Holy Stone HS161 Review | 95 Data compared

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  • Avg. price in UK: ~£70
  • Avg. price in US: ~$80
  • Max flight time: 10 min
  • Video resolution: 1080p/30 fps
  • Max transmission distance: 0.1 km

Holy Stone HS161 review. Compare 95 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among drones and if it is worth buying.

4.7

Overall score

What it is: An overall evaluation of the drone's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.

When it matters: When you need a quick reference to identify the best drones on the market.

Score components:

90.0%

4.7

Technical Score

10.0%

?

User score

Poor
4.7

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the drone's technical performance, covering key areas such as flight performance, camera quality, transmission, safety features, battery life, and design.

When it matters: When you want to compare drones based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

26.0%

4.1

Flight

24.0%

5.1

Camera

20.0%

3.7

Safety

16.0%

5.5

Connectivity

14.0%

5.8

Battery & Design

Poor
?

User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the drone.

When it matters: When you want to know how a drone performs in real flights and how reliable it is for stability, video capture, and controls according to user feedback.

Score components:

70.0%

?

User reviews

30.0%

?

Popularity

    • No image
    No image

    Best prices in UK

      N/A~ £70

    Best rankings

    ?

    Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
    All: ranking among all products in the database.

    Verdict

    The Holy Stone HS161 is a versatile, lightweight (127g) foldable drone designed for portability and multi-functionality, doubling as a 1080P handheld camera, a 1000mAh emergency power bank, and a built-in LED flashlight. It features a 1080P FHD camera with a 60° manually adjustable angle and utilizes optical flow positioning for stable hovering without GPS. Key pros include its unique '4-in-1' design, ease of use for beginners with one-key takeoff/landing, and the inclusion of a micro SD card slot for local recording. However, it lacks GPS for advanced return-to-home functions, has a relatively short flight time of approximately 8–10 minutes per battery, and its brushed motors struggle significantly in windy conditions.

    Technical Specifications of drone Holy Stone HS161

    Technical Score

    What it is: An assessment of the drone's technical performance, covering key areas such as flight performance, camera quality, transmission, safety features, battery life, and design.

    When it matters: When you want to compare drones based on technical performance and available features.

    Score components:

    26.0%

    ?

    Flight

    24.0%

    ?

    Camera

    20.0%

    ?

    Safety

    16.0%

    ?

    Connectivity

    14.0%

    ?

    Battery & Design

    4.7
    Holy Stone HS161 has a technical score of 4.71 points, which is lower than that of 93.5% of products in this category.
    User score

    What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the drone.

    When it matters: When you want to know how a drone performs in real flights and how reliable it is for stability, video capture, and controls according to user feedback.

    Score components:

    70.0%

    0.0

    User reviews

    30.0%

    1.0

    Popularity

    ?
    Popularity
    What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the drone.
    When it matters: When you prefer to choose a drone reviewed and selected by many other buyers.
    1.0
    Holy Stone HS161 has a popularity of 1 points, which is lower than 57.8% of products in this category.
    Ratio quality/price

    What it is: An indicator that combines the drone's overall rating with its cost.

    When it matters: When you are looking for a drone with a good balance between flight quality, camera features, and price.

    Score components:

    60.0%

    4.7

    Overall score

    40.0%

    10

    Price

    6.3
    Holy Stone HS161 has a quality-to-price ratio of 6.3 points, which is lower than 83.1% of products in this category.
    Brand name
    What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.
    When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Holy Stone
    Max flight time
    What it is: The quoted endurance shows how long the drone can stay airborne on one battery in ideal conditions.
    When it matters: When you want longer flights from each battery.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >=30

    10 min
    Holy Stone HS161 has a max flight time of 10 min, shorter than 88.7% of drones and equal to 6.7%.
    Max flight distance
    What it is: The range figure indicates how far the drone can travel while maintaining control and telemetry.
    When it matters: When you plan longer routes and want more range margin.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >=10

