Are you looking for a convenient and easy to store drone? Want a foldable quadcopter?
Foldable drones are very convenient to bring wherever you go and they are fun to fly, too. These quadcopters are designed to perform and are very portable. They are a great choice for pilots who want to travel and take their UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicle) wherever they go.
If you need a foldable drone, you are on the right website! I’ll be sharing with you my top picks and leave you some tips on how to find the best one. So, let’s get started!
Best Foldable Drones
Foldable drones are very convenient to take along and they won’t disappoint you because they are as equipped and as functional as their uncollapsible counterparts. These drones offer you the flexibility of traveling and capturing amazing photos and videos wherever you go because they are so handy.
Here are the best foldable drones in the market.
1. DJI Mavic Pro
Specs
Dimensions (Folded): 83 x 83 x 198mm
Weight: 743g
Camera Resolution: 12MP
Video Resolution: 4K at 30FPS
Max Flight Time: 27 minutes
Max Speed: 40MPH
Notable Attributes: Portability, Battery Life
DJI Mavic series are foldable. My top pick is Mavic Pro because it is small but powerful. It has a compact design, a 4K stabilized camera and a 3-axis mechanical gimbal that can take impressive footage and photos consistently.
With this quadcopter, you can turn the sky into your creative canvas without worries because it is fully equipped with all you need for an excellent flying experience. It has 2.4 high-performance computing cores, an all-new transmission system with 4.3mi range and 5 vision sensors.
Even if Mavic Pro is small, it is designed with a high degree of complexity that makes it the brand’s most sophisticated flying camera drone ever. It uses FlightAutonomy technology that senses obstacles 15 meters away and allows the Mavic to bypass them or brake to hover, reducing accidents and crashes that can potentially damage your quad.
It also uses satellite positioning that can help a drone hover in an obstructed outdoor area free of interference. It has forward and downward visions sensors too that make Mavic Pro hover precisely indoors or in places without GPS.
If you are into videography and photography, this one won’t let you down. It supports 4K video at 30fps and can capture 12mp photos. So, if you are filming your travel adventures for your blog, this drone will come handy.
DJI Mavic Pro will make a great travel buddy for those consumed by wanderlust because of its sleek and compact design. Just fold the drone and put it into your backpack and you’re good to go.
PROS
- Foldable and Portable
- Crash-resistant
- Obstacle avoidance
- Quieter than other drone models
- Can be controlled via hand gestures
- Has built-in Active track feature mode
- Has excellent flight time compared to other DJI models
CONS
- Camera doesn’t offer a wide view
- Not for beginners due to its complex models
- The bad light may have blue color interferences
2. DJI Mavic Air
Specs
Dimensions (Folded): 168 x 83 x 49mm
Dimensions (Unfolded): 168 x 184 x 64mm
Weight: 430g
Camera: 12MP
Video Resolution: 4K at 30FPS
Max Flight Time: 21 minutes
Max Speed: 68.4KPH in Sport mode
Notable Attributes: SmartCapture, Gesture Control, Foldable and Portable, 3-axis gimbal for stability, 3-directional environment sensing, 8 GB of internal storage
Mavic Air is another foldable drone from the popular brand DJI. This is an engineering marvel and is built to go wherever adventure takes you because it is foldable and ultraportable.
Its design features geometric precision. Mavic Air’s arms fold flush against its aerodynamic chassis. You don’t need to worry about it because its magnesium alloy brackets reinforce the seven onboard cameras, the rear vents dissipate heat efficiently, and the primary gimbal camera is recessed for better protection.
Once you fold this drone, it’s only as tall and as wide as your smartphone which makes it ultraportable. It stretches the boundaries of what’s possible for a device its size.
I understand that some aren’t confident with foldable drones because they thought that these drones lack high-end flight performance and functionalities. I’m pleased to tell you that Mavic Air has all of the said features. In fact, this drone is so much more than you think it is.
