Ok, I see 2 and 3 bladed props out there...is there a simple explanation as to which is better ...and why?? Are there instances where one should be using one, and not the other???
Thanks
Kim
Here is an answer I have given to a similar question.
The number of blades on a propeller is usually dependent on the job you are asking it to do. The fewer propellers you have the more energy efficient you are going to be, but this is at the cost of your ability to speed up, and slow down. If you take a one bladed prop (yes they do exist) and rotate it, it will not be in the draft on one in front of it, but if you take a 3 bladed propeller then the propellers are all trailing behind each other in the path the one before disturbed. Propellers with more blades give you more "traction", on bigger multirotors you generally use 2 blade props, where as on smaller multirotors for racing often use 3 blade props, this is because it feels more "locked in". The term locked in is used to describe how you drift when taking a turn, or switching from moving forward to moving backwards. For small hobby grade applications like this you generally size down an inch for every prop you add, and they draw more amps than the two bladed props.