What is the best drone for 2022?

There’s a good reason that drones are popular—they’re so easy to fly that they’re virtually idiot-proof, while also able to shoot superb photos and video. In fact, some of the best drones even have advanced collision avoidance features that make it almost impossible to crash into trees or buildings. The view from above can be grand, and it lets you explore your home and vacation spots like never before.

The best drones are incredibly easy to fly, but be sure to follow all local, state and federal laws.

It’s essential to choose a drone that matches both your skill level and what you plan to do with it. Don’t get a racing drone for casual flying, for example, or spend thousands on a pro-level cinematic drone if you just want to shoot video while on vacation. And don’t let the numbers scare you away—you can get a quality drone quite affordably. Whether your focus is to have fun perfecting your skills as a drone pilot, performing aerial acrobatics or capturing aerial footage, we’ve rounded up the best drones you can buy. And your choices are legion—everything from tiny models to an immersive first-person flying experience using VR googles.

After extensive research and testing, we selected the DJI Mavic 3 as our pick for Best Drone Overall, but as you’re about to discover, there are other excellent options based on your interests, skill level and budget.

• Best Drone Overall: DJI Mavic 3
• Best Drone For Photos And Videos: DJI Air 2S
• Best Budget Drone For Photos And Videos: EXO Cinemaster 2
• Best Compact Drone For Amateurs: DJI Mini 3 Pro
• Best Budget Compact Drone For Amateurs: DJI Mini 2
• Best Drone For Beginners: EXO Scout
• Best First-Person View Drone With VR: DJI FPV Combo
• Best Drone For Automated Flight: Skydio 2+

Best Drone Overall

Everything Experienced Pilots Want—Including 5K Video

Best Features

Range: 9.3 miles | Max speed: 42 mph | Max flight time: 46 minutes | Camera resolution: 20 megapixel still images, 5.1K video at up to 50 fps

Best for: Experienced pilots looking for high-resolution aerial photography and videography.

The DJI Mavic 3 is jam-packed with features to whet the appetite of enthusiasts and professionals alike. It stands apart from the crowd with its dual 5.1K Hasselblad cameras which capture insanely detailed video at up 50 fps, and images at 20 megapixels. The cameras are mounted on a 3-axis gimbal for maximum tilt, roll and pan control. One camera has a wide-angle 24mm lens with a large Four Thirds CMOS sensor for better dynamic range and lower noise in low-light environments; it also has an adjustable aperture from f/2.8 to f/11. The second camera has a 162mm telephoto lens with 28x hybrid digital and optical zoom and an aperture of f/4.4.

This drone’s omnidirectional sensors, built-in GPS and advanced auto-return help it avoid obstacles in complex environments. DJI’s ActiveTrack 5.0 subject recognition technology accurately locks onto a moving object on the ground to track and film it with ease.

Pros:

• 5.1K video capture
• 46-minute maximum flight time / 40-minute hovering time
• 9.3 mile range

Cons:

• Premium price
• Drone piloting experience required
• Expensive accessories

Best Drone For Photos And Videos

High-Resolution Stills And 5.4K Video, Too

Range: 7.5 miles | Max speed: 42 mph| Max flight time: 31 minutes | Camera resolution: 20 megapixel still images, 5.4K video at 30 fps

Best for: Aerial photographers and drone enthusiasts with some piloting experience.

The DJI Air S2 has tons of useful features which make it a great choice for drone photography. For example, ActiveTrack 4.0 helps keep the focus on your subject; and capture presets like QuickShots and MasterShots help you easily achieve amazing shots. It can detect objects in four directions an impressive 31 minute maximum flight time. For aerial photography and videography, the Air S2’s camera captures still images at 20 megapixels, and video at up to 5.4K at 30 fps. The camera is mounted on a gimbal, so its shooting angle can be adjusted while it’s airborne.

As you pilot the drone, you can view real-time 1080p resolution video via your smartphone from a distance up to 7.5 miles. The drone weighs a mere 1.3 pounds and is easy to setup pre-flight. While this drone’s advanced features make it better suited to more experienced drone pilots, it does have amateur-friendly settings to automatically hover or return.

Pros:

• Captures up to 5.4K at 30fps video
• 31 minute flight time
• Senses objects in four directions

Cons:

• Bulky controller

Best Budget Drone For Photos And Videos

Capture Stunning 4K Resolution Aerial Video

EXO Drones

EXO Cinemaster 2

Range: 2,500 feet | Max speed: 27 mph| Max flight time: 28 minutes| Camera resolution: 11 megapixel still images, 4K video at 30 fps

Best for: Aerial photography and videography on a budget.

