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Best underwater drone models in 2023 and why should get one
Using an underwater drone opens up new ways of discovering the deep blue and undersea life. Today’s advanced models with 4K camera and fish sensor are not only useful when locating fish, doing marine research or boat inspection, but offering a lot of fun by recording underwater videos while snorkeling, diving or swimming in the pool. If you were ever wondering about what these machines are good for or what is the best one, this guide will help you out.
Written by Anett Szaszi
Anett is a certified scuba diver, freediver, and an expert in snorkeling with more than 10 years of experience. She fell in love with the ocean while snorkeling in the Red Sea on a vacation to Egypt back in 2008. Since then, she has been traveling to discover the world’s best snorkeling spots and sharing her experience and tips to inspire others. Find her photos on @anett.szaszi Instagram too!
Why you should get an underwater drone?
An underwater drone is an ROV (remote operated device) that has live video feed and/or underwater footage recording capabilities. It is a useful accessory for marine biologists, fishermen, recreational and commercial divers and for anyone who loves boating providing the opportunity of seeing what is underwater without getting wet.
Moreover, modern underwater drones are fun toys that will take your holiday videos to the next level by recording awesome underwater footage when you snorkel or dive. Signals travel not well in the water, therefore, most models have a tether / cable that ensures live image transfer and smooth video recording, and also prevents the drone from getting lost.
What are the uses of underwater drones?
These remote-operated devices support scientific, work and hobby purposes, including:
- marine research
- fishing, by locating fish and placing bait
- boat inspection
- commercial inspection such as drain pipes, piers
- locating items in the water
- recording underwater videos while snorkeling and diving
Best underwater drones
Whether you’re looking for a cable or wireless version, you can find here the best models from budget versions to professional ones.
Powervision Powerray Wizard
The Powerray Wizard is one of the best underwater drones these days that is ideal for hobby and professional purposes, and perfect for fishing too. This innovative machine can go up to 98 ft/29m deep, the battery runs up to 2 hours. The 230 ft/70m long tether allows long-distance use.
The Powervision underwater drone with 4K UHD camera delivers you outstanding video and 12 MP photo quality. Fishermen can enjoy the advantages of the fish finder sensor and magnetic bait drop that are available in the Powerray Wizard package.
- hobby/profesional UW drone with 4K camera
- maximum depth 98 ft / 29m
- 12 MP photo quality
- fish sensor and bait drop
The integrated headlamps ensure that the footage is bright and sharp, no matter the light conditions. The drone is very easy-too-control via mobile app or joystick, but you can choose the gesture-based controlling too.
On top of these, the Wizard includes ZEISS VR goggles too that provides you with the possibility of seeing the underwater world like never before.
CHASING DORY portable underwater drone
Should you look for the smallest underwater drone that is affordable too, you need to check out the new CHASING DORY! This smart device is palm-sized and weighs less than 3lb/1.4kg, so it fits a backpack so you can take it anywhere you go.
- the smallest remotely operated underwater vehicle
- 2MP photo, 1080p30fps video quality
- live streaming option so you can stream your dive anywhere on social media
- only a smartphone and an app are needed to control CHASING DORY
Regarding its technical parameters, CHASING DORY beats the big competitors. It is able to record 1080p 30fps videos and take 2MP photos, moreover equipped with two 250 lumen headlights that guarantee clear and bright images.
Exploring the ocean world was never this easy! Just set up the WI-FI buoy that comes with a 49ft/15m long tether so you can control the drone remotely in real time from your phone through the CHASING DORY app. No matter what type of underwater activity you are fancy, snorkeling, diving or fishing, this underwater drone is definitely one of the best choices!
Nemo underwater drone with 4K camera
Top-quality live streaming, 4K 30fps video recording and sharp 16MP still photo quality, these all come together in the Nemo underwater drone! This smart machine provides you with all the features that one can expect from a professional machine no matter you need it for fishing, inspection or hobby purposes.