Aside from being foldable and portable, it has 3-axis gimbal and 4K camera. It can capture 12mp still photos and shoot video at an incredible 4K 30fps. It records at 100mpbs to capture every second with UHD quality. It also supports slow-motion video at 1080p 120fps to capture your epic high-speed adventures.
Overall, Mavic Air remains one of the best foldable drones in the market. Its size, functionality, quality, and performance make it another must-have device for travelers who love to document their trips.
PROS
- Foldable
- Portable
- Stable
- Compact and small
- Better build quality
- Won’t struggle to fly back home even with strong headwind conditions
CONS
- Video crop
- Short battery life
- Doesn’t support D-Log
- Poor range and radio signal quality
- Only slim smartphones fit in the controller
3. Parrot Anafi
Specs
Dimensions(folded): 9.6×2.6×2.5in
Dimensions(unfolded): 6.9×9.4×2.5in
Weight: 320 grams
Flight time: 25 minutes
Speed:33MPH
Range:2.5 miles
Video: 4K HDR
Camera: 21MP
Notable features: Motion Capabilities, Lossless Zooming, Slo-Mo, Hyper-Lap
Parrot Anafi is another 4K HDR camera drone that is designed to go with you wherever you go. Anafi is the new generation of drone from Parrot that is the ideal go-to solution to capture outstanding photos and film impressive footage in your everyday life.
Just like Mavic Air, this drone is ultraportable because it is compact and lightweight. Anafi was designed with passion by a team of engineers who were dedicated to creating a sleek, robust and innovative drone.
This foldable drone is light and robust. The carbon fibers of the structure are charged with empty glass microbeads that are filled with air and resist bumps and knocks. Due to its innovative material, the drone only weighs 320g.
You can comfortably take this with you and transport it without a sweat. It has a carrying case included in the pack that protects the drone during transportation. You can also fit it into your pocket. Once you arrive at your destination and you are ready to fly your quadcopter, no worries, Anafi unfolds in less than 3 seconds.
Don’t underestimate Anafi’s performance because aside from its design, this UAV is smart and powerful. It has embedded AI that takes advantage of its automated flight modes to capture spectacular shots. Also, it has 4K HDR camera and 180-degree tilt gimbal with up to 2.8X lossless zoom for amazing videos and cool photos.
It offers spectacular flight performance by letting you fly further for a longer time. Its cutting-edge technology also allows you to capture the best moments anytime, anywhere. If you find DJI’s foldable drones too expensive, you will save hundreds of dollars if you get Parrot Anafi.
PROS
- Easy to set up
- Simple to fly
- Great video and stills quality
- Excellent battery life
- Portable and lightweight
- Solid camera
- Comes with 180-degree gimbal
- Lossless zoom
CONS
- Lacks object avoidance feature
- Lacks proactive no-fly zone warnings
4. Zerotech Dobby
Specs
Dimensions (Folded): 135 x 67 x 36.8mm
Dimensions (unfolded): 135 x 145 x 36.8mm
Weight: 7oz
Camera: 13mp
Video resolution: 1080p at 30fps
Flight time: 9min
Range: 100m
Zerotech Dobby is a small quadcopter that is advertised as “selfie drone.” It is small and foldable making it a great camera drone while on the go.
Zerotech Dobby is actually smaller than most mobile phones so it can fit in your pocket. However, it is thick, so you should think twice if you want to put it inside your skin-tight jeans.
Its four arms fold out and click into place. There’s a definite art when you fold and unfold its arms but don’t worry the drone is compact and solid, you will not damage its blades by doing so.
Zerotech supports face tracking that is best for close-quarter filming. It also supports voice control, you can command the drone to takeoff and land. That’s not all; it also features Electronic Image Stabilization that compensates for its jerky movements.
This also supports intelligent flying features with its Return-To-Home and GPS stabilization functionalities. Since this drone is designed for a selfie, you can bank on its camera. It can capture 13mp photos and shoot 1080p videos at 30fps. So, if you love to travel, this is a great companion.
Zerotech Dobby is much cheaper than DJI Mavic Pro and Mavic Air. It’s also more affordable than Parrot Anafi and Yuneec Mantis Q, so if you really want a foldable drone, you should get this.
