It was only a few years ago that only the wealthiest could afford drones. Now, drones are affordable for everyone that may be interested in buying on. Drone technology has improved, and now there are many drones on the market leaving you confused as to which are actually worth your money.
Drones are a lot of fun for both hobbyists who just enjoy remote-controlled toys and those looking to take professional-grade photos and videos. Most drones come with 4K cameras that are capable of capturing stabilised, crisp images, making them perfect for filmmakers. There are different drones suited to different needs.
For example, if you just want to have a bit of fun and shoot some cool videos then buying a lighter, cheaper drone might be your best option. If you’re a professional or seasoned drone user then you might want a heavier model for better image stabilization. There are a few things to consider though.
As drones have become more popular, more regulations have been put in place. For example, you cannot fly your drones near airports for obvious reasons. It’s also important to take into account that larger, heavier drones may be restricted by most drone regulations but smaller drones will more likely pass them. Luckily, drones are becoming smaller and more compact as technology has improved.
So, to make things easy for you, here are some of the best drones on the market right now.
DJI Mavic Air 2
- Price: $988
- Weight: 570g
- Controller: Yes
- Camera resolution: 12MP / 4K
- Battery size: 3,950 mAh
- Range: 10km
The DJI Mavic Air 2 is a great all-round drone for beginners or anyone that wants to learn how to use a drone. One of the things to consider when buying a drone is battery life. Drones use a lot of juice because of their motors and cameras so buying a drone that won’t run out of battery every 5 minutes is important. The DJI Mavic Air 2 has 34 minutes battery life which is perfect. You’ll also be able to shoot video in 4K / 60fps for those 30 minutes. Not only that but the controller is very simple and you’ll be able to pick it up in no time.
DJI Mavic 2 Pro
- Price: £1539
- Weight: 907g
- Controller: Yes
- Camera resolution: 20MP / 4K
- Flight time: 3,950 mAh
- Range: 8km
Just like the DJI Mavic Air 2, the Pro shoots professional-grade video and has a similar flight time of 31 minutes tops. It costs more money but you’ll be getting a sharp 20MP camera and the ability to control the drone through its app, making it super simple to control even for beginners. This drone does weight more than the Air. The Pro is perfect for those who want to shoot cinematic videos with a weighty drone that feels robust and quality.
DJI Mavic 2 Zoom
- Price: $1289
- Weight: 905g
- Controller: Yes
- Camera resolution: 12MP
- Battery size: 3,950 mAh
- Range: 8km
The DJI Mavic 2 Zoom sits somewhere between the Air and the Pro in terms of price and performance. The Zoom is very similar to the Pro but it has one big difference than the previous two on this list, it’s 24-48mm optical zoom. You’ll be able to get the same battery usage out of it as the Air and Pro but you’ll have the added benefit of being able to zoom in on things.
The only drawback to this is it’s poorer camera than the Pro at 12MP compared to 20MP but this shouldn’t be too much of a problem for most people looking to shoot some HQ images and video from at least 50 metres away.
DJI Mavic Mini
- Price: $369
- Weight: 249g
- Controller: Yes
- Camera resolution: 12MP
- Battery size: 2,600 mAh
- Range: 5.8 GHz: 4000 m (FCC); 2500 m (SRRC)
The DJI Mac Mini is a tiny palm-sized drone that may just get forgotten about because it lacks ‘follow me’ technology and no active tracking but it cannot be beaten on price and is the perfect-entry level drone for the younger audience. It also doesn’t shoot video in 4K like the other drones on our list and instead comes in with 2.7K video but you’ll still get decent enough amateur level shots. Even though the video is not 4K, it is still very stable and this drone can be collapsed and popped into your bag for storage.
DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0
- Price: $1519
- Weight: 1375g
- Controller: Yes
- Camera resolution: 20MP
- Battery size: 6000mAh
- Range: 8km
Weighing 1.3 kilos, the Phantom 4 Pro is heavier than the other drones on our best drones list but it makes the perfect choice for professionals who want a sturdy model that can operate in windy weather well. The camera is a fast 4K camera and this drone comes with active tracking so the video will be stable and smooth. It also has just over 30 minutes of flight time available from its battery so you’ll be able to take some great shots before you need to recharge it.
You won’t be able to collapse this drone like many others because of its quad-copter design but it’s also not too heavy to carry around and is worth it if you want to shoot impressive professional-looking videos.
PowerVision PowerEgg X
- Price: $1099
- Weight: 522g
- Controller: Yes
- Camera resolution: 12MP
- Flight time: 3,800 mAh
- Range: 6km
Most drones don’t like to operate in wet conditions so if this is something that you might need to do then take a closer look at the PowerVision Power Egg X. This little drone can withstand some harsh rainy conditions and can even land on bodies of water like lakes! To be able to protect it from water, you’ll first need to add the protective case onto the drone before you use it so this might slow you down when you’re setting it up.
The drone also comes with an impressive 4K video so you can still take some stunning shots in harsh weather but of course, this will affect the end product if your screen does get really wet. This drone is on the more affordable end of the list but you’ll still get a good 30 minutes out of it.
