6 Best Underwater Drones of 2019

#1 SilverLit Spy Cam Aqua Camera Submarine

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Editor’s Rating: 4.2/5

My Best Budget pick is the SilverLit Spy Cam Aqua Camera Submarine. It’s a 3-channel underwater camera sub that’s ideal for kids who are ready to move on from lifeless bath toys.

• Best feature 1: Built-in camera
• Best feature 2: Fully maneuverable
• Plus points: Easy to use, full water-resistant body, LED spotlights, detachable fish feeding tool
• Minus points: A little underpowered, only suitable for fish tanks and pools, price

The Spy Cam Aqua is a fantastic introduction to underwater filming for kids. This high-end toy guarantees to keep the brood entertained as few RC models can. The main appeal is for families who have a decent sized fish tank. All you do is submerge the Aqua in the water and take control from the dry outside. Youngsters can save their footage to a 256MB memory to enjoy later.

The Aqua floats as well. That means you can steer it like a boat before or after the underwater journey. It has full maneuverability too. This little craft dives, climbs, moves forward, backward, and turns left and right. The 1280 x 960 photos and 640 x 480 videos are more than adequate for a product in its class. The two front-facing LED spotlights add to the appeal of this yellow submarine.

The Not So Good

I found the SilverLit Spy Cam Aqua Camera Submarine a little underpowered at times. It’s something that could frustrate the older more impatient user. You must restrict the craft to fish tanks, bathtubs, and maybe the pool if you don’t try to go too deep. The price is also quite high for such a small toy. Still, it’s worth every penny if the kids get plenty of enjoyment out of it.

#2 ROBOSEA BIKI, RC Underwater Drone

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Editor’s Rating: 4.6/5

My Best Value model is another yellow underwater robot like the first pick, but that’s where the similarity ends. The ROBOSEA BIKI is a wireless RC sub drone that sports a 4K HD camera.

• Best feature 1: 4K HD Camera w/ 150° wide-angle lens
• Best feature 2: Suitable for pools, ponds, and lakes
• Plus points: Tail fin driven, lumen lights, 32GB memory, obstacle avoidance, GPS, auto-balance
• Minus points: Slow swimmer, built-in (non-removable) battery, price

Not only does the Biki thrive underwater, but it looks and swims like a fish too. Some call it a bionic underwater drone, but to me it’s simply Robofish—the swimming camera. There’s a lot to like with this underwater drone aside from its unique look. The high-quality 4k camera with 16MP stills capability is no small point. And the 150° wide-angle lens makes sure you capture plenty of footage.

You can steer and control it on the water’s surface using the IOS/Android app. To dive, though, you must use the controller underwater. This robotic fish is at home in pools, ponds, and lakes, and can reach depths of 196 feet (60 meters). The drone has a plastic tail drive that makes it more fish-like as it swims under the water. It’s a bit gimmicky, but it works great.

Biki’s 4K Camera Capability

The 4K Ultra HD camera is tiny, but don’t let the size fool you as the quality is superb. There are a camera stabilizer and underwater suspension to help keep the footage smooth. Being able to view the underwater world from a whole new perspective is a fantastic experience. This fabricated fish even has a couple of lumen lights that let you explore the darker areas under the waves.

Capture the Memories

Save those precious underwater experiences for future viewing and posterity. BIKI has a whopping 32GB storage capacity. That lets you save 2.2 hours of video and store an incredible 5,243 8MP photos or 4,000 at 16MP. Don’t worry about crashing or losing your plastic pet either. It has a built-in GPS connection, obstacle avoidance system, and an auto balance feature.

There are a few downsides to this ultra-silent, eco-friendly underwater vehicle though.

The Not So Good

BIKI takes its time and won’t rush for anyone. That’s a good thing in some ways as it preserves energy and thus prolongs battery life. You can expect anywhere between 90-120 minutes on a single charge. But the slow 1.12 mph maximum speed frustrates some users. It also means this pricey little fish won’t be able to out swim any underwater thieves who want to grab it.

