’t have to make any significant changes in the configuration. Once you replace the old propeller system with this product, your drone will perform as good as new. This product from Coolplay delivers the same power and RPM as that of the one that comes originally with Syma drones.
Coolplay Anti-clockwise and Clockwise Motor is Suitable For –
These motors from Coolplay are suitable for those who own drones manufactured by Syma. This product comes with upgraded material. You will notice the improved motor RPM and precision immediately after the take-off.
Pros:
- It comes with matching nylon gears. No chance of any damage to your existing setup.
- It is easy to install.
- Good performance.
- The ends of the wire are already tinned—no need for a soldering cable. Just a solder gun is enough.
Cons:
- Quite noisy.
- This product is restricted to quads manufactured by Syma.
Common Questions About Drone Motors
What Motors Are Used in Drones?
Depending on the application and budget, there are two types of motors used in a drone, brushed and brushless.
Brushed Motor
A brushed motor is found in most of the budget-friendly racing drones. A brushed DC electric motor has been in use for more than two centuries. It has a rotor in the center (made with copper coils) and a permanent magnet encompassing it.
When the armature is electrocuted, it generates an electromagnetic field, which forces the rotor to move in the clockwise direction.
A brushed motor has always been quite economical to manufacture. However, they have a much shorter lifespan than its counterpart (brushless motor). Even performance-wide, it lags far behind the brushless motor. Hence, high-end drones like DJI Mavic does not come with a coreless motor.
Brushless Motor
What is the primary difference between a brushed and a brushless motor? The internal structure of both types of motors is almost the same, although a brushless motor does not lose power in the form of heat. Also, the efficiency of a brushless motor is 15-20 percent higher than its counterpart.
Generally, brushless motors are used in high-end multirotor, where the torque requirements are quite high. For instance, in aerial photography, a multirotor is expected to be airborne for more than 30 minutes (sometimes even more). In such a scenario, a brushed motor would lose its efficiency due to excessive heating.
However, a brushless motor costs way more and also needs additional components like Electronic Speed Controllers (ESC). On top of that, they also need regular maintenance and repair.
How Do I Choose a Drone Motor?
If you are planning to build your very first multirotor, you should know how to choose the right motor so you can get the desired performance without over or underspending. Before selecting a motor or any other component for your drone, it is crucial to perform a thorough assessment of the weight of the entire unit. The heavier the frame, the lighter should be the components.
Furthermore, it would also benefit if you understood why a motor is used in a drone and how it makes the entire unit fly in the air. If I had to explain it in brief, the rotatory motion of propeller blades is converted into something called “Thrust.” Thrust is used to describe how strongly the motor can push the unit in an upward direction. This is how a motor makes the drone fly.
Along with thrust, you should also consider the torque of a motor before purchasing it for your kit. Torque is the time taken by a motor to reach the desired speed. Higher torque indicates more precision and performance. Torque is measured in pounds-feet.
How Many RPM Motors Do Drones Use?
RPM or revolutions per minute is the unit used to measure the number of turns performed by an object per minute. In the case of an electric DC motor, it indicates the rotational speed of the rotor. So, what terminology is used to describe the rotational speed of a motor?
You might have noticed that the manufacturers do not specify the rotational speed in terms of RPM. It is denoted by something called Constant Velocity or “KV.” Kindly do not confuse KV to Kilovolt (unit to measure current).
How to measure the RPM of a brushless drone motor?
RPM = KV * Volt
Where KV= Constant Velocity as stated on the packaging
and Volt= Battery Capacity.
Enjoy Your New Drone Motor
In a quadcopter, the motor is one of those components that needs maintenance, repair, and replacement. It is advised to keep the motors well-lubricated with good quality synthetic chain lube. Also, when not in use, try to place the quad in a clean and dry place. Moisture would lessen the life of a motor.
For the products mentioned in this post, I would choose Crazepony EMAX RS2205 2300KV for FPV racing. It is upgraded from its previous versions. Also, you get to enjoy its rich and extensive features for an affordable price.
“…Kindly do not confuse KV to Kilovolt (unit to measure current). …” is a typo.
Kilo volt is a unit to measure voltage not current. Current is product of voltage and voltage is difference of el. potentials.
🙂