OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Drones Methodology v2.0
Drones Methodology v2.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontumo Drones Methodology v2.0: technical specifications plus grades from 1,110 independent expert reviews and 2,622 video reviews, with 0% commercial bias.
Explore Drones Methodology v2.0

Holy Stone HS280D Review | 97 Data compared

Avg. price:~£80Max flight time:14 minVideo resolution:1080pMax transmission distance:0.05 km

Holy Stone HS280D Review: Compare 97 technical specifications and expert reviews to see how this product ranks in the Drones category and whether it is worth buying.

5.0

Overall score

Score
5.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the drone's quality, based on technical analyses and grades from independent expert reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best drones on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 94% of models
Score components

100%

5.0

Technical Score

No expert review graded yet
So the overall score is the technical score alone. With 3 full tests, experts would count 25%.
â–¼Worse than 94% of drones
5.0

Technical Score

Technical score
5.0/ 10
✕
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 distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 82% of models
Score components

26%

2.7

Flight

24%

5.3

Camera

20%

4.5

Safety

16%

5.8

Connectivity

14%

8.3

Battery & Design

â–¼Worse than 82% of drones
?

Review score

Review score
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves.
Weighting: Big test sites count more, first looks half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Share: The review score is 25% of the overall score with 3+ full tests, less with fewer.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Grades by review (0)
We have not found an independent test of this model yet, so its overall score is our technical score alone.
Shop star ratings are not part of this score.
No expert tests yet
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Best prices

    N/A~ £80

Best rankings

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of drone Holy Stone HS280D

Technical Score
Technical score
5.0/ 10
✕
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 distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 82% of models
Score components:

26%

2.7

Flight

24%

5.3

Camera

20%

4.5

Safety

16%

5.8

Connectivity

14%

8.3

Battery & Design

5.0
Review score
Review score
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves.
Weighting: Big test sites count more, first looks half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Share: The review score is 25% of the overall score with 3+ full tests, less with fewer.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Grades by review (0)
We have not found an independent test of this model yet, so its overall score is our technical score alone.
Shop star ratings are not part of this score.
?
Popularity
Popularity
1.0/ 10
✕
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.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 99% of models
Popularity:
Holy Stone HS280D has a popularity score of 1 point, which is lower than that of 74.3% of products in this category.
1.0
Ratio quality/price
Value for money
6.5/ 10
✕
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 distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 85% of models
Score components:

