Here are the best drones to help make your dreams come true, chosen based on research and personal experience. I’m a licensed and insured drone operator who has put in many dozens of hours flying these drones for testing, work, and fun.
Twin camera: 24-mm wide angle and 162-mm telephotoMax 5.1K @ 50fps recording20-megapixel cameraOmnidirectional obstacle avoidance sensors46 minutes maximum rated flight time
This is DJI’s flagship consumer/prosumer drone. It’s big, it’s mean, it’s noisy, it has two cameras, and is the perfect drone to get the job done. If the conditions will let you fly a drone, the Mavic 3 will deliver. The main wide angle camera is one of the best that I’ve used on a drone, capable o capturing stunning photos and video. The telephoto camera – which DJI refers to as “explorer mode” – takes some getting used to, and while the quality is not the same as the main camera, it does allow for some interesting and very unique shots. If you’re looking for the best drone, look no further. Read the review: DJI Mavic 3 review Pros
Fantastic camera systemPowerful drone that is stable in high windsGreat battery life (even if it isn’t as good as advertised)
Cons
ExpensiveA big drone that’s not pocketableRequired the RC Pro controller for the best experience
Max Flight Time: 38 mins with Intelligent Flight Battery/51 mins with Intelligent Flight Battery Plus (sold separately)Max Wind Speed Resistance: 10.7 m/s (Level 5)Image Sensor: 1/1.3-inch CMOS, 12-megapixelsLens: 82.1° field of view, 24 mm equivalent, f/1.7Photo Format: JPEG/DNG (RAW)Max Video Resolution: 4K (3840×2160)@24/25/30 fpsSensors: Downward-facing
The DJI Mini 3 is a flying, stabilized 4K/12-megapixel camera with a theoretical range of 10km (way beyond what you should ever take it), and a rated flight time of 38 minutes with the included battery. The standard kit comes with the DJI RC-N1 controller with no screen (you use your smartphone), but there’s an option to upgrade to the DJI RC controller that has a built-in display that adds $140 to the price. There’s also a “Fly More Combo” option that adds two additional 38-min Intelligent Flight Batteries, a two-way charging hub, a shoulder bag, spare propellers, and a few other bits. Read the review: DJI Mini 2 review Pros
Small and lightweightCompetitively pricedAmazing cameraEasy to fly
Cons
Light weight build makes it a poor choice in windy conditionsNo obstacle avoidance sensors
1-inch 22-mm wide-angle cameraUp to 31 minutes flight timeMax 5.4K at 30fps video20-megapixel photosSpec
This is the drone for people who want more than the Mini 2 has to offer, but don’t want to buy a Mavic 3. This drone is perfect even for the most demanding high-end consumer. For the price, the Mavic Air 2S is superb. You get a flying, stabilized 5.4K camera that can stay in the sky for close to 30 minutes, and capture amazing film footage. The only thing this drone is missing is side sensors. That said, with careful flying, that doesn’t have to be a problem at all. Read the review: DJI Air 2S review Pros
Front and read obstacle avoidance sensorsExceptional camera qualityDecent flight time
Cons
No side obstacle avoidance sensorsQuite a large drone, definitely not something that will fit into a pocketNot cheap
1/1.3-inch 24-mm wide angle camera4K 60fps max video recording12/48-megapixel images34-minutes rated flight timeSub-249g weight category
The long-awaited Mini 3 Pro has landed. This is an upgraded version of the Mini 2, with a redesigned chassis, upgraded camera, bigger battery, and the addition of obstacle avoidance sensors. The sub-250g category is important in some territories because it falls into an area where there are fewer regulation headaches. This is a big deal in places like Europe, less so in places like the US. That said, the Mini 3 Pro is a very capable drone that you can slip into a pocket and take with you on your adventures. That’s not something you could do with a Mavic 3! Read the review: DJI Mini 3 Pro review Pros
Small and lightweightExcellent 4K cameraReally easy to fly
Cons
Expensive compared to the Mini 3No side obstacle avoidance sensorsOptional DJI RC smart controller adds to the price
I’ve put these drones through their paces in many countries around the globe, flying them in cold weather, windy weather, and into the mouths of active volcanoes. I know what they are capable of, and I know that these drones will deliver quality photos and video under even the toughest conditions. As well as testing the camera and flight characteristics, I’ve spent a lot of time testing the obstacle avoidance sensors. While I don’t think that any drone operator should rely on these for day-to-day use, they’re a handy safety feature in case things go wrong. These drones have been tested to the extreme. This is why I’ve chosen them and am recommending them. That doesn’t mean that there isn’t a learning curve, and I highly recommend spending time learning to fly – pick a large wide open area like a park or beach so you can get used to what your drone is capable of delivering. While they’re good and can do things like avoiding people and trees and stuff like that, they can be fooled by things like branches, power lines, and telephone wires. Obstacle avoidance sensors are a safety feature, not something that you should rely on all the time. Drones are not rated as waterproof, and rain – and even fog – can damage the delicate electronics in the drone. While you’ll see videos on YouTube of people flying in rain and snow, I don’t recommend it.