    0.1 km
    Holy Stone HS161 has a max flight distance of 0.1 km, shorter-range than 82.2% of drones and equal to 7.5%.
    Max flight speed
    What it is: The maximum horizontal speed defines how quickly the drone can move across a scene.
    When it matters: When you want quicker movement or smoother tracking of fast subjects.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=50

    6.26 km/h
    Holy Stone HS161 has a max flight speed of 6.26 km/h, slower than 85.4% of drones and equal to 0.8%.
    Max wind resistance
    What it is: The wind resistance rating shows how much wind speed the drone can handle while staying controllable.
    When it matters: When you fly in windy conditions.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >=10.5

    ?
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    Video resolution
    What it is: Shows the highest recording resolution and supported frame-rate combinations for video capture.
    When it matters: When you want more room for cropping, downsampling, or delivering sharper footage.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: 4K+

    1080p/30 fps
    Holy Stone HS161 records video at 1080p/30 fps, lower than 67.1% of drones and equal to 8.1%.
    4K camera
    What it is: Confirms support for recording video at 4K resolution or higher.
    When it matters: When you want sharper footage, more cropping room, or delivery above Full HD.

    Importance: LOW

    no
    Holy Stone HS161 lacks 4K video support, while 65.2% of drones support it.
    Sensor size
    What it is: The sensor format value describes the physical light-collecting area.
    When it matters: When you shoot in more difficult lighting.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: 1 inch or larger

    ?
    Main camera megapixels
    What it is: The megapixel count states how many millions of pixels the main sensor captures per photo.
    When it matters: When you want more detail for photos or cropping.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=12

    2 MP
    Holy Stone HS161 has a main camera resolution of 2 MP, lower than 85.3% of drones and equal to 14%.
    Max movie bitrate
    What it is: Shows how much video data is recorded each second, usually in Mbps.
    When it matters: When you want cleaner detail retention and fewer compression artifacts in demanding footage.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=100

    ?
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    Obstacle detection
    What it is: Uses onboard sensors to spot obstacles and warn the pilot or help avoid collisions automatically.
    When it matters: When you fly near trees, facades, cables, or other obstacles that leave little room for error.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: Omnidirectional

    no
    Holy Stone HS161 lacks obstacle detection, while 34% of drones offer it.
    Return to Home (RTH)
    What it is: Can fly back toward the takeoff point or a safe home point automatically when triggered.
    When it matters: When signal loss, low battery, or disorientation could make manual recovery harder.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: Smart RTH

    no
    Holy Stone HS161 lacks return-to-home (RTH), while 74.5% of drones provide it.
    GPS
    What it is: Uses satellite positioning to help the drone understand its location and stabilize navigation.
    When it matters: When you want steadier hovering, more accurate return-to-home behavior, and cleaner position hold.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    no
    Holy Stone HS161 lacks GPS, while 70.4% of drones offer GPS navigation.
    GNSS systems supported
    What it is: Lists which satellite navigation constellations the drone can use, such as GPS, Galileo, or GLONASS.
    When it matters: When stronger satellite coverage and more robust positioning matter in difficult environments.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: GPS+Galileo+GLONASS

    ?
    Obstacle sensing directions
    What it is: The listed sensing coverage shows which directions the drone can monitor for obstacles.
    When it matters: When you fly near trees, buildings, or other obstacles.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: Omnidirectional

    N/A
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    Max transmission distance
    What it is: The maximum transmission distance indicates the farthest stable control-and-video link under ideal conditions.
    When it matters: When you plan longer routes and want more range margin.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >=10

    0.1 km
    Holy Stone HS161 has a max transmission distance of 0.1 km, shorter-range than 77.8% of drones and equal to 7.2%.
    Value reflects maximum control/transmission range; FPV video range can be lower.
    Transmission latency
    What it is: The transmission latency measures delay between camera capture, pilot view, and control response.
    When it matters: When you want the live view to feel more responsive.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: <=130

    ?
    Video transmission system
    What it is: Names the radio-link technology used to send live video and telemetry between the drone and controller.
    When it matters: When transmission stability, range behavior, and live-view quality matter during flight.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: Digital low-latency