PROS
- Very small
- Easy to control
- Intelligent flying
- Foldable and portable
- Synchronize photos to your phone
- App works for both Android and iOS
CONS
- No remote
- Not fast or agile
- Short flight time
- Expensive for what it offers
5. Yuneec Mantis Q
Specs
Dimensions (Folded): 6 39⁄64 x 3 25⁄32 x 2 9⁄32in
Dimensions (Unfolded): 9 27⁄32 x 7 23⁄64 x 2 9⁄32in
Weight: 19.6 0z
Flight time: 33min
Max flight speed: 44.7mph (Sport mode)
Range: 4,921ft
Video resolution: 4K: 3840 x 2160 @ 30fps
Yuneec Mantis Q is another popular foldable drone in the market. It looks just like the other drones you will find and is very classy, with a sleek and futuristic look when its arms are folded against its body.
Actually, when folded, Mantis is small enough to fit in your bag. It is also very lightweight and only weighs 1lb making it the ideal companion for your big and small adventures.
Among its most popular features are voice control and facial detection. The voice control which you can’t find in most foldable drones gives you the ability to control the drone through your voice. You can instruct the drone to take off by saying, “Mantis Q, take off.” You can also command it to take a selfie during flight by saying “Take a selfie.”
The voice control works when you use the app. Unfortunately, the remote app doesn’t detect voice commands when the drone is flying nearby which deemed it unusable. The voice control feels more like a gimmick and not an essential addition.
Mantis Q also comes with a 4K camera but enabling the electro image-stabilization feature drops the camera resolution. Its 4K quality doesn’t compare to Mavic Air and Mavic Pro, so you might be disappointed.
Overall, Mantis Q remains one of the best foldable drones. It has long flight time, strong and durable built and is pretty fast for an entry-level drone.
PROS
- Fast
- Foldable and ultraportable
- Maneuverable
- Well built and durable
- Long battery life
- Face detection
- Voice control
CONS
- Lacks camera stabilization
- Disappointing 4K quality
- Voice control is not reliable
What’s a Foldable Drone?
Foldable drones are full-featured UAVs that can be folded up neatly into a compact and portable shape. They are designed with flexible arms that you can fold into the body, creating a streamlined shape that can fit easily into your pocket or backpack.
These types of drones are the top choice among traveling drone pilots because they are very portable. Foldable design can turn a bulky drone into a slimmer version that makes it more convenient and safe to transport.
Why Buy a Foldable Drone?
Foldable drones are among the new trends in UAVs. A number prefer these types of drones because it offers several benefits such as:
- Ultraportability. Foldable drones are easier to transport which makes it a good option for those who love to travel.
- Small size. Bulky drones tend to get smaller in size when you fold them which make it easier to store.
- Functional. Even if foldable drones are small and lightweight, they are high-quality and high-performance. A number of them offer intelligent flying modes and an impressive camera just like their non-collapsible counterparts.
How to Choose the Best Foldable Drone
If you are planning to buy a foldable drone, you have to consider some factors. Here are some tips for those who want to purchase a foldable drone.
Size. Some foldable drones are already small while the others are not. If you want a foldable drone, make sure that it is small enough to conveniently transport when it is folded.
Price. There are cheap and expensive foldable drones. The size, built, materials and features may affect the price. But don’t worry, no matter what your budget is, you will surely find one that fits your needs. However, those that offer better features usually come at a high price.
Features. Foldable drones also come with a host of exciting features to make your flying experience more fun and enjoyable. You have to decide what features you want ahead because this can affect the price significantly. As I mentioned above, drones with better features tend to be more pricey. For instance, consider the camera quality, range, flight time and intelligent flying modes.
Conclusion
There are many foldable drones that are as powerful as their non collapsible counterparts. In fact, between the two, they offer more because they are portable and flexible. You can take your foldable drone with you wherever you go conveniently.
What’s your favorite foldable drone? Why do you like it so much? Share your experience with us and help other readers decide what’s the best foldable drone to buy.