The Holy Stone HS900 is a highly capable and feature-packed drone that caters to both beginners and advanced users who are interested in aerial photography and videography. This drone combines a powerful 4K camera, brushless motors, 5GHz FPV transmission, and a range of advanced flight features like GPS, intelligent flight modes, and level 5 wind resistance. Offering a 56-minute flight time with two batteries and a 3,280 ft range, the HS900 stands out as an excellent option for those looking for a versatile and durable drone without breaking the bank. In this Holy Stone HS900 Drone review, we will explore the HS900's features, specifications, performance, pros and cons, and what users are saying about it.
Key Features and Specifications
- Camera: 4K UHD camera with wide-angle lens
- Transmission Range: Up to 3,280 feet (1 km)
- Flight Time: 56 minutes (two 28-minute batteries included)
- Motors: Brushless motors for stable performance
- Wind Resistance: Level 5 wind resistance
- GPS Functionality: GPS-assisted intelligent flight modes
- Weight: Lightweight design for portability
- Intelligent Flight Modes: Follow Me, Waypoint Flight, Circle Fly, and Auto Return
- FPV Transmission: 5GHz FPV for smoother real-time video streaming
Design and Build Quality
The Holy Stone HS900 boasts a lightweight yet durable design, making it easy to transport and handle. Weighing under 600 grams, it’s portable enough to take on the go but still sturdy enough to withstand some bumps and wind. Its foldable design adds to its portability, making it a great option for outdoor adventures or travel.
What sets the HS900 apart is its use of brushless motors, which not only increase the drone’s efficiency but also provide smoother and quieter flights. Brushless motors are more durable than brushed ones and require less maintenance, making this drone ideal for long-term use.
The level 5 wind resistance allows the drone to maintain stability in moderately windy conditions, ensuring you get smooth footage even when the weather isn’t ideal. Whether you’re flying the HS900 in open fields, by the beach, or over mountains, the drone's design ensures it stays stable and responsive.
Camera and FPV Transmission
The HS900 comes equipped with a 4K UHD camera that captures detailed and clear images and videos, making it ideal for casual photography, videography, or even semi-professional content creation. The 120° wide-angle lens provides an expansive field of view, allowing users to capture more of the scenery in each shot.
One of the standout features of the HS900 is its 5GHz FPV transmission. This technology ensures a stable and real-time feed from the drone’s camera, reducing lag and interference. The FPV transmission range extends up to 3,280 feet, offering pilots the flexibility to fly further while still maintaining a strong connection.
For those who want to share their aerial experiences in real time or capture footage for later editing, the combination of a 4K camera and 5GHz FPV transmission makes the HS900 a solid choice.
Intelligent Flight Modes
The Holy Stone HS900 is packed with intelligent flight modes that make flying easy and fun, even for beginners:
- Follow Me Mode: The drone automatically follows the pilot, making it perfect for capturing hands-free videos while walking, running, or biking.
- Waypoint Flight: Pilots can pre-set a flight path using the app, and the drone will autonomously follow the route, which is useful for capturing dynamic shots along a set path.
- Circle Fly: The drone circles around a designated point of interest, which is excellent for creating cinematic shots of a subject or landscape.
- Return to Home (RTH): With GPS-assisted RTH, the drone will automatically return to its takeoff point if the battery is low or the signal is lost, ensuring you never lose your drone.
These features make the HS900 extremely user-friendly, allowing novice pilots to easily execute professional-level maneuvers and capture breathtaking footage.
Flight Time and Range
One of the standout aspects of the HS900 is its impressive 56-minute flight time. The drone comes with two batteries, each providing up to 28 minutes of flight time. This gives users more time to explore and capture footage without worrying about constant recharging.
In terms of range, the HS900 has a 3,280 ft transmission range, allowing pilots to fly further and capture footage from a distance. Whether you’re flying over open fields, through forests, or around landmarks, the extended range gives you the flexibility to explore vast areas without losing connection to the drone.
GPS and Safety Features
The HS900 uses GPS positioning to enhance its flight capabilities, ensuring stability and precision during flight. The GPS functionality also powers safety features such as Auto Return and Low Battery Return, ensuring the drone makes its way back to you when needed. This provides peace of mind, especially for beginner pilots who might be concerned about losing control or losing the drone entirely.
