Exploring the seabed, taking pictures of the underwater world, discovering new fishing grounds – with an underwater drone this is possible in a fun way.
Avoid buying mistakes:
Underwater drones are not exactly cheap, so it is all the more important to be well informed before making a purchase decision.
Recognize quality:
We present a selection of the best underwater drones 2024 and explain which features and characteristics to look out for when buying. The right purchase decision is guaranteed!
The best underwater drone 2024?
Content
- 1 The top 4 underwater drones 2024 reviewed
- 2 Bestsellers: The most popular underwater drones
- 3 Buy an underwater drone:
How to make the right decision
- 3.1 What type of underwater drone?
- 3.2 To what depth is the drone waterproof?
- 3.3 How is the quality of the camera?
- 3.4 What is the battery life of the drone?
- 3.5 What extras and accessories does the drone have?
- 3.6 Good price-performance ratio of the drone?
- 3.7 Formerly reviewed
- 3.8 Are operating instructions in German included?
- 3.9 Can the battery be replaced?
- 3.10 Can the drone be used underwater?
- 3.11 How is the drone controlled in the water?
- 4 FAQ: Frequently asked questions and answers about underwater drones
- 5 Conclusion: The most popular underwater drones reviewed
- 6 Specialist literature, sources & further links
In a hurry? Our favorite underwater drone:
- 360° freedom of movement
- Photos and videos in high quality
- Great diving depth and long battery life
Underwater drone Checklist
- Area of application: Underwater drones are diving robots that can be used to explore the underwater world. It has many uses: underwater photography, assistance with fishing, or just for fun.
- Price: Underwater drones are available in many price categories, which differ mainly in terms of their functions and performance.
- Features: An underwater drone for fishing should ideally be equipped with sonar and echo sounder.
Also interesting: The most popular underwater cameras 2024.
The top 4 underwater drones 2024 reviewed
1. fifish QYSEA V6
Advantages
- 360° freedom of movement
- Photos and videos in high quality
- Great diving depth and long battery life
Disadvantages
- High price
- Operating instructions could be more detailed
- Cable can get tangled
Summary
The underwater drone is characterized by absolute freedom of movement. Whether forwards or backwards, up or down, or sideways – you can move the drone in the water as you wish. The wireless control system enables precise position control.
The integrated 4K UHD camera with electronic image stabilization ensures outstanding images. Unfortunately, live streaming is only possible in 720p, but on up to three devices simultaneously.
Smartphones with the operating systems iOS 10.0 or Android 5.0 or higher can be easily connected to the drone via the app and a VR headset is included.
The drone is equipped with 2 LED spotlights that can be dimmed in 3 stages. This enables good shots to be taken even in deep waters where there is no natural light.
The drone has 64 GB of internal memory. It takes approx. 2 hours to fully charge the battery. A cable reel for the 100 m cable is also included in the scope of delivery.
Conclusion
The most expensive underwater drone reviewed, but with excellent and reliable quality and including many practical features and accessories. You will hardly find a better drone on the market today.
Product details
Type of control: with cable (100 m length) | Max. Diving depth: 100 m | Maximum speed: 1.5 m/s (3 knots) | Battery life: 3-4 hours | Camera resolution: 4K video, 12 MP photos
Customer ratings
The customer reviews to date are mainly positive, describing the underwater drone as the best model on the market.
There are only minor points of criticism among all the reviews
The only negative points are that the operating instructions are not detailed enough and that the cable gets easily tangled in the water.
FAQ
2. LifBetter Fish Finder Camera
Advantages
- Picture quality
- High load capacity
- Very long battery life
Disadvantages
- Alignment under water is not easy
Summary
This underwater drone has a powerful 5000 mA battery. The operating time of the camera is 8 to 10 hours with a fully charged battery. The integrated infrared lights guarantee good visibility even in dark water.