    Wi-Fi
    Holy Stone HS161 uses Wi-Fi for video transmission, which is more advanced than that of 1.3% of drones and the same as that of 49.7% of drones.
    Live view quality
    What it is: Defines the resolution and frame rate of the pilot’s live video feed rather than the recorded file itself.
    When it matters: When you need a clearer, smoother view for framing shots and flying accurately in real time.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: 1080p+

    720p@30 fps
    Holy Stone HS161 offers live view quality of 720p@30 fps, lower-quality than 60.3% of drones and equal to 28.1%.
    Remote control
    What it is: Shows whether a dedicated handheld controller is included or officially supported.
    When it matters: When precise sticks, longer range, and a more stable pilot setup matter more than phone-only control.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: Dedicated controller

    yes
    Holy Stone HS161 includes a remote control, and 96.1% of drones ship with one.
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    Battery capacity
    What it is: The battery capacity shows how much electric charge the pack can store, commonly in mAh.
    When it matters: When you want longer sessions before changing batteries.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >=3500

    1,000 mAh
    Holy Stone HS161 has a battery capacity of 1000 mAh, smaller than 85% of drones and equal to 3.9%.
    Battery energy
    What it is: The battery energy figure, usually in Wh, describes total available energy in the pack.
    When it matters: When you want longer sessions before changing batteries.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: >=40

    3.7 Wh
    Holy Stone HS161 has battery energy of 3.7 Wh, lower than 90% of drones and equal to 2.7%.
    Charging time
    What it is: The charging time measures how long a depleted battery needs to reach full charge.
    When it matters: When you want shorter turnaround between flights.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: <=90

    110 min
    Holy Stone HS161 charges in 110 min, slower than 61.5% of drones and equal to 2%.
    Weight
    What it is: The measured mass of the drone body and flight hardware, usually in grams.
    When it matters: When you want the drone to be easier to carry or pack.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: <=900

    129 g
    Holy Stone HS161 weighs 129 g, lighter than 83.3% of drones and equal to 0%.
    Removable battery
    What it is: Lets the flight battery be removed and replaced by the user instead of being built in permanently.
    When it matters: When you want to swap packs quickly and keep flying without waiting for a recharge.

    Importance: LOW

    yes
    Holy Stone HS161 has a removable battery, and 99.4% of drones include one.
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    Holy Stone HS161 vs the average drone

    • TapFly supported
      Holy Stone HS161 supports TapFly, while the average drone does not.
      TapFly listed in normalized intelligent flight modes.
      What it is: Lets the drone fly toward a tapped point on screen with minimal manual stick input.
      When it matters: When you want cleaner straight-line moves while focusing more on composition than steering.

      Importance: MEDIUM

      Good value: TapFly available

      Holy Stone HS161 supports TapFly, while the average drone does not.
    • 48.2% lighter weight
      Holy Stone HS161 is lighter than the average drone (129 g vs 249 g). The average drone weighs 249 g.
      What it is: The measured mass of the drone body and flight hardware, usually in grams.
      When it matters: When you want the drone to be easier to carry or pack.

      Importance: LOW

      Good value: <=900

      Holy Stone HS161 is lighter than the average drone (129 g vs 249 g). The average drone weighs 249 g.129 g vs 249 g
    • 30 ° wider field of view
      Holy Stone HS161 has a wider field of view than the average drone (120 ° vs 90 °). The average drone has a field of view of 90 °.
      What it is: The field-of-view angle shows how wide the camera can capture in one frame.
      When it matters: When you want a wider or tighter look from the camera.

      Importance: MEDIUM

      Good value: 75-90

      Holy Stone HS161 has a wider field of view than the average drone (120 ° vs 90 °). The average drone has a field of view of 90 °.120 ° vs 90 °
    • 37 mm more compact height
      Holy Stone HS161 has a lower height than the average drone (32 mm vs 69 mm). The average drone height is 69 mm.
      Folded height listed as about 32 mm.
      What it is: The physical height describes the drone's vertical size: the third H value in its Length x Width x Height (L x W x H) dimensions set.
      When it matters: When you care about overall size, packing clearance, or how tall the drone sits in storage or transport.

