I think we can all agree that drones are great, so great we even have an entire blog dedicated to them here at Dronesgator, but there is one thing we can’t deny… They’re also very loud.
The dreaded drone noise is annoying for most if not all drone pilots, especially for videographers and photographers (there is a reason most drone videos have music on them).
That brings us to the topic of this article, 5 drones that I think make the least noise and that you should check out if drone noise is a big turn-off for you.
Keep in mind that no drone in this list is completely silent, a drone will always have parts that emit noise, and the technology to have a completely silent flying object is just not here yet.
Drones can be so loud because the propellers spin extremely rapidly (an average of 9000rpm). Because it displaces large amounts of air rapidly and the air pressure around the propeller spikes as it spins, the drone creates a distinct buzzing noise.
Alright, without further ado let’s get to the 5 best quiet drones on the market right now. Keep in mind that if we were only comparing them in terms of noise, this list would be a whole lot different. But chances are you want a silent AND performing drone.
1. DJI Air 2s
One of the best and most quiet drones on the market right now. It’s got a sound level of 64 decibels, and while that can be considered loud, compared to other drones, it's actually pretty quiet.
The DJI Air 2s retail price is currently at $1000. It’s lightweight, weighing a little over 500g, and despite its small size can fly for 31 minutes straight at a 68km/h max speed!
It also uses OCuSyn transmission technology, making you able to fly it in a 12km range with no problems whatsoever.
2. FUNSKY 913
A kind of a toy drone that’s mostly for beginners and those who are just trying to dip their toes in the drone world. That being said, for a toy drone with really small propellers it’s really quiet.
Usually toy drones will be really loud since the smaller the propellers are the more they have to spin to generate force, the louder they are. But not this one. At 68 decibels, it’s only slightly louder than the DJI mini 2.
If you’re on a budget, I highly recommend the funsky 913. It comes with built-in GPS sensors and a 1080p that can actually deliver footage that isn’t completely garbage. It doesn’t have any stabilizers though so don’t count on this drone to make your next youtube reel.
I’ve already used this drone actually and made a video on it which you’ll find below.
3. DJI Mini 2
Arguably the king of sub-250 drones. The DJI mini 2 is to drones what Connor Mcgregor is to MMA… The face of the drone industry. So you just know I had to include it here.
Although the DJI mini 2 has a slightly annoying buzzing sound (users describe it like a wasp’s), it’s actually one of the quietest drones out there at only 64 decibels.
In terms of price, the Mavic Mini 2 is just $50 more than the original Mavic Mini with a $449 retail price, which makes it a no-brainer if you’re considering whether to buy the mini or the mini 2, since they both have the same sound levels.
4. DJI Mavic 3
Slightly louder than the Mavic Air 2s but not by much. The DJI Mavic 3 is a solid choice if you’re looking for excellent functionality and low noise is simply a good bonus for you.
And I don’t really have to tell you, but the Mavic 3 is pricey. Retailing at around $2,049.
5. Altair Aerial AA108
Altair, meaning “bird” in Arabic, is a fitting name for this drone since it’s as silent as a bird. It’s a small drone like the Parrot mambo we covered earlier, only the Altair has an actual good camera and can be flown for filming/photographing.
It’s also light and has a durable plastic body that can withstand crashes to a certain extent. Its only problem is the low battery life which is barely 10 minutes. It’s even less ideal since the charging time takes about 90 minutes.
Still, it’s really not a bad drone for a beginner. And with the $110 retail price, what do you have to lose?
I hope this list inspired your next drone purchase, or at least gave you an idea on what drones are both good and silent at the same time in the market right now. I’ll constantly be updating this article if any good silent drone falls in my radar, so bookmark it to stay in the know.
