FCC Shoots Down Chinese Drone Maker's Claim That It Got Around the US Foreign Ban

Jim Fisher — Sat, 22 Aug 2026 14:49:17 +0000

It appeared the HoverAir Versa’s modular design exempted it from the FCC ban. But the agency tells PCMag that "importing, marketing, or selling this device" is illegal.

Editors' Note, Aug. 22, 2026: This story was updated with a statement from the FCC.

HoverAir, an imprint of China's Zero Zero Robotics, has the dubious honor of being both the first and latest victim of the FCC's foreign drone ban. Its waterproof

FCC: Surface Water Pool Cleaning Robots Subject to Foreign-Made Bot Ban

Michael Kan — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 19:33:24 +0000

Robot pool cleaners that operate purely underwater are exempt, but not 'dual use' ones that can operate from floor to surface, according to an update to the FCC's FAQ.

It looks like pool cleaning robots can fall under the US’s foreign-made robot ban if the products operate at surface water level.

The FCC has updated an FAQ about the ban, which previously left it unclear if pool cleaning robots were exempt or not. The …

Amazon Plans Drone Deliveries to Nearly 500 US Cities and Towns This Year

Jibin Joseph — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 13:39:30 +0000

Atlanta, Boise, Chicago, Cleveland, and Syracuse are among the locations Amazon plans to bring Prime Air this year.

Amazon has announced plans to expand its Prime Air drone-delivery service to 500 cities and towns across the US by the end of this year. The expansion would make the company’s airborne deliveries available in as many as 12 states, five more than the existing seven.

The company didn’t reveal all …

Uber Aims For 1 Million Drone Deliveries Per Day By 2029

Michael Kan — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 14:28:25 +0000

The ride-hailing company is partnering with drone delivery provider Zipline to pull off the ambitious goal which will involve Uber Eats.

Uber is making a major push in drone delivery. On Monday, the company announced an ambitious goal “to reach one million drone deliveries per day by the end of 2029,” through a new partnership.

To pull this off, Uber is working with the drone delivery provider …

Take It From a Licensed Drone Pilot: The FCC’s Expanding Ban Is Out of Control

Jim Fisher — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 18:08:26 +0000

Drones were just the canary in the coal mine. Washington's crusade against foreign tech is about to make the gadgets you rely on outrageously expensive—or impossible to buy.

I made my first drone flight more than a dozen years ago, taking the controls of the DJI Phantom 2 Vision+ for a review here at PCMag. Since then, drone tech has gotten way better. Now, even consumer models …

Trump Slaps New 25% Tariff on Small Drones, 100% on Thermal Imaging Drones

Michael Kan — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 14:51:44 +0000

After a Supreme Court loss earlier this year, the Trump administration is using a different authority to add a 25% tariff on smaller drones, and a 100% tariff on larger models.

If you’re looking to buy a new drone, brace for potential price hikes: The Trump administration is imposing new tariffs on imported drones and their components.

The US is becoming "too reliant on foreign sources" of drones and drone components, according to an

FCC Foreign Drone Ban: Which Drones Are Actually Banned in the US Right Now?

Jim Fisher — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 18:49:18 +0000

Following its ban on new foreign-made drones and DJI cameras, the FCC is starting to revoke authorization for devices it previously approved. Here's what it means for drone owners and buyers.

It's been months since the FCC took the unprecedented step of adding all foreign drones and handheld DJI camera gear to its Covered List, a registry of equipment that's not allowed to be sold in the US. We've already seen new releases like the waterproof

DJI: Worried About Looming LiDAR Drone Ban? Please Tell the FCC

Michael Kan — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 18:22:39 +0000

In a Thursday email, DJI encouraged enterprise customers to submit FCC comments opposing a plan to retroactively ban LiDAR-equipped foreign-made drones.

Chinese vendor DJI is encouraging customers to help it fight a US government proposal that threatens to retroactively ban some of its drones.

The company is using social media and email to rally its user base, …

I'm a Certified Drone Pilot. The FCC's Expanding Ban Should Scare Us All

Jim Fisher — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 14:57:45 +0000

What started as a ban on foreign drones is rapidly spreading to routers, robot vacuums, and portable power stations—and consumers are going to pay the price.