Another downside to BIKI is the built-in rechargeable battery. Alas, it’s a necessary evil due to the special watertight design. The positive side is that the battery life is longer than most folks want to stay underwater. However, if the battery ever needs replacing it’s not something the user can do. The final gripe is the highish price tag, but then that’s relative to personal thoughts and usage.

#3 Power Vision PowerRay Wizard

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Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5

Power Vision PowerRay Wizard is a serious underwater drone designed for a niche market. The plethora of features are well-thought-out, and the intuitive controls make it easy to use.

• Best feature 1: 4K UHD Video, 1080P real-time streaming
• Best feature 2: 12MP Photos, 5fps burst mode
• Plus points: Fishes, Explores, Maps, hunts, studies, takes photos, and films, built to last
• Minus points: 4k shoots at slower 25fps, long battery charging time, built-in battery

The PowerVision PowerRay Wizard is a remotely operated underwater vehicle or ROV. It has a unique appeal for underwater enthusiasts. They include underwater photographers, videographer, and marine explores to name a few. No longer is the high-quality subaquatic world reserved to the privileged few. Okay, so this puppy’s not cheap, but it’s a bargain for anyone who can get enough use out of it.

Beneath the Surface with PowerRay

Heck, you don’t even have to get wet—unless you want to. The unique live streaming feature is something else. It’s accessible via any modern iOS or Android device. All you do is connect to the PowerRay’s live stream 30fps 1080P video for the ultimate immersive underwater experience. The 4K Ultra-HD camera captures incredible 12MP photos and records beautiful 3840 x 2160 video.

The PowerRay can also be an invaluable tool for anglers with its fish-finder and bait drop line. Underwater explorers can take the drone to places they wouldn’t have otherwise reached. It’s a bit like aerial drones in that sense. You can see the potential here for treasure hunters too.

Here’s a glimpse of what’s in the box of a new bundle:

• PowerRay vehicle w/ front-facing camera
• Base station
• Wireless transmitter/controller
• Batteries and battery charger
• 64GB memory card
• 1 x 210 ft. tether
• PowerSeeker Fishfinder & bait drop line
• 1 x pair of ZEISS VR ONE Plus Goggles (works will all modern smartphones)
• Smart purpose made wheeled carrying case

Power Vision’s PowerRay Wizard is a dream craft for budding amateurs who want to conquer the oceans. And it’s a valuable piece of quality kit for pros who need a capable underwater tool they can depend on. There are a couple of downsides though, even at this level.

The Not So Good

The 4K UHD video shoots at 25 frames per second (fps). That matters because higher frame rates result in smoother video. The lower resolution (Full HD) can shoot at 30–60 fps. I’d say only the most critical eyes would notice the slower frame rate though.

The battery takes around 2.5 hours to charge which then gives an average 30 minutes of operating time. That means you should plan your activities around running and charging times. You can’t swap batteries either because it’s built in for waterproofing purposes.

#4 ThorRobotics Mini Mariana RC Drone

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Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5

ThorRobotics’ Mini Mariana is a radio-controlled drone that appeals to a younger user. It’s expensive for a toy, but it’s a great intro and educational submarine for enthusiastic amateurs.

• Best feature 1: Twin brushless motors
• Best feature 2: HD 1280×1024 camera
• Plus points: RTR, LED lights, child protection, Wired or Wi-Fi, ISO/Android control
• Minus points: Limited user feedback, pricey toy

The Mini Mariana’s Quick Manual has simple illustrations that get you up and running in no time. I mention this first as many guides out of China have missing details or poor translations. Two brushless motors with vector propellers drive the sub and provide ample power. It swims well and takes underwater photos and video with a front-facing camera. The bright LED lights are a nice touch too.

Camera & Connection

The sub has First Person View (FPV) capability. That means you get to watch what the camera sees in real-time from the screen of a modern smartphone or tablet. You can save images and video to the internal memory card and view later via USB. ThorRobotics’ Sub-Mariner works with both Android and iOS operating systems. It has both wired and wireless control that some users will find useful.

