7 Best 3D Printed Drones – Free Downloads
Reading Time: 8 minutes Drones have become highly popular in this day and age and many 3D printing hobbyists wonder what the best 3D printed drones are. That’s why I wrote this article, to show you the 7 best 3D printed drones out there.
The 7 best 3D printed drones are NanoLongRange, TinyTina 90mm, XL-RCM 10.0 PIXXY, ARS-5 V1.0 5″ Racing Drone, Hovership MHQ2, MK XI Micro Quad Frame, and T4 Quadcopter Drone. If you enjoy smaller drones, the NanoLongRange is for you, while the Hovership MHQ2 offers a great alternative for hobbyists seeking a reliable build.
This is just the basic answer, keep reading to find out more about the 7 best 3D printed drones.
7 Best 3D Printed Drones
These are the 7 best 3D printed drones out there:
- NanoLongRange
- TinyTina 90mm – Mini Drone Frame
- XL-RCM 10.0 PIXXY: Pocket Drone / FPV Quad
- ARS-5 V1.0 5″ Racing Drone
- Hovership MHQ2
- MK XI Micro Quad Frame
- T4 Quadcopter Drone
1. NanoLongRange Drone
The NanoLongRange is a small FPV quadcopter designed around a single Lithium-Ion Battery. It can be downloaded for free at Thingiverse.
Despite its experimental nature, it provides over ten minutes of flight time, making it a fun and unique DIY project for drone enthusiasts.
The drone’s design is really compact and has a lightweight construction, making it ideal for both beginners and experienced DIY drone builders.
The NanoLongRange frame needs careful tuning of print settings for an optimal blend of lightweight strength.
That allows builders to customize many aspects, like camera angle and flight controller placement.
Despite the small size, it packs features seen in larger quads for a unique experience. The simple design allows for easy repairs and maintenance.
Some of its pros include:
- Long flight time for its size
- 3D printed for customization
- Compact and lightweight design
One user stated that drones with a design such as the NanoLongRage Drone are the future of casual drones. Another user recommends this drone as he has 3D printed and built two of these for his kids.
Check out the video below for detailed instructions on how to build the NanoLongRage Drone.
2. TinyTina 90mm – Mini Drone Frame
The TinyTina 90mm Mini Drone Frame is a compact, screwless brushless drone frame designed for convenience and flexibility.
With a motor-to-motor distance of just 90mm, it’s perfect for agile indoor and outdoor flying. You can download the TinyTina 90mm – Mini Drone Frame on Thingiverse for free.
The TinyTina 90mm Mini Drone Frame offers a hassle-free, screwless design that’s perfect for those seeking a nimble and customizable drone.
Whether you’re into indoor acrobatics or outdoor exploration, this frame’s versatile design accommodates your preferred flight style.
The TinyTina 90mm optimized frame offers agile handling indoors and out. Durable material choices and high infill will ensure the frame holds up to any adventure.
Clever design features enhance the build and flight experience and fine-tuning components brings out the full potential of this micro-frame.
The screwless approach simplifies construction and maintenance, making this drone ideal to users of any experience range.
Some of its pros include:
- Screwless Design
- Optimized for FPV
- User-Friendly Resources
One user really recommends the TinyTina 90mm as he 3D printed one and was able to put it to the test easily.
He stated that the drone was so fast that he crashed his first one but was amazed at how well it worked.
Another user recommends using this drone to practice racing. He also suggests practicing in a simulator before flying the drone.
Check out the video below for detailed information about the TinyTina 90mm.
3. XL-RCM 10.0 PIXXY: Pocket Drone / FPV Quad
The XL-RCM 10.0 PIXXY is one of the smallest 3D printed FPV quadcopters, designed for indoor and outdoor flying.
It offers a cost-effective way to enjoy FPV flight, with simple assembly and readily available parts. The XL-RCM 10.0 PIXXY can be downloaded for free on Thingiverse.
Meticulous printing is advised for the XL-RCM 10.0 PIXXY’s tiny components. The pre-planned build guide makes assembly straightforward.
Impressive flight times come from an oversized battery relative to its micro airframe. The shrouded prop design contributes to stable indoor flights.
Even beginners can enjoy this pocket rocket once they practice smooth throttle control. This drone also challenges builders to stretch their skills working at this scale.
Advanced pilots can use the full potential of this micromachine. Beginners gain valuable experience applying principles scaled up to larger drones.
Some of its pros include:
- Extremely compact and lightweight
- Affordable building cost
- Easy assembly with simple soldering
One user really recommends it and likes this drone a lot. He stated that it is very detailed and works well even if it is really minimal.
