Best Yuneec Drones

As a licensed drone pilot and enthusiast, I have used models from different brands, and I can confidently say that Yuneec offers some of the best drones in the industry.

The Yuneec H850 is the best overall drone with professional-grade features, while the Yuneec Typhoon H Plus is the best runner-up.

Yuneec Mantis G is an ideal choice if you’re on a tight budget without much compromise on the results. If you’re starting, get the Yuneec Q500 4K Typhoon, and if you’re in the experienced lot, the Yuneec H520E is a good option.

Read on as I explore these five amazing Yuneec products in more detail so you can make an informed buying decision.

Best Overall

Yuneec H850

Best Runner-up

Yuneec Typhoon H Plus

Best Budget

Yuneec Mantis G

Best for Beginners

Yuneec Q500 4K Typhoon

Best for Professionals

Yuneec H520E

Brief Overview of the Best Yuneec Drones

My brief overview helps you compare the five Yuneec drones at a glance before moving to the detailed review of your choice. I have rated them based on nine key metrics.

Feature	Best Overall	Best Runner-up	Best Budget	Best for Beginners	Best for Professionals
Product ➡️ Criteria ⬇️	Yuneec H850	Yuneec Typhoon H Plus	Yuneec Mantis G	Yuneec Q500 4K Typhoon	Yuneec H520E
Battery Life	5/5	5/5	5/5	4/5	4/5
Camera Quality	5/5	4/5	4/5	4/5	4/5
Flight Time	5/5	4/5	5/5	3/5	4/5
Flight Range	4/5	2/5	2/5	1/5	2/5
Speed and maneuverability	4/5	3/5	4/5	4/5	3/5
Obstacle Avoidance	3/5	4/5	1/5	1/5	4/5
Ease of Use	4/5	4/5	5/5	4/5	4/5
Value for money	4/5	4/5	4/5	4/5	5/5

Best Overall: Yuneec H850

Specifications

Best for: Safety and Rescue, Surveying, Inspection, Mapping
Flight time: 65 minutes
Flight range: 15 km
Video resolution: 1920x1200p
Takeoff weight: 8800g
Obstacle avoidance: Optional collision avoidance system

Photo Credit: Yuneec

Battery Life

Yuneec H850 utilizes a dual battery design.

H850 uses an intelligent flight battery, which is a compact energy powerhouse. Its capacity is 12800mAh 6S 23.1V, providing up to 65 minutes of flight time (when paired with the regular H850 Series secondary battery).

The dual design allows hot-swapping fully charged batteries or payloads without rebooting the drone, minimizing downtime during emergencies.

Flight Time

The extended 65-minute maximum flight time of Yuneec H850 is dependent on payload and weather conditions. More payload and unfavorable weather reduce flight time and vice versa. This model is also compatible with all H520 E payloads.

The increased flight time allows you to fly your device for an extended period before recharging. Thus, this model is helpful in professional tasks such as safety and rescue, surveying, inspection, and mapping, which require ample time.

Camera Quality

The Yuneec H850 has ultra-high-quality imaging of 125 megapixels, consisting of five 25.16-megapixel image control sensors. They provide exceptional image quality, pixel integration, and performance.

The H850 model also has 3-axis gimbal capabilities. Thus, it counteracts the camera’s unwanted movements across pitch (tilt), roll, and yaw (pan) when filming.

Flight Range

Yuneec H850’s 15 km flight range in an obstacle-free and favorable weather environment is sufficient for operations in vast sectors such as surveying, inspection, and mapping assignments, mainly in extensive areas.

Also, the range is essential in safety and rescue missions in inaccessible places. Even so, maintain the visual line of sight (VLOS) to avoid losing your gadget or flying into a no-fly zone.

The drone’s maximum flight altitude is 5000m. Operating at this high altitude allows you to safely capture high-resolution images and sensor data without collisions or hurting people.

Still, make sure you stay within the height limit required by your region’s Civil Aviation Authority.

Speed and Maneuverability

The maximum flight speed of H850 is 72km/h (20m/s/ 45mph), a standard speed that allows you to comfortably control your gadget.

A fast-flying drone (around 70 mph) has control challenges, mainly when using regular drone sticks. Maintaining flight stability for such drones requires constant micro-adjustments.

The maximum ascent and descent speeds are 3m/s and 2.5m/s, respectively, while the maximum horizontal speed is 20m/s.

Yuneec H850 has a high maneuverability level due to its increased maximum take-off weight of 8800g. Thus, you can precisely perform complex maneuvers and fly in confined areas during reconnaissance and surveillance missions.