I initially got into drones as a fascinating piece of tech centered on video and photography—the core of my beat here at PCMag. It's been nearly a dozen years since I took my first flight with the DJI Phantom Vision 2+, and in …

FCC Bans Odyssey Robot Drone Following Evidence It's Actually From DJI

Michael Kan — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 17:03:07 +0000

The FCC revoked the device authorization after it caught the mysterious firm lying about its drone, which appears to be based on tech from China's DJI.

The Federal Communications Commission is cracking down on a company accused of falsifying records to try and sell a suspected DJI-made drone in the US.

On Tuesday, the FCC revoked the equipment authorization for a drone from Odyssey Robot, which had originally received approval in March …

US Drone Ban Explained: What You Can and Can't Buy in 2026

Jim Fisher — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 20:46:39 +0000

Following its ban on new foreign-made drones and DJI cameras, the FCC is now revoking prior approvals for existing devices. Here's what it means for current owners and prospective buyers.

FCC Preps to Ban Drones From Anzu Robotics Over DJI Licensing Deal

Michael Kan — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 18:48:04 +0000

Texas-based Anzu Robotics has been accused of acting as a pass-through company for DJI.

The Federal Communications Commission is looking to retroactively ban another provider of DJI drone technology, Texas-based Anzu Robotics.

The FCC published details about the proposed ban today, three weeks after it took similar action to retroactively revoke drone approvals for nine other vendors …

The FCC Moves to Retroactively Ban Drones With LiDAR Obstacle Avoidance

Jim Fisher — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 19:54:40 +0000

Many photographers and videographers will be surprised to learn that the FCC considers camera drones with LiDAR obstacle avoidance, like the consumer-grade Air 3S, Avata 360, and Mini 5 Pro, to be weapons of war.

The FCC's latest attack on the drone industry flew past our radar, but is gaining attention after DJI called it out on its ViewPoints blog. The agency issued a public notice on July 21 stating that …

The Best Drones for 2026

Jim Fisher — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 16:04:46 +0000

Looking for a drone you can buy right now? The top models we've tested—and that are currently available in the US—can elevate your filmmaking, deliver stunning perspectives for travel vlogs, and, of course, are seriously fun to fly.

Are Camera Drones Banned in the US?

The past calendar year was a rough one for creators who rely on consumer camera drones for work, and shutterbugs who appreciate how an aerial landscape photo can stand out versus one captured from ground level. Throughout 2025, drone pilots were drones.

The company has received Part 135 air carrier certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), allowing it to deliver packages by drone at altitudes below 400 feet.

FCC Ramps Up Its Drone Ban, Targets 9 Companies Making DJI Clones. Here's Who Will Feel It Most

Jim Fisher — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 14:20:33 +0000

The FCC retroactively revokes device approvals from DJI clone brands, including Skyrover and Xtra. Barring a change of heart, their products will go on the Covered List within a month.

Editors' Note 7/28: This story was updated with a comment from Xtra.

Content creators and drone enthusiasts who thought that DJI had figured out how to sidestep its position on the FCC Covered List will have to think again. The FCC has …

German Company Challenges Hobbyists for Drone Speed Record

Jon Martindale — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 17:46:10 +0000

Quantum Systems Group wants its drones to help Ukraine defeat Russia, so it's been pushing them to their maximum performance.

German unmanned drone developer Quantum Systems Group has announced a near-700km/h (435mph) flight for its Apex Recordhunter drone, potentially snagging a world record in the process. It's also going for the record for fastest drone carrying a pound of explosives and the record for fastest anti-aircraft …

FCC Ban Grounds Yet Another Solid-Looking Budget Drone

Jim Fisher — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Not surprisingly, Potensic's first release after the FCC foreign drone ban doesn't look like it's coming to the US. It's a shame, as the Atom 3 offers some notable upgrades over the Atom 2.

Potensic isn't known for making high-end drones, but its budget-friendly Atom series is the go-to for many first time pilots, as well as real estate photographers and photographers who simply don't need some of the high-end video features that DJI puts into its pricier camera drones. The

How We Test Drones

Jim Fisher — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 20:42:11 +0000

We do a lot of product testing in the friendly confines of PC Labs, but drones call for wide-open spaces, so we take them out for test flights in the real world. Here's what we look for.

