Is the Holy Stone HS720E worth buying in 2025?
I see the Holy Stone HS720E consistently recommended for beginners. I want an honest assessment from people who actually own it — how reliable is the GPS, how good is the camera, and is it worth $199 compared to the Potensic ATOM SE at $149 or stretching to a DJI Mini 2 SE at $299?
5 Answers
Sorted by: Votes
GearReviewer_TomBest Answer
Complete honest assessment of the Holy Stone HS720E for 2025:
Where the HS720E Delivers
GPS Reliability — Strong
GPS lock is consistent in open sky (typically 12-16 satellites in 90 seconds). Return-to-home works accurately — drone climbs to RTH altitude and returns within 2-3m of launch. Follow-me mode is reliable at walking pace with your phone GPS. These core GPS features work as advertised.
Build Quality — Good
The folding design is solid plastic with brushless motors. It has survived minor crashes in testing without failure. Not indestructible, but durable for normal beginner use.
Customer Support — Above Average
Holy Stone has a reputation for responsive customer service, with warranty claims generally resolved promptly. Better than most budget drone brands.
Where the HS720E Falls Short
Camera — Adequate, Not Impressive
4K EIS footage in calm, bright conditions: sharp and usable for social media. In wind or fast movement: EIS warping and vibration artifacts are visible. No RAW photo support — JPEG only. No gimbal stabilization.
Weight — Registration Required
At 492g, it requires FAA registration and cannot be flown in some restricted areas where sub-250g drones have more flexibility. This is the most significant practical disadvantage versus ATOM SE and DJI Mini 2 SE.
App — Functional but Basic
The Holy Stone GPS+ app works but lacks the polish of DJI Fly. Map integration is adequate, controls are clear, but occasional connectivity hiccups are reported by some users.
The Decision Framework
- Choose ATOM SE ($149): lighter (no registration), cheaper, similar GPS capability
- Choose HS720E ($199): established brand trust, strong customer service, mature GPS system
- Choose DJI Mini 2 SE ($299): best camera, best app, best wind resistance
SkyPilot_Dave
2-year owner update: the HS720E has been remarkably durable. I have flown it in light rain (not recommended but unplanned) and it survived. I have had two hard landings due to beginner mistakes and both times it just needed the props re-seated. The brushless motors are still running smoothly after 200+ flights. For a $199 drone, that longevity is genuinely impressive. The GPS has never failed or behaved erratically in 2 years of use.
Where I wish it were better: the app crashes once every 10-15 flights on my phone (Android). Never mid-flight, but at launch. Minor annoyance that requires a restart but worth knowing about.
PhotographyDroner
Camera quality honest comparison between HS720E and DJI Mini 2 SE (both at their respective price points): shared the same scene footage side-by-side with several non-drone-photographer friends and asked which looked better without telling them the prices. All five chose the DJI footage immediately. The difference is in stabilization smoothness (HS720E EIS vs DJI electronic stabilization), color rendering (DJI more natural), and detail resolution. If camera quality matters, the $100 premium for the DJI Mini 2 SE is justified.
SafetyFirstPilot
The 492g weight requiring registration is the practical dealbreaker for some buyers. Traveling with a drone that needs to be registered means you always need to carry the registration card or have it displayed. At parks or locations where a ranger asks, you need to produce it. The ATOM SE and Mini 2 SE eliminate this friction entirely at similar price points. If you plan to fly spontaneously at parks, trails, or beaches, the sub-250g advantage is real and daily.
DroneInspector_Pro
Bottom line recommendation for 2025: if the HS720E is on sale for $149-169 it becomes a stronger buy vs the ATOM SE at $149. At $199, the ATOM SE at $149 is more compelling purely on specs and portability. The HS720E's edge is brand recognition and customer service reputation — valuable for first-time drone buyers who want reliable support if something goes wrong. Choose HS720E if brand support matters to you; ATOM SE if portability and price efficiency matter more.