The 18 Best Drones On The Market Today
If you’ve been looking for a drone but are not sure which one you should purchase, we’ve got some help for you. All over the world, drones are used to do many things.
They can be bought by anyone and they can do anything from helping farmers with crops to rescuing lost hikers; all of this is done thanks to the UAV technology that all drones possess.
However, with such a massive selection of different types of drones on the market today it’s hard to tell if a drone would suit your needs or not.
That’s why our team has put together a list of the best drones out there so that you know which ones come highly recommended and which aren’t worth your time or money.
Let’s take a look at some of the best drones on the market today.
DJI Phantom 3 Standard
First off, the DJI Phantom 3 Standard is a great option for those that want a drone that can shoot high-quality video both in the air and on the ground.
It comes equipped with an advanced camera that shoots 2.7K HD video at 30fps along with 12-megapixel photos.
With this model, you also get an integrated gimbal which makes shooting smooth footage as easy as one press of a button.
The biggest problem with this device is its limited battery life which only allows it to stay in the air for 23 minutes per charge – but with such impressive features, we’re willing to let that slide.
DJI Mavic Pro
If you’re looking for even more bang for your buck then there’s always the DJI Mavic Pro which is a little cheaper but still has a great camera, a 4K 30fps one in fact.
While you do lose some of the bells and whistles like the integrated gimbal it still shoots some amazing photos and video while being extremely portable. Many consumers also prefer its more traditional controller over the Phantom’s larger version.
DJI Phantom 4
Ready for an upgrade? The DJI Phantom 4 Advanced is by far one of our favorite models on our list because it comes with everything that makes the Phantom series so popular combined with about 20 more minutes of flight time per charge which lasts up to 30 minutes!
This new battery allows you to get even better aerial shots while staying in the air longer. A downside to this model is that it doesn’t come with the built-in HDR screen so you’ll have to purchase that separately, but it is one of our favorite drones on this list.
Xiro Xplorer V
If you’re looking for something a little more advanced, try the Xiro Xplorer V. It’s an incredibly stable drone that takes all of the work out of flying and filming.
An upgraded HD camera delivers high-quality images and videos while keeping everything nice and steady thanks to its 3-axis gimbal. Keep in mind that this model is relatively heavy which means it’s not great for long-range flights or outdoor shots if there are obstacles nearby like trees or buildings.
3D Robotics Solo
One of our top choices when it comes to professional drone photography is the 3D Robotics Solo. Its unique flight system offers a new kind of control with a ground-based controller and an onboard computer that has been specifically designed for use with drones.
The system also features a free, built-in app for iOS or Android devices to make it easier than ever to plan out your shots and monitor them as they happen.
The DJI Inspire 1
Another great choice for high-quality drone photos is the DJI Inspire 1 . It comes equipped with a 4K camera that uses 94º field of view lenses that have been optimized by motion picture professionals.
An enhanced gimbal can keep everything steady even during long flights, while dual battery power ensures you won’t run out of juice before getting your shots.
The DJI Phantom 3 Professional
Very similar to the DJI Inspire 1, the only major difference is that you can’t remove the camera or attach your own. That being said, this high-quality drone still comes with a 4K 12MP camera that uses 94º lenses for crisp and clear imagery.
Additionally, it has an integrated three-axis gimbal to help stabilize everything as it happens.
Parrot Bebop 2 FPV
If you’re looking for a great entry-level video drone at a price everyone can afford, look no further than the Parrot Bebop 2 FPV. As its name implies, you’ll have first-person view capability from any of its built-in cameras so you can see exactly what your drone sees.
The Parrot Bebop 2 FPV is great for kids and adults who want to get a better idea of how drones work and what they can do.
GEPRC Elegant II
The GEPRC Elegant II is a great way to get into the drone racing scene. Not only does it have an affordable price tag, but it also comes with everything you need to start your racing career off rights such as replacement propellers and other add-ons.
Even better, the GEPRC Elegant II is made from high-quality materials so you can fly without having to worry about crashing too much.
Rotor Riot Talon V2
If you’re looking for a drone that can take some serious damage, then the Rotor Riot Talon V2 might be your answer. Its small size makes it perfect for flying through tight spaces while its durable plastic build lets it withstand crashes fairly well.
The best part about the Rotor Riot Talon V2 is that it comes with everything you need to get it up in the air right away including an HD camera.
Nano QX 2 FPV
The Blade Nano QX 2 FPV is perfect for beginners who are ready to get into drone racing because of its affordable price tag and simple design.
You won’t have to worry about crashing this one too much since its body is made out of plastic which makes it fairly durable. Coming with an FPV camera already installed, getting off the ground and into first-person view is easier than ever before.
Parrot AR Drone 2.0 Elite Edition
The Parrot AR Drone 2.0 Elite Edition comes with a bunch of fun features including some awesome stabilization software to make controlling it much easier than other drones on this list.
