How to choose a drone frame? The following points will help you make the best choice

1、Frame materials

The first thing to consider when choosing a drone frame is the material. The most common materials are carbon fiber, plastic, and aluminum. Carbon fiber is the strongest and lightest material, but also the most expensive and brittle. Plastic is the cheapest and most flexible material, but also the heaviest and weakest. Aluminum is a good compromise between carbon fiber and plastic, offering moderate strength, weight, and cost, but also prone to bending and corrosion.

2、Frame shapes

The next thing to consider is the shape of the frame. The most common shapes are quadcopter, hex copter, and octocopter. Quadcopter frames have four arms and motors, hex copter frames have six, and octocopter frames have eight. The more arms and motors you have, the more lift, stability, and redundancy you get, but also the more power, weight, and complexity you add. Quadcopter frames are the simplest and most popular shape, suitable for most beginners and hobbyists. Hex copter and octocopter frames are more advanced and expensive, suitable for professional and heavy-duty applications.

3、Frame sizes

The last thing to consider is the size of the frame. The size of the frame is measured by the distance between the motors, usually in millimeters. The smaller the frame, the faster, more agile, and more portable it is, but also the less stable, durable, and payload-capable it is. The larger the frame, the slower, more stable, and more robust it is, but also the more bulky, heavy, and power-hungry it is. The typical frame sizes range from 150mm to 800mm, depending on your purpose and preference.

4、Frame features

When buying a drone frame, besides the material, shape, and size, you may want to consider some additional features. Foldable arms, for instance, allow for easy storage and transport. Landing gear provides a stable base for taking off and landing, as well as protecting the camera and other components from damage. A camera mount allows you to attach a camera or gimbal to the frame for capturing aerial footage. Vibration dampeners reduce the vibration and noise of the motors and props, improving flight performance and video quality. Additionally, LED lights enhance the visibility and safety of your drone in low-light conditions.

5、Frame budget

Finally, you need to consider your budget when choosing a drone frame. The price of a drone frame can vary widely depending on the material, shape, size, and features of the frame. Generally, you can expect to pay more for a carbon fiber, hex copter, or octocopter frame than for a plastic, quadcopter, or foldable frame. However, you also need to factor in the cost of the other components that you need to complete your drone, such as the motors, props, ESCs, flight controller, battery, and receiver. A good rule of thumb is to allocate about 20% to 30% of your total budget for the frame.

6、Frame examples

If you're looking for a drone frame to fit your budget, here are some examples. For those on a low budget, the ZMR250 is a popular choice. This plastic quadcopter frame costs around $10 and has a size of 250mm, making it durable and easy to repair. For those with a moderate budget, the Tarot 650 is a great option. This aluminum quadcopter frame costs around $50 and has a size of 650mm, making it stable and foldable with a decent payload capacity. For those with a high budget, the DJI S900 is an excellent choice. This carbon fiber hex copter frame costs around $400 and has a size of 900mm, offering power and reliability with a high-end camera mount and landing gear.

If you need customized carbon fiber drone shell, or standard FPV carbon fiber frame, or various high-performance tubes, please contact technical support directly contact us via sophiashi@yoo-better.com;