7 Best Cheap Underwater Drones 2026

This isn’t just a scooter—it’s a thrill-powered hybrid that blurs the line between underwater propulsion and aquatic play. With dual 360W motors, the CellBee delivers a surprisingly robust 4.3 km/h (2.7 mph) burst speed, making it one of the fastest entries in the budget-friendly underwater propulsion category. Its 30m (98 ft) depth rating and 45-minute runtime in low-speed mode make it ideal for pool dives, shallow reef exploration, or family snorkeling adventures—especially for users who want instant propulsion without complex setup. Unlike traditional drones, this scooter is built for interaction, letting kids and adults physically ride the thrust, turning every swim into an immersive underwater joyride.

In real-world testing, the scooter shines in calm pools and clear shallow waters, where its dual-motor thrust provides smooth, responsive forward motion. The ergonomic design and 19x10x6-inch dimensions make it easy to grip and transport, while the 2.7kg weight ensures it’s light enough for travel—perfect for beach trips or cabin getaways. It handles sandy or rocky lake bottoms decently, though propeller clogging can occur if dragged along the seabed. The built-in camera compatibility is a nice touch, but it lacks onboard recording or stabilization—meaning you’ll need to mount your own action cam. While not a true imaging drone, its ability to extend underwater endurance via propulsion is unmatched at this price point.

Compared to dedicated imaging ROVs like the GLADIUS MINI S, the CellBee isn’t about capturing footage—it’s about feeling the underwater rush. It’s best suited for recreational users, teens, or parents looking for a fun, safe way to explore beneath the surface without spending over $400. If you’re after cinematic 4K footage or deep dives past 100 feet, this isn’t the tool. But for affordable, hands-on underwater mobility with a splash of adventure, the CellBee stands out as a playful, powerful alternative to pricier, more technical drones. It offers more speed and usability per dollar than any pure ROV in its class.

When image fidelity meets industrial-grade endurance, the GLADIUS MINI S steps into a league of its own. This underwater drone doesn’t just record—it dominates the deep with a 4K Sony CMOS sensor, electronic image stabilization (EIS), and dual 1200-lumen LED spotlights that cut through murky darkness like a submersible spotlight. Its 330-foot (100m) depth capability and 5-thruster vector propulsion allow for crisp, stable hovering and agile 360° maneuvering, making it a top-tier performer for both marine photographers and underwater inspectors. Whether you’re scouting shipwrecks or documenting coral health, the MINI S delivers broadcast-quality footage with scientific precision.

Field tests confirm its 4-hour total runtime (using dual 4800mAh batteries) is not just marketing fluff—it holds up during extended reef surveys and dam inspections. The wired remote controller ensures zero signal dropouts, a critical advantage over Wi-Fi-dependent models like the Chasing F1 Pro. In turbulent currents or silt-heavy environments, the drone remains stable, thanks to its patented anti-roll thruster design. The 64GB onboard storage (expandable to 512GB) and HDMI output make data transfer and live monitoring seamless, while real-time depth and temperature logging add a layer of utility for researchers. However, its 6-pound weight demands a bit more setup effort, and launching solo in choppy water takes practice.

Pitted against the FIFISH V-EVO, the GLADIUS MINI S trades some cinematic flair for broader industrial versatility. It lacks AI subject tracking or VR control but wins on reliability, battery life, and ruggedness. It’s the clear choice for professionals or serious hobbyists who need consistent, high-res imaging and long mission times without signal hiccups. While it costs more than hybrid scooters or fishing cams, it delivers far more imaging power and operational depth than any budget model, making it the most well-rounded performer in the lineup.

For anglers on a tight budget, the XUMIUZIY delivers shockingly capable fish-finding power at a price that barely scratches $70. This isn’t a drone with thrusters or AI—it’s a plug-and-play fishing eye, built for instant underwater visibility with zero learning curve. Its 1080P 5MP camera and 220° ultra-wide lens provide a panoramic view of the lakebed, letting you spot bass, walleye, or carp in real time, while the 2000-nit 4.3-inch screen remains crystal clear even under direct sunlight, thanks to a three-sided sunshade. The 30m (98 ft) high-tensile cable withstands 100kg of pull, making it ideal for ice fishing, deep pond scouting, or aquaculture checks.

In practice, the camera excels in still-water environments—lakes, reservoirs, and ice-covered ponds—where its passive drop-down design works flawlessly. You simply lower the camera, watch the screen, and adjust your bait based on live fish behavior. The wide-angle lens minimizes blind spots, and the bright display eliminates squinting in daylight. However, it lacks propulsion, so you can’t actively explore—only observe a vertical column. There’s no recording capability to an external device, and the plastic housing feels a bit flimsy compared to pricier models. Still, for quick fish location and depth verification, it’s unbeatable for the price.

Against the Chasing F1 Pro, the XUMIUZIY is no contest in features—but it’s not meant to be. It’s the bare-bones essential for anglers who want real-time fish vision without remote control, thrusters, or apps. If you’re fishing through ice or from a dock and just need to know where the fish are, this tool gets the job done better than any $200+ alternative. It outperforms its cost with raw utility, making it the smartest entry-level pick for no-frills underwater scouting.

The Chasing F1 Pro redefines underwater angling with a rotatable 4K camera, four-vector thrusters, and 6-hour battery life—a rare combo that puts real-time fish tracking in the hands of serious fishermen. Its 360° horizontal and 75° downward camera tilt lets you scan the entire water column without moving the drone, while electronic image stabilization keeps footage smooth even in current-heavy zones. Powered by a 4800mAh replaceable battery, it can stay submerged all day, making it perfect for long lake sessions or river drifts. The Wi-Fi connectivity and smartphone app offer intuitive control, letting you mark hotspots, record video, and even share catches live.

