Hello, drone enthusiasts! Welcome to my review of the best foldable drones in 2023.
Let’s admit it, big, bulky drones are inconvenient to carry around. We want drones that are foldable and portable because they’re easy to slide into our pockets and fits into our backpack.
This is the number one reason why foldable drones have gone viral in the drone community.
I’ve compiled a list of the best foldable drones because I understand how difficult it can be to pick a foldable drone due to the recent flock of hundreds of foldable drones in the market.
Not only are these drones foldable, but they’re also portable to carry around, most weigh below 250 grams which saves you from dealing with FAA registration. They also have a high-quality camera, long battery life, and intelligent flight modes for a fun flight experience.
The best foldable drone is the Autel EVO Nano Plus. It’s great for beginners and professional drone pilots thanks to its 4K camera, long battery life, lightweight design, and GPS Assisted Intelligent Mode, which gives you a fun flight and a good user experience overall.
Here is a quick summary of all the best foldable drones I’ve hand-picked for you after my research.
Quick Summary of the Best Drones For Beginners
- Quick Summary of the Best Drones For Beginners
- How I Selected The Best Foldable Drones
- What Are The Best Foldable Drones in 2023?
- 1. Potensic Atom SE (Best Budget Foldable Drone)
- 2. DJI Mini 3 Pro (Best DJI Foldable Drone)
- 3. Ruko F11 GIM (Best Wind Resistance Foldable Drone)
- 4. Autel EVO Nano Plus (Best Overall Foldable Drone)
- 5. Holy Stone HS720E (Best Foldable Camera Drone)
- 6. DJI Mavic Mini Combo (Best Foldable Drone With Long Flight Time)
- 7. Bwine F7 Mini (Best Foldable Drone Under 250 Grams)
- 1. Potensic Atom SE (Best Budget Foldable Drone)
- What To Look For in a Foldable Drone
- Final Thoughts on the Best Foldable Drones
How I Selected The Best Foldable Drones
In conducting this research, I read lots of posts on Reddit, Quora, and other drone forums to cut through the noise and pick the best foldable drones for you.
I also own a foldable drone. So, I watched lots of YouTube videos and read through hundreds of product reviews on Amazon to come up with this list.
This article took me about 19 hours of research to ensure you get the best quality for your money.
Some of the factors I took into consideration when selecting the best foldable drones include durability, wind resistance, resistance to multiple crashes, a 4K camera, and long battery life.
I also took into consideration special features that make it easy to use like headless mode, altitude hold, GPS Follow Me Mode, and more.
What Are The Best Foldable Drones in 2023?
Here, I’ll dive into the top 7 best foldable drones.
Each review will contain the features and benefits of the products, the pros and cons, the specifications, and my final verdict on the product.
The aim of this section is to help you make a smooth and easy decision about which drones suit your needs and your budget.
1. Potensic Atom SE (Best Budget Foldable Drone)
The Potensic Atom SE is my best budget foldable drone. Not only is it foldable, but it also offers a 4K camera, 62 minutes flight time, and a 4km transmission range, all at an affordable price without breaking the bank.
The 4K HD camera is the number one thing that attracted me to the Potensic Atom SE. It can shoot 12 MP photos in JPG and 4K HD videos at 30 fps for recording those important memories and scenes.
Your photos and videos are stabilized by an exclusive ShakeVanish electronic stabilization technology that reduces the wobbling of the camera thereby producing excellent footage free from almost any flaws.
You can purchase the drone today and start flying it immediately because it weighs less than 250 grams which exclude you from registering the drone with FAA if you intend to fly for recreational purposes.
The Potensic Atom SE can fly up to 4 km away from you without losing control thanks to its superior transmission system.
This enables a stable and consistent video feed which also prevents your drone from crashing when it’s far away from you, thereby saving you money from repairs and replacement.
