Finding the 10 BEST props for 5" Freestyle, using SCIENCE!

Part 1 with more explanation: • The most important par...
Spreadsheet with ALL THE DATA! drive.google.com/file/d/1DFiJ...
Thrust stand: www.tytorobotics.com/pages/se...
If you'd like to support more testing like this / chris_rosser
Join the Discord! / discord
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
1:32 Summary of Tests and Equipment
3:25 Advance Ratio and Propwash
4:22 All the gear!
5:04 Durability (leave a comment!)
5:41 Scoring
6:45 Guide to the data (download the spreadsheet!)
11:51 TOP TEN!

[@Aerospaceinc53]

I have a 2 step prop testing system. I buy them, then fly them. This is much more scientific. Thanks for all the data!

[@davidemele2842]

Hi Chris, you have became the new "You'll learn something today" for me (Bardwell, forgive me please, I love you too) and I really love your effort and the information you gave to the entire community, so I think you're in some way educating better the FPV community. I love your test, but I have a little question, I tested both gemfan hurricane 51433 and tmotor 5143s, so I remember your last video and the tmotor weren't coming out very well, but I have to say that the flight feeling is amazing compared to the hurricane 51433, since it looks like I can control better my quad in the air, more like, I can do much more what I think my quad should do. Now since this is about a feeling, under the filter of your tests how can I analitically explain what I "felt"? I'm curius to try new kind of prop when I will brake all my tmotors ahahaha, but I'm afraid about how I will feel it.

[@deroskar]

just curious. what prop are you using currently? (if any)

[@BboyFenzi]

What a great outcome, thank you so much.

[@brothersinphoto]

Hey Chris! Thanks for your work! Could you test Ethix P3 and HQ J37? They are my favorite props and they're missing 😱 Btw I'll give hq 5.1x2.5x3 a try 😊

[@invertedflow]

This is awesome Chris. Thanks for doing this!

[@classicshooter4849]

Thanks Chris for putting this together, and thanks for the rapid reply yesterday! -BC

[@propabilityfpv]

Exactly what I was looking for, thanks for all the excellent work you do man! No BS, no wild opinions, just solid data and analytics.

[@cleptoXx]

...was knowing there is more to come from you :) thank u a lot Chris !!!

[@ChrisRosser]

My pleasure!

[@aphinion]

Now with Gemfan and a Spreadsheet. Amazing! Love all of it :) Looks like your initial choice for the AOS 5 quads was quite a good hit! As I wrote under the last vid, not realizing you just posted a sequel: A dB (A) value would be really amazing in the future.

[@shALKE]

Wonderful work Chris! Awesome!

[@ChrisRosser]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@FlyZoneFpv]

Thanks Chris. Great video and spreadsheet 👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻

[@Jydotix]

Thank you for making this kind of videos!

[@randybull01]

Next you need the tree limb survival test. Which ones shatter into pieces compared to those that take a hit and survive with little to almost no damage. As one who flies around the trees a lot and at high speed most of the time, branch encounters are pretty often. Especially those leafless ones hanging down that you don't see until right before you smack into them.

[@jok250]

Thank you, amazing job

[@nellsoon]

Thank you for the test! Super interesting to read through the results! I am mostly running the GEMFAN HURRICANE 51477-3 on my 5". Happy to see it doesn't only feel very powerful but actually produces a lot of thrust. Two things that stand out for me: it's ONE OF THE LOUDEST 5" props that I've tried and it tends to break off/lose entire blades in my typical crashes. One might say it does rather burst than bend.

[@DoctorrMetal]

Your the best Mr. Rosser, just built my Source One V5 with dji vista! Running P3 + P4 on 2207 E-pro's, will try some of the props in this video!

[@yuranium]

Amazing work.

[@kelsey7k]

great data, thank you!

[@Faronsky]

awesome work! thnx!

[@yanshen6593]

Thanks for these videos 👍

[@jejefpv]

Thank you Chris, very interesting. Too bad you couldn't test the Ethix P3 (3 blades) which are some of the most flown props, I would have liked to see how they perform according to your criteria.

