Are you looking for a drone that can still fly in unfavorable weather? Do you want a quad that works even when it’s submerged in the water?
If this is the type of drone that you want to own, then you are looking for a waterproof drone. In this article, I’ll help you understand what this type of drone is and I’ll give you a list of the best waterproof drones in the market.
So, without further ado, let’s get started!
Best Waterproof Drones
The waterproof drones on my list are high-quality and high-performance. You can bank on them if you are looking for a fun experience because all of them have a good reputation in this category.
So, here are the best waterproof drones that you should look for.
1. Powervision Powerray
Specs
Dimensions: 465 x 270 x 126mm
Weight: 3.8kg
Speed: 4kn
Depth hovering accuracy: 4in
Camera: 4K UHD @ 5fps in 12mp
Storage: 32GB/64GB
Operating time: 4hr
PowerRay by PowerVision is a drone designed for exploring the underwater world. Yes, this is the ideal quad for those who want to explore the life under the seas whether its for professional or recreational purposes.
This waterproof drone can dive as deep as 98ft underwater. Its power Ray base station has 230ft long waterproof tether connected to the vehicle.
It has integrated 4K Ultra HD camera that shoots at 12mp still photos with a burst mode that shoots up to 5 frames per second. This is also equipped with a 64GB SD card to ensure that all of your footage and videos will be saved.
PowerRay Wizard is the only drone equipped with PowerSeeker fish finder sonar and magnetic bait drop to locate and place bait at any desired position. This helps you monitor and control your overall fishing experience.
That’s not all, this also comes with optimized ZEISS VR ONE Plus, the PowerVision edition of goggles to give you an immersive FPV experience in the underwater world. This drone is used for underwater videography, fishing visualization, boat inspection, treasure hunting, and commercial inspection.
This is also designed as a true Marine biologist because it has helped several scientific research missions from shellfish farms to exploring great white shark behaviors. This also supports underwater surveys. With this waterproof drone, exploring marine life has never been so easy and accessible.
PowerRay is a true gem when it comes to underwater drones. Filmmakers will surely love this because it delivers high-quality footage for underwater content whether its for movies, research and creative underwater photography. Aside from that, a single charge enables the drone to keep underwater for up to 4 hours.
PowerVision is a trusted brand. In fact, they received several recognitions for manufacturing PowerRay which includes IF Design Award 2019, Red Dot Design Award 2018, Good Design Award 2017, Red Star Design Award 2018 and IDEA 2018 award.
Considering its performance, quality, design and features, PowerRay Wizard is no doubt an amazing and powerful drone that’s why it’s my no. 1 choice. So, if you are serious in your underwater pursuits, this is the drone to buy! This is one of the best waterproof and splash drone.
PROS
- Has several rewards
- PowerSeeker Fishfinder
- Extraordinary long dive times
- Impressive photos and videos
- Has 1080p real-time streaming
- Supports immersive FPV experience
- Has PowerVisions Sentimate control system
- Perfect for professional, commercial and research purposes
CONS
- Expensive
2. JJRC H31
Specs
Dimensions: 250 x 250 x 55mm
Weight: 64.1g
Flight time: 8-10min
Range: 70-80m
Battery: 3.7V 400mAH
Water Resistance: Rain
JJRC H31 is a high-performance waterproof drone. Yes, it can fly in the water and most importantly, it includes the flight features that you would expect in a drone.
JJRC H31 is also very user-friendly because it has Headless Mode and One Key Return function. The Headless mode makes it easier for beginners to pilot the drone because users do not need to determine the orientation of the drone. The forward direction has nothing to do with the nose direction. The direction will be the same as the transmitter all the time.
Meanwhile, the One Key Return function enables you a safe flying experience. Just press the button and the quad will automatically find its way back to you.
Also, this is equipped with the latest 6-axis flight control systems. It is very stable and can implement various flight movements smoothly. It can even perform 3D flips and rolls.
But that’s not the best part about this drone, JJRC H31 is very affordable. It’s one of the best drones under $50. So, if you are in a tight budget and want a waterproof drone without breaking the bank, this quad is a steal.
Overall, this drone is great for beginners because it is very durable easy to fly and affordable. It can survive multiple crashes and still deliver a smooth flying experience.
However, I suggest that you don’t fly this in windy conditions because it is small and a gust of wind can easily take it away from you.
JJRC H31 is a good start if you want a budget waterproof drone. So, I highly recommend this. This is one of the best waterproof and splash drone.
