The Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 is a discontinued Wi-Fi quadcopter. Its value today is as a legacy indoor trainer or collector item, not as a modern camera drone.
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The quick answer
Buy a Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 only if the seller demonstrates a stable Wi-Fi connection, working video, responsive motors and a healthy battery. Parrot still hosts the manual and firmware, but the aircraft is a legacy platform with 720p video, phone-based control and short flight sessions. It is not a sensible choice for dependable aerial photography.
Is the Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 still usable?
The AR.Drone 2.0 can still fly when the aircraft, battery and control device all work together. Parrot continues to publish the AR.Drone 2.0 user guide and firmware version 2.4.8. That support archive is useful, but it does not make the model current or guarantee that a modern phone will run the original control workflow reliably.
The aircraft connects directly to a phone or tablet over Wi-Fi. Test the exact device and app before paying. A seller saying that the drone “powers on” is not enough because the camera feed, control link and battery behavior determine whether the kit is usable.
AR.Drone 2.0 specifications that still matter
- Camera: 720p video intended for casual viewing, not stabilized modern aerial footage.
- Control: iOS or Android device over the drone’s Wi-Fi network.
- Advertised range: about 50 meters under suitable conditions.
- Typical legacy battery claim: about 12 minutes when the pack was new; an old pack may deliver much less.
- Included protection: indoor and outdoor hulls were supplied with many kits.
These figures describe the original product. Battery age, radio interference and replacement-part condition matter more than the launch specification when buying one today.
Used-buying inspection checklist
- Confirm the exact AR.Drone 2.0 model and that the indoor hull, outdoor hull, charger and battery are included.
- Reject swollen, punctured or unusually warm lithium-polymer batteries.
- Connect the buyer’s phone or tablet and verify live video before takeoff.
- Hover at low altitude and check that all four motors start evenly without grinding.
- Test takeoff, landing, yaw and emergency motor stop in a clear indoor area.
- Inspect the foam hull, propellers, motor gears and central frame for crash damage.
- Assume that replacement batteries and small parts add to the real purchase cost.
What is the AR.Drone 2.0 like to fly?
The large indoor hull and downward sensors made the AR.Drone 2.0 approachable for its era. Phone controls are less precise than a modern physical controller, and Wi-Fi interference can interrupt the experience. Keep the first flights low, close and indoors in a room clear of people, pets and fragile objects.
For basic control terms and safe setup, use our drone controller guide and pre-flight checklist.
Who should consider the AR.Drone 2.0?
Consider this model only if you specifically want a piece of early consumer-drone history, already own compatible equipment, or can buy a proven working kit inexpensively. Choose a current guarded mini drone for a first-time child pilot, and choose a current three-axis-gimbal model for photos or video.
Primary sources: Parrot AR.Drone support archive · Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 user guide · FAA recreational flying rules
About this update: This article was substantively rewritten from the original review. Specifications come from the manufacturer documentation; the used-buying advice is editorial guidance, not a new hands-on test.