Overall, it’s a nimble little Sub-Mariner with fish-like maneuverability. It does what it says on the box and no more. I like this product, but it’s not going to please everyone and here’s why:

The Not So Good

Some people like to be first when a new product comes out. Others want to see how a thing fares before they commit. What concerns me most about the Mariana is the lack of real user feedback. There are plenty of promotions with videos and colorful images, but very little buyer’s reaction. That’s not to say it’s not an excellent product—it just means it hasn’t stood the test of time.

Another downside is the high price—for a toy. It does have a lot of features, but it’s still a toy-grade model aimed at a younger clientele.

#5 Geneinno Poseidon I Underwater Drone

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Editor’s Rating: 4.4/5

The Geneinno Poseidon I is a prosumer level underwater drone made to dive. It can reach depths of 328 ft. (120M). It’s a smooth mover and boasts accurate navigation in all six directions.

• Best feature 1: 328 ft. (120M) working depth
• Best feature 2: 5 hours of running time (battery life)
• Plus points: Self-balance control system, durable build, portable, HD camera, live video feed
• Minus points: Little user feedback, price

The Poseidon I is smaller and lighter than some in its class. That’s a good thing as it uses less power and thus gives more running time. The long 5-hours operating time on a fully charged battery is just one of the surprises. The model comes with a choice of 164 ft. or 328 ft. tether. The tether coils around a rotating stand complete with a handle. That’s a real step up from a lot of underwater drones.

An underwater robot like this one has unlimited applications including:

• Educational purposes
• Aquaculture, also called aquafarming
• Exploration, including shipwrecks and treasure hunting
• Professional underwater inspections
• Fishing
• Ocean diving, photography and videography

The drone has a self-balance control system that keeps it steady and makes it super easy to handle. There are no qualms over the build quality either. Geneinno uses industrial-grade plastic and a tough rubber coating to protect the product, and it does a fantastic job. It’s portable too, small enough to travel on planes if you want to. It’s also TSA approved which is a bonus.

Filming with the Geneinno Poseidon I

The camera isn’t 4K but don’t worry. The Full HD 1080P model with its 120° wide-angle lens doesn’t disappoint. The 1080p video at 30fps and 1080p stills capture stunning footage. But it’s the live video feed via a smart device screen that holds the biggest attraction for a lot of users. The ability to see what the drone sees on its underwater exploits is what it’s all about.

The Not So Good

It’s always useful to get plenty of user feedback as it helps people make better buying decisions. Sadly—and partly due to the high price tag—there are few real user reviews. Those who do own one of these beauties seem more than happy with their purchase. For now, though, people have to buy based mainly on the maker’s sales pitch and gut instinct.

#6 EUDAX Mini RC Model Submarine for kids

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Editor’s Rating: 4/5

My final pick is the UDAX Mini RC Water Boat—an inexpensive toy RC submarine. It’s sure to give kids an excellent introduction to the underwater world. The model is ideal for fish tanks and shallow pools.

• Best feature 1: Fun and Educational for youngsters
• Best feature 2: Safe, 3-meter control distance
• Plus points: Easy to use, LED lights, choice of two colors, decent battery life (playing time)
• Minus points: Built-in battery, a little underpowered

It’s a mini RC model submarine for eight years and older, or younger kids under supervision. It’s only a toy but still manages to captivate young minds. You can look at it as an educational product. Steering the tiny vessel through water is sure to help develop a child’s hand-to-eye coordination and agility. We can say the same thing for a lot of hands-on toys, but that doesn’t make it any less useful—or fun.

The 3m control distance is ideal for pool use but be careful with the remote. The controller works fine, but I got the impression that it’s not well sealed. Just make sure the hands are always dry when using it, just in case. A couple of other nice touches are the LED lights and choice of two colors. The battery life is also impressive for a toy at around 15 minutes on a full charge. Charging takes only 30 minutes.

The Not So Good

This toy-grade mini-submarine model is for kids. It does everything it says on the box and nothing more. Most complaints—from what I’ve seen—come from those who had unrealistic expectations. The built-in battery means you must wait for recharging between playing. That’s because batteries must have proper sealing with all underwater models.

I found the EUDAX Mini RC Model Submarine a tad underpowered. The low power is something that older kids may get bored with sooner rather than later.