The EXO Cinemaster 2 is a great choice for aerial photography and videography—and it doesn’t cost a fortune. The camera is mounted on a 3-axis gimbal for maximum control, and it shoots 4K video. Still image captures are at 11 megapixels (okay, but on the lower end of the resolution scale).

When your focus is on aerial photography, pilot the drone at speeds up to 13 mph, but when you want to have some fun, boost the speed up to 27 mph. Either way, the drone can track moving objects or circle smoothly around objects while filming. A convenient pre-flight setting lets you set GPS points on a map and have the drone follow a precise route, which frees you in the moment to focus more on what you’re capturing than on piloting. If you want extra batteries, EXO sells two for $60, a relatively reasonable expense so you can fit more flights into your day.

Pros:

• Strong features
• Comparatively inexpensive extra batteries
• Comes with the Cinemaster 2 controller and extra set of propellers

Cons:

• Less-than-average flight time
• Short flight range

Best Compact Drone For Amateurs

Palm-Sized Drone Has 7.5 Mile Range And Weighs Under A Pound

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

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

The DJI Mini 3 Pro is an ultra-lightweight drone: It weighs a mere 2.8 ounces and fits in-hand when folded. The Mini 3 Pro’s flight time runs up to 34-minutes, and it can fly 7.5 miles away. With the extra-cost Plus battery, this drone can stay airborne for a lofty 47 minutes. Like other DJI models, this drone 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 modes. 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 and still images at a massive 48 megapixels. Despite its small size, this drone can withstand level five winds (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.

Pros:

• Captures wide-angle field-of-view
• Automatic takeoff and Smart Return to Home
• Impressive 48 megapixel stills

Cons:

• No automatic obstacle avoidance

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Best Budget Compact Drone For Amateurs

Get A Bird’s Eye Perspective For Less

Range: 6 miles | Max speed: 36 mph| Max flight time: 31 minutes| Camera resolution: 12 megapixel still images, 4K video at 30 fps

Best for: Someone looking for a compact but versatile drone with good video.

The DJI Mini 2 is an older model which comes in at a lower price than its successor. The drone only is going in and out of stock at Amazon, but remains available at DJI’s store as well. Like the Mini 3 Pro, the Mini 2 folds and fits easily in-hand when folded up, and it shines when in-flight. The built-in camera is stabilized by a three-axis motorized gimbal and has a 4x zoom feature. While the resolution of the camera is not as good as higher-end models, this drone can still produce impressive aerial video and still images with relative ease. Have the drone hover, circle or even follow an object while filming, but it only sense obstacles downward, not in four directions like the Mini 3 Pro. Everything you need to fly the drone fits into the included case. The remote control unit also works with just about any smartphone.

Pros:

• Lower price
• Good video
• Solid features

Cons:

• Only senses obstacles downward

Best Drone For Beginners

A Versatile Toy Drone With Good Video

Good Value

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

Best for: First-time pilots.

The EXO Scout steps up the toy drone category with a wider-than-usual range of abilities. It has three flight speeds (7, 12 and 15 mph). The drone also has auto takeoffs and landings. You can set an altitude hold mid-flight, plus take advantage of sensors to avoid crashes.

The camera shoots 1080p video or 6 megapixel still images and it has a 10x digital zoom. 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, so consider going with the two or three battery kit at Amazon. Priced under $130, this drone offers a good value if what you’re looking for is a budget-oriented option.

Pros:

• Affordable price
• Full 1080p video

Cons:

• Poor battery life
• Limited flight range
• Low resolution camera

Honorable Mention: An Inexpensive Drone Perfect For Play

Amazon

Ryze Tech Tello Mini Drone Quadcopter

Range: 328 feet | Max speed: 17.9 mph | Max flight time: 13 minutes| Camera resolution: 5 megapixel still images, 720p video

Best for: Kids.

More remote-controlled toy than complex cinematic tool, the Ryze Tech Tello Mini Drone Quadcopter is ideally suited for newcomers dabbling with drone flight. The camera resolution is low, as is its video resolution. But the drone’s mobile app makes it easy to take photos or shoot video clips and then quickly share them on social media, and for quick-hit fun this lightweight, 2.8 ounce drone won’t make much impact to your wallet.

Control the Tello remotely using your fingers via the smartphone app; the drone’s flight range goes to about 328 feet, enough for play or to get a view nearby, but not a dramatic distance. It’s easy to fly since the controls are all on-screen. It has propeller guards to keep the propellers humming smoothly while in flight, and fairly durable construction should you inadvertently crash the drone.