Potensic Atom SE Specifications
- Takeoff Weight: ＜0.55lbs/249g (the takeoff weight includes battery and propeller blades)
- Fold Size: 3.46 x5.63 x 2.28 inch
- Unfold Size: 11.8 x 9.53 x 2.28 inch
- Max. Flight Speed (Sport mode) Ascending: 5 m/s; descending: 4 m/ss; Horizontal flight: 16m/s
- Max. Flight Period: 31 minutes per battery (measured at the breezeless condition and even speed of 5m/s)
- Satellite Positioning System: GPS + GLONASS
- Video Resolution: 4K @30fps; 2.7K @30fps; 1080P @60fps; 1080P @30fps
- Photo Resolution: 4,608 X 2,592
- FOV: 118°
- Type of Supported Storage Card Micro SD card: 4 ~ 256GB SD card transmission speed ≥ class10 or U1 standard (not included)
- Video Format: MP4 (H.264)
- Image Format: JPG/JPEG+RAW(DNG)
Potensic Atom SE Pros and Cons
My Verdict on the Potensic Atom SE
The Potensic Atom SE is my best budget foldable drone because it gives you the basic premium features of high-end drones without the expensive price.
You should go for this drone if you want a foldable drone with special fighting features and functions, all without breaking the bank.
You should check out the button below for more information on the Potensic Atom SE.
2. DJI Mini 3 Pro (Best DJI Foldable Drone)
The DJI Mini 3 Pro is my best DJI foldable drone. It has everything you want in a foldable drone. Starting from its lightweight, portability, 4K camera, long flight time, to its long range, and many more.
The maximum range of the DJI Mini 3 Pro is 18 kilometers. This drone is ideal if you want to explore the globe from above. You won’t have any trouble getting breathtaking aerial photos or movies with this drone. You can travel the world like never before.
The DJI Mini 3 Pro has one of the longest flight times in the foldable drone series. Ay 34 minutes for each battery, you have all the time in the world to explore your terrain to the fullest while capturing amazing moments on the go thanks to its intelligent high-capacity battery.
A 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor which is one of the finest in the foldable drone series is included in the DJI Mini 3 Pro. You can take breathtaking 4K videos and photos with this drone.
The DJI Mini 3 Pro camera can also film at 60 frames per second, which is ideal for catching moving objects at the best quality.
Its compact and foldable design is something frequent travelers will enjoy. It fits easily inside your pocket and backpack, making it convenient for moving around. Plus it also weighs less than 250 grams which means you don’t have to register it with the FAA after purchase.
The maximum speed for the DJI Mini 3 Pro is 16 m/s. This drone is ideal if you want to take stunning action pictures or videos.
You’ll be able to record every move in breathtaking clarity with this drone. The speed results in incredible steadiness, which makes it ideal for taking photos and movies.
DJI Mini 3 Pro Specifications
- Weight: less than 249 grams
- Dimensions Folded (without propellers): 145×90×62 mm (L×W×H)
- Dimension Unfolded (with propellers): 251×362×70 mm (L×W×H)
- Diagonal Length: 247 mm
- Max Ascent Speed: 5 m/s
- Max Descent Speed: 5 m/s
- Max Horizontal Speed: 16 m/s
- Max Takeoff Altitude: 4000 m
- Max Flight Time: 34 minutes
- Max Hovering Time: 30 minutes
- Max Flight Distance: 18 km
- Max Wind Speed Resistance: 10.7 m/s (Level 5)
- Photo Resolution: 48 MP: 8000 X 6000
- Video Resolution: 4K Ultra HD: 3840 x 2160 @ 60 fps
- Sensing Type: Downward vision system
- Video Transmission System: DJI O2
- Battery Capacity: 2453 mAh
- Battery Charging Time: 1 hour
- Max Charging Power: 30 W
- File Storage: micro SD card (256 GB max)
DJI Mini 3 Pro Pros and Cons
My Verdict on the DJI Mini 3 Pro
Overall, the DJI Mini 3 Pro is for drone enthusiasts that want a lightweight and foldable drone with premium features. It has everything you want in a premium drone but you have to be willing to part with high hundreds of dollars for this baby.
You should check out the button below for more information on the DJI Mini 3 Pro.
3. Ruko F11 GIM (Best Wind Resistance Foldable Drone)
The Ruko F11 GIM is my best wind-resistant foldable drone. It can resist windy conditions up to level 6 (31 miles per hour) thanks to its brushless motors that guarantee a stable flight in mid-air.
One good thing about the Ruko F11 GIM is its dual 2,500 mAh batteries that guarantee a double flight time of 56 minutes, giving you more time to explore your environment without worrying about power.
