Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Best Overall
DJI Mini 4 Pro
- Small, portable design
- 249g takeoff weight sidesteps registration requirements
- 4K60 video in SDR, HDR, or D-Log M
- Supports vertical video and upward camera tilt
- Two remote control options
- Doesn’t include AirSense transponder
- Extended battery option puts it above registration weight limit
The DJI Mini 4 Pro is the most capable ultralight drone on the market. It weighs just 249g with its standard battery (good for around 34 minutes of flight time), so you don’t have to register it with the FAA. Creators who don’t mind forms and fees should opt for the extended life battery, however, which pushes flights beyond 45 minutes. Full 360-degree obstacle avoidance, automated flight modes, and a Quad Bayer camera with 4K60 HDR video round out the feature set. We especially like the APAS function, which helps the drone navigate through complex spaces all by itself, even at low altitudes.
If you’ve looked at the Mini 3 and wanted a bit more, the Mini 4 Pro is a sensible step-up option. Drone enthusiasts, cinematographers looking to add a B-camera for aerials, and creators who don’t mind spending a bit more for smart obstacle avoidance should find the Mini 4 Pro to be a worthwhile upgrade. It’s also a good match for TikTok influencers because it supports vertical 9:16 video.
Dimensions
2.4 by 3.5 by 5.7 inches
Weight
8.8 oz
Rotors
4
Integrated Camera
Integrated with Gimbal
Video Resolution
4K
Megapixels
48 MP
Media Format
microSDXC
Remote
Dedicated with App, Dedicated with LCD
Live Video Feed
1080p
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Best Obstacle Avoidance System
DJI Air 3
- Wide-angle and mid-telephoto camera stack
- Sharp 4K footage with standard, flat, or HDR color profiles
- Gimbal-stabilized cameras with 60-degree upward tilt
- All-around obstacle avoidance
- Hyperlapse, slow-motion, and waypoint flight features
- Long battery life
- Fixed-aperture lenses
- Requires FAA registration
- Meager 8GB of internal storage
The DJI Air 3 puts both a 24mm wide-angle and 70mm mid-telephoto lens on its gimbal-stabilized camera, giving pilots lots of creative options. Its 360-degree obstacle avoidance system is a boost for automated camera moves and follow-me flights, and makes the drone all but crash-proof for manual flight. Long battery life, sharp 4K video, and good still image quality complete the package.
If you think the DJI Mini 4 Pro’s single camera is too limiting but don’t want to spend a huge amount on the Mavic 3 Pro, the Air 3 is the in-between drone to get. It matches the Mini 4 Pro’s main camera in picture quality, so the second camera is the main reasons to upgrade.
Dimensions
3.9 by 3.6 by 8.2 inches
Weight
1.6 lb
Rotors
4
Integrated Camera
Integrated with Gimbal
Video Resolution
4K
Megapixels
48 MP
Media Format
microSDXC
Remote
Dedicated with App
Live Video Feed
1080p
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Best Drone for Pro Video and Cinema
DJI Mavic 3 Pro
- Stabilized, triple-camera array
- Wide-angle Four Thirds camera with Hasselblad color
- Midrange 3x lens shows excellent picture quality
- Up to 5.1K30 or 4K120 video
- All-around obstacle sensors
- Includes a companion app and a remote with a built-in screen
- Base model has just 8GB of onboard storage
- Falls shy of promised 43-minute flight time
- Only the pricey Cine model supports ProRes
The DJI Mavic 3 Pro’s big Four Thirds format sensor with a Hasselblad color profile delivers class-leading footage and stills straight out of the camera. All-around obstacle sensors allow the drone to easily bypass obstructions; an integrated GPS keeps it steady in the air; and 35-minute flying times (in testing) make for safer flights. Film producers can upgrade to the Pro Cine ($4,799) edition to get a 1TB SSD, ProRes 422 video support, and the RC Pro remote, while anyone on a budget can opt for the $1,599 Classic edition, which drops the telephoto cameras and internal storage.
The Mavic 3 Pro is ideal for cinematographers, indie filmmakers, vloggers, and other creative professionals. It’s heavy enough to require FAA registration and you need an operator’s license to use it for paid projects, but it’s still easy to bring along for location work.
