This review covers what I found to be the Best Drones for Beginners in 2019. Just a few years ago, drones were a rather expensive item and only sought after by a smaller group of hobbyists. However, in recent years this has changed. The uses for drones has increased, more drone manufacturers have appeared on the scene and, the cost of a drone has changed dramatically. Today, you can purchase a decent drone for less than $100!
The purpose for this review is to focus on the best drones for beginners available today for either a newcomer or a seasoned beginner. Beginner drones are usually less expensive drones since they provide fewer options and features. But be careful, many of the cheapest drones are nothing more than toys and usually not worth the money you spend on them. Nonetheless, there are some inexpensive drones available that are a decent quality and offer a great drone for beginners.
Operating a drone does require certain skills. Virtually anyone can fly a drone, however, to operate it properly and safely will require patience, knowledge and practice, practice, practice.
Vital Drone Information – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Before I start into my review there are a few points I want to make sure you are aware of concerning drones. Contrary to popular belief, drones are not simply a harmless toy. In fact, a majority of the consumer drones sold are capable of taking down an aircraft in the event of a collision.That’s one reason the FAA requires drones over a certain weight (.55 pounds or just under 9 ounces) to be registered before you fly.
Registration is inexpensive, (just $5) and only takes a few minutes to complete. The process is really very simple. Keep in mind, it is a criminal penalty for not registering (if required), which may result in a $250,000 fine and/or up to 3 years imprisonment. You can register your drone here at the FAA’s site.
These are some basic rules all drone owners must follow:
- Never fly near other aircraft, especially near airports
- Fly your drone at or below 400 feet
- Keep your drone within your line of sight
- Never fly over groups of people, public events, or stadiums full of people
- Be aware of FAA Airspace Restrictions
- Never fly near emergencies such as fires or hurricane recovery efforts
- Respect privacy
- Never fly under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Click here to visit the FAA’s site for more information; Before You Fly A Drone.
Best Drones for Beginners at a Glance
The following table is a quick look at my 8 picks of the best drones for beginners (listed from least to most expensive). Included is something for everyone. These drones have a price tag from just over $25 to as much as $850 with several drones priced in between.
Click on a product for current pricing, details and reviews.
Best Drones for Beginners – Detailed Reviews
The drones I’ve selected as the best drones for beginners range in price from just over $25 to around $850. As expected, a more expensive drone will include improved features such as: speed, flight time, warranty, better handling and obstacle avoidance to name a few.
Best Drones for Beginners for Under 100
The first two drones fall into this category. These are decent machines that will teach you to fly without breaking your budget. They won’t have the bells and whistles included with more expensive drones but will provide a good experience.
Hubsan X4 (H107C) 4 Channel 2.4GHz RC Quad Copter with Camera
FAA Registration Required: No
The Hubsan X4 (H107C) is a basic, affordable drone for beginners. It is the smallest and lightest drone included in our review. The X4 is a quick little drone and flies well. In addition, it will let you know when the battery is low with warning indicators plus, the transmitter has a feature that alerts you if the drone is getting out of range.
The X4 is fairly easy to learn and it provides the tools necessary to achieve a real Drone Experience. This is a great little machine to hone your flying skills, and a great starter drone plus, it’s ideal for someone on a limited budget.
Features:
- 6-axis flight control system with adjustable gyro sensitivity
- Provides stable flight with 4 channels
- Lightweight frame that’s durable
- Camera: 0.3 MP video recording module included (requires a Micro SDHC card)
- Stunts: 4-ways flip (left, right, forward, backward)
Specifications:
- Size: 2.7 x 2.7 x 1 in (6.9 x 6.9 x 2.5 cm)
- Weight: approximately 50 g / 0.11 lbs / 1.76 ounces (FAA Registration not required)
- Charge time: approximately 30 to 50 minutes (charges via USB)
- Flight time: approximately 7 – 9 minutes
- Control distance: approximately 100 meters / 328 feet
Pros:
- Great drone for beginners
- Inexpensive
- Short charge time (about 30 to 50 minutes)
- Durable (handles crashes well)
- Stunts (flip (left, right, forward, backward))
- Wi-Fi Camera
Cons:
- Lightweight (can be difficult to handle in winds)
- Short flight time (approximately 7 – 9 minutes)
- Control distance is only around 100 meters / 328 feet
- Camera: is only 0.3 MP
The Hubsan X4 H107C is a great drone for beginners and for somebody just starting, it’s a great first purchase. If you’re looking to shoot video with your first drone, then this drone will fit the bill!. It won’t provide professional shots, however, it will provide you the opportunity to shoot some video and allow you to hone your skill set before upgrading to a higher end and larger model . For less than $30 it’s worth considering.
Cheerwing Syma X5SW-V3 FPV Explorers2
FAA Registration Required: No
The Cheerwing Syma X5SW is a basic, inexpensive drone for beginners looking to test the waters. Photos and video are sent to either an iPhone or Android smartphone via a Wi-Fi enabled camera. During flight you see what the camera sees via the FPV (First Person View). This is an good entry level drone and is ideal for someone on a tight budget.
