Best Underwater Drones of 2020

Till recently people had no idea about drones. In the last few years, its popularity has increased and today, the drone is used in almost all the fields. Drones will be seen everywhere in a few years.

Already in some cities, you can spot drones making deliveries and or offering security at a park. Drones are really fun and they are very interesting devices. The best part is practically they can be used in many fields.

One more interesting thing is, recently there are many models of underwater drones have been released. You need to understand the state of this technology today and along with those current models available in the market.  

If you are interested in choosing underwater drones, then there are plenty of designs available. You need to consider a lot of things before picking an underwater drone for your next adventure.

What are underwater Drones?

Underwater drones are also termed as unmanned underwater vehicles or Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicles or ROUV/ROVs for short. Even though they received popularity recently, they were present for quite a long time. Earlier they were only designed for military purposes.

They were utilized as minesweepers in the military. Nowadays, they are also used in all fields including industrial purposes. Underwater drones are also used in sub-sea construction. In recent years, underwater drone manufacturing has been expanded and it even entered consumer tech space.

In simple words, the underwater drone can be understood as a miniature version of submarines. The only difference is, the drone is unmanned.

Comparatively, it is difficult to send radio signals in water than air. Hence underwater drones are not controlled using the remote control. These drones are autonomous and they are made to navigate with onboard sensors and computers.

*It should be noted that ROVs are technically different than DPVs, which are Diver Propulsions Vehicles. While they look similar (small form factor, battery powered, propellers) ROVs are not used to move humans, whereas DPVs aka underwater scooters are.

Why would you want an underwater drone?

There are plenty of ways underwater drone is used today. It is utilized in almost all industries. Let’s look into some of the uses of underwater drones.

Infrastructure Surveys 

Infrastructure always demands routine inspections. So, long term care and success of infrastructure always depend on these inspections. Earlier, an inspection of underwater was really difficult and strenuous, and dangerous. But not today since underwater drones are being used for these inspections.

Underwater drones have resulted in better ways of collecting and recording the best possible data. This is helping in improving the quality of underwater infrastructures like bridges. Some of these locations are too dangerous for even the most experienced divers to stay calm, so ROVs are the better solution. The best part is, analysis through drone is highly cost-effective and easy.

Recovery and Search Missions

Underwater survey missions have become very easy by using these underwater drones. They are helping in detecting as well as mapping all kinds of submerged wrecks, obstructions, and rocks. They are detecting obstructions that are even impossible to navigate using other commercial and recreational methods.

Underwater drones are very useful in all kinds of recovery and search missions. You can easily map a missing aircraft or some wreckage by utilizing these drones.

Military Duties

For military underwater drones are very useful. They will help in detecting and hunting submarines and they are also useful in neutralizing mines. Since we are provided with advanced technology, these drones have become scalable and dependable. The best part is these drones can perform their job with a high degree of autonomy.

Conservation  

These underwater drones have opened up many more possibilities. It has become easy for scientists to explore undersea without manual intervention. Along with scientists and engineers, today even common man with interest in underwater can explore as much as he needs.

Photography

Underwater photography is not easy and people were struggling to capture pictures underwater. Using autonomous drones you can easily explore underwater and take pictures of undersea.

Things to Consider When Buying a ROUV

There are many things to consider before choosing an underwater drone. Most importantly you need to look for 6 major factors. They are wired or wireless models, battery life, maximum depth, camera resolution, top speed, and price.

Along with many other things like weight or shape of the drone these 6 factors should be considered when you are buying an underwater drone.

Remember that these devices are expensive and you need to make the right decision before making the final choice.

Wired or wireless

Even though most of the underwater drone models released today are wireless, there are some wired models as well. It all depends on the usage and your personal preference. You can go for wired or wireless models. These are the two major categories in drone models. The only thing you need to understand here is wired models are not autonomous whereas wireless is completely autonomous.

Battery life

This is the most important thing and you need to check for the battery life and its durability before buying a model. You cannot finish the undersea exploration quickly. So, it is better to look for models with better battery life.

Maximum depth

The depth requirement depends on usage. If you are buying it for hobby or just to explore on your own you may not need higher depth models. If you are buying an underwater drone for study purposes, then you should pick the drone with very good depth.

Autonomy

There are plenty of varieties in underwater drones. Some may come with shorter flight time and others can fly longer.

Camera resolution

Underwater drones offering high-resolution cameras are expensive. If you need a high-resolution camera then you need to pick the high-end models. It all depends on the purpose and your personal preference. If it is for military usage and surveys, a high-resolution camera is necessary.

Along with camera resolution, make sure you have a ROV built for your purpose. If you are doing deep dives, night dives, or cave dives, make sure your underwater drone has adequate built in torches designed for extended underwater use.

Top speed

When it comes to exploration and hobby, speed is not a very important factor. Of course for other uses, you may have to consider speed as well. When the drone is used for detecting some missing aircraft or in some emergency, then it’s top speed matters a lot.

Price & Operating Costs

Since there are plenty of options available in the market, it is up to you to decide the best model. The selection of the model depends on the purpose of buying the drone. If it is for fun, then there is no need to go for expensive models. But, if you are buying for professional purpose then it is worth paying for expensive models.

These are the key aspects to consider when buying an underwater drone. Along with all these, you will have to consider the pros and cons of the model.

