Despite the lack of compelling reasons to own one, you can’t deny that drones are cool. Some are simply glorified tech toys, but the models we’ve chosen can be used in a wide range of imaging and cinematic applications. If you think you might be able to use a flying camera in your next project, there’s some good news: technology has advanced rapidly in a relatively short period of time. There are now models on the market that outperform previous copters in terms of video quality and stability.
1.DJI Mini 2
For the vast majority of people, the DJI Mini 2 will be the best drone. It is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, easy to fly, and can stay aloft for up to 31 minutes. Furthermore, it is DJI’s most affordable drone, priced at $449, making it more accessible to the general public.
The camera resolution on the Mini 2 has been improved over the previous generation, allowing you to shoot in 4K / 30fps. It’s also as smooth as ever because it’s gimbal-stabilized. Because of its small size (249 grams), the Mini 2 does not require FAA registration, but it is more vulnerable to high winds. Nonetheless, it’s incredible what DJI crammed into the tiny Mini 2.
2.DJI Air 2S
The gorgeous Air 2S combines two of our previous favorite DJI drones, the Mavic Air 2 and the Mavic 2 Pro. The former is compact and foldable, whereas the latter has a 1-inch 20MP sensor. The combination is brilliant, and we recommend the Air 2S to both hobbyists and professionals looking for a small, portable drone.
While the Mavic Air 2 remains a good option for those on a tighter budget, the Air 2S provides some useful advantages over its predecessor. The ability to shoot 5.4K video at 30 frames per second increases your creative freedom and allows you to use a useful digital zoom (even if we only recommend using that at 2x zoom). With 1080p at 120fps and impressive high ISO performance, you have a fantastic all-around flying machine that outperforms its mid-range competitors.
3.DJI Mavic Air 2
The DJI Mavic Air 2 is the best drone for people who don’t want to spend more than $1,000 on a drone. The Mavic Air 2 now has a better camera that can record 4K videos at 60 frames per second, as well as 240p super slow-motion videos in Full HD resolution. It can also take photos with a resolution of 48 megapixels.
DJI also improved the drone’s object tracking, allowing it to keep a lock even if you hide behind a tree for a brief period of time. The Mavic Air 2 can also receive ADS-B signals, allowing it to anticipate approaching planes. The Mavic Air 2 now has the same drab appearance as the Mavic Mini and Mavic Pro, which is our only criticism.
4.DJI Mavic 3
Are you searching for the best compact drone on the market? Drones, such as the DJI Mavic 3, are available. This aerial beast is propelled by a dual camera that combines a large 20MP Four Thirds sensor with a useful 162mm telephoto lens. It accomplishes this in a backpack-friendly package that is slightly lighter than the Mavic 2 Pro on which it is based.
Other enhancements over its predecessor include a 46-minute battery life (roughly half an hour of flight time) and the ability to record 5K/50p video or 4K/120p slow-motion footage. When you upgrade to the DJI Mavic 3 Cine bundle, you get 1TB of internal storage, a sleek DJI RC Pro controller, and the ability to record videos in Apple ProRes 422 HQ format.
Some features, such as ActiveTrack 5.0 tracking, will not be available until a firmware update in January 2022, and it is more expensive than the Mavic 2 Pro, which may be difficult to justify for non-professionals. If the absolute image quality is your top priority, however, the Mavic 3 is the best choice (priced to match).
5.Ryze Tech Tello
At just under $100, the Ryze Tech Tello, designed by DJI, is a good, low-cost drone for first-time fliers. What distinguishes it from other low-cost kids’ drones is that it can be programmed using Scratch, transforming it from a toy to an educational tool.
Furthermore, the Tello has a 720 camera that shoots good video and is easy to use. The main issue we had with the drone was its short 5 minute flight time, so make sure you have plenty of batteries on hand if you decide to buy it.
