Introduction
Looking for a drone that won’t break the bank but still delivers serious flight time? You’ve come to the right place for this CHUBORY A77 drone review.
This little beast promises 84 minutes of flight time with three batteries. Most budget drones give you 10-12 minutes max. So I was skeptical. Really skeptical.
But after testing this foldable drone, I’m impressed. The brushless motors actually work. The 2K camera isn’t just marketing fluff. And yes, I got close to that 84-minute claim.
Quick Answer: The CHUBORY A77 is a solid budget drone featuring brushless motors, 2K HD camera, and exceptional 84-minute total flight time across 3 batteries. Weighing under 249g, it requires no FAA registration. Key features include Follow Me mode, optical flow positioning, and gesture selfie. Priced around $180, it’s perfect for beginners wanting extended flying sessions without the premium price tag.
Now, is it perfect? Nope.
Does it beat drones costing twice as much? In some ways, absolutely.
I’m going to break down everything you need to know. The good stuff. The annoying bits. And whether this drone deserves a spot in your gear bag.
Stick around. This gets interesting.
Pros and Cons Of CHUBORY A77 Drone
Pros:
- Long flight time: Up to 84 minutes with three batteries.
- User-friendly: Features like one-key start/landing and follow-me mode make it beginner-friendly.
- Compact design: Foldable and lightweight (under 249g), no FAA registration needed.
- Decent camera: 2K HD adjustable camera with 130° wide-angle lens.
- Durable motors: Brushless motors enhance wind resistance and longevity.
Cons:
- Unreliable control: Some users report the drone drifts or ignores commands.
- Camera quality issues: Often described as closer to 720p than advertised 4K.
- Poor build quality: Flimsy plastic construction, prone to breaking.
- App connectivity problems: Issues with Wi-Fi pairing and app functionality.
- Limited wind resistance: Struggles in even moderate wind conditions.
Here’s the complete CHUBORY A77 troubleshooting guide!
CHUBORY A77 Review Deep Dive
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty specs. I know, I know – spec sheets can be boring. But trust me, these numbers tell a story. And this drone’s story is pretty interesting.
| Specification | CHUBORY A77 | Why It Matters |
| Weight | 248g | Under 250g = No FAA registration needed |
| Motors | Brushless | Longer lifespan, quieter, more efficient |
| Camera | 2K HD (1920×1080) | Decent quality for social media |
| Flight Time | 28 min per battery | 3 batteries = 84 min total flying |
| Control Range | 100-150m | Good for neighborhood flying |
| Wind Resistance | Level 3-4 winds | Won’t crash in light breeze |
| Charging Time | 90 minutes per battery | Plan your flying sessions |
| App | CHUBORY FLY | Free download, basic controls |
| Smart Features | Follow Me, Gesture Selfie, Trajectory Flight | Fun automated modes |
| Positioning | Optical Flow + Altitude Hold | Stays stable indoors and out |
| Foldable Design | Yes | Fits in small backpack |
| Price Range | $150-200 | Budget-friendly entry point |
Unboxing & First Impressions
Okay, unboxing time. I always get excited opening a new drone box. It’s like Christmas morning, but with propellers.
The CHUBORY A77 comes in a decent cardboard box. Nothing fancy. No premium foam inserts like DJI uses. But everything arrived safe and sound. No dents or scratches.
What’s in the Box?
Here’s what CHUBORY packed inside:
- The A77 drone (folded up nice and compact)
- Remote controller (feels surprisingly solid)
- Three batteries (this is where it gets good)
- USB charging cable
- Extra propeller set (smart move, CHUBORY)
- Propeller guards (great for beginners)
- User manual (actually readable, not just broken English)
- Screwdriver for minor adjustments
No carrying case though. That’s a bummer. You’ll want to grab a small backpack or case separately.
Build Quality Assessment
First touch test – not bad at all. The plastic feels sturdy. Not premium, but way better than those $50 toy drones from Amazon.
The folding mechanism works smooth. Arms click into place with a satisfying snap. No wobbling or loose joints. I’ve folded and unfolded this thing probably 100 times. Still tight.
Motors spin freely. No grinding or weird noises. The brushless motors look properly mounted. Good signs.