      Importance: LOW

      Good value: <=120

      Holy Stone HS161 has a lower height than the average drone (32 mm vs 69 mm). The average drone height is 69 mm.32 mm vs 69 mm
    • 4 x higher digital zoom
      Holy Stone HS161 offers more digital zoom than the average drone (8 x vs 4 x). The average drone offers 4 x of digital zoom.
      What it is: The digital zoom ratio states how much the image can be magnified electronically.
      When it matters: When you want a closer view without flying nearer.

      Importance: LOW

      Good value: >=4

      Holy Stone HS161 offers more digital zoom than the average drone (8 x vs 4 x). The average drone offers 4 x of digital zoom.8 x vs 4 x
    • Supports headless mode
      Holy Stone HS161 supports headless mode, while the average drone does not.
      What it is: Keeps directional controls relative to the pilot rather than the drone’s nose direction.
      When it matters: When you want simpler directional control while learning or flying at a distance.

      Importance: LOW

      Holy Stone HS161 supports headless mode, while the average drone does not.
    • 3.57x cheaper
      Holy Stone HS161 is cheaper than the average drone (£70 vs £250).
      Holy Stone HS161 is cheaper than the average drone (£70 vs £250).£70 vs £250
    • 30 ° wider field of view
      Holy Stone HS161 has a wider field of view than the average drone (120 ° vs 90 °). The average drone has a field of view of 90 °.
    • 4 x higher digital zoom
      Holy Stone HS161 offers more digital zoom than the average drone (8 x vs 4 x). The average drone offers 4 x of digital zoom.
    • TapFly supported
      Holy Stone HS161 supports TapFly, while the average drone does not.
    • Supports headless mode
      Holy Stone HS161 supports headless mode, while the average drone does not.
    • 48.2% lighter weight
      Holy Stone HS161 is lighter than the average drone (129 g vs 249 g). The average drone weighs 249 g.
    • 37 mm more compact height
      Holy Stone HS161 has a lower height than the average drone (32 mm vs 69 mm). The average drone height is 69 mm.
    • 9.74 km/h slower flight speed
      Holy Stone HS161 reaches a lower max flight speed than the average drone (6.3 km/h vs 16 km/h). The average drone reaches 16 km/h.
    • 13 min shorter flight time
      Holy Stone HS161 offers shorter max flight time than the average drone (10 min vs 23 min). The average drone offers 23 min of max flight time.
    • 3,900 m lower max service ceiling
      Holy Stone HS161 can fly at a lower max service ceiling than the average drone (100 m vs 4,000 m). The average drone reaches 4,000 m.
      Stored as AGL/software altitude limit fallback.
    • 1.9 km shorter flight distance
      Holy Stone HS161 has a shorter max flight distance than the average drone (0.1 km vs 2 km). The average drone can fly up to 2 km.
    • Less advanced motor type
      Holy Stone HS161 uses brushed motors, while the average drone uses brushless.
    • Lower video resolution
      Holy Stone HS161 supports lower video resolution than the average drone (1080p/30 fps vs 4K/100 fps). The average drone supports 4K/100 fps video resolution.
    • Fewer photo format options
      Holy Stone HS161 supports JPEG photo formats, while the average drone supports JPEG, DNG (RAW).
    • 1 axis lower gimbal axes
