Best Octocopter Drones in 2019

1. Best Budget: Tarot X8 8-Axis Octocopter

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Editor’s Rating: 4.2/5

This flat multi-axis copter from Tarot is an affordable introduction into the world of 8-propeller drones. It’s ideal for the prosumer or hobbyist who wants to dabble with an aerial photography kit like this:

• Best feature 1: Electric retractable landing gear
• Best feature 2: Easily carry 5D level aerial photography equipment
• Plus points: Lightweight, includes carbon fiber in construction, plugin-in design base
• Minus points: Falls short on the costlier octocopters, not pre-assembled

The Tarot X8 comes in two colors, black or red. It’s a good looking craft once assembled even though it’s quite simplistic in design. It’s a lot stronger than it looks too. The Tarot X series airframe is capable of carrying heavy equipment like a 3-axis gimbal and quality DSLR camera.

Although it’s a kit project it doesn’t need a lot of complex construction. This is a well-thought-out kit to ensure fast and hassle-free assembly. Cabling is easy thanks to the integrated PCB board. The arms of the Tarot X8 fold up—without the need of tools—to make the octocopter more portable.

The motorized retractable landing gear is a huge bonus. The pilot controls this with by the simple flick of a switch from a remote controller (not included). Folding landing gear is a godsend for serious photographers and videographers. It means they don’t have to worry about the undercarriage obstructing and spoiling 360-degree wide-angle footage. The landing gear also has reverse-power protection and a vital failsafe function. These are all important features when sending expensive camera equipment into the skies above.

The Tarot TLX8 8-Axis propulsion system is both economical and reliable. It can take to the sky with an all-up-weight of around 10+ kilograms. That equates to about 1.25kg per arm.

Flying the Tarot X8

The people who this drone will appeal to are serious aerial photographers and First Person View (FPV) enthusiasts. The gimbal will easily carry a quality Canon 5D DSLR camera. Most important of all is that the X8, 8-axis drone provides a fun and stable flight experience. Maximum flight time is around 15-minutes. That’s quite average for a drone with this much power and capability.

The Conclusion

This is an excellent choice of octocopter kit with FPV support for the more budget conscious user. It’s a kit project, though, that needs other parts. That means you have to purchase extras to build the octocopter to a drone that matches your precise needs and expectations.

It’s lightweight, has retractable landing gear, and sports 5-degree umbrella-type folding arms which makes it extra luggable). Consider this craft if you need to carry a heavy payload.

2. Top Pick: xFold SPY X8 U3 RTF Octocopter

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Editor’s Rating: 4/5

The xFold™ is something quite unique in the world of octocopters. It’s an industrial-type drone aimed at the pro-level. It even comes in four different sizes. The one here is the x12 configuration:

• Best feature 1: Can configure frame to Quad, Hexa, x8 octo, and x12 Dodeca
• Best feature 2: Carbon fiber construction
• Plus points: Folds up to 30% of original size, easy to fly, easy to lug, built in the USA
• Minus points: Restricted payload, high price

We expect anything with “spy” in the name to be unobtrusive. But this is still an octocopter so it can’t be too low key. It also needs to be able to carry a realistic payload like a GoPro action camera or a small DSLR. The drone is compact and light yet boasts a lot of strength thanks to its carbon fiber construction. It’s foldable too. You can reduce its size down to 13.5 x 8.7″ so that it fits neatly into a medium-sized bag or small backpack.

Who Needs the SPY X8 U3 RTF Octocopter

This is a serious UAV aimed at aerial videographers and photographers who demand quality. It’s also for those who want professional results without having to haul heavy bulky equipment around. Some octocopters can be seriously huge but this one is the more portable solution for prosumers and professionals. That means there’ll be a few drawbacks, but not many.

The SPY X8 can easily manage GoPro and other action-type cameras. There are alternative choices in quadcopters and hexa-rotors that can carry the same payloads. But those crafts don’t provide the same lift and overall performance of an octocopter.

Professional Footage Assured

The SPY X8-U3 Ready-To-Fly (RTF) octocopter comes with an anti-vibration system. Its 3-axis brushless gimbal ensures smooth footage. You’ll need a 5.8 GHz video transmitter (not included) with 7″ FPV monitor for optimal control and full HD live downlink (DL). The Spy X8 is compatible with all the major commercial-grade flight controllers.