Another user suggests downloading and printing this drone as it is one of the best designs he’s ever seen. He recommends following this page of instructions when building it.
Check out the video below to see the XL-RCM 10.0 PIXXY in action.
4. ARS-5 V1.0 5″ Racing Drone
The ARS-5 V1.0 5″ Racing Drone is a high-speed FPV racing quadcopter that shows off the essence of 3D printing innovation.
Engineered for exhilarating races, this drone is a testament to the power of DIY customization. You can download the ARS-5 V1.0 5″ Racing Drone for free on Thingiverse.
The ARS-5 V1.0 frame layout enhances performance compared to typical camera top designs.
By using quality components, you’ll be able to fully exploit the model’s capabilities and the customization potential allows builders to optimize for speed or agility.
The bright LEDs complete the look of this racing-inspired frame. This design brings out friendly competition, tweaking for every last drop of performance.
The ARS-5 V1.0 is ready to ride along on the journey from beginner to expert drone racer.
Some of its pros include:
- Affordable racing setup
- Customizable for individual preferences
- Durable 3D printed frame
Users recommend downloading this drone as it features a clever design and an easy-to-print frame.
Check out the video below for some flight footage captured on DVR of the ARS-5 V1.0 5″ Racing Drone.
5. Hovership MHQ2
The Hovership MHQ2 is a folding mini quadcopter frame with improved functionality and stability. It supports 6″ propellers and offers various features for FPV enthusiasts.
You can find the Hovership MHQ2 on Thingiverse to be downloaded for free.
With clever material choices allow the Hovership MHQ2 frame to bounce back after hard landings. Portability is maximized with foldable arms featured in the design.
It’s important to remember that a careful building technique ensures a professional clean result and an optimized center of gravity provides a stable platform for great footage.
The Hovership MHQ2 shows how 3D printing can enhance reliability. Clever touches improve stability for crisper footage and fewer crashes.
Some of its pros include:
- Improved flight stability
- Lower center of gravity for camera and battery
- Integrated GoPro and Mobius mount
- Supports various motor and propeller combinations
One user really recommends downloading and 3D printing the Hovership MHQ2. He stated that it was the first drone he 3D printed, and it looked great.
He stated that the design of this drone provides room to grow and fewer limitations to how components are chosen and mounted.
Check out the video below to see a flight compilation of the Hovership MHQ2.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrj7iZE8P1M
6. MK XI Micro Quad Frame
The MK XI Micro Quad Frame offers a lightweight and customizable solution for building a sub-100mm quadcopter. It’s designed for durability and easy assembly.
You can find and download the MK XI Micro Quad Frame on MyMiniFactory.
Meticulous printing brings out the best in the MK XI Micro Quad Frame’s complex geometry. A protective camera cage prevents crashes from ruining footage.
The versatile electronics options plus its tiny size make it ideal for darting around indoors. The MK XI Micro Quad Frame proves small drones are just as capable as their full-sized counterparts.
Its protective cage shows how 3D printing complements off-the-shelf electronics. This build highlights digitally fabricated drones as an accessible gateway to the hobby.
Pros:
- Lightweight and rigid frame
- FPV camera protection
- Customizable with various electronics
One user recommends this drone as it features great camera protection. He stated that too many frames leave the camera exposed and vulnerable and this model does not.
Another user stated that the MK XI Micro Quad Frame prints really well and it is not that hard to assemble.
Check out the video below for more details on how to assemble the MK XI Micro Quad Frame.
7. T4 Quadcopter Drone
The T4 Quadcopter is a versatile 3D printed drone with a unique tubular design.
It supports various configurations and is compatible with different flight controllers, making it suitable for a wide range of users. The T4 Quadcopter Drone can be downloaded for free on Thingiverse.
This Quadcopter’s unique tube arms resist damage other frames might sustain. That’s because it isolates components and curbs vibrations for optimum performance.
Upgraded motors exploit the potential of this well-designed airframe. The clean aerodynamic shape provides an agile flying experience.
The T4 Quadcopter is perfect for taking advantage of 3D printing to create unique geometry. Its sturdy frame is ready to hold up to abuse that could destroy other designs.
This drone demonstrates the potential for digital fabrication to improve reliability and capability.
Some of its pros include:
- Tubular frame design for strength and flexibility
- Supports multiple flight controller options
- RF “invisible” frame
One user stated that while this drone is not the easiest to print, it works great after it is done.
Another user recommends the T4 Quadcopter Drone as he has printed three over the years and all of them have flown successfully.
Check out the video below for detailed instructions on how to build the T4 Quadcopter Drone.
