When choosing a consumer drone, the performance of the drone remote control is also worthy of attention. There is a clear difference between a top-of-the-line drone that comes with a remote control with an LCD screen and one that uses a smartphone/tablet as the remote control.
Here, we will explain the advantages and disadvantages of drone remote controls with screen displays.
In most combinations of drones and remote controllers, the remote controller uses the display of the smartphone/tablet as the output interface, allowing you to clearly see the drone flight status and photographic images.
Usually, branded drones have dedicated drone remote controls. Regardless of whether the remote control has a display or not, please use original and genuine accessories.
What is the best consumer drone with screen controller of 2024?
DJI Mini 4 Pro with DJI Smart Controller (Best Overall Drone Controller Combo)
Advantage
- great flight time
- Compact and durable
- Vertical shooting options
- good flight range
- Shooting 4K
Shortcoming
- Not completely stable in high winds
- Mini 3 Pro filters are not compatible
The DJI Mini 4 Pro is one of the latest consumer drones to feature a controller with a built-in screen that displays the drone's live camera view, with all keystrokes visible at a glance.
The DJI Mini 4 Pro is a small quadcopter drone that offers great performance at an affordable price. DJI Mini 4 Pro supports 4K@30fps high-definition video. At the same time, the drone can support vertical shooting without compromising image quality.
The DJI Mini 4 Pro drone features a dual-function battery case and charger, giving it a flight time of up to 34 minutes, or 45 minutes with newer batteries.
With the help of DJI smart controller, the transmission distance can reach 20 kilometers, and the signal transmission is stable. It is an excellent long-range drone.
DJI RC Smart Remote Control + any compatible DJI drone
Advantage
- Small size, convenient for traveling
- Very ergonomic
- Bright screen
- Bright battery life
Shortcoming
- expensive
One thing that makes DJI drone kits even more attractive is that the DJI remote controls are interchangeable. The DJI RC Remote is a mid-range remote with a built-in screen that sits between DJI's standard RC-N1 controller and the flagship RC Pro drone controller. It replaces the DJI Smart Controller. The more valuable DJI remote control makes flying DJI drones more attractive.
DJI RC remote control is compatible with DJI Mini 3, DJI Mini 3 Pro, DJI Mavic 3 Classic, DJI Mavic 3, DJI Mavic 3 Cine and DJI Air 2S.
Compared with mobile phones/tablets, the remote control with screen display has a more obvious game signal. The design is ergonomic, the finger positioning is comfortable, the weight is light, the button layout is user-friendly, and the 1920x1080p resolution, 700 nits display is compared to It has better visibility on mobile phones/tablets, is brighter, and is not afraid of strong sunlight.
There is also a control dial on the remote control, so you can quickly zoom in and out of the shooting screen. The DJI smart controller has a battery life of up to 4 hours, and you can even access the Internet on the remote control.
In addition, the DJI Remote Pro version has a brighter screen (1000 nits), internal and micro SD storage, stronger Bluetooth, external antennas, and the ability to output video to an external display.
Autel Robotics EVO 2 Pro V3 (Best Controller Screen Drone for Professionals)
Advantage
- Variable aperture lens
- 6K video
- good flight range
- There are waypoints
- Excellent flight time
Shortcoming
- Smaller sensor than some competitors
The Autel Evo 2 Pro V3 is a high-quality drone, especially with excellent camera performance. Autel Evo 2 Pro V3 supports 20MP photos and 6K videos.
The Autel Evo 2 Pro V3 consumer drone is capable of shooting 6K video at up to 30fps, as well as 12-bit RAW stills. It also comes with a suite of built-in shooting modes, including time-lapse, burst, and HDR.
The Autel Evo 2 Pro V3’s maximum ISO of 44,000, coupled with an f/2.8 to f/11 variable aperture lens, means the quadcopter drone also performs well in low-light conditions.
The Autel Evo 2 Pro V3 photography drone has a maximum flight time of 40 minutes. It is equipped with Autel smart remote control SE, a 6.4-inch LCD display, 800 nits brightness, IP43 waterproof rating, a maximum operating time of 4.5h, and a signal sending and receiving range of up to 15km.
Autel Robotics EVO II Pro V3 Camera Drone
$2099.00 USD
X4 H502S FPV DESIRE (Best Budget FPV Drone with Screen Controller)
Advantage
- Easy to install and use
- value for money
- Controllers are well laid out
- Complete functions and high cost performance
Shortcoming
- Power consumption quickly
- No 4K
This FPV drone is very easy to use and fly, making it perfect for beginners. Drones are affordable, with the X4 H502S FPV DESIRE selling for $129.99.
The Hubsan X4 H502S FPV DESIRE drone features built-in GPS, altitude hold, follow mode, and return-to-home capabilities. It shoots 720p Video, 3-Axis Gimbal stabilized image, 6KM Remote Control Distance.
Hubsan X4 H502S FPV DESIRE drone can fly in headless mode, with a maximum flight time of 12 minutes. The drone control frequency is 2.4 GHz, Max Transmission Distance FCC Compliant: 200m (Unobstructed, free of interference), 4.3 LCD screen Find out what's happening in the sky.
For FPV drones, if you want to experience the first-person perspective, please wear goggles.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Screen Remote Control
There is no doubt that drone remote controls with screen displays are more expensive.
Your flying experience is generally better when your controller has a built-in screen. The bright screen makes operation smoother and you won't be distracted by notifications from other messages on your phone.
The remote control with screen reduces picture delay to a certain extent. Video streams directly to the controller, so you'll be able to watch everything in real time.
The advantage of a remote control without a screen is that it is cheaper, smaller, and more portable.
Frequently Asked Questions about Drones with Screen Controllers
Does the drone have a screen?
Drones don’t have screens. The drone is equipped with a camera sensor, and the drone's gimbal camera transmits the image back to the screen on your phone or tablet or the screen built into the remote control. Usually the drone images will be saved in the drone body memory or the drone remote controller memory, this is your choice.
Do all drones come with a controller?
Many drones come standard with basic controllers. The drone controller and the drone are used as a set. Of course, drone smart remote controls from drone brands such as DJI and Autel will be able to match more drones.
Are screen controllers worth having?
of course. Even though screenless remotes are smaller and lighter, remotes with screens are generally better! Remote controls with a screen no longer need to worry about the battery life of the mobile phone and the interruption of messages, and the screen brightness is often brighter than that of the mobile phone, making it more suitable for working during the day.
Does the EVO Nano&Lite series drone support a remote controller with a screen?
Since the early days of its release, the Autel EVO Nano&Lite series drones have been equipped with a simple remote controller without a screen, which can be connected to Apple phones, Android phones, and tablets to remotely control and view the real-time images of the drone. Directly using the mobile phone screen instead of the remote controller screen has clearer brightness, more convenient operation, and faster image downloading.Currently, the EVO Nano&Lite series drones still do not support remote controllers with screens. The 6-inch remote controller with a screen of the EVO Lite Enterprise series is not compatible with the EVO Nano&Lite series drones.
Read More:
Autel Robotics Releases The New Smart Controller with A 7.9" Screen
Drone Controllers: Everything You Should Know
Who Should Buy The Autel Smart Controller?