Hello, drone enthusiasts! Welcome to my review of the best indoor drones with propeller guards in 2024.
Are you a beginner or professional looking to fly an indoor drone for recreational or commercial use? Do you want a fun drone that can be used for indoor racing? Or do you simply want to buy a drone your kids can fly indoors without worrying about the propellers getting damaged?
If your answer is yes to any of those questions, I’ve got you covered. I’ve compiled a list of the best indoor drones that would answer all the questions you’re looking for.
These drones are durable, have a very high camera quality, a long battery life, are easy to fly, and come with propeller guards and obstacle avoidance sensors to prevent damage to the propellers and drone.
The best indoor drone with propeller guards is the DJI Avata. It’s a good bet for its weight class and flying indoors thanks to its 4K camera, propeller guards, long battery life, and obstacle avoidance mode, which gives you a fun flight and a good user experience overall.
Below is a quick summary of all the best indoor drones I’ve hand-picked for you after my research.
A Quick Summary of the Best Indoor Drones With Propeller Guards
- A Quick Summary of the Best Indoor Drones With Propeller Guards
- How I Selected The Best Indoor Drones With Propeller Guards
- What Are The Best Indoor Drones With Propeller Guards?
- 1. DJI Avata (Best Professional Indoor Drone)
- 2. Force 1 Scoot (Best Indoor Drone for Kids)
- 3. DJI Mavic Mini (Best Indoor Drone for Beginners)
- 4. EMAX TinyHawk 3 RTF (Best Indoor Drone For Racing)
- 5. DJI Mini 3 Pro (Best Camera Indoor Drone)
- 6. Holy Stone HS420 (Best Indoor Mini Drone)
- 7. DJI Ryze Tech Tello (Best Educational Indoor Drone)
- 1. DJI Avata (Best Professional Indoor Drone)
- Drone Buying Guide: What To Look For in an Indoor Drone With Propeller Guards?
- Final Thoughts on the Best Indoor Drones
How I Selected The Best Indoor Drones With Propeller Guards
I read lots of posts on Reddit, Quora, and other drone forums to cut through the noise and pick the best indoor drones with propeller guards. I also 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’s worth.
Some of the factors I took into consideration when selecting the best drone for indoor use include durability, propellers, resistance to multiple crashes, a 4K camera, a long battery life, and special features that make it easy to use, like headless mode, altitude hold, GPS Follow Me Mode, and more.
What Are The Best Indoor Drones With Propeller Guards?
Here, I’ll dive into my top 7 best indoor drones with propeller guards.
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. DJI Avata (Best Professional Indoor Drone)
Not only is the DJI Avata my best professional indoor drone, but it’s also my best overall indoor drone. You can take full control of the DJI Avata’s simple control and absolute immersion when you fly in style. Flight is made possible for everyone by using Avata in conjunction with goggles and a motion controller.
I chose the DJI Avata over the DJI FPV is that the DJI Avata is portable and agile and comes with propeller guards to protect the blades from getting damaged and your hands from injuries, unlike the DJI FPV.
The DJI Avata is simple to handle and more nimble because of its lightweight and small design. It also features an outstanding 18-minute flying duration and improved safety. It can withstand light touch, maintain altitude, and continue to fly thanks to the included propeller protection.
On top of all of that, there is a top-of-the-line 48MP camera that can be tilted remotely thanks to the powered 1-axis gimbal and phenomenal digital stabilization, which produces gorgeous 4K videos at 60 fps. It can also capture 2.7K videos at 120fps, and DJI’s most recent Goggles 2 can display that at 150Mbps.
With enough area to move, you may reach speeds of up to 60 mph while the 7.6 x 5.7mm CMOS manages to barely handle the low light of inside environments (96.5kph).
The DJI Avata is compatible with the DJI FPV Remote Control 2, the DJI FPV Goggles V2, the DJI FPV Goggles 2, and the DJI Motion Control, which each opens up new possibilities.
DJI Avata Specifications
- Weight: 410 grams
- Dimensions: 180×180×80 mm (L×W×H)
- Diagonal Length: 120 mm
- Max Ascent Speed: 6 m/s
- Max Descent Speed: 6 m/s
- Max Horizontal Speed: 8 m/s, 14 m/s and 27 m/s
- Max Takeoff Altitude: 5000 m
- Max Flight Time: 18 minutes
- Max Hovering Time: 17 minutes
- Max Flight Distance: 11.6 km
- Max Wind Speed Resistance: 10.7 m/s (Level 5)
- Photo Resolution: 48 MP: 4000 X 3000
- Video Resolution: 4K Ultra HD: 3840×2160 @60 fps
- Max Bit Rate: 150 MBPS
- Video Transmission System: DJI O2
- Battery Capacity: 1800 mAh
- Battery Charging Time: 1 hour
- Charging Power: 10 W
- File Storage: micro SD card (256 GB)
DJI Avata Pros and Cons
My Verdict on the Potensic Atom SE
Overall, the DJI Avata is my best indoor drone. It’s agile and fits well in the palm of your hand, making it convenient for flying indoors. However, it’s quite expensive compared to the drones on this list.
