Drones have become increasingly popular and provide a great deal of fun for both the young and old.
Professionals and hobbyists alike just can’t get enough of these cool gadgets and that is why some choose to build their own quads.
It may actually cost you less to build a quadcopter than purchasing a pre-built one.
So how do you even begin to build your own quadcopter?
You will need to purchase a quadcopter kit.
A quadcopter kit comes with all the necessary parts and accessories you need but some kits may require you to purchase some parts separately.
You can even opt to build your own quadcopter kits by purchasing the different components separately which allows for more customization.
However, today, we will be looking at some of the best quadcopter kits on the market.
With one of these and some skills and a bit of patience, you’ll build your quadcopter in no time.
Drone
Features
Price
- 1 F450 frame kit
- 1 set of F450 Landing gear( 4 pieces)
- 4 Sunnysky X2212 980KV Brushless motor
- 4 HP SimonK 30A Speed Controller
- 2 1045(CW+CCW) Black Propeller
- 2 1045(CW+CCW) Red Propeller
- X-Speed Frame
- 2 2300KV Brushless Motors CW
- 2 2300KV Brushless Motors CCW
- 4 5045 3-blade Propeller (2CW + 2CCW)
- 1 Flycolor S-Tower w/30A 4 in 1 ESC + F4 + OSD + PDB
- 1 Foxeer HS1177 V2 Fpv Camera
- 1 5.8G 200mw 32CH FPV TX
- 1 FPV Transmitter Antenna
- 1 Radiolink AT9s Transmitter + Receiver
- 1 LED
- 1 4S 1500mah Lipo Battery
- 1 F330 Airframe
- 4 A2212 1400KV Brushless Outrunner Motor
- 4 30A Brushless ESC
- 2 845+845R Blade Propeller
- 1 APM2.8 APM 2.8 Multicopter Flight Controller Built-in Compass
- 1 6M GPS with Compass L5883 25cm Cable
- 5 10cm Servo Extension Lead Wire Cable MALE TO MALE KK MK MWC flight control Board
- 1 GPS Folding Antenna Mount Metal
- 1 Landing gear
- 12 3.5mm Bullet Connector( banana plug )
- 1 Hook & Loop Fastening Tape
- 1 T Plug Male Connector Silicone Wire with 11.5CM 14awg
- 1 QAV250 carbon frame
- 4 HP T2204 2300KV Brushless motor(2pcs CW +2pcs CCW)
- 4 Simonk 20A Speed Controller
- 4 5045(CW+CCW) Propeller ( 2pair red, 2pair black)
- 1 CC3D Flight Controller & protect case
- 1 Matek Power Hub
- 1 Spare parts pack
- 1 F450 Quadcopter Frame
- CC3D Flight Controller with Cables
- 2212 1000KV Motor x4
- 4 30A ESC
- 1 cable with XT60
- 8 1045 propellers( 2 pair red, 2 pair black)
Best quadcopter kit review
- 1 F450 frame kit
- 1 set of F450 Landing gear( 4 pieces)
- 4 Sunnysky X2212 980KV Brushless motor
- 4 HP SimonK 30A Speed Controller
- 2 1045(CW+CCW) Black Propeller
- 2 1045(CW+CCW) Red Propeller
The Hobbypower F450 ATF kit is suitable for the beginner and even the professional drone builder.
This drone build kit comes with a few parts you need to build your quadcopter and requires you to purchase some additional parts to finish your quad.
You will have to purchase a 3S Li-Po battery, flight controller and remote controller to power up your quad and to control it.
It uses a basic F-450 frame with landing gears that can fit on either an F-450 or an F-550 model.
The base has white and red arms which makes it easier to figure out where certain parts need to go and how to put together the unit correctly.
The kit also comes with four brushless motors and speed controllers to regulate how well it moves while in flight.
Meanwhile, the orange and black propellers create an even balance as the quad zips through the air.
Build time can take anywhere from 8 to 10 hours due to the extensive need to wire various parts and to set up the entire unit.
Make sure everything is assembled correctly and that all the wires are hidden to reduce the risk of cutting when the quad is in the air.
Once completed, the quad should give you around 10 minutes of flight time and can be used for racing or amateur flying without a camera.