The drone is particularly suitable for anglers. The digital 4x zoom makes it much easier to quickly recognize the fish in the water. The camera can also be easily attached to the rod thanks to the bracket.
Conclusion
Whether ice fishing, sea fishing or boat fishing, this camera is the perfect companion for all anglers.
Product details
Type of control: with rechargeable battery Max. Diving depth: 30 m | Maximum speed: NA | Battery life: 8-10 h | Camera resolution: 1000 TVL pixels
Customer ratings
Customers are particularly impressed by the picture quality and the powerful battery.
Around 7% are neutral about the product, while 14% rate the product as poor and inadequate.
Some buyers were unable to achieve a clear view with the device in the sea.
FAQ
3. chasing innovation Gladius Mini
Advantages
- Large maximum diving depth of 100 m
- Ultra HD camera for high-resolution photos and videos
- Integrated adjustable headlights
Disadvantages
- Operating instructions are only available in English
Summary
Operating instructions are only available in English
Conclusion
If you want to dive very deep and take razor-sharp pictures, this underwater drone is the right choice for you.
Product details
Type of control: with cable (100 m length) | Max. Diving depth: 100 m | Maximum speed: N/A | Battery life: 2 hours | Camera resolution: 4K video, 12 MP photo
Customer ratings
The drone has a stunning image quality, thanks in part to the spotlights. The drone is easy to control. The connection to the smartphone via the app is established quickly and easily.
Around 21% are neutral about the product, while 37% rate the product as poor and inadequate.
The operating instructions are not available in German.
FAQ
4. asiwo diving scooter with action camera mount
Advantages
- Speed levels
- GoPro mount
- Easy operation
Disadvantages
- Switch not very robust
Summary
The diving scooter from Asiwo impresses with a very good price-performance ratio.
The scooter runs very smoothly and reaches a movement speed of 5.7 km/h. The appliance runs on battery power for up to 35 minutes, depending on the speed. If you want to be out in the water for longer periods, a second battery is a good idea. This means that the underwater world can be explored extensively without interruption.
Conclusion
An excellent underwater scooter with 600 watt motor and camera mount.
Product details
Type of control: with rechargeable battery Max. Diving depth: 40 m | Maximum speed: 5.7 km/h | Battery life: 35 minutes | Camera resolution: NA
Customer ratings
The scooter impresses with its good price and reliable customer support. The device has a comfortable weight and can also be operated with one hand.
Around 2% are neutral about the product, while 18% rate the product as poor and inadequate.
The battery is not very powerful and many customers recommend buying an additional battery for the device.
FAQ
More articles you might find interesting::
Bestsellers: The most popular underwater drones
(**Last update 2024-09-16)
Buy an underwater drone:
How to make the right decision
Not so long ago, underwater drones were only something for well-funded marine researchers. Today, thanks to advances in technology, anyone can go diving with such a device.
What many people don’t know:
Underwater drones have advantages and disadvantages that you should consider before buying. To get the most out of every drone, the following buying guide reveals what to look out for when making your choice.
What to look out for when buying an underwater drone?
When buying an underwater drone, the following features and characteristics should be taken into account:
- Drone type
- Water resistance
- Camera quality
- Battery life
- Extras and accessories
- Price
What type of underwater drone?
Underwater drones can be divided into two groups:
- Underwater drone with cable
- Underwater drone without cable
This distinction is important because the type of control affects many other characteristics of the drone.
At first glance, wireless drones seem to be the better choice. But is that really the case?
1 Advantages of drones with cables
Nevertheless, they are usually superior to wireless drones in this respect. The radio signal that controls a wireless drone is not transmitted well in water.
This means that if the distance is too great, the drone can no longer receive your signals and is no longer controllable. Drones with cables do not have this problem.
When are underwater drones with cables worthwhile?
If real-time transmission in high quality is important to you, you are better off with a drone with a cable connection.
2 Advantages of drones without cables
When are wireless underwater drones worthwhile?
