When people think of copier machines, many think of Xerox. When they think of angle grinders, they think of Flex. And when it comes to drones, DJI is among the first options that come to mind. In the ten years since I bought my first drone, I’ve learned that many other brands also offer decent products. In this review, we’ll focus on the RUKO U11MINI 4K — a new drone on the market that comes with impressive specifications for its weight class.
Novice pilots prefer class ‘0’ drones (under 249g) because they do not require Remote ID, special flight authorizations, or expensive pilot courses. Of course, specific common-sense rules still need to be followed, such as avoiding no-fly zones (airports, military bases, etc.) and respecting the right of privacy. The last time I was at the zoo, someone desperately looked for his drone. He eventually found it — it had crashed into a tree along the public walkway. But imagine if it had hit an animal or a visitor, who would have been responsible for the damage? Always fly responsibly, no matter the size of your drone!
With a price of over 400 bucks, the U11MINI 4K can’t really be considered a budget drone, even compared to DJI products. But when you make the comparison, you should do it with the Fly More Combo pack, which includes three flight batteries and a storage bag.
RUKO U11MINI 4K hands-on review
Disclosure: I received this FAA-friendly drone from Ruko to test and do an in-depth review. Although the product was free, all opinions in this article remain mine, with no partner’s influence.
Last month, someone left a sour comment on my Ruko F11PRO 2 review. He saw the article as paid marketing material, without honestly disclosing the product’s negative aspects. I did NOT get into an argument with him, because it’s hard to change a person’s mind. Still, I can promise that my reviews accurately reflect my personal experience with a specific product, and I am not paid to write a positive one. Moreover, if a partner asks me for something like that, I politely decline and avoid collaborating.
Ruko is a brand known for creating all kinds of fun RC products, including drones designed for both kids and adults. Whether you’re looking for an entry-level drone with beginner-friendly features or a high-performance model for enthusiasts, Ruko balances user-friendly designs with impressive functionality. The brand is committed to delivering reliable, family-friendly entertainment products built for creativity, exploration, and lasting memories.
Unboxing
Like the other RUKO drones I reviewed, the U11MINI 4K also comes with a nice handbag that allows convenient transportation and storage of the kit. In addition to the drone and its remote controller, the bag can accommodate up to three flight batteries (one in the quad and two in dedicated compartments) and all the included accessories. It also has an internal zipped mesh pocket for smaller parts, as well as the user manual.
As you can see, you’ve got a set of spare props with mounting screws, some paper manual stuff you’ll probably never read (despite you should!), two Type-C charging cables, three phone-RC cables (micro USB, Type-C, and Lightning), and an extra set of controller joysticks. Oh, and a screwdriver for changing propellers.
RUKO clearly aimed for a deluxe feel with this drone, but in my opinion, they fell a little short. While the glossy piano black finish on the remote control looks genuinely impressive and adds a touch of class, the drone itself feels a bit underwhelming. The plastic gives it a somewhat cheap vibe, which doesn’t quite match the premium look they were going for. When folded, it packs down to roughly the size of an iPhone in width and length, and about as thick as a computer mouse. In other words, smaller than an adult’s palm. The four arms swing out to give the U11MINI 4K its full size — remember to unfold the front arms first. As mentioned, it weighs about 249 grams, including the flight battery.
Instead of two collision avoidance sensors, the front has two blue LEDs that help with orientation during night LOS flights. Under the belly is an optical flow sensor and a TOF sensor. Combined with a barometric air pressure sensor, these two ensure stable hovering in GPS-less environments.
As its name suggests, the U11Mini 4K features a UHD camera installed on a 3-axis gimbal. Out of the box, it’s shielded by a plastic guard, which is removable when you come to fly it.
Hardware specs
Before we dive into the full review and analyze flight performance, let’s do a quick look at the basic specs:
- Weight (including battery): 249 g
- Dimensions:
- Folded: 145×80×60 mm (L×W×H)
- Unfolded: 210×180×60 mm (L×W×H)
- Max Flight Time: 32 minutes/charge.
- Transmission: R2 digital comunication
- Maximum Flying Distance: 6 km
- Sensor: 1/2-inch CMOS, 48MP
- Max Video Resolution: 4K: 3840×2160 at 30fps
- Stabilization: 3-Axis + EIS
Remote controller
I reiterate that the most remarkable thing about this new Ruko done is its controller. Revamped in its entirety, simplicity is the name of the game here. Instead of the status screen we were used to, it has only four LEDs (GPS indicator and RC battery level). When the flight battery is nearly empty, the RC starts beeping, and the LEDs flash.
The stick ends are stored in the bottom part of the unit and screw onto their respective ball socket elements without too much fiddling. The spring-loaded phone holder expands out of the radio’s top, and its cavity houses a Type-C socket for connecting your phone.
As for buttons, there’s an ‘Auto-Cruise Control’ that automatically maintains the flight direction after being briefly pressed. I encountered such functionality for the first time with this remote controller. In the center, a physical slider switches between Cine (Low-speed), Normal, and Sport (High-speed) modes. On the left corner, there is a dial that allows changing the gimbal’s tilt angle.
RUKO U11 APP
The app is available for Android and iOS devices. It extends the capabilities of the remote controller, providing a handy configuration interface, telemetry monitoring, real-time image view, and advanced flight modes.
The bottom ribbon displays flight distance, altitude, and horizontal/vertical speeds. In the “Setting” tab, you can enable/disable beginner mode and configure RTH altitude, max flight altitude, and distance. The app also stores a log of all your flights.