Obstacle Avoidance

The Yuneec H850 has an optional Millimeter-wave (mmWave) Radar for obstacle avoidance. The non-contact sensing system measures acceleration in fractions of a millimeter.

mmWave Radar system range is ideal for surveilling an upcoming object in an area with poor visibility. The system has excellent penetration features too.

Ease of Use

Since the drone is designed for skilled purposes, it’s easy for experienced users but not average users or beginners.

Its OBS (obstacle avoidance system) enhances the user’s flying confidence, prompting timely object detection and preventing collisions.

You can also integrate an FPV (first-person view) camera, which provides you with the actual view of your drone throughout the flight.

Value for Money

The Yuneec H850 offers value for money. Its design provides excellent stability, power, efficiency, safety, and heavy payload capacity.

With the correct payload and favorable weather conditions, the drone can fly for up to 65 minutes before recharging. The 15km range is suitable for wide-area operations.

H850 has excellent camera quality, providing exceptional performance, image quality, and pixel integration.

It’s one of the most capable commercial drones under $10,000.

What Online Customers Say:

“Gotta be better than a 1-inch sensor if you’re gonna compete with 10k DJI quads, but if it’s 10k with the 640×480 thermal cam, then it’s pretty sweet.”

– Djehuty from DPReview.

Best Runners Up: Yuneec Typhoon H Plus

Specifications

Best for: Ambitious trainees and professionals with Intel Real sense.
Flight time: 28 minutes
Flight range: 1.6 km
Video resolution: 4K (4096×2160) @ 60 fps, FHD (1920×1080)
Takeoff Weight: 1995 g, 2086 g (with camera)
Obstacle avoidance: Intel RealSense

Photo Credit: Yuneec

Battery Life

The Yuneec Typhoon H Plus has two 4S LiPo batteries, which provide a 5250mAh, 79.8Wh capacity. Each battery allows your drone to fly for up to 28 minutes before recharging.

It takes about five hours to charge an empty battery, but you should disconnect the charger as soon as it is full.

However, some customers say the drone sends a low battery warning after about 16-20 minutes of flight.

Flight Time

Typhoon H Plus from Yuneec has a 28-minute flight time in conducive climatic conditions. Whether you’re a hobbyist or professional, the duration is enough to film fantastic videos uninterrupted.

Since a typical consumer drone flies for 15-30 per charge. So, H Plus is within the range.

Camera Quality

Yuneec Typhoon H Plus’s camera captures high-quality images. It offers automatic flight modes and outstanding reliability, essential for photography or videography.

Its C23 1” sensor captures up to 4K videos @ 60 fps and 20 MP photos. The drone also has a PX4-based controller and flight modes such as ‘watch me’ and ‘follow me.’

The ‘watch me’ function causes the camera to focus on you while ‘follow me’ moves as you move.

Flight Range

In ideal conditions, a Typhoon H Plus from Yuneec can fly up to 1.61 km away from the controller. Hence, this model is a good pick for drone enthusiasts operating over a small area.

Speed and Maneuverability

The Yuneec Typhoon H Plus’s maximum speed is 14 m/s (50 km/h) in angle mode and 20 m/s (72 km) in sports mode.

Such a standard speed allows for stable flight and adequate control.

Obstacle Avoidance

Typhoon H Plus boasts modern tracking and obstacle-avoidance sensors (Intel RealSense) that control GPS and visual data, keeping it on track and out of harm’s way.

Intel RealSense detects obstacles and precisely measures the distance between the drone and objects along its flight path.

Ease of Use

The H Plus drone is easy for amateurs and professionals to use. Its standard maximum speed allows easy control and stable flights.

Also, its Intel RealSense obstacle avoidance enhances the pilots’ flying confidence, as they don’t have to worry about colliding with objects along its path.

The drone’s flight modes (watch and follow me) enhance performance by tracking the object.

Value for Money

The drone model is worth its cost because customers are impressed by its high-quality videos and photos, the two batteries’ 40-45 flight time, and ease of use.

Yuneec Typhoon H Plus is quiet during flights and has a great controller.

According to customer reviews, all its features function per the manufacturer’s advertisement.

What Online Customers Say:

“So far, I have enjoyed the Typhoon H Plus by Yuneec. This hexacopter has some nice features. It is stable and has an awesome camera with superb colors. I’m impressed!”

– Jack Dixon from Amazon.

