Drone MAX V Smith Machine with Weight Stacks Review: Worth Buying?

The Drone MAX V is part of a wave of budget all-in-one home gym machines that MAJOR FITNESS has released, with more than a dozen YouTube videos covering various versions of the Drone line, though only two creators were analyzed in depth for this page. Reviewers frame it as a low-cost alternative to standalone Smith machines and pricier functional trainers, which appears to be driving interest.

• Two reviewers considered it a strong value, noting its price undercuts comparable Smith machines and functional trainers that lack similar features.
• One creator praised the breadth of included accessories — dip bars and a built-in landmine post ship standard, and the upright profile is compatible with aftermarket attachments from other brands.
• One creator liked that the centrally mounted weight stack saves floor space since it doesn't require exterior loading clearance, unlike side-stacked designs.
• One creator called out the interior flip-down safety spotters as a genuine power-cage feature, allowing true barbell lifts inside the rack rather than relying on external spotter arms.

• One creator flagged a string of quality-control compromises: plastic guide bushings oiled to compensate for the lack of bearings, plastic (not metal) bar sleeves, poor knurling, and marketed capacity figures that didn't match the actual rated components.
• Durability concerns appeared from both creators: one expects corrosion around the stoppers since they lack UHMW plastic, while the other noted the 300 lb static cable rating could become a bottleneck under heavy sustained cable use.
• One creator ran into layout friction — loading plates onto the rear weight horns is cramped due to limited clearance, and attempting an incline bench press inside the rack causes the bench to hit the rear crossmember, forcing a workaround that removes spotter safety.
• One creator found the stock cable and pulley action the least smooth compared to five other functional trainers they'd used, though an aftermarket pulley upgrade is available separately.

Across the 3 sources we analyzed, overall sentiment leaned positive, with two creators concluding the machine delivers solid value and functionality for its price. Accessories and performance also skewed positive across two creators, though performance carries a contradiction: one creator felt the cable and pulley system was the least smooth among comparable trainers they'd used. Value was the most consistent strength, backed unanimously by both creators with no negative notes. Design and quality, on the other hand, leaned negative across both creators, driven by plastic components, mismatched capacity claims, and layout friction with certain exercises. Durability sentiment was also negative overall, with both creators raising separate concerns about corrosion risk and cable-capacity limits, despite the manufacturer's advertised drop-test rating. Size drew mixed reaction from a single creator with low confidence, and setup complaints (instability until the rubber feet are installed) came from just one creator as well.

This suits someone furnishing a first home gym who wants a Smith machine, cable station, landmine, and pull-up station in a single compact footprint without piecing together separate equipment. It's also a fit for shoppers comparing it against pricier standalone Smith machines or functional trainers who are willing to trade some fit-and-finish for a lower price.

Serious lifters who want to load heavy weight on the bar should look elsewhere, since the bar itself is rated well below the machine's marketed capacity and uses plastic sleeves and passive knurling. Anyone planning frequent incline bench pressing inside the rack, or who dislikes tinkering with rear-loading plate clearance, will likely find the layout frustrating. Buyers who prioritize smooth cable action over price should also be cautious, since the stock pulleys were reported as the least smooth among comparable trainers.