Having your own drone is not only fun but can help you record impressive high-quality video and images from the sky.
The drone industry is rapidly growing and improving, so much so that today’s drones offer exceptional quality and stabilisation and there are options to suit all skill levels.
The downside is that they don’t come cheap. The high price tag makes it even more important that you do your research when deciding which is the best drone for your needs.
Below, we’ve reviewed some of the best drones on the market and if you’re still unsure, the buyer’s guide later in the article will help you know which features to look out for.
1. DJI Mavic 2 Pro Quadcopter Drone (Top Pick)
The DJI Mavic 2 Pro is an impressive quadcopter drone that offers the best all-round option. The Mavic 2 Pro has been designed to optimize propulsion while reducing noise and using less power meaning it is safe, quiet and has a smooth flight path.
It is easy and intuitive to fly making it one of the best drone options for all skill levels.
The DJI Mavic 2 Pro features a 1-inch CMOS sensor which allows for high quality video with great image resolution. It can shoot in 4K video and capture Raw stills. This model offers a range of shooting modes making it user-friendly and perfect for photography and videography.
You can also adjust the aperture to suit high and low light environments and when you’re done you can plug the drone into a 4K TV to watch playback footage.
This is a compact unit and the arms can be folded in when not in use to make it even more portable.
There are many direct controls on the controller but the DJI Go 4 app is where most of the settings options and camera view can be found.
The controller makes it easy to clip your smartphone into place so you can get set up and start flying in no time. You can fly the Mavic Pro 2 for up to 31 minutes a time.
What We Like:
- Highly portable
- Easy to fly
- User-friendly app
- 4k Camera
What We Don’t Like:
- High price
2. DJI Mavic Air 2 Quadcopter Drone
The DJI Mavic Air 2 is a great option for beginners, it has an impressive mix of stability, safety features and camera quality.
There are many safety features on the Mavic Air 2 including obstacle avoidance and an auxiliary light. Capturing quality media is made easy too, the camera captures 48MP photos and smooth 4K video.
The Spotlight 2.0 function keeps the camera locked on a subject as you fly while the Active Track 3.0 keeps the subject in the centre of the frame.
You get around 34 minutes of flying time per charge and the included controller is comfortable to hold, easy to use but doesn’t include a screen.
The controls are minimal as most of the settings need to be accessed through the smartphone app.
The DJI Mavic Air 2 is highly portable, compact and lightweight, when folded it can fit into a photographers gear bag with ease.
What We Like:
- Best option for beginners
- 34 minute flight time
- High-quality pictures and videos
What We Don’t Like:
- Basic controller design without screen
3. DJI Mavic Mini FlyCam Quadcopter Drone
The DJI Mavic Mini FlyCam is perfect for anyone looking for a lightweight, highly portable and convenient drone.
This drone fits into the palm of your hand making it easy to take on adventures and capture footage at any moment. The small size of this drone also makes it exempt from many countries drone regulations.
It works with the DJI Fly app which is simple and intuitive to navigate and offers a range of Creator Templates to make creating quality videos easy for complete beginners.
The camera captures video at 2.7K quality and you can fly for up to 30 minutes in one go. The DJI Mavic Mini comes with a 360-degree propeller guard that helps to keep the propellers safe and improve flight safety.
What We Like:
- Compact, lightweight design
- Good battery life
- Exempt from many drone regulations due to small size
- 2.7k video
What We Don’t Like:
- No 4K video
4. DJI Phantom 4 Pro Drone
The DJI Phantom 4 Pro is a durable, robust drone that offers an intelligent, elevated and improved flying experience. This is a high-tech option that you can fly for up to 30 minutes at a time.
The camera can shoot 4K/60fps (frames per second) video and has a Burst Mode to capture stills at 14fps.
The 1-inch 20 megapixel CMOS sensor to ensure impressive image detail is captured in a range of situations. The lens on the Phantom 4 Pro eliminates shutter distortion which can occur at high speeds or when capturing fast-moving objects.
The advanced processors ensure media is captured in high detail so advanced post-production is possible.
The titanium and magnesium alloy construction reduces the weight of the Phantom 4 while increasing its durability. There are multiple sensors that assist with obstacle sensing and avoidance.
The Return Home Mode is automatically enabled and the controller has a bright built-in screen so controlling the drone is even easier.
What We Like:
- Advanced obstacle avoidance
- Bright built-in controller screen
- Excellent image quality
What We Don’t Like:
- App can be confusing
5. DJI Mavic 2 Zoom Quadcopter Drone
The DJI Mavic 2 Zoom is a great option when you need to get a closer view of distant subjects.
The 48mm telephoto lens produces a classic cinematic look, it provides 4x lossless zoom including 2x optical zoom and can shoot video in full HD. You can capture mid- to wide-angled shots without needing to get too close to the objects.