[@kestrelfpv4712]

i just bought those in bulk recently, so im curious as well.

[@painy6588]

I just ordered a bunch of different props after wachting this video and also added some P3s, so I would also be curious.

[@UnmannedSky]

Yep curious on the 3 blade variety as well!

[@ryano.8768]

@@painy6588 any update on how the p3 stands up to the others?

[@Samuel-ux8im]

Amazing video!

[@airdronelongford2027]

GREAT STUFF

[@filipf.5797]

Chris big thx for your content, there is no easy way how ordinary customer like me for example :D can easily compare different products like props or motors before actually buying them and then not everyone has a test bench etc. This also pushed manufacturers to improve their products and so I think this content is extremely useful hence it may not be the most entertaining content in the KZbin :D.

[@CoreyFPV]

To get it as close to perfect as you can Chris….You are the man. The 4S props are just🫠😋🔥

[@nickvledder]

Great video!

[@ugpfpv361]

Thanks for all the work! Will be interesting to see, if working from the data, how the props with similar numbers from different manufacturers will feel in real life

[@bVd23]

Thank you!

[@Johnny31297]

One thing to note, Gemfan's 5 digit naming is wonky and misleading. 51433 does not mean 4.33" pitch, I actually think it doesn't mean anything. It's a 3.5" pitch prop for some stupid reason probably only Gemfan knows. Same for 51466, 51477 etc

[@ChrisRosser]

Really? Oh jeez. Well I guess that might explain why the pitch numbers didn't make sense to me. It's incorrectly listed on some retailers websites as well then.

[@deroskar]

oooooooooh my god. Thats rediculus i used to believe this to@@ChrisRosser

[@UnmannedSky]

Thanks for these videos Chris. It's been really helpful because there are so many options out there it's hard to know which direction to go without a ton of trial and error. If you ever get a chance to review the lumenier gatebreakers pls post. It's JohnnyFPVs preferred props on his QAV-S. Thanks again!

[@wagonlee5443]

I have so far tried the HQ 5x4.3x3 V2S and they were very good, way better than the Ethix S5 I had been using before. But I settled on the Ethix P3B Bi-Blade props that are actually mindblowingly good. I would have never expected the bi-blade to be that good despite them technically scoring on top. Thank you for your great work!

[@macrokernel13]

Thanks a lot for the great video Chris! I am flying HQ 5x4.3x3 v2, and find them rather durable. Broken one prop while flying strait into a tree branch. Have bent few other props, then straightened them with my hands and they are still flyable, though the level of vibration has increased.

[@Mekanikern]

Good job Chris, thanx! I hope you would do the same test for 7" as they are harder to tune and maybe have a wider range of uses than the 5" 🙂

[@BikeGuyFPV]

0:43 The elephant up on the shelf is awesome 🐘 Also, that light cover on the ceiling is cool too 😎

[@ChrisRosser]

Thanks man! My partner made the elephant, she is super crafty.

[@finkelmann]

Great video, and amazing analysis! I've used the Nepal N1, and they feel quite smooth and controlled, but durability is low. I've gone through them all realy quickly. The Hurricanes are proving far more durable. Also used the Windancers 5043 for a while and they work really well.

[@Gabriel-qh5yv]

Thanks for doing this tests for us... im just hobbiest not a professional... now i know wich to choose 🙂

[@user-nz2zi7hu2c]

Great video as always! Waiting for you review on larger props. I fly planes/wings with quad props - they are cheap, well-balanced and easy to get. So far Gemfan Flash 6042-2 and 7042-2 seemed to be the best option for the application - bi-bladed, high pitch (probably high advance ratio?), feels like they are quite efficient as well. Would be interesting to see how they compare to other props (Emax Avan LR and Ethix K2 seems to be competitors in 6-inch category, for 7-inch much more options are available).

[@winstoni_fpv]

Great job Chris, thanks for that! I'm a bit surprised that my daily driver prop Ethix P3 PB&J wasn't there...

[@findler]

Ya, I'd hoped to see them as well.

