With the world progressively advancing to adapt to new technology, it is no surprise that drones have become one of the most versatile and innovative additions to the modern era. With their revolutionary capabilities, drones can be used for various purposes, whether aerial photography, videography, virtual reality games, or even surveillance and crop management.
DJI has almost become synonymous with drones, consistently offering some of the best in the market, so expect to see it featured prominently throughout this guide. However, fear not! We won't neglect fantastic options from other brands that give DJI a run for their money in specific categories.
We will provide detailed insight into some of the best drones of 2024, considering factors such as flight stability, camera quality, battery life, and everything else that matters. Whether you're searching for a drone that's light on your wallet, one that caters to professional photography, or simply a beginner looking to get into the world of drones, we have got you covered!
DJI Mini 4 Pro
Best Overall $1160 at Best BuyDJI Avata 2
Best FPV See at AmazonAutel Robotics EVO Lite+
Best DJI Alternative See at AmazonHOVERAir X1
Best Pocket Sized See at AmazonDJI Mini 2 SE
Best for Beginners $280 at Best Buy- See More
DJI Mavic 3 Classic
Best Value $1400 at Best BuyDJI Air 3
Best for Photography See at Amazon
Best Drones Taking Off In 2024
Best OverallDJI Mini 4 Pro
Portability and Precision Redefined
Brand DJI Camera 1/1.3-inch CMOS, 48MP effective pixels WeightRange Up to 20 km Battery Up to 34 mins (standard), up to 45 mins (Plus)DJI's Mini 4 Pro is a tiny powerhouse. It's lightweight, has a user-friendly interface, and is portable, making it easy to carry around. Some of its highlighted features include its obstacle avoidance system, long-lasting battery life, and intelligent tracking system.
Pros & Cons- Easy to carry
- Decent quality camera
- Advanced obstacle avoidance
- Suitable controls for beginners
- May be less stable in strong winds due to the small size
- Smaller sensor size compared to other professional drones
For those searching for compactness and portability without sacrificing performance, it doesn't get any better than the DJI Mini 4 Pro. Weighing just under 250 grams, it easily fits in your travel bag, making it perfect for outdoor adventures.
The drone's 48MP CMOS sensor camera allows you to capture stunning images. From landscape shots and nighttime photography to event coverage such as weddings or architectural shots of buildings, it does it all. Additionally, you can shoot in 4K HDR, capturing high-quality acrobatic reels, to add new flare to your travel profile.
The Mini 4 Pro has a Vision Assist obstacle detection system that allows users to fly the drone without worrying about collisions. This feature showcases obstacles from all directions of the drone, ensuring that you always catch any inconvenience coming your way. The drone's long-lasting battery life allows you to fly it uninterrupted for 34–45 minutes. The DJI Mini Pro 4 also seamlessly connects to your smartphone through the DJI Fly app, so you can quickly transfer all your videos and pictures to your device.
This little maestro, packed with amazing features, is ideal for both beginner drone users and professional enthusiasts, allowing you to click amazing shots on the go.
Best FPVDJI Avata 2
Next-Level Aerial Mastery
Brand DJI Camera 1/1.3-inch CMOS, 12MP effective pixels Weight Approx. 377 g Range Up to 13 km Battery Up to 23 minsThe DJI Avata 2 is a high-end FPV drone designed specifically for professionals. Its FPV goggles give you a thrilling flight experience, making it seem like you are in the drone's cockpit. Plus, for a true augmented reality experience, the motion control feature with this drone is something you need to try!
Pros & Cons- FPV Controlled
- Advanced Obstacle Avoidance
- Easy Gesture Control
- Intelligent flight modes
- Higher price
- Advanced features may be complicated for beginners
The DJI Avata 2 is excellent for FPV control due to its compatibility with DJI Goggles 3 and other FPV controllers such as DJI Goggles Integra or DJI FPV Remote Controller 2. The FPV experience provides a thrilling perspective of flying the drone through the eyes of a pilot in the cockpit, giving you a direct visual flight experience.
Navigating the drone is made simpler with the DJI Avata 2 motion control feature. It lets users control the drone with hand gestures, eliminating the need to learn control through complex buttons. The gesture control also allows for fun drone acrobatics. Movements like sharp yaws, rolls, and 360° flips are only one hand gesture away.
While high-level acrobatics might lead to accidents, the DJI Avata 2 comes with propeller guards. These sturdy guards protect the propellers from taking any hits in collisions, so worrying about damage should be the last thing on your mind.
One downside is 23 minutes of limited flight time, which might be a bummer, but a good power bank (65-watt preferably) with a compatible Type C to Type C cable mimics DJI's wall charger pretty well, dealing with that issue. All in all, this drone is ideal for professional users who want to ditch the standard controls and spice things up with the new FPV goggles.
