It goes without saying that drones are a big business. They can be both practical and just fun to fly. Because of this popularity, there have been some interesting design variations, including this pocket-friendly drone, the Taotuo Mini Foldable RC Quadcopter Drone with 2.4G 4 Channel 6-Axis Gyro Headless System. The drone measures just 3.9 x 2.6 x 1.1 in (10 x 6 x 2.9 cm) and stores comfortably inside its 2.4Ghz remote, which itself measures just 5.9 x 3.3 x 1.6 in (15 x 8 x 4 cm).

In the package you get the drone, remote control, USB cable, four extra blades (two black and two yellow), four propeller guards (although you can’t store these inside the controller), one screwdriver, and a user manual. You charge the drone’s 3.7v 220mAh Lithium Battery over USB for about 40 – 50 minutes for 7 – 10 minutes of sustained flight time. The remote requires four AAA batteries, which are not included. You can also charge the drone from the remote if you’re in the field.

The list of features of the Taotuo are not particularly extensive, but the ones that are present thankfully err on the side of making flying easier. While there’s no camera, which makes sense for a drone with a range of 20 – 50 meters, it can easily perform 360 degree flips and rolls, has a one key return function, and includes a Headless Mode. This mode makes flying easier by not forcing you to worry about the drone’s orientation. The only requirement is that you make sure the drone is positioned in such a way that its front, indicated by a red LED light, and the remote control transmitter, both face forward.

In terms of setup and flying, I found the whole process straightforward, although not entirely intuitive. While it is indeed a small drone, its small size makes it easy to take along, which is something I can’t say for other drones that I’ve tried. As you can see from the video, this drone delivers both fun and performance.

As with any drone, though, it can be a challenge to fly at times. You’ll definitely need time to master the remote’s four trimmers to really stay in control. Because of the drone’s tiny size and minimal weight, you’ll want to fly it on calm, non-windy days, or keep it to indoor flight. Nevertheless, as-is, it’s a great value and a good performer for a pocket-sized drone.

Pluses:
– Pocket-sized
– Good price
– Performs well

Minuses:
– No camera (not necessarily expected, though)
– Propeller guards are not portable (they don’t store in the remote)
– Getting a hang of the trimmers to maximize flight precision can be a bit challenging

Summary:
If you’re looking for a portable, relatively easy-to-fly drone for very little money, the Taotuo delivers.

Thanks to Taotuo for the review unit.