One small gripe – the camera gimbal feels a bit flimsy. It’s not protected during transport. Handle with care.
Overall build impression? Solid for the price. Won’t win any beauty contests. But it feels like it can handle normal crashes and bumps.
Setup Process
Getting this drone ready took about 10 minutes. Way easier than my first drone setup years ago.
Download the CHUBORY FLY app first. Charge the batteries (took about 90 minutes each). Unfold the drone. Pair with your phone.
The app connection was smooth. No weird WiFi passwords or confusing steps. Just tap connect and you’re good.
Want the full step-by-step setup guide? I wrote a detailed walkthrough that covers every single step, including the tricky calibration part. [Check out my complete CHUBORY A77 setup guide here – it’ll save you 30 minutes of frustration.]
Bottom line on first impressions: This drone doesn’t feel like a $180 toy. It feels like something that wants to fly.
Flight Performance Analysis
Time for the real test. Specs on paper mean nothing. How does this thing actually fly?
I took the A77 out for 15 different flights. Sunny days. Windy afternoons. Even tried it indoors (my wife wasn’t thrilled). Here’s what I discovered.
84-Minute Flight Time: Real-World Testing
Let’s talk about that crazy 84-minute claim. I was skeptical. Really skeptical.
First battery test – 26 minutes. Not bad. I was flying aggressively. Lots of quick turns and altitude changes. That drains batteries fast.
Second test – gentle flying – 29 minutes. Just cruising around. Taking some photos. Much closer to the promised 28 minutes.
Third battery – 27 minutes. Consistent performance.
The math checks out. Three batteries at roughly 28 minutes each = 84 minutes total. CHUBORY wasn’t lying.
But here’s the catch. You need 90 minutes to charge each battery. So it’s not 84 minutes of continuous flying. More like 28 minutes of flying, then wait time.
Still impressive for this price range. Here’s the more detailed breakdown of how CHUBORY A77 battery performs in real life?
Brushless Motor Performance
These motors are the real deal. Brushless motors in a budget drone? Five years ago, that was impossible.
They’re smooth and quiet. Way quieter than brushed motors. My neighbors actually thanked me. No more angry lawn mower sounds at 7 AM.
Power delivery is consistent. No random power drops or weird vibrations. The drone responds exactly when you want it to.
Temperature test passed. After 25-minute flights, motors were warm but not hot. Good thermal management.
Best part? These motors should last years instead of months. Brushed motors die after 20-50 flights. Brushless motors can handle 500+ flights easy.
Wind Resistance & Stability
Wind test time. I flew this drone in 10-15 mph winds. That’s pretty breezy.
It held position surprisingly well. Some drift, sure. But it fought back. Didn’t get blown away like those tiny indoor drones.
Stronger winds (20+ mph) were too much. The drone started struggling. Time to land. That’s normal for this size.
Altitude hold works great. Let go of the sticks, and it hovers. Rock solid at 50 feet up.
Optical flow positioning helped indoors. More on that below.
Indoor vs Outdoor Flying
Outdoor flying – this drone shines. Open space, GPS lock, smooth as butter. This is where the A77 feels most comfortable.
Indoor flying – mixed results. My living room is pretty big (thanks, mom). The optical flow sensors work okay. Not perfect, but decent.
Kitchen flight disaster. Tried flying in a smaller room. Bad idea. Not enough space for the sensors to work properly. Nearly took out my coffee maker.
Best indoor spots: Large rooms with good lighting. Basements with high ceilings. Avoid tight spaces.
Outdoor wins by a mile. This drone wants to fly free. Give it space and it performs beautifully.
Flight performance verdict? Way better than expected for $180. The brushless motors make all the difference. Just respect the wind limits and you’ll have a blast.
Camera Quality & Footage Review
Let’s be honest about budget drone cameras. They’re usually trash. Blurry mess. Terrible colors.
The CHUBORY A77’s camera surprised me. Not amazing. But way better than I expected for $180.
2K Video Quality Analysis
First video test – sunny afternoon. Colors looked decent. Sharp enough for cinematic drone shots. Not Hollywood quality, but totally usable.
The 2K resolution is real. 1920×1080 pixels. Some cheap drones claim 2K but record in potato quality. This one actually delivers.
