HOVERAir X1, complete test: the 100% autonomous selfie drone!

Zero Zero Robotics stands out among drone manufacturers for its refreshing innovations. The HOVERAir X1 is a perfect example. If you’re looking for a hands-free selfie stick that follows you everywhere, this fully autonomous drone might just catch your eye. But what about it? Is it right for you? We reveal everything you need to know about this unique model in this article!

HOVERAir X1 : Design

Weight	125g
Dimensions (folded) (L x W x H)	127 x 86 x 31 mm
Dimensions (unfolded) (L x W x H)	127 x 145 x 30 mm
Internal storage	32 GB

The HOVERAir X1 is a selfie drone, a fully autonomous flying camera designed to capture photos and film people, whether moving or stationary. Supplied without a remote control, this drone can be configured via a dedicated mobile app.

Weighing just 125 g, this mini drone folds in half lengthways, making it easy to carry and slip into a pocket. Once unfolded and ready to fly, its dimensions are reduced from 127 x 86 x 31 mm to 127 x 145 x 30 mm.

Available in black or white, the X1 is equipped with propeller guards in the form of grids that completely enclose the motors and propellers permanently. These guards ensure optimum safety, protecting both the user’s hands and the aircraft’s components from obstacles. Thanks to this design, the drone is perfectly suited to both indoor and outdoor flights.

The central body of the device integrates the nacelle and camera on the front, as well as a side USB-C port for recharging and transferring photos and videos. On the top, the drone has just two buttons : an on/off button that is also used to take off, and a button dedicated to selecting the desired flight mode.

When it comes to storage, the HOVERAir X1 has no memory card slot. Instead, it’s equipped with 32 GB of internal memory, which you can easily empty via the USB-C port or by WiFi connection thanks to the dedicated app.

🚨 Regulatory update
The HOVERAir X1, weighing in at 125g – well below the 250g limit – is classified in category C0. This lightness means it can fly over residential, commercial, industrial and recreational areas, as well as over people, as long as these overflights are accidental and of short duration. Regulations vary from country to country, but in France, as in many other countries, all you need to do is register online, as the drone is equipped with a camera.

HOVERAir X1 : Control methods

Control methods	Autonomous flight Application
Maximum transmission distance	30 meters
Maximum flying height	15 meters

Autonomous control

As already mentioned, the HOVERAir X1 is supplied without a controller. It is capable of fully autonomous flight, thanks to a selection of pre-programmed flight paths. To use it, simply select the desired flight mode via the dedicated button on the top of the drone, then press the takeoff button. The drone will lift off from your palm after a three-second delay. To land, simply hold out your hand again, and the X1 will land automatically.

The five main flight modes are :

1. Hover: the drone remains in a static position in front of you and follows you by pivoting on itself.
2. Follow: The drone follows you either forwards or backwards.
3. Zoom Out: The drone moves backwards and then returns to the target.
4. Orbit: The drone rotates around you.
5. Bird’s Eye: The drone soars above you, then returns to its starting point.

Each mode can be customized via the dedicated app, allowing parameters such as distance or flight height to be set.

Mobile application

The HOVERAir X1 can also be controlled via theHOVERAir mobile app, available for Android and iOS. This app enables all flight modes to be launched directly from its interface, while also offering the possibility of viewing live images captured by the drone, up to a distance of 30 meters thanks to the WiFi connection between the two devices.

The application also offers a manual control mode, allowing you to pilot the drone using two virtual joysticks. This feature opens up new shooting possibilities, giving you the freedom to move the drone wherever you want and film whatever you want, beyond the automatic modes that keep the drone centered on you.

However, this manual piloting mode has certain limitations. The drone cannot reach heights of over 15 meters, and the WiFi connection is limited to a range of 30 meters. Beyond this distance, live image transmission is interrupted and the connection with the drone is lost.

