Best Drones For Beginners

The best drones for beginners gives new drone pilots the opportunity to improve their photography with a bird’s eye view without breaking the bank. Or maybe you’re looking for a great racing drone that’s reasonably affordable? Either way, we’ve rounded up the best drones for beginners here. Choosing the best drone for your needs can be a bit confusing for you as a beginner. With so many drone models to choose from, how can you be sure of finding the best beginner drone for you?

Flying a drone can quickly become an expensive hobby, as high-end professional drones cost hundreds or even thousands. However, there are many affordable drones that are perfect for beginners – and some of them produce such good videos that you won’t even know they were taken with a beginner drone. Whether you’re a fan of aerial photography and video or drone racing, getting started with an affordable drone is the best way to gain important experience.

After all, you don’t want to accidentally drop a drone worth three times your salary into the ocean! Give yourself some peace of mind and learn how to control a beginner drone before investing in something more expensive. If you have a child who is eager to learn how to pilot the best drones for kids, then an affordable drone is still a good option. However, you might want to spend a little more to invest in a drone with collision sensors that help prevent unfortunate accidents.

Below, we’ve selected the best drones for beginners, but it’s worth remembering that designs and prices differ depending on the purpose of the product. Take a look to find the best beginner drone for you.

Best drones for beginners: List

DJI Mini 2

Best Drones for Beginners

The DJI Mini 2 is here sooner than many expected to refresh what was already an excellent drone, and it retains its key positive features: it’s under 250 grams which is the weight for pilot registration in the U.S. and China, it has GPS-based return home and other pilot-assistance features, and it includes very share-friendly “QuickShots. In fact, apart from all-round object collision systems, the drone has almost everything you’d expect from a folding drone that costs more than twice as much.

The accompanying remote control is also completely new, providing up to 10 km (6.2 miles) range in FAA areas via automatic channel switching, meaning you can confidently take the drone outside in even 24 mph winds and remain confident that the drone won’t get out of contact. The camera balance keeps images horizontal and shake-free while capturing up to 4K video, as well as selection of other effects that until recently were only known on DJI’s prosumer models, such as panorama (and even sphere panorama). Photographers can choose Raw, manual exposure, exposure bracketing and other features they would expect on the ground.

If you’re considering the Mini 2 as your first drone, but you’re already familiar with cameras, this is definitely the best choice. It’s also pretty handy indoors thanks to downward-facing visual and sonar distance sensors that can help it hover even without GPS, and the optional propeller guards (detachable cages to prevent any accidents while flying near obstacles). The app also makes it easy to get the footage on your phone if you don’t want to wait until you get home. Overall, this is one of the best drones for beginners.

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DJI Air 2S

The DJI Air 2S – the successor to the Mavic Air 2 – brings a photo-quality camera to a reasonably compact drone that is well equipped with features suitable for novice drone users, whether they specialize in video or photography. The 5.4K video offers the option to downsize to 4K without losing resolution, while the 20 megapixel camera produces great wide-angle images.

In terms of safety, the drone has all the major safety sensors – forward, backward, downward and forward facing – that allow the drone to not only detect and stop obstacles, but also plot and execute an evasive path if necessary (depending on settings). Only the sides of the fuselage lack sensors, so caution should be exercised when practicing tracking shots; usually this won’t be a problem, and DJI’s previous side sensors on the Mavic 2 series weren’t worth the extra money.

If you’re flying around physical obstacles (sensors have a harder time with water), it might be cheaper to buy a better drone with more sensors the first time; you can always learn carefully. The controller is ideal. It’s strong, has a good battery, easy access to speed modes, and the location of the phone (which acts as your screen and menu) is exactly where you need it. Overall, this is one of the best drones for beginners.

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Ryze Tello

Best Drones for Beginners

With more than half of the world market, DJI has kept its technology in the serious segment of the market. However, a friendly relationship with neighboring company Ryze has led to the Tello, a compact drone that doesn’t skimp on technology. It beams 720p video back to a phone within WiFi range (100m), or 5mp photos, which are recorded by the app.

This data link also gives you a battery alert, and the drone is able to take off and hover using its 14-core processor and built-in sensors. That power allows for fun features like “Throw & Go” launches and flips, but it also supports Scratch, a simple, block-based programming language meaning that literally anyone (kids included) can have fun controlling the Tello. Overall, this is one of the best drones for beginners.

