When it comes to buying the best drones, almost everybody has DJI in mind. But that’s an expensive investment - at least for me. This is why I did some research and found out AliExpress has some equally good drones to offer, if not better.
If you’re a travel blogger then drones can add an interesting angle to your stories. Or if it’s a movie you’re filming then drones can add production value to your project or you could just get a drone for fun! On AliExpress there is are an array of drones available for you to choose from
Check out these top Chinese drones on AliExpress!
Quick Links
| Top Chinese Drones On AliExpress in 2023 | Best Use Cases |
| KOHR G6 Professional 8K Drone | Professional Aerial Photography |
| JJRC H107 8K Mini Drone | Most popular quad-copter for all ages |
| Z908 Pro / MAX Drone | High-performance drone |
| KBDFA E88 Mini FPV Drone | Budget Friendly FPV Drone |
| VAMD Z908 Pro 2.4GHz 4K Drone | Ideal for Outdoor Activities and Traveling |
| DJI Mini 3 Pro | Amazing Cinematic Footage |
| Xiaomi S5S 8K Mini Drone | Lightweight Foldable 8K Camera |
| SYMA X8 Pro Drone | Impressive In-Flight Time |
| SHAREFUNBAY Drone on AliExpress | Cheap GPS Enabled 4K Drone |
| Cevennesfe HD Drone | Dual Camera Setup |
| Leading Star Infrared Controlled Drone | Built-in Gravity Sensor |
| Muwanzhi Drones | For all Age Groups |
| Tonquu HJ14W Mini Drone | Unique No Head Mode Feature |
Top Chinese Drones On AliExpress
KOHR G6 Professional 8K Drone
Here's a powerhouse of performance and precision for aerial enthusiasts. This cutting-edge drone boasts a range of features that make it stand out in the crowd.
Equipped with a 5G frequency and 4CH channel, the G6 is powered by a 6-axis gyro and driven by 8*23mm Brushed Coreless motors, ensuring stability and agility in every flight. The 3.7V 1800mAh Lipo battery provides an impressive 15-20 minutes of flying time, with a quick 120-150 minute recharge.
One of the standout features is its GPS positioning mode, offering pinpoint accuracy during flight. With a remote control distance of up to 5000 meters, the G6 opens up new vistas for exploration and photography. The optional 5G WIFI 6K/8K camera delivers stunning high-definition imagery with a wide 120° field of view, while real-time image transmission via mobile app adds an extra layer of versatility.
Foldable arms make it compact and easy to carry, making the G6 an ideal companion for on-the-go adventurers. Altitude hold mode ensures a stable flight, while orbital motion and waypoint flight mode add creative dimensions to your aerial photography.
Crafted from high-strength engineering plastics, the G6 strikes a perfect balance between durability and lightweight design. The 3-speed flight switch levels guarantee an exhilarating flying experience for pilots of all skill levels.
This single's day you can get your hands on one of these bad boys for as low as $15.45 which is around 75% off the original MSRP.
JJRC H107 8K Mini Drone
The JJRC H107 Mini RC Drone is a compact yet formidable device that stands out in the world of drones. Its feature set is designed to cater to pilots of all levels, making it an excellent choice for beginners and experienced flyers alike.
One of the standout features of the H107 is its Headless Mode. This innovation simplifies control, eliminating the need to worry about losing orientation during flight. This means you can focus on capturing breathtaking footage or executing precise maneuvers without the added stress of adjusting to the drone's direction.
For those looking to fine-tune their flight experience, the drone offers a 2 Speed Mode. This allows you to switch between low and high-speed settings, accommodating a wide range of skill levels. Whether you're a novice honing your skills or a seasoned flyer seeking a thrill, the H107 adapts to your needs.
The 3D Flips and Rotation feature adds an exhilarating dynamic to the flying experience. Activated by a simple joystick maneuver, this function allows you to perform impressive aerial acrobatics with ease. The responsiveness of this feature ensures that the drone executes flips and rotations smoothly and precisely.