Wireless drones are well suited for beginners. The controls are simple and the underwater images are generally in no way inferior to those of a drone with a cable.
You will rarely find precise control and reliable live transmissions of underwater footage with wireless drones.
To what depth is the drone waterproof?
Not every underwater drone reaches the same maximum diving depth. Always check the manufacturer’s specifications before purchasing.
Why is this important?
Depending on what you want to use your drone for, a high maximum diving depth is not absolutely necessary. For example, a very shallow diving depth is usually sufficient for anglers.
A diving depth of 30 m is sufficient for most purposes. It will be difficult to go any deeper because the water will become murkier and the light less. Taking good pictures becomes a challenge.
Wonders of the deep sea:
Nevertheless, there are drones that are suitable for much deeper dives. Some models can dive to depths of up to 120 m. Please note, however, that the cable length must also be sufficient to actually reach this diving depth.
Why should you always keep to the maximum diving depth?
The diving depth is not about how deep a device can dive on its own. Instead, it indicates the depth to which the functions of a drone still work perfectly.
What if the underwater drone does dive deeper?
If you go deeper than the maximum diving depth with a drone, you risk permanent damage or even losing the drone. The signal is lost and the housing is often no longer sufficiently waterproof under the pressure prevailing there.
Difference in water resistance for salt and fresh water?
Most drones can withstand salt water without any problems. To be on the safe side, it is nevertheless advisable to check the drone’s resistance to salt water before using it in the sea for the first time.
How is the quality of the camera?
The following video clearly shows how good underwater drone footage, such as that from the PowerVision(see 1st place in the reviewed video), can look:
But beware, not all drones have a built-in camera. Some only offer the option of attaching a GoPro or similar underwater cameras.
If you go deeper than the maximum diving depth with a drone, you risk permanent damage or even losing the drone. The signal is lost and the housing is often no longer sufficiently waterproof under the pressure prevailing there.
Own camera or mounting option for GoPro?
With external cameras, there is a higher risk of them detaching from the drone and getting lost. At the same time, you can also use your own underwater camera for snorkeling or diving.
Internal cameras have the advantage of being integrated into the drone control system. There is also no risk of losing them during the dive. Whether you opt for a separate or integrated camera is ultimately a matter of taste.
What to look out for in camera quality?
If there is a built-in camera, it should fulfill certain quality features:
- First check whether the camera only records video or also takes photos.
- Videos should be recorded in at least Full HD resolution (1080p), or even better in Ultra HD (4k).
- The image quality of the camera should be at least 12 megapixels.
- A wide-angle camera is also helpful as it offers a wider field of vision.
Video quality does not always match the streaming quality
With some drones, there is a difference between the resolution with which images or videos are recorded and the resolution when streaming these recordings to the smartphone. The latter may be worse.
What is the battery life of the drone?
Too short a battery life makes a drone practically unusable. But how long should a good battery last?
To make the trip into the water worthwhile, the drone should have a battery life of at least 2 hours. Some models can offer even more and run for up to 5 hours.
Find out about the battery charging time:
Fast charging is at least as important as a long-lasting battery. This means that the drone is quickly ready for use again when it needs to be recharged between two dives on the boat, for example.
What extras and accessories does the drone have?
Underwater drones differ greatly in terms of delivery accessories and additional functions.
Basic accessories:
Some items are mandatory in order to use the drone. These include:
- Batteries
- Cables
- Controller
Make sure that these are always included in the delivery and do not have to be purchased separately.
Some manufacturers also supply a replacement battery. So you always have a spare with you.
Manufacturer apps:
Almost all drones can be connected to a smartphone via certain apps. This enables access to the recordings made. Some drones can even be controlled via smartphone.
Now we have to be careful:
Not all apps are equally user-friendly. In any case, make sure that the app is available for your operating system. Not all apps run on both Android and iOS.