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Parrot Anafi FPV

Best Drones for Beginners

Parrot has done a great job of shuffling between the fun and functional aspects of the drone market since they essentially created it a decade ago, and the Anafi (especially the new FPV kit) embodies that.

The Anafi is a professional drone, with a 4K camera that can zoom (at least in video mode), with a gimbal stabilized camera. Some surveyors prefer it over DJI products because the camera can tilt up and down to create 3D models or, for mere mortals, get unique angles for action shots. But with the addition of First Person View (FPV) goggles, you can also vlog from the cockpit. The Parrot goggles are included in the FPV kit, and initially that was the only one supported, but a later software update means you can use other VR headsets as well.

The app has all the conveniences and is ideal for racing in Arcade mode or for photographers obsessed with settings. The only thing missing from a much more expensive device (and admittedly, this is not cheap) is a collision sensor system, but the Anafi is surprisingly robust, especially the FPV version with improved legs. Compatibility with Pix4D tools offers an interesting route into 2D and 3D survey work, should you decide to offer your services commercially.

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Holy Stone HS510

This is a great little drone and it’s a real shame that, like so many brands, Holy Stone has succumbed to the obsession with adding 4K to marketing materials. In this case, the plane can actually record 4K video, but only at 16 frames per second; perfectly adequate 2.7K is available at 25 fps, but that’s clearly not exciting enough for HS’s sales team.

Ignoring what you don’t get, the HS is a sturdy but compact folding drone that isn’t meant to offer professional video quality, but at least offers (via landing and manual tweaking) your choice of camera angle, as well as GPS-supported features like circling a point of interest or automatically returning home (which it can do even if it loses connection).

Not only is the device small enough to experiment with indoors, but it also includes a so-called “optical flow” sensor – a visual-light sensor that points downward and thus can maintain a reliable hover in good light, even when a roof blocks the GPS. There are minor annoyances, such as the 32 GB SD card limit, but all in all you get a lot of fun, even in bad weather, for a not too big hit on your wallet. Overall, this is one of the best drones for beginners.

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DJI Mavic Mini

This drone, launched in late 2019, was aimed squarely at the consumer market (and specifically to avoid the 250-gram registration limit). It still packs quite a punch – 2.7K video, GPS, altitude hold and a mechanical gimbal – meaning that images and videos it recorded on its MicroSD card were of more than adequate quality for YouTubers or Instagrammers. As such, the drone is understandably popular (while DJI’s attempt to make it a ‘FlyCam’ has, equally predictably, failed to catch on. Looking ahead to 2021, the only concern would be supply, but DJI continues to sell and supply the drone for now, while cautiously hinting that a newer model is in the works.

For consumers who don’t feel confident about learning to fly and shoot video at the same time, the automated QuickShots offer some striking orbiting or other dramatic swooping shots while keeping your subject in focus – the DJI Mavic Mini uses its intelligence to do this from the main camera rather than incorporating additional scanners, which likely helps even this first model achieve 30 minutes of flight time (as with all official drone times, expect about 20% less). Overall, this is one of the best drones for beginners.

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JJRC H36

Best Drones for Beginners

This spectacular little ‘copter’ is ideal for indoor flights because all the propellers are protected with the almost turbine-like protective covers. No camera; just a human learning to live in harmony with the machine.

After charging the small Li-Po battery using a USB socket, it snaps into place on the bottom. A bit cumbersome, admittedly, but once connected you have the power to whiz around for a few minutes and really master the flying experience and hone your skills. There’s also a “headless” (easy) mode and a flip function to amaze onlookers.

The controller, powered by 2 AA batteries, has the tell-tale sign of a real pilot’s drone: the left stick doesn’t spring back vertically to center on release. That’s because this is the throttle and during flight you have to constantly adjust it manually to maintain altitude. Overall, this is one of the best drones for beginners.

DJI FPV Combo

Best Drones for Beginners

If speed and stunts have attracted you to the drone world, you’ll want to climb into the virtual cockpit and fly First Person View (FPV). The problem is that FPV is not only notorious for flying, but also for the camera and radio signal that transmit video from the front of the drone to goggles and a screen that cover the pilot’s eyes. In some areas, including the UK, a “spotter” must stand by the pilot to warn him of hazards that are hidden from view by his video glasses.