The drone also has a visual battery indicator in the remote control for you to monitor the power level. This prevents your drone from crashing in mid-air when it runs out of power.
But the downside is that the battery takes around 4.5 hours to recharge from zero to 100 percent.
The 100° FOV wide-angle camera on the Ruko F11GIM drone is stabilized by a 2-axis gimbal and Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) for crystal-clear video.
With a microSD card with a maximum storage capacity of 128G, the camera’s Sony image sensor can record 4K/30fps video and 4K images with a 5x magnification. Moreover, the camera can be tilted to an angle of 80 degrees and allows gesture shooting.
Because of its smart return home function, the Ruko F11GIM is one of the best drones for beginners. The drone will autonomously return to its takeoff position in the event of a low battery or a break in communication with the controller.
The Ruko F11 GIM may also be directed to return home using the app or remote control with only one button click. You can locate the drone using the GPS feature, guaranteeing that you never misplace it.
Ruko F11 GIM Specifications
- Weight：585 grams
- Max Flight Time：28×2 min (Charging Time: about 4.5hours for each battery)
- Dimension：7.48×4.13×3.15 in (Folding)/17.72×15.94×3.15 in (Unfolding)
- Camera：4K camera with 3-axis gimbal (2-axis mechanical gimbal plus EIS anti-shake) (Adjusted angle -80°+0°)
- Photo Resolution：4K (3840 x 2160) stored in SD card
- Video：[email protected] stored in SD card
- Max Control Range：4921ft
- Max FPV Transmission Range：2624-3937ft (Depends on mobile device and environment)
- Max Supported TF Card：128GB (not included)
- Max Height：393ft
- Transmitter：Rechargeable
- Special Feature: 2-Axis Gimbal, Rechargeable Remote Controller, 4K EIS Camera, Foldable, Long Battery Life
Ruko F11 GIM Pros and Cons
My Verdict on the Ruko F11 GIM
The Ruko F11 GIM is a great drone for beginners and professionals. Its wind resistance functions stabilize the drone in mid-air and prevent the drone from being blown away or your footage from being shaky.
You should check out the button below for more information on the Ruko F11 GIM
4. Autel EVO Nano Plus (Best Overall Foldable Drone)
The Robotics EVO Nano Plus is my best overall foldable drone. Its foldable and portable design makes it fits into your pocket and backpack. It weighs less than a smartphone and doesn’t require FAA registration.
Its 4K camera comes with 16X digital ZOOM footage, making it perfect for capturing the beauty of nature while avoiding disturbing local wildlife.
With the touch of a button, the Nano plus will rise into the air and snap a photo of you and your friends, automatically adjusting the lens so no one gets left out.
The Autel EVO Nano Plus comes equipped with a 4K camera that has 16X digital zoom technology, making it the best choice for capturing your local wildlife from far away without disturbing them.
The 50 MP camera also makes it the best choice on this list for capturing footage at night because it can increase the camera lighting by 40%. It can also shoot videos in 4K resolution at 30 fps.
You have enough time to experiment with the Autel EVO Nano Plus and record those magic moments with your loved ones thanks to its intelligent batteries that give you a flight time of 28 minutes.
The Autel EVO Nano Plus can also avoid colliding with obstacles on its flight path because it uses binocular vision principles and three-way obstacle avoidance theory to obtain depth images of obstacles
Autel EVO Nano Plus Specifications
- Weight: 249 grams
- Dimensions Folded (without propellers): 140×90×50 mm (L×W×H)
- Dimension Unfolded (with propellers): 264×310×50 mm (L×W×H)
- Diagonal Length: 231 mm
- Max Ascent Speed: 6 m/s
- Max Descent Speed: 4 m/s
- Max Horizontal Speed: 15 m/s
- Max Takeoff Altitude: 4000 m
- Max Flight Time: 28 minutes
- Max Hovering Time: 26 minutes
- Max Flight Distance: 16.8 m
- Max Wind Speed Resistance: 10.7 m/s (Level 5)
- Photo Resolution: 50M：8192×6144
- Video Resolution: 4K Ultra HD: 3840×2160 @60 fps
- Max Bit Rate: 100 MBPS
- Wi-Fi Transfer: 20 MB/s
- Battery Capacity: 3930 mAh
- Battery Charging Time: 90 minutes.
