How to Choose Between Quadcopter and Hexacopter?

Quadcopter Drones

 These types of drones have four rotors. Their simple structure is put to use in most consumer and commercial drones, making them light, portable and easy to maintain. They achieve flight through differential speed control of the front, rear, left, and right rotors, making them suitable for quick manoeuvrability and entry-level operation.

Hexcopter Drones

The number of rotors in a hexcopter surges from four to six, characteristically arranged in a "V" or "Y" shape. Hexacopter commercial drones are more stable and have a higher payload capacity. The control of hexacopter drones is more intricate. Even if one motor fails, they can safely return to base. Overall, quadcopters priorities "agility and economy," while hexacopters emphasize "stability and durability." This distinctive design allows business operators to quickly select the suitable drone for diverse mission scenarios.

The performance comparison among quadcopter and hexacopter commercial drones will be explained from the perspectives of control systems, flight performance, camera payload, replaceable payloads and image transmission performance.

The performance comparison between quadcopter and hexacopter drones will be based on control systems, flight performance, camera payload, replaceable payloads and image transmission performance. Quadcopter drones have good wind stability, with wind resistance levels 5-7. They have a comparatively low payload capacity, superior visible-light cameras, and a flight time of about 30 minutes, making them more suited for lightweight aerial photography, fast deployment, and portable transportation. Hexacopter drones have good stability, can hover more steadily in the air and can carry greater weight. They carry heavy mission payloads, such as radar, dual-light cameras, or multispectral sensors, enabling long-duration, continuous, and complex mission operations.

Commercial drones are used in several industry service scenarios, for example, aerial photography and film production, surveying and modelling, power and pipeline inspection, public security and emergency rescue, security patrols, agricultural applications and education and training. By carrying diverse drone payloads, they attain more accurate results.

Whether it's a quadcopter or a hexacopter drone, users can discover an appropriate solution based on their own requirements. Quadrotor drones are suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises with limited budgets and wide-ranging missions; hexacopters are aerial assistants custom-made for high-precision, high-risk scenarios.

 Quadcopter drones have a simple structure, cost between USD 2,000 and USD 20,000 and have low maintenance costs and limited payload capacity, making them suitable for high-frequency, short-duration missions. Hexacopter drones have higher equipment costs and more complex maintenance, but they can decrease risks and downtime costs in high-value missions.

This will help you choose a drone. If you want to survey large areas in detail and produce statistical data, a fixed-wing drone designed for that purpose is ideal. If you are flying in a marine environment to perceive offshore operations, something like the Q-200 Aqua allows for belly-landing in water.

If you want to take spectacular aerial footage to show off your property or business assets, or to film an event, then a drone with a 360-degree camera is a must.

If a rugged environment needs to be monitored or if search and rescue operations are to be conducted, you will need something heftier that can withstand higher wind speeds and more severe weather conditions.

You can choose the reasons you want to use a drone for your business, and build your needs around them. It’s the best way to ensure you choose the right drone for yourself.

The mobility, portability, and cost-effectiveness of quadcopter drones, and the redundancy, safety, heavy-load mission capabilities, and all-weather performance of hexacopter drones are continually enhancing the value of the commercial drone market and supporting operations across several industries. If you want to get one of these drones up your sleeve or earn a drone pilot license, come to us at Flapone Aviation.