Best DJI AlternativeAutel Robotics EVO Lite+
Setting New Standards
Brand Autel Robotics Camera 1-inch CMOS, 20MP effective pixels Weight 835 g Range Up to 12 km Battery Up to 40 minsWhile DJI drones may be known for their capability and quality, the Autel Robotics EVO lite Plus is the best alternative for those who prefer a different design, cost, and features. The drone's user interface and easy control make it suitable for navigation, aerial performance, and capturing great footage.
Pros & Cons- User-friendly features
- Longer flight time
- Compact form factor
- High-resolution camera
- Limited accessories and add-ons
The EVO Lite Plus is a cutting-edge drone designed for beginners or professionals. Its compact and sleek design makes the drone suitable for maneuvering and aerial shots while adding to its portability.
The long-lasting battery enables up to 40 minutes of continuous flight, giving you ample time to experiment and capture the perfect shot. It also features an automatically adjusting lens, so you don't have to worry about the subject being cropped or left out of focus.
With the tracking feature, you can set the drone to follow any object you choose for dramatic and aesthetic shots. Surprisingly, the 20MP CMOS sensor is also great for night photography. It captures well-lit shots even in low-light conditions with the option to manually or automatically control exposure levels, turning the night into a moment of cinematic magic.
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Posts Best Pocket SizedHOVERAir X1
The Mini Drone That Fits in Your Pocket
Fascinated by drones, but the whole fiasco of perfecting your take-off, improving your flight skills for stable shots, or carrying bulky drone equipment is too intimidating; with HoverAir X1, you don't have to worry about any of that. This self-flying camera does everything for you, perfectly capturing every memory like a personal photographer who fits in your pocket.
Pros & Cons- Very lightweight and portable
- Easy to use (no phone required for basic tracking modes)
- Good image stabilization
- Relatively inexpensive
- No obstacle avoidance
- Limited manual control
- Not suitable for high-speed activities
- Poor performance in strong winds
Getting it in the air is simple: unfold the drone, and press the top button to select your mode; it takes a few seconds to adjust the gimble and flys right off. It's that easy.
The most attractive thing about the drone is the flight modes you have. Zoom-in, Zoom-out, and the bird's eye are perfect for adding a cinematic touch to your static shots. But the stars of the show are the three hover-tracking modes that follow you from different angles for when you want the drone to follow you while cycling, jogging, or just want to play hide and seek with the drone; you just can't hide from it. Plus, the companion app lets you tweak each mode and has very intuitive instructions for what each mode does.
The battery time is good for the usual 2-3 minute shots this drone will be taking for you, and if shot in a stable environment, the video quality doesn't replace a good DSLR camera, but it is pretty decent.
A word of caution: this drone doesn't have any obstacle avoidance mechanism. Will it not crash? Well, the propellers are enclosed in a cage, and although it looks cheap and flexible, it is built to be that way; if it takes any hit, the cage flexes and absorbs any impact. One more thing to note is this drone doesn't have any GPS, so if you lose it, you'll need to hunt it down.
Other than these few minor setbacks, this drone is perfect if you want hassle-free close-up shots and tracking reels and maybe landscapes. If you're looking for panoramic shots at a further distance, look for some other drones on our list.
Best for BeginnersDJI Mini 2 SE
Effortless Flight, Maximum Impact
Brand DJI Camera 1/2.3-inch CMOS, 12 MP effective pixels Weight 246 g Range Up to 15.7 km Battery Up to 31 minsJust starting your drone journey? The DJI Mini 2 SE is the perfect companion for your first flight! It's super easy to fly, even if you've never touched a drone. But don't let its simplicity fool you – this little drone packs a punch.
Pros & Cons- Easy user interface for beginners
- Quick launch and landing capabilities
- Affordable
- Compact and Portable
- Limited flight modes
- Basic obstacle sensing
The DJI Mini 2 SE is the perfect entry point for aspiring drone pilots. This beginner-friendly drone is lightweight, easy to fly, and packed with intelligent features to make your learning journey enjoyable and rewarding.
Weighing under 249 grams, the Mini 2 SE is as light as a smartphone and incredibly portable. Its durable construction ensures it can withstand minor bumps and mishaps as you master the art of flying. You have ample time to practice maneuvers with the 31 minutes of flight time, plus you can explore new places for fun with the extended 10km transmission range.
With very little skill, you can use the Pre-programmed QuickShots and intuitive flight modes to capture amazing shots while you're still polishing your maneuvers. And don't worry—you won't lose this drone if you can't figure out the controls. The "Return to Home" feature, once configured, guides the drone back to you.