      Holy Stone HS161 has fewer gimbal axes than the average drone (0 axis vs 1 axis). The average drone has 1 axis gimbal axes.
    • Lower photo resolution
      Holy Stone HS161 supports lower photo resolution than the average drone (1920x1080 MP vs 4000x3000 MP). The average drone supports 4000x3000 MP photo resolution.
    • 10 MP lower main camera megapixels
      Holy Stone HS161 has fewer main camera megapixels than the average drone (2 MP vs 12 MP). The average drone has 12 MP MP on the main camera.
    • No 4K video
      Holy Stone HS161 does not support 4K video, while the average drone does.
    • No return-to-home
      Holy Stone HS161 does not include return-to-home (RTH), while the average drone does.
    • No GPS
      Holy Stone HS161 does not have GPS, while the average drone does.
    • No waypoint flight
      Holy Stone HS161 does not support waypoint flight, while the average drone does.
    • No subject tracking
      Holy Stone HS161 cannot track subjects, while the average drone can.
    • No POI mode
      Holy Stone HS161 does not support POI mode, while the average drone does.
    • 3 fewer flight modes
      Holy Stone HS161 has a lower n. of intelligent flight modes than the average drone (1 vs 4). The average drone value is 4.
      TapFly
    • No beginner mode
      Holy Stone HS161 does not include beginner mode, while the average drone does.
    • 48.2% heavier weight
      Holy Stone HS161 has a higher max takeoff weight than the average drone (129 g vs 249 g). The average drone has a max takeoff weight of 249 g.
    • Fewer frequency bands
      Holy Stone HS161 supports 2.4 GHz operating frequency bands, while the average drone supports 2.4 GHz, 5.8 GHz.
    • Lower live view quality
      Holy Stone HS161 has worse live view quality than the average drone (720p@30 fps vs 1080p@25 fps). The average drone offers live view quality of 1080p@25 fps.
    • 1.41 km shorter transmission distance
      Holy Stone HS161 has a shorter max transmission distance than the average drone (0.1 km vs 1.507 km). The average drone reaches 1.507 km of transmission distance.
      Value reflects maximum control/transmission range; FPV video range can be lower.
    • Basic companion app
      Holy Stone HS161 uses the HS Easy Fly companion app, while the average drone uses FreeFlight Pro.
    • 1,230 mAh lower battery capacity
      Holy Stone HS161 has a smaller battery capacity than the average drone (1,000 mAh vs 2,230 mAh). The average drone battery has a capacity of 2,230 mAh.
    • 13.62 Wh lower battery energy
      Holy Stone HS161 has lower battery energy than the average drone (3.7 Wh vs 17.32 Wh). The average drone battery has 17.32 Wh of energy.
    • 20 min longer charging time
      Holy Stone HS161 charges more slowly than the average drone (110 min vs 90 min). The average drone charges in 90 min.
    • 3 years older release date
      Holy Stone HS161 is older than the average drone (2,018 vs 2,021). The average drone was released in 2,021.
      December 2018
    • Lower video resolution
      Holy Stone HS161 supports lower video resolution than the average drone (1080p/30 fps vs 4K/100 fps). The average drone supports 4K/100 fps video resolution.
      What it is: Shows the highest recording resolution and supported frame-rate combinations for video capture.
      When it matters: When you want more room for cropping, downsampling, or delivering sharper footage.