User-friendly remote controller with integrated display
Intelligent flight modes for stunning aerial images
Reliable and stable flight performance
Excellent video and image quality
Foldable, lightweight design

Best Budget: Yuneec Mantis G

Specifications

Best for: Drone hobbyists
Flight time: 33 minutes
Flight range: 2 km
Video resolution: 4K: 3840 x 2160 @ 30 fps
Takeoff Weight: 2500g
Obstacle avoidance: None

Photo Credit: Yuneec

Battery Life

Mantis G uses a 3S Li-Polymer with 11.4V and 3900mAh capacity, supporting a 33-minute flight time. The superior battery quality also promotes better device protection.

That means the model has a functional battery operating life, protecting the battery from discharge current, charge current, and pack short fault conditions.

Flight Time

Yuneec Mantis G’s maximum flight time is 33 minutes per charge, offering adequate time to explore your surroundings from a new viewpoint. The duration depends on the weather conditions and operation type.

You may experience shorter sessions if the conditions aren’t favorable.

Fortunately, the Mantis G drone has a ‘Return-to-Home’ function that allows you to return the gadget to its takeoff point if its power goes low faster than expected.

Camera Quality

The drone features a gimbal-stabilized camera, which ensures smooth and stable recordings. Its video resolution is up to 4K UltraHD at 30fps maximum. In contrast, its photo resolution is 13 megapixels in the JPEG or DNG format.

Reducing the camera resolution to 1080 pixels can increase the frame per second (fps) to 60.

Yuneec Mantis G has intelligent flight modes that allow it to execute various pre-programmed tasks such as Return to Home, Point of Interest mode, Waypoint navigation, and visual tracking.

These flight modes are set to happen smoothly without movement shocks, producing nearly professional-quality results.

Flight Range

Mantis G’s maximum flight range is 2km, while the maximum flight altitude is 500m. It’s a close-range drone, making it ideal for short-distance tasks requiring proximity to the operator.

Thus, Yuneec Mantis G suits your hobbies and professional activities, such as search and rescue missions (in inaccessible spaces), agricultural monitoring, and building inspections.

Speed and Maneuverability

The maximum flight mode for Yuneec Mantis G is 20 m/s (72 km/h) in the Sport and Manual modes. In phone, angle, and IPS modes, the speed is 5 m/s, 10 m/s, and 4 m/s, respectively.

The ascent speed is 4 m/s for sport and angle modes, and 3 m/s for manual mode, and 2 m/s for phone mode. On the other hand, the descent speed for angle mode is 4 m/s, 3 m/s for Sport, 2.2 m/s for the IPS and Phone modes, and 2 m/s for Manual mode.

Manti G’s remote control also features levers that aid maneuvering during flights.

Obstacle Avoidance

Mantis G doesn’t have an obstacle avoidance system but a voice-control sensor that detects balancing and leveling flight situations.

The transmitting module consists of the operator’s voice commands, which are sent to the drone and converted into a signal by a voice recognition module.

Ease of Use

Yuneec Mantis G is easy for all skill-level pilots to use. So, both beginners and inexperienced pilots can easily capture fantastic images.

Its Return-to-Home feature lets you quickly return your gadget upon receiving the low-power signal.

The Find-the-Drone feature also makes it easier to find your device after landing by displaying its GPS signal on a map.

The ‘instant sharing’ function is another feature that eases tourists’ and content creators’ use of Mantis G by allowing them to share their footage directly on their social media accounts.

Value for Money

If you care about getting value for every penny you pay, the Yuneec Mantis G is your go-to drone. It has a stabilized 4K UHD video camera, autonomous flight functions, and an instant sharing feature that makes operations easy.

Yuneec Mantis G’s gimbal-stabilized camera allows you to capture seamless and stable films.

Its folding arms, fast charging, and lightweight nature enhance portability and image shooting anywhere.

The 33-minute flight time is also another plus to your flight experience.

What Online Customers Say:

“My other 5 UAVs are incredible but so large they are impractical to travel with. I bought the Yuneec Mantis G on a whim, thinking it was a toy (compared to my others), and to my surprise, this “little fella” is my go-to drone because it is much easier and faster to set up.”

– Armysurplusofte from eBay.

Best for Beginners: Yuneec Q500 4K Typhoon

Specifications

Best for: Beginners
Flight time: 25 minutes
Flight range: 400 meters
Video resolution: 4K UHD/2.7K/2.5K @ 30fps and FULL HD: 1080p @ 24/25/30/48/50/60/120fps
Takeoff Weight: 1700g
Obstacle avoidance: None

Photo Credit: www.pcmag.com

Battery Life

The Yuneec Q500 4K Typhoon is powered by a 3S LiPo battery with a capacity of 7500 mAh, which allows your drone to be in the air for up to 25 minutes per charge.