- Max Charging Power: 30 W
- File Storage: micro SD card (256 GB max)
Autel EVO Nano Plus Pros and Cons
My Take on the Autel EVO Nano Plus
Overall, the Autel Evo Nano Plus is the best foldable drone in my opinion. The drone can do everything you want for a drone of its weight class. It has a high-quality camera, is convenient to carry around, and you don’t have to create an account with Autel to fly the drone.
You should check out the button below for more information on the Autel Evo Nano Plus.
5. Holy Stone HS720E (Best Foldable Camera Drone)
The Holy Stone HS720E is the best foldable camera drone in my opinion. It’s easy to use, has advanced flight mode, & comes with dual batteries for a more fun time and a 4K EIS anti-shake camera with a Sony sensor.
The HS720E camera is an absolute beast! The camera comes with an Electric Image Stabilization (EIS) technology to reduce blurred footage that can capture your pictures in 4K resolution and your videos in [email protected].
The Sony sensor has advanced image-capture technologies to give you superior pictures.
Unlike brushed motors, its brushless motors operate more powerfully and with a great deal less noise, allowing for quick and reliable drone flying. They also last longer and require less maintenance.
It also comes with advanced flight mode like Follow Me, Tap Fly, and Point of Interest that makes the drone fly autonomously, which free your mind and hands to work on the picture and video creation.
The Holy Stone HS720E box comes with dual batteries that both provide 46 minutes of flight time for extra fun. It also comes with a carrying case to make it easy and convenient for moving about.
Holy Stone HS720E Specifications
- Weight: 17.46 OZ
- Flight Time: 23 Minutes / Charging Time: about 5 Hours
- Dimension: 13.3*9.5*2.3 IN (Unfolding)
- Camera: FOV 130°
- Photo Resolution: 4K (3840 x 2160) Stored in TF Card / 1080P (1920 x 1080P) Stored on Mobile Phone.
- Video: [email protected]/[email protected] (with TF Card Stored)
- Max Supported TF Card: 128GB (Not included)
- Transmitter Range: 3277 Feet
- Max FPV Transmission Range: 1640 Feet
- Maximum Height: 394 Feet
- Battery Capacity: 2800 Milliamp Hours
- Control Type: Remote Control
- Media Type: SD
- Maximum Range: 999 Meters
- Wireless Communication Technology: Wi-Fi
- Battery Cell Composition: Lithium Polymer
Holy Stone HS720E Pros and Cons
My Verdict on the Holy Stone HS720E
Personally, I would go with the Holy Stone HS720E if I wanted to lay my hand on a camera drone that’s foldable, portable, and comes with premium features without paying thousands of dollars.
You should check out the button below for more information on the Holy Stone HS720E.
6. DJI Mavic Mini Combo (Best Foldable Drone With Long Flight Time)
The DJI Mavic Mini is my best foldable drone with a long flight time. It comes with triple smart batteries that give a combined flight time of 90 minutes. This gives you more than enough for all kinds of flights.
It weighs almost the same as the average smartphone in the United States and Canada, which is perfect for taking it on a trip wherever you go without inconveniences. You also don’t have to register it with the FAA because it weighs less than 250 grams (0.55 lbs).
With only a few touches, the new DJI Fly app lets you produce dramatic pictures thanks to its easy-to-use interface. It even includes a function called Flight Tutorial that may help you use Mavic Mini swiftly and securely.
My major qualm with the DJI Mavic Mini is that it doesn’t come with a 4K camera. However, the 2.7K HD camera is more than enough for recreational use by both beginner and professional drone pilots.
The 2.7K HD camera still captures superior footage that is very sharp and ultra-clear.
DJI Ryze Tech Tello Specifications
- Video Capture Resolution: 2.7K
- Effective Still Resolution: 12 MP
- Connectivity Technology: DJI
- Item Weight: 0.1 Ounces
- Battery Capacity: 30 minutes
- Control Type: Remote Control
- Media Type: Micro SD
- Maximum Range: 1500 Meters
- Material: Plastic
- Wireless Communication Technology: Bluetooth
- Battery Cell Composition: Lithium Polymer
- Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 3.15 x 0.39 inches
DJI Mavic Mini Pros and Cons
My Verdict on the DJI Mavic Mini
Overall, the DJI Mavic Mini is something you should go for if you want to spend a lot of time in the air shooting drone footage. The triple battery is more than enough to see you from start to the end.