60%

5.0

Overall score

40%

10

Price

6.5
Max flight time
14 min
Max flight time
14 min
â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
Market range: <8 min – >40 min
This drone has a max flight time of 14 min, shorter than 72.5% of drones and equal to 2% of drones.
Max flight distance
0.1 km
Max flight distance
0.1 km
â–¼ Worse than 75% of models
Market range: <0.05 km – >24 km
This drone has a max flight distance of 0.1 km, shorter-range than 75.1% of drones and equal to 8.8% of drones.
Max flight speed
4 m/s
Max flight speed
4 m/s
â–¼ Worse than 91% of models
Market range: <4 m/s – >21 m/s
This drone has a max flight speed of 4 m/s, slower than 90.5% of drones and equal to 6.3% of drones.
Max wind resistance
3.3 m/s
Max wind resistance
3.3 m/s
â–¼ Worse than 88% of models
Market range: <3.3 m/s – >12 m/s
This drone has max wind resistance of 3.3 m/s, lower than 88.5% of drones and equal to 7.2% of drones.
Max service ceiling (ASL)
?
Show more
Video resolution
1080p
Video resolution
1080p
â–¼ Worse than 72% of models
This drone records video at 1080p, lower than 71.8% of drones and equal to 11.9% of drones.
4K camera
no
4K camera
no
â–¼ Worse than 55% of models
This drone does not support 4K video. 54.6% of drones support 4K video.
Sensor size
?
Main camera megapixels
8 MP
Main camera megapixels
8 MP
â–¼ Worse than 66% of models
Market range: <2 MP – >48 MP
This drone has a main camera resolution of 8 MP, lower than 66% of drones and equal to 8.7% of drones.
Max movie bitrate
?
Show more
Obstacle detection
no
Obstacle detection
no
â–¼ Worse than 31% of models
This drone does not support obstacle detection. 31% of drones support obstacle detection.
Return to Home (RTH)
no
Return to Home (RTH)
no
â–¼ Worse than 68% of models
This drone does not support Return-to-Home (RTH). 67.5% of drones support Return-to-Home (RTH).
GPS
no
GPS
no
â–¼ Worse than 65% of models
This drone does not support GPS. 65.2% of drones support GPS.
GNSS systems supported
none
GNSS systems supported
none
â–¼ Worse than 66% of models
This drone supports none GNSS systems, which are less comprehensive than those of 65.8% and the same as those of 34.2%.
Obstacle sensing directions
N/A
Show more
Max transmission distance
0.05 km
Max transmission distance
0.05 km
â–¼ Worse than 85% of models
Market range: <0.05 km – >15 km
This drone has a max transmission distance of 0.05 km, shorter-range than 85.2% of drones and equal to 9.2% of drones.
Transmission latency
?
Video transmission system
Wi-Fi
Video transmission system
Wi-Fi
â–¼ Worse than 44% of models
This drone uses Wi-Fi for video transmission, which is more advanced than the system used by 8.2% and the same as that used by 47.7%.
Live view quality
1080p@25 fps
Live view quality
1080p@25 fps
â–² Better than 50% of models
This drone offers live view quality of 1080p@25 fps, higher-quality than 50% of drones and equal to 10.4% of drones.
Remote control
yes
Remote control
yes
â–² Better than 5% of models
This drone has a handheld remote controller. 5% of drones offer this.
Show more
Battery capacity
?
Battery energy
?
Charging time
?
Weight
164 g
Weight
164 g
â–² Better than 71% of models
Market range: <80 g – >920 g
This drone weighs 164 g, lighter than 70.6% of drones and equal to 0.5% of drones.
Removable battery
yes
Removable battery
yes
â–² Better than 1% of models
This drone has a removable battery. 0.5% of drones have a removable battery.
Show more

