Drone Orbs: What Are They Really?

In recent years, the term drone orbs has gained traction across the internet. From viral TikToks to Reddit threads and local news headlines, mysterious glowing objects in the sky are catching attention — and many of them are not what they seem. Are they high-tech surveillance tools? Artistic light show displays? UFOs? Or something else entirely?

What’s the Deal with the Orbs?

“What’s the deal with the orbs?” is a common question floating around social media, especially among users who witness these lights during night-time walks or while camping in remote locations. The simple answer? Many of these supposed “orbs” are actually drones. Specifically, they’re drone orbs — small flying machines fitted with LED lighting, designed to appear as glowing orbs when flying at night or during performances. The fascination often stems from the eerie way these lights hover silently, sometimes in formation, leading to speculation that quickly goes viral. With drone technology becoming more advanced and affordable, people are seeing them more frequently in parks, over city skylines, and even in their own neighbourhoods.

What Are the Drones People Are Seeing Everywhere?

The drones people are seeing everywhere are usually compact, quadcopter-style drones with bright lights on all sides. Some are used for content creation, others are part of drone light shows, and many are employed by emergency services or industrial operators. At night, when visibility is limited and sound carries less clearly, these drones create the illusion of silently glowing orbs floating mid-air. With the popularity of consumer drones from brands like DJI, as well as home-built FPV drones with custom lighting rigs, the sky is becoming more crowded than ever. These are not aliens or supernatural entities — they’re advanced tools becoming part of everyday life.

Quadcopter Orb vs True Orb Drones

The term quadcopter orb is often used informally to describe drones that look spherical when illuminated at night, even though their structure is still based on the familiar four-propeller design. These drones can appear orb-like when viewed from below, especially when fitted with halo-style LED rings or RGB lighting strips. By contrast, true orb drones — fully spherical flying machines — are rare but growing in use. These designs often feature fully enclosed rotors, allowing them to roll against walls or floors without damaging the propellers. Some experimental drones use this design for collision tolerance, making them ideal for high-risk or confined environments.

Are There Drones That Look Like Spheres?

Yes — though they are less common, there are indeed drones designed to look and function like spheres. These are typically used in industrial or research applications where manoeuvrability in tight spaces is crucial. For example, the Flyability Elios is a well-known spherical drone used in indoor inspection tasks such as checking inside chimneys, power stations, or mines. Similarly, several university research labs have developed orb-style drones to study aerodynamic control or to be used in urban search and rescue missions. The advantage of these orb-shaped designs lies in their ability to bounce off surfaces without losing stability, offering a robust solution for navigating complex environments.

The Rise of Drone Orbs in Light Shows

One of the most captivating uses of drone orbs today is in synchronised drone light shows. Hundreds — sometimes thousands — of drones are flown together in choreographed formations, each fitted with RGB LED lighting. From a distance, each unit appears as a glowing orb in the sky. These displays are carefully planned using 3D modelling software and GPS synchronisation, allowing the drones to move in unison to form shapes, animations, and symbols. The results have dazzled audiences worldwide at major events like the Olympics, Sydney’s Vivid Festival, and New Year’s Eve celebrations across Australia. As these technologies evolve, drone light shows may replace fireworks as the sustainable entertainment of the future.

Drone Orbs in Paranormal Sightings

It’s not uncommon for videos of glowing orbs to be misinterpreted as supernatural or extraterrestrial. Many of the clips that circulate on social media with titles like “ghost orb” or “UFO sighting” are actually just well-lit drones captured at night. The speed, silence, and hovering ability of drones contribute to their eerie appearance. FPV drones, which can perform acrobatic manoeuvres at high speeds, are particularly convincing when outfitted with light mods. While this adds excitement to online content, it also fuels confusion. By demystifying what drone orbs are, we can appreciate the tech without falling prey to conspiracy theories.

Best Drone Orbs for Hobbyists and Professionals

When people search for the best drone orbs, they’re usually looking for drones that can create the orb-like visual effect — either through spherical design or custom LED lighting. Some of the top picks include:

• DJI Mini 4 Pro with aftermarket LED attachments, offering lightweight control and solid low-light visibility
• BetaFPV and iFlight Nazgul FPV drones, which can be customised with ring lights and flown dynamically for impressive night-time shots
• Flyability Elios, ideal for industrial inspections and indoor use, with a true spherical frame

For cinematic applications, pairing a drone with programmable RGB lighting enables operators to design specific orb visuals. These setups are used in music videos, film productions, and creative content for social media platforms.

Drone Orbs New Jersey: A Viral Case Study

In late 2024, numerous residents across New Jersey reported sightings of unusual glowing objects in the night sky, many of which appeared to hover in formation. Videos of these incidents quickly circulated online, sparking widespread speculation about UFOs, military exercises, or unauthorised drone activity. The sightings gained enough attention that federal agencies, including the FAA and Department of Homeland Security, reviewed the reports.

Investigations concluded that many of the sightings were likely caused by authorised drone operations, misidentified aircraft, or natural aerial phenomena. Some widely shared videos were found to be digitally altered or misinterpreted. Despite online rumours, there was no confirmed evidence of an unofficial drone light show conducted by local enthusiasts using custom FPV setups.

The incident highlights how easily modern drones — especially when lit with RGB LEDs or flown at night — can be mistaken for mysterious “drone orbs.” It also underscores the importance of following FAA or CASA regulations when flying near populated areas to avoid confusion or public concern.

How to Tell if You’re Seeing a Drone Orb

If you spot something glowing or hovering in the sky, here are some ways to tell if it’s a drone orb:

• Look for blinking red and green navigation lights — many drones are required to use them
• Listen for a subtle buzzing or humming sound, especially on calm nights
• Observe the flight pattern — drones tend to hover or move with sudden precision
• Check social media — many operators share footage shortly after flights, especially when they get public attention

Knowing the difference can help reduce unnecessary panic and allow for a greater appreciation of this fascinating technology.

The Future of Drone Orbs

As technology progresses, drone orbs are likely to become even more sophisticated. We could see the rise of swarm AI, where fleets of small orb-shaped drones autonomously coordinate to gather data, monitor wildlife, or deliver immersive entertainment experiences. With improvements in battery life, miniaturisation, and environmental sensors, drones that resemble glowing orbs might be a normal part of future urban skies. For professionals in the creative and industrial sectors, these developments will open new frontiers in storytelling, surveillance, and visual artistry.

At Flying Glass, we stay at the cutting edge of drone technology. From custom drone cinematography to advanced training and consulting, we understand the future is airborne — and it glows.