Pros:

• Low cost
• Easy to fly
• Built-in propeller guards

Cons:

• Low camera resolution
• Short flight time

Best First-Person View Drone With VR

Operate A Drone From A Unique Perspective

Range: 10.4 miles | Max speed: 87 mph | Max flight time: 20 minutes| Camera resolution: 12 megapixel still images, 4K video at 60 fps

Best for: First-person flying with VR goggles.

The DJI FPV Drone provides a very different experience. FPV stands for first person view—and it’s this perspective that sets this drone apart from the crowd. While the drone is sold alone as well, the bundle priced here is the whole reason this model even exists: The bundle includes the DJI FPV Drone, DJI FPV Goggles V2 and a DJI FPV Remote Controller 2. The drone has obstacle sensing and avoidance emergency break and hover.

When used with a smartphone, you can pilot the drone with a first-person viewing perspective shown on your smartphone screen. But when you use the immersive FPV Goggles, you get a you-are-there view whooshing through the sky in stereoscopic virtual reality. This drone offers a maximum flight speed of 87 mph. Its camera captures 4K video at 60fps with a 150-degree field-of-view lens.

Pros:

• Has emergency break and hover
• Built-in obstacle sensing and avoidance
• Bundle includes VR goggles

Cons:

• Limited flight time
• Costly extra batteries
• Expensive

Best Drone For Automated Flight

Stellar Tracking Software Automates Drone Adventures

MOST POPULAR

Skydio

Skydio 2+ Starter Kit

Range: 3.7 miles | Max speed: 36 mph | Max flight time: 27 minutes| Camera resolution: 12.3 megapixel still images, 4K video at 60 fps

Best for: Autonomous aerial photography or videography.

The Skydio 2+ Starter Kit focuses on automated drone operation. As a manufacturer, Skydio only sells its drones as kits, but the so-named Starter Kit really is a basic drone—and one which seems a bit pricey based on its pure specs. The differentiator for the Skydio 2+, though, is its advanced autonomous flying software. The drone uses six navigational cameras arranged in a trinocular configuration top and bottom; these cameras help the Skydio 2+ dodge obstacles in 360-degrees, and they help power Skydio’s effective subject tracking and “autopilot” functionality. During filming, one-touch icons on the smartphone app allow operators to quickly select and implement specific types of shots.

The drone comes with a case and folds up for convenient transport. Use the mobile app to plan flight paths remotely. Skydio sells a #179 controller and a $219 GPS beacon for even better tracking use the included controller to operate the drone from the ground. The Starter Kit includes one battery and two extra propellers.

Pros:

• Excellent 360-degree obstacle avoidance
• Strong subject tracking
• Advanced automated flight controls

Cons:

• Middling still image resolution
• Controller and GPS beacon cost extra

What To Look For When Buying A Drone

Choosing the right drone requires forethought about want and how you plan to use the drone, your skill level as a drone operator and how much you’re willing to spend. Here are some of the key features to look at when shopping for a drone.

Piloting a drone can be fun, but there are some important things to consider before making your ... [+] purchase

Design

Most drones today have a quad-copter design, meaning they rely on four propellers. These tend to be easier to pilot and offer more forgiveness to inexperienced pilots trying to keep a drone in-air. Some drones fold up for easy transport, while others require you to carry it in a bulky carry case. Many require you to pair your internet-connected smartphone to the drone’s handheld controller to operate the drone via the company’s mobile app.

Most drones have a built-in camera you can control remotely from your smartphone or the drone’s remote device to capture amazing high-resolution still images or high-definition or 4k video footage. If aerial photography or videography is an important feature to you, choose a design with a real-time adjustable remote camera, so you can move the shooting angle during flight. Some drones only offer a fixed-position camera which does not offer you as much creative control when shooting.

Durability And Ease To Repair

Especially if you’re a beginner, look for a drone with crash avoidance. And consider whether the drone is easy to repair (with inexpensive replacement parts) should tragedy strike. Accidents happen to even the best drone operators, and it’s easy to bring a drone down too quickly when landing. Make sure the drone you choose has replacement parts that are readily available.

Flight Range

The speed a drone can travel is an important consideration for some people, but an equally important consideration is how far the drone can travel before flying out of signal range. Make sure the drone automatically turns around comes back into range when you get close to the outer limit of a drone’s signal radius.

GPS Navigation

Look for a drone which takes full advantage of GPS navigation. This feature can help pre-plan your flight path, keep track of where you are in real-time and determine the exact locations of captured photos or video.