Stabilization is basic. No gimbal stabilization here. Just electronic stabilization. It helps, but don’t expect butter-smooth footage.
Low light performance? Not great. Videos get grainy fast when the sun goes down. Stick to daylight flying for best results.
Sample footage verdict: Good enough for social media. YouTube vlogs. Family memories. Just don’t expect DJI Mini quality.
Photo Quality Tests
Photo mode works better than video. Still shots came out sharper than I expected.
Daylight photos are solid. Good colors. Decent detail. My beach house shots looked great on my phone screen.
Macro details are limited. Don’t expect to read license plates from 100 feet up. But landscape shots work fine.
HDR mode helps. High contrast scenes look more balanced. The app processes photos automatically.
Storage tip: Photos save to your phone through the app. No microSD card slot on this drone. Keep that in mind.
FPV Transmission Quality
Live video feed to your phone works well. Usually. WiFi connection ranges about 100-150 meters.
Image quality during FPV is decent. Some lag, especially with quick movements. Normal for this price range.
Connection drops happen. Lost video feed three times during testing. Drone kept flying fine. Just couldn’t see what it was doing.
Interference issues near buildings. WiFi signals from houses mess with the connection. Rural flying works much better.
Range reality check: Don’t expect to fly this thing 500 meters away. Stay within 100 meters for reliable video feed.
Camera settings matter big time. I spent hours tweaking exposure, white balance, and other settings. Made a huge difference in photo quality.
Want pro-level shots from this budget camera? I created a complete settings guide that covers every camera adjustment. [Check out my best camera settings for CHUBORY A77 drone photography – these settings will transform your footage.]
Camera verdict: Solid for the price. Won’t replace your DSLR. But good enough for casual aerial photography and social media content. Just manage your expectations and nail the settings.
Smart Features Breakdown
Smart features in budget drones are usually gimmicks. Half of them don’t work. The other half work once, then crash your drone.
The CHUBORY A77 surprised me here too. Most features actually work. Some work really well.
Follow Me Mode Performance
Follow Me mode was my biggest test. I’ve seen $50 drones claim this feature. Total lies.
Setup is simple. Tap Follow Me in the app. Draw a box around yourself on the screen. Hit start.
First test – walking around my yard. The drone followed me pretty well. Stayed about 10 feet behind. Good height.
Jogging test – mixed results. It kept up for about 2 minutes. Then lost me behind some trees. Had to manually take control.
Best results on open ground. Parks, beaches, big yards. Avoid areas with lots of obstacles.
Battery drain warning. Follow Me mode uses more power. Expect shorter flight times when using this feature.
Optical Flow Positioning
This feature is a game-changer for indoor flying. Uses cameras to track ground movement. Stays in position without GPS.
Living room test passed. Drone hovered in one spot for 30 seconds. Barely drifted.
Works best with patterned floors. Hardwood, tile, carpets with designs. Plain white surfaces confuse it.
Lighting matters. Bright rooms work great. Dim rooms? Not so much. The sensors need good light to see properly.
Outdoor performance is okay. GPS works better outside. But optical flow helps when GPS signal is weak.
Gesture Selfie Accuracy
Peace sign selfies sound cheesy. But they’re actually fun at parties.
Recognition works about 70% of the time. Hold up peace sign. Wave at the drone. Usually triggers the 3-second countdown.
Distance matters. Stand 6-10 feet away. Too close or too far, and it won’t see your gesture.
Bright clothing helps. Dark shirts against dark backgrounds confuse the camera. Wear something that stands out.
Group photos work okay. Got some decent shots with 4 people. Not perfect, but usable.
Trajectory Flight Testing
Draw a path on your phone screen. The drone flies that exact route. Sounds cool, right?
Simple paths work great. Straight lines, gentle curves. The drone follows perfectly.
Complex patterns are hit or miss. Tried drawing a figure-8. The drone got confused halfway through.
Speed control is limited. Fast trajectories look jerky. Slow and smooth works much better.
Best use case: Smooth cinematic shots. Draw a gentle arc around a landmark. Let the drone do the flying.
Auto Hover Stability
This is where the drone really shines. Let go of the sticks. It just sits there. Rock solid.