You should check out the button below for more information about the DJI Mavic Mini.
7. Bwine F7 Mini (Best Foldable Drone Under 250 Grams)
Don’t want to deal with the hassle of registering your drone with the FAA? Then the Bwine F7 Mini is the right foldable baby for you. It comes with a weight below 250 grams to save you from FAA registration.
To capture more UHD 4K (4096 x 3072) high-resolution details, the improved full HD camera is equipped with a shock-absorbing ball. Videos may be recorded in 2K and watched in 2K on a phone or SD card.
Epic wide-angle photos may be taken from 1,640 feet in a bird’s-eye perspective using a 5GHz FPV transmission and a 90° changeable camera with a 130°FOV lens.
Allow your drone to freely swim in the skies thanks to the two included batteries and 60 minutes of flight time. The training period is sufficient to take you from a beginner to a professional drone pilot, even if this is your first time operating one.
Bwine F7 Mini Specifications
- Camera Resolution: 4K
- Connectivity Technology: Wi-Fi
- Skill Level: beginner
- Item Weight: Below 250 grams
- Control Type: Remote Control
- Media Type: Micro SD
- Maximum Range: 4 Kilometers
- Wireless Communication Technology: Wi-Fi
- Battery Cell Composition: Lithium Polymer (2 Pcs)
- Product Dimensions: 9.92 x 6.06 x 4.53 inches
Bwine F7 Mini Pros and Cons
My Verdict on the Ruko F11 Pro
The Bwine F7 Mini is the way to go if you want a foldable drone that comes with all the unique features of that price tag without worrying about the hassle of registering it with the FAA.
You should check out the button below for more information on the Bwine F7 Mini.
What To Look For in a Foldable Drone
Shopping for the best foldable drone shouldn’t be a hassle. But not every drone out there will suit your needs. There are some factors that will determine the drone you purchase for yourself.
In a nutshell, here are some things to look out for when shopping for the best foldable drone.
Drone Price
The price of a foldable drone would be based on the features you want in one and what purpose are you going to use it for. On average, professional foldable drones would be more expensive than recreational ones.
If you want to get your money’s worth out of your drone, don’t buy one for less than $200. Drones below that price range may not have some of the features you’re looking for and may break easily.
The sweet spot for kids’ drones is around $300 to $700. Within this price range, you can get a high-quality drone that’s durable and has some features that would make flying fun.
You also read about the best cheap drones for every budget.
Drone Size
The size and weight of a drone are important factors to look out for when buying a foldable drone.
Foldable drones generally fit inside the palm of your hand. They should be portable, lightweight, and small enough to fit inside your pocket or backpack.
You can also read about the best mini drones, the best micro drones, and the best nano drones.
Camera Quality
Having a camera on their drone is something you will delight in because you’ll be able to take pictures of their favorite scenes and many more. However, the type of camera you want in a drone would be based on the purpose you want to use the drone.
A Beginner drone pilot doesn’t really need a drone with a 4K camera. Instead, they should focus on foldable drones with a 2K or 1080P camera that isn’t that expensive in case they crash it.
A beginner drone pilot should focus on mastering the art of maneuverability in the early stages.
However, professional drone pilots can go for a 4K camera if they want a drone for commercial use. That quality is enough for them to capture footage in decent quality without paying the high price that comes with having a drone with an 8K resolution camera.
Some drones include FPV view transmission capabilities, which will let you watch what’s occurring in the air in real time. You’ll be able to fly the plane using an iOS or Android app if it supports mobile control.
If you decide to purchase a drone with a camera, be sure to educate yourself about the privacy rights in your country to prevent you from breaking the law.
You can also check out the best camera drones for photography and videography.
Flight Speed
You don’t really need the fastest drone on the planet to fly for fun. You just need a drone with a good speed that can go from point A to point B without hassle.
You should not, however, fly their drone at maximum speed if you want to have a long flight time or if they do not have enough experience flying drones at high speeds.
You should check out the best FPV drones for racing if you want the fastest drone for fun.