Q500 4K comes with two batteries with equal capacities. The 7500 mAh 3S LiPo battery is a rechargeable battery that weighs 200g and has a total voltage of 11.1 Volts.

You must remove the battery from its back when recharging, which takes about two hours.

Flight Time

According to the Q500 4K drone specification, its maximum flight time is 25 minutes in optimal conditions. However, some customer reviews indicate it’s about 16-19 minutes.

However, the specific flight duration depends on your operation engagements. For instance, autonomous flight modes drain the battery faster than manual control.

With the two batteries fully charged, you have 50 minutes of flight time, sufficient for your aerial exploration.

Camera Quality

The Yuneec Q500 4K Typhoon features a CGO3 camera mounted on a 3-axis gimbal with a 115-degree field view. It produces impressive footage without any distortion or edge warping.

CGO3 records ultra-high-definition (4K) videos at 30 fps and 1080P at 60 fps. The latter video resolution can also be used to capture slow-motion films at 120 fps.

The common drawback with this camera is the strange effect around the image’s sides when shooting directly into the sun. The ideal remedy is installing the bundle UV filter to protect the front elements of the lens.

Q500 has an impressive photo resolution of 4:3 12 megapixels and a 14mm f/2.5 camera lens. The drone’s ST10+ controller allows you to alternate between video and still image capture.

Flight Range

The Yuneec Q500 4K flies up to 400 m away from the controller. This range classifies the device as a hobby drone, typically offering short ranges.

Since this is a beginner drone, newbies should keep their gadgets in the visual line of sight to avoid crashing or losing them.

The maximum flight altitude is 122 m above ground level, but you can adjust it via the Typhoon GUI (Graphical User Interface).

Speed and Maneuverability

The Q500 drone’s maximum speed is 18 km/h (17 mph) in the angle mode and 35 km/h (22 mph) in the ‘watch me’ and ‘’follow me’ modes.

The drone’s ascent and descent speeds are 3 m/s and 2 m/s, respectively. Its maximum rotational speed is 65 degrees/second.

This drone provides an effortless feel of maneuverability.

Obstacle Avoidance

Yuneec Q500 4k Typhoon lacks an obstacle avoidance system and any fancy auto features you might find in other drones. That may be one factor keeping it at a lower price.

It offers a high-level of safety during flights by maintaining a safe distance between itself and its control source. However, it can crash into any objects along its path if you aren’t careful with the controls.

Ease of Use

The Yuneec Q500 is a user-friendly beginner drone. Its SD card contains the user manual and informative videos showing how to outbox the drone, install the props, and operate the flight modes and features.

Its built-in GPS allows it to hover on the spot for a long time without drifting, and the ‘follow me’ and ‘watch me’ functions are easy to activate.

Value for Money

The Q500 drone from Yuneec offers value for money. Its high-quality camera captures top-notch, distortion-free images.

Its autonomous flight modes, such as the ‘return to home,’ ‘follow me,’ and ‘watch me’ functions, make it easy for beginners to learn and have fun.

The drone’s 25-minute flight time, speed, and maneuverability level are excellent for starters.

What Online Customers Say:

“So far, it has been great. Easy to operate. Beautiful videos. Steady and clear.”

– Joanne from Amazon.

An excellent ST10+ controller
Exceptional flight performance
Superb 4K video resolution
Slow motion capabilities at 1080p
An LCD-integrated remote control
Quiet flights

Best for Professionals: Yuneec H520E

Specifications

Best for: Professionals
Flight time: 28 minutes
Flight range: 3 km
Video resolution: 4K videos at 60fps
Takeoff Weight: 1869g (without camera)
Obstacle avoidance: Built-in ultrasonic sensors

Photo Credit: Yuneec

Battery Life

The Yuneec H520E uses a 4S LiOn battery with a 6200 mAh capacity, allowing a 28-minute flight time.

This rechargeable LiPo battery weighs 310 g, a significant part of the drone’s takeoff weight.

The recommended charge rate of its Energy Cell is 0.5C-1C, and it completes charging after 2-3 hours.

Flight Time

With 28 minutes of flight time, you can execute commercial tasks such as capturing sensor data, aerial videos and photos, and survey images.

However, the flight time is way below most of its competitors.

Camera Quality

Yuneec H520E captures data efficiently and with utmost accuracy. Thanks to its high-quality camera with embedded GPS data.