Many of PCMag's product reviews rely heavily on tests conducted within PC Labs, but those walls are too small for flying drones. So to test them, we do the same thing you'd do with drones at home—take them out into the real world to fly, record …

DJI: Independent Audit Finds No Security Threat With Our Drones

Michael Kan — Thu, 28 May 2026 14:22:21 +0000

DJI highlights an audit by Florida-based OnDefend as the FCC considers the Chinese company's petition to remove it from the foreign-made drone ban.

DJI is hitting back at the US’s foreign-made drone ban by highlighting a newly released independent security audit that finds no major security threat in the Chinese company’s drones.

“This is the most comprehensive independent security assessment ever undertaken on our products. Independent testing found no …

YouTuber Breaks Drone Speed World Record

Jon Martindale — Wed, 27 May 2026 14:19:16 +0000

Guinness has yet to sanction it, but early results suggest it will blow past the official record.

YouTube channel Drone Pro Hub has published a new video showcasing the raw speed of their new Blackbird drone design, and it looks like another record-breaking effort, TechSpot reports. Reaching speeds over 450 miles per hour in downwind testing, …

The Best Drones for Beginners and Kids in 2026

Jim Fisher — Wed, 20 May 2026 18:05:23 +0000

Want to try your hand at flying a quadcopter, but aren’t ready for a pro model? These are the best affordable and easy-to-fly drones we've tested.

Are Camera Drones Banned in the US?

Yes and no. The FCC added all foreign-made drones to its Covered List last December, on a going-forward basis. This means that drones that have already been certified are still allowed to be used, sold, and imported, but it closes the door on drones …

Papa Johns Tests Drone Delivery But Not for Pizza (Yet). Here's What You Can Get

James Peckham — Mon, 11 May 2026 16:16:31 +0000

It’s a limited test of three meals for select customers in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Papa Johns is the latest brand to test drones to speed up fast-food delivery, but it won’t bring you a piping-hot pizza just yet. Instead, a collaboration with drone company Wing sees Papa Johns offer new toasted sandwiches delivered directly to your doorstep via air travel.

A new test between the …

FCC Extends Update Deadline for Foreign-Made Routers, Drones Until 2029

Michael Kan — Fri, 08 May 2026 23:07:13 +0000

Previously, foreign-made routers and drones were only allowed to receive software updates until early 2027, potentially leaving them vulnerable to hacking.

The FCC's bans on foreign-made Wi-Fi routers and drones initially included an expiration date on software updates, but the commission has now extended the cutoff from 2027 to 2029.

On Friday, the FCC’s Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) issued …

DJI Urges Customers to Speak Up, Tell the FCC to Stop the Drone Ban

Michael Kan — Thu, 07 May 2026 15:41:57 +0000

The FCC is accepting public comments on its ban until Monday, May 11, and DJI is trying to rally more affected consumers to the cause.

DJI is urging customers to pressure the Federal Communications Commission to remove the Chinese company from the agency's controversial ban on foreign-made drones.

DJI submitted a formal petition to try to reverse the ban, but in a Facebook

DJI Avata 360

Jim Fisher — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 15:31:47 +0000

DJI usually leads the pack in drone tech, but it wasn't the first to put a 360-degree video camera into a quadcopter—Antigravity beat it to market with last year's A1. But the FCC-approved DJI Avata 360 ($719 with …

US Drone Ban 2026 Explained: The FCC Rules on DJI, Autel, and What's Still Legal

Jim Fisher — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 18:09:43 +0000

The FCC's new rules restrict future drone sales, but existing models remain legal. Here's how it affects pilots, creators, and buyers.

It's been months since the FCC took the unprecedented step of banning foreign-made drones, and the dust still hasn't settled. You can still find drones in stores, register them with the FAA, and fly them legally, but only if they received clearance from the FCC prior …

US Drone Ban 2026 Explained: FCC Rules on DJI, Autel, and What's Still Legal

Jim Fisher — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 17:30:14 +0000

The FCC's new rules restrict future drone sales, but existing models remain legal. Here's how it affects pilots, creators, and buyers.

