Holy Stone HS720G

Holy Stone HS720G Review: Overview

Not everyone needs a drone that costs as much as a laptop. The Holy Stone HS720G exists for a different buyer: someone who wants to explore aerial photography and videography without making a major financial commitment. At a fraction of the cost of DJI and Autel drones, the HS720G delivers GPS positioning, a mechanical gimbal, and a 4K camera. Those are features that were exclusive to premium drones just a few years ago.

We approached this Holy Stone HS720G review with realistic expectations. Budget drones involve compromises, and pretending otherwise would be dishonest. The question is whether the compromises are acceptable for what you get in return. After two months of flying the HS720G, our answer is a clear yes, with some important caveats that this review will explain in detail.

The HS720G is designed for beginners, casual flyers, and anyone who wants to test whether drone photography is a hobby worth investing in. It provides a genuine aerial photography experience at an accessible price, and it does so with enough competence that the results are usable rather than just novelty. It will not compete with a DJI Mini 4 Pro in any technical category, but it will get you in the air and capturing footage that looks surprisingly good for the investment.

Key Features

The standout feature at this price point is the 2-axis mechanical gimbal. Most budget drones in this range rely entirely on electronic image stabilization, which crops the image and can produce a jelly-like wobble effect. The HS720G's mechanical gimbal physically stabilizes the camera on two axes, producing noticeably smoother video that holds up on larger screens. It is the single feature that elevates this drone above its budget competitors.

The camera uses a Sony IMX415 sensor, a reputable chip found in many security cameras and budget imaging devices. It captures video at 4K/30fps and photos at an effective 4K resolution. The Sony sensor name carries real weight here, as it provides meaningfully better image quality than the generic sensors found in many sub-$200 drones. Colors are natural, exposure metering is generally accurate, and detail is respectable in well-lit conditions.

GPS functionality is the other critical feature. The HS720G locks onto GPS and GLONASS satellites to maintain its position in the air. This means you can release the sticks and the drone will hold its position and altitude automatically, rather than drifting with the wind. For beginners, this transforms the flying experience from stressful stick management to relaxed composition and framing. The GPS also enables return-to-home functionality, which automatically brings the drone back to its takeoff point if the signal is lost or the battery runs low.

Intelligent flight modes include Follow Me (the drone tracks you using the controller's GPS), Circle Flight (orbits around a point), and Waypoint mode (pre-programmed flight paths through the app). These features work with varying degrees of reliability, and we will cover them in more detail in the flight performance section. The inclusion of these modes at this price point is appreciated, even if they do not match the sophistication of DJI's implementations.

Flight Performance

Getting the HS720G in the air is straightforward. The drone pairs with the included controller and the Holy Stone app on your smartphone. GPS lock typically takes 30 to 60 seconds, which is slower than DJI drones but fast enough to avoid frustration. Once locked, the drone lifts off smoothly with a one-button takeoff command and settles into a stable hover.

In calm conditions, the HS720G flies well. The GPS hold is reliable, keeping the drone within a meter or so of its position. Altitude hold is equally steady. Flight controls are responsive without being twitchy, which is exactly what beginners need. The drone moves at a moderate pace that gives new pilots time to react and adjust, reducing the likelihood of flying into something during those first crucial hours of learning.

The 26-minute rated flight time translates to roughly 20 to 23 minutes in practice. The inclusion of two batteries in the standard package effectively doubles your session time to 40 to 46 minutes, which is generous and thoughtful. This is enough time for a new pilot to practice takeoffs, landings, basic maneuvers, and some photography without constantly watching the battery indicator.

Wind performance is where the HS720G shows its budget roots most clearly. The level 4 wind resistance rating means it handles light breezes but struggles when winds pick up beyond about 20 km/h. In our testing, moderate wind caused visible drift that the GPS system corrected for, but with a lag that made precise positioning difficult. Footage captured in windy conditions showed increased vibration that the 2-axis gimbal could not fully compensate for. We recommend flying the HS720G in calm to light wind conditions for the best experience and results.

The intelligent flight modes work, though with caveats. Follow Me mode tracks the controller's GPS position rather than using visual recognition, which means it follows where your phone is rather than visually tracking you. This works fine for simple walking paths but cannot anticipate direction changes or navigate around obstacles. Circle Flight mode is more reliable and produces nice orbiting shots around a point of interest. Waypoint mode is functional but requires patience to set up properly through the app.

The complete absence of obstacle avoidance is the most significant safety limitation. There are no forward, side, rear, or upward sensors. The only protection is a downward altitude sensor. This means every obstacle is your responsibility to see and avoid. For beginners, we cannot stress enough the importance of starting in large, open areas like parks or fields. Do not attempt to fly through tight spaces, around trees, or near structures until you are fully comfortable with the controls and have built strong spatial awareness.

Camera and Video Quality

Setting appropriate expectations is important here. The Holy Stone HS720G produces good footage for a budget drone. It does not produce footage that matches drones costing two or three times as much. With that understanding, the results are genuinely usable and often better than many people expect from a drone in this price category.

In bright, well-lit conditions, 4K video from the HS720G looks clean and detailed. The Sony IMX415 sensor captures natural colors with reasonable accuracy. Landscape shots, beach scenes, and open-sky compositions look particularly good because the even lighting plays to the sensor's strengths. The 2-axis gimbal keeps these shots smooth during slow, gentle flying, and the overall effect is footage that looks respectable on social media platforms and casual viewing screens.

Detail and sharpness are adequate at the center of the frame but soften somewhat toward the edges, which is typical for budget lenses. This is more noticeable in still photos than in video, where the motion helps mask edge softness. For social media sharing and family videos, the image quality is more than acceptable. For professional work or large-screen viewing, the limitations become more apparent.