The GPS-assisted flight modes such as Follow Me, Waypoint, and Point of Interest also rely on the GPS system to execute advanced maneuvers smoothly. This makes the HS900 versatile for different shooting scenarios, from action-packed follow shots to sweeping landscape videos.
Performance and Ease of Use
Equipped with brushless motors, the HS900 delivers reliable performance during flight. Brushless motors are known for being more efficient, durable, and quieter than brushed motors, making the drone suitable for both beginner and experienced pilots. The drone is also responsive, allowing for precise control even at extended distances.
Despite its advanced features, the HS900 is remarkably easy to fly. The combination of GPS-assisted features, intelligent flight modes, and one-key takeoff/landing makes it user-friendly, even for those new to drones.
Holy Stone HS900 Drone Review: Pros and Cons
Pros:
- 4K UHD Camera: Offers high-quality images and videos.
- 5GHz FPV Transmission: Ensures smooth, real-time video streaming over long distances.
- Long Flight Time: 56 minutes with two batteries.
- GPS-Assisted Features: Intelligent flight modes like Follow Me, Waypoint, and Auto Return.
- Brushless Motors: Efficient and durable for smoother flying.
- Wind Resistance: Level 5 wind resistance ensures stable flight in windy conditions.
- Wide-Angle Lens: 120° field of view for expansive aerial shots.
Cons:
- No Gimbal: While the camera quality is high, the lack of a gimbal means there may be some shakiness in the footage.
- Limited Range: Although 3,280 feet is decent, it may be limiting compared to other drones with longer ranges.
- Camera Adjustment: The camera must be manually adjusted before flight, lacking remote tilt control.
Check price and reviews of Holy Stone HS900.
Holy Stone HS900 Drone Review by Customers
User reviews for the Holy Stone HS900 are generally positive, with many praising its ease of use, camera quality, and battery life. Most users find the drone to be reliable, especially when it comes to GPS-assisted flight modes and stability in windy conditions. The long flight time is also frequently mentioned as a major advantage.
However, some users have noted that the lack of a gimbal can result in slightly shaky footage during more aggressive maneuvers or in high winds. Additionally, a few customers have mentioned that while the 3,280-foot range is sufficient for most users, it may feel limiting for those who want to fly further distances.
Holy Stone HS900 vs Holy Stone HS600
When comparing the Holy Stone HS900 and HS600, it’s clear that both drones offer exceptional features, but they are tailored to different types of users and use cases. The HS900 is a versatile drone aimed at a broader audience, from hobbyists to intermediate users, whereas the HS600 is a more specialized model with advanced stabilization features, making it ideal for users focused on aerial photography and videography.
One of the key differences is the camera stabilization. The HS600 is equipped with a 4K camera paired with Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) and a 2-axis gimbal. This combination ensures smoother and more stable footage, even in motion or windy conditions. The HS900, while also featuring a 4K camera, lacks a gimbal, which may result in shakier footage when flying in less-than-ideal conditions. For users prioritizing high-quality video content with minimal post-editing, the HS600 offers a significant advantage in terms of image stabilization.
Another important distinction is the wind resistance. The HS600 boasts Level 6 wind resistance, meaning it can handle stronger winds more effectively than the HS900, which is rated for Level 5 wind resistance. This makes the HS600 more reliable in tougher weather conditions, ensuring stable flight and video capture.
However, the HS900 compensates with its longer flight time. It comes with two batteries that offer a total flight time of 56 minutes, compared to the HS600’s 46 minutes (also with two batteries). For users who need more flight endurance, whether for exploration or extended shooting sessions, the HS900 has a clear edge.
In terms of portability, the HS900 has a foldable design, making it easier to carry and store, whereas the HS600 is slightly bulkier. Both models come with brushless motors for enhanced durability and quieter operation, but the HS600 offers Remote ID integration, a useful feature for professional drone pilots to comply with regulatory requirements.
Final Thoughts
Our Holy Stone HS900 drone review concludes that it is an excellent mid-range drone that offers advanced features typically found in higher-end models. Its combination of a 4K camera, long flight time, GPS-assisted features, and brushless motors make it a strong contender for both hobbyists and semi-professionals. While the lack of a gimbal and the limited range might be minor drawbacks, the overall performance and feature set more than compensate for these limitations.
If you’re in the market for a drone that balances ease of use with advanced capabilities, the HS900 is a solid choice that won’t disappoint.