Discover the Perfect Fit: X1, X1 PRO, X1 PROMAX & AQUA? We've Got You Covered!

Looking for a HOVERAir camera? This comparison covers the X1 Smart, X1, X1 PRO, X1 PROMAX, and the all-new AQUA.

Updated

 

 

Looking for a HOVERAir camera? This comparison covers the X1 Smart, X1, X1 PRO, X1 PROMAX, and the all-new AQUA.
We’ll walk you through the key specs, features, and differences – so you can easily find the best model for your needs.

 

Feature
X1 Smart (Only Available in JP/UK/KR/HK)
X1
X1 PRO
X1 PROMAX
AQUA
Positioning
Ultra‑light point‑and‑shoot
Versatile point-and-shoot device
Ideal for action-packed adventures
Perfect for ultimate photography experiences
Water-native self-flying camera for aquatic adventures
Price
– (region‑only)
from $299/329€
from $499/549€
from $699/759€
from $999/€1624
Weight
99g
125 g
192 g
192 g
249 g
Dimensions (L×W×H)
Unfolded only: 142×114×27 mm
Not foldable
Folded: 86×127×31 mm<br>Unfolded: 145×127×30 mm
Folded: 105×149×34 mm<br>Unfolded: 173×149×39 mm
Folded: 105×149×34 mm<br>Unfolded: 173×149×39 mm
202×206×64 mm
Not foldable
💧 Waterproof Rating
—
—
—
—
IP67 (fully waterproof, buoyant, takes off/lands on water)
🌊 Buoyancy
—
—
—
—
Positive – floats, self‑rights
📍 RTK Positioning
—
—
—
—
Yes (via Lighthouse) – cm‑level precision
Lighthouse Controller
—
—
—
—
Included – 100 m range, IPX7, 5h battery, VirtualTether auto‑recall
Video Resolution
2.7K@30fps
1080p@60fps
1080p@30fps HDR
Vertical 1080p
2.7K@30fps
1080p@60fps
1080p@30fps HDR
Vertical 1080p
4K@60fps
1080p@120fps
Vertical 2.7K@60fps
8K@30fps
4K@120fps
10‑bit HLG vertical & HDR
Horizontal: 4K@100fps（Slow-mo）, 4K@60FPS（Default）
1080p@100fps
Vertical: 4K@30fps, 2.7K@60fps
Slow Motion
1080p@60fps
1080p@60fps
1080p@120fps
4K@120fps，1080p@120fps
4K@100fps, 1080p@100fps
Photo Resolution
12MP
12MP
12MP
12MP / 48MP
12MP (4000×3000)
Image Sensor
Sony IMX476
1/2.7'' CMOS
1/2″ CMOS
1/1.3″ CMOS
1/1.28″ CMOS
FOV
90°
90°
104°
107°
95° (24mm equiv.)
Battery
690 mAh
1050 mAh
1920 mAh Smart / Thermo
1920 mAh Smart / Thermo
2013 mAh (21.62 Wh), 89g
Max Flight Time
10min
11.5 min
16 min
16 min
23 min
Max Horizontal Speed
25 km/h (auto‑follow)
25 km/h (auto‑follow)
42 km/h
42 km/h
55 km/h (34 mph)
Max Ascent / Descent
1.5 m/s
1.5 m/s
—
—
10.8 km/h (6.7 mph)
Wind Resistance
Level 4 (7.9 m/s)
Level 4 (7.9 m/s)
Level 5 (10.7 m/s)
Level 5 (10.7 m/s)
Level 7 (up to 33 knots / 18.3 m/s)
Max Takeoff Altitude
5000 m
5000 m
5500 m
5500 m
5500 m
Max Flight Height
15 m
15 m
—
—
120 m (394 ft)
Transmission Range
App: up to 50 m
App: up to 50 m
App: 500 m / Beacon: 1 km
App: 500 m / Beacon: 1 km
Lighthouse: up to 100 m
Video Bitrate
32 Mbps
32 Mbps
100 Mbps
160 Mbps
160 Mbps
Internal Storage
32 GB
32 GB
32 GB + microSD up to 1TB
64 GB + microSD up to 1TB
128 GB UFS 2.2 (no SD card)
Video Stabilization
Single‑axis gimbal + EIS
 