Dimensions
3.8 by 3.9 by 9.1 inches
Weight
2.1 lb
Rotors
4
Integrated Camera
Integrated with Gimbal
Video Resolution
5.1K
Megapixels
20 MP
Media Format
Internal, microSDXC
Remote
Dedicated with LCD
Live Video Feed
1080p
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Best Budget Drone
DJI Mini 3
- Good-looking 4K30 video
- Support for vertical video and upward gimbal tilt
- 12MP stills in Raw DNG or JPG
- 38-minute flights with standard battery
- 51-minute extended battery available
- 249g build for registration-free flight
- Built-in GPS and FlySafe safety features
- Omits obstacle detection
- Limited to one color profile
- Doesn’t support Hyperlapse or ActiveTrack
The DJI Mini 3 is the drone for pilots who aren’t satisfied with the starter camera on the affordable DJI Mini 2 but can’t quite justify the Mini 4 Pro. Highlights of the camera include support for 4K30 video with an HDR look in either vertical or landscape orientation, as well as 60 degrees of upward tilt. The photo quality is good, too. The camera supports 12MP JPG or Raw DNG snaps, while the F1.7 optics do a good job at dawn and dusk. Safety features include GPS, Find My Drone, and Return to Home. Its 249g takeoff weight means you can fly it without dealing with FAA registration—you just need to pass an online knowledge test. We also like the 38-minute flight times, though we wish DJI had worked obstacle detection into this model.
Creators who want a dual-aspect drone for TikTok and YouTube should consider this drone. It conveniently streams live video straight to a smartphone app, is capable for stills, and remains stable even when you fly it near the 400-foot altitude limit. If you don’t want to spend quite so much ($560 with a remote), the Mini 2 is the best alternative. On the other hand, if you can spend more, the Mini 4 Pro adds useful obstacle avoidance sensors.
Dimensions
2.4 by 3.5 by 5.7 inches
Weight
8.8 oz
Rotors
4
Integrated Camera
Integrated with Gimbal
Video Resolution
4K
Megapixels
12 MP
Media Format
microSDXC
Remote
Dedicated with App, Dedicated with LCD
Live Video Feed
1080p
Learn More
Best Drone for Photography
Autel Robotics Evo Lite+
- Stabilized 6K30 and 4K60 video
- 20MP stills in Raw DNG or JPG
- 1-inch camera with variable aperture
- Beefy battery for up to 40 minutes of flight
- Three-way obstacle sensors
- Automated camera moves and Hyperlapse
- GPS and automated return-to-home
- Color video profile isn’t configurable
- 8-bit flat video profile
- Screenless remote is a step backward from previous generation
- Doesn’t support autonomous navigation around obstructions
The Autel Evo Lite+ uses a Type 1 sensor camera for picture quality that’s competitive with the DJI Air 2S, with the additional benefit of a variable aperture to cut incoming light without the need for ND filters. The folding drone can fly for around 40 minutes on a full battery and supports three-way obstacle sensors to prevent midair accidents.
The Autel Evo Lite+ is a capable camera drone for creators who don’t want to support DJI. Its 6K camera is capable and, although we wish we could fine-tune the video profile, a flat look is available if you want to edit for color. Its price is a knock against it, though, considering the Air 2S costs around $1,000, but you might find the Lite+ to be worth it for extended flight times and to sidestep DJI’s sometimes restrictive Fly Safe geofence.
Dimensions
4.8 by 3.7 by 8.8 inches
Weight
1.8 lb
Rotors
4
Integrated Camera
Integrated with Gimbal
Video Resolution
6K
Megapixels
20 MP
Media Format
Internal, microSDXC
Remote
Dedicated with App
Live Video Feed
1520p
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Best 249g Drone Without Geofence
Autel Robotics Evo Nano+
- 4K30 video with gimbal stabilization
- Camera supports 12MP and 50MP photos
- Automated quick shots and Hyperlapse
- Up to 28 minutes of flight time
- Three-way obstacle sensors
- GPS with return-to-home functionality
- Raw photos are tricky to process
- Overprocessed look to video
- Log profile is only 8-bit
The Autel Robotics Evo Nano+ comes in at 249g, so you don’t need to register it with the FAA, though it does include three-way obstacle detection for safer flight. A stabilized camera records 4K30 video and snaps sharp photos at up to 50MP. Battery life is very good too, at about 28 minutes.