Unpacking the DJI and US Drone Ban: Our Expert Answers All Your Questions

PCMag Canada — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 13:25:12 +0000

DJI is fighting the FCC's drone ban, but for now, it's still in place. From camera drones to gimbals, here's what that means for your workflow, and which products are still safe to buy.

I won't blame you if you missed the news while you were sipping on your eggnog by a cozy fire, but the FCC took the unprecedented step of adding forthcoming foreign-made drones, including all upcoming DJI and Autel products, to its Covered List just days before …

DJI Sues to Reverse FCC's Drone Ban

Michael Kan — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 18:47:45 +0000

DJI says the commission never found a real security threat with its drones.

DJI is suing to reverse a US ban that’s been blocking the Chinese company from selling new drone models in the country.

On Friday, DJI filed a petition with the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, challenging the ban, which the Federal Communications …

DJI Air 3S

Jim Fisher — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 14:00:00 +0000

In December 2025, the FCC added all foreign-made drones to its Covered List, effectively shutting the door on future product releases. Thankfully, models approved before the changes are unaffected, so you can still buy an excellent camera

DJI and the US Drone Ban Explained: Our Expert Answers Every Question

PCMag Canada — Sat, 17 Jan 2026 13:00:00 +0000

From camera drones to gimbals, we break down the FCC's foreign drone ban, what it means for your workflow, and which products are still safe to buy.

Walmart Drone Delivery Coverage Set to Double, Launch From 150 More Stores

James Peckham — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 15:07:35 +0000

The service is coming to Cincinnati, Los Angeles, St. Louis, and Miami by the end of 2027.

Walmart will expand its drone delivery service to cover millions more customers by the end of 2027. The retailer and its drone delivery partner Wing intend to expand airborne deliveries to 150 more stores over the next two years. That's on top of previously announced expansions, …

Do You Have Questions About the FCC's Foreign Drone Ban? We Have Answers

PCMag Canada — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 16:19:35 +0000

The FCC recently added all foreign-made drones to its Covered List, effectively barring future releases from going on sale in the states. If you're wondering how this impacts your drone hobby or business, I'm here with answers.

We knew the federal government was all but certain to add cameras and drones made by DJI to the FCC's Covered List; the writing has been on the wall for months. The 2024 iteration of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), …

HoverAir's Aqua Drone Appears to Be Dead in the Water for the US Market

Jim Fisher — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 14:18:14 +0000

The waterproof drone raised a ton of money via Indiegogo, but could be caught up in the FCC's ban on foreign-made drones. Without the agency's approval, its future in the US is doubtful at best.

The HoverAir Aqua sure looks like it's the first notable victim of last month's foreign drone ban. The waterproof selfie drone, the first of its kind, raised more than $2 million on Indiegogo last year, but is not listed in …

US Foreign Drone Ban Is Here: DJI Hit Hardest by New FCC Rules

James Peckham — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 11:10:06 +0000

You can continue to buy DJI and other Chinese drone products while supplies last, but those brands can’t import newer models or replacement parts.

It will now be much harder to buy a top-rated drone in the US. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has implemented a ban on unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), including drones, that are built outside the US.

Effective Dec. 23, all foreign-made …

Barring a Christmas Miracle, a DJI Drone Ban Looks Inevitable. Here's What That Means for You

Jim Fisher — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 14:17:25 +0000

On Dec. 23, DJI drones are set to be pulled from the US market unless a security audit is completed. There's been no audit thus far, so the ban is all but certain. What does this mean for anyone who flies drones or makes content with them? Let’s break it down.

DJI is mere days away from getting the Huawei-ZTE treatment from the FCC. Its drones and cameras are set to be added to the agency's covered list on Dec. 23, and the only thing that can save it is a security audit, and no agency has …

Antigravity A1

Jim Fisher — Sun, 14 Dec 2025 13:00:00 +0000

Antigravity opted to go after the top end of the market with its first camera drone, the A1 ($1,599). It's not just the first drone from Antigravity, but also the first to feature an integrated 360-degree camera system, powered by technology …

An Amazon Delivery Drone Accidentally Cut an Internet Cable

Michael Kan — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 18:48:46 +0000

The Amazon MK30 drone got caught on the cable as it took off after completing the delivery.