[@oddeman3489]

Thank you Chris, this is great information, love a good spreadsheet? 😊

[@pressurefpv]

Good job sir!! Gemfan 4.9 inch props are my favourites they feel different to anything else on the market but they are a bit too durable at the hub and can bend the shafts in heavy concrete crashes..Zero prop wash and instant thrust is second to none.. Also the Ummagawd 4Plays have a unique feel to them, So much grip with that extra blade, but two blades take a whack almost every crash and they get mangled easily..

[@GinTonicFPV]

Your expression and the green props goes well together in the thumbnail pic 😂😂😂

[@ChrisRosser]

Thanks, no photoshop used. I just had my partner pour a huge box of props on ma face!

[@clmb2225]

Thank you, very very informative video - have you also planned to conduct studies about 10 - 17 inch propellers and their engines too ?

[@carlsverg]

This is great, thank you very much, I will for sure take a deeper look at the spreadsheet. The torque and mech. prop columns are very appreciated, I wonder if chosing a typical 5" motor (instead of an oversized one) has had a big influence on net efficiencies. Particularly, I've been using GF hurricane 51466 and find them pretty durable, for 6" I prefer to take the DAL Fold (great "size" score) and pay the perfo penalty.

[@KidIkarus]

No one ever shows TMotor props enough love, I love them

[@ugpfpv361]

Yes, I used to run them and loved them some of my favorites, but that were the earlier one that broke pretty easy and so switched to the gemfan version, how is durability now?

[@KidIkarus]

@@ugpfpv361 I’ve only been using them for the past 2 years maybe, my first set of T5146’s I received in a QuadBox and fell in love with them, tho I’m not sure which version those may have been, or the current iteration for that matter. However, I’ve rarely had them snap on me tho, and they definitely tend to bend rather than break, in my experience at least. Not that it’s NEVER happened, but never more often than any other quality blades do.

[@changeagent228]

Thanks. Good to see a comparison between the GF 51466 and 51466 v2. I also run GF 5152 if you are looking for more props to test.

[@changeagent228]

The Avan Flow props broke the most out of all my props. HQ 7045 x2 1vS broke almost as much as the Avan's. The GF 51466 so far have been the most durable. I only have props 5" and above breaking without being crashed.

[@princesfpvdrones]

Wonderful! Ever think of testing 7 inch ones?

[@skynoodlerfpv8643]

Awesome video, can't fault the methodology. Would be absolutely amazing if you repeated the test with 6" and 7" props on the market, I'm very curious to see the thrust and efficiency characteristics of quads bigger than 5", there is really not much reliable data online!

[@pav2k]

So you missed two craaazy popular props!! HQ R38 and ETHIX P3 PBJ

[@nullx8]

very good work, i did fly a large number of the props in the list and ended up sticking with the Gemfan 51499, they are more heavy but the higher pitch is leveling that one out. HQ and t-motor props are just too fragile and they only perform well in perfect conditions, and well freestyling is never in perfect conditions ;)

[@blup7352]

I would go with the Gemfan 5152

[@rcvg69420]

I remember back in the day running 5 inch triblade bullnose props on 2204 motors. Oh how far we've come.

[@k4x4map46]

Wow thanks Chris for the in-depth tests and spreadsheet! I find that props that look like glass (translucent) like GemFans 5152-3 snap when crashing but they seem to provide more predictable fast flight - and my HQProps V1S seem to absorb a crash and are more prone to bend so they seem to not have that thrust (because they are bendy?)...I like both props but my question is how would a props' material composition aid in flight characteristics or would it alter/enhance your test results? Thanks again! Definitely interested in the larger 7 inch prop analysis...time here to go long range!!

[@salomaramona7286]

yeah!

[@billmcdonald4335]

Great work as usual. I have a request: could you, once and for all, use science to determine the airspeed of an unleaden Swallow - both varieties? A spreadsheet with the results would be highly useful to have. I can lend you my unexpurgated version of "Olsen's Standard Book of British Birds" should you need it for reference. Be a great conversation piece. . .