The Evo Nano+ is a good drone for pilots who want a quadcopter they can take up in the air without baked-in geofencing restrictions, like the DJI FlySafe system that some see as restrictive. The 249g takeoff weight allows you to use it a bit more freely than heavier drones and the picture quality is very good, with aggressive sharpening being the real knock. The Nano+ is a good drone for beginner and advanced pilots alike.
Dimensions
3.7 by 5.6 by 2.2 inches
Weight
8.8 oz
Rotors
4
Integrated Camera
Integrated with Gimbal
Video Resolution
4K
Megapixels
50 MP
Media Format
microSDXC
Remote
Dedicated with App
Live Video Feed
Yes
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Best Selfie Drone
DJI Neo
- Small, light build
- Smooth, stabilized aerial footage
- Takes off from and lands in your palm
- Automated flight modes are easy to use
- 22GB internal storage holds 40 minutes of 4K
- Up to 18 minutes of flight time per charge
- Unattractive, overbaked video profile
- Kludgy manual flight controls in phone app
- Very limited operating range without physical remote (sold separately)
- Middling wind resistance
- Lack of Remote ID is a problem for licensed pilots
The DJI Neo is the drone to get if you mostly care about quick selfies and landscape videos. It’s light, tiny, and has built-in propeller guards so it’s safe to launch and land from the palm of your hand. Its rolls smooth, steady 4K video, flies for about 18 minutes on a fully charged battery, and can be flown manually with either a smartphone app or a dedicated remote control (sold separately). Its video profile isn’t as good as we’ve seen from other DJI drones, however, but it’s good enough for social media, and mollified by the $199 starting price.
The Neo is a good starter drone for creators who want to grab an occasional aerial landscape video or selfie footage. Its on-body control panel means that it’s very simple to get reveal shots that pull back, up, or orbit around a subject, plus it has the wow factor of taking off and launching from your hand. Licensed pilots and creators with monetized YouTube channels should skip this one as it doesn’t include Remote ID, but you won’t have to worry about that if you’re just using the drone for fun.
Dimensions
1.9 by 5.1 by 6.2 inches
Weight
4.8 oz
Rotors
4
Integrated Camera
Integrated with Gimbal
Video Resolution
4K
Megapixels
12 MP
Media Format
Internal
Remote
Smartphone/Tablet App
Live Video Feed
1080p
Learn More
Best Racing Drone
DJI Avata 2
The DJI Avata 2 is an FPV drone, one in which you see the camera view through a set of low-latency VR goggles with head tracking. A Type 1/1.3 nose-mounted camera promises better 4K60 video than the original, while its motion-sensitive remote supports 30mph flight for thrill seekers. Built-in prop guards keep it flying after minor bumps, downward-facing sensors make low-to-the-ground flights possible, and an upgraded battery provides up to 23 minutes of operating time between charges. If you slow things down a bit, you can even channel your inner Scorsese and Welles with Cinewhoop-style long takes.
Get the Avata 2 if you want fast-paced, close-to-the-ground, and elaborately choreographed footage. You might see some wobble if you take the drone up high, but that won’t detract from the sense of motion when you bank and turn. The dual-stick remote makes it easy enough for anyone to fly the done, though we’re a bit put off by just how easy it is to crash. Pros who are confident in their piloting abilities can swap to manual mode for 60mph flights.
Buying Guide: The Best Drones for 2024
What Are the Rules for Owning a Drone?
With many tech products, you can just open the box and start using it. But that’s not the case with drones. You need to learn the rules about flying, take an online test, and (depending on how much your drone weighs) register it with the FAA prior to your first flight. That may seem daunting to pilots just starting out, but we walk you through the basics here. (For more detail, read our full guide to US drone regulations.)
First up, if you’re flying your drone for fun, you can operate under recreational rules. There are nuances to where and when you can fly your drone, so you should always use one of the FAA’s B4UFLY apps to check if flights are legal. Generally, you are OK if you:
-
Fly at or below 400 feet
-
Keep your drone within sight
-
Don’t fly in restricted airspace
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Don’t fly near other aircraft, especially near airports
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Don’t fly over groups of people
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Don’t fly over stadiums or sporting events
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Don’t fly near emergency response efforts such as fires
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Don’t fly under the influence
All pilots must take a free online knowledge test, called the Trust test, before their first flight. If you buy a lightweight (249g) drone, you can skip registration and get flying once you’ve passed the test. However, if your drone weighs 250g or more, you must go to the FAADroneZone website to register it; for recreational pilots, the cost is $5 per operator. Once you get your registration number here, you must label your drone with it (use a Sharpie or printed label).