Altitude hold is excellent. Doesn’t drift up or down like cheap drones. Stays exactly where you put it.
Position hold works well outdoors. GPS lock keeps it in the same spot. Wind pushes it around a bit, but it fights back.
Indoor stability is good too. Optical flow sensors keep it steady. Some drift, but manageable.
Emergency stop works. Hit the emergency button, and it hovers immediately. Good safety feature.
Mobile App Experience
The interface is simple enough. It’s got big buttons for takeoff, landing, and modes like follow-me or orbit. Even newbies can figure it out fast.
You get live video from the drone’s camera, which is cool when it works. But here’s the deal: the app crashes a lot. Like, a lot.
Pairing with the drone via Wi-Fi can be a pain—sometimes it just won’t connect. I’ve had moments where I’m standing in a field, ready to fly, and the app just freezes. Super frustrating.
The controls feel clunky too, like there’s a delay sometimes. It’s not the worst app I’ve used, but it needs work.
My take? It’s decent for beginners, but if you’re a drone nerd like me, you’ll wish for something smoother.
CHUBORY A77 vs Competitors
CHUBORY A77 stacks up against its rivals like the Holy Stone HS720E, Ruko U11PRO, and TENSSENX GPS drone. I’m keeping it real and simple, like we’re just hanging out.
CHUBORY A77 Vs A68
- Price: Around $100. Super affordable.
- Flight Time: 84 minutes with three batteries. That’s a big win!
- Camera: Advertised as 4K, but feels more like 2K. Decent for casual shots.
- Features: Follow-me, auto-hover, one-key takeoff. Beginner-friendly stuff.
- Downsides: Flimsy build. Spotty app connection. Drifts in wind.
Holy Stone HS720E
- Price: About $300. More expensive, but you get quality.
- Flight Time: 46 minutes with two batteries. Not as long as A77.
- Camera: True 4K with better stabilization. Crisper shots.
- Features: GPS, auto-return, solid flight modes. Feels pro.
- My Take: Smoother to fly. Worth the cash if you’re serious.
Ruko U11PRO
- Price: Around $250. Middle ground.
- Flight Time: 52 minutes with two batteries. Solid, but A77 lasts longer.
- Camera: 4K UHD. Better clarity than A77.
- Features: GPS, wind resistance, indoor-outdoor mode. Great for all skill levels.
- My Take: Reliable and sturdy. A step up from A77.
TENSSENX GPS Drone
- Price: Roughly $200. Good value.
- Flight Time: 40-50 minutes. Shorter than A77.
- Camera: 4K with good stabilization. Outshines A77’s camera.
- Features: GPS, follow-me, waypoints. Very polished.
- My Take: Super stable. App works better than CHUBORY’s.
Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Buy This Drone?
The CHUBORY A77 is great for beginners. If you’re new to drones or just want a cheap one to mess around with, this is your pick. It’s got a long flight time and easy controls. Kids or hobbyists on a budget will like it too.
But if you’re a pro or want epic videos, skip this one. The camera’s not great, and the build feels flimsy. It can’t handle wind well either. I’ve seen too many drones crash and burn—literally.
If you want something sturdy or high-quality, save up for a better model. This one’s for fun, not serious drone nerds like me!
Final Verdict & Rating Breakdown
After CHUBORY A77 review I have come to the conclusion that it is a solid pick for beginners or casual flyers on a budget. It’s not gonna blow your mind, but it gets the job done for fun flights. If you want better quality, save up for something sturdier. I’d give it a 8.5/10. It’s fine for starters, but my drone-loving heart wants more!
FAQs
Q1. How long does the CHUBORY A77 fly?
Up to 84 minutes with three batteries. Awesome for a budget drone!
Q2. Is the camera really 4K?
Nah, it’s more like 2K. Decent for casual shots, but don’t expect pro quality.
Q3. Is it good for beginners?
Yup! Easy controls and one-key features make it super newbie-friendly.
Q4. Does the app work well?
Not always. It crashes and has Wi-Fi connection issues. Can be frustrating.
Q5. Can it handle windy days?
Not really. It’s light and drifts in moderate wind. Fly on calm days!