- This is a DIY HJ-F450 Quadcopter kit , it is ATF (not ready to fly), This is a very popular machine,...
- Please be note this kit does not include remote control, flight controller and battery
- X-Speed Frame
- 2 2300KV Brushless Motors CW
- 2 2300KV Brushless Motors CCW
- 4 5045 3-blade Propeller (2CW + 2CCW)
- 1 Flycolor S-Tower w/30A 4 in 1 ESC + F4 + OSD + PDB
- 1 Foxeer HS1177 V2 Fpv Camera
- 1 5.8G 200mw 32CH FPV TX
- 1 FPV Transmitter Antenna
- 1 Radiolink AT9s Transmitter + Receiver
- 1 LED
- 1 4S 1500mah Lipo Battery
The Arris X-Speed 250B kit is one of the best quads to build if you need a unit for FPV racing.
It includes components made from carbon and glass fiber that lends to its durability and reliability.
Racing can get quite intense but you’ll be glad to know that this unit can survive minor crashes which can happen at any time due to high speeds.
If you have a passion for building and a bit of knowledge in electronics, then building this quad should be quite fun.
The camera provides crisp imagery back to you even during high-speed races and can even be adjusted from zero to forty-five degrees angle.
This gives you a bit of freedom to give you a true in the pilot’s seat experience when controlling the drone from the ground.
To make things easier for you, this kit comes with a tower frame with the ESC/PDB already installed.
Additionally, the tower structure also has the OSD integrated so there is no need for you to install it separately.
Since these are already done, it makes building the drone easier and also cuts down on build time.
You can check out our fpv drone kit review for other options.
- Simple structure frame installed with tower structure ESC/PDB, easy to assemble and easy to repair....
- The tower comes with integrated OSD, no need to install it separately. The angle of the FPV camera...
- Newly released high efficiency S2205 2300KV motor provides you better performance and longer working...
- 1 F330 Airframe
- 4 A2212 1400KV Brushless Outrunner Motor
- 4 30A Brushless ESC
- 2 845+845R Blade Propeller
- 1 APM2.8 APM 2.8 Multicopter Flight Controller Built-in Compass
- 1 6M GPS with Compass L5883 25cm Cable
- 5 10cm Servo Extension Lead Wire Cable MALE TO MALE KK MK MWC flight control Board
- 1 GPS Folding Antenna Mount Metal
- 1 Landing gear
- 12 3.5mm Bullet Connector( banana plug )
- 1 Hook & Loop Fastening Tape
- 1 T Plug Male Connector Silicone Wire with 11.5CM 14awg
The QWinOut 330mm DIY RC Drone Kit is not suitable for novice builders.
You should be experienced and know what you are about if you choose to purchase this quadcopter kit.
The F330 airframe is made up of glass fiber and polyamide nylon that are known for strength and durability.
This allows the unit to have a better chance to survive hard landings with minimal if any damage at all.
The frame comes with colored arms which helps you with orientation and to keep the quad flying in the right direction.
You can also find large mounting tabs which allow you to mount a camera with adequate installation space for the flight control system and other components.
It also comes with integrated PCB connections that make soldering the ESCs so much faster and easier as well as wiring the other components like power supply, etc.
The end result will give you a unit that can hover, cruise, roll and other awesome flight elements.
This means that you can use this quad for entertainment, aerial photography, FPV and other aeromodelling activities or a variety of DIY combinations.
- Already set the programe and welded all pieces. You just need to assemble to fly.
- Colored arms for orientation to keep you flying in the right direction, and large mounting tabs on...
- 30A Brushless ESC Speed Controller For RC Quadcopter Hexacopter. Before Producing, The Manufacturer...
- 1 QAV250 carbon frame
- 4 HP T2204 2300KV Brushless motor(2pcs CW +2pcs CCW)
- 4 Simonk 20A Speed Controller
- 4 5045(CW+CCW) Propeller ( 2pair red, 2pair black)
- 1 CC3D Flight Controller & protect case
- 1 Matek Power Hub
- 1 Spare parts pack
The Powerday DIY 250 kit comes unassembled and requires just a few skills and patience to build.
It is the perfect project for the novice builder, someone who just wants to build a drone or as a first build.
This kit comes with all the basics you need to put together a quad.
