The Blueye X3 is the best underwater drone in our scoring: Blueye rates it to 305 m with a tether up to 300 m, a forward speed of 1.5 m/s (3 knots), approx. 5 hours on its High Capacity battery and a published kit price starting at $30,788 ex.VAT. The QYSEA FIFISH E-GO and V6 EXPERT tie at #2 and #3, and the QYSEA FIFISH V-EVO at $1,399 is our best value. Every score is our own judgment from each maker’s pages read on 2026-11-02, and no company paid for or adjusted a position.
$599 for the 15m Backpack Pack and $689 for the 15m Flash Pack
Families who want a portable, low-priced ROV for shallow water
Pick by what you want
Best overall
Blueye X3
Best value
QYSEA FIFISH V-EVO
Best for a robotic arm at a lower price
QYSEA FIFISH V6 EXPERT
Best open-frame, open-source ROV
Blue Robotics BlueROV2
Cheapest and most portable
CHASING DORY
The ranking
1
Blueye X3
Answrs VerdictIt scores highest on our rubric because it pairs the deepest rating and longest tether with a 5 hour battery option and a published price, and loses points only for 1080p video, no warranty and no payload figure.
Price: The price for a recommended kit starts at $30,788 ex.VAT; other kits are quoted on requestDepth and tether: Maximum rated depth 305 m; tether up to 300 m with a breaking strength of 100 kgCamera and lighting: Exmor R CMOS 1/2.8 inch sensor, video up to 1920 x 1080 at 25/30 Fps and 2M stills; LED lights of 3300 Lumen, and the page says a pair of Blueye External Lights brings the X3 to 10.000 lumensBattery and speed: Approx. 2 hours on the Standard battery and 5 hours on the High Capacity battery; forward speed 1.5 m/s (3 knots) from 4 x 350 W thrustersTools and warranty: Three guest ports for grippers and manipulators, sonars, positioning systems and sensors; weight in air 8.6 kg; no payload figure or warranty is stated on the page read
Blueye rates the X3 to a maximum depth of 305 m with a tether up to 300 m and a 100 kg breaking strength. Its camera uses an Exmor R CMOS 1/2.8 inch sensor with video up to 1920 x 1080 at 25/30 Fps and 2M stills, and the LED lights give 3300 Lumen, with the page saying a pair of Blueye External Lights brings it to 10.000 lumens. Runtime is approx. 2 hours on the Standard battery and 5 hours on the High Capacity battery, with a forward speed of 1.5 m/s (3 knots) from 4 x 350 W thrusters. It has three guest ports for grippers and manipulators, sonars and sensors, and a recommended kit starts at $30,788 ex.VAT. No payload figure or warranty is stated.
Go ifOperators who need the deepest rating and the longest tether on the list from a maker that publishes a full specification table
Skip ifYou want a low price, a published payload figure or a stated warranty
Why #1 over #2: It beats the E-GO on depth and tether, 305 m against 100 m, and on stated runtime, though the E-GO adds 4K video, a payload figure and a warranty.
2
QYSEA FIFISH E-GO
Answrs VerdictIt ties the V6 EXPERT on points and wins the tiebreak on lighting, with the brightest lights on the list and a hot-swappable battery pair.
Price: $6,649 for the Standard Pack, $7,348 for the Arm Pack and $8,697 for the Extended Operation Arm PackDepth and tether: Depth rating 100 m (328 ft); tether of 100 m (328 ft) or 200m (656 ft) with 130 kgf (286.6 lbf) tensile strengthCamera and lighting: 1/1.8” CMOS with 12MP stills and 4K UHD video at 25/30 fps; 10000 Lumen lighting (5000 Lumen LED × 2)Battery and speed: Two hot-swappable 69.12Wh batteries rated up to 4 hours; speed > 3 Knots (> 1.5 m/s); 6 Degrees of FreedomTools and warranty: Payload 5 kg (11.02 lbs); a robotic arm is included in the Arm Pack; 2 ports expandable to 6; up to 1-year warranty, varying by component
The E-GO has a depth rating of 100 m (328 ft) and a tether of 100 m or 200m with 130 kgf tensile strength. Its 1/1.8” CMOS gives 12MP stills and 4K UHD video at 25/30 fps, and the lighting is 10000 Lumen (5000 Lumen LED × 2), the brightest published on this list. Two hot-swappable 69.12Wh batteries are rated up to 4 hours, speed is > 3 Knots (> 1.5 m/s) and payload is 5 kg (11.02 lbs). A robotic arm is included in the Arm Pack at $7,348, the Standard Pack is $6,649, and QYSEA states up to a 1-year warranty varying by component.
