Drones are creating such a buzz in the modern world and almost everyone has seen a drone flying around by now.
Most are fascinated and want to get their hands on one of these unmanned aerial vehicles.
If you’re looking for a drone whether, for fun or work, there are a few things you have in mind before making that purchase.
These include flight time, range, weight dimensions, motors, etc.
Drones come in all shapes, sizes and are loaded with various features to carry out different tasks.
Sometimes it can be hard to choose the right type of drone especially if the flight time is of utmost importance.
Drones come with either brushed or brushless motors and today, we’ll turn our focus on brushless motors.
So if you’re interested in brushless drones, how they work, and why they are preferred, stick around and keep reading.
Drone
Features
Price
- Flight range: 100 meters without controller
- Flight time: 16 minutes
- Weight: 10.6 oz
- Flight range: 8047 meters
- Flight time: 30 minutes
- Weight: 50 oz
Brushless Drones for professionals and enthusiasts.
- Flight range: 800 meters
- Flight time: 23 minutes
- Weight: 17.6 0z
The Holy Stone HS720 is a cheap brushless drone that is a perfect choice for enthusiasts.
Holy Stone has made a name for itself on the drone market as a company with high-quality products on a budget.
This unit holds to that and comes with brushless motors, night lights, altitude hold sensors, and a ton of software features.
It also comes with dual GPS, auto return to home, and a bunch of intelligent flight modes.
Meanwhile, the onboard HD camera with image stabilization offers good image quality with the ability to capture 4K videos.
The 5GHz FPV transmission and 90°adjustable lens allow you to capture the world from a different perspective.
The controller 2.4GHz transmitter has a control range up to 3000 feet high and 800 meters with FPV falling just a tad bit shorter.
The controller also comes with an LED screen that displays the battery level and GPS signal.
There is also a button to turn on or off the drone light as well as a right-hand throttle mode for left-handers.
All in all, the Holy Stone HS720 foldable GPS drone provides high aerodynamics efficiency by using brushless motors with aviation propellers.
This allows this device to offer 23 minutes of flight time.
- 4K UHD Camera with Image Stabilization: The optimized full HD Camera built with Shock Absorption...
- GPS Assisted Intelligent Flight: Never lose the drone. It returns automatically whenever battery is...
- Configuration Upgrade: The 2 intelligent batteries works for 26 Mins/per battery for each charge; 52...
- Simple Operation: Equipped Multi Sensors guarantee hovering with great stability and high quality...
- Considerate Controller: The control range of 2.4GHz transmitter reaches to 3000 feet high range;...
- Flight range: 100 meters without controller
- Flight time: 16 minutes
- Weight: 10.6 oz
Possibly the smallest brushless drone ever, the DJI Spark is another good drone for any hobbyist.
It is the best selfie drone on the market with a decent quality camera, outstanding specs, and in-flight performance.
Although the camera cannot capture 4K videos, the 1080p videos and 12 MP photos are clear and detailed with no distortion thanks to the 2-axis gimbal system.
You can even capture aerial selfies to up your selfie game.
Aside from the camera, the unit comes with altitude hold, GPS, facial recognition, gesture control, and a wide array of intelligent features.
When controlling the device using hand gestures, it has a maximum range of 100 meters.
However, the range can be extended if you buy the controller which is sold separately and will cost you a bit extra.
While you pay a little more, the controller extends the range of the drone to 1.2 miles if you do need to fly out a bit farther.
Controlling the unit using hand gestures like PalmControl and PalmLaunch or the controller delivers a seamless flight experience.
- DJI spark remote control Combo includes remote controller and standard spark accessory Kit (see...
- 2-Axis Stabilized Gimbal Camera 12MP Still Photos/ 1080P/30 Video gesture and Tap Fly control
- Flight autonomy with obstacle detection subject tracking from various angles GPS- & vision...
- Top speed of 31 mph in sport mode up to 16 minutes flying time
- Up to 1. 2 mile control range control, edit, share with DJI go app
- Flight range: 4000 meters
- Flight time: 20 minutes
- Weight: 15.2 oz
The DJI Mavic Air is a brushless quadcopter with camera quality that you’ll be amazed by.
This drone was built for professionals and adventure seekers with its highly portable design.
Both the drone and the remote controller are foldable to take this set up with you no matter where you go.
The control sticks can be detached and stored inside of the controller so that it packs more comfortably when you’re on the move.
It comes equipped with a cool 4K sensor to capture crystal clear HDR images and footage.
Footage captured is extremely smooth due to the 3-axis gimbal system that keeps the unit stable in flight.
Other features include the standard DJI’s lineup like GPS, image tracking, altitude hold, and return to home.