[@doccock100]

I haven't seen a Monty Python film in so long. Time to go through my VHS collection

[@colinmetzger6755]

For a durability test, colliding the prop with a 3D printed object meant to break, then evaluating the change in vibration at a set RPM might be a consistent test. Could use a servo to bring in the object in after the optical sensor for measuring the RPM triggers while a collision flag is active. Would also need to mark where the prop is mounted to keep the blades aligned from prop to prop.

[@seewell8168]

Great stuff Chris, much appreciated! Did you notice a correlation between efficiency and sound levels? Or was there a set of parameters that might provide a strong enough correlation to be useful?

[@DoctorrMetal]

Lower pitch, lighter props is usually less noisy, higher pitch heavier props is more noisy.

[@haustiersteinfpv9181]

@@DoctorrMetal Not in my experience. Had really low pitch light 3inch props that needed so high rpms that the really screamed at every maneuver where the heavier higher pitch props where clearly more silent in most Situations

[@classicshooter4849]

@@DoctorrMetal prop noise is much more complicated than pitch. The airfoil, tip design, distance from the frame arm, distance the tips come to the frame itself are just a few variables when it comes to noise.

[@seewell8168]

@@classicshooter4849 agreed, overall prop design and use case rather than a simple variable or variables. I’d be interested in db level correlated to rpm and thrust.

[@christiangustar2434]

Great information as always chris👌 Also just wanted to add as far as props that are the most resilient wise ? A rule of thumb...as i imagine you know anyway ? Always buy Clear/see through props as they are without a doubt the strongest propellers material wise that I definitely can support 👍 take care chris keep up the stella work Peace out Cjthedj✌... ...

[@StevenCTV]

Great video, can you test 6 & 7 inch propeller? Thanks

[@TotallyNotNuclear]

The Gemfan sbang props are very durable. They can be super bent up and still fly great. When I have crashed into trees with them they would chop off skinny leafy branches.

[@kinzokushirogane1594]

Is room temperature similar for each test? Could you perhaps do a test on how air temp(density) affects thrust and efficiency? Could you also try and test the moment of inertia of a prop, and the rotational energy required to spin it up to the RPM at which it produces 1kg. We can also just test the raw time it takes for each prop to spin up to 1kg of thrust. The integral of the thrust during the spin up might also be relevant.

[@surajbele4442]

Very nice and so sweet work you are doing.good day very very happy plying.

[@nikleiser5888]

Thank you. Can you please test the DAL Prop 5x3 2Blade ? Cheers Nik

[@sylvanlight120]

I've used Dal T5045C and the T5040C for some time now. I've found them relentlessly durable which is why I still use them. They don't like jet flame lighters though, not even for a split second when melting off fraying battery strap🙄! Bit disappointed that you didn't include the T5040C or one of its different pitched brothers and sisters.

[@abertheham]

I’ve loved the Ethix S4’s for a long time now and was a bit surprised not to see them higher in the rankings. They have been the best balance between performance and durability that I’ve found. Sure they nick and dent a bit, but I suspect that is not avoidable in any prop. When they deform they are easy to bend back, and they don’t then roast your motor or ESC. Admittedly though, I haven’t tried many others because once I switched to S4 I was pretty much sold. Guess I’m gonna have to go spend some more money… lol

[@abertheham]

Also- THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK, CHRIS!

[@spikester]

Increased durability is one of the balance factors of what makes some props perform worse, whereas the best performing props might strike a tree and be unusable after no amount of rebending.

[@jefffpv2759]

hq 5x4.3x3 are my favorites. also like the nazgul props. i find the nazguls to be a bit more durable. they bend but havent shattered yet. the hq like to explode or crack.

[@J2_P]

Amazing!!! You are amazing :) Thanks a lot for all this test... It take a lot a time. And thanks to share the spreadsheet!!! If we want some more, is it possible to send you some props? Or fill a request form :').

[@ChrisRosser]

Sure, feel free to drop me an email and I'll see what I can do. If it's a 5" prop I'm happy to test it an add it to the sheet.