PROS
- Easy and fun to fly
- Can perform 3D flips
- Withstands hard landings
- Optional HD camera
- Spare parts are available
CONS
- Very small
- Doesn’t fly well when it’s windy
3. Swellpro Splash Drone 3
Specs
Water Resistance: Water landing, short dives
Weight: 2380g
Max. Payload: 1kg
Battery: 14.8V 5200mAh
Max. Speed: 58km/h
Flight Time: 16min
Camera: 4k HD
Gimbal: 2-axis
Range: 1km
Swellpro Splash 3 is the first modular, all-weather waterproof drone. This is 100{ea2cf71a94ac0ec497812eb0b7c2bc33f9b74ebf28048bb730380b7f1d9c4acc} waterproof and salt water friendly. This is highly versatile because it can land and float on fresh and salt water, and can fly in any weather conditions, too.
Splash Drone 3 is made from durable 3mm reinforced ABS to ensure a perfect waterproof seal. It has reliable floating capabilities too and all parts are corrosion resistant. This can be used in marine environments and thrives on lakes, oceans and rivers.
It has 4K camera and a built-in gimbal that are waterproof, which enable underwater film recording easier and convenient. Its S3 remote control also supports a live video feed with an OSD and a built-in 5” FPV LCD monitor.
In addition, this is equipped with multiple features that make piloting the quad easy and fun. The drone is capable of Position Holding, Auto Landing, Auto Return to Home, One Key Takeoff, Waypoints, Mission Planning, Follow Me Tap to Fly and more. Even beginners will love this because it is very easy to maneuver.
It also has many modules that can be switched out for various tasks. For example, you can change it to have a release mechanism for a fishing line, fishing bait and the ability to drop equipment.
This drone is very helpful if you are into fishing due to its fishing line release mechanism with HD camera. It has precise bait dropping with all-in-one remote controller and live video monitor, long flight range and decent flight time that will surely make the flying experience fun.
However, the payload device is sold separately, so you have to spend more to enjoy it.
Overall, this drone is high-performance and high-durable. This is highly recommended if you love to spend your days on the waters. This is one of the best waterproof and splash drone.
PROS
- Small and portable
- Decent flight time
- Impressive speed
- S3 remote control supports live video
- Multiple intelligent flight modes
- Has an available mobile app
CONS
- Additional items and modules make it an expensive purchase
4. Autel Robotics X-Star Premium
Specs
Water Resistance: Splash-proof
Dimensions: 495 ✕ 495 ✕ 216 mm
Weight: 1452 g
Battery: 4.8V 4900mAh
Max. Speed: 58km/h
Flight Time: 25min
Charge Time: 60min
Camera: 4K Ultra HD
Gimbal: 3 Axis
Range: 2km
Autel X-Star Premium is a sophisticated and cool drone that is designed to give users the best flying experience no matter what the weather condition is. This quad has a built-in 4K camera and a 3-axis gimbal that enables it to deliver professional, high-quality and steady footage.
It has splash proof frame and is sure to deliver even under unfavorable weather conditions. Also, it has an impressive flying time of 25 minutes that gives professionals enough time to get their job done.
This also comes with Smart-Flight features like Follow, Orbit and Waypoints that enable the users to focus on the camera instead of the flight controls. It also includes Return to Home and landing features that makes piloting easy and convenient for beginners.
It has Starpoint Position System too, that measures the aircraft’s flying height and optically tracks its position accurately at low altitude even when a GPS signal is unavailable. Its dual GPS and GLONASS navigation ensure solid positioning even in low signal environments. The GPS guided controls also ensure a high-degree of precision and precaution when your drone flies away or behave erratically.
For ease of use, this comes with free-to-download Starlink App which serves as your portal to a whole new world. With this app, you can enjoy HD live video feed from your 4K camera to your mobile device
I had an amazing experience flying X-Star Premium because it is very easy to fly and not to mention, it has powerful features that make it more functional. So, I highly recommend this, anyway this is one of the best waterproof drone and splash drone
PROS
- Great design
- Safe and stable
- Impressive camera
- Simple controller
- Awesome live HD range
- Includes memory card
- Modular design and features
- Unique SecureFly technology
CONS
- Big compared to foldable drones
5. Swellpro Spry
Specs
Dimensions (LxWxH): 233.5 x 249 x 90mm
Weight: 538g (without battery)
Flight Time: 15~17min
Max Flying Range: 800m
Max Flying Altitude: 200m
Max Flying Speed: 18m/s 69 km/h
Max Climbing Speed: 4m/s 240m/min
Max Following Speed: 10m/s 36 km/h
Charging Time: 70min
Spy drone is a compact and portable waterproof drone. This is completely waterproof from head to toe.