DJI has produced an FPV drone that brings all the speed and excitement and accompanies that with a good portion of the benefits of their more traditional photography range. The new DJI FPV features front collision sensors and while it lacks the 3-axis gimbal that stabilizes the cameras on their other products, a single-axis gimbal combined with software stabilization produces much better video than equivalent cameras on other FPV drones. Overall, this is one of the best drones for beginners.

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Holy Stone HS100 Navigator

This excellent drone for beginners introduces not only the experience of flying, but also the basic functions of a serious photography or videography drone for a fraction of the cost. That’s because it includes a GPS positioning system, and control is via a good quality phone app (a phone clips into the radio controller and serves as a screen).

Together this gives high-end features like “follow me” (the drone will track the phone’s location), as well as making the drone easy to fly – release the controls and the drone will just hover, at the same altitude, even in a breeze. It can also return to its starting point with the push of a button.

The design is clearly inspired by DJI’s Phantom, right down to the intelligent battery with 4 lights. That said, the battery has a built-in Micro USB connector for easy charging – DJI hasn’t thought of that yet! Overall, this is one of the best drones for beginners.

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Simrex X20

With a lower price than DJI’s Mini, this drone comes with compromises, but unlike so many budget drones, it doesn’t lack a mechanical gimbal or a Class 10 SD card slot. The former gives you stabilized video and the latter means you don’t have to rely on a radio connection to your phone to record video, which is essential. It’s also nice to have speed settings and a foldable design.

If you’ve seen unstabilized (or – almost as bad – digitally stabilized) video, you’ll understand why those who shoot aerial footage with a drone insist on a mechanical gimbal, but it’s rare to get one at a price this low. In a decent folding drone, that’s even rarer, and here you have all the features (like a button press to return home) that come with GPS, convenient for safe use. Overall, this is one of the best drones for beginners.

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Things To Consider Before Buying Best Drones For Beginners

RC drones now have many smart features. Some of them are priceless, while others may be a little fanciful. As a novice drone pilot, you must consider six important functions before buying the best drones for beginners:

  • Flight time
  • Speed
  • Flight range
  • Return home
  • Camera
  • Controller

You can see each of these features in my very sensual reviews below. I record the first three items in the Technical Specifications section, as well as the weight, battery type, and charging time. Let’s take a look at these six characteristics and their importance:

Maximum flight time

One thing that bothers the beginner is the short flight time of their new drone. To fly these objects requires a lot of energy, and it quickly drains the batteries. The longer the average flight time, the better. Make sure you always have a spare battery with you. This is the only way to prolong the pleasure. Also, note the charging times. Some batteries are charged in 45 minutes. Others may take a few hours.

Maximum flight speed

Some drones are fast – incredibly fast – but they are often reserved for racing. There are also speed limits. With beginner drones, you do not have to worry about these things. Some drones contain Follow Me technology. In this case, you must make sure that the speed of the drone is sufficient to track your actions and record them, such as cycling, motorcycling, skiing, surfing, etc. m/s, and miles per hour, mph.

Maximum flight range

Beginners want to keep their drones in the neighborhood. The maximum flight distance is the distance between the remote control (u) and the UAV before the signal is lost. Some starting drones have short flying distances. This can limit your ability to do great aerial photography.

Return home

If a drone flies out of range, it can still find its way if it has the function “Return home”. It is priceless. You set the “starting point” using GPS. This feature provides security and convenience. If a drone does not have it – and loses its signal – it will eventually fall from the sky somewhere. The consequences of this are not an empty thought. It is always better for novice pilots to keep their drones nearby, where you can see and recover them in the blink of an eye. You will also want to have the habit of watching the indicators of a weak battery.

Camera

Some drones have an integrated camera. Others do not, but they can have a mount so you can add your own camera. Gopro cameras and other popular models are allowed on standard media. Your first priority is to master your flying skills. It will not be long before you see what your drone sees. Make sure you understand your camera and recording options before purchasing. I also include low-functionality drones for those who only want to gain valuable flying experience.

Controller options

You can control most drones with a hardware controller or with a smartphone or tablet via an application. Using a UAV with a smartphone makes things really convenient and portable. A target controller usually offers more flight options and a better flying experience in general. But the ease of flying and driving your drone from a phone or tablet is something to consider. Some drones can use both a controller and a mobile device.