[@J2_P]

@@ChrisRosser Its the two others dal cyclone 5143.5 and 5146.5 (but I have already talk about it in discord chat :p )

[@BobCorey]

Awesome work....😍 Would you do this for 7 inch?!

[@TheTherumble32]

Ive got two 5” quads and i use the Nazgul on one and the HQV2S on the other. The Nazgul props are seemingly indestructible and can take an absolute beating, but when they break its aggressively. The V2S props are absolutely amazing performers but they are very thin blades and don’t like to touch anything. That being said, the V2S very rarely come apart and will almost always be in good enough condition to fly it back after a crash. Do not purchase the Gemfan props that have a galaxy pattern for freestyle as they will legitimately shatter like glass when they encounter anything but clean air.

[@MrBiaggio89]

Please test with 7 and 3 inch props as well.

[@WindjumbieFPV]

Gemfan 51433 for life 💪🏼

[@FrenzyIncarnate]

Thank you a lot for the extensive test.however there is need of another test which is about durability. The lighter the prop it's kinda safe to say that it will be less durable. Maybe a testing mechanism can be developed like props spinning at 2000rpm an object connected to a servo hits it . Maybe it will show the durability of the subject prop in some way

[@alegtFPV]

I'm glad you listened to comments and added a lot of Gemfans. However, you are still missing the popular HQ J37!!! And I'd also add the "older", but still for sale, Nazgul 5140 propellers.

[@RCRitterFPV]

Love all this data... Maybe noise data? quietest prop SPL at 1m while producing 1kg thrust maybe again at 250g

[@PhysicsOperator]

Looks like I'm buying me some more props

[@DavidHanniganJr]

Gemfan - Hulkies • 5055 (Gen. 1s/V1s, I know for sure were beefy. I mean, they all really are. But the Jen ones were the ones that I knew would take the hit. As opposed to [I believe] the Gen. 2s/V2s. Maybe it was V3s/Gen. 3s)

[@alchemicalanarchist]

I been using Dal Cyclones 5x4x3 but they dont make them anymore. They are really close to HQ props original V1S which were very efficient freestyle props.

[@Boomboxxy]

I fly the HQ 5.1x2.5x3 and they're a bit more fragile than the average prop, but they are quite cheap if you buy the big pack.

[@DavidHanniganJr]

Analytics!

[@DanZfpv]

Gemfan 4 Blades for the win.

[@phiveone]

My experience with Gemfan F4S is they must be made of taffy. They are so flimsy at higher speeds that you can hear them 'flap' or shape change. Just something I noticed right away.

[@RCRitterFPV]

should get tongue depressors. or popsicle sticks to test durability. see how many it can break before the prop breaks... or break one and test change in vibration.

[@the_darkside_fpv]

Hey Chris could you do a request for 3D flying. Maybe look into optimal motor sizing, center of gravity with frame design, really any info we can scientifically find out about 3D. I’m actually a 3D pilot and I have a lot of info from my experiences. Everything from what’s currently working the best for me basically but I feel it could be made so much better. I’d be happy to share any and all that with you. I feel like 3D could be understood better if science was used to understand it. Unfortunately I’m no scientist but I know brilliant people like you are great in that department. Thanks ahead of time if you consider to look in to it.

[@tehllama42]

@Chris Rosser - I'm really late to the party here, but it would actually be interesting to shove all of this data through a somewhat defined multi-attribute utility theory derived optimization setup, and try to really nail down which are the 'Top 3 Props for XXX' application out of each, and then really try to run that against durability data, and see how that compares with the actual popularity of these.

[@MarcoKeppel]

From my experience I can definitely say that the HQ 5x4.3x3 V1S are far more durable than the Ethix P4. Tried the Ethix for a while and I was losing prop blades every other crash (literally an entire blade shearing right at the hub). This very rarely happens with the V1S, I have been flying them for almost 2 years now, awesome prop.

[@MysteryD]

I find HQ props (Ethix, as well) to be the most durable. I don't even use them anymore but can't deny how durable they were.