      Importance: MEDIUM

      Good value: 4K+

      Holy Stone HS161 supports lower video resolution than the average drone (1080p/30 fps vs 4K/100 fps). The average drone supports 4K/100 fps video resolution.1080p/30 fps vs 4K/100 fps
    • 9.74 km/h slower flight speed
      Holy Stone HS161 reaches a lower max flight speed than the average drone (6.3 km/h vs 16 km/h). The average drone reaches 16 km/h.
      What it is: The maximum horizontal speed defines how quickly the drone can move across a scene.
      When it matters: When you want quicker movement or smoother tracking of fast subjects.

      Importance: MEDIUM

      Good value: >=50

      Holy Stone HS161 reaches a lower max flight speed than the average drone (6.3 km/h vs 16 km/h). The average drone reaches 16 km/h.6.26 km/h vs 16 km/h
    • 13 min shorter flight time
      Holy Stone HS161 offers shorter max flight time than the average drone (10 min vs 23 min). The average drone offers 23 min of max flight time.
      What it is: The quoted endurance shows how long the drone can stay airborne on one battery in ideal conditions.
      When it matters: When you want longer flights from each battery.

      Importance: HIGH

      Good value: >=30

      Holy Stone HS161 offers shorter max flight time than the average drone (10 min vs 23 min). The average drone offers 23 min of max flight time.10 min vs 23 min
    • No return-to-home
      Holy Stone HS161 does not include return-to-home (RTH), while the average drone does.
      What it is: Can fly back toward the takeoff point or a safe home point automatically when triggered.
      When it matters: When signal loss, low battery, or disorientation could make manual recovery harder.

      Importance: HIGH

      Good value: Smart RTH

      Holy Stone HS161 does not include return-to-home (RTH), while the average drone does.
    • No GPS
      Holy Stone HS161 does not have GPS, while the average drone does.
      What it is: Uses satellite positioning to help the drone understand its location and stabilize navigation.
      When it matters: When you want steadier hovering, more accurate return-to-home behavior, and cleaner position hold.

      Importance: MEDIUM

      Holy Stone HS161 does not have GPS, while the average drone does.
    • 3,900 m lower max service ceiling
      Holy Stone HS161 can fly at a lower max service ceiling than the average drone (100 m vs 4,000 m). The average drone reaches 4,000 m.
      Stored as AGL/software altitude limit fallback.
      What it is: The service ceiling indicates the maximum altitude where the drone can maintain normal performance.
      When it matters: When you fly at higher elevations.

      Importance: MEDIUM

      Good value: >=4000

      Holy Stone HS161 can fly at a lower max service ceiling than the average drone (100 m vs 4,000 m). The average drone reaches 4,000 m.100 m vs 4000 m
    • No waypoint flight
      Holy Stone HS161 does not support waypoint flight, while the average drone does.
      What it is: Lets the drone follow a saved route through predefined waypoints automatically.
      When it matters: When you need repeatable flight paths for inspections, mapping, or matched before-and-after shots.

      Importance: MEDIUM

      Good value: Waypoint flight available

      Holy Stone HS161 does not support waypoint flight, while the average drone does.
    • No subject tracking
      Holy Stone HS161 cannot track subjects, while the average drone can.
      What it is: Lets the drone follow a selected person, vehicle, or object automatically.
      When it matters: When you film yourself or moving subjects and cannot manage both piloting and framing manually.

      Importance: HIGH

      Good value: Reliable AI tracking

      Holy Stone HS161 cannot track subjects, while the average drone can.

    Graphic comparison of Holy Stone HS161 and other drones

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    Third-party reviews

    What customers like about Holy Stone HS161?

    • Multifunctional 4-in-1 design (drone, handheld camera, flashlight, and power bank)
    • Extremely portable with a compact, foldable design about the size of a spray can
    • Stable indoor flight thanks to effective optical flow positioning
    • Beginner-friendly with features like one-key takeoff/landing and headless mode
    • Remote controller is rechargeable and includes a built-in phone holder
    • Comes with a complete starter kit including an 8GB SD card and spare batteries

    What customers dislike about Holy Stone HS161?

    • Underpowered performance, often described as slow even on the highest speed setting
    • Poor wind resistance due to its lightweight build and brushed motors
    • Camera lacks stabilization or a gimbal, leading to jittery footage during maneuvers
    • Secondary functions (flashlight and power bank) are underpowered compared to dedicated devices
    • Limited flight range of approximately 100 meters, which can drop significantly in poor conditions
    • App connectivity issues, sometimes requiring cellular data to be disabled to link properly

    Expert reviews

    T
    tomsguide.com
    24/01/2022

    The Tom's Guide review characterizes the Holy Stone HS161 as a "jack of all trades, master of none," combining a,, foldable drone with a weak flashlight and ineffective power bank. While designed for portability and stability, the drone operates at a slow, "brisk walking" pace with a short, 9-minute flight time. Despite producing "decent" 1080p video, the footage is ruined by severe...Read more

    T
    tomsguide.com
    24/01/2022

    The Tom’s Guide review describes the Holy Stone HS-Series HS161 as a budget-friendly ($80) "jack-of-all-trades" that attempts to combine a drone, camera, flashlight, and power bank, but ultimately fails to excel at any, despite its high portability and simple flight controls. While the drone is praised for its ease of use for beginners, including a stable hover, it is severely...Read more

    Video reviews

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