HOVERAir X1 : In-flight performance

Maximum speed	7 m/s
Max. ascent speed	1.5 m/s
Max. descent speed	1.5 m/s
Max. wind resistance	7.9m/s (level 4)

The first thing to note is that the HOVERAir X1 offersexcellent flight performance. Its behavior is exemplary: the drone is extremely stable, with no wobbles or drifts. No major bugs or loss of connection are generally reported, even in manual mode (unless the drone is too far away, of course). What’s more, once the flight plan has been executed, the X1 easily finds its way back to your outstretched hand.

However, things get complicated when the wind picks up. While its size and weight are assets for transport, they become disadvantages in gusty conditions. With its relatively low wind resistance (level 4, i.e. 7.9 m/s or around 28 km/h), the X1 has difficulty maintaining stability in winds above this speed, making images unstable. It is therefore preferable to use it in calm weather (or indoors).

It’s also important to note that the X1 has no GPS. Instead, it uses positioning and inertial sensors to determine its position relative to the ground and calculate its flight paths. This absence of GPS means faster start-up, with no need for calibration, but it also represents a risk if the connection with the drone is lost: it won’t be able to find its way back to you, and will land on the spot. It is therefore not recommended for use at sea or over precipices such as buildings or cliffs.

However, this system contributes effectively to the detection of obstacles below the drone. Although the X1 is not equipped with an omnidirectional obstacle detection system like some other models, it handles navigation well in relatively complex environments, such as a forest. It can touch a few leaves along the way without any problem, and continues to follow its target.

Let’s talk a little about the tracking mode : it’s generally described as really reliable. Of course, with a maximum speed of 7 m/s (around 25 km/h), the drone won’t be able to follow you if you’re on a motorcycle. But if you’re walking or running, there’s no problem – it’ll accompany you efficiently. For cycling, the HOVERAir X1 also works very well, provided you don’t go too fast. Avoid sprinting so that the drone doesn’t lose sight of its target.

Finally, should the drone crash, as all drones sooner or later do, the HOVERAir X1 is quite resilient. Its solid, flexible shell is shock-resistant and tolerates falls well, provided the camera is not directly impacted, as this remains a weak point in the event of impact.

HOVERAir X1 : Autonomy

Battery	1050 mAh
Autonomy	11.5 minutes
Charging time	35 minutes with charging hub 55 minutes live

The HOVERAir X1 is equipped with a 1050 mAh battery which, according to the manufacturer’s official data, offers a flight time of 11 and a half minutes. It’s important to note that these flight times are measured under ideal conditions and may be shorter in real-world use. In real-life conditions, most tests report flight times of between 8 and 10 minutes, depending on the modes used.

Although autonomy may seem relatively short, it’s quite sufficient to allow the drone to run several pre-programmed modes – up to twenty, according to the manufacturer – and capture some nice memories along the way. However, depending on your use, it may be worth investing in additional batteries or choosing the Combo pack, which includes a second battery.

As for charging time, a full charge takes around 55 minutes when the charger is plugged directly into the drone. Alternatively, using the charging hub included in the Combo pack or available for purchase separately, full recharging takes just 35 minutes.

HOVERAir X1 : Camera

Objective	Equivalent format 19mm Aperture f/2.4 FOV 90
Max. photo resolution	12 MP
Max. video resolution	2.7K at 30 fps 1080p up to 60 fps
Max. bit rate	32 Mbps
Photo format	JPEG
Video format	MP4

Resolution and image quality

The HOVERAir X1 is equipped with a small sensor mounted on a gondola stabilized only on the tilt axis (up and down movement). For the other axes, the camera uses digital stabilization. You can capture 12 MP photos and record videos in 2.7K at 30 fps, or in 1080p at up to 60 fps if you want to do some slow-motion shots.

As you’d expect from a sensor of this size, the X1’s image quality isn’t exceptional. Photos can lack detail, and the lens sometimes struggles to handle high contrasts, resulting in overexposed areas, such as a bright sky, or noise in shadows and low light, especially indoors. Image quality degrades rapidly in these conditions. Best results are obtained on sunny days and when shooting in motion, especially when tracking subjects.

