Best Underwater Drones
Holly Mills 
Brian Drones are still a fairly new hobby for the general population but in the last few years, we’ve seen great strides in the technology used to create these fun little automated fliers. It’s no surprise that we’re now heading in the opposite direction and taking to the seas (or lakes, pools, and rivers) to explore with drones. Read on for our top ten list of best underwater drones! You may have seen on nature documentaries how giant, expensive drones are used to search for artifacts and sunken ships. The Titanic was found this way and filmed with the use of a drone-like device! We’ve spent hours researching the options out there for enthusiasts who want to take a drone exploring underwater, searching for cool fish, hidden treasure, and more.
In a Hurry? The test winner after 13 hrs of research
Waterproof up to 40m
Great battery life and extra battery
Time-lapse
Easy connectivity app
20 usable accessories
External Microphone
Top 10 Picks
1. COOAU 4K 20MP
Waterproof up to 40m
Great battery life and extra battery
Time-lapse
Easy connectivity app
20 usable accessories
External Microphone
Microphone doesn’t work with underwater case
Not fully automated like traditional drones
The COOAU is a 4k camera with video. It’s waterproof and comes with remote control. While it’s great for getting cool underwater shots, you can consider this little camera an all-inclusive adventure cam! Use it for getting great shots while hiking, camping, or just hanging out with friends.
Read moreFeatures
It is a 20-megapixel camera so you’re going to get high-quality pictures. The seven-layer optic lenses allow for rich, ultra HD 4k images and video. The electronic image stabilization in the chip’s anti-shake technology makes this a great choice for adventures above and below water. The light balance sensors, 170-degree wide-angle shooting, and time-lapse feature allow you to make the most out of your favorite captured moments. Easy wifi lets you share those shots with everyone you wish was with you.
Accessories
This choice comes with 20 accessories! Our favorite is the wrist remote control that allows you to catch yourself in those sweet action shots or get better use underwater.
The two included rechargeable 1200mAh batteries let you shoot for longer without surfacing for a recharge.
Other accessories include multiple mount types, a strap, bike, and helmet mounting pieces, and another favorite of ours, the external microphone.
Another great thing about the accessories is that they’re compatible with many other cameras, including much more expensive brands!
Battery Life
Depending on use, a full battery can last up to a few hours. Include is a second rechargeable battery so with both you could spend most of the day playing with this camera before having to recharge.
Water resistance
This remote control camera has a really durable acrylic case that makes it waterproof up to 40M underwater. It has even been left in a bucket of water overnight, forgotten about, and still worked perfectly the next day. It’s important to note that the microphone does not work with the underwater case.
Ease of Use
The camera is pretty easy to use, even if you’re not a camera expert. It comes with an app that really helps you get connectivity set up so you can easily share pictures and videos with friends and family.
2. AKASO Brave
5x zoom
Waterproof up to 100ft/30M
19 accessories that also work with other cameras
2” screen for previewing
Easy wifi connectivity
Slightly less battery life but comes with an extra battery
This is such a close second to our first choice! The only reason it’s not tied for first place is that it’s only waterproof up to 30M. Otherwise, this is a really solid choice when it comes to remote control adventure cameras.
The AKASO Brave is a very steady shot with a lot of features like wifi, 4k HD, and mounting hardware. If you’re looking for a little camera you can take on vacation and get sweet underwater shots with, this is a good one to check out.
Read moreFeatures
The AKASO Brave has 4K, 24fps video resolution and will give you crystal clear HD shots (with up to 5x zoom!) with a steady image due to the internal gyroscope feature.
The included waterproof case lets you dive down and get shots up to 30M underwater.
Accessories
This product comes with 19 accessories that not only work great with the AKASO but are compatible with many other big-name cameras of a similar style.
Some of our favorite features include Two 1050mAh batteries, a remote control wrist mount that can be used up to 10 meters away, and mounts for helmets bicycles.
Battery Life
This option comes with two 10x50mAh batters. Each battery, depending on things like what features you’re using and temperature, will get you up to 60 minutes of use time.