It also includes DJI’s two-directional obstacle avoidance to ensure the drone is safe no matter where you fly.
Throw in some smart flying modes and you can fly with confidence every time to ensure you grab those cinematic shots.
The DJI Mavic Air flight range is out to 4000 meters or 1.2 miles while the flight range is around 20 minutes.
- The dedicated remote controller uses a foldable, low-profile, ergonomic design to hold your...
- Flight range: 4000 meters
- Flight time: 25 minutes
- Weight: 1.6 oz
Featuring a foldable design and powerful features, the Parrot PF728000 Anafi is an awesome drone to get your hands on.
The unit can unfold in less than 3 seconds and hit the sky so you never miss a shot.
This powerhouse of a drone with an f/2.4 wide-angle ASPH lens, HDR, and up to 2.8 times digital zoom can capture sharp and vivid 4K HD videos and 21MP stills.
Not only is the image quality outstanding but the way the camera is mounted allows it to shoot straight up or straight down which is a rare feat for drones.
Apart from its awesome camera, it comes with an outstanding A.I. and visual tracking system with tons of advanced features.
Flight performance is excellent with a flight time of 25 minutes and speeds of 55 km/h in sport mode, thanks to the intelligent Li-Po battery that optimizes its life.
The Parrot PF728000 Anafi can be controlled using the Parrot Skycontroller 3 folding remote which has a control range of 4000 meters.
- This drone with a camera equipped with f/2.4 wide angle ASPH lens, HDR, and up to 2.8 times digital...
- The ANAFI Parrot Drone can have up to 25 minutes of filmed flight time thanks to an intelligent...
- With its ultra-compact and lightweight carbon frame (320 g), this quadcopter drone unfolds in less...
- Equipped with a Parrot Skycontroller 3 folding remote control, the ANAFI Parrot Drone can be located...
- Software updates can make changes to existing features, further enhance ANAFI’s reliability and...
- Egyptian (Publication Language)
- Flight range: 6920 meters
- Flight time: 30 minutes
- Weight: 1.9 oz
The Autel Robotic EVO is massive, powerful, and comes with all the necessary bells and whistles to take drone photography and videography to the next level.
Its portable design and bright orange color can sometimes hide the true power of this beast.
Although the company keeps coming out with improved versions of the EVO like the EVO 2 drone, the original EVO remains a powerhouse and a force to be reckoned with for the price.
First off, the camera is amazing and can capture 4k videos in any weather condition.
The real glass optics and Ambarella H2 processor give you a more dynamic range in each shot.
This unit was built to last and is feature-rich with the likes of obstacle avoidance technology, GPS, Glonass, altitude hold and so much more.
The intelligent flight modes make it easy to fly the unit and capture stunning imagery while ensuring safety to you, those around you, and the unit itself.
Fly the drone out to a whopping 6920 meters or 4.3 miles with the controller which allows you to capture everything within your line of sight and then some.
Along with the long-distance flight range comes a flight time of 30 minutes.
The controller eliminates the need for a mobile device since it features a built-in 3.3 inch OLED display to view critical information and provide a live 720p video feed.
- EVO's powerful camera is the choice pick for award winning cinematographers and photographers....
- The world’s best compact and foldable drone, you can take your EVO with you anywhere. You are...
- Always fly with confidence with an intuitive 3.3 inch OLED display controller remote. Its one-touch...
- Customer service is available 7-days a week and waiting to assist you at your every need. We care...
- Included In Package: EVO aircraft Remote Controller Power Cable Charger Micro-USB Cable USB-C Cable...
- Flight range: 8047 meters
- Flight time: 31 minutes
- Weight: 32 oz
If you’re looking for an ultra-compact, ultra-powerful drone, then look no further than the DJI Mavic 2 Pro.
DJI dominates this list since they are one of the best drone manufacturers on the market today.
They have some of the best brushless quadcopters and the Mavic 2 Pro is no exception.
This unit comes with smart flight features, obstacle avoidance, and failsafe modes to deliver outstanding quality in a small and compact package.
With the ability to fold and fit into a backpack, the Mavic 2 Pro does not need a special case for storing when you’re on the go.
The camera on this device is capable of capturing remarkable 4K videos and 48MP photos with a 1/2-inch high-performance Quad Bayer CMOS sensor.
Stabilization is provided by a 3-axis gimbal to improve the image and video quality.
The integration of the OcuSync 2.0 is one of the factors that elevates the Mavic 2 Pro’s game.
It allows the unit to provide a video transmission distance of up to 8047 meters or 5 miles with a live stream of 1080p FHD videos directly from the drone’s camera.
The flight time comes in around 34 minutes which is plenty of time to capture epic, fast-paced shots with its 3-direction obstacle sensing technology.