However, it’s important to keep things in perspective: the quality is still decent, and far superior to what was available a few years ago. a few years ago. Compared to today’s standards, however, it’s pretty basic. The HOVERAir X1 is perfectly suited to immortalizing memories and sharing them on social networks, but it won’t meet the requirements of more serious content creators. If you’re looking for more advanced image quality, this drone may prove limited.

Photo and video features

Apart from the pre-programmed flight modes and the few settings mentioned in the section on control methods, the HOVERAir X1 remains fairly limited in terms of options and parameters.

For photos, you can choose between standard mode (single shot) and burst mode. For videos, you can choose between different resolutions and frame rates, but all settings are automated, with no possibility of manual parameterization. However, the drone does offer a vertical shooting mode, particularly useful for those wishing to publish on platforms such as TikTok or YouTube Shorts.

The X1 also offers a unique feature for sound recording. You can record your voice directly with your smartphone’s microphone, and the app will then synchronize the audio with the video captured by the drone. What’s more, the app is able to isolate human voices, eliminating the noise of the drone flying next to you.

HOVERAir X1 : Price

Standard Pack	389€	See on Amazon
Combo Pack	449€	See on Amazon

The HOVERAir X1 is available in two versions: the Standard package, which includes the basic accessories, and the Combo package, offering a few extra features. In both cases, you can choose the color of your drone, available in black or white.

The Standard package is available for €389. It includes the drone with a battery, a USB cable for recharging and data transfer, and a small storage bag. It’s a good option for beginners who only want the essentials.

The Combo pack is undoubtedly the best value option. It includes all the elements of the Standard pack, plus an additional battery and a charging station for simultaneous charging of both batteries. Priced at €449, this pack is ideal for those planning more prolonged use, offering greater autonomy and the ability to extend their flying sessions without interruption.

HOVERAir X1 conclusion: the drone for you?

In short, the HOVERAir X1 is an innovative concept: a drone specially designed to fly around its target (you) with limited flight distances (30 m horizontally and 15 m vertically). It sets itself apart by offering a different experience from the traditional aerial vision you’d expect from a conventional drone.

However, when it comes to its core mission – capturing tracking shots of static and moving subjects thanks to its intelligent tracking and pre-programmed trajectories – this little drone proves extremely effective. It’s a real little flying camera that follows its target impeccably, offering considerable freedom compared to a camera mounted on a selfie pole. What’s more, it’s fun to fly and incredibly easy to use.

On the negative side, image quality remains limited, an aspect that the manufacturer will no doubt be able to improve in future versions. What’s more, its price may seem a little high given its current features. Nonetheless, it’s an interesting and refreshing concept that stands out from the ordinary in terms of its flying capabilities.

For whom?

The HOVERAir X1 is perfect for drone beginners, vloggers, and anyone who’s tired of holding a selfie pole. If you don’t want the hassle of flying a traditional drone, and you’re looking for a device that can follow you around to capture memories quickly and easily, this is the drone for you.

Buy it if…

… You’re looking for a practical, easy-to-carry flying cameraman , ideal for taking quick shots. Thanks to its automatic flight modes and intelligent tracking, the HOVERAir X1 lets you take photos or film yourself effortlessly, whether with family or friends. Its ease of use makes it the perfect companion for capturing spontaneous moments with ease.

Don’t buy it if…

… image quality is important to you. For example, if you’re a professional vlogger and need to create high-quality content, you may be disappointed by the X1’s limited capabilities, both in terms of resolution and photo and video options.

… you want spectacular aerial images. If you’re looking for a drone that can give you the kind of bird’s-eye view that conventional drones can, the X1 isn’t the model for you. It’s primarily designed to follow your target on the ground, rather than provide traditional aerial shots.

Did you like this article? Here are some other tests you might be interested in:
➡️ DJI Neo, full review: selfie drone and more!
➡️ Our full review of the HOVERAir X1 PRO (and X1 PROMAX)