Go ifTeams that want a hot-swappable battery, the brightest published lighting and an included robotic arm option
Skip ifYou need more than 100 m of depth or a low price
Why #2 over #3: It ties the V6 EXPERT at 84 points and wins the tiebreak on lighting, 10000 Lumen against 6000 Lumen.
3
QYSEA FIFISH V6 EXPERT
Answrs VerdictIdentical depth, camera and payload to the E-GO at a much lower starting price, with lighting a step lower and a runtime the maker states two ways.
Price: $2,999 for the Standard Pack, $3,599 for the Extended Range Pack, $3,999 for the Arm Pack and $4,298 for the Extended Range Arm PackDepth and tether: Depth rating 100 m (328 ft); tether of 100 m (328 ft) or 200m (656 ft) with 100 kgf (220 lbf) tensile strengthCamera and lighting: 1/2.3” CMOS with 12MP stills and 4K UHD video at 25/30 fps; 6000 Lumen lighting (3000 Lumen LED × 2)Battery and speed: 156Wh battery; 1 - 4 h in the specification, while the key features say Up to 5 Hours; speed 3 Knots (1.5 m/s); 6 Degrees of FreedomTools and warranty: Payload 5 kg (11.02 lbs); robotic arm packs and 20+ multi-tool integrations; up to 1-year warranty, varying by component
The V6 EXPERT has a depth rating of 100 m (328 ft) and a tether of 100 m or 200m with 100 kgf tensile strength. Its 1/2.3” CMOS gives 12MP stills and 4K UHD video at 25/30 fps, with 6000 Lumen lighting (3000 Lumen LED × 2). The 156Wh battery is listed as 1 - 4 h in the specification and Up to 5 Hours in the key features, speed is 3 Knots (1.5 m/s) and payload is 5 kg (11.02 lbs). The Standard Pack costs $2,999, the Arm Pack $3,999 and the Extended Range Arm Pack $4,298, with up to a 1-year warranty and 20+ multi-tool integrations.
Go ifBuyers who want an arm-ready inspection ROV with a 200m tether option at under half the E-GO price
Skip ifYou need the brightest lighting or a hot-swappable battery
Why #3 over #4: It matches the E-GO’s depth, camera and payload at $2,999 against $6,649, but its lights are 6000 Lumen against the E-GO’s 10000 Lumen.
4
Blue Robotics BlueROV2
Answrs VerdictThe best propulsion and payload documentation on the list and a 300 m rating, held back by 1080p video, a camera with no sensor size or still resolution stated, and no warranty on the page.
Price: From $4,900.00Depth and tether: 100 m (330 ft) with acrylic tubes and 300 m (985 ft) with aluminum tubes; standard tether 25–300 m or slim tether 50–200 mCamera and lighting: 1080p, 30fps low-light camera with a 110 degrees horizontal underwater field of view and 0.01 lux sensitivity; Lumen Lights of 1500 lumens each, up to 6,000 lumensBattery and speed: ~2 hours in normal use and ~4 hours in light use with a 15.6Ah battery; maximum forward speed 1.5 m/s (3 knots); 6 thrusters (4 vectored, 2 vertical), expandable to 8Tools and warranty: Payload capacity 1.2 kg (4x Lumens) to 1.4 kg (no Lumens); grippers and scanning sonars attach to the open frame; 6–8 hours of assembly; no warranty is stated on the page read
The BlueROV2 is rated to 100 m with acrylic tubes and 300 m (985 ft) with aluminum tubes, with a standard tether of 25–300 m. It has a 1080p, 30fps low-light camera with a 110 degrees horizontal field of view and 0.01 lux sensitivity, and Lumen Lights of 1500 lumens each, up to 6,000 lumens. Six T200 thrusters (4 vectored, 2 vertical) give a maximum forward speed of 1.5 m/s (3 knots), and the 15.6Ah battery lasts ~2 hours in normal use and ~4 hours in light use. Payload capacity is 1.2 kg to 1.4 kg, grippers and scanning sonars attach to the open frame, and it starts From $4,900.00. No warranty is stated on the page read.
Go ifResearchers and builders who want an open-frame, open-source ROV rated to 300 m with six thrusters
Skip ifYou want a ready-to-fly drone, 4K video or a stated warranty
Why #4 over #5: It scores higher than the V-EVO on depth, 300 m against 100 m, and on thrusters, but lacks 4K video and a stated warranty.