The ultra-high-quality imaging camera, E90X, is a wide-angled payload on this drone. It features a 2” CMOS sensor that captures 4K videos at 60fps and 20MP stills.

The camera is hot-swap-capable on Yuneec’s UAS platforms, saving significant time by eliminating the need to restart or power down the UAS system.

Also, the hot-swappable payload option enhances data storage consistency instead of using multiple storage locations and devices.

Thus, you can swap memory cards from device to device for long focal length, wide focal length, or thermal imaging data capture.

It has remote camera settings, allowing you to change shooting settings as you capture images.

The drone’s interference-free accuracy compass enables it to capture data in challenging environments, making it suit diverse environments.

Flight Range

H520E is a professional close-range drone with a maximum range of 3 km in an obstacle-free space.

Designed for ambitious professionals and industrial use, the H520E features six-rotor systems, allowing stable, accurate flights.

Its long focal-length lenses let the drone fly distant from the object and instantly share data storage from the ST16S/E ground station or directly in 4K video or 20MP photos.

Speed and Maneuverability

The Yuneec H520E’s top speed is 20 m/s, while the ascent and descent speeds are 5 m/s and 3 m/s, respectively.

Due to its excellent maneuverability, its system can hold its position in high-wind environments and enable flights in areas deemed unsafe for manned inspections.

Its exclusive flight speed control provides the slowest speed for maximum accuracy in unfavorable conditions.

Obstacle Avoidance

H520E has an ultrasonic obstacle avoidance system. The sensor detects obstacles using high-frequency sounds. It monitors the sound bounce-back time, which aids in mapping its surroundings.

Ease of Use

The drone is easy to operate if you’re an experienced pilot. Its obstacle-avoidance system promotes collision-free flights.

It features a ‘Return-to-Home’ function that enhances successful flight performance. Its fail-safe function informs you of the low battery status and initiates a return journey to the take-off point.

You don’t have to worry about strong winds; the drone’s excellent maneuverability allows it to withstand them.

Value for Money

Yuneec considered value for money when making H520E, which features a fail-safe battery, Return-to-Home function, and ultrasonic obstacle detector for successful, safe flights. Hence,

it’s an excellent pick for commercial users.

It also offers adequate flight time and range with ultra-high-quality camera performance.

What Online Customers Say:

“Item was exactly as described, came in the original manufacturer’s box, and was offered at a very fair price. Very pleased with this seller and my purchase.”

– i***n (62) from eBay.

Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Yuneec Drone

Consider the following factors when buying the best Yuneec drone:

Flight time: Your operation purpose determines the flight time of your choice drone. For instance, professional tasks require bigger drones, which fly longer (30 minutes on average) because of the job’s nature. Recreational drones may not necessitate long flight time, with some flying for only 7-9 minutes.
Flight range: Again, the purpose of your operation determines the ideal range. For example, vast professional aerial shooting requires a wide-range drone, while a smaller flight-range drone is excellent for hobbies. Always keep your drone in sight, as it’s a requirement for many countries.
Batteries: For long flights, go for a drone with interchangeable batteries. In such a case, carry extra batteries to get the most out of your flights. Drones with swappable battery options are ideal for professional operations.
Quality: Get a drone with all the features needed for your assignment. For instance, a drone with excellent obstacle avoidance is essential for search and rescue missions in inaccessible areas.

Ultra-high-quality camera drone produces stunning images for commercial photography and videography.
Ease of use: Your skill level has a say in your drone option! Get an easy-to-learn-and-fly drone at your entry level and continue advancing as you gain more experience through training.

If you’re a skilled pilot, ensure that the intelligent flight modes and safety features are functional to ease your flying experience.
Parts accessibility: Find out about the availability of spare parts for a drone before buying. Mere crushing would mean a loss of your drone if its parts are unavailable for repair, even if it’s a day after purchase.
Real-time view: Ensure your drone’s onboard camera lets you see the object in real-time. This feature helps you guide the camera to an ideal position.

Wrap Up

If you are interested in Yuneec drones but don’t know how to choose from their various products, my list will help you.

The H850 is my best Yuneec drone due to its exceptionally long flight time and dual-battery design, which promotes swap capability for minimal downtime. It’s excellent for intensive operations such as safety and rescue, surveying, inspection, and mapping.

The drone also has ultra-high-quality camera performance for stunning images and an optional collision avoidance system for optimum safety, giving you a fantastic flight experience.

Author

Peter Karanja

Peter is a licensed drone pilot and drone fanatic. He owns a DJI Air 2S that he uses to shoot videos for fun, enjoyment and for clients.