Holy Stone HS360S Drone Review : Affordable GPS Camera Drone for Beginners

What is the Holy Stone HS360S Drone?

The Holy Stone HS360S is a lightweight, foldable GPS drone designed for beginners and casual drone enthusiasts who want a portable, easy-to-fly aircraft without spending a fortune. Weighing under 250g, it’s exempt from FAA registration in the U.S. and avoids certain drone regulations in other countries, making it a hassle-free choice for new pilots.

This drone is part of Holy Stone’s premium beginner range, offering a 4K UHD camera, brushless motors, GPS-assisted flight, and several smart flight modes. While it’s not aimed at professional filmmakers, it delivers solid value for those who prioritize portability, ease of use, and fun flying experiences over cinematic perfection.

Standout Features of the Holy Stone HS360S

Here’s a closer look at what makes the HS360S stand out in its category:

1. Lightweight and Travel-Friendly

At under 250 grams, the HS360S is ultra-portable and regulation-friendly. You can carry it in your backpack without worrying about heavy gear or complicated registration processes in most countries.

2. 4K UHD Camera

The HS360S features a 1/3” GalaxyCore CMOS sensor that captures 3840×2160 still images and 4K video (20fps) or 2.7K video (30fps). While the lack of a gimbal means footage can be shaky, it’s sufficient for casual aerial shots.

3. GPS-Assisted Flight

The built-in GPS system provides improved stability and location accuracy, allowing for features like:

• Return-to-Home (RTH)
• Follow Me Mode
• Waypoint Navigation
• Point of Interest Flight
• TapFly Route Planning

4. Smart Flight Modes

Aside from GPS functions, the HS360S offers Spiral Up, Catapult Launch, One-Tap Ascension, and Time-Lapse shooting modes, making flights more engaging and creative.

5. Decent Range and Transmission

With a control range of up to 3 km, you can explore wide areas without losing signal. The real-time FPV video feed is transmitted to your smartphone via the Holy Stone app.

6. Brushless Motors

Brushless motors not only extend the drone’s lifespan but also improve efficiency, provide quieter operation, and handle windy conditions better than brushed motors.

7. Foldable Design

The foldable arms make it convenient to store and carry, perfect for outdoor adventures.

8. Affordable Price Point

Priced around $200-$240 (with two batteries in some bundles), the HS360S delivers a solid feature set without breaking the bank.

Holy Stone HS360S Vs Potensic Atom SE

Holy Stone HS360S	Potensic Atom SE
Camera: 4K @ 20fps, no EIS	Camera: 4K @ 30fps, EIS (Sony CMOS)
Flight Time: ~15–20 mins	Flight Time: Up to 31 mins
Range: Up to 3 km	Range: Up to 4 km
GPS & Sensors: GPS + RTH, no sensors	GPS & Sensors: GPS + ToF + Optical Flow
Portability: Foldable, 249g	Portability Foldable, 249g
Smart Modes: Follow Me, Waypoint, POI	Smart Modes Follow Me, Waypoint, Circle
Amazon Price	Amazon Price

Is This Drone Right for You?

Who Should Buy it

You’ll likely enjoy the HS360S if you:

• Are a beginner pilot looking for an easy-to-use GPS drone.
• Want portability and lightweight design for travel.
• Prefer a budget-friendly drone with multiple flight modes.
• Don’t need professional-grade, stabilized aerial footage.
• Live in a country where sub-250g drones avoid registration requirements.

Who Should Skip it

You may want to consider alternatives if you:

• Require cinematic, stabilized video for professional use (look for drones with 3-axis gimbals like the DJI Mini series).
• Want longer flight times (the HS360S offers about 15-20 minutes per battery).
• Need advanced obstacle avoidance for complex flying environments.

User Review Highlights

We’ve looked at buyer feedback from multiple sources, including Amazon, drone forums, and tech review sites. Here’s what real users have to say:

Positive Reviews

• Easy to Fly for Beginners – Many users praise its beginner-friendly controls and stable GPS-assisted flight, making it ideal for first-time pilots.
• Compact and Lightweight – Frequent travelers appreciate the foldable design and sub-250g weight, which makes it easy to carry anywhere.
• Good Value for the Price – Customers note that for under $250, it includes a wide range of smart flight features found in more expensive drones.
• Brushless Motor Performance – Users like that it handles light wind well and operates more quietly than entry-level brushed drones.

Critical Feedback

• No Image Stabilization – Some reviewers note that the lack of a gimbal leads to shaky footage, especially in windy conditions.
• Shorter Flight Time – While advertised at up to 20 minutes, several users report real-world times closer to 15 minutes per battery.
• Occasional Connectivity Issues – A few users have experienced app connection drops or trouble linking their phones to the controller.
• Lower Frame Rates in 4K – At 20fps, 4K video can feel choppy compared to drones offering 30fps or 60fps.

Ease of setup and flight are good, and GPS works well. Camera quality and battery life are decent for casual use, but the app connection can be inconsistent at times.
– Amazon Customer

Final Verdict

The Holy Stone HS360S is a well-balanced, beginner-friendly GPS drone that delivers an impressive feature set for its price. It’s ideal for hobbyists, travelers, and new pilots who want something portable and easy to fly without spending over $500.

You won’t get professional-level video quality, but you’ll enjoy a fun, capable, and regulation-friendly drone with enough smart features to keep flights exciting.

Best For: Beginners & Travel Enthusiasts
Avoid If: You need cinematic-grade video or long flight endurance.

FAQs