The rules and regulations are stricter if you plan on flying for money. If you have a monetized YouTube channel, take photos of properties for real estate listings, or offer drone snaps as part of your wedding package, you need to obtain a remote pilot certificate from the FAA. You need to pass a paid ($175) exam at a testing site and go through a background check to obtain this type of license. Commercial pilots have to follow the same basic rules as recreational flyers and must register each drone they own at a cost of $5 per aircraft. Additionally, all drones flown under commercial rules must support Remote ID broadcast for operation, so pro pilots will need to take extra care when choosing an aircraft.
Are Drones Safe to Fly?
The drones we recommend are both safe and easy to fly. All of our suggestions include four-rotor designs with GPS-assisted stabilization that let them hover perfectly in place. The GPS feature also supports automatic return to home and landing, so you’re less likely to lose your drone if communication between the aircraft and remote control is disrupted.
You won’t find it on beginner models like the Mini 3, but pricier models (starting with the Autel Nano+ and DJI Mini 4 Pro) include obstacle detection sensors, too. These extra cameras look for objects and apply the brakes if your drone is headed for a crash. DJI’s system goes further; many of its drones can autonomously alter course to avoid trees, fences, and other obstructions.
DJI Air 3 in flight (Credit: Jim Fisher)
Flyaways still happen, however—there are horror stories on various web forums—and there’s always a chance you’ll have to come in for an emergency landing and try and find your drone amongst the brush or unfamiliar territory. Recent DJI models have a Find My Drone feature that shows where your drone is on a map (and makes it beep loudly if it still has battery life). An extended warranty program (DJI Care Refresh) is available for pilots who are worried about damaging their drones.
What Are the Types of Drones?
Several products on the market sell as drones but don’t quite fit that description. Remote-controlled aircraft have been around for ages, for instance. With the recent surge in popularity, companies are now tagging those products as drones. These don’t include GPS stabilization, return-to-home functionality, and other automated flight modes that make a drone a drone.
Racing drones fall under this umbrella. Enthusiasts often build their own racing copters from kits or parts. Doing so requires some skill with a soldering iron and screwdriver, but it has become an aspect of the hobby itself. Those of us who aren’t good at building rigs can look instead to a ready-to-fly racer. DJI has a couple in its catalog; its FPV Combo can move at a brisk 87mph, while the small Avata 2 goes as fast as 60mph. Both ship with a motion controller and a set of FPV goggles for flight control, a notable difference compared with most drones that rely on handheld remotes with touch screens.
DJI Avata 2 (Credit: Jim Fisher)
Small drones aren’t only for racing, either. Some people use tiny, homemade Cinewhoop drones for long, one-take video tours. GoPro sells an ultralight version of its action cam, called the Hero10 Bones, for DIY drone builders who want the best video quality for these types of shots. Again, for pilots who don’t want to build a Cinewhoop drone, the DJI Avata 2 supports slower speeds and is small enough to work its way through tight spaces for one-shot videos.
Which Brand of Drones Is Best?
DJI models currently dominate our top picks, and there’s a good reason for that. The company is simply a few steps ahead of the competition right now and offers products at a lot of price levels. Its camera quality is unbeatable, with even basic models supporting 10-bit color sampling, 4K resolution, and Raw photography. It also wins out in aircraft design since its drones use higher-grade plastics than others we’ve tested, are perfectly stable in flight, and provide excellent battery life. Add a slick app interface that lets you use your phone or tablet to control the drone and its camera, and you’ve got a winning formula.
DJI’s closest competitor in terms of quality and value is Autel Robotics. It makes fewer models, but its 249g Evo Nano+ and mid-sized Evo Lite+ are pretty good drones. Their airframe plastics and cameras aren’t quite on par with those of DJI’s, but they’re not far behind. Pro drone pilots might prefer Autel because its aircraft don’t include a geofence system; in other words, it’s easier to get them up and running in controlled airspace once you have tower authorization. Their obstacle detection and strong battery life make them useful for industrial inspections and real estate imaging.