Altitude Hold is another notable capability of the H107. This function enables the drone to hover automatically at a specified height, making it particularly useful for indoor flights with minimal wind. This feature provides stability and control, giving pilots the confidence to explore their surroundings from above.
Safety is paramount, and the H107 addresses this with its protective full-cover design. This innovative feature shields the propellers, greatly reducing the risk of collisions and potential injury. This level of protection not only enhances safety but also contributes to the drone's overall durability, ensuring it can withstand the rigors of flight.
By downloading the dedicated app and connecting to the drone's Wi-Fi, users can enjoy real-time transmission of high-quality photos and videos directly to their mobile device. This feature opens up a world of creative possibilities, allowing you to capture stunning aerial footage in impressive detail.
Z908 Pro / MAX Drone
The Z908 Pro / MAX Drone stands as a pinnacle of drone technology, offering advanced features and intuitive controls for an exceptional flying experience. Operating on a 2.4ghz frequency with 4 channels, it ensures stable communication even in crowded environments.
Made from high-quality plastic, metal, and electronic components, the drone strikes a balance between strength and weight, ensuring robust yet agile flight performance.
A standout feature is the remote camera adjustment, providing a sweeping 148° field of view for versatile aerial photography.
The drone is powered by the formidable 816 motor model allowing it to execute precise maneuvers with ease, granting a smooth and exhilarating flying experience. With an impressive 15-minute flight time, the Z908 allows ample time for exploration and capturing breathtaking moments.
The Z908 Pro / MAX Drone is a testament to advanced engineering and user-centric design, poised to elevate your aerial photography and videography to new heights. Whether you're a seasoned pilot or just starting out, the Z908 offers a thrilling and immersive flying experience that's sure to capture breathtaking moments from the sky.
KBDFA E88 Mini FPV Drone
The KBDFA E88 Mini FPV Drone from AliExpress is tiny but packs a punch with its impressive features. One thing that stood out to me was its FPV (first-person view) capability which allows you to see exactly what the drone sees in real-time, making it easier to navigate and control. The transmission range is also quite impressive, reaching up to 200 meters.
In terms of the build quality, it's pretty solid and is made with high-quality materials that gives it a premium feel in the hand. The drone also comes with three speed modes, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced pilots.
Another aspect I love about the E88 Drone is its portability. It’s so small that it can easily fit in your pocket, making it the perfect drone to take with you on the go. Whether you're traveling, hiking or just taking a walk in the park, this drone provides endless entertainment and allows you to capture stunning aerial footage.
Regarding the flight time, this drone lasts around 10-12 minutes on a single charge. The charging time is relatively fast, so you won't have to wait long to get back in the air and the drone also has built-in LED lights which makes it easier to track at night or in low-light conditions.
VAMD Z908 Pro 2.4GHz 4K Drone
So, I recently came across the VAMD Z908 Pro 2.4GHz 4K Drone on AlEexpress and let me tell you, this baby is a blast to fly! The build quality is solid, and the materials used give it a sturdy feel. The 4K camera is seriously impressive, capturing crystal clear footage from up in the sky and the 2.4GHz technology ensures smooth and stable flight, even in windy conditions.
I was a little nervous about the controls, but I was pleasantly surprised by how intuitive they were. The drone is a breeze to maneuver, and the live video feed makes it super easy to keep track of where the drone is at all times.
It's equipped with one-button return and automatic landing features which are lifesavers especially for those who are new to operating a drone and regarding the battery life - it's awesome! The LED lights are a fun touch too, making it easy to keep an eye on the drone even in low light conditions.
DJI Mini 3 Pro
The DJI Mini 3 Pro is a compact and portable drone that is packed with features and technology, making it one of the best Chinese drones on the market today. Its small size makes it incredibly easy to carry and transport, making it the perfect drone for photographers, videographers, and travelers who want to capture high-quality aerial footage and images.