Additional extras of the underwater drone:
Depending on the price range, underwater drones have useful features and extras, such as
- external light for good pictures in deep water,
- optical zoom,
- LED lamps,
- Sensor systems such as sonar fishfinders and echo sounders,
- Depth gauge to protect the drone from exceeding the maximum water depth,
- Arms for e.g. Fish bait.
Please note that these extras often increase the price of the drone. For a favorable offer, only choose what you actually need.
Good price-performance ratio of the drone?
The acquisition costs for an underwater drone can quickly run into the thousands.
The price depends on several factors:
- Functions and extras
- Camera quality
- Battery life
- Storage space
- Immersion depth
In other words:
The more the drone can do, the more expensive it is. This makes it all the more important to be aware of your own needs. So you don’t spend money unnecessarily on functions that you don’t need.
Recognize quality
With such an expensive purchase, you have to be able to rely on the quality. Unfortunately, Consumer Reports or Öko Test have not yet carried out any tests on underwater drones.
Instead, it is worth taking a look at renowned manufacturers who have made a name for themselves with good products.
The most popular manufacturers of drones and underwater drones include:
DJI, Thor Robotics, Gladius, PowerVision, Fifish
Formerly reviewed
Advantages
- Includes VR goggles, fish finder and hard case
- High camera quality
- Very long battery life
Disadvantages
- Protective grille for motor must be purchased separately
- Control via smartphone quite cumbersome
Summary
The PowerRay underwater drone is equipped with a 4K UHD camera with a 35 mm lens. This ensures outstanding photos and videos under water.
The recordings can be easily transferred to smartphones with iOS or Android and an FPV headset (Zeiss VR One Plus) is included. This allows you to view, live stream or record images.
The drone can be used in water temperatures from 0° to 40°. The delivery includes the 70 m long transmission cable and a hard-shell case in which the drone and all its accessories can be stored.
The offer includes an external sonar module. The so-called PowerSeeker fishfinder is simply attached to a fishing line and thrown into the water. This can be used to collect lots of useful data on the underwater world, such as water depth, water temperature or the size and depth of fish (see space 5 for more details).
Conclusion
An excellent and highly functional drone for anglers who want a little more than just a fish finder.
The underwater drone is also suitable for divers for whom a depth of 30 m is sufficient.
Product details
Type of control: with cable (70 m long) | Max. Diving depth: 30 m | Maximum speed: 2 m/s (4 knots) | Battery life: 4 hours | Camera resolution: 4K video, 12 MP photo
Customer ratings
A full 46% of all customers rate the product as good to very good with four to five stars.
The drone is well designed and equipped with many functions. It is easy to control. The images are outstanding in clear water. The cable does not get tangled thanks to good insulation. The supplied case offers enough space to safely store the drone plus accessories.
Around 16% are neutral about the product, while 38% rate the product as poor and inadequate.
The main problem with the drone is the large opening of the vertical motor on the underside, as this makes it easy for something to get caught in the motor. A protective grille is available, but must be purchased separately from the manufacturer. The connection between the drone and controller was difficult to establish for some customers, and control via smartphone is much more difficult.
Click here to go directly to the customer reviews “
FAQ
Are operating instructions in German included?
Can the battery be replaced?
Advantages
- Fishfinder and compartment for bait
- Camera with 220° viewing angle
- Automatic return function
Disadvantages
- Propeller not very well protected from algae
- Fish bait compartment very small
Summary
This underwater drone from PowerVision is designed to move on the surface of the water and capture images both above and below the water. It is therefore not a typical diving drone.
Their focus is more on supporting anglers:
The drone is equipped with a sonar fish finder. Fish bait can also be stored in a special compartment. To attract fish, they are simply scattered in the water at the desired location at the touch of a button.
The drone’s camera sits on a double joint and a viewing angle of 220° is achieved. The lens enables a wide angle of up to 132°. This gives you a comprehensive view of what is happening around the drone.
