A camera drone is a fun way to explore a new style of photography and video production: aerial imaging. Taking photos and making movies from high up in the air or flying a small drone through tight spaces nets a very different look than using a smartphone or handheld camera for recording.
We review all kinds of consumer drones, but the ones on this list are specifically suitable for beginners. Read on for our top picks, followed by what to look for when you shop for a starter drone.
The Best Drones for 2023
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
DJI Mini 4 Pro
Best Starter Drone With Obstacle Avoidance
If you want a drone you can fly confidently in complex environments with trees or buildings, it’s worth spending more on a model with obstacle detection sensors, such as the DJI Mini 4 Pro. This 249g drone includes 360-degree sensors for safer flight with automated navigation around obstructions.
The camera is also a step up from the Mini 2 and Mini 3. The Quad Bayer sensor supports 4K60 video and your choice of 48MP or oversampled 12MP still photos. The standard color profile provides pleasing video out of the camera, there’s an HDR profile that looks fantastic on HDR TVs, and a 10-bit flat look is available for serious editors.
The Mini 4 Pro ships with a 34-minute battery. In its $759 configuration, you get a remote that requires a smartphone, but there’s also a $959 version that includes a remote with a built-in touch screen and camera control app. An extended-life battery pushes flight times to 47 minutes but makes the drone heavier than 250g, meaning you’ll need to pay the $5 FAA registration fee to use it.
PROS
- Small, portable design
- 249g takeoff weight sidesteps registration requirements
- 4K60 video in SDR, HDR, or D-Log M
- Supports vertical video and upward camera tilt
- Two remote control options
CONS
- Doesn’t include AirSense transponder
- Extended battery option puts it above registration weight limit
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 2.4 by 3.5 by 5.7 inches |
| Weight | 8.8 oz |
| Rotors | 4 |
| Obstacle Detection | |
| Integrated Camera | Integrated with Gimbal |
| Video Resolution | 4K |
| Megapixels | 48 MP |
| Media Format | microSDXC |
| Remote | Dedicated with App, Dedicated with LCD |
| Live Video Feed | 1080p |
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DJI Mini 2 SE
Best Low-Cost Drone for Beginners
The DJI Mini 2 SE is one of the best starter drones you can find anywhere near its $339 starting price. This 249g flyer folds up for easy storage and offers flight times of up to 31 minutes between charges. The package includes a remote control, but it works only alongside a mobile app (available for Android or iOS).
The camera is quite good, with up to 2.7K30 video and 12MP stills options. It skips HDR support, though, so it’s worth spending more on the Mini 3 or Mini 4 Pro if you enjoy recording sunrise and sunset scenes. You do get Raw DNG photo output, however.
A lack of obstacle sensors is the biggest detriment for pilots starting out. You should be safe flying above the treetops, but take care with this one at lower altitudes.
PROS
- Doesn’t require FAA registration
- Palm-sized, lightweight design
- Produces silky smooth 2.7K30 video
- Around 30 minutes of flying time per charge
- USB-C charging for drone and remote
CONS
- Omits obstacle detection and Hyperlapse features
- SDR video profile is limiting for some scenes
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 2.3 by 3.2 by 5.4 inches |
| Weight | 8.8 oz |
| Rotors | 4 |
| Obstacle Detection | |
| Integrated Camera | Integrated with Gimbal |
| Video Resolution | 2.7K |
| Megapixels | 12 MP |
| Media Format | microSDXC |
| Remote | Dedicated with App |
| Live Video Feed | 720p |
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DJI Mini 3
Best 249g Drone for Creators
The DJI Mini 3 is the best drone you can get for under $600. The 249g takeoff weight is beginner-friendly, and we like that the drone records great-looking 4K30 video with ample dynamic range and good-looking digital zoom (also available for photos).
The Mini 3 costs more than its predecessor, the Mini 2, but camera upgrades give creators and YouTubers reason to stretch their budgets. The 4K30 video uses an HDR profile and f/1.7 optics for good-looking sunrise and sunset footage, and the gimbal supports 60 degrees of upward tilt. It also supports dual aspect ratios, twisting vertically to record 9:16 video for phone screens in addition to normal 16:9 for TVs and YouTube.
Flight times are ample at 38 minutes with the standard battery. A 51-minute battery is available as an accessory ($95), but using it pushes the takeoff weight above 250g. Keep that in mind if you’re trying to skip dealing with FAA registration.
There are a couple of different remote control options. You can get the drone with a remote that requires you to connect your smartphone for $499, but DJI also offers it up with its built-in-screen RC remote for $639. If you’re upgrading from a DJI Mini 2 you can use the DJI RC-N1 remote you already own to control the Mini 3; DJI sells the drone without a controller for $469.
Obstacle sensors are the big omission in this model.
PROS
- Good-looking 4K30 video
- Support for vertical video and upward gimbal tilt
- 12MP stills in Raw DNG or JPG
- 38-minute flights with standard battery
- 51-minute extended battery available
- 249g build for registration-free flight
- Built-in GPS and FlySafe safety features
CONS
- Omits obstacle detection
- Limited to one color profile
- Doesn’t support Hyperlapse or ActiveTrack
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 2.4 by 3.5 by 5.7 inches |
| Weight | 8.8 oz |
| Rotors | 4 |
| Obstacle Detection | |
| Integrated Camera | Integrated with Gimbal |
| Video Resolution | 4K |
| Megapixels | 12 MP |
| Media Format | microSDXC |
| Remote | Dedicated with App, Dedicated with LCD |
| Live Video Feed | 1080p |
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Autel Robotics Evo Nano+
Best Starter Drone for Restriction-Free Flight
The Autel Robotics brand is a popular one among drone hobbyists and provides quality alternatives to the more popular DJI. The Evo Nano+ is an ultra-light 249g flyer, so it doesn’t have to go through FAA registration, and it’s not limited by DJI’s strict Flysafe geofence. Battery life is solid, with flight times in the neighborhood of 28 minutes on a full charge.