One of the standout features of the DJI Mini 3 Pro is its powerful camera system, which is capable of capturing stunning 4K video and high-resolution photos.
The drone also features an intuitive and easy-to-use control system, allowing you to easily maneuver it in the air and capture the perfect shot. Additionally, the DJI Mini 3 Pro features obstacle avoidance technology, making it easy to fly and maneuver even in tight spaces and difficult environments.
Another key feature of the DJI Mini 3 Pro is its impressive battery life, which provides up to 31 minutes of flight time. This means you'll have plenty of time to capture the perfect shot, without having to worry about running out of power. Finally, the DJI Mini 3 Pro is incredibly durable and built to last, with a rugged and lightweight design that is designed to withstand the elements.
Xiaomi S5S 8K Mini Drone
The Xiaomi S5S 8K Mini Drone is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-quality drone at an affordable price. This Chinese drone offers a range of features that make it stand out from its competitors, including a 4K camera capable of capturing stunningly clear and detailed images, an advanced GPS system, and an intuitive app-based control system that makes flying the drone a breeze.
One of the standout features of the Xiaomi S5S 8K Mini Drone is its 8K camera, which is capable of capturing stunningly clear and detailed images and videos. The camera also features a 3-axis gimbal stabilization, which ensures that even if the drone is flying through windy conditions or if you are flying it with shaky hands, your footage will still look smooth and steady.
Another great feature of the Xiaomi S5S 8K Mini Drone is its GPS system, which provides precise location data and makes it easy to fly the drone in a safe and controlled manner. The drone also comes with an app-based control system that allows you to fly it from your smartphone or tablet, making it simple and convenient to use.
As Chinese drones go, this is one of the best.
SYMA X8 Pro Drone
The SYMA drone has long been a top drone on Aliexpress, primarily because of it's reasonable price and it's impeccable quality. It's a true Chinese product known for its cheap price and top quality.
Let's get to the specifics.
The X8 Pro Drone works on the 2.4G frequency and has a 6-Axis gyroscope. It's got a 4K camera that can shoot in 720p. It has a 2000 mAh battery and has a flight time of 12 minutes to 15 minutes.
It takes about 150 minutes to charge fully and has a range of 150 metres. There are numerous options such as hover, live stream, one key take off and landing and a headless mode.
It's a top drone on Aliexpress.
SHAREFUNBAY Drone on Aliexpress
Best Drone For Beginners
The Sharefunbay Drone records in 4k with wifi control up to 100m and realtime video can be viewed when paired with their mobile application. Taking off and landing can be done with ease with the one-button take-off and return function with the height maintenance making it ideal for beginners.
Key Features
The gesture recording feature allows you to take photos and videos when the camera recognizes its gesture.
Specifications
- Brand Name: SHAREFUNBAY
- Model Number: s60
- Material: Plastic/Metal
- Aerial Photography: Yes
- Type: Helicopter with Remote Control
- Control Channels: 4 Channels
- State of Assembly: Ready-to-use
- Flight Time: 20 min
- Remote Distance: 100m
- Controller Battery: 3*1.5v AAA
- Dimensions: 26*20*6cm
- Motor: Brush Motor
- Warranty: 15 day
- Charging Time: 120 min
- Plugs Type: USB
- Remote Control: Yes
- Drone weight: Less than 250 g
- Age Range: 6 and above
Best Drone for filming
The Sharefunbay UAV H12 provides a stable recording with its Ultra-clear anti-shake camera perfect from cinematic filming. Getting that high quality over head shots would be a breeze as it can fly for over 25 mins to a distance of up to 500m and height of 200m.
Key Features
The 180 Degree remotely adjustable HD camera is one of the coolest features that can help you get a stable recording and focus on a particular object or individual.