RUKO U11MINI 4K: Flight performance
Usually, I split this section into two separate parts: battery life and flight range. The most frequently asked questions regarding a drone’s performance are how long it can fly, the maximum fly distance, and how high it can go. The last two have answers that involve legal considerations. For example, even class C0 drones can only be flown in LOS mode (within visual range) without exceeding a height of 120m.
The RUKO U11MINI 4K features the R2 digital transmission system, which promises a range of up to 20,000 ft (6,096 meters). Of course, this distance largely depends on the geography of the flight area, weather conditions, and radio interference in the surroundings. The maximum distance you can spot a sub-250 model in real-world scenarios depends on its size, shape, color, lighting, and background. Generally, most hobbyists can visually track a small drone up to 300–600 meters in clear daylight conditions. Beyond that range, even brightly colored or LED-equipped drones become difficult to distinguish against the sky or landscape.
During my test flights, I reached a maximum range of 3,500 meters before manually triggering the RTH (Return to Home). I did this because the battery level dropped to around 50%, and I didn’t want to risk running out of power on the way back. Once the distance exceeded 2,400 meters, the FPV signal on my smartphone started experiencing occasional interruptions and lag.
RUKO’s marketing strategy is to advertise their drones’ flight time by summing the runtime of all the batteries included in the kit. For example, the U11MINI 4K package with three batteries is promoted as offering 96 minutes of flight time, which equates to approximately 32 minutes per battery. I got an average of 23 minutes airborne time during my hovering tests. Flying at full speed, you can expect about 18-20 minutes of battery life.
I don’t have any complaints regarding this drone’s stability. The combination of GPS, ToF, optical flow, and barometric air-pressure sensors provides a rock-steady position hold. It features GPS follow, Image follow, Point of interest, Route rules, and other autonomous flight modes. As it lacks obstacle avoidance sensors, you should use these features while considering all the risks.
GPS and Image follow flight modes
Instead of DJI’s advanced “ActiveTrack” autonomous flight mode, the RUKO U11MINI 4K offers two basic tracking modes. When GPS Follow is activated, the drone locks onto the controller’s or mobile device’s GPS position and continuously adjusts its flight path to follow it. However, this mode does not ensure that the pilot remains centered in the field of view.
On the other hand, when Image Follow is activated, the drone locks onto the subject marked with a green rectangle on the screen and keeps it centered by rotating in place, without moving from its current position
RUKO U11MINI 4K: Video and photo quality
The U11MINI 4K, despite its compact form factor, is equipped with a 48MP 1/2-inch CMOS image sensor and F1.8 lens capable of capturing high-resolution 8000×6000 pixel still images and recording 4K video at 30 frames per second. It has only a few manual settings (WB, CR, SAT, and EV) and can’t shoot in RAW. It supports microSD cards of up to 256GB; remember to use high-speed ones with 4K certification.
The 3-axis gimbal does a great job; the footage is smooth without feeling the drone’s movements during sudden maneuvers or in windy conditions. The 4K@30fps camera on this drone delivers solid, vibrant footage that many casual users will appreciate, thanks to its slightly oversaturated color profile, making landscapes and skies pop out of the frame. While the image isn’t the crispest in its class, with fine details sometimes appearing a touch soft, especially in complex textures like foliage or distant structures, it still produces pleasing, usable video for social media, hobby projects, and everyday aerial shots.
Pricing and availability
The U11 MINI 4K drone is now available at the RUKO online store for $449.99 with three batteries. This price includes a storage bag and free shipping within the mainland US. Between 05/14 and 05/20/2025, using the discount code ‘MINI30‘, you will receive a $30 discount. For $49.00, you can purchase the Ruko Care Refresh 1-Year Plan for up to two replacements (outside the standard warranty) for a small fee. Additional flight batteries are available for $59.99, and a compatible 65W PD charger is available for $39.98. The U11MINI 4K and most RUKO products can be ordered from their official Amazon store.
Key features
- [Ultra-Portable Pocket Drone] Weighing under 249g, the FAA-exempt U11 MINI 4K pocket drone captures 4K aerial footage anytime, anywhere — no limits, no hassle.
- [Stunning 8K Photo & 4K Video] Furthermore, equipped with a 3-axis brushless gimbal and EIS stabilization, it delivers buttery-smooth 4K videos.
- [AI Takeoff/Landing & Safer Flight] The U11 MINI 4K’s AI Takeoff/Landing system, paired with quadruple intelligent positioning (GPS, barometric altitude hold, TOF, and optical flow), ensures effortless, safe, and precise flight control.
- [Beginner Friendly] Triple auto-return modes (one-click return, low battery return, signal loss return), combined with adjustable return point settings and a built-in beeper for easy location tracking. Never worry about losing your drone. Effortless operation and an intuitive app — enjoy your first flight with U11 MINI 4K!
- [Up to 96-Min Flight Time & PD Fast Charging]: Three batteries offering up to 96 minutes total. Supports PD 3.0 fast charging and allows all batteries to charge simultaneously — stay ready wherever you go, indoors or outdoors. For optimal charging performance, it is recommended to use the Ruko PD65W charger or the R299 portable power station.
- [20,000ft| 6 km Digital Real-time Transmission]: Fly further and smoother with the R2 digital transmission system — up to a 20,000ft (6096 meters) range without relying on Wi-Fi or encountering signal interference issues.
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Since 2014, FirstQuadcopter has reviewed, thoroughly tested, and rated hundreds of products, including drones, gimbals, power stations, action cameras, 3D printers, video lights, and other high-tech gear to help you make better buying decisions.
We don’t do paid reviews or agree to affiliate links. All products are tested fairly and equally, and if anything changes over time, I will update the written reviews.
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Is there any other difference besides the camera between the RUKO U11MINI and the U11MINI 4K?