The Best Waterproof Drones in 2023
Drones have one big weakness – water!
So, if you are thinking about buying a drone for use around water, it might be a great idea to get a waterproof drone.
In this guide I will cover a range of drones that can be operated either in or around water. Yes, you read that right – in the water! There are some drones that double as amphibious vehicles. Cool, huh?
Time to literally dive into the water and see what waterproof drones hold up when they get wet…
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SwellPro Splash Drone 3
When it comes to making a drone that can handle air and water, the SwellPro team has got it nailed.
The SwellPro Splash Drone 3 is kind of insane. It is a fully capable drone with a 4K camera, that can also be flown into the water!
Yes, that’s right. It is not just waterproof, it is rated IP67 which means it can go up to 1 meter (3 feet) underwater with no problem. Even saltwater!
This baby is seriously waterproof. Almost like a boat.
In fact, you can even use it as a kind of boat/drone hybrid and capture footage underwater at a distance (ie. like a drone would) and then take off again. Just keep in mind it is not designed to be a submarine, so take it easy :>
Want to see it in action? Check out what this guy does with the Swell Splash Drone 3 (he has the older model with the GoPro) in Hawaii out on the reefs!
The Splash remote is also well designed with an integrated screen (unlike most DJI products where you need to have a phone or tablet to really be able to fly it). So it is ready to go when you buy it.
The screen is a 5″ one which also shows the camera view of the drone (or FPV as it’s called) as well as useful information about what is happening with the Splash as it flies.
If you want, you can actually control the Splash with a phone and use some of the intelligent flight modes like:
- Follow Me
- Tap To Fly
- Flight Planning
And as you would expect from such a pro-level drone it also has killer safety built in to bring it home if it loses connection with the remote or has a low battery.
Note: There is also a fisherman’s version with a bait dropper (so a hook/grip you can control remotely) if that is something you need on your drone.
Pros
- Can liternall go underwater
- Long flight time
- Decent range
Cons
- Limited range compared to DJI drones
Product Information
- Size: 9.3 x 3.94 x 7.87 inches
- Weight: 3.2 pounds / 1.447 kg
- Flight Time: Approx. 23min
- Max Speed: 65km/hr
- Max Flight Distance: 1.6km/1 mile
- Camera: Waterproof 4K / 16MP with 2-axis Gimbal
- Frame: Durable waterproof
- Colors: Red
SwellPro Spry
Swell has added another waterproof quadcopter to their range, with this one being more of a sports drone. It is called the SwellPro Spry and is slightly smaller and lighter than the Splash, but just as waterproof.
This waterproof drone also comes with 4k video as well as 12MP image quality, so decent enough for most people. The flight range and time are both a little less too with a maximum of 15-17 mins flight time at a distance of 800m/1.2 miles. So reasonable enough for sure.
The remote control on the SwellPro Spry is also waterproof, so these guys are certainly watching your back if you are taking your drone out on the water, on a boat or anywhere where ou expect some serious water involved.
Pros
- Lightweight and small
- Decent flight time & range
Cons
- Camera could be better
Product Information
- Size: 233.5 x 249 x 90mm
- Weight: 436g / 15.3 oz
- Flight Time: Approx. 15/17 min
- Max Speed: 65km/hr
- Max Flight Distance: 1.6km/1 mile
- Camera: Waterproof 4K / 12MP
- Frame: Durable waterproof
- Colors: Red
PowerVision PowerEgg X All-Weather
Unlike the waterproof drones mentioned above, which are really meant to be soaked, this one from PowerVision is designed to be able to fly in wet weather.
So, depending on your needs, this might be the best option if you expect rain but are not intending on getting the drone seriously wet.
They also have a water landing kit that enables you to land and take off from the water, so that could be super useful if you are still planning on shooting around water.
The camera on this waterproof drone is also quite decent with 4K camera that also takes 12MP stills. It also has a flight time of 3o minutes which is comparable to the most higher end drones on the market.
Pros
- Water resistant
- Can land on water
- 4K video
Cons
- Can not be submerged
Product Information
- 4K/60fps UHD Camera
- 30-min flight time
- 20 knot wind resistance
- Voice-sync with footage
- Waterproof (with accessories)
- Take off from / land on water (with accessories)
JJRC H31 Waterproof Drone
The JJRC H31 waterproof drone with headless mode is a slightly cheaper option for those on a budget. It is not often available, but if you can find one on Amazon it might be worth checking out.
It is not meant to go underwater like the SwellPros, but it should handle inclement weather well enough.
The JJRC H31 has a cheaper feel to it, however, that is kind of what you expect from a low-priced drone.
Pros
- Cheaper than most
- Great for beginners
Cons
- Not as durable
- Not immersible
There are two major things you need to think about when choosing a waterproof drone:
- Am I using this drone as a toy or for more serious professional work
- What features do I need with it
Once you have those two things straight, the rest of the decision becomes quite simple.
Toy Or Pro
Most of the waterproof drones out there are just toys and don’t even have cameras. So the choice is quite simple in that area.
When it comes to pro, if you really need something waterproof or water landing/ready then there are only two options – the Splash 3 or one of the QuadH2O range.
If you want something reasonably priced that is still a great drone, with good flight time, camera etc. the Splash might be the only option.
Battery Life, Flight Time etc
If you are looking at more of the toy range of drones, then there are a few areas you want to check such as
- Battery life/flight time and range. How many batteries you get with it too.
- Whether it has a controller or you use your phone (most have a simple controller)
- How good the reviews are on Amazon (the Parrot is not well-reviewed for example)
Either way, have a scan through all the options, check out the videos I have included as this gives you a good idea of how they work, and then check them out on Amazon (except the QuadH2O which can only be purchased on their site).