One of its coolest features is definitely its built-in camera that can shoot full HD video at 60 fps or 1080p slow motion at 120 fps, perfect for taking your aerial videos to the next level!
Parrot MiniDrone Rolling Spider
The Parrot MiniDrone Rolling Spider is a very small and compact drone that’s great to fly indoors. Its body rotates 360 degrees which makes it tumble in the air when hit or thrown.
However, because of its small size and low weight, this won’t do much damage to anything it hits! It also comes with an AR. Drones Academy app where you can learn how to pilot your rolling spider-like a pro!
Flying 3DR Solo Drone
3DR has recently released their solo drone and there was huge hype around it before the release date primarily because of the fact that they designed and built the first-ever drone autopilot system for manned aircraft.
With more than 10 years of experience in flying unmanned aircraft, 3 DR knows what it takes to build a good piece of equipment. The Solo comes with its own dedicated controller which not only gives you better control over the drone’s functions but also helps you stream videos or take photos from different angles.
In addition, because 3DR designed this solo drone from scratch, they have been able to include features in it that won’t be seen on other drones out there for at least a year.
These features include an onboard camera stabilization system and a GPS-assisted flight mode so advanced that even if your hands leave the controller completely, the drone will still fly just as smoothly!
Those who already have experience in flying drones before will love the fact that this is quite easy to fly and can perform a lot of cool tricks as well. It has a max speed of 35 mph and can fly as far as 1000 meters away from you!
But because it’s an advanced drone, make sure to read the manual first before using this one in the field. Also don’t leave your controller’s batteries drained or else this will result in a bad day for you.
GoPro Karma Drone
If it isn’t already obvious enough, GoPro makes a lot of cameras. In fact, they’re considered to be a key player when it comes to action cams so much so that their products have been used by professionals all over the world.
And now with their new GoPro Karma Drone, they hope to take things up another notch by adding aerial photography capabilities to their list of offerings.
And GoPro is not just offering an aerial platform for their cameras but they’re also bundling their camera with the product so you won’t need to purchase one separately.
That’s right, it comes with a GoPro Hero 5 included in the package. Now that’s how you sell your products!
Ryze Tello Drone
The Ryze Tello Drone is a toy drone but definitely not just any toy drone because this one doesn’t require any assembly and is basically ready to fly out of the box.
It comes with SAFE Technology and FlightAutonomy 2.0 which enables it to position itself accurately indoors or outdoors, sense objects in close proximity, and avoid obstacles while flying at up to 38 mph (60 km/h).
Furthermore, it has built-in LED lights for better visibility during the day as well as at night. However, it’s important to note that one should always exercise caution when approaching an obstacle since this little guy does not have collision detection sensors hence will not stop before it crashes.
TDR Spider ALIEN Drone
The TDR Spider ALIEN Drone is one of the best drones on the market today. Its innovative design makes it look like something out of a sci-fi movie rather than an actual drone.
Additionally, not only can it fly but also crawl around your home. What could be more interesting than flying it around your living room before making it crawl around your couch?
The fact that this drone’s arms are flexible and can move up and down is simply remarkable.
The TDR Spider ALIEN Drone also comes with several features that’ll make you want to buy one sooner or later such as the automatic takeoff and landing capabilities.
It also has one-touch control and the ability to fit in the palm of your hand (measuring 4x3x2 inches).
Potensic A20 Mini Drone
The Potensic A20 Mini Drone is a great option for those looking to buy a beginner drone at affordable prices. It features altitude hold mode, one key return, and headless mode among other capabilities that make it an easy-to-fly drone.
It has a photo/video capability that makes taking aerial footage fun and stress-free as well since everything is automated – from takeoff to landing – hence no experience or skills are needed.
The Potensic A20 Mini Drone can reach heights up to 200 ft (61 m) and lasts about 7 minutes on a single charge which is pretty good for its price range.
With regards to design, the manufacturers paid attention to every detail making it look modern and stylish while maintaining its lightweight appeal. The LED lights at night shine brightly which helps you see the drone better in low-visibility conditions.
The Potensic A20 Mini Drone is an excellent option if you are new to drones or even if you’re an experienced user who wants something small and portable that they can carry around with ease.
It also comes with a bonus battery which adds up to your total flight time allowing you to fly longer during each session. Plus, it has headless mode, 1 key return home/landing, one key takeoff/landing, and 360-degree flips making this device more advanced than its price point would suggest.
You really can’t go wrong with any of the drones on this list and it’s really a matter of personal preference. However, we still believe that the TDR Spider ALIEN Drone is the best drone for beginners and in general the best cheap drone on the market right now.
It has a long flight range allowing you to fly in open spaces without worrying about losing control or having interference from other devices.
It also includes an extra battery which gives you more time to practice flying before your session ends. This device may be inexpensive but it doesn’t skimp out on features making it one of our favorites on this list!