Water Resistance
The AKASO has a case that makes it waterproof up to 30M, which is just 10M off from our top choice. So jump in and dive down to 100ft, knowing you’re going to get some great underwater shots. Preview your underwater shots with the 2” screen.
Ease of Use
There’s nothing too tricky about this one and it doesn’t really have a very steep learning curve. If you do get stuck, it comes with a handy manual.
3. AquaRobotMan Nemo
Find deep, hidden artifacts and treasures
Dives 328ft below the surface
3-4 hours of battery life
2 meters per second swim speed
Very stable shots
Still fairly new to the market
Welcome to the future. You can buy a personal robot, throw him in the water, and wait for him to show you what’s down there, all from the safety of your boat or the shore. If the ASAKO or the COOAU is not what you’re looking for, and you want a more traditional drone experience like what you get with a flier, then start here with the Nemo.
Read moreFeatures
The Nemo is a slick-looking drone with a 4k Ultra HD, 30fps camera stabilized by a 4-duct system for a super steady image. You’re going to get really clear, high-quality shots with this one underwater. It has its own private connection to wifi and an easy app for viewing real-time what the Nemo captures below the surface. And it’s going to capture a lot because it features a light rig that really illuminates the surroundings due to the 8 LED lights.
This underwater drone swims with speeds up to 2 meters per second.
Accessories
The Nemo comes with a wi-fi station and station battery, Nemo’s own battery, a reel, a Kevlar zero buoyancy line, and a Nemo-branded backpack for carrying all of your cool accessories.
Battery Life
The included c-hyper helix battery gets you about 3 hours of life, depending on use and temperature. It’s a rechargeable battery and it seems to charge super fast. So, if you have backups you show downtime much downtime and you can get back to your adventure quickly.
Water Resistance
The Nemo can dive as low as 328 ft below the surface and comes with a tethered cable (of that length) that is also completely waterproof.
This is a good depth for checking for fish, hunting for treasures, looking for lost items, or checking out the hull of your boat for maintenance and repair needs.
Ease of Use
If you’ve ever flown a flying drone, you should have no issues with the Nemo underwater drone. Once you get used to pitching it forward so it submerges and starts its dive, the rest comes pretty naturally.
4. Geneinno Poseidon I
Great customer service
5 hour run time
Portable
TSA approved
No remote included
Low lumens
The Geneinno Poseidon has a lot of the same features as the AquaRobotMan Nemo at a slightly lower price. However, it’s tether, at 164ft is quite a bit shorter than the Nemo’s. What it does well is photo quality. It has a great stabilizer and can get shots from slightly deeper than the Nemo, though you have to take up the missing tether length by diving. If you’re looking for a camera for diving primarily, this might be a good choice for you.
Read moreFeatures
The Poseidon’s HD 1080p 30fps camera has a 120-degree wide-angle mode which is really important when trying to get those big underwater shots. You’ll be able to see a lot with this guy.
It’s small and lightweight enough to be a breeze to port around and it’s even TSA approve so you can take it along on faraway vacations and adventures.
It’s made of industrial-grade rubber and plastic and has a really durable, rugged outer shell. This is good for when the drone bumps up against underwater rocks, coral, or boats, or...sharks?
Accessories
With this purchase, you get a Poseidon drone, a buoy, an adapter for your charger, two balancing weights, your 328-foot tether cord, and a rugged suitcase that makes it really portable. You’ll also get an easy-to-use app for iOS or Android.
Battery Life
This product comes with a 9000Amh battery and charger. With one full charge, you should get up to 5 hours of life. This is pretty good compared to other similar options.
Water Resistance
The Poseidon can handle depths of up to 398 feet, which is slightly deeper than the Nemo. However, the tether is only 164ft, so to get to the max depth, you’re going to have to dive. There is the option to pay for a higher-priced package that comes with a 328 ft tether.
It’s very mobile and agile in the water due to its triple thrusters and multi-directional design.