6.DJI Mavic 2 Pro
The classic Mavic 2 Pro, which debuted in August 2018, is in an awkward position: the majority of its features are shared with the smaller DJI Air 2S, but its design is smaller than the much more powerful DJI Mavic. 3. No way, not all of the time. Unlike the Air 2S, it has a variable aperture, allowing you to change the exposure mid-flight. It is also significantly less expensive than the Mavic 3.
The DJI Air 2S provides better value in a smaller package, but the older Mavic 2 Pro retains exceptional image quality with its 1-inch 20 MP sensor and impressive 4K / 30p video. There’s raw support for pro-level imaging, and unlike the Air 2S, it has an adjustable aperture (you can switch between f / 2.8 and f / 11) for in-flight f-stop adjustments – a big plus for those who prefer to control the exposure manually. We still recommend the Air 2S for most people, but given its age, the Mavic 2 Pro discounts are worth keeping an eye out for.
7.Anafi Parrot
While DJI dominates the foldable drone market, the Parrot Anafi is one of the best alternatives and has a feature that DJI drones do not: the Anafi’s gimbal-mounted camera can flip up, allowing you to take photos and videos of objects above the drone, such as if you want to fly it beneath a bridge.
The Anafi has a good selection of flight modes for taking interesting photos, and the video it captures is quite good, with a clean, fluent, and detailed video. It lacks the collision detection found on similarly priced DJI drones. However, it is a fantastic alternative in general.
8.DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0
While the Phantom 4 Pro V.20 isn’t the most recent model on this list, it’s still a good option for professionals looking for something tough and dependable. When there is a breeze, the Phantom 4 Pro V2.0, which was released in 2018, was a significant update to the Phantom 4, with significantly improved obstacle avoidance and intelligent flight modes such as ActiveTrack. Its 1-inch 20MP sensor produces stunning raw still images as well as 4K / 60p video at 100Mbps in the D-log color profile.
Due to its size (1375g), the Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 is less portable than the foldable Mavic 2 Pro, which also has a 1-inch 20MP sensor. It does, however, have a mechanical shutter rather than a roller shutter, as well as a higher 4K frame rate than its smaller sibling. With excellent handling and 30 minutes of flight time, it’s well worth considering if you need to capture high-quality aerial photography and video in challenging weather conditions that the Mavic 2 Pro may not be able to handle.
9.PowerVision Poweregg X
The Powervision Poweregg X can go where most other drones cannot: underwater. This is due to the removable waterproof shell and pontoons on the Poweregg X, which allow you to land and take off from ponds, lakes, and even the ocean if the conditions are favorable. Furthermore, the drone body can be used as a camcorder when not in flight, making it useful even when not in flight.
The Poweregg X flew well, albeit a little slowly (pontoons weigh it), can fly for up to 25 minutes on a charge, and has good object tracking. However, while the video and photo quality was above average, it fell short of the standards set by DJI’s drones. Alternatively, experiment with landing one of DJI’s drones in water.
10.FIMI X8 Mini
While we believe the DJI Mini 2 is the best overall mini drone, if you can’t afford it, the impressive FIMI X8 Mini is a more affordable option worth considering. Shoot high-quality 4K videos with plenty of details, even if the dynamic range is understandably limited due to the small size of the sensor (1 / 2.6-inch). While the companion app is clumsy, it is stable and offers a variety of automated flight modes.
The X8 Mini can be charged via USB-C as well, and it comes with a controller that is more durable than the drone itself. If you just want to connect to your phone, there is also a 5.8GHz Wi-Fi flight mode (although the range is limited to 100m when doing this). Overall, despite the fact that it is not a tech underdog because it is a member of the Xiaomi family, the FIMI X8 Mini offers good value for money and is a viable alternative to DJI.
Conclusion
Drones have evolved from a weapon to a toy to almost every other field of work you can think of. Professional drones have evolved over time, giving us a plethora of options at reasonable prices.
However, as previously mentioned, there are some good suggestions that will serve you well if you’re just getting started or considering purchasing another drone to help with your work, passion, fun, or whatever else you want to do with these fantastic machines!