This is the easiest drone I've ever flown - and it's not even close

• The Hoverair X1 PROMAX stands out with an eye-catching, unconventional design that sets it apart from typical drones.
• One of its standout capabilities is 8K video recording, offering stunning resolution for high-quality footage.
• However, its battery life leaves much to be desired, limiting how long you can fly before needing a recharge.

I'll admit: before testing the HOVERAir X1 PROMAX, I definitely had trepidation about the device. Drones and quad-copters have lost their luster in my day-to-day life because of all of the FAA limits and red tape creators deal with to safely and legally fly their drones.

All thanks to the poor decisions made by consumers with drones that were not responsible in how they captured footage. This led to what I saw as subsequent drones being presented as toys in an effort to steer clear of FAA rules and regulations.

Build quality diminished, flight speed and capabilities were reduced in some cases. So when I saw the X1 Pro Max, my expectations were low. Spoiler alert, I was wrong. Very wrong.

The foldable drone is a mainstay in my travel kit, especially when I need quick footage of what's around me

The Hoverair X1 PROMAX drone is an enthusiast drone with professional capabilities built into a user-friendly package. This tiny, lightweight drone packs a small camera capable of recording video footage in up to 8K resolution. Although I highly recommend shooting in 4K resolution -- more on that shortly.

The X1 PROMAX also touts speeds of up to 36mph thanks to its lightweight, at 192 grams. This lightweight means there's no requirement to register the aircraft with the FAA. In many instances, consumer drones that don't require FAA registration are just toys. Sure, they'll have a camera on them, but there's no stabilization or HD footage.

The X1 PROMAX gives you plenty of features to keep up with the pro-grade drones. Including propeller guards and an intuitive foldable design for portability. And in 2025, you know AI will be implemented. With the X1 Pro Max, you're getting strong object tracking for "follow me" videos or other creative shots powered by AI. All at a price under $1000.

The core X1 PROMAX drone is pretty straightforward in build and design -- and quite frankly, a bit unassuming when you first put your eyes and hands on it. The build quality is plastic, but that helps with weight.

Its form factor is a small rectangle, no bigger than most smartphones today. But this small package offers a solid camera, obstacle avoidance, and AI that helps capture cinematic video footage.

Hands on the HOVERAir X1 Pro Max drone

My favorite feature is probably the auto-takeoff and auto-land feature. After powering up the aircraft and selecting your filming mode via your smartphone, you can hold the drone in your hand, and it will automatically and safely take off. 

For landing, just hold the palm of your hand six to eight inches below the drone, and it will gently land in your hand and shut down. Because of the pre-installed prop guards, there's no concern about getting cut by propellers. 

If you're a control freak like I am, you don't have to use fully automatic modes to enjoy the X1. You can also purchase the Beacon joystick accessory. This compact remote connects to the aircraft over Bluetooth pretty easily. The beacon even includes a small screen that allows you to see what the aircraft is recording with very low latency. 

The remote is not the most elegant design, but it's quite functional and feels comfortable during flight. Unlike most drones, the X1 PROMAX can record audio with your video footage. With the Beacon connected for flight, the audio goes through a noise-cancelling process, allowing you to record dialogue to accompany your video in real time. There is no need to add a voiceover in post.

The 8K resolution isn't great. It looks "processed" because, like most smartphones, you deal with pixel binning, which essentially mimics 8K. The 4K resolution looks much better and more natural. My next gripe with the X1 PROMAX is the battery life.

It's 2025, and I'd assume the lightweight drone would be able to allow for greater than 30 minutes of flight time. In my experience, I've gotten roughly 17 minutes of flight time. Other than the battery life and 8K, I can't offer much more criticism.

The X1 PROMAX drone is an unbelievable value for creators looking to have drone footage in their projects for vlogging, real estate, action sports such as trail riding or skiing, or other creative storytelling projects. The motion tracking AI is really great and allows for creating some strong clips with various heights, not just eye-level footage.

The X1 PROMAX is available online starting at $699, but Hoverair offers several accessory bundles, including additional batteries and a charging hub -- all under $1,500. At that price, it's a great value for professionals and casual users.

The original source from: https://www.zdnet.com/article/this-is-the-easiest-drone-ive-ever-flown-and-its-not-even-close/