You can also operate the drone with a mobile iOS device that has Bluetooth LE-support.

Here are some of the built-in functions:

• Various autopilot modes
• Improved fail-safe feature
• Low-voltage protection
• Receiver support (S.Bus)
• Receiver support (PPM)
• Independent Power Management Unit (PMU) module
• Gimbal support

The flight is steady, safe, and smooth. It offers the added stability that comes with eight motors. There’s also peace of mind knowing you can safely land the craft if one of its motors fails.

The Conclusion

The SPY X8 U3 RTF Octocopter is not cheap, but it offers value for money for those who want a quality compact, octocopter drone. It’s a little workhorse that just happens to look cute. The 15 minutes flight time won’t keep you airborne for long, though, so always factor the cost of extra batteries in with the price. If you don’t have a compatible camera you’ll need to consider that too, and a transmitter.

There’s plenty to like about this puppy, especially if BIG, heavy-duty drones are not your thing.

3. Best Value: DJI S1000 Spreading Wings Octocopter

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Editor’s Rating: 3.9/5

This octocopter is for those who demand nothing less than major torque and serious power. DJI Spreading Wings S1000 is a reliable workhorse for high-level aerial cinematography and photography.

• Best feature 1: Unique Power Distribution System
• Best feature 2: Multiple Flight Controller Compatibility
• Plus points: Weather resistant, fast, agile, powerful, safe and stable
• Minus points: Short flight time, big size restricts usage

It’s hard not to be amazed at the sight of this professional octocopter once it’s assembled and ready for takeoff. This is an incredibly safe and stable flying robot despite those big arms and legs protruding out from the main body. It has plenty of propulsion with improving power efficiency.

You might be thinking so what? There are plenty of quadcopters and hexacopters that offer these features too. And it’s true, they do. But they’re not the same in terms of quality, capability, and flexibility, and there lies the difference. This beast can fly high and fast up to 45 mph.

The Spreading Wings S1000 is quite portable despite so many arms. You can easily fold each of the eight arms down and tuck them neatly away making the craft more luggable. It only takes about 5-minutes to lock them back into place and take to the skies.

Flying the Spreading Wings S1000

This is where the S100 comes into its own. Without carrying anything the drone weighs around 4kg, but it can take cameras and accessories to a payload of 11kg. Let me give you some idea of how useful that is. A Canon EOS 5D Mark III DSLR Camera—for example—wouldn’t be any problem at all.

Another great feature is the low-mounted gimbal attached to a special bracket. This low position and the retractable landing gear is a godsend for aerial filmmakers as it guarantees clear shooting angles.

You can fly the S1000 with any of DJI’s Zenmuse gimbal range and enjoy the following:

• Superior camera/image stabilization
• Guaranteed smooth footage
• Precision control from the ground
• Video downlink (DL) compatibility so the pilot can see what his camera sees

DJI’s new damping design enhances footage still further. These special dampers fit between the frame and the bracket that accommodates the battery and gimbal. What this does is reduce the high-frequency vibrations by a significant amount. The result is even clearer sharper footage.

Transmitter Not Included!

There’s not a transmitter included with this product. This is a good thing because it gives more choice and flexibility to the user. Most pilots will choose the A2 flight controller for this craft. It will enhance the flying experience and reinforce reliability and stability in the air.

The A2 controller is as professional as the Octocopter. Operators can use it to get a DJI video downlink. It’s also compatible with iOSD. Another RC worth considering is the DJI WKM flight controller. The point is you have options. The extras you choose reflect personal preferences and meet unique demands.

Alas, there is a price to pay for the size, power, and payload of the DJI S1000 Spreading Wings. You only get 15 minutes of flight time per charge even in optimal conditions. As this is a serious flying robot, savvy operators will always have a couple of fully-charged spare batteries with them on a shoot.

The Conclusion

Prosumers and professionals choose an octocopter like the DJI S1000 Spreading Wings because they need it. They need its power, its reliability, its flexibility, and its guarantees.

There’s not a camera with this product, though. But then the whole point is to attach a camera of your choice to its gimbal and do your own thing.