Specifications
- Brand Name: SHAREFUNBAY
- Material: Plastic
- Aerial Photography: Yes
- Model Number: H12
- Flight Time: 25 min
- Controller Battery: 4 * "AA"
- Features: Remote Control
- Dimensions: 42 * 34.5 * 15cm
- Remote Distance: 100 m
- Charging Voltage: 3.7v
- Charging Time: 150 minutes
- Plugs Type: USB
- Age Range: Grownups
Best Drone for Filming
The Sharefunbay LS-K9 is a 4k recording action drone with foldable arms. The altitude hold mode function keeps this drone stable during flight and the drone can fly autonomously with a pre-drawn flight path making it perfect to position the right angels for your action footage.
Key Feature
One button return function is one of the unique features, the drone would return to the controller with the flick of a button making it very user friendly
Specifications
- Brand Name: SHAREFUNBAY
- Material: Plastic/Metal
- Aerial Photography: Yes
- Model Number: LS-K9
- Flight Time: 15 min
- Controller Battery: AAA*3
- Remote Distance: 100 m
- Charging Voltage: 3.7v
- Charging Time: 40 min
- Plugs Type: usb
- Age Range: Grownups
- Flying weight: Less than 250g
Best drone for adventure sports filming
The Sharefunbay F3 drone uses GPS positioning to accurately maneuver itself unmanned while you rock the show. The follow-me function allows the drone to remotely record your footage from a distance while you are performing and with a remote distance of 500m, there is not much this drone cant do.
Key Features
Follow me function can remotely record and follow you while you’re performing the sport of your choice.
Specification
- Brand Name: SHAREFUNBAY
- Material: Plastic
- Flight Time: 25 min
- Controller Battery: 3*AAA
- Dimensions: 33*33*6CM
- Remote Distance: 500 m
- Charging Voltage: 7.4v
- Charging Time: 120 min
- Plugs Type: USB
- Age Range: Grownups
Cevennesfe HD Drone
Best Drone for Beginners
The Cevennesfe KY101D is a 4k HD recording drone with a four-channel, six-axis gyroscope for quick flight mobility with a flight time of 18min perfect to start off with. The wide-angel real-time transmission can be linked to your smartphone via wifi with a remote control distance of 100m.
Key Features
The 360 Degree 3D flipping feature makes flying this drone super fun and takes amazing shots while flipping.
Specifications
- Brand Name: CEVENNESFE
- Aerial Photography: Yes
- Material: Plastic
- Remote Distance: 100m
- Dimensions: 31.5*31.5*13CM
- Charging Voltage: 3.7V
- Model Number: KY101D
- Plugs Type: USB
- Control Channels: 4 Channels
- Remote Control: Yes
- Charging Time: 80 minutes
- Power Source: electric
- Age Range: > 6 years old
- Flight Time: 18 minutes
- Controller Battery: 3 AA batteries
- Features: Remote Control up to 100m
- Maximum picture pixel: 4096*2160
- Maximum video pixel: 1920*1080
Best Drone for beginners
The Cevennesfe E68 4k Ultra HD drone looks a lot like the DJI Mavic with foldable arms and its lightweight makes it easy to carry during your vacation for those special shots. The track flight feature can help you choose your route while making gestures to take a photo or video. The camera comes with 3 modes of capture to save up on recording space while recording videos on-the-go.
Key Features
The foldable arms with its lightweight material make it a must in your travel bag to capture those breathtaking footage during your vacation.
Specification
- Brand Name: CEVENNESFE
- Aerial Photography: Yes
- Material: Plastic
- Dimensions: 24*20*5cm
- Charging Voltage: 3.7v
- Model Number: E68
- Plugs Type: USB
- Control Channels: 4 Channels
- Charging Time: About 70 minutes
- Age Range: > 6 years old
- Flight Time: About 12 minutes
- Controller Battery: 1.5V*AAA
Best Drone Personal Use
The KY909 is the last drone on our list but definitely not the least, with headless mode and altitude hold function it tops off as the best personal drone. With live video feed, you can view what your drone is viewing in realtime making sure you capture the best moments from the right angles.
Key Features
The One Key takeoff and landing function makes this drone easy to use with minimal chance of any damage to it.