Mechanical (pitch axis) +EIS
 
SmoothCapture 2.0
2‑axis + EIS
SmoothCapture 2.0
2‑axis + EIS
SmoothCapture 3.0
1‑axis gimbal + EIS + horizon leveling
Gimbal Controllable Range
-90° ~ 15°
-90° ~ 15°
-90°~15°
 
-90°~15°
-90° to 30°
Collision Detection
Downward only
Downward only
Rear active + proximity
Vision + proximity rear
No obstacle avoidance (water‑optimized)
OmniTerrain
—
—
Available
Available
Available
Special Flight Modes
HOVERAir has three flight modes: Basic, Skilled and AQUA-exclusive Water Mode. Basic suits beginners; Skilled unlocks automatically via accumulated flights for advanced controls.
13 modes
 
Basic: 
Hover, 
Zoom out, Follow, Orbit, 
Bird’s eye
 
Skilled: Snapshot, Manual control, Dolly track, Angle track, Indoor
follow, 
360° Spin
 
Advanced:
Smart control
13 modes
 
Basic: Hover, Zoom out, Follow, Orbit, 
Bird’s eye
 
Skilled: Snapshot, Manual control, Dolly track, Angle track, Indoor follow, 
360° Spin
 
Advanced:
Smart control
15 modes
 
Basic: Hover, Zoom out, Follow, Orbit, Bird’s eye
 
Skilled: 
Snapshot, Manual Control, Dolly track, Angle track, Dolly zoom, 
Ski Mode, 
360° Spin, Spiral, 
Cycling Mode
Indoor follow
 
15 modes
 
Basic: Hover, Zoom out, Follow, Orbit, Bird’s eye
 
Skilled: 
Snapshot, Manual Control, Dolly track, Angle track, Dolly zoom, 
Ski Mode, 
360° Spin, Spiral, 
Cycling Mode
Indoor follow
 
14 modes 
 
Basic: Hover, Zoom out, Follow, Orbit, Bird’s eye
 
Skilled: Manual Control, Dolly track, Angle track, ,360° Spin, Spiral, Orbit Follow
 
Watermode: Kayak Mode,
SUP Mode,
Foil Mode
Companion Devices
Beacon+Joystick, Charging
Hub, 
18Wadapter
Beacon+Joystick, Charging Hub, 
18Wadapter， ComboCase
 
Beacon+Joystick, Power Case, Thermo Battery, 65W adapter, ND filters, HandleBar Mount, 
Carry Bag, Combo Case
Beacon+Joystick, Power Case, Thermo Battery, 65W adapter, ND filters, HandleBar Mount, Carry Bag, Combo Case
Lighthouse (wearable), Beacon+Joystick, waterproof battery bag, Charging Hub, WetSuit
 
Note on RTK & Lighthouse: The AQUA uses Real‑Time Kinematic (RTK) positioning via the included Lighthouse wearable. Lighthouse provides cm‑level GNSS accuracy (GPS+Galileo+BeiDou+GLONASS) and enables functions like VirtualTether (auto‑recall if you move too far), Co‑Pilot (direction adjustment), and reliable water‑surface tracking. Without Lighthouse, AQUA relies on standard GNSS + VIO. The Lighthouse itself is IPX7 waterproof and positively buoyant – it can float if dropped in water.
 
Note on Tracking Technology: The HOVERAir X1 series uses advanced face and body recognition to track human subjects. This means it won’t be able to follow if a person isn’t clearly visible (for example, inside a vehicle).
 

## Find the Best Camera for You — Take Our Quiz

Choosing between X1, X1 PRO, X1 PROMAX, and AQUA? We've made it easy. Answer a few quick questions about how and where you fly, and we'll match you with the HOVERAir that fits your style and budget.