Lots of things can take down your internet, including an Amazon drone.

Last week, a delivery drone from the e-commerce company accidentally severed an internet cable in Waco, Texas, according to CNBC, which posted video footage …

Is Our Favorite Drone Brand About to Vanish? Inside DJI's Fight for Survival as US Agencies Pass the Buck

PCMag Canada — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 17:48:28 +0000

A 2024 law set a deadline for DJI drones to be pulled from the US market unless a security audit was completed within a year. The deadline is around the corner, and it sure looks like a ban is coming. Here's what that means for drone pilots and content creators.

DJI is about to get the Huawei-ZTE treatment from the FCC. Starting on Dec. 23, its drones and cameras are set to be added to the agency's Covered List, which will prohibit their sale in the US. The only thing that can save the brand is …

PCMag Canada drones

FCC Shoots Down Chinese Drone Maker's Claim That It Got Around the US Foreign Ban

FCC: Surface Water Pool Cleaning Robots Subject to Foreign-Made Bot Ban

Amazon Plans Drone Deliveries to Nearly 500 US Cities and Towns This Year

Uber Aims For 1 Million Drone Deliveries Per Day By 2029

Take It From a Licensed Drone Pilot: The FCC’s Expanding Ban Is Out of Control

Trump Slaps New 25% Tariff on Small Drones, 100% on Thermal Imaging Drones

FCC Foreign Drone Ban: Which Drones Are Actually Banned in the US Right Now?

DJI: Worried About Looming LiDAR Drone Ban? Please Tell the FCC

I'm a Certified Drone Pilot. The FCC's Expanding Ban Should Scare Us All

FCC Bans Odyssey Robot Drone Following Evidence It's Actually From DJI

US Drone Ban Explained: What You Can and Can't Buy in 2026

FCC Preps to Ban Drones From Anzu Robotics Over DJI Licensing Deal

The FCC Moves to Retroactively Ban Drones With LiDAR Obstacle Avoidance

The Best Drones for 2026

Are Camera Drones Banned in the US?

FCC Ramps Up Its Drone Ban, Targets 9 Companies Making DJI Clones. Here's Who Will Feel It Most

German Company Challenges Hobbyists for Drone Speed Record

FCC Ban Grounds Yet Another Solid-Looking Budget Drone

How We Test Drones

DJI: Independent Audit Finds No Security Threat With Our Drones

YouTuber Breaks Drone Speed World Record

The Best Drones for Beginners and Kids in 2026

Are Camera Drones Banned in the US?

Papa Johns Tests Drone Delivery But Not for Pizza (Yet). Here's What You Can Get

FCC Extends Update Deadline for Foreign-Made Routers, Drones Until 2029

DJI Urges Customers to Speak Up, Tell the FCC to Stop the Drone Ban

DJI Avata 360

US Drone Ban 2026 Explained: The FCC Rules on DJI, Autel, and What's Still Legal

US Drone Ban 2026 Explained: FCC Rules on DJI, Autel, and What's Still Legal

Unpacking the DJI and US Drone Ban: Our Expert Answers All Your Questions

DJI Sues to Reverse FCC's Drone Ban

DJI Air 3S

DJI and the US Drone Ban Explained: Our Expert Answers Every Question

Walmart Drone Delivery Coverage Set to Double, Launch From 150 More Stores

Do You Have Questions About the FCC's Foreign Drone Ban? We Have Answers

HoverAir's Aqua Drone Appears to Be Dead in the Water for the US Market

US Foreign Drone Ban Is Here: DJI Hit Hardest by New FCC Rules

Barring a Christmas Miracle, a DJI Drone Ban Looks Inevitable. Here's What That Means for You

Antigravity A1

An Amazon Delivery Drone Accidentally Cut an Internet Cable

Is Our Favorite Drone Brand About to Vanish? Inside DJI's Fight for Survival as US Agencies Pass the Buck