The skies are getting crowded — and wetter. Drone maker HoverAir has just teased its latest offering, Aqua, and it is turning heads with one standout feature: it floats. Yes, really. This waterproof drone is not only compact and clever, but it might just be the shot across the bow that DJI didn’t see coming.
Teased on its official website and social media channels, the HoverAir Aqua appears roughly the size of DJI’s smaller drones — but with a few tricks DJI doesn’t offer. The Aqua has been shown coming into contact with water without damage, and it also seems to include a built-in viewfinder-style display and a new compact remote. In an era where DJI drones require a phone, a remote controller with a screen, or an FPV headset to see what the drone sees, this new HoverAir drone appears to be going full plug-and-play. And it’s arriving at a time when DJI is already scrambling to keep up.
Update: HoverAir Aqua waterproof drone: New details now revealed
If you haven’t been paying attention to HoverAir, now’s the time. The company is best known for its $299 HoverAir X1, a palm-sized, auto-flying camera drone that became a hit for its ease of use and social media-ready footage. Since then, HoverAir has launched upgraded models like the X1 Pro and X1 Pro Max, bringing 4K and even 8K video, AI tracking, and flight smarts — all without requiring users to pick up a controller.
With the new HoverAir drone, the company seems ready to graduate from the selfie-drone niche to full-fledged DJI rival status — especially as DJI battles import troubles that are drying up inventory across the US.
As DroneDJ recently reported, DJI is facing serious import challenges in the US. Shipments have been held by US Customs under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act since late 2024. That’s led to bare shelves and long delays, with retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and even DJI’s own official store often showing out-of-stock notices.
Worse, DJI faces potential inclusion on the FCC’s Covered List, which would bar the company from releasing new models in the US unless a federal review is resolved by December 2025. With DJI distracted and drones harder to buy, the new HoverAir drone could land in a prime spot.
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That said, HoverAir isn’t flying solo in the challenger category either. Insta360 — long known for its innovative action and 360-degree cameras — has also launched a new drone sub-brand called Antigravity. Their first model? A sub-250g 360-degree drone that captures 8K spherical footage and is tailor-made for creators. While it doesn’t float, it offers a totally different kind of flexibility that DJI hasn’t matched.
Between the new HoverAir drone and Insta360’s bold debut, DJI is now facing a multi-front battle in the consumer drone market.
The Aqua’s waterproofing isn’t just a gimmick — it solves a real problem for outdoor and adventure creators. Think paddleboarding, fishing, or filming dockside events where a slip into the water usually spells doom for your drone. With the new HoverAir drone, you don’t have to panic — it withstands water, it shoots, and it likely takes off from water too. Add in the onboard display (bye-bye phone dependency) and the new handheld remote, and you’ve got a feature-packed, travel-friendly drone with serious appeal.
Stay tuned for more updates!
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