Drone technology is quickly evolving, and many of today’s top drones feature exciting new features. One exciting example of this is waterproof drones. Waterproofing means you can use drones in the rain or even underwater. In this article, we’ll discuss the technology behind waterproof drones, who can benefit from them, and the best waterproof drones on the market right now.

How Do Waterproof Drones Work?

Waterproof drones work very similarly to other types of waterproof electronics. Each waterproof drone model is different, but they typically use a waterproof coating to protect the electric parts within. This typically is a silicone coating or something similar to repel the water. Some drones are fully waterproof and can be submerged under water for long periods of time, while others are only water resistant and will eventually struggle if they are exposed to too much water at once.

Some hobbyists have also experimented with adding DIY waterproof coating to their drones. Corrosion X is a popular choice for this kind of project. If you’re going to go this route, be very careful. A waterproof coating might protect your drone in the rain, but it won’t necessarily mean you can fully submerge your drone underwater. It will likely be more efficient to buy a drone that is waterproof or water resistant at the outset.

Who Can Benefit From Waterproof Drones?

There are many excellent uses for waterproof drones. Waterproof drones can fly in rainy conditions, which means they can capture photos and videos despite the weather. These images can be very dramatic and visually appealing, so professional videographers can really benefit from having a waterproof drone.

Waterproof drones can also be very helpful for people who need to conduct surveillance in rainy conditions. Many companies use drones for security purposes to protect their property. Agricultural companies also use drones to monitor their crops, and some real estate companies will use them to monitor construction sites. Using waterproof drones can help your company be much more productive at work, without being bogged down by the weather.

Another reason why people use waterproof drones is to capture photos and video underwater. Some waterproof drones can actually land on the water safely. This means they can get a look at what’s underneath the water if they have the right cameras, making for some beautiful and fascinating shots.

What To Look For In A Waterproof Drone

When shopping for a waterproof drone, there are a number of key features to look at. Since there are so many different types of drones on the market, you’ll want to make sure that the one you purchase fits your needs.

Of course, you’ll want to consider how waterproof the drone is. Some drones are fully waterproof, while others are just water resistant. Check to see if the drone has an IP rating. The IP scale indicates the degree to which electrical components are protected from both liquids and solids. IP ratings contain two numbers. The first number indicates how resistant the electronic is to impact from solid foreign objects, while the second number indicates how resistant the number is to liquids.

The second number in an IP rating is what you’ll want to look at to determine how waterproof it is. IP ratings between 1 and 6 can withstand some level of splashing or spraying water, while those with a rating of 7 or 8 can withstand some level of immersion. Looking at this number can give you an indication of how much precipitation the drone can handle.

Of course, you’ll also need to consider the materials the drone is made out of and how durable they are. Flying a drone in wet weather can put extra strain on the entire device, so the drone needs to be built to handle it. Not only should it be impact resistant, but it should use a network that’s powerful enough to communicate with the controller, even when conditions are poor. The controller itself also needs to be waterproof, so you can use it safely no matter what the weather is like.

Finally, you’ll need to make sure that the drone’s design is aerodynamic and powerful enough to handle flying in the rain and wind. Rain and wind can add a lot of resistance, which can make it difficult for your drone to stay airborne. Not only can this make it more difficult to keep your drone steady in the air, but it also wears down the drone’s battery very quickly. Being aware of this is key when shopping for a drone, so you can make sure you get a model that fits your needs.

Best Waterproof Drones On The Market

Swellpro Spry+

The Swellpro Spry+ is a great option for anyone that needs to be able to land their drone directly in the water. While it’s not the most affordable option on the market, it does come with a lot of incredible features. The Swellpro brand has a full range of waterproof drones on the market, but this model is unique is how aerodynamic it is. It’s smaller than some of Swellpro’s previous models, but has six different modes to fly in any type of weather.

The Spry+ is fully waterproof and corrosion resistant. It floats in the water and can take clear photos and video underwater. It doesn’t skimp on video quality either – it offers 4K video quality as well as 12 MP photos. It has a maximum speed of 65 miles per hour and is easy to control using a smartphone app.

Parrot Hydrofoil Mini Drone

Parrot is one of the world’s top drone manufacturers. This small waterproof drone has all of the quality that you have come to expect from Parrot, without an expensive price tag. It has a small camera and is designed to work both in the water and in the area. It’s shock resistant and very hydrodynamic.

This drone may not have the fancy features you’ll see on more expensive models, so it’s a good option for hobbyists that want to learn how to fly a hydrodynamic drone without the expensive price tag. Because of its small size, you don’t need to register it with the FAA. The battery lasts for nine minutes and recharges very quickly. You can also control it directly from your smartphone or tablet.

Goolsky JJRC H31 Waterproof Drone

This waterproof drone from Goolsky is another excellent affordable option for hobbyists. This isn’t a drone you’ll want to fully submerge in the water, but it can handle rain and other wet environments. This makes it a good option for flying in areas that frequently experience inclement weather.

This drone is also a great option for beginners. It has many features that make it very easy to fly, even for those that don’t have a lot of experience. This includes a headless mode and a gyro stabilizer, as well as multiple speed settings. LED lights make it easy to fly this drone at night, and it also has stunt mode options for those who want to learn flips and tricks. The battery lasts for about eight minutes and has over-charging protection to keep the battery lasting longer.

PowerVision PowerEgg X

The PowerVision PowerEgg X is a completely unique drone and personal camera that’s different from what you’ll find anywhere else on the market. It has a flight mode, which means you can use it as a drone, but it also works as a standing AI camera. It has a buoyant waterproof shell, which means that it can land and take off from water. It can also fly in the rain and wind, with 20 knots of wind resistance.

The AI camera on this drone is what makes it truly unique. It has face recognition and can follow a subject around automatically as it moves. It also has an exciting technology that can pick up remote sounds for better audio quality. A 3-axis gyro stabilizer helps you capture stunning high-quality video with a 4K camera. It also has an incredibly long-lasting battery life at 30 minutes. While this drone is definitely not cheap, it provides unique features and incredible video quality that are hard to find on any other waterproof drone. The AI camera makes it a good pick for professional videographers.

Final Thoughts

While waterproof drones aren’t particularly common right now, it’s likely that we’ll see more drone brands make them over the next few years. Flying a drone in the rain can be challenging, but having a waterproof model makes it much easier.