Specifications
- Brand Name: CEVENNESFE
- Material: Plastic
- Aerial Photography: Yes
- Dimensions: 25*24*3cm
- Type Number: ky909
- Charging Voltage: 3.7v
- Charging Time: 15min
- Model Number: ky909
- Age Range: Grownups
- Remote Distance: 100m
- Control Channels: 6 Channels
Leading Star Infrared Controlled Drone
Best Drone for Kids and Teenagers
The ZF04 RC drone can be controlled through a handheld infrared indication remote that works with a motion sensor giving you a good feel and control while flying the drone. It can avoid obstacles with its sensors making it easy to fly indoors.
Key Features
360 flips can be done with a flick of your wrist and made to be very easy to control, ideal to gift your kids as their first drone. Lit with LED lights making it uber-cool to have and fly at night.
Specifications
- Brand Name: LeadingStar
- Aerial Photography: Yes
- Material: Carbon Fiber/Metal/Plastic
- Remote Distance: about 50m
- Dimensions: 21.0*21.0*10.0cm
- Charging Voltage: 7.4v
- Model Number: Infrared Drone
- Plugs Type: USB
- Control Channels: 4 Channels
- Charging Time: about 60mins
- Power Source: electric
- Age Range: Kids and Teenagers
- Flight Time: 6mins
- Controller Battery: 3.7V 150mAh battery
Muwanzhi Drones
Best Drone for Kids and Teenagers
Muwanzhi Mini UFO Drone is an infrared sensing hand motion drone, it’s small in size and is made of a very lightweight material that makes it fun to play around with at home. The classic game of pass the ball around has evolved to passing the drone around with this drone it is suitable for 2-4 players to play.
Key Features
The Infrared sensing feature makes it fun to control the drone by passing it around with your palm for a fun game of drone catch in your home.
Specification
- Brand Name: Muwanzhi
- Aerial Photography: No
- Material: Metal/Plastic
- Remote Distance: 50M
- Dimensions: 14cm
- Charging Voltage: 3.7V
- Plugs Type: USB
- Charging Time: 50 minutes or so
- Power Source: electric
- Age Range: > 6 years old
- Controller Battery: 250m
Best Drone for Kids and Teenagers
The Muwanzi LF606 is a mini foldable drone much like the Dji Mavic 2, its altitude hold mode helps the drone to have a stable flight while recording in 4k Ultra HD. It can be controlled up to a distance of 50-80m with a 6-axis gyroscope making it one of the most sturdy mini drones in the market.
Key Features
The headless mode on the Muwanzi LF606 helps while doing multiple 360 rolls on your drone without losing orientation.
Specification
- Brand Name: Muwanzhi
- Aerial Photography: Yes
- Material: Plastic
- Remote Distance: About 100ms
- Dimensions: 11*11*3.5 cm
- Charging Voltage: 3.7V 500mah
- Model Number: LF606
- Plugs Type: USB
- Charging Time: About 100mins
- Power Source: electric
- Age Range: > 14 years old
- Flight Time: About 10mins
Best Drone for Travel Vloggers
The Muwanzi LS-MIN has all the features of the industry-standard drone but in the size of your palm with 4k Ultra HD recording and gesture capture, it’s definitely something you want to carry with when you’re traveling vlogging.
Key Features
Gesture Capture is one of the unique features where the drone analyzes your hand gestures to take a photo or start/end a recording.
Specifications
- Brand Name: Muwanzhi
- Aerial Photography: Yes
- Material: Plastic
- Remote Distance: About 50-80ms
- Dimensions: 22*12*6 CM
- Charging Voltage: 3.7V 650mah
- Model Number: LS-MIN
- Plugs Type: USB
- Charging Time: About 40mins
- Power Source: electric
- Age Range: Grownups
- Flight Time: About 10mins
Tonquu HJ14W Mini drone
Best Drone for Action Sports
The Tonquu HJ14W comes with real-time Wifi transmission which most mini drones don’t have making it a worth buy to upgrade to from your beginner drone. It has 3 speed modes with No Head Mode for a comfortable and stable flight.