👉 Take the quiz → hoverair.com/pages/specs-comparison

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💡 Tip: AQUA is not currently available for purchase in the United States.

Dive into the Details

Weight & Size
The X1 Smart is the absolute featherweight at 99 grams. It does not fold – its unfolded dimensions are 142×114×27 mm. This makes it even lighter and smaller than the standard X1, but you lose foldability.
 
The X1 is the lightweight champ at just 125 grams. It folds down to 86×127×31 mm and opens to 145×127×30 mm – perfect for tossing in a bag.
 
The X1 PRO and X1 PROMAX are a bit heftier at 191.5 g and 192.5 g, but they're still travel‑friendly. Both fold to 105×149×34 mm and unfold to 173×149×39 mm.
 
The AQUA weighs 249 g and measures 202×206×64 mm. It doesn't fold – the sealed, buoyant body is built for water.
 
If portability is king, the X1 Smart is the lightest, but the X1 folds smaller. For water, only AQUA works.

 

Video Resolution & Slow‑Motion
  • X1 Smart & X1: Both shoot 2.7K@30fps (X1 Smart: 2904×1520, X1: 2704×1520), 1080p@60fps, and 1080p HDR. Slow‑motion: 1080p@60fps. Vertical video: 1080p.
     
  • X1 PRO: 4K@60fps, 1080p@120fps, vertical 2.7K@60fps.
     
  • X1 PROMAX: 8K@30fps, 10‑bit HLG HDR – perfect for pro grading.
Slow‑motion lovers get 1080p@60fps (X1), 1080p@120fps (X1 PRO), and buttery 4K@120fps (X1 PROMAX).
  • AQUA: Horizontal 4K up to 100fps, vertical 4K@30fps, 10‑bit H‑Log/HLG, 4K slow‑motion at 100fps.
The X1 Smart and X1 are great for casual vlogging; the PRO and PROMAX for action and pro work; the AQUA for high‑frame‑rate water sports.

 

Battery Life & Field of View

  • X1 Smart: 690 mAh battery → 10 min flight time (hover: 9.5 min)
     
  • X1: 1050 mAh → 11.5 min flight
     
  • X1 PRO / PROMAX: 1920 mAh → 16 min
     
  • AQUA: 2013 mAh → 23 min (longest)
When it comes to field of view:
  • X1 Smart / X1: 90°
     
  • X1 PRO: 104°
     
  • X1 PROMAX: 107° (widest)
     
  • AQUA: 95° (24mm equivalent) – narrower, but paired with a hydrophobic lens and self‑heating anti‑fog for clear water shots.
     

Video Stabilization & Collision Detection

  • X1 Smart / X1: SmoothCapture 1.0 (1‑axis gimbal + EIS), downward‑only sensing.
     
  • X1 PRO / PROMAX: SmoothCapture 2.0 (dual‑axis gimbal + EIS), rear active collision detection (PRO: proximity; PROMAX: vision+proximity).
     
  • AQUA: SmoothCapture 3.0 (1‑axis gimbal + EIS + horizon leveling) with downward VIO + millimeter‑wave radar – no obstacle avoidance, but can detect water surface from 5 cm.
For collision avoidance, the PRO/PROMAX offer rear detection; the AQUA relies on open‑water design.

A Note on Obstacle Avoidance
You might notice that the X1 PRO and X1 PROMAX don’t have forward‑facing obstacle avoidance sensors. That’s by design.

Our goal is to give you the smoothest, most responsive following experience possible. Traditional obstacle avoidance systems have limitations—like detection speed, distance lag, and trouble with certain textures—that can get in the way of close‑range, high‑speed following. They can even make it tricky to follow through narrow paths and may affect overall tracking performance and video smoothness.

In situations where obstacle avoidance works well, our advanced Backside Following Technology already delivers a similar—or even lower—collision rate. We’re always exploring new technologies, and when a solution meets our high standards for performance and reliability, we’ll bring it to future products.