Flight Range
The distance your foldable drone can go will depend on the aim of purchasing the drone. You should be willing to spend more money if you want a drone that can travel very far without losing connection.
You should keep this factor in mind when creating a budget for your foldable drone. You should take your time to check out the features of the drones to know what you’re getting.
You can check out the best long-range drones for long distances if you want a drone that can travel far without losing connection with the remote controller.
Flight Time
Drones in general don’t have a long battery life compared to other remote-controlled devices. Cheaper drones will always have a shorter battery life than more expensive drones.
This happens because cheap drones tend to be small and long-lasting batteries tend to be big. Big batteries won’t fit into small drones. Hence, the need for small batteries with short battery lives.
Less expensive foldable drones can achieve a flight time of around 10–15 minutes, while mid-tier drones to expensive drones can achieve a flight time of around 30 minutes.
You can extend the flight time by flying at a low speed or buying an extra battery if your drone has a detachable drone.
You can check out the best drones with long flight times if you want a drone with a long battery life.
Maneuverability
Cheap drones can be difficult to control due to their size and weight, and they love to flip and crash land into your sofa, garden furniture, or fence.
What this is good for, though, is mastering the art of maneuverability. Larger, more technical drones will come with built-in stabilizers and GPS technology, which makes them far easier to fly. So, if you get good at flying a micro drone, you’ll pretty much be a pro with a higher-spec drone.
Drone Durability
Well, cheaper drones won’t be able to withstand wear and tear like other expensive drones. Cheaper drones are easily damaged and more likely to be blown away by the wind.
You can reduce the frequency of repairs by either purchasing a drone with propeller guards to protect the propellers from damage or purchasing a propeller guard for your drone if it has a spot for attaching the propeller guard.
Availability of Spare Batteries
Most foldable drones on this list have spare batteries, so you can spend more time flying them when recharging the extra batteries. More often than not, drones with this price tag tend to come with extra batteries.
Ease of Use
Foldable drones that are relatively easy to fly make the flying experience easy and less stressful. The drones on this list come with one-push autonomous features that let the drone take off, land, or return to base with the push of a button.
There are some essential features to look for when choosing an easy-to-fly drone.
1. One Key For Take Off and Landing
You can easily enjoy their first flights because landing and takeoff require only one key push.
2. Hover Mode
Most drones for beginners have a hover mode, which makes it simpler for you to operate your drone. This mode aids in keeping the drone steady while in flight. It is also useful for taking overhead photos or films.
3. Headless Mode
There is no defined front or rear in headless mode. You can simply control the drone no matter which way it’s looking. It’s useful for piloting the drone when it’s hidden from view.
It’s a fantastic option for beginners who are new to flying drones because all they have to worry about is getting it in the desired direction.
4. Altitude Hold
Controlling the flying height is simple with the Altitude Hold feature since it keeps the drone at the same height as the pilot.
5. Return To Home
The drone will securely land where it took off thanks to a return-to-home button and GPS monitoring. The ability to recover the drone if it disappears from view is a fantastic feature.
Warranty
Warranty is an important factor when selecting the best drones to purchase. Your drone needs to be covered by a warranty so you can get it repaired or replaced when something goes wrong with it within the time limits of the warranty.
Availability of Replacement Parts
Your drone should come with easy access to other parts and accessories that need to be replaced after damage. The best drones often have many spare parts that are easily accessible at a moment’s notice to the drone pilots if something goes wrong.
Other Features
Most foldable drones on this list have awesome features found in high-end drones like DJI, like collision detection, GPS, obstacle detection, camera stabilization, and more.
In summary, think carefully about what you want before shopping for a drone.
Final Thoughts on the Best Foldable Drones
We’ve come to the end of the road on the best foldable drones in 2023.
The Autel EVO Nano Plus came out as my first choice on this list. It has almost everything you need for a foldable drone. 4K camera, GPS, portability, foldability, a long flight time, and more.
You won’t go wrong with it if you choose to go for it.
Can’t seem to find what you’re looking for? Check out my comprehensive list of the best drones for the year. It contains many drones for different categories and purposes.
Don’t forget to share this article with your friends and other drone enthusiasts on social media using the share button below, telling them what you have learned here today!