Holy Stone HS280D vs the average drone

246810TotalFlightCameraSafetyConnectivityBattery & Design
  • Supports TapFly
    TapFly
    yes
    â–² Better than 62% of models
    This drone supports TapFly, while the average drone does not.
  • Supports smartphone control
    Smartphone control
    yes
    â–² Better than 50% of models
    This drone supports smartphone control, while the average drone does not.
  • 33.3% lower weight
    Weight
    164 g
    â–² Better than 71% of models
    Market range: <80 g – >920 g
    This drone is lighter than the average drone (164 g vs 246 g). The average drone weighs 246 g.
    164 g vs 246 g
  • 2 years newer release date
    Release date
    2025
    â–² Better than 78% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This drone is newer than the average drone (2025 vs 2023). The average drone was released in 2023.
    2025 vs 2023
  • 2 years newer release date
    Release date
    2025
    â–² Better than 78% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This drone is newer than the average drone (2025 vs 2023). The average drone was released in 2023.
    2025 vs 2023
  • Supports TapFly
    TapFly
    yes
    â–² Better than 62% of models
    This drone supports TapFly, while the average drone does not.
  • Supports smartphone control
    Smartphone control
    yes
    â–² Better than 50% of models
    This drone supports smartphone control, while the average drone does not.
  • 33.3% lower weight
    Weight
    164 g
    â–² Better than 71% of models
    Market range: <80 g – >920 g
    This drone is lighter than the average drone (164 g vs 246 g). The average drone weighs 246 g.
    164 g vs 246 g
  • Lower video resolution
    Video resolution
    1080p
    â–¼ Worse than 72% of models
    This drone offers lower video resolution than the average drone (1080p vs 4K/100 fps). The average drone offers a video resolution of 4K/100 fps.
    1080p vs 4K/100 fps
  • 7.4 m/s lower wind resistance
    Max wind resistance
    3.3 m/s
    â–¼ Worse than 88% of models
    Market range: <3.3 m/s – >12 m/s
    This drone handles weaker wind than the average drone (3.3 m/s vs 10.7 m/s). The average drone handles wind up to 10.7 m/s.
    3.3 m/s vs 10.7 m/s
  • Fewer GNSS systems
    GNSS systems supported
    none
    â–¼ Worse than 66% of models
    This drone supports none GNSS systems, while the average drone supports GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou.
    none vs GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou
  • 11 m/s slower flight speed
    Max flight speed
    4 m/s
    â–¼ Worse than 91% of models
    Market range: <4 m/s – >21 m/s
    This drone reaches a lower max flight speed than the average drone (4 m/s vs 15 m/s). The average drone reaches 15 m/s.
    4 m/s vs 15 m/s
  • More basic transmission system
    Video transmission system
    Wi-Fi
    â–¼ Worse than 44% of models
    This drone uses Wi-Fi for video transmission, while the average drone uses SkyLink 2.0.
    Wi-Fi vs SkyLink 2.0
  • No subject tracking
    Subject tracking
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
    This drone cannot track subjects, while the average drone can.
  • No return-to-home (RTH)
    Return to Home (RTH)
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 68% of models
    This drone does not support return-to-home (RTH), while the average drone does.
  • No GPS
    GPS
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 65% of models
    This drone does not have GPS, while the average drone does.
  • 6.47x less popular
    Holy Stone HS280D is less popular than the average drone (1 vs 6.5).
    1 vs 6.47
  • 8.6% worse value for money
    Holy Stone HS280D has worse value for money than the average drone (6.47 vs 7).
    6.47 vs 7.03
  • 7.4 m/s lower wind resistance
    Max wind resistance
    3.3 m/s
    â–¼ Worse than 88% of models
    Market range: <3.3 m/s – >12 m/s
    This drone handles weaker wind than the average drone (3.3 m/s vs 10.7 m/s). The average drone handles wind up to 10.7 m/s.
    3.3 m/s vs 10.7 m/s
  • 11 m/s slower flight speed
    Max flight speed
    4 m/s
    â–¼ Worse than 91% of models
    Market range: <4 m/s – >21 m/s
    This drone reaches a lower max flight speed than the average drone (4 m/s vs 15 m/s). The average drone reaches 15 m/s.
    4 m/s vs 15 m/s
  • 6 min shorter flight time
    Max flight time
    14 min
    â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
    Market range: <8 min – >40 min
    This drone offers shorter max flight time than the average drone (14 min vs 20 min). The average drone offers 20 min of max flight time.
    14 min vs 20 min
  • 0.9 km shorter flight distance
    Max flight distance
    0.1 km
    â–¼ Worse than 75% of models
    Market range: <0.05 km – >24 km
    This drone has a shorter max flight distance than the average drone (0.1 km vs 1 km). The average drone can fly up to 1 km.
    0.1 km vs 1 km
  • Lower video resolution
    Video resolution
    1080p
    â–¼ Worse than 72% of models
    This drone offers lower video resolution than the average drone (1080p vs 4K/100 fps). The average drone offers a video resolution of 4K/100 fps.
    1080p vs 4K/100 fps
  • Fewer photo format options
    Photo formats supported
    JPEG
    â–¼ Worse than 41% of models
    This drone supports JPEG photo formats, while the average drone supports JPEG, DNG (RAW).
    JPEG vs JPEG, DNG (RAW)