It is engineered to be waterproof and buoyant. This is built for action in the harsh marine environment with specially coated motors and corrosion-resistant materials throughout. With its design, this drone can land and take off from the water without any damage.
Although this is small, Spry’s onboard camera is very impressive. It utilizes a Sony 1/2.3” CMOS sensor paired with a lens that minimizes fisheye distortion for natural-looking images. This can record stunning 4K video at 30 frames per second and a max bit rate of 64mpbs or take crisp 12mp photos.
That’s not all, Spry also leverages electronic image stabilization to offer smooth and fluid video capture. The action footage will look good straight out of the camera and ready for sharing.
Its 4K camera is completely enclosed in optically-engineered polycarbonate dome for high transparency without distortion. It also includes smart features like Follow Focus, Follow Orbit and Return to Boat with enhanced controls like One key Launch, Tap-to-Fly, Orbit Flights, Auto-Return Home and Autonomous Navigation. This is also a perfect filming tool for surfing, boating, wakeboarding, jet-skiing and kayaking.
Overall, Spry is a great waterproof drone, and one of the best waterproof drone. It has smart design and features, so this is highly recommended!
PROS
- Works underwater and in the air
- Impressive photos and videos
- Small and portable
- High-quality and durable
CONS
- Expensive
What are Waterproof Drones?
Waterproof drones are quadcopters that can withstand heavy rain and other extreme weather conditions. You can also use them to get some underwater shots while fishing or kayaking.
Waterproof drones are different from water-resistant drones because the former can be fully submerged in bodies of water without having to worry about damage because their electronic components are completely sealed off and cannot make direct contact with the water.
Meanwhile, water-resistant drones can survive splashes of water, their electronic parts are not completely sealed, so you cannot submerge them in the water. They can handle mild snow or rain, but they are vulnerable when fully submerged.
When Can You Use a Waterproof Drone
Waterproof drones offer a number of advantages that you won’t find in other types of drones. Here are some instances when waterproof drones are highly recommended.
Extreme weather conditions
Not all drones can fly when the weather is not good. In fact, most are not recommended for flying outdoors when it’s windy, all the more when it’s rainy.
However, waterproof drones are different. You can still fly them even if it’s windy or rainy because they are built to withstand these conditions. For this reason, these drones are not just useful for enthusiasts but also for professional and industrial use.
Search & Rescue
Professional grade waterproof drones are very helpful in search and rescue operations. These drones can carry medicines and other important things needed when there is an emergency or to unsafe places.
For instance, lifeguards use heavy-lift drones to send life vests quicker and farther than traditional means.
Fishing
Fishermen have already leveled up their game when it comes to fishing. Many have been using drones with camera to spot where the school of fish is and those with heavy payload are used to send out their hooks.
Read More: 5 Best Drones for Fishing
How to Find the Best Waterproof Drone
If you are planning to purchase a waterproof drone, you should be very careful. Here are some tips that you should look out for when it comes to price, design and features.
Price
If the waterproof drone you are about to buy is too cheap, you should be suspicious. In fact, you may want to avoid it altogether. I don’t suggest that you avoid all drones that are affordable, but what I recommend is, you check the reputation of the quad. If it has good reviews and it is affordable, then that would be a great drone to buy.
Design
Make sure that the drone is designed to be waterproof and not just water-resistant. As I mentioned above, although water-resistant drones can survive splashes of water, their parts are not completely sealed off, so they cannot be fully submerged in the water.
If you want a drone to take photos underwater, then make sure that you are getting a waterproof drone and not just a water-resistant quadcopter.
Features
Just like the other types of quadcopters, when you look for a waterproof drone, I suggest that you consider the different features it offers. For instance, a Follow Me mode is very helpful for water sports when you do your favorite water activity whether it’s surfing, kiteboarding, and water skiing.
You should also consider the flight time. In most cases drones with longer flight time tend to be more expensive, so your budget may play a role in this factor.
Quality
I understand that it’s difficult to gauge the durability of the drone if you haven’t tried it. But you can find a number of reviews online about the drone and when you do, I suggest that you look for reviews about the drone’s quality.
Can it withstand crashes? What happened after it was submerged in the water, was it damaged or not? It is really waterproof or just water-resistant? It is very important that you address these questions, so you would know what to expect from it.
Conclusion
Waterproof drones are very helpful especially when you need to fly a drone in windy or rainy conditions. No matter what your purpose in getting this drone, I highly recommend the quadcopters aforementioned because they have already proven their performance and quality.
I have tried all of them and I’m very impressed. The drones on my list are available at different price ranges, so you can surely find one that fits your budget.
For those who have already tried waterproof drones, do you have any other recommendations? Feel free to share it with us to give other readers more options in the market.