You should check out the button below for more information on the DJI Avata.
2. Force 1 Scoot (Best Indoor Drone for Kids)
The Force1 Scoot is my best indoor drone for kids. The fact that you can fly the drone with hand gestures makes it the coolest drone on the list. Simply toss the drone into the air and watch how the vibrant LED light brightens your kid’s room.
The Force1 Scoot has a webbed casing that shields hands, walls, and furniture from propeller damage. It also protects the drone from harm while it flies through any enclosed space.
You can play contemporary catch with family and friends by using your hand to direct its flight. It is equipped with intelligent motion sensors that allow it to avoid obstacles.
It also has a flight time of 8 minutes, which I think isn’t really enough to maximize the pleasure derived from the drone. But what can you expect from a drone that costs less than $30?
Force 1 Scoot Specifications
- Weight: 4.6 ounces
- Charging Time: 45 minutes
- Control Type: Hand Operated
- Media Type: No
- Wireless Communication Technology: No
- Battery Cell Composition: Lithium Ion
- Flight Time: 5 minutes per charge
- Range: Indoor use
- Camera: No
- Dimensions: 4.85 x 4.85 x 1.97 inches
Force 1 Scoot Pros and Cons
My Verdict on the Force 1 Scoot
The Force1 Scoot will provide more entertainment for you and your children than the other drones on this list. It’s easy to get lost in the fun with the drone because you only have to launch it into the air and then watch it work its magic.
You should check out the button below for more information on the Force1 Scoot.
3. DJI Mavic Mini (Best Indoor Drone for Beginners)
The DJI Mavic Mini is my best indoor beginner drone. Not only is it good for beginners because it’s easy to fly, but It’s also affordable, comes with a 2.7K camera, and has a long battery life for a more fun flight.
The Mavic Mini is about as good and reasonably priced as you can get for something that also flies indoors without difficulty. The 2.7K camera is inferior to almost all other camera drones in the DJI series, and the range is also shorter than many other drones.
The smallest and most reasonably priced DJI drone is the DJI Mavic Mini. The Mavic Mini is hard to beat if you want an indoor drone with a respectable camera, GPS, vision-assisted safety measures, and the capacity to fly far and quickly.
Another good thing about the DJI Mavic Mini is that you don’t have to deal with the hassle of registering it with the FAA because it weighs below 250 grams. You can fly it immediately after you purchase it.
DJI Mavic Mini Specifications
- Weight: 249 grams
- Dimensions: 140×81×57 mm (L×W×H)
- Diagonal Length: 213 mm
- Max Ascent Speed: 4 m/s
- Max Descent Speed: 3 m/s
- Max Horizontal Speed: 13 m/s, 8 m/s and 4 m/s
- Max Takeoff Altitude: 3000 m
- Max Flight Time: 30 minutes
- Max Hovering Time: 30 minutes
- Max Flight Distance: 11.6 km
- Max Wind Speed Resistance: 8 m/s (Level 4)
- Photo Resolution: 48 MP: 4000 X 3000
- Video Resolution: 2.7K：2720×1530 @ 30 fps
- Max Bit Rate: 40 MBPS
- Video Transmission System: DJI O2
- Battery Capacity: 1100 mAh
- Battery Charging Time: 3 hours
- Charging Power: 10 W
- File Storage: micro SD card (256 GB)
DJI Mavic Mini Pros and Cons
My Verdict on the DJI Mavic Mini
Overall, the DJI Mavic Mini is my best indoor drone for beginners. It’s a drone that would give you enough time in the air to hone your flying skills thanks to its flight time of 30 minutes.
You should check out the button below for more information about the DJI Mavic Mini.
4. EMAX TinyHawk 3 RTF (Best Indoor Drone For Racing)
The Emax TinyHawk is my best indoor FPV drone for racing. The package contains a drone, controller, and FPV goggles that grant you the ability to fly in FPV mode without a Wifi connection or a smartphone.
You don’t need to worry about the quality because the drone is composed of materials that are lightweight and incredibly robust. It is a fast drone with a top speed of up to 35 mph, and even if you are not familiar with drones, there are three distinct speed modes to can have fun with.
Customers praised this drone for its excellent durability, quick acceleration, and superb flying range, noting that it had sustained no damage after several crashes. Although being a racing drone with a very high top speed, it is relatively compact and has built-in propeller guards for safety.
The 200-foot maximum range of the Emax Tinyhawk 3 RTF is sufficient for flying inside. The battery provides up to 8 minutes of flight duration with each charge which isn’t very much. I think the Emax Company needs to do better by increasing the flight time in the next upgrade.
