Nowadays, you will find a lot of models of drones. Some are bulky, while others are mini quadcopters. Some drones are made for photography, while others master the art of air stunts. It is difficult and confusing to choose the right drone for you when you are a beginner.
If you are looking for the best drones for beginners, then you’re in the right place. Do you want to upgrade your photography, or you want to find a great racing drone for an affordable price? We’ve listed our favourites here.
Choosing the best drone can be difficult as there are countless drone models out there, along with their features and price. So, how to know which is the best beginner drone for you? You’ll find your ideal beginner’s drone in this buying guide.
DJI Mini 2
Key Features:
- Weight: 242g
- Dimensions (folded): 138×81×58mm
- Controller: Yes
- Video resolution: 4K 30fps or FHD 60fps
- Camera resolution: 12MP
- Battery life: 31 minutes (2250mAh)
- Max Range: 10km / 6.2 miles
- Max Speed: 57kph / 35mph
- Price: $449
One of the best drones for beginners is the DJI Mini 2. It’s an all-rounder drone that combines impressive image quality, beginner-friendly flying modes, and a compact form factor. The drone is perfect for taking on your travel. This is the most portable and lightweight drone that you can carry easily. As a beginner, you will love its auto takeoff and return-to-home functions. You can take advantage of the included tutorials and quick-shot modes. The drone has almost everything that you would expect from a drone at an affordable price.
If you’re thinking of buying the Mini 2 as your first drone, this is absolutely the best choice. The drone is convenient, and it’s sonar distance sensing systems help it hover even without GPS. The app also makes it easy to quickly get the images to your phone if you are too impatient to wait until you get home.
Pros:
- Very portable
- No registration cost
- Beginner-friendly app
- Some prosumer features
- Susceptible to gusts
- Price rise from the predecessor
- GPS and other safety features
Cons:
- No colour profiles for JPGs and video
- Omits obstacle avoidance and HDR
- It doesn’t have ActiveTrack or Hyperlapse
DJI Mavic Mini
Key Features:
- Weight: 249g
- Dimensions (folded): 140×82×57mm
- Controller: Yes
- Video resolution: 2.7K 30fps
- Camera resolution: 12MP
- Battery life: 30 minutes (2400mAh)
- Max Range: 4km / 2.5 miles
- Max Speed: 47kph / 29mph
- Price: $399
DJI has launched another consumer machine with a long list of drones, their most consumer-friendly, very compact, folding DJI Mavic Mini. This is much of the appeal of the Mini 2 but at a lower price and packed with 2.7K video, GPS, altitude hold and a mechanical gimbal. That means images and video is recorded to its MicroSD card. The drone has become very popular after it was launched.
For beginners who are not confident enough to fly and shoot video simultaneously, the automated QuickShots allow several striking orbiting or other dramatic swooping shots that will keep your subject in the frame. The DJI Mavic Mini does this from the primary camera rather than packing any extra scanners, and this helps even this first model to pull off 30 minutes of flight time. For kids, families, or anyone interested in getting started in aerial photography/videography, the original Mavic Mini is the right option.
Pros:
- Very portable
- No registration cost
- Crisp stabilized video and stills
- Beginner-friendly app
- Susceptible to crosswind
- Radio susceptible to interference
- Noise in low light
- Old-fashioned MicroUSB sockets
- Excellent battery life
Cons:
- Some connectivity issues in testing.
- Omits obstacle detection sensors.
- No 24fps video option.
- It doesn’t support Raw or HDR images
Parrot Anafi FPV
Key Features:
- Weight: 310g
- Controller: Yes
- Video resolution: 4K HDR 30fps
- Camera resolution: 21MP
- Battery life: 25 minutes (2700mAh)
- Max Range: 4km / 2.5mi
- Max Speed: 55kph / 35mph
- Price: $799.99
The Parrot Anafi is another compact, lightweight drone that provides a nice feature set. The brilliant drone comes with goggles. The drone is a substantial selection for those looking for a drone for self-portraits and filming, using its Follow Me style to keep track of your movements.
The Anafi is a professional drone. The camera of the drone can zoom (at least in video mode). Some surveys say that many people choose this over DJI products because the camera can up and down to create 3D models or to get some unique angles for action shots. It supplies a 180º vertical selection which allows the drone to shoot photographs upwards. This is a rare and distinct attribute in this class. With the First Person View (FPV) goggles, you can fly it from inside the cockpit.