Ease of Use
There’s not much of a learning curve to this drone. The app is easy to install and will help you with each step. The agility of the drone also helps with ease of use.
5. Sea Peep Submariner
Super small and portable
30 MPs mounted camera
Remote control
Easy to use
Kid-friendly
Only for use in fish tanks, ponds, and other similar water
Just starting out with underwater drones or want one as a gift for a younger person? The Sea Peep Submariner might be the best choice for you. This drone is about as cute as its name. It’s a tiny little thing weighing well under 2 pounds. It has a remote control and a pretty decent 30m camera and if you’re looking to use it in fairly still waters, it should give you pretty good shots.
Read moreFeatures
This little drone features a lot for its size and price point. It has a 30mp camera mounted to it and can be rotated left and right. The built-in 256MB memory (other drones might require a card) is pretty handy, too.
Users love using this on in shallow ponds, fish tanks, and pools. You can operate it from just under 2 meters.
Accessories
The Sea Peep comes with a handy remote control.
Battery Life
The Submariner and its remote control use 6 AA batteries. It doesn’t use a ton of battery life but it’s also easy to replace, especially if you use inexpensive rechargeables.
Water Resistance
This isn’t a deep-sea drone by any means but if you’re looking to explore your fish tank or turtle pond, it will work fine. It does best without much of a current.
Ease of Use
This is incredibly easy to use. It’s easy enough for younger kids to use.
6. Power Vision PowerRay Wizard
Dives 98 feet
Long tether
Magnetic bait drop
Wheeled Case for travel
Comes with Fish Sonar and VR goggles
Must sign up for an account for connectivity uses
First of all, the Power Wizard looks really cool. This is a good choice for the avid fishers because of its crisp pictures and really cool magnetic bait drop! If you’re ok with a 98ft max depth drone, and you like to fish, keep reading. We have a lot to say about the Wizard.
Read moreFeatures
The Power Wizard can dive down to 98 feet below the surface and has a pretty long 230 ft tether.
The camera is 4k UHD, 12MPS, and has a burst mode feature. You can sync up with your phone, like most drones allow, and watch the feed from the Wizard live.
Accessories
We love the accessories that come with the Power Ray Wizard! You’ll get a 64gb sd card, a fish finder sonar with magnetic bait drop, a wheeled carrying case that’s super rugged and durable, and our favorite part? You get a set of VR goggles designed to work exclusively with the Power Ray drone.
Battery Life
This product has a 6400mAh battery and is rechargeable for lasting use.
Water Resistance
This one can dive up to 98ft max and has a tether connection that reaches 230ft.
Ease of Use
This drone has a bit more of a learning curve because of all of its features. The good news is it has a huge fan base and there are a ton of user tutorials out there.
7. Robosea Biki
No tether
Can be controlled by your smartphone or the included remote
Internal memory and GPS built-in
Reaches depths of 196-feet
The connection between the control and Biki can be finicky
Difficult to control in moving water
Some have had issues correctly charging the devices
The Biki is an adorable device that looks like a robot fish. Once you attach the plastic fishtail, this little guy can swim on a guided route or with your live-motion controls. Reaching depths of down to 196-feet, you’ll discover things you have never seen before.
Read moreFeatures
If you choose to guide this device from outside the water, you will need to download the app for IOS or Andriod. From here, you can control everything from speed, direction, depth, photos, videos, and light. With the app, you can control the device from up to 164-feet away. Additionally, you can create a specific route for the Biki and send it on its way. There is no live-view but you can check out the footage when Biki returns.
If you want to guide the Biki from the water, you must place the remote in the water to send the signals. With the remote, you can control the device from up to 32-feet away. Unless the device comes into contact with a hungry predator (although it does feature an obstacle avoidance feature), you never need to worry about losing it. It has a built-in GPS so that you can always track it.
The camera of the Biki has a 150-degree lens and a 4K camera. There is 32GB of internal memory.
