Hi, I’m new to drones and recently got a Mini 4 Pro. While it’s supposedly one of the quietest drones, I’ve noticed that people still seem to find it noisy and sometimes don’t react positively. Many seem more worried about privacy, but I feel the noise is what draws their attention.
I’ve flown in parks and at home, and it seems hard to avoid these reactions. I’ve read about “low-noise propellers” like toroidal props or Master Airscrew and would love to hear if they actually help. Has anyone else had similar experiences with noise complaints? How do you handle them, and are there effective ways to reduce drone noise?
There’s not much you can do to completely eliminate noise, but flying higher helps. I had a neighbor complain once and even threaten to shoot my drone down. I explained that discharging a firearm like that is illegal, and after a calm conversation, she actually became curious about what I was filming. I even gave her a link to my footage in a thank-you card. Now she waves when she sees me!
@Davin
That’s a good way to handle it. Flying higher is something I’ll try, but it’s tricky here with so many tall buildings—it’s hard to keep the drone in sight.
Be discreet. When I fly in public, I hand-launch quickly when no one’s paying attention and keep the drone above 50-100 feet, where it’s hard to hear. I also use quieter propellers and avoid accelerating or decelerating too aggressively. Treat it like a game—stay stealthy and avoid drawing attention.
Drone noise is unavoidable to some extent, but you can reduce complaints by flying in areas with fewer people and being mindful of your surroundings. Toroidal props or Master Airscrew props might help. I haven’t used them, but they claim to reduce noise.
Some people will complain no matter what. I once flew my drone at a busy beach, away from everyone, and a lady loudly said, ‘I hate those things!’ Her kids were screaming, and there was road noise all around, so the drone was the least disruptive thing there. Just be respectful, and most people won’t mind.
I recommend trying Master Airscrew propellers. They shift the pitch lower, making the sound blend into the background more. I noticed a difference with them on my DJI MiniSE, though they’re pricier than standard props.
I work in the drone industry and specialize in measuring and reducing drone noise. There’s a lot of interesting research happening, like toroidal propellers. If you’re interested, we could chat more about it.
Engaging with people helps. If someone seems annoyed, I show them the screen and explain what I’m filming, like landscapes or landmarks. Most people become curious and ask questions rather than complaining.
I fly a Mini 4 Pro, and it’s quieter than my Mavic 3 Pro. At 393 feet, the Mini is hard to hear unless someone knows what they’re listening for. Just fly responsibly and have fun.
Mika said:
I fly a Mini 4 Pro, and it’s quieter than my Mavic 3 Pro. At 393 feet, the Mini is hard to hear unless someone knows what they’re listening for. Just fly responsibly and have fun.
Good to know. The Mavic 3 being audible at 400 feet is surprising!
Thank you for taking noise concerns seriously. If neighbors complain, try showing them what you’re filming to ease their worries. In public, avoid flying low near people and stick to less crowded areas.