If you're looking for a fun and portable drone to polish your skills, the user-friendly design and intuitive controls make the Mini 2 SE a great choice.
Best ValueDJI Mavic 3 Classic
Crafted for Excellence
Brand DJI Camera 4/3 CMOS, 20MP effective pixels Weight 895 g Range Up to 30 km Battery Up to 46 minsTo be clear, the Mavic 3 Classic doesn't come cheap, but the premium price tag is well justified. Especially compared to other drones in this price range, the features the Mavic brings are unmatched. A Hasselblad camera that shoots 4K video uninterrupted for 46 minutes straight—what more does one need?
Pros & Cons- Advanced sensors
- Long range transmission
- Intelligent flight modes
- Enhanced flight stability
- Larger size and weight
With a design optimized for aerodynamic efficiency, this versatile drone caters to pilots of all skill levels, delivering professional-grade performance without sacrificing ease of use.
Beyond its impressive 1-inch CMOS sensor and 20MP camera, the Mavic 3 Classic can capture 5.1K resolution video, which is amazing considering that most drone cameras can only shoot up to 4K. This level of detail ensures your aerial footage is crisp, clear, and vibrant, but post-processing 5K footage is another story. You need something with a high-end graphics card for the job.
Mavic 3 Classic's omnidirectional obstacle-sensing, coupled with intelligent flight modes like Waypoint Flight, automates complex maneuvers, freeing you to focus on capturing the footage. The long transmission range opens up new possibilities for aerial cinematography, and with a 46-minute battery life, you can experiment as much as you like until you get the perfect shot.
While the Mavic 3 Classic may lack the dual-camera system of its Pro sibling, it excels in every other aspect, offering incredible value for those who prioritize image quality, flight performance, and intelligent features.
Best for PhotographyDJI Air 3
Capturing Moments, Creating Memories
Brand DJI Camera Wide-Angle: 1/1.3-inch CMOS, 48MP effective pixels + Telephoto: 1/1.3-inch CMOS, 48MP effective pixels Weight 720 g Range Up to 32 km Battery Up to 46 minsNothing is more suitable for avid photographers and videographers than the DJI Air 3. This drone offers incredible lens quality, impressive resolutions, and easy and quick editing features. This drone is the ultimate cinematography device for aerial photography.
Pros & Cons- High-resolution imaging
- Manual camera settings control
- Creative shooting modes
- Higher price
The DJI Air 3's starring feature is its versatile 48MP dual-camera system, featuring a wide-angle camera for capturing expansive landscapes and a telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom for focusing on distant details. Complementing this impressive camera system is a 3-axis mechanical gimbal that ensures smooth, stable footage.
Both lenses excel at landscape shots with vibrant color and 4K HDR output at up to 60fps, with the added ability to record slow-motion footage at up to 100fps for a dramatic effect.
With a maximum transmission distance of up to 20 km and the lowest latency of approximately 120ms, you can capture stunning shots from a distance with minimal delay. The system's six antennas and 2T4R technology ensure a stable connection, even in challenging terrain. Plus, you don't have to worry about any accidents; the Air 3's omnidirectional obstacle avoidance system detects obstacles in all directions and auto-adjusts its path to avoid collisions.
High-resolution video for the 46-minute flight can eat up GBs pretty quickly, but with support for various high-capacity microSD cards, you won't need to worry about that. However, it never hurts to carry an external SSD device for backup or just in case you run out of space.
FAQ
What features should be considered when buying a drone for photography?
When choosing a drone for photography, prioritize camera quality by looking for high resolution (4K or higher), a larger sensor size (1-inch or larger), and RAW image format support. Consider drones with a 3-axis gimbal for stable footage, obstacle avoidance for safer flights, and intelligent modes like ActiveTrack or Point of Interest for easier cinematic shots. Flight time and range are crucial for longer shoots and broader coverage. Additionally, portability is key for travel. Look into reputable brands like DJI, Autel Robotics, or Parrot for quality and reliability.
What are intelligent flight modes?
Intelligent flight modes are pre-programmed flight patterns and automated features in drones that simplify complex maneuvers and enable cinematic shots without requiring advanced piloting skills. These modes utilize GPS, sensors, and onboard computing to control the drone's movement, allowing it to focus on capturing smooth, creative footage.
Can drones fly in bad weather?
Most drones can handle light winds, but strong winds or storms can be dangerous. Drones have wind resistance ratings, usually measured on the Beaufort scale. This indicates the maximum wind speed they can withstand. Always check the drone's specifications and weather conditions before flying.
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