So, what do the current sensors do?

  • Rear vision sensor + TOF module: helps with rear collision detection
  • Bottom VIO module: handles positioning
  • Bottom TOF sensor: keeps track of ground height and helps maintain minimum altitude

In practice, the X1 PRO (with TOF proximity sensors) supports obstacle avoidance at speeds up to 1.5 m/s, while the X1 PROMAX (with TOF and vision sensors) can handle it at speeds up to 3 m/s. All of this works quietly in the background, so you can focus on getting that perfect shot.

 

OmniTerrain & Auto‑Follow Speed

Both the X1 PRO and X1 PROMAX and AQUA come with OmniTerrain for varied environments.
Max auto‑follow speeds:
  • X1 Smart / X1: 25 km/h (16 mph)
  • X1 PRO / PROMAX: 42 km/h (26 mph)
  • AQUA: 55 km/h (34 mph) – the fastest tracker, perfect for wakeboarding, jet skis, and fast boats.
If you need mixed terrain (grass, gravel, snow), the PRO/PROMAX win. For pure speed over water, AQUA leads.
 
 

Flight Time & Wind Resistance

  • X1 Smart 10 min/ Level 4 wind (7.9 m/s)
  • X1: 11.5 min / Level 4 wind (7.9 m/s)
  • X1 PRO / PROMAX: 16 min / Level 5 (10.7 m/s)
  • AQUA: 23 min / Level 7 (up to 33 knots / 18.3 m/s / 61 km/h)
The AQUA’s wind resistance is a huge leap – it can handle strong sea breezes that would ground the others
 

Transmission Range & Video Bitrate

  • X1 Smart / X1: App up to 50 m, bitrate 32 Mbps
  • X1 PRO / PROMAX: App up to 500 m, Beacon up to 1 km, bitrate 100 Mbps (PRO) / 160 Mbps (PROMAX)
  • AQUA: With the included Lighthouse wearable, control range is up to 100 m; without Lighthouse, phone range is ~50 m. Bitrate: 160 Mbps (same as PROMAX).
👉 Why is the shorter range on AQUA? It’s optimized for close‑range water sports where you’re never 500 m away from your drone. The Lighthouse provides reliable connection even with waves and reflections.
 

Storage & Accessories

  • X1: 32 GB built‑in
  • X1 PRO: 32 GB + microSD up to 1 TB
  • X1 PROMAX: 64 GB + microSD up to 1 TB
  • AQUA: 128 GB UFS 2.2 – no microSD slot. Enough for ~1 hour of 4K@100fps H.265 footage.
Accessories:
  • X1 Smart：Beacon+Joystick, Charging Hub, 18W adapter
  • X1: Beacon+Joystick,Charging Hub, 18W adapter, Combo Case,Beacon+Joystick
  • X1 PRO / PROMAX: Beacon+Joystick, Power Case, Thermo Smart Battery, 65W adapter, ND filters, HandleBar Mount, Carry Bag, Combo Case
  • AQUA: Lighthouse (wearable controller, IPX7, buoyant), waterproof battery bag, Charging Hub (supports dual‑battery parallel charging)

 

So, Which One Is for You? (Final recap)

  • X1 Smart – Ultra‑light, non‑foldable, great for Japan/UK/Korea/HK users who want the lightest carry.
  • X1 – Ultra‑light, simple, everyday adventures, best portability.
  • X1 PRO – Balanced performance, action‑ready, higher speeds.
  • X1 PROMAX – Flagship for highest resolution (8K), pro color, and best slow‑mo.
  • AQUA – The water specialist. If you paddleboard, kayak, surf, jet ski, sail, or love the water – AQUA’s IP67 waterproofing, buoyancy, RTK+Lighthouse precision, 23‑min flight, 55 km/h follow speed, and water‑optimized modes make it the only drone that truly belongs over (and on) the water.

We hope this friendly comparison helps you find the perfect flying camera for your journey. Happy flying!