- portable design with detachable battery
- ultra-stable recording in 4K
- 328 ft/100m max depth
- perfect for hobby or professional use
Nemo can dive 328 ft/100m deep with a 6.6 ft/s (2.2 m/s) speed. The bright 1000lm LED lights guarantees excellent view even in low-light conditions. High-quality rechargeable battery provides you with an amazing 3 hours operation time.
The feature that the battery is detachable and extra batteries can be purchased making the Nemo underwater drone perfect for professional use for big videography projects. A durable, neutral buoyancy Kevlar tether cable guarantees secure connection and stable, continuous image transferring. However VR glasses not included in the package, but the mode is supported for the best experience!
Trident underwater drone
The Trident name might sound familiar for underwater toy fanatics because the company also sells underwater scooters, but to expand their product line, they launched the Trident underwater drone too.
- salt water resistant design
- underwater optimized UHD camera
- motion stabilizing for smooth footage
- cold and warm water use between 28.4-104 F/ 2-40 C
This rugged and super easy-to-use model with 1080p HD camera opens new possibilities in underwater filming. Live video is streamed in 720p 30 fps with amazing real-life colors thanks to the intelligent color correction. The camera got sapphire lens for the highest-level protection against scratches and damages.
Motion stabilizing controls guarantee smooth filming up to 328ft /100 m depth. The construction specially designed for saltwater use and can be operated between 28.4-104 F / -2-40 C water temperatures with a maximum speed of 4.4 mph (2 m/s).
The Trident underwater drone standard package comes with a 25 m long tether that is perfect for hobby users. Extra-long (100m) tether, android controller and a handy hard-cover carry case can be purchased in the bundle package.
ibubble underwater drone
The iBubble is the first autonomous drone that follows the diver and records the entire dive without any manual intervention! This high-end professional model comes with awesome features like wireless operation, obstacle avoidance and smart positioning system. Intelligent image stabilization ensures that your footage is smooth even in strong currents. Take it for diving, snorkeling or any type of underwater work up to 200ft / 60m depth!
Choose from several pre-programmed filming scenarios like ‘come to me’ function or active the ‘follow me’ mode through the smart controller! The iBubble underwater drone can be used with a GoPro camera from Hero3 and up and most action cameras.
Thanks to the emergency option, the device resurfaces in case of signal loss. Currently, it is available for order through the iBubble website in different packages with a starting price of 5400 USD.
ROBOSEA BIKI wireless drone
Are you looking for an underwater drone without cable? Then you need to check out the ROBOSEA BIKI! This wireless underwater drone is an absolutely new concept that moves like a fish driven by a robotic tail fin! The desired route and depth (up to 196 ft/59m) is easily plannable.
Thanks to the intelligent sensors, BIKI is sensing and avoiding obstacles within 30 cm range. 2 high-performance flashlights make it perfect for dark-water use too. However BIKI underwater drone doesn’t provide real-time images, but the recorded 4K videos are available for replay as soon as the drone resurfaces.
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It is easy-to-control from smartphone or by using the remote. The built-in GPS and return-to-home functions ensure that the drone drives back to the user when the battery is low. This weather and temperature resistance, anti-corrosive device is a good choice to record videos while swimming, snorkeling or diving!
Powerdolphin drone
This newest Powervison Powerdolphin is a transition wireless underwater drone model. It glides on the surface but records but above and under the water. The surface operation provides you with the benefit of seeing the machine all the time minimizing the risk of loss or damage, but thanks to the changeable camera position, it can records above and below the surface too! Therefore, it is very useful for recording water sport events!
- wireless surface operation
- records in 4 K above or below the water
- great for fish finding and video recording
- advanced mapping and path-navigation functions
The Powerdolphin wireless drone is a good choice for fishing too thanks to the fish finding and hook and bait dropping features. Moreover, it is also equipped with advanced sonar technology that is able to map the underwater landscape.
This function comes useful when doing search and rescue or inspection. Extra path navigation and 1-button return to home functions make it easy and safe to use.
Regarding the technical parameters, Powerdolphin comes with 4K camera and has 1080p live streaming capability. The image transmission range is ½ miles, the top speed is 10mp and the battery runs up to 2 hours.
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