Take Stunning Photos And Videos With The Best Drones

Range: 17.4 miles | Max speed: 47 mph | Max flight time: 43 minutes | Camera: 20- or 48-megapixel still images, 5.1K video at up to 50 fps

Best for: Those looking to capture high-resolution aerial photography and videography.

Pros:

• 5.1K video capture
• Maximum 47 minutes of flight
• 17.4-mile range

Cons:

• Premium price
• Expensive accessories

Based on our testing, the DJI Mavic 3 Pro packs an impressive 5.1K Hasselblad triple camera system—which can capture insanely detailed 5.1K video at up 50 fps and still images at up to 48 megapixels. The cameras sit on a 3-axis gimbal for maximum tilt, roll and pan control. Yes, it’s expensive, but the DJI Mavic 3 Pro is still within the budget of many experienced drone pilots looking to upgrade their equipment. What’s possible using the drone’s three cameras sets this drone apart from competitors in the same price range.

This drone’s enhanced omnidirectional sensors, built-in GPS and advanced auto-return feature also help its pilot avoid obstacles in complex environments. DJI’s ActiveTrack subject recognition technology accurately locks onto a moving object on the ground to track and film it with ease. When used with DJI Goggles (sold separately), you can enjoy an incredibly immersive, first-person view of your flights.

Range: 5.7 miles | Max speed: 36 mph | Max flight time: 31 minutes | Camera: 12-megapixel still images, 4K video at 30 fps

Best for: A compact but versatile drone with good video.

Pros:

• Low price
• Great video
• Solid features for the price

Cons:

• Only senses obstacles below
• Lacks digital zoom

The DJI Mini 2 SE is affordable, making it ideal for amateur pilots and those looking for a sub-$500 price tag. Like the Mini 3 Pro, the Mini 2 SE folds and fits easily in your hand when folded. This drone really shines when in-flight. It can produce impressive and sharp aerial video and still images.

You can have the drone hover, circle or follow an object while filming. Unfortunately, it only senses obstacles below—not in four directions like the Mini 3 Pro. Everything you need to fly this drone fits into the included case.

What the reviews say: “The gimbal and the camera are phenomenal, and the drone itself is super stable. I flew it in front of a fan and it didn’t move an inch without the controller.”

Range: 315 feet | Max speed: 15 mph | Max flight time: 15 minutes | Camera: 6-megapixel still images, 1080p video at 30 fps

Best for: First-time pilots.

Pros:

• Affordable price
• Full 1080p video
• Simple operation

Cons:

• Poor battery life
• Limited flight range
• Very low resolution still image camera

The EXO Scout steps up the toy drone category with a greater range of abilities than you might expect from a drone at this size and price, making it the all-time best drone for beginners. It has three flight speeds (7, 12 and 15 mph). The drone also handles auto takeoffs and landings. Plus, you can set an altitude hold mid-flight and take advantage of internal sensors to avoid crashes.

The camera shoots 1080p video or 6-megapixel still images. You’re able to tilt the camera up or down remotely using your smartphone and take advantage of a 10x digital zoom feature. On the downside, maximum flight range is just 315 feet and flight time is a mere 15 minutes per battery charge. We recommend purchasing the two or three battery kit from Amazon. Priced under $170, this drone is a good value if you’re looking for a budget-oriented option that’s simple to operate.

What the reviews say: “This drone is very sturdy (yes, I have experienced many crashes already due to user error),” writes one buyer. “Definitely a good option if you are curious about drones but want to test it out without breaking the bank.”

Range: 100 feet | Max speed: 15 mph | Max flight time: 10 minutes | Camera: 12 megapixel still images, 2.7K video at 30 fps

Best for: Effortlessly shooting cinematic selfies from the air.

Pros:

• Simple one-button operation
• Works without phone or controller
• Encased in rugged, protective cage

Cons:

• No collision avoidance
• No GPS

The HoverAir X1 isn’t your typical drone. Rather than guiding it with controls on your phone or using joysticks on a remote control, the HoverAir is a selfie drone—launch it from the palm of your hand and it’ll follow you, orbit you or zoom far overhead to take bird’s eye video. So while you can’t use this drone for recreational flying or to shoot cinematic videos of your neighborhood, it’s great as a flying selfie stick to capture footage of you riding a skateboard or hiking the side of a mountain.

The drone’s magic is in its simplicity. A single button on the drone lets you choose from among a half-dozen flight modes. It comes with two batteries, though each one only gives you about 10 minutes of flight time. And a plastic cage completely encases the propellers, so when it flies into a tree, it won’t get damaged. Just keep in mind it probably will fly into objects—it has no collision avoidance, and doggedly tries to track you even if stuff gets in between.