DJI Mini 4 Pro (Credit: Jim Fisher)
Other companies that previously made consumer drones are now out of the game. Parrot, Skydio, and Yuneec now make only unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for use in agriculture, enterprise, and industry. GoPro and Sony tried their hands at drones with the Karma and Airpeak S1, respectively, but have both exited the space entirely. The Karma is long gone, and Airpeak sales are set to end in March 2025.
The Best Small Drones
Most consumer drones are small enough to carry in a backpack or camera sling. Folding airframe designs are the standard, even among drones that are heavy enough to require registration. So when someone is looking for a small drone, they are generally seeking out a light 249g flyer. These drones don’t require registration in the US and are less regulated abroad as well.
Autel Evo Lite+ (Credit: Jim Fisher)
The DJI Mini 4 Pro is the best 249g drone we’ve tested; it has a dual-aspect video camera and all-around obstacle sensors. The Mini 3 is nearly as good for less money. It omits an obstacle avoidance system but is otherwise similar.
If you’re on a stricter budget, the DJI Neo and Mini 4K are good picks for recreational pilots. The Neo is tiny and launches from your hand. and is best used for quick selfie videos and includes a half dozen automated flight paths to use for them. The Mini 4K is better for manual control and pilots who want to snap pictures in addition to video. The Neo and Mini 4K don’t include Remote ID, however, so licensed pilots should avoid them.
Recommended by Our Editors
DJI Neo (Credit: DJI)
The Best Drones for Professionals
DJI’s Inspire 3 is its big, quad-rotor model for cinema production. The drone features a full-frame, 8K camera that can take DJI or Sony lenses and supports CinemaDNG and ProRes Raw recording. Its bottom-mounted camera and retractable landing gear are also advantages because they enable more complex camera and aircraft movements compared with drones that have nose-mounted cameras.
If you want a smaller drone with high-end video specs, think about a version of the Mavic 3, which starts at $1,279 for the Classic edition or $2,199 for the Pro. All versions of the Mavic 3 support 5.1K50 recording with a Four Thirds format camera in 10-bit HEVC. On the high end, the Mavic 3 Pro Cine ($4,799) sports a triple camera stack and adds support for ProRes 422 HQ with a 1TB SSD for onboard storage. The Pro Cine is a worthwhile splurge for serious cinematographers—the upgraded video toolkit and included Pro RC remote justify the cost.
DJI offers Matrice drones for industry and enterprise and Agras drones for agriculture. As mentioned earlier, Sony’s Airpeak S1 can carry big cameras but is smaller than the Inspire series, so it’s just as good for location work. The Airpeak works with Sony mirrorless cameras.
Should You Have Any Concerns About Drones?
Unfortunately, there are some ethical concerns about DJI. The US Department of the Treasury flagged DJI for aiding the Chinese government’s surveillance of the persecuted Uyghur ethnic group in what is considered a continuing genocide. For its part, DJI says it shouldn’t be on the Entity List: A representative tells PCMag that “DJI has done nothing to warrant our inclusion on the Entity List.” Being on the Entity List prevents DJI from receiving certain exports from the US but doesn’t do anything to prevent it from selling its products stateside.
There are a couple of threats to DJI’s position in the US market at this point. The Countering CCP Drones Act has bounced around Congress for months and passed in the House, but it’s anyone’s guess if the Senate will follow suit. If the bill does get to President Biden’s or President-elect Trump’s desk for passage into law, it would add DJI’s drones to the FCC Covered list, effectively preventing their use in the US entirely and banning sales and imports.
DJI is also having issues with US Customs at present. Its latest release, the Air 3S, is stuck in limbo as imports are being blocked by Customs and Border Protection (CBP). US customers can buy the drone via DJI’s web store, but other retailers aren’t able to stock it. A DJI representative cautions us that additional paperwork, including providing your social security number to CBP, may be required on the customer’s end.
Explore More About Drones
Ultimately, you can’t go wrong with any of the models we list here. For the latest field-tested drone reviews, check out our drone coverage. And, if you just bought a quadcopter and are looking to get started, read our guide on how to fly a drone.