The Mavic 2 Zoom has been designed to fly smoother and quieter to provide increased discretion and safety. It also uses obstacle avoidance sensors to help prevent collisions.
The autofocus is quick and accurate to help you capture quality content and you can make use of ActiveTrack which automatically tracks subjects.
The battery life means this model can be flown for up to 31 minutes at a time.
What We Like:
- 2x optical zoom lens
- Great for wide-angle shots
- Easy to fly
What We Don’t Like:
- HD recording only
6. REMOKING RC Drone with 720P Camera
The Remoking RC Drone is a lightweight model that offers stable flying, collision protection and 3 different speeds. It is a great option for beginners and younger drone pilots (this model can be piloted by children aged 8 and over).
The camera is a 720P FPV HD with Wi-Fi captures high-quality video and photos with ease. You can adjust the camera’s angle and can see real-time viewing from the remote control.
The downside is the short battery life which offers only 10 minutes of flight time on each charge.
This model offers automatic take-off and landing making it one of the best drones for people new to flying. It can also be flown indoors or outdoors and the 6-axis gyro quad-rotorcraft makes the unit easier to control, more stable and more wind-resistant.
What We Like:
- Easy to fly
- Best for beginners
- Automatic take-off and landing
What We Don’t Like:
- Only 10 minutes of flight time
7. DJI Tello Drone
The DJI Tello Drone is created to be fun and is perfect for playing around. This is an impressive, small drone that is best for kids and beginners who want to have fun and learn about drones at the same time.
The controls are intuitive and make flying the DJI Tello incredibly straightforward. You can perform tricks by simply tapping on the screen so the fun is endless. If you are interested in programming you can even build on your programming skills through Scratch.
The flight time is short and sweet at a maximum of 13 minutes per charge. You can capture 720p videos and photos using EZ Shots and you can easily share them from your smartphone. This is a lightweight, durable and safe drone.
What We Like:
- Fun
- Low cost
- Great for kids
What We Don’t Like:
- Does not handle wind well
Drone Buyer’s Guide
There are lots of great drones available with options for everyone from kids to beginners to professionals.
You no longer need to pay a fortune or have something similar to a pilots license for the privilege of flying one of these incredible pieces of tech.
Now you can find a drone that does exactly what you need with ease and there are plenty of options that practically fly themselves.
Use this buyer’s guide to find the best drone for you.
Flying Time
The amount of time the drone can fly varies considerably between models. Consider what you plan to be using the drone for to help you work out how long each drone flight is likely to be.
As a general rule, the larger the drone the longer the flying time will be. The small, toy drones generally offer a flying time of around 10 minutes while professional drones offer 25 minutes +.
For example, the DJI Mavic Air 2 offers 34 minutes of flying time while the much smaller DJI Tello offers just 13 minutes.
Batteries
Some drones have interchangeable batteries so you can always take extra batteries with you if you need additional time in the air.
Choosing a drone that has interchangeable batteries can help you get the most out of it and are the best drones for professionals.
Flight Range
The flight range also varies between drones. Professional models can offer a range of up to 2km while small, toy models can only be flown for 50 meters or so.
No matter which model you select, you should always be able to see your drone when it is in the air.
GPS
Having GPS offers a big advantage. GPS helps you to locate your drone, allows the use of the return to home function and also allows you to set automatic flight paths.
Camera
If you are looking for a camera drone, take a look at the camera resolution and stabilisation technology offered. The camera system and setup differs from model to model.
The best camera for drones offers high video quality of full HD or 4K as well as stabilisation features such as a gimbal. Without stabilisation of some sort the video produced will be shaky so this is very important.
First Person View
If you are looking for a drone that has a camera, think about whether the drone offers First Person View (FPV) as this allows you to see the video in real-time. The video is shown either on the controller screen or on your smartphone.
FPV is important as it helps you check your framing and get the perfect shot. If you plan to use drones for aerial photography, you will certainly benefit from FPV.
Durability
Drones are not cheap so you will want to find one that is durable and will be able to handle the climate and temperatures you may be flying in.
Collision detection is an important feature that helps to stop the drone from crashing into objects when flying.
Some drones also have features that ensure they fly/ land safely if communication between the controller and drone has been lost.
Ease of Use
Many drones are ready to fly straight out of the box. Set up should be simple and the controls should be intuitive. Some drones have preset flight modes which makes them easier to fly.
Having different modes is particularly good if you are a beginner as it lessens the learning curve.
Common flight modes include standard, heads-free, FPV, altitude hold, GPS position hold and auto return mode.
Availability of Spare Parts
The final consideration is how easy it is to obtain spare parts.
Many drones come with a spare set of rotors and some offer optional extras such as spare batteries. Being able to repair the drone is important for longevity.