Key Features
The No Head Mode is one of the amazing features where all you have to do is hit one button and the drone will guide itself back to you.
Specifications
- Brand Name: TONQUU
- Aerial Photography: Yes
- Material: Plastic
- Power Source: electric
- Age Range: > 14 years old
- feature 7: NO HEAD mode and single key return
- feature 11: 3.7v 600mAh lithium-polymer battery
- style 1: Charging mode USB
- style 2: Real-time transmission distance of FPV is 60-80 m
- style 4: Remote control distance about 100 meters
- style 5: Charging time about 40 minutes
- style 6: 3.7v 600mAh lithium-polymer battery
Are Chinese Drones Any Good?
So what do I think? Chinese drones are exceptional. I've bought quite a few. The largest Drone manufacturers make their goods in China. DJI, Yuneec, Ehang, Parrot and Precision Hawk. Now based on my experience of sourcing drones there are a few types of Drone companies to avoid.
The Non-Branded Chinese Drone companies and the other is the Ultra Cheap Drones. Aliexpress & Alibaba is awesome for drones. The other Chinese marketplaces dont have variety.
Another point to note, not all countries accept Drone imports and your Chinese seller will not remind you. So make sure to check the laws before you import.
One thing to note, be super careful about buying surveillance drones and drones that you buy for restricted spaces. There have been espionage related issues with CCTVs and Surveillance drones. But if you are buying drones casually for shooting some aerial photography. Then you are good to go.
What to consider when choosing a Chinese drone?
When choosing a Chinese drone, there are several key factors to consider to ensure you select a high-quality, reliable device.
Firstly, it is important to consider the brand and manufacturer of the drone. There are many well-established Chinese drone brands, such as DJI, Holy Stone, and JJRC, that have a proven track record of producing high-quality drones. Make sure to research the brand and read reviews from other customers to get a sense of the quality and reliability of the drone you are considering.
Another key factor to consider is the specifications of the drone, such as its battery life, flight time, range, and camera capabilities. Make sure to choose a drone with a battery life that is sufficient for your needs, and one that has a long enough flight time to complete your desired missions.
The range of the drone is also important, especially if you plan to fly it over long distances. Additionally, the camera capabilities of the drone should meet your needs, whether you are using it for professional photography or just for fun.
Finally, it is important to consider the price of the drone. While Chinese drones are often significantly cheaper than their Western counterparts, it is important to ensure that you are not sacrificing quality for cost. Consider purchasing a drone that is within your budget, but also offers the features and specifications that you need.
Are Chinese drones better than those made in the US?
Chinese drones have made significant advancements in recent years and are now competing with their American counterparts in terms of technology, performance, and affordability.
These cheap drones are often equipped with high-resolution cameras, GPS systems, and obstacle avoidance systems, which make them ideal for a range of applications, from aerial photography and surveying to search and rescue operations.
In terms of performance, many Chinese drones are capable of flying for extended periods of time, covering large distances, and carrying significant payloads, making them ideal for a range of industrial and commercial applications. \
Additionally, Chinese drones are often more affordable than their American counterparts. However, there are concerns about the quality and reliability of some Chinese drones, particularly with regard to the materials used in their construction and their ability to withstand harsh weather conditions.
This has led some hobbyists to prefer American drones, which are often seen as more durable and reliable. Moreover, American drones are often better supported by their manufacturers, with comprehensive warranties and customer support services.
Are drones cheaper in China?
Drones are cheaper in China because there isn't a premium on the brand value. As there is intense competition amongst Chinese drone makers, price becomes the deciding factor and hence drones are way cheaper in China on platforms like Aliexpress.
Are Chinese drones any good?
Chinese drones are pretty good. They are reasonably priced and work perfectly well. Even the Chinese knockoff drones like the alternative to DJI are much in demand because of the value received for the price. Chinese drones are also perfect for beginners.
Also Read :