- For Mavic 2 Pro & Mavic 2 Zoom
- Charge Batteries While Driving
- Turn Batteries into 2 x USB Type-A Banks; Operating Temperature Range: 0℃ - 40℃
- Flight range: 8047 meters
- Flight time: 30 minutes
- Weight: 50 oz
The DJI Phantom 4 Pro+ is the best brushless quadcopter on the market and the only thing that one can complain about is the price since this unit isn’t exactly cheap.
The Phantom 4 Pro+ comes with a camera with a mechanical shutter and a highly sophisticated 1-inch CMOS 20MPX sensor.
This allows the uni to capture breathtaking videos and stills which are free from distortion thanks to the 3-axis gimbal that works well to stabilize imagery.
As you’d expect from one of DJI’s pricier units, this device comes fully equipped with all of their latest advanced features including autonomous flight modes and failsafe protocols.
These include ActiveTrack, TapFly, Return to Home, omnidirectional obstacle avoidance technology, and a whole lot more.
Other specs include the use of LightBridge Technology that allows the seamless live stream directly to the controller so there is no need for your smartphone.
LightBridge Technology also allows you to fly the unit out to an impressive range of 8047 meters or 5 miles.
DJI Phantom 4 Pro+ flight time is also quite impressive with a total of 30 minutes which is among the best flight times offered on the market.
- Camera with 1-inch 20MP sensor the onboard camera has been redesigned to use a 1-inch Megapixel CMOS...
- Five-directions of obstacle sensing
- Remote controller with built-in screen the Phantom 4 Pro controller integrates an upgraded...
- Mobile App: DJI GO 4. It will not work with 3rd party apps
What are brushless motor drones?
Diving into the world of drones can be confusing at times since it involves quite a few terminologies that you may be unfamiliar with.
A common example is when talking about flight power, you’ll hear talks of brush and brushless motors.
Brushless motors are a type of electronic motor that can be used for all sorts of projects including handheld tools and even model RC cars and aircraft.
They come in all shapes and sizes to meet various needs.
In drones, brushless motors are DC-powered motors that work with an inverter or a switching power supply.
So what is the difference between brushed motors and brushless motors?
Let’s head to the next section to find out.
Brush motor drones vs brushless motor drones
Brushed motors use a set of wound wire coils that rotates and act like a 2-pole magnet.
Since they use brushes, they are not very durable and tend to wear out over time.
They are cheaper than brushless motors which is why you can find them in products at a lower price point.
Brushless motors, on the other hand, costs way more than brushed motors and are way more powerful.
These types of DC motors use ESCs instead of brushes so they last longer and offer more power.
Brushless motors are equipped with a permanent magnetic external rotor with 3 phases of driving coil.
This is why brushless motors work better than brushed motors.
Not only are they more durable but they are also more efficient than their brushed counterparts.
So if you are looking for a drone with the best flight times and speed, look for a unit that uses brushless motors.
Although expensive, they are worth it in the long run.
Best brushless quadcopter terminologies explained
You may find on your search for the best brushless quadcopter a series of drone terminologies that you may be unfamiliar with.
This section will provide a brief explanation of a few of these terminologies so that you can have a fair idea of what they mean.
- RTF – A drone marked RTF means that it is Ready to Fly.
What this means is that it comes with everything needed to get it up and running.
It requires very little installation before you take to the skies like installing propellers, etc.
- BNF – In this sense, BNF stands for Bind and Fly.
Bind and Fly drones come with all the parts needed for flying but you will have to purchase your own transmitter.
- 1S, 2S… – These represent the cell counts of the LiPo batteries and can be marked as 1S, 2S, 3S, 4S, etc.
Each cell has CCA 3.7v which means that a 2S as in a 2 cell battery has 7.4v while a 3S has 11,1v and so on.
- ESC – ESC translates to Electronic Speed Controller.
They are a crucial part of brushless drones that are tasked with controlling and providing the motor with enough power to carry out its functions
Final thoughts: brushless drone
All in all, if you’re looking for a drone and have to choose between a brushed motor drone or a brushless, it’s always better to go with a brushless unit.
While brushless motor drones will cost more they perform better and are far more durable than brushed motors.
It is better to invest in something that you know will stick around for a long time and all the drones mentioned in this review are highly durable and perform well.
They also accommodate every budget with the Holy Stone HS720 as the cheapest brushless drone while the most expensive is the DJI Phantom 4 Professional+.
For more drones, read affordable drones post and best drone for the money.
Drone
Features
Price
- Flight range: 100 meters without controller
- Flight time: 16 minutes
- Weight: 10.6 oz
- Flight range: 8047 meters
- Flight time: 30 minutes
- Weight: 50 oz