5
QYSEA FIFISH V-EVO
Answrs VerdictThe best score per published dollar on the list: a full camera and lighting package, an arm option and a warranty at a low price, limited by a 100 m tether.
Price: $1,399 for the Standard Pack and $1,699 for the Arm PackDepth and tether: Depth rating 100 m (328 ft); 100 m (328 ft) tether with 100 kgf (220 lbf) tensile strengthCamera and lighting: 1/2.3” CMOS with 12MP stills and 4K UHD video at 25/30/50/60 fps; 5000 Lumen lighting (2500 Lumen LED × 2)Battery and speed: 97.2Wh battery rated 1 - 4 h; speed 3 Knots (1.5 m/s); 6 Degrees of FreedomTools and warranty: Payload 2 kg (4.4 lbs); optional robotic arm with 7 kgf (15.4 lbf) max grip strength; up to 1-year warranty, varying by component
The V-EVO has a depth rating of 100 m (328 ft) and a 100 m tether. Its 1/2.3” CMOS gives 12MP stills and 4K UHD video at 25/30/50/60 fps, with 5000 Lumen lighting (2500 Lumen LED × 2). The 97.2Wh battery is rated 1 - 4 h, speed is 3 Knots (1.5 m/s) and payload is 2 kg (4.4 lbs). An optional robotic arm has 7 kgf (15.4 lbf) max grip strength, the Standard Pack costs $1,399, the Arm Pack $1,699, and QYSEA states up to a 1-year warranty.
Go ifCreators and inspectors who want 4K at 60 fps, an arm option and a published price near the bottom of the list
Skip ifYou need a tether longer than 100 m or more than 100 m of depth
Why #5 over #6: It beats the CHASING M2 PRO MAX because it publishes a speed, a price and a warranty term, although the M2 PRO MAX is rated to 200 m.
6
CHASING M2 PRO MAX
Answrs VerdictStrong depth, tether, camera and light documentation, but the maker publishes no price, speed, thruster count or warranty term.
Price: Not published; the maker’s buy page says Contact an expert to buyDepth and tether: Maximum depth 656 ft / 200 m with a maximum movement radius of 400m; both sets include 200m of tetherCamera and lighting: 1/2.3 CMOS with 12 Meg Pixel stills and 4K: 3840×2160@25/30fps video; LED lights of 2 x 4000 Lumens, with 8,000 lumen external floodlightsBattery and speed: 300Wh battery rated up to 4h; 360° omni-directional movement; no speed figure is stated on the maker’s pagesTools and warranty: Load (forward/upward/sideways) 5.7/4.0/3.6 kg; 5 accessories ports for grabber arm and sampling tools; weight ≈8kg; no warranty term is stated on the pages read
The M2 PRO MAX has a maximum depth of 656 ft / 200 m with a maximum movement radius of 400m, and both sets include 200m of tether. Its camera is a 1/2.3 CMOS with 12 Meg Pixel stills and 4K: 3840×2160@25/30fps video, and the LED lights are 2 x 4000 Lumens with 8,000 lumen external floodlights. The 300Wh battery is rated up to 4h, load is 5.7/4.0/3.6 kg and it has 5 accessories ports. CHASING publishes no price, speed or warranty term for it; the buy page says Contact an expert to buy.
Go ifIndustrial users who want 200 m of depth and 200m of tether with 8,000 lumens of floodlights and accessory ports
Skip ifYou need a published price or a documented speed
Why #6 over #7: It documents 200 m of depth and 8,000 lumen floodlights, where the Deep Trekker PIVOT states a 1000 Lumens light, though the PIVOT is rated to 305 m and carries a warranty.
7
Deep Trekker PIVOT
Answrs VerdictA deep, well-armed professional ROV with a 1 year warranty, but it publishes no price, runtime or speed.
Price: Not published; the page offers a quoteDepth and tether: Depth rating 305 m (1000 ft); tether length options up to 300m, with custom lengths availableCamera and lighting: Enhanced 4K camera with JPG 8mp pictures; lights of 1000 Lumens tracking with the camera, with optional 1000-4400 Lumens add-onsThrusters and size: Thruster control 6x independent control; weight in air 23.6 kg (52 lbs); sealed magnetically coupled thrustersTools and warranty: Manipulators and tools are sold for it, including a Manipulator Bundle Pack of 6 attachments; 1 Year – Parts and Labor warranty, with options for 2-3; battery life and speed are not stated
The PIVOT has a depth rating of 305 m (1000 ft) and tether options up to 300m, with custom lengths available. It carries an enhanced 4K camera with JPG 8mp pictures and lights of 1000 Lumens, with optional 1000-4400 Lumens add-ons. It has 6x independent thruster control, weighs 23.6 kg (52 lbs) in air and is covered by a 1 Year – Parts and Labor warranty with options for 2-3. A Manipulator Bundle Pack of 6 attachments is sold for it. The page offers a quote rather than a price and states no battery life or speed.