  • Narrower tilt range
    Camera tilt range
    -70 to 0 °
    â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
    This drone has a narrower tilt range than the average drone (-70 to 0 ° vs -90 to 20 °).
    -70 to 0 ° vs -90 to 20 °
  • Lower photo resolution
    Photo resolution
    1920 x 1080 px
    â–¼ Worse than 68% of models
    This drone offers lower photo resolution than the average drone (1920x1080 px vs 4096x3072 px). The average drone offers a photo resolution of 4096x3072 px.
    1920x1080 px vs 4096x3072 px
  • More basic stabilization
    Image stabilization type
    None (Fixed)
    â–¼ Worse than 64% of models
    This drone uses None (Fixed) image stabilization, while the average drone uses EIS (Digital).
    None (Fixed) vs EIS (Digital)
  • No 4K video
    4K camera
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 55% of models
    This drone does not support 4K video, while the average drone does.
  • 4 MP less camera resolution
    Main camera megapixels
    8 MP
    â–¼ Worse than 66% of models
    Market range: <2 MP – >48 MP
    This drone has fewer main camera megapixels than the average drone (8 MP vs 12 MP). The average drone has 12 MP on the main camera.
    8 MP vs 12 MP
  • Fewer GNSS systems
    GNSS systems supported
    none
    â–¼ Worse than 66% of models
    This drone supports none GNSS systems, while the average drone supports GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou.
    none vs GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou
  • No subject tracking
    Subject tracking
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
    This drone cannot track subjects, while the average drone can.
  • No return-to-home (RTH)
    Return to Home (RTH)
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 68% of models
    This drone does not support return-to-home (RTH), while the average drone does.
  • No GPS
    GPS
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 65% of models
    This drone does not have GPS, while the average drone does.
  • No compass
    Compass
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 69% of models
    This drone does not have a compass, while the average drone does.
  • 2 fewer flight modes
    N. of intelligent flight modes
    2
    â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
    Market range: <0 – >8
    This drone offers fewer intelligent flight modes than the average drone (2 vs 4). The average drone offers 4 intelligent flight modes.
    2 vs 4
  • No beginner mode
    Beginner mode
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 56% of models
    This drone does not support beginner mode, while the average drone does.
  • 34.1% higher takeoff weight
    Max takeoff weight
    164 g
    â–¼ Worse than 75% of models
    Market range: <80 g – >1.1k g
    This drone has a higher max takeoff weight than the average drone (164 g vs 249 g). The average drone has a max takeoff weight of 249 g.
    164 g vs 249 g
  • More basic transmission system
    Video transmission system
    Wi-Fi
    â–¼ Worse than 44% of models
    This drone uses Wi-Fi for video transmission, while the average drone uses SkyLink 2.0.
    Wi-Fi vs SkyLink 2.0
  • Fewer frequency bands
    Operating frequency bands
    2.4 GHz
    â–¼ Worse than 70% of models
    This drone supports 2.4 GHz operating frequency bands, while the average drone supports 2.4 GHz, 5.8 GHz.
    2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz, 5.8 GHz
  • 0.95 km shorter transmission range
    Max transmission distance
    0.05 km
    â–¼ Worse than 85% of models
    Market range: <0.05 km – >15 km
    This drone has a shorter max transmission distance than the average drone (0.1 km vs 1 km). The average drone reaches 1 km of transmission distance.
    0.05 km vs 1 km
  • More basic controller
    Controller model
    HS280D Transmitter
    â–¼ Worse than 94% of models
    This drone uses the HS280D Transmitter controller, while the average drone uses LiteRadio 4 SE.
    HS280D Transmitter vs LiteRadio 4 SE

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Overview video

Third-party reviews

What we like about Holy Stone HS280D

  • Brushless motors, rare at this price, for longer life and steadier flight
  • Around 14 minutes of flight per battery
  • Foldable 164 g body is easy to carry
  • Altitude hold and headless mode for easy learning
  • 1080p live view on a phone for casual clips

What we don't like about Holy Stone HS280D

  • No GPS or return-to-home
  • No gimbal or stabilisation, so video shakes
  • Wi-Fi link has short range
  • Drifts noticeably in wind

Verdict

The Holy Stone HS280D is a foldable beginner drone with a 1080p camera, built for older children and adults who want a step up from palm-sized toys. Brushless motors are the standout feature at this price: they run cooler, last longer and give more stable flight than the brushed motors in most budget drones. One battery lasts around 14 minutes. The 8 MP fixed camera streams live video to a phone over Wi-Fi, which is fine for casual clips but not for serious footage, since there is no gimbal or electronic stabilisation. Altitude hold and headless mode help newcomers, and the folded drone packs down small at 164 g. Without GPS it drifts in wind and has no return-to-home. As an affordable way to learn real flying skills outdoors, it is a solid choice.

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