Having a drone is a unique and exciting experience. These now common devices are a ton of fun to fly and allow you to capture some truly amazing video footage and photographs. There are plenty of options out there to choose from, but did you know you can build your own? That’s right, there are kits available that come with all of the parts needed to assemble your own flying machine!
In this article, we will take a look at some of the best DIY drone kits out there. Whether you love to build stuff or want to get a fun gift for a friend or family member, the kits you’ll find here all come highly recommended.
Contents
Quick Summary
- A top DIY drone kit that comes with everything you need to properly build, assemble, and control it is the Gilobaby Stem RC Toys DIY Mini Racing Drone. This is a small drone that’s a lot of fun to build and fly.
- The QWinOut F550 Airframe RC Hexacopter Drone Kit is another great option perfect for anyone who loves to build their own toys. In a few hours you can have this drone built and up in the air.
- A good option for kids is the Top Race DIY Remote Control Drone. It features a Lego-style construction that’s easy to put together and fly.
Who Should Get This?
A DIY drone kit makes for a fun way to learn some basic mechanics of flight. If you’re a little bit handy or would like to be, these kits are an easy way to test your skills and learn a thing or two along the way. You don’t need to be an expert engineer to construct these drones yourself, you just need a little patience and the ability to follow instructions.
Drone kits are also a cheaper option than purchasing a brand new model. If you’re trying to find an affordable drone and aren’t afraid of building or assembling some small parts, all of the options here are great. They also make excellent gifts for children or anyone else who likes to construct things. If you have no interest in putting small parts together, you will probably want to look for an already assembled drone instead.
Best DIY Drone Kit: What to Consider in 2022
Camera
While many pre-assembled drones come with cameras built-in, not every DIY kit has that option. That’s something to consider when you are looking into purchasing one of the kits you’ll find here. If your primary purpose of wanting a drone is to record video footage and take photos, you’ll want to make sure the kit you are buying has that option. If a camera is not a primary consideration, then you have more options with what kit to purchase.
Size
Another consideration to take into account when looking for a DIY drone kit is the size that the drone will be when it’s assembled and ready to fly. There are full-size drone kits out there that are built for outdoor flight, but the majority of options you’ll find are more in the toy category. This means that they are much smaller and are intended to be flown indoors or in situations without a lot of wind.
These smaller drones are cheap and fun to fly. Just be aware of their limitations. If you want a full-size drone that’s more akin to common models you might be familiar with, check out the specs and size before making a purchase.
The Controller
You also want to make sure that the drone kit you purchase comes with a way to actually control the device. Unless you’re at an advanced level with understanding electronics and are familiar with tools such as a soldering iron, I would suggest making sure that the controller comes assembled. While the drone kits you see here are fairly easy to assemble, their controls are not. They come pre-built so you can get into the air more quickly.
Best DIY Drone Kit: Our Picks for 2022
1. Gilobaby Stem RC Toys DIY Mini Racing Drone
One of the top options for a DIY drone kit is the STEM RC DIY Mini Racing Drone by Gilobaby. This comes with everything you need to properly assemble a 6-axis gyro quad-blade drone. It’s great for all ages, and serves as a good way to teach kids some of the basics of STEM in a fun, exciting way. Easy to follow instructions for assembly will allow you to have this drone up and in the air in no time.
Once assembled, you’ll enjoy all that this small-but-stable copter has to offer. It’s easy-to-control design will allow you to perform all sorts of maneuvers indoors or outside, and the flexible control movement allows for a variety of tricks once you get familiar with the controls. This kit also comes with a fully assembled controller that has a one-touch flight and landing feature.
Pros:
- Easy to assemble
- Stable in flight for a small drone
- Solid construction and design
- Fun to fly and easy to control
- Comes with controller
Cons:
- Only has about a 6-minute fly time
- No camera
2. QWinOut F550 Airframe RC Hexacopter Drone Kit
If you’re looking for more of a common sized drone that can be equipped with a camera and handle the rigors of steady outdoor flight, the QWinOut F550 Airframe RC Hexacopter is a great kit to check out. It features a multi-rotor design that ensures a stable flight and can easily hover, cruise, and roll once assembled. Durable and stable, the kit comes with carbon fiber landing gear. Be sure to order the battery and controller as well.
Pros:
- Larger size drone kit
- Can be equipped with camera
- Multi-rotor design for stable flight
- Carbon fiber landing gear
- Fun to fly
Cons:
- Not a great beginner kit
- Need to make sure it comes with controller and battery when ordering
3. Top Race DIY Remote Control Drone
The Top Race DIY Remote Control Drone is another good choice for a DIY drone kit. This is a top option for children because it utilizes a Lego-style design for easy and understandable construction. The kit comes with 54-pieces that are easy to assemble and offer easy flight once everything’s put together. It also includes a bright LED light for flying in the dark and comes with a pre-built controller.
Pros:
- Great for kids
- Easy to assemble
- Comes with controller
- Lego-style design
- Easy and fun to fly
Cons:
- Not great in the wind
- Limited range of 165 feet
Useful Tips & Resources
When you first get a drone kit, it can be quite exciting. You will be eager to get everything assembled and start flying. However, it is also really important that you pay attention to all of the instructions on how to properly assemble the drone so you can enjoy the device at full capacity. Detailed instructions are included with every drone kit you’ll find here, but check out this video for more advice on the larger sized options.
Final Words
Building your own drone is a worthwhile experience. It takes some patience, but if you have an interest in DIY activities and also want a drone, the kits you’ll find here are perfect. These kits are also a great way to get kids excited about technology, and they will provide some cool lessons for any young ones in your life as well.
Have you ever built a drone? Do you have any tips or tricks to suggest to others from the experience? Let us know in the comments below!