Go ifProfessional inspectors who want a 305 m rating, 4K video and a 6-thruster layout with a stated warranty
Skip ifYou need a published price, runtime or speed
Why #7 over #8: It is rated to 305 m against the GLADIUS MINI S’s 100m and has a stated warranty, while the GLADIUS MINI S publishes a price and a runtime.
8
CHASING GLADIUS MINI S
Answrs VerdictThe lowest-priced 4K, 100m ROV here with a tether choice, but its page leaves out speed, thrusters, payload and warranty.
Price: $1,299 for the 100m Package, $1,499 for the 200m Package, $1,699 for the 100m Flash Pack and $1,799 for the 200m Flash PackDepth and tether: Maximum depth 100m; tether length 100m/200m; max operating radius 200mCamera and lighting: 1/2.3 CMOS with 12M (4000 x 3000) stills and 4K: 3840×2160@25/30fps video; LED lights of 2 x 1200 LumensBattery and speed: 4800mAh × 2 batteries rated up to 4H; no speed or thruster count is stated on the pages readTools and warranty: Supports a grabber arm and GoPro bracket, and the Flash Pack includes a grabber claw B; weight 2.7kg; no payload figure or warranty term is stated
The GLADIUS MINI S has a maximum depth of 100m and a 100m or 200m tether, with a max operating radius of 200m. Its 1/2.3 CMOS gives 12M (4000 x 3000) stills and 4K: 3840×2160@25/30fps video, with LED lights of 2 x 1200 Lumens. Two 4800mAh batteries are rated up to 4H, and it supports a grabber arm and GoPro bracket. It weighs 2.7kg and costs $1,299 for the 100m Package up to $1,799 for the 200m Flash Pack. No speed, payload or warranty term is stated.
Go ifBeginners who want 4K video and a 200m tether option for $1,499 or less
Skip ifYou need documented speed, payload or a warranty term
Why #8 over #9: It publishes a price, a 200m tether option and a runtime where the Deep Trekker DTG3 states none of the three, though the DTG3 is rated to 200 m.
9
Deep Trekker DTG3
Answrs VerdictRugged and capable on paper, but the page leaves out price, tether, runtime and speed, so it scores low on a rubric built from published numbers.
Price: Not published; the page offers a quoteDepth: Depth rating 200 m (656 ft); tether length is not stated on the pageCamera and lighting: Enhanced 4K camera with 270° total range of view and JPG 8mp pictures; lights of 1000 Lumens tracking with the camera, with optional 1000-4400 Lumens add-onsSize and thrusters: Weight in air 8.5 kg (18.7 lb); die cast aluminum body; magnetically coupled, sealed thrusters; battery life, speed and thruster count are not statedTools and warranty: Manipulators and tools are sold for it, including a Manipulator Bundle Pack of 6 attachments; 1 Year – Parts and Labor warranty, with options for 2-3
The DTG3 has a depth rating of 200 m (656 ft), a die cast aluminum body and weighs 8.5 kg (18.7 lb) in air. Its enhanced 4K camera has a 270° total range of view and JPG 8mp pictures, and the lights are 1000 Lumens with optional 1000-4400 Lumens add-ons. Deep Trekker sells a Manipulator Bundle Pack of 6 attachments and gives a 1 Year – Parts and Labor warranty with options for 2-3. The page states no tether length, battery life, speed or price, only a quote.
Go ifBuyers who want a rugged 200 m aluminum-body ROV with a 270° camera view from a maker that sells manipulators
Skip ifYou need a published price, tether length, runtime or speed
Why #9 over #10: It documents a 200 m depth, a 4K camera and a warranty, which the CHASING DORY’s 15m rating and 1080p video do not.
10
CHASING DORY
Answrs VerdictThe cheapest and most portable pick, with a clear specification, but built for 15m of depth and 1080p video.