Pros:
- 4K camera with HDR
- FPV system
- Very small and easy to carry
- Great for racing or settings-obsessed photographers
- Clever compact design
- Basic flight UI simple and fun
Cons:
- No collision avoidance tech
- Shorter transmission range than DJI Mavic Air
- No indoor stabilization
- Lossless zoom isn’t lossless
- Requires smartphones
Ryze Tello
Key Features:
- Weight: 80g
- Controller: via Phone, a Bluetooth game controller
- Video resolution: 720p, 30fps
- Camera resolution: 5MP
- Battery life: 13 minutes (1100mAh)
- Max Range: 100m
- Max Range with controller: 60m
- Max Speed: 36kph
- Price: $100
The Ryze Tello launched with DJI. They have designed the drone to be fun and educational instead of aggressive. It has digital image stabilization, and FPV flying. It ships with Bluetooth control to control the drone. You can also control it with the Tello program. The drone is all about the experience, acrobatics, and Ariel moves. Besides flying, Tello can make moves, take off or land in your hands, and catch 360-degree viewpoints.
The drone was created for beginners to use as a STEM instrument or fans seeking to learn programming or software development fundamentals. This drone may not be the smartest choice. But for users who want simple to use quadcopter, together with custom applications without breaking the bank, the drone is suitable for them. If you want your children to have a little more convincing that programming drones are as cool as flying them, Ryze Tello Iron Man is the right choice.
Pros:
- DJI software
- VR compatible
- Highly affordable
- Easy to fly
- Programmable via Scratch.
- Bluetooth remote control compatibility.
- Automated flight modes.
Cons:
- Pixelated, low-quality video.
- Limited control range.
- No GPS or return-to-home capability.
Holy Stone HS100 Navigator
Key Features:
- Weight: 700g
- Dimensions: 500x500x175mm
- Controller: Yes
- Video resolution: 720p @ 30fps
- Battery life: 15 minutes (2500mAh)
- Range: 500m
- Max Speed: 18.5mph / 30kph
- Price: $169.99
The Holy Stone HS100 is one of the best drones for beginners. It is suitable for everyone but especially for those who are a newbie in the world of drones. It has many fantastic features, like the excellent 2k HD camera with a 120° wide-angle lens. The drone has a one-key takeoff and landing feature, and it comes with an automatic return home feature. A GPS camera drone brings video in at a modest price that everyone will have fun with.
Although the Holy Stone HS100 is an old model and released a few years back, it comes with some cool features. Some of the features are quite advanced. This drone gives higher-end features like ‘follow me’ and makes the drone easy to fly. It is capable of returning to its launch point at the touch of a button. The design is inspired by DJI’s Phantom, right up to the 4-light intelligent battery. They said the battery has a Micro USB socket built right in for easy charging.
Pros:
- GPS-enabled
- Upgraded 1080P HD Wi-Fi Camera
- Camera tilt via remote control
- Control range of up to 500m
- FPV Capability
- Simple Control, Easy for Beginner
- One key takeoff
Cons:
- Brushed motors won’t last long
- 720p resolution is not satisfying
Holy Stone HS510
Key Features:
- Weight: 245g
- Dimensions: 240x235x55mm
- Controller: Yes Video resolution: 2.7K @ 25fps (4K @ 16fps)
- Battery life: 16 minutes (1500mAh)
- Range: 300m (FPV) or 800m
- Max Speed: 18.5mph / 30kph
- Price: $149.99
This is a great drone capable of using every pixel, giving you crystal clear photos and film. The drone can record 4K video, but only at 16 frames a second; perfectly adequate 2.7K is available at 25fps, but that isn’t exciting enough for HS’s sales team. This 4k drone has a compact design, and it’s propeller blades can be folded. This drone has dual satellite connectivity that uses both GPS and GLONASS navigation systems. So you will never lose a signal outdoors. Besides having the optical flow positioning, barometer and satellite techniques, the drone has a return-to-home point and a new, more precise landing technology.
It’s not only small enough to experiment indoors, but it also has an ‘optical flow’ sensor. This is a visual-light sensor that points downward so, in good light, it can maintain a reliable hover even if your roof blocks GPS. There are some issues – like the 32GB SD card limit. But overall, you’re getting a lot of fun; even in bad weather, the drone is going to give you a lot of fun. Having the GPS Follow Me, Point of Interest, TapFly, the aircraft can shoot stable aerial shots. A person can complete creative film-making by using a drone. With a carrying case, it is easier to carry the drone travelling.