Accessories
Included with your Biki, you will also receive a few accessories. You will receive the Biki, of course, a wiping cloth, a weight balancing block, a caudal fin, an acoustic remote controller, a charging block and cable, a manual, and a warranty card.
Battery Life
The batteries are built into both devices, the Biki and the remote. To get a full charge on each item, it takes about two hours of charging. From there, the batteries last between 90 and 120 minutes, depending on the settings.
Water Resistance
This device is shaped like a fish and swims like a fish. It can be guided to dive to depths down to a maximum of 196-feet. It is temperature, weather, crash, and corrosion-resistant. To make the Biki dive, you will need to be sure to attach the included weight to the bottom.
Ease of Use
For this most part, this device is simple to use. There is an included manual and the app and remote are straight forward. The device is still fairly new to the market and has its kinks. One thing to point out is that the Biki does not follow directions well in moving waters, such as the ocean. It functions without a tether and weighs 2.65-pounds.
8. Trident Underwater
Good max depth of 328 feet
Easy to use
Android tablet controller included
Great picture quality
The price point might not be for beginners or casual users
The Trident is a higher-end product that works really well in the water. The makers say it “flies” underwater and it really does move well.
Read moreFeatures
The Trident goes deep at a max diving depth of 328 feet. It has wireless control and is really, really agile in the water with a cool autopilot feature. It moves at around 2 meters per second. The camera is 1080p and 30fps with a scratch-proof sapphire window. The camera works well in low light waters.
Accessories
It comes with a durable case, a 100-meter tether, and an android tablet controller. You can also buy a wide variety of additional accessories from Trident.
Battery Life
You can get up to 3 hours of battery life on this product. It takes a little under 2 hours to fully recharge the battery.
Water Resistance
This product is waterproof up to a max diving depth of 328 feet or 100 meters.
Ease of Use
It’s built to be easy to use and you can pretty much get it started as soon as you open it and charge it.
9. QYSEA FIFISH P3
Good battery life
Fantastic camera
Agile triple thruster movement and stability
Higher-end pricing
The FIFISH is the priciest on our list but it comes with some really great features. If you’re willing to invest in a drone that will give you excellent video quality and fantastic movement underwater, this could be the one for you.
Read moreFeatures
The FIFISH is a remote control drone that has a max depth of up to 328 feet. The camera is 4k with a really wide 162-degree angle and high-tech lens features. Great for low light waters due to its double 2k lumen led lights and 8 levels of brightness control. Can be controlled with smartphones and tablets with ease.
Accessories
With your FIFISH drone, you’ll get a remote control that will feel super comfortable in nearly all hands and very familiar if you’ve ever held a gaming controller. You’ll also get an AC adapter and a long tether cable.
Battery Life
You’ll easily get 4 to 5 hours on the battery and it will take a couple of hours to fully charge.
Water Resistance
The max depth for this one is 328 feet. It can move at up to 3 knots in calm waters and moves well with two horizontal and one vertical thruster.
Ease of Use
This one is a little more complicated than some others on our list, mainly because it has so many features. There is a handy manual included and the Qysea website and customer service staff are extremely helpful.
10. Chasing Gladius Mini
Can reach down to 330-feet
Live-view
Quickly and easily share footage to social media
Impressive camera quality
No FAQ or troubleshooting provided
Many buttons and icons in the app- can be confusing
The Gladius mini is a great device that allows you to live stream from your phone as the device explores the depths. Depending on the length of the tether, the device can reach depths down to 330-feet. While this device has plenty of impressive features, it is not our most user-friendly option.
Read moreFeatures
The Gladius Mini provides you with a real-time view of its adventures. It can reach speeds of four knots, or two meters per second when traveling horizontally. When ascending or descending, the speed is slightly slower at one meter per second. There are five thrusters on this machine and a 95-degree view. Additionally, there are two adjustable headlights of 1,200 lumens. The app for IOS or Andriod makes it simple to upload and share your videos or photos on social media.