Dynamic range is the area where the budget nature of the camera shows most. High-contrast scenes with bright skies and dark shadows push the sensor beyond its capabilities, resulting in blown highlights or crushed shadows. The camera lacks RAW capture, so you cannot recover this information in post-processing. We recommend shooting during golden hour or on overcast days when the lighting is more even. Avoid midday sun when harsh shadows and bright highlights create the most challenging conditions.

Low-light performance is limited, as expected from a small sensor at this price point. Footage becomes noticeably noisy once the sun starts to set, and colors lose their vibrancy. We do not recommend flying the HS720G for photography or videography after golden hour, as the results will be disappointing. Stick to daylight hours for the best output.

The mechanical gimbal makes a genuine difference that we want to emphasize. Budget drones that rely solely on electronic stabilization produce footage with a distinctive, slightly artificial smoothness and noticeable cropping. The HS720G's 2-axis gimbal produces a more natural-looking stabilization with no image crop, and the video quality benefits significantly. It is the single feature that most justifies choosing the HS720G over cheaper alternatives.

Battery and Range

The dual-battery package is one of the HS720G's strongest selling points. Each battery provides 20 to 23 minutes of real-world flight time, giving you a combined 40 to 46 minutes of air time out of the box. For a beginner learning to fly, this is plenty of time for a productive practice session. The batteries charge in approximately 5 to 6 hours through USB, which is slow compared to DJI's fast-charging systems. We recommend charging overnight so batteries are ready for the next day.

The 1 km maximum control range is significantly shorter than what premium drones offer, but it is adequate for the HS720G's intended use case. In practice, we found the video feed to be reliable up to about 500 to 700 meters, with occasional dropouts beyond that distance. Given that visual line-of-sight regulations typically limit practical flying distance to a few hundred meters anyway, the range is sufficient for most recreational flying scenarios.

The video feed to your smartphone runs through a WiFi connection, which is less robust than the dedicated transmission systems used by DJI and Autel. Interference from nearby WiFi networks can affect feed quality, particularly in suburban areas with dense WiFi coverage. We experienced occasional feed stuttering in neighborhoods with many active networks, though the drone continued to fly normally during these interruptions.

Build Quality

The HS720G is built from lightweight plastic that feels appropriate for its price point. It does not have the premium, dense feel of a DJI drone, but it is not flimsy either. The folding arms snap into position with positive detents, and the overall assembly is tight with no rattling or loose components. The dark gray finish is understated and professional-looking.

The gimbal assembly is small but functional. It is also the most fragile part of the drone, and we recommend handling it carefully during transport. A gimbal cover is included, and we strongly advise using it every time the drone is stored or transported. A carrying case is also included in most packages, which provides adequate protection for the drone, controller, and spare batteries.

Durability in minor incidents is reasonable. During our testing, we had one unintentional landing in tall grass that resulted in no damage, and one slightly hard landing on concrete that scuffed the bottom of the drone but caused no functional issues. The propellers are easy to replace and spares are included. That said, without obstacle avoidance, a direct collision with a tree or wall at speed will likely cause damage that may not be repairable. Fly carefully and learn in open spaces.

The controller is basic but functional. It uses a phone-clamp design with physical sticks and buttons. The sticks feel decent with smooth movement and reasonable centering. The plastic is lightweight and the overall construction is adequate without being impressive. It runs on its own internal battery that lasts considerably longer than the drone batteries, so you will never run out of controller power mid-flight.

Who Is the Holy Stone HS720G For?

The HS720G is purpose-built for beginners and budget-conscious buyers who want a genuine aerial photography experience without a premium investment. If you are new to drones and unsure whether the hobby will stick, the HS720G lets you find out without financial regret. The GPS stability, mechanical gimbal, and decent camera provide an experience that is rewarding enough to either satisfy your curiosity or confirm that you want to invest in a higher-end drone later.

Parents buying a first drone for a responsible teenager will find the HS720G to be a smart choice. It is capable enough to produce results the young pilot can be proud of, while being affordable enough that the inevitable learning crashes do not become a source of household tension. The GPS return-to-home feature provides an extra layer of security for new pilots who might lose orientation.

Casual content creators who want occasional aerial shots for travel videos, family events, or social media content will find the HS720G adequate for these tasks. The footage looks good on phone screens and social media platforms, which is where most casual content is consumed. For these use cases, the difference between the HS720G and a drone costing four times as much is less dramatic than the spec sheets suggest.

The HS720G is not suitable for professional work, dedicated aerial photography, or any situation requiring obstacle avoidance for safety. If your budget can stretch to a DJI Mini 4 Pro, that drone offers a substantially better experience across every metric. The HS720G serves the segment of the market where that budget stretch is not possible or desirable, and it serves that segment well.

Our Verdict

The Holy Stone HS720G delivers on its promise of accessible aerial photography at a budget price. The combination of GPS positioning, a 2-axis mechanical gimbal, a Sony sensor, and a two-battery package creates a package that offers genuine value. The footage it produces is usable, the flying experience is enjoyable, and the learning opportunities it provides are real.

The compromises are predictable and proportional to the price. No obstacle avoidance means you are solely responsible for avoiding collisions. Camera quality is decent but not impressive by current standards. Wind performance limits when you can fly. Range is restricted. These are the trade-offs of a budget drone, and the HS720G manages them better than most competitors in this price range.

We rate the Holy Stone HS720G a 4.1 out of 5. It earns strong marks for value, beginner-friendliness, and the inclusion of a mechanical gimbal at this price point. It loses points for the lack of obstacle avoidance, limited range, and camera quality that, while good for the price, cannot compete with established brands. For its target audience of beginners and budget buyers, it is our top recommendation. Check current pricing through the link above.