[@nickvledder]

Perhaps the toroidal propellor can be a game-changer. One can 3D print one for own use.

[@VoltageLP]

Damn, I need the same test results for 7" props 😢

[@user-zs1eb8uc9u]

Я думаю для вибрации нужно построить ряд Фурье. Зависимость амплитуды вибраций от частоты вращения пропелера. Провести анализ гармоник. Хотя в образовании гармоник очень много факторов таких как рама антенны и тд. и тп👍. Но можно попробовать посмотреть и на гармоники хотя мы их и так видим в log files ну а тут можно посмотреть вибрации мотора отдельно и мотора с разными пропелерами. В акустике так оценивают усилители и акустику👍

[@Fleche_FPV]

GREAT JOB ! But... GEMFAN MCK V2 are missing... 😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@robrever]

Hi Chris, I am looking to build a fixed wing plane with quadcopter components (engine/prop) for future VTOL applications. Which prop would you suggest for such a project?

[@badraven9532]

Personal Preferences - DAL Folds, iFlight Nazgul, Ethix . Personal Hates - HQ (especially their 3") Durability - Good: DAL range (memory is good) , Poor: HQ range sneeze and they bend and don't come back) Worst: EMax (blade losses in flight, mostly on 3" though)

[@GeKoFPV]

Ethix props made by HQ, no?

[@hazzahfpv6675]

So how does the information about disc-loading play into this? I have a quite heavy AOS5 with GoPro Hero 7. So I chose the biggest Prop that I could fit onto the frame, being the Gemfan 5226, and when looking at the graph showing Prop-diameter vs. weight from your other video that seems to be a sensible choice (well, the AOS5.5 with 5.5" props would have been the sensible choice but things are now the way they are and I can't afford another new frame). The same prop is included in the data-sheet of this video, and when I compare it with other props it now does not seem to be the best choice anymore regarding efficiency and thrust. Would a smaller, more efficient 5.1" or 5" prop be better or is disc-loading just as important? I will try the 6236 from Gemfan next as I do think at this weight the extra thrust could be advantious. Regarding the 51433 and 51466 from GemFan it has to be noted that the manufacturer did not stick to the standard naming of the props. On the Gemfan webpage die 51433, as an example, is stated to have a 3.5" Pitch, not a 4.33". Just a recommendation to correct that data-point in the spreadsheet. Thank you for all the hard work :) Lots of good information in all your videos. So much so, that it actually makes it harder by now to chose the perfect prop xD haha

[@GrumpyHeadDesigns]

@Chris Rosser I have had nothing but issues with Gemfan Hurricane 4023. Using them on Brother Hobby 2004 3150kv motors on 4s, any type of throttle punch, the props blow themselves apart. My last maiden did not end well with this setup. Am I doing something wrong? O_o I have a short vid I just posted from DVR.

[@PhysicsOperator]

My test is does the prop snap when I take a large 2806 wound at around 3000kv with 6s batteries and a 60a stack full throttle 5 inch

[@GR33ZY.A1]

Can you run 4inch prop on 5 inch quad?

[@alegtFPV]

Also an error in the spreadsheet: Gemfan Vannystyle are sold as 3.6 pitch, not 4.66.

[@hazzahfpv6675]

Could you make a video about disc loading Vs prop efficiency? With the 5226 being a little further down the list I'm not sure what is better when having a slightly heavy 5". Greater disc according to the propsize Vs weight graph or better efficiency?

[@doccock100]

After hearing Steele rant like a religious extremist on one of his KZbin videos about this frame using the worst combination of logical fallacies I've come across since a mid term, I came to watch your videos and have now ordered some AOS frames. Thanks Steele, and yay for science.

[@MrJasonodonnell]

I look at a prop top down and view each single blade as a Knife that chopping air. Some props look like they would fillet small fish, others look like a Meat Cleaver and Behave as such. I tend to swap them out depending on were I am, So different tools really.

[@richardheedfpv9626]

Gemfan 51466 and 51433 for me every time. Durable, good price and fast.