In clear water or on land, you will likely be impressed by the clarity of the camera. However, as expected, in murky waters, the footage quality is less than desirable. The Gladius Mini shoots video is 1080p and has a 4K UHD camera that takes photos in 12mp.
Accessories
The amazon bundle gives you the option to choose between a 50-meter tether or a 100-meter tether. Also included is the base station, wireless controller, batteries and chargers, and a 32GB memory card.
Battery Life
The drone itself has a battery life of about two hours, depending on the settings. The base station has a battery life of six hours and the remote has a battery life of five hours. The device uses a 5,000mAh, 5.5wH battery.
Water Resistance
The device itself can reach depths down to 330-feet. However, the device will only go as far as the tether allows it to. With a tether of 50-meters, it can reach 165-feet. With a tether of 100-meters, you can reach all the way down to 330-feet.
Ease of Use
This is where this device could use some improvement. The directions are not very clear and the bundle as a whole, including the app, is not very intuitive. Once you spend a few days fiddling with it, the processes seem to become easier.
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Features
When deciding which electronic device best fits your needs, you’ll often find the answer in the features. Depending on what or when you are expecting to film, the camera quality becomes important. However, a higher quality camera often comes at a higher price. No matter what you are exploring, the wider the view, the better. It’s like not having peripheral vision. Can you imagine? Another factor that will affect your live view or filming quality is light. Does the device have brightness control? How many lumens is the light? Also, having the ability to zoom in on a certain point is a great camera feature to have.
Other features that may sway you in one direction or another include the speed and overall independence of the device. Some devices can be sent to brave the waters with no strings attached, while others are connected by a tether. Certain models only have the ability to move forward and backward, while others can move in all directions. Additionally, some devices have “arms.” These are especially great for use in the ocean. With these accessories, you can put bait in the arm of the drone to attract fish and get a great close up view.
There are hundreds of different features that are available for these amazing machines. However, you can think of this section as an introduction to learn and think about which types of features would be most useful to you. Knowing this before you invest can help to save you a lot of time, money, and frustrations.
Accessories
The right accessories can really add to the value of a drone. Drone accessories seem to be pretty important and not so much simply “extras” given that they often include things like waterproof casess, tethers, and extra batteries. We paid close attention to what the manufacturers packaged together for the best bang for your buck. Nearly all of our choices had apps, save the smaller toy-like products. The app you connect to can be just as important as the drone itself because most of them use both the app and/or the separate remote controller to access all of the functions. Live feeds especially will likely use the product’s app. If sharing images is important, check and see how easy you can do this with the different options’ apps. Is the app user-friendly? Can you download the app before purchase and learn more about your product before purchasing? Most apps are available for both iOS and Android these days but it wouldn’t hurt to check, just in case, your machine’s app hasn’t rolled out yet.
Battery Life
Battery life is important for any battery-run device but drones really rely a lot on that length of time. Divers who explore under the surface of the ocean don’t want to have to head back to the boat every 30 minutes for a new battery or to recharge their drone. A good battery will also ensure that users don’t miss the chance to capture the moment they discover something amazing.
If you’re going to be putting your drone into the ocean, choppy lake waters, underneath boats, in rocky rivers, etc. you want a product that can handle physical contact from more than just the water around it. Check for industrial-strength outer casing and waterproof shells with really good seals. Keep your product in its designed case or invest in a good hard case to store it in. Especially if you invest in one of the higher-end choices, you’ll want to do everything you can to get the most life out of your purchase. The last thing you want is to get an awesome dive shot and then have your product fall apart before you even get to share your images.
Water Resistance
Water-resistance is arguably the most important criteria when researching and reviewing underwater drones. If they’re not able to work underwater, there’s no point. We considered things like good seals, maximum depth, and movability in calm and moving waters. Some users might not need maximum depth of hundreds of feet so we tried to include quality choices with a variety of water abilities.
Ease of Use
A drone should be user-friendly.
Ease of use is always important when we do research and reviews. A drone can have a million wonderful features but if typical users of that type of machine can’t figure out how to make them work, it’s a useless device. We included products for beginners and pros.