Pros:
- Spare battery included
- Relatively high build quality
- Affordable price than the DJI drones
- Easy to carry because of its size
- Best for the beginners
- The camera can take still pictures in 4K mode
Cons:
- It’s hard to find the drone if it flies too far because it is so small
- Cannot fly great in strong wind
- 720p resolution is not good
- Manual camera tilt
Eachine 520S
Key Features:
- Camera resolution: 8MP
- Range: 300m
- Weight: 280g
- Battery size: 1200mAh
- Controller: Included
- works with iOS/Android phone and Eachine TEC app
- Price: $66.77
Eachine’s top-of-the-range model, but be confused with an advanced enthusiast model. The drone still feels like a toy, and the build quality has a cheap and plasticky finish. However, the drone is a decent performer according to its price. The battery life is satisfactory, and the control range is generous. The camera provides 4K resolution photos and 2K video clips.
When it comes to mid-air performance, it performs pretty well in stable and even breezy conditions. It is easy to pilot, but you may experience some interference when using the FPV function. Multiple GPS-enabled intelligent flight modes give you a fantastic piloting experience. The Return Home function ensures that you can have control over your gadget. The One-Key Takeoff/Landing and Headless modes make it easier for beginners to launch the quadcopter into the air. The drone also has the Follow Me and Orbit modes to record dramatic footage with the camera.
Pros:
- Includes GPS
- Reasonable image quality
- Good range and battery life
- The flight time is quite amazing
- Easy to store and control the drone
- Multiple intelligent flight modes
- Portable and foldable design
Cons:
- 1-axis gimbal stabilizer
- No micro SD card
- Needs for registration
Revel Icon
Key Features:
- Camera resolution: 0.9MP
- Range: 40m
- Weight: 180g
- Battery size: 1000mAh
- Controller: Included
- works with iOS/Android phone and Revell Icon app
- Price: $99.99
This is an affordable option from Revell Spot to buy as a beginner. At a reasonable range, the drone offers some great features. It has an impressive 1080p HD camera and remotely controls your flying camera with just the touch of a button. The device has three adjustable speeds and three skill levels. That’s why you can switch things up as your skills develop further. Sixty minutes of charging will give you seven minutes of flying time, and the drone can reach heights of up to 50 metres. It’s suitable to use both indoors and outside.
The price of this drone is the same as the Ryze Tello. Its controller is particularly impressive, with pleasingly big hand grips and a rubberized finish. The Icon is responsive and very quick while flying. You can reduce the speed up to 30% or 60% using the app. The drone lacks Tello’s downward-facing stability sensors. The camera quality and battery life are impressive, but the only real reason to pick the Icon over the Tello is its physical controller.
Pros:
- Good build quality
- Solid camera performance
- Responsive and fast in flight
Cons:
- No stability sensors
- The controller requires four AAA batteries
We hope we have covered everything about the best drones for beginners. Before buying a drone, check out our article to know about the drone that is suitable for you. We’ve listed all of the top entry-level drones and recommended our favorites in the list. So if you’re interested in aerial photography or videography, you’ll find your ideal starter drone in this buying guide.
FAQs
What is the easiest drone to fly?
Answer:
- Hubsan H111.
- Syma X5C.
- Air Hogs toy drones.
- DJI Mavic 2 drones.
- DJI Mavic Air 2.
- DJI Mavic Pro.
- UVify OOri.
What should I look for while buying a drone?
Answer:
- Know about different types of drones. Every drone is different from the other.
- Consider certain features.
- Keep in mind about extra costs.
- Buy from the right place.
- Follow flying guidelines.
- Learn about sensors.
How long does it take to learn flying a drone?
Answer: As a beginner, you may be curious about how long it takes to fly your drone well. Flying a drone is not a difficult task to do. When you get it, you’ll know that it’s much easier to fly than you thought. It takes about 5 minutes to learn. But it requires a lot of practice and experience to become proficient.
Can you fly drones without a license?
Answer: If you plan to use your drone for personal use or the purpose of your hobby, you do not need a drone licence. If you don’t plan to sell the imagery or use it for commercial gain, then a licence is unnecessary.
How much does a drone license cost?
Answer: It’s important to remember that all individuals will still need their Remote Pilot License to be flying drones. It’s reasonable for Emily to budget around $2000 for this, plus another $1000-$2000 for insurance.