It’s been a while since I last covered a ZLL drone, but their Beast series continues to be a favorite among hobbyists and beginners alike. Known for offering a solid flying experience at an affordable price, these drones combine accessibility with features that appeal to both casual flyers and those looking to explore more advanced capabilities. In this article, I’ll take an in-depth look at the ZLL Beast SG603 PRO, examining its design, flight performance, camera quality, and smart features to see if it lives up to the series’ reputation.
Although the ZLL SG603 PRO doesn’t feature a 4K or 8K camera or doesn’t offer a flight range of tens of kilometers, its $127.99 price point makes it very attractive thanks to the remote controller with a built-in screen, eliminating the need to use a phone alongside it.
The drone measures 80 × 80 × 95 mm when folded, or 410 × 225 × 95 mm with extended arms ready to fly. It weighs about 300 grams including the battery. It’s equipped with a dual-camera setup featuring a PTZ gimbal that allows angle adjustment. Thanks to the electronic image stabilization (EIS), the footage is relatively stable and jello-free. On top of the drone, there is a 360 obstacle avoidance module.
ZLL Beast SG603 PRO key features
- 360° Obstacle Avoidance: Using intelligent sensors, the drone can detect and automatically navigate around obstacles in its path. This is a huge benefit for flying in complex environments and provides a significant safety net against crashes.
- GPS Assisted Flight: With built-in GPS, the drone boasts strong hovering stability, precise position holding, and a suite of automated functions.
- One-Key Operations: Take off, land, and return to your takeoff point with the simple press of a button. The “Return-to-Home” function is particularly reliable thanks to the GPS lock.
- Voice Broadcast & Alerts: The controller provides audible feedback and warnings, keeping you informed of the drone’s status without having to look away from the action.
- One-Key Airdrop: A clever trick that allows the drone to perform a dramatic vertical descent, perfect for capturing dynamic ending shots.
Smart Controller with Built-in 4.5″ Live-View Screen
I was drawn to the SG603 PRO Beast largely because of its smart controller—it instantly reminded me of the DJI RC2 that comes with my MINI 4 Pro. Having a built-in screen on the remote really changes the flying experience, and I wanted to see how this budget drone measures up. The 4.5-inch color HD touchscreen integrated directly into the controller eliminates need for a smartphone, cables, and app compatibility issues. The RC has a built-in 7.4V 1500mAh LiPo battery that lasts for a couple of flights.
Flight range and battery life
The ZLL SG603 PRO uses a 5G Wi-Fi transmission system that allows a flight range of up to 800 meters. This is not much compared to DJI’s OcuSync system, but considering that hobbyists are only allowed to fly in line-of-sight (LoS) mode with visual contact on the drone, I think it’s enough.
Being powered by a 2S (7.6V) 3800mAh LiPo battery, the expected flight time is around 20–25 minutes, depending on your flight style and conditions. Since recharging the battery takes close to three hours, I recommend purchasing a couple of spare batteries along with the drone.