The drone is controlled wirelessly via a controller or smartphone:
An automatic return function allows the drone to return to you independently at the touch of a button. The function is also triggered if the wireless connection is lost.
Conclusion
An excellent drone for fishing or exploring shallow waters from the surface.
Product details
Type of control: Wireless Max. Diving depth: Surface drone | Maximum speed: 4.5 m / sec | Battery life: 2 hours | Camera resolution: 4K video
Customer ratings
A full 78% of all customers rate the product as good to very good with four to five stars.
The very good 4K camera takes excellent pictures below and above the surface of the water. The images are transmitted in real time. The wide angle of the camera allows you to see enough even under water. The return function is practical and works reliably.
Around 8% are neutral about the product, while 14% rate the product as poor and inadequate.
The drone does not have sufficient protection on the propellers. This allows algae to wrap around them and obstruct the motor. The compartment for fishing bait is very small and therefore does not hold enough bait. Establishing the connection between the drone and controller or smartphone does not always work straight away.
Click here to go directly to the customer reviews “
FAQ
Can the drone be used underwater?
Advantages
- Especially for anglers and fishermen
- Small and handy
- Provides information on the position and size of the fish
Disadvantages
- Use is a matter of taste
- Not controllable as it does not have its own motor
- Connection between app and drone does not work straight away
Summary
The PowerVision fish finder is a surface drone that has been specially developed for anglers. The drone is easy to use, only 100 g light and small enough to be put in your pocket. It can be used in any type of water, both from the boat and from the shore.
The small drone is attached to the fishing rod and thrown into the water. It has a detection angle of 30° and a detection depth of up to 80 m. Six blue lights attract fish when required.
Data on water depth and water temperature are recorded. It also shows where and at what water depth fish are located, as well as their size. All values are sent to the smartphone.
The drone has its own WLAN. This means that it can also be used in remote locations without any problems. Communication with the smartphone works up to a distance of 100 m.
Useful additional functions such as a zoom or adjusting the sensitivity of the sensors round off the range perfectly.
The fishfinder works in water temperatures from 1° to 55° and can therefore also be used for ice fishing.
Conclusion
The fishfinder is a practical and comparatively inexpensive tool for anglers who want to improve their catch rates. The time for fishing in fishless areas is over!
Product details
Type of control: Wireless (100 m range) Max. Diving depth: Surface drone | Maximum speed: Non-motorized | Battery life: N/A | Camera resolution:
N/A
Customer ratings
A full 80% of all customers rate the product as good to very good with four to five stars.
The drone has some useful additional functions, such as zoom or adjusting the sensitivity of the sensors. The small size and low weight make them easy to transport. It is easy to use. The fishing quota is effectively improved and, above all, no more time is wasted at fishless spots.
Around 0% are neutral about the product, while 20% rate the product as inadequate and insufficient.
Using the drone for fishing is a matter of taste. According to some users, the fishfinder limits the fun and relaxation of fishing. The drone does not have its own motor and therefore cannot be controlled in the water. Setting up the app and establishing the connection to the drone is time-consuming and error-prone.
Click here to go directly to the customer reviews “
FAQ
How is the drone controlled in the water?
FAQ: Frequently asked questions and answers about underwater drones
What is an underwater drone?
What is the difference between a normal drone and an underwater drone?
Which underwater drone is the best?
Where can you buy underwater drones?
Are underwater drones suitable for underwater photography?
Conclusion: The most popular underwater drones reviewed
The drones themselves are just as diverse as the purposes for which they are used. Anglers therefore choose different models than, for example, bathtub experts or amateur treasure hunters.
If the underwater drone fulfills all the features of the buying guide, you have made the right choice!
Specialist literature, sources & further links
More information on this topic can be found here:
- Recordings with underwater drone in 4k on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WWvSw-HUksI
Note: BeyondSurfing is not responsible and is not liable for the content of external websites.
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