However, you will need to purchase a remote controller and a battery before you can fly the drone.
If you do purchase this kit, try to get a 6 channel or above radio system and 2S battery Li-Po battery since a 3S may be too strong for 12A/20A.
While a 3S battery can work, it may burn the ESC so you probably shouldn’t take the chance.
The Powerday DIY 250 quad is suitable for FPV racing or just for fun with its carbon frame, great appearance and stable structure.
- This is a DIY 250 Quadcopter kit, it is unassembled.
- Tip:The 2S battery is better for 12A/20A esc, the 3S batter is too strong and easy to burn the esc.
- 1.5mm Carbon Fiber fuselage，Machine arm 3.0mm
- This is a Unassembled Mini 250 size FPV quadcopter frame kit, it's a stable system of flight for...
- cc3d has changes, new and old models are shipped randomly.
- Note:This set does not include equipment such as remote control batteries. For specific package...
- 1 F450 Quadcopter Frame
- CC3D Flight Controller with Cables
- 2212 1000KV Motor x4
- 4 30A ESC
- 1 cable with XT60
- 8 1045 propellers( 2 pair red, 2 pair black)
The USAQ F450 kit comes with everything you need to build a powerful 450-class drone for fun or photography purposes.
The kit includes the frame, motors, electric speed controllers, power distribution board, power hookup cables, GPS, GPS mount and propellers.
This allows you to start building right out of the box.
The CC3D flight controller gives you the power to unlock tons of autopilot and pre-programmed potential with software such as iNav.
This allows you to control the unit better and have a great flying experience.
You will find that the fully molded glass fiber reinforced arms are strong enough to mount all the included components and will not break easily in a crash.
To make things a bit easier for you, the motors and propellers are matched for the recommended battery configuration so there’s no way you can get them wrong.
- Complete kit with motors, ESCs, propellers and flight controller
- Matched propellers, motors and ESCs
Benefits of quadcopter drone kits
You may be wondering why you should buy a DIY drone kit that requires you to build your own drone when you can just purchase a pre-built one.
Below are just a few reasons why you should buy quadcopter drone kits.
- They provide an insight into the technical aspects of drone technology
- They can be cheaper than pre-built models
- You have to option to customize the unit to your preferences
- There is a sense of accomplishment once you’ve finished putting the unit together and flying it.
Disadvantages of quadcopter drone kits
- The quadcopter building kit may not include all the necessary parts and accessories to build your quad
- The design of the quad may not be as aesthetically pleasing as what you’d get from a pre-built drone.
- Building your own quad can take a lot of time and require a ton of patience.
- You need to have some skills especially in electronics so that all cables and wires are organized properly and correctly.
FAQs: quadcopter building kit
How much work is required?
Building your own quadcopter may require a bit of time so plan ahead and keep in mind that it cannot be done in one day
It can take you up to 10 hours to build your own quadcopter from a quadcopter kit, even micro quadcopter kits.
The time it takes will depend on how big the quadcopter is and whether or not all the parts and accessories are included in the kit.
If you are mounting a camera or customizing your quadcopter in any way, it may take you a little while longer.
This is because the parts you want to add may require a bit of extra wiring or other setups that can take time.
If you are in a hurry and want to build your own quad then choose a quadcopter kit that comes with everything you need and instructions that aren’t too complicated or hard to follow.
How to build?
Again, this will depend on your model but the build most quadcopters come in is the standard F-450 format.
The F-450 format uses a square-like design between the individual propeller sets.
It is a basic arrangement that is easy to follow.
Of course, every quadcopter kit will vary and the finished quad will look different.
So look for pictures of the finished product to have an idea of what your quad should look like after it’s assembled.
What are the instructions?
When looking for a quadcopter kit try to find one that comes with an instruction manual.
The instruction manual is going to help you to learn about the parts in your kit, how they function and where they need to go
They can make building your own quad less complicated since everything is laid out in a step-by-step process.
If you’ve already purchased a DIY quadcopter kit and you found that it does not include an instruction manual, do not despair just yet.
Hop online and look for information on how to set up that particular model.
You just may be lucky enough to find an instructional guide either as a blog post or video which can help you to set up your quadcopter without trouble.
Also, the DIY quadcopter community is quite large.