EMAX TinyHawk 3 RTF Specifications
- Control: FrSky D8 Radio Control
- Max Flight Time: 8 minutes
- Max Speed: 50 mph (31 km/h)
- Item Weight: 3.03 pounds
- Package Dimensions: 11.46 x 8.7 x 5.12 inches
- Batteries: 1 Lithium Polymer batteries required.
- Special Features: Crash Resistant
EMAX TinyHawk 3 RTF Pros and Cons
My Verdict on the EMAX TinyHawk 3 RTF
Its durability and portability make it an excellent first drone for individuals who are new to indoor racing. But you’ll have to purchase extra batteries to keep up with the short battery life.
The Emax TinyHawk 3 RTF has analog video technology that eliminates the delay present in indoor toy drones, giving your FPV goggles a clear picture.
You should check out the button below for more information on the Emax Tiny Hawk 3 RTF.
5. DJI Mini 3 Pro (Best Camera Indoor Drone)
The DJI Mini 3 Pro is my best indoor camera drone. It’s an upgrade to the Mini 2 that has ultra-light options, collision avoidance, and a high-quality 4K camera that knocks the DJI Mini 2 out of the shelf.
The DJI Mini 3 Pro, which weighs less than 249 g, exempts you from any FAA registration requirements. Also, it is simple to transport on any excursion due to its collapsible and small design. Make use of the additional 34 minutes of flying time to explore and record more of your surroundings.
With 4K/60fps video and 48MP images, you can capture your surroundings in astounding detail. The cutting-edge camera technology provides dual native ISO and an f/1.7 aperture for excellent images both during the day and at night.
The updated DJI Mini 3 Pro provides True Vertical Shooting, which is perfect for social media portrait photos. The gimbal also rotates 90 degrees, so that you don’t have to sacrifice image quality.
Tri-directional obstacle detection and APAS 4.0 on the DJI Mini 3 Pro provide the Mini-series with an unmatched level of safety. A wide variety of sophisticated functions are available on the DJI Mini 3 Pro, including FocusTrack, True Vertical Shooting, MasterShots, Timelapse, QuickTransfer, and others.
The DJI Mini 3 Pro includes the brand-new DJI RC, which comes with the DJI Fly App already set up and a 5.5-inch HD screen that allows for clear viewing even in bright sunshine.
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 a great choice for drone pilots that needs a 4K camera drone for flying indoors. It has an obstacle avoidance mode that prevents spending money in replacing the propeller blades after colliding with objects like shelves, tables, walls, etc.
You should check out the button below for more information on the DJI Mini 3 Pro.
6. Holy Stone HS420 (Best Indoor Mini Drone)
The Holy Stone HS420 is my best indoor drone. It’s small and portable, has fun flight features, easy to fly, and comes with a 720 HD FPV camera for capturing your memorable moments with gesture shots.
The drone will launch and hover at a specific altitude with the aid of One-Key Start and Altitude Hold. You can effortlessly control the drone in headless mode without getting lost. Most urgent situations may be avoided using Emergency Stop. Never before has flying been so simple.
The Holy Stone HS420 has a 720P HD FPV camera with an adjustable angle that can take clear images and videos with a few simple motions. Your perspective may be expanded with WiFi Real-Time Transmission.
The drone can do tricks like a 3D flip, circle fly, and high-speed rotation. It can also be thrown to launch. Via the APP, you may create your flight paths, and the drone will follow them. Also, the drone is suitable for both expert and inexperienced pilots thanks to its High and Low-Speed Modes.
This pocket-sized drone fits neatly in your pocket or backpack and is portable everywhere you need to go. The propeller guards fully encircle the blades ensuring their operation won’t injure children.
The 2 Modular Batteries increase your flying time and make sure you have enough time to enjoy the magnificent journey. The modular battery is also considerably safer to charge and simpler to swap.
Holy Stone HS420 Specifications
- Dimension: 84mm*90mm*34mm
- Flight Time: 6 minutes (per battery)
- Camera: FOV 60°
- Photo Resolution: 1280*720P Stored on Mobile Phone
- Video Capture Resolution: HD 720p
- Item Weight: 10 Grams
- Control Type: Remote Control
- Media Type: SD
- Wireless Communication Technology: Wi-Fi
- Battery Cell Composition: Lithium Polymer
- Package Content: 1*Drone /1*Transmitter /2*Drone Batteries/ and Other Spare Parts
- Special Feature: 360 Degree Flip, High-Speed Rotation, Lightweight, Speed Adjustment, Auto-Landing
Holy Stone HS420 Pros and Cons
My Verdict on the Holy Stone HS420
Overall, the Holy Stone HS420 is one of the best mini drones on the market. It’s fun to fly and comes with triple batteries to remedy the short battery life. However, the drone shouldn’t be flown outdoors because it’s easily blown by the wind.