During our testing, more than once the drone crashed into a tree because it was following the bike through dense trees. We picked it up and restarted the flight, no harm, no foul. It seems virtually indestructible. An unexpected bonus: You can actually fly the drone manually using controls in the app on your phone, or via an optional tiny remote. But the real magic here is using it as a selfie drone to get shots you’d never be able to capture with your phone and a selfie stick.

Range: 7.5 miles | Max speed: 35.8 mph | Max flight time: 34 minutes | Camera: 48-megapixel still images, 4K video at 60 fps

Best for: Newbies seeking an easy-to-tote drone with a great flight range.

Pros:

• Captures aerial photography or videography with a wide field-of-view
• Automatic takeoff and Smart Return to Home
• Impressive 48MP stills

Cons:

• No automatic obstacle avoidance

The DJI Mini 3 Pro weighs a mere 2.8 ounces and fits in your palm when folded, making it great to pack for your next trip. Its flight time lasts up to 34 minutes, and it has a flight range of 7.5 miles. With the extra-cost Plus battery, it can stay airborne for a lofty 47 minutes. Like other DJI models, the DJI Mini 3 Pro has convenient features like automatic takeoff and smart return to home.

The camera sits on a 3-axis gimbal and can capture content in portrait or landscape mode. Its specs impress: It has a 4x digital zoom, a wide 180-degree field-of-view and can shoot 4K video at up to 60 fps. Detailed and sharp still images can be shot at a massive 48MP. Despite its small size, this drone can withstand winds of up to 23 mph. Its compact size comes in handy in many regions, as the Mini 3 Pro may be small enough to bypass local regulatory rules.

What the reviews say: “It has incredible video and photo quality, and the obstacle avoidance and tracking features are truly mind blowing in this lightweight drone.”

Range: 12.4 miles | Max speed: 21 mph | Max flight time: 46 minutes | Camera: 48-megapixel still images, 4K video at up to 100 fps

Best for: Tech enthusiasts looking for a drone with more features for less. 

Pros: 

• 48-megapixel images, 4K video 
• Dual cameras
• Omnidirectional obstacle avoidance sensors

Cons: 

• Costs over $1,000 when not on sale

DJI’s Air 3 is a good option for those looking for a more premium drone than the beginner-friendly DJI Mini 3 Pro, but aren’t ready to splurge on the pricey DJI Mavic 3 Pro. For a couple hundred dollars more than the DJI Mini 3 Pro, the Air 3 adds a second camera lens and several advanced features, including omnidirectional obstacle sensing and waypoint—a feature that lets you plan flight routes and shooting actions in advance, plus save those routes to be repeated later. All to say, this drone opens more creative doors than the Mini 3 Pro, while being nearly half the price of the more premium Mavic 3 Pro. 

What the reviews say: “The drone has both a wide-angle and a mid-telephoto camera, allowing you to capture sharp 4K footage with standard, flat or HDR color profiles. The cameras are gimbal-stabilized and have a 60-degree upward tilt, which makes it easy to capture smooth and stable footage.”

Range: 18.6 miles | Max speed: 47 mph | Max flight time: 46 minutes | Camera: 20-megapixel still images, 5.1K video at up to 50 fps

Best for: Capturing impressive aerial photos and video without needing expert drone piloting skills.

Pros:

• Superior photo and video capturing capabilities
• Easy to fly
• Impressive range, maximum flight time and maximum flight speed

Cons:

• Only one built-in camera

The DJI Mavic 3 Classic is a powerful yet somewhat scaled down version of the DJI Mavic 3 Pro. You get excellent photo and video capture capabilities, combined with solid flight range, top speed and maximum flight time. It uses GPS, Galileo and BeiDou for navigation and has 8GB of internal storage for capturing video and still images during flights. The camera has 3x digital zoom capabilities and has an 84-degree field of view to capture great images and video. You also get a burst shooting mode that can capture 3, 5 or 7 frames-per-second. Video shooting resolution can get up to 5.1K at 50fps.

For amateur pilots, the omnidirectional binocular vision system, supplemented by infrared sensors at the bottom of the drone, helps to prevent crashes. The drone comes with a remote control, battery, charger and everything else needed to start flying. While you don’t get the three Hasselblad camera setup that the new Mavic 3 Pro has, this Classic version is significantly more affordable and comes with enough features that it makes our top billing.

What the reviews say: One camera operator writes, “This simple unit takes some of the most amazing footage I’ve ever seen and has the ability to wander nearly a mile away with no disconnection issues.”