Flight Time

A drone’s flight time is determined by its battery life. While all drones rely on rechargeable batteries, how long each battery lasts determines how long it can stay airborne. And based on its flight speed and signal radius, battery life is also a determining factor for how far a drone can travel during each flight.

While having extra, fully-charged batteries on hand allows you to extend your experience flying, you need the drone to be able to return to you before its battery is fully drained. Unfortunately, the low-cost and even mid-priced drones tend to have an average flight time less than 30 minutes. And some low-cost models don’t have swappable batteries—something to consider if you want the drone’s usefulness during an outing.

Mobile App

Typically, a drone’s companion mobile app lets you operate your drone and its camera while in-flight. It also lets you pre-plan your drone flight, and activate and manage anti-collision features. Take the time to learn how your drone’s mobile app functions, so you can quickly activate (or deactivate) features and functions during a flight as quickly as possible during a flight. The seconds you waste fumbling with unfamiliar icon-based controls or navigating through unfamiliar menus could easily lead to a collision or other in-flight mishap.

Camera Resolution And Adjustability

If aerial photography or videography is important to you, choose a drone whose camera has a higher-than-average resolution and that shoots 4K (or better) video at a high frames per second. The higher the frame rate, the more cinematic your slow-motion video can look, for example. Also look for a camera mounted on a three-axis gimbal, for better image stabilization and the ability to remotely control its shooting angle during a flight. A gimbal translates to smoother and sharper footage,

Piloting Skill Level

Thanks to a variety of technologies built into the latest drones, many are now easier to fly than ever. Still, some remain easier to control than others—especially in windy or less-than-ideal conditions. If you’re a novice or inexperienced drone pilot, choose a drone designed for your skill level to greatly reduce your chances of a collision during a flight or during a takeoff or landing.

Price

It’s easy to spend several thousand dollars on a top-of-the-line, pro-level drone that’s loaded with features. However, unless you have the need and skillset to utilize one of these drones, you’re better off sticking with a more affordable model in the $300 to $1,000 price range.

While you will pay a premium for some brand name drones, be sure to shop for the features and functions you most want and need. Next, focus on finding a model which fits within your budget—including any desired accessories such as extra batteries.

Frequently Asked Questions About Drones

If you still have questions about which drone is right for you, check out these answers to commonly asked questions.

Before takeoff, make sure you understand how you drone function.

Which Drone Brand Is The Best?

Choose a brand that’s known to be a reliable and highly respected drone manufacturer—like DJI, EXO or Skydio—so you know the drone itself is made from quality components, and should have replacement parts and updates in the future. You also want to choose a drone brand known for making highly durable products.

How Much Does A Drone Cost?

The price of drones ranges dramatically based on size and features. At the low end sits $100 toy drones, while at the higher-end sit models costing upwards of $2,000. Most drone consumers opt for a model in the $300 to $1,000 price range.

Which Drone Is Best For Aerial Photography?

In this roundup, we selected the EXO Cinemaster 2 and DJI Air S2 drones as being best for photography and videography. The EXO Cinemaster 2 is budget-friendly and offers a camera capable of shooting 4K resolution video and still images at 11MP, while the significantly more expensive DJI Air S2 shoots 5.4K resolution video and still images at 20MP resolution. Both cameras are mounted using a gimbal for remotely controlling the shooting angle.

Any drone with a camera that’s mounted on a gimbal and that’s able to capture 4K resolution (or higher) video, along with still images at a high resolution (20MP or better) will serve you well.

How Much Skill is Required To Fly A Drone?

This all depends on the drone model you choose. Some are specifically designed to be flown by beginners and offer features like four directions of obstacle avoidance, a “home” button that can be pressed to immediately bring the drone back to your location and an emergency button that will immediately stop forward momentum and allow the drown to hover. Keep in mind, all drones require some practice to become proficient piloting them.

Is A License Or Permit Needed To Fly A Drone?

If you opt to become a drone operator, keep in mind you don’t need flight school or training, but you must adhere to local, state and federal regulations. You can find more information about these rules by visiting the Federal Aviation Administration.

Are Imported “No Name” Drones Sold Online Worth It?

Purchasing a “no name” drone online from a company you’ve never heard of can be tricky. Yes, some of them can work quite well, and they’re often sold at a fraction of the price of well-known models.

But beware. Many include inferior components, are difficult to fly, sync with a poorly designed mobile app or come with a poorly translated manual that’s difficult to understand. And if you wind up needing to make repairs, finding replacement parts can often be virtually impossible.

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