We like its three-way obstacle detection, good-looking photos, and stabilized 4K30 video. The drone offers some basic automated camera moves, as well as Hyperlapse. Its Raw picture format is a little tricky to edit and video looks a bit overprocessed, but that’s of less concern to beginners.
The Nano+ is available in a basic config with a remote, flight battery, and standard accessories for $909. A Premium bundle adds a carrying case, a multi-charger, and two extra flight batteries for $1,099. Both go on sale, so don’t be surprised if you find the drone for less.
PROS
- 4K30 video with gimbal stabilization
- Camera supports 12MP and 50MP photos
- Automated quick shots and Hyperlapse
- Up to 28 minutes of flight time
- Three-way obstacle sensors
- GPS with return-to-home functionality
CONS
- Raw photos are tricky to process
- Overprocessed look to video
- Log profile is only 8-bit
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 3.7 by 5.6 by 2.2 inches |
| Weight | 8.8 oz |
| Rotors | 4 |
| Obstacle Detection | |
| Integrated Camera | Integrated with Gimbal |
| Video Resolution | 4K |
| Megapixels | 50 MP |
| Media Format | microSDXC |
| Remote | Dedicated with App |
| Live Video Feed | Yes |
Learn More
Buying Guide: The Best Drones for Beginners and Kids in 2024
What Is the Best Drone to Buy for a Beginner?
Drones are pretty complicated pieces of hardware. They rely on GPS stabilization and other flight assists to hover perfectly in place, as well as use radio transmitters to keep a connection between the aircraft and its remote control. They usually require a smartphone to work, too; you typically connect your phone to the drone’s remote control to run a flight app and control the camera. If you’re willing to spend more, you can get one with a remote that runs the control app on a touch screen.
DJI Mini 2 SE (Credit: Jim Fisher)
We recommend you stick to a quality brand to get started—we’ve included models from Autel and DJI, and they are both trustworthy brands. We’ve had bad luck with some of the lesser-known budget models you see for sale online, so we don’t recommend that you spend money on shoddy starters like the Holy Stone HS360.
It’s worth it to spend a little more on a drone with a better camera, one that supports higher-than-1080p video and sits on a three-axis gimbal for stabilization. You should also pick a drone with an integrated GPS and a return-to-home system. Finally, if you can afford to spend a bit, an upscale model with obstacle avoidance sensors helps you avoid accidents while you learn to fly.
The Best Drones That Don’t Require FAA Registration
Pilots who fly in the US, even for fun, need to register certain drones with the FAA. If you plan on flying outside, and your drone weighs 250g (8.8 ounces) or more, you need to pay a $5 registration fee to ensure compliance with federal regulations. Moreover, you must pass the Trust test, a basic online knowledge quiz. For more, read up on the rules for flying drones in the US.
Are Kids Even Allowed to Fly a Drone?
Can kids legally fly a drone? The short answer is yes, but it depends on the age of the operator, the purpose of the flight, and the country.
In the US, there’s no minimum age to fly a drone, but you have to be at least 13 years old to register one with the FAA. The drones in this story are all in the registration-free 249g weight class. However, all pilots must still pass the Trust test, a free basic knowledge quiz, to fly a drone outdoors. For heavier drones, the Trust test and a $5 registration fee are requirements for everyone.
These restrictions are fairly lax but only apply to creators flying for fun. If you’re a young YouTube influencer and monetize your drone footage, you need to fly under commercial rules and register each drone you own, regardless of weight. That means you must have a Part 107 license or fly under the direct supervision of a licensed pilot. The minimum age to get a Part 107 license is 16 years old.
Canada is stricter with its laws. You can fly a 249g drone without a license in uncontrolled airspace north of the border, but you need a Basic License to fly within about 100 feet (30 meters) of other people. You must be at least 14 years old to get this type of license. If you want to fly in controlled airspace, an Advanced License is a requirement. You must be 16 years or older to get one.
The UK regulations are muddier. First, each drone you own requires an Operator ID, a registration number that’s tied to the aircraft and owner. You need to be at least 18 years old to get one. The UK also issues Flyer IDs, a type of license that’s tied to a person, not an aircraft. Kids don’t need a Flyer ID for models lighter than 249g but must pass a basic knowledge test for anything heavier (there’s no strict age requirement). Kids 13 and up can get a Flyer ID on their own, though younger children need to bring a guardian along to take the test.
Recommended by Our Editors
How Much Does a Beginner Drone Cost?
For quality video, we recommend you budget between $350 and $1,000. On the low end of the price spectrum, the Mini 2 SE ($339) records 2.7K30 video and snaps 12MP stills. The older DJI Mini 2 ($450) ups the video resolution to 4K but is otherwise the same as the Mini 2 SE. Between the two, we recommend the 2 SE because for close to $500, you might as well upgrade to the Mini 3 ($560). That model offers HDR video, a vertical video mode, and a 38-minute battery.
DJI Mini 4 Pro (Credit: Jim Fisher)
On the high end, the DJI Mini 4 Pro ($759 with a remote) features obstacle avoidance sensors and a better camera than the basic Mini 2 or Mini 3. All of the Mini series drones make a 249g weight to sidestep registration requirements, too.
The Best Drones for Pros
If you’re looking for a drone that’s a bit better than a beginner bird, make sure to check out our list of the best drones you can buy regardless of skill level. Just prepare to spend a lot more.