During real-world use, the F1 Pro excels in active fishing scenarios—hovering near drop-offs, scanning weed beds, or following schools. Its precise position-hold and auto-leveling make it easy to maintain depth and orientation, while the modular design supports add-ons like spherical sonar or bait boats for advanced setups. The rotatable camera is a game-changer, allowing you to spot fish below, beside, or even behind the drone without repositioning. However, Wi-Fi signal can degrade past 30 meters, especially in turbid water, and the lack of a physical remote means you’re reliant on your phone in wet conditions.

Compared to the XUMIUZIY, the F1 Pro is light-years ahead in mobility and intelligence, but it’s also five times the price. Against the DORY EXPLORE, it offers better imaging and battery life, though it lacks treasure-hunting features. It’s best for anglers who want a mobile, smart fish scout that can cover large areas and adapt to different water types. For deep, dynamic fishing missions, it justifies its premium with unmatched versatility and endurance, making it the top-tier choice for fishing-focused users.

When precision meets power, the FIFISH V-EVO becomes less of a drone and more of an underwater robot assistant. Its 4K60FPS camera captures buttery-smooth footage, perfect for cinematic reef documentaries or inspecting submerged structures in slow motion. But the real star is the integrated robotic arm—a game-changing tool for retrieving lost gear, manipulating objects, or collecting samples. Paired with 360° omnidirectional thrusters and AI Vision Lock, it can track a diver, lock onto a sunken item, and grasp it with surgical accuracy. The 166° ultra-wide lens and 5000-lumen LEDs ensure nothing stays hidden, even in pitch-black or silt-filled waters.

In field use, the V-EVO proves its worth in search-and-recovery missions, aquaculture checks, and scientific dives. The removable SD card allows quick media swaps, and the depth-hold and posture-lock features make one-handed operation possible. Its rugged, hydrodynamic body resists drag, enabling longer dives with less battery drain. However, the robotic arm, while impressive, has limited grip strength and isn’t suited for heavy lifting. The drone also demands a steeper learning curve—especially for new users unfamiliar with multi-thruster control.

Against the GLADIUS MINI S, the V-EVO trades some battery life for superior interactivity and object manipulation. It’s not just about seeing underwater—it’s about interacting with it. For marine researchers, salvage teams, or advanced hobbyists, this drone offers unparalleled utility and control. While it’s the most expensive model here, it delivers unmatched hands-on functionality, making it the definitive choice for object retrieval and active underwater work.

The V-EVO with VR Control isn’t just a drone—it’s a first-person underwater adventure machine. With 4K60FPS video, AI Vision Lock, and full 360° mobility, it already matches the top-tier imaging specs of its sibling model. But the VR immersive control elevates it into a new dimension: by pairing with smart goggles, you can pilot the drone simply by moving your head, creating an FPV (first-person view) experience that makes you feel like you’re swimming through kelp forests or exploring shipwrecks. The removable SD card and depth-hold mode add convenience, while the 5000-lumen LEDs and 166° lens ensure nothing escapes your gaze.

In testing, the VR mode proves intuitive and thrilling, especially for younger users or content creators filming dynamic sequences. The AI Vision Lock keeps subjects centered, even in drift currents, and the posture-lock feature allows hands-free hovering for perfect framing. Like the standard V-EVO, it struggles with heavy retrieval tasks and has a moderate learning curve, but the VR interface makes mastering controls faster. The wired remote and app remain reliable backups when VR isn’t practical.

Compared to the non-VR FIFISH V-EVO, this kit offers a more engaging, immersive experience at a lower price—despite lacking a robotic arm. Against the DORY EXPLORE, it’s far more advanced in imaging and control, though less focused on treasure hunting. It’s ideal for content creators, educators, and tech-savvy explorers who want to feel connected to the underwater world. It delivers more immersion and cinematic control than any other model, making it the best choice for VR-powered underwater storytelling.

The DORY EXPLORE isn’t just a drone—it’s a backyard adventurer’s dream machine, designed to turn every lake or river into a personal treasure map. With a built-in metal detector, 3-inch net bag, and 1080P HD camera, it transforms underwater exploration into an interactive scavenger hunt. Its 14.5m (47.5 ft) winder line and buoyancy system make deployment easy, while Bluetooth remote and smartphone app control offer flexible navigation. The ±45° tilt and depth-lock mode let you scan the bottom methodically, and the dual-player mode allows one person to pilot while another captures footage—perfect for family adventures.

In real use, the DORY shines in shallow lakes, rivers, and even flooded quarries, where it can detect coins, relics, or metallic debris buried in silt. The 16GB built-in storage captures clear footage, though lighting is modest compared to high-lumen models. The net bag is small but functional, and the 1.1kg lightweight body makes it easy to pack and launch solo. However, the metal detector lacks depth precision, and retrieval success depends heavily on object size and positioning. It’s not built for deep or technical dives, but for fun, educational exploration, it’s unmatched.

Against the Chasing F1 Pro, the DORY trades fishing intelligence for treasure-hunting novelty. It’s less refined than the GLADIUS MINI S but more engaging for beginners and kids. For families, educators, or casual explorers, it offers the most playful, hands-on underwater experience. While it doesn’t match premium imaging or depth specs, it delivers unmatched adventure value, making it the best starting point for first-time ROV users.