You should check out the button below for more information on the Holy Stone HS420.
7. DJI Ryze Tech Tello (Best Educational Indoor Drone)
The DJI Ryze Tech Tello is the best educational indoor drone for both kids and teenagers. It teaches your child programming and comes with fantastic features that would make flying the drone fun and exciting.
The kid-friendly programming language Scratch is supported by the Tello EDU app. Your child can use a mobile device to drag code blocks that tell Tello to conduct thrilling actions. Further programming skills are taught through games with difficult stages in an entertaining way.
The camera on Ryze Tello includes a superior image sensor that can record 720p HD films and 5MP (2592×1936) images. Whether you’re a newbie, one-tap EZ Shots enable you instantly shoot professional-caliber movies to post on social media.
Take off and see the world from new viewpoints, whether you’re at home or the park. This tiny drone boasts two antennae for extra-stable video transmission, a high-capacity battery that provides up to 13 minutes of flying, and a weight of just 87 grams.
Using Tello with a DJI flying controller, you can execute amazing stunts both inside and outside. Take your remote control, run a racing game, and use it as an FPV drone. Never has flying been so enjoyable or simple.
DJI Ryze Tech Tello Specifications
- Video Capture Resolution: HD 720p
- Effective Still Resolution: 500
- Item Weight: 80 Grams
- Control Type: Remote Control
- Media Type: SD
- Maximum Range: 50 Meters
- Material: Carbon
- Wireless Communication Technology: Wi-Fi
- Battery Cell Composition: Lithium Ion
- Video Output Resolution: 1280×720 pixels
- Product Dimensions: 9.21″L x 7.8″W x 2.09″H
DJI Ryze Tech Tello Pros and Cons
My Verdict on the DJI Ryze Tech Tello
The DJI Ryze Tech Tello is my best educational indoor drone. The major feature that attracted me to the DJI Ryze Tech Tello is its programming feature. Your child can be introduced to the world of basic programming through the Scratch programming language.
You should check out the button below for more information on the DJI Ryze Tech Tello.
Drone Buying Guide: What To Look For in an Indoor Drone With Propeller Guards?
Shopping for the best indoor drones shouldn’t be a hassle. But not every drone out there will suit your needs. Some factors will determine the drone you purchase for yourself.
In a nutshell, here are some things to look out for when shopping for the best indoor drones.
Drone Price
The price you pay for an indoor drone will depend on your intended use for it. Beginner drones and kids’ drones will be less expensive than commercial drones and professional drones.
However, you shouldn’t buy a commercial or professional indoor drone with propeller guards for anything below $500. Drones below that price range may not have some of the premium features you’re looking for.
The sweet spot for kids and beginner drones is around $50 to $200. Within this price range, you can get a high-quality drone that’s durable and has some features that would make flying fun.
You should check out the best cheap drones that are affordable for every budget.
Drone Size
The size and weight of a drone are important factors to look out for when buying an indoor drone with propeller guards.
An indoor drone for fun shouldn’t be bigger than 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, you don’t need to overshoot it.
The camera resolution will depend on your intended use of the drone.
Professional indoor drones and commercial indoor drones with propeller guards will require a camera with a high resolution of 4K and above.
Beginner indoor drones will require a camera resolution of 2K and above. While kid’s indoor drone may not need a camera or may require a camera resolution of 720P to 1080P
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 should check out the best camera drones for photos and videos.
Flight Speed
You don’t 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, except in the case of racing drones.
You should not, however, fly your drone at maximum speed if they 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 drone can go will depend on the type of hobby drone you purchase. 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 indoor 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.
Mini indoor drones with propeller guards will generally have a short battery life because they’re not big enough to house a powerful drone. You can extend the flight time by flying at a low speed or buying extra batteries.
You can check out the best drones with long flight times if you want a drone with 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, mini indoor drones won’t be able to withstand wear and tear like other premium drones. Plus, 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 indoor drones with propeller guards 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
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 the best indoor 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 indoor drones 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 videos.
3. Headless Mode
Most indoor drones 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.
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 an abundance of spare parts that are easily accessible at a moment’s notice to the drone pilots if something goes wrong.
Other Features
Most indoor drones on this list have some features that can be found in high-end drones like DJI, like collision detection, GPS, obstacle detection, camera stabilization, and many more.
In summary, think carefully about what you want before you go shopping for an indoor drone.
Final Thoughts on the Best Indoor Drones
We’ve come to the end of the road on the best indoor drones with propeller guards in 2024.
The DJI Avata came out as my first choice on this list. It has everything you need for a drone without splashing thousands of dollars on an expensive drone. It has a 4K camera, GPS, portability, propeller guards, long flight time, and many 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.
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