Price: $599 for the 15m Backpack Pack and $689 for the 15m Flash PackDepth and tether: Maximum depth 15m; a 15m tether is included and max Wi-Fi distance is 15mCamera and lighting: 1/2.9 inch CMOS with 2M (1920 x 1080) stills and FHD: 1920 x 1080 30FPS video; LED lights of 2 x 250 LumensBattery and speed: Battery life up to 60min; maximum speed 1.5knTools and warranty: No arm or payload is listed; weight 1.1kg; no warranty term is stated on the pages read
The DORY is rated to a maximum depth of 15m with a 15m tether and a max Wi-Fi distance of 15m. Its 1/2.9 inch CMOS records FHD: 1920 x 1080 30FPS video and 2M stills, with LED lights of 2 x 250 Lumens. Battery life is up to 60min and maximum speed is 1.5kn. It weighs 1.1kg and costs $599 for the 15m Backpack Pack or $689 for the 15m Flash Pack. No arm, payload or warranty term is listed.
Go ifFamilies who want a portable, low-priced ROV for shallow water
Skip ifYou need more than 15m of depth, 4K video or an arm
Related camera rankings
These companion rankings cover cameras used above the waterline.
This list covers underwater drones, meaning tethered ROVs from large and small makers, chosen because each maker publishes a specification page for the exact model. Each pick was scored out of 100 with the same rubric from the makers’ own pages read on 2026-11-02: depth (20 points), tether length (10), camera (15), lighting lumens (10), battery runtime (10), speed and propulsion (10), payload and tools (10), a published price (10) and a stated warranty (5). Scores: Blueye X3 eighty-seven, QYSEA FIFISH E-GO eighty-four, QYSEA FIFISH V6 EXPERT eighty-four, Blue Robotics BlueROV2 eighty-one, QYSEA FIFISH V-EVO seventy-nine, CHASING M2 PRO MAX sixty-nine, Deep Trekker PIVOT sixty-two, CHASING GLADIUS MINI S sixty-one, Deep Trekker DTG3 forty-four and CHASING DORY thirty-two. Ties go to the higher lighting score, then to the lower published price, and best value is score divided by published starting price. The weights and scores are our judgment from vendor-stated specifications, not independent lab or water tests, and image quality is not scored. No company paid for or adjusted a position. Prices are those published on each maker’s pages; where a figure is not stated we say so. Photos come from each maker’s own site; the CHASING GLADIUS MINI S image is a promotional image from the maker’s page. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What is the best underwater drone in 2027?
The Blueye X3 scores highest in our rubric, 87 out of 100. Blueye rates it to 305 m with a tether up to 300 m, lists approx. 5 hours on the High Capacity battery, a forward speed of 1.5 m/s (3 knots), and a recommended kit starting at $30,788 ex.VAT. The QYSEA FIFISH E-GO and V6 EXPERT tie at 84.
What is the best value underwater drone?
The QYSEA FIFISH V-EVO at $1,399 for the Standard Pack. It scores 79 out of 100, with a 1/2.3” CMOS and 4K UHD video, 5000 Lumen lighting, a 100 m tether and an optional robotic arm. Value here is points per published starting dollar, and no other priced pick scores as many points for the money.
Which underwater drones on this list have a robotic arm or gripper?
The QYSEA FIFISH E-GO, V6 EXPERT and V-EVO sell arm packs ($7,348, $3,999 and $1,699). The Blueye X3, Blue Robotics BlueROV2, Deep Trekker PIVOT and DTG3 list grippers or manipulators as add-ons, the CHASING M2 PRO MAX lists a grabber arm and sampling tools, and the CHASING GLADIUS MINI S supports a grabber arm.
Which underwater drones go deeper than 100 m?
The Blueye X3 (305 m), Deep Trekker PIVOT (305 m), Blue Robotics BlueROV2 (300 m with aluminum tubes), CHASING M2 PRO MAX (200 m) and Deep Trekker DTG3 (200 m). The FIFISH models and the GLADIUS MINI S are rated to 100 m and the CHASING DORY to 15m.
Lowest published price, US dollars at a glance
CHASING DORY599 US dollars
CHASING GLADIUS MINI S1,299 US dollars
QYSEA FIFISH V-EVO1,399 US dollars
QYSEA FIFISH V6 EXPERT2,999 US dollars
Blue Robotics BlueROV2 (from)4,900 US dollars
QYSEA FIFISH E-GO6,649 US dollars
Blueye X3 (recommended kit, from)30,788 US dollars
Lowest published price, US dollars, as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