Expert Interviews & Opinions
Features Accessories Battery Life Water Resistance Ease of Use
Consider your plans with your new drone. If you’re traveling and just want a cool underwater camera at a price that won’t be devastating if it gets lost on a hike or boat ride, one of our top two options might be for you. If you’re buying for a kid, there are “toy” products that still give you a lot of features. If you’re a pro fisherman or someone who dives several times a year, then you might be ready for a bigger investment product. The higher-priced drones do tend to have better camera functions than the toy or less professional options.
Consider whether your machine is to be used in different types of water. We don’t just mean currents and movement. Some aren’t meant to work in highly chlorinated water for instance. Others might just not have the lighting to get very good images in lake water or rivers.
Other Factors to Consider
Value
Taking into consideration things like main features, included accessories, battery life and inclusion, memory storage, and of course water resistance and mobility, we came up with 10 products that we found to be worth their price. Different users will value different aspects and have varying budgets so we kept that in mind when creating our list.
Connectivity
The majority of users really seem to prioritize picture and video. Some see it as quite a downfall if they can’t monitor their product’s feed live. Some products require you to watch the shots after you bring the drone up. You’ll also want to see if you can share the images and videos live or if you can only watch it live from your connected device. Speaking of connectivity, let’s talk about the literal connection to your product. Some require a tether, some are completely wireless, while others are hybrids between the two.
Frequently Asked Questions
q: You called them “toys”. Does that mean these are only for kids?
Nope! This is just a term that’s used in products like these and other electronics and machines. The “toys” aren’t big professional machines but they can be used by anyone who finds their features adequate, and many adults do with the two we included on our list. For instance, if you only want to spy on your guppies in their 10-gallon tank, a “toy” is perfect for you because you don’t need to spend extra money on fancy apps or super high depth numbers. We will say though, that these “toys” do make fantastic gifts for children.
q: Is an underwater drone the same as a scooter?
They’re two different products that have some of the same features and uses and are often used by the same groups of users! We did not include any scooters in our list. A scooter is something that you hold onto while diving or swimming on the surface. Remember paddleboards from childhood swimming lessons, where you held onto them and kicked your feet? These are their high-tech futuristic cousins who also have high-quality HD cameras attached. If you want a product that pulls you (slowly) through the water and assists with buoyancy while shooting images from your point of view, a scooter might be what you’re looking for. We certainly think they’re cool.
A drone, however, will give you more control over your pictures and videos without you having to physically be in the water looking at what you’re capturing. A scooter can’t autonomously scoot around under your boat and check for damage or take pictures of a sunken ship while you hang out on your boat in the sun. But, at the same time, if you go diving with a drone, you have to do all of the swimming for yourself.
q: If I can dive further than the stated maximum depth, can’t I just take the drone down with me?
You can, but it’s not going to be connected to its service any longer and it’s not guaranteed to be waterproof any amount of distance past the stated maximum depth. Some people think that the maximum depth is how far the machine can physically push itself down into the water. What it actually means is that the stated maximum depth is how far it can go down into the water and still do what it’s supposed to do and not suffer malfunctions or destruction.
q: Can I bring this item on a plane?
This is always a tricky question to answer. Typically, the answer is yes. Some of the larger options will not fit in a carry-on and you will need to pack it in checked luggage. Another thing to think about is the weight of the item. However, depending on the wattage of the battery and the specific airline will determine if you need to disassemble the device and carry the battery separately on board with you.
Lithium batteries have a poor reputation with flying-- remember the Samsung Galaxy incident? A lithium battery of 100 watts or lower isn't usually an issue. If the wattage is higher than this, you may need specific permission from the airline. Overall, yes, you pack your underwater drone and fly with it to explore new waters, but you may need to jump through a few hoops. Additionally, don't forget to properly pack and secure the device.
Sources
- , For Beginners, Article
- , Best Underwater Drones, Review
- , Introduction to Underwater Drones, Article