There are many different forums where you can ask questions and find help if you need it.
Do I have to buy a controller?
In some instances, your kit may include a controller and other times you will have to buy your own controller in order to fly your quadcopter.
The cost of the controller will vary depending on the brand as well as the number of control options.
The setup for the controller will vary as well and depend on the brand and model that you purchase.
Once again if the controller does not come with instructions on how to set it up, go online and search or ask for help.
Can I add a camera?
One of the reasons drones have become so popular is because of their cameras.
This is because camera drones offer a different perspective of the world around you and capture some stunning aerial videos and photos.
If your quadcopter kit does not come with the camera, you can add a small compact camera onto your quad if your model can support one.
It is important to make sure that the mode that you purchased can actually handle a camera.
You will also need to look to see if there’s any flat surface to mount the camera.
Look for a quadcopter that can support a camera without creating lots of vibration since vibrations will have an impact on video and photo quality.
you will have to adjust the camera right off the main base of your quad since most controllers will not support a camera.
Doing this will give you a little bit of extra control over your unit.
What does ARF stand for?
Drone kits are available in different types which include RTF, ARF and BNF.
RTF stands for Ready to Fly and drones described as RTF come with everything needed to be up in the air in seconds after the batteries are charged.
BNF means Bind and Fly and these drones include everything you need in the box except the transmitter.
ARF stands for Almost Ready to Fly and these units are specifically made for DIYers and hobbyists.
These units come fully unassembled and require you to assemble the various parts to make the device able to fly.
For more drone kits, read this drone kit review.
How to prevent crashes?
Crashing your drone can lead to severe damages since you are building your unit.
This means that if you do not secure the various components well, they can become loose and get lost or break.
To prevent crashes, see your unit can be programmed with features like auto-takeoff/landing, return to home, etc.
These features can help you avoid crashing when taking off, landing or when the battery level dips below a certain percentage.
You can also keep the drone at a decent speed unless you are racing.
Flying the drone at high speeds can cause you to lose control and crash the unit.
Drone
Features
Price
- 1 F450 frame kit
- 1 set of F450 Landing gear( 4 pieces)
- 4 Sunnysky X2212 980KV Brushless motor
- 4 HP SimonK 30A Speed Controller
- 2 1045(CW+CCW) Black Propeller
- 2 1045(CW+CCW) Red Propeller
- X-Speed Frame
- 2 2300KV Brushless Motors CW
- 2 2300KV Brushless Motors CCW
- 4 5045 3-blade Propeller (2CW + 2CCW)
- 1 Flycolor S-Tower w/30A 4 in 1 ESC + F4 + OSD + PDB
- 1 Foxeer HS1177 V2 Fpv Camera
- 1 5.8G 200mw 32CH FPV TX
- 1 FPV Transmitter Antenna
- 1 Radiolink AT9s Transmitter + Receiver
- 1 LED
- 1 4S 1500mah Lipo Battery
- 1 F330 Airframe
- 4 A2212 1400KV Brushless Outrunner Motor
- 4 30A Brushless ESC
- 2 845+845R Blade Propeller
- 1 APM2.8 APM 2.8 Multicopter Flight Controller Built-in Compass
- 1 6M GPS with Compass L5883 25cm Cable
- 5 10cm Servo Extension Lead Wire Cable MALE TO MALE KK MK MWC flight control Board
- 1 GPS Folding Antenna Mount Metal
- 1 Landing gear
- 12 3.5mm Bullet Connector( banana plug )
- 1 Hook & Loop Fastening Tape
- 1 T Plug Male Connector Silicone Wire with 11.5CM 14awg
- 1 QAV250 carbon frame
- 4 HP T2204 2300KV Brushless motor(2pcs CW +2pcs CCW)
- 4 Simonk 20A Speed Controller
- 4 5045(CW+CCW) Propeller ( 2pair red, 2pair black)
- 1 CC3D Flight Controller & protect case
- 1 Matek Power Hub
- 1 Spare parts pack
- 1 F450 Quadcopter Frame
- CC3D Flight Controller with Cables
- 2212 1000KV Motor x4
- 4 30A ESC
- 1 cable with XT60
- 8 1045 propellers( 2 pair red, 2 pair black)