Below are some of the best for each category we could find after spending hours researching dive exploration blogs, dive forums, and online reviews from real divers.

The most versatile remote-controlled drone

If you are in search of the remote-controlled and most versatile model in underwater drones, here is the best pick.

Geneinno Underwater Drone Camera

This underwater drone comes with a highly professional 4K camera. It also features a 1/2.5 inch CMOS image sensor. The storage capacity of this underwater drone is 32/64G storage. Using this underwater camera you can take high-quality pictures and videos.

It also has very powerful thrusters. There are 6 thrusters among them 4 vertical and 3 horizontal. These are replaceable propellers, powerful and reliable. This underwater drone is completely guided by a precise steering algorithm. It commands the speed and endurance. It has enough agility needed to withstand strong currents and demanding deep dives

This underwater drone can dive up to 150m. This is designed using patented underwater proof design. It is made using anti-corrosion material. Both high angle and low angle shots are offered at 60 degrees. This underwater drone features purple and red dive filters. Through this, it offers color correction when it is capturing pictures.

• The material used is anti-corrosion
• Comes with color filters for best captures
• Can withstand strong current
• It can also withstand deep dives

• Price is comparatively expensive
• Difficult to control without the use of ROV

Best Tethered Drone

If you are looking for a tethered drone, here is the best choice for you. You can use this underwater drone for all types of adventures.

Trident Underwater Drone

This is the right model for you if you are looking for the best underwater drone for exploring undersea. You can use this drone for exploring underwater never before. You can utilize this drone for streaming, recording, and sharing live video to your Android device.

The distance allowed to send or share data to the Android device is 100 m deep. This underwater drone helps you in capturing captivating videos. The full 1080p HD camera which features underwater optimization helps you in capturing underwater in all its colors.

This underwater drone is built with the highest flexibility. This is the reason you can deploy this underwater drone anywhere you like. You can deploy this underwater drone anywhere. It is compact, light, and small enough to fit in any carry-on luggage or backpack. If you are planning to join the explorer and citizen-scientists communities, then this is the right choice.

• Built with high flexibility
• You can deploy it anywhere
• Compact design
• Fits in your backpack

• The electric motor may get jammed
• Quality is not as expected

Best Entry-level Drone for Kids

There are many underwater drone models for kids. But some of them are specially designed for kids and they are easy to use. We have picked a model here which is best suitable for kids.

Sublue WhiteShark Mix Underwater Scooter

This is one of the best underwater scooters for kids. This drone is simple and it comes with a user-friendly design. It is also built with symmetric and streamlined design. This mix underwater drone is considered as universal interface compatible.

Hence it shows compatibility with almost all types of sports cameras. The camera can be mounted for recording everything underwater and you can capture videos and photos in the most direct view. This is an underwater drone that comes with large energy but small size.

This underwater drone’s total weight is drone is 3.5kgs. It makes the drone one of the easy to carry models. This underwater drone features a floater and this helps in achieving zero buoyancy. The propellers in this drone are designed with a highly safe net. This also avoids accidental injury for fingers.

• Compact design but high energy
• User-friendly and simple
• Universal interface compatible

• Water enters the battery compartment
• Not durable as mentioned

Best Wireless Virtual Reality (VR) Drone:

If you are looking for virtual reality, the wireless drone then here is the best model.

Power Vision PowerRay Wizard Underwater 4K UHD ROV

This drone is the best choice if you are looking for or highly advanced technology drones. This comes with a 4K UHD camera and you can capture almost anything underwater.

The weight of this underwater drone is 16 lbs. This is a highly advanced wireless model that is very comfortable to use. If you’re too scared to dive, or conditions are just too dangerous, using a VR drone is perfect. We think this type of ROV is essentially the future, but now.

• Offers virtual reality feature
• Best for high-resolution images and videos
• Highly advanced drone

• Controls are not as easy as you expect
• Meant for professionals

Most Portable for Travellers

Some of the drone models are highly portable and they come in a lightweight and compact design. This is one of the best drone models if you are in search of an easily portable drone.

PowerVision Powerdolphin Wizard Water Surface Drone

This is the best water surface drone if you want to capture stunning videos. This is one of the best high-performance models offering mobile fish finding.

You can easily explore on the water surface using this super performance surface drone. This drone comes with a UHD camera that has a 4K quality with multi-faceted resolution settings. This drone also has 220 º rotatable cameras.

The best thing about this water surface drone is the single button home function and also the flip option. There is for ease of use. This drone can offer you with definitive remote-friendly user experience since it comes with easy settings.

This surface drone also features waypoint mapping functions and intelligent fishing functions. It comes with wireless remote control and the range of the remote controller is up to 0.5 miles.

• The best surface drone which is highly portable
• It has flip-capabilities
• Fish finding function is available
• Easy settings and waypoint mapping functions

• Water damage problems are common
• Not suitable for saltwater

License-to-Shoot Final Words

These are some of the best underwater drone models. You can consider this list before you buy an underwater drone. You need to analyze and list out many factors before you decide on a model. Depth, speed, and price are the most important things to consider when buying an underwater drone.

One thing is certain, you will not regret your purchase. We’ve explored more of our solar system than we have the depths of our oceans, which is absolutely insane. You can help change that with once you get your own ROV!

Last update on 2021-09-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API