Features:
- Provides stable and quick flight utilizing a 6-axis gyro based on 4 channels
- Stunts, 360-degree rolling capabilities
- Controllable via either Android or iPhone smartphones through Wi-Fi connectivity
- Comes with protective propeller guards. Helps protect against collisions and crashes
- USB charging for convenience
- Real-time shooting function
Specifications:
- Size: 31.5 x 31.5 x 10.5 cm / (12.4 x 12.4 x 4.13 inches)
- Weight: 119 g / 0.26 lbs / 4.2 ounces FAA Registration not required)
- Charge time: approximately 90 to 120 minutes (charges via USB)
- Flight time: approximately 5 to 7 minutes
- Control distance: approximately 50 meters / 164 feet
Pros:
- Good drone for beginners
- Headless mode
- Inexpensive
- Switch for battery (on/off)
- Durable
- Stunts (capable of 360° rolling)
- Wi-Fi Camera
- FPV (First Person View) Wi-Fi Transmission
Cons:
- Lightweight (can be difficult to handle in winds)
- Short flight time (approximately 5 – 7 minutes)
- Longer charge time (about 90 to 120 minutes)
- Control distance is only around 50 meters / 164 feet
- Wi-fi Camera: is only 0.3 MP
- FPV Wi-fi Transmission is low resolution 640*480P / 30FP
The Cheerwing Syma X5SW is a good choice as a drone for beginners. It’s small, lightweight, affordable, has headless/IOC function and includes a camera that will transmit pictures and videos to a smartphone. For someone just wanting to test the drone waters and see if the drone experience is right for them, this is the drone for you. For about $40 you can’t go wrong.
Best Drones for Beginners for Under 200
The next three drones fall into an affordable range between $100 and $200. All three are good machines that I’m sure you’ll be happy with any one of them, provided they have the features you’re seeking. Again, these drones won’t have the advanced features found on the more expensive drones but are definitely worth your consideration.
Sky Viper Video Drone (V950HD) High Definition
FAA Registration Required: Yes
The Sky Viper Video Drone (V950HD) is an inexpensive, easy-to-fly drone that does a decent job at taking video (just don’t expect high-quality video or quick responses). Although this is classed as a toy, it is a little larger than some of the other drones and does require FAA registration.
The V950HD is a drone that’s fairly easy to learn to fly. It has Flight Sensitivity Adjustment which allows you to control the drone’s responsiveness. You can adjust the sensitivity via the controller to match your flying skills.Three choices are available:Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. I recommend starting in beginner mode until you have mastered your flying skills. The sensitivity can be adjusted either before or during flight. This is a nice drone to learn on and improve your flying skills.
Features:
- Records 720p HD Pictures and Video
- Adjustable HD SkyPro camera
- Includes a 4GB MicroSD Card: Capture up to 20 minutes of flight
- One-Touch Stunts: Performs barrel rolls by touching the stunt button
- Panoramic Video Capture: Easily shoot 360° panoramic views with the touch of a button.
- Tough Duraflex Body: The resilient polypropylene body is strong enough to take most crash impacts
Specifications:
- Size: 12.75 inches blade to blade
- Weight: over 250 g / 0.55 lbs / 9 ounces (FAA Registration Required)
- Charge time: approximately 70 to 90 minutes (charges via USB)
- Flight time: approximately 5 – 8 minutes
- Control distance: approximately 60 meters / 200 feet
Pros:
- Good drone for beginners
- Inexpensive
- Durable Duraflex Body (handles crashes well)
- Stunts (barrel roll, flips)
- HD Camera
Cons:
- Lightweight (can be difficult to handle in winds)
- Short flight time (approximately 5 – 8 minutes)
- Longer charge time (about 70 to 90 minutes)
- Control distance is only around 60 meters / 200 feet
- Panorama mode requires manual shooting
The Sky Viper Video Drone (V950HD) is a good drone for beginners especially given it’s price. For somebody just starting, it’s a great first purchase. If you’re looking to shoot video with your first drone, then this one will fit the bill!. It won’t provide professional shots, however, it will provide you the opportunity to shoot some video and allow you to hone your skill set before upgrading to a higher end and larger model . If you’re looking for a machine than can capture HD (High Definition) pictures and video you may want to check out this drone.
Holy Stone F181W WiFi FPV Drone with Camera
FAA Registration Required: No
The Holy Stone F181W is an easy drone to handle and a step up from your basic drone. It is still a very durable, affordable drone for beginners. The F181W is one of the better values available for around $120 (which includes a controller).
One nice feature included on the F181W that’s not featured on the less expensive drones is the Automatic Altitude Hold or hover mode. This hold function allows you to release the throttle and the drone will continue to hover at it’s current height making it easier to shoot quality images or videos. And with the 720p 120° Wide-angle camera you can capture some pretty clear pictures and videos.
Another key feature is the One Key Return Home. Simply press the (return to home) and the drone is able to fly back to the direction of the transmitter (the drone has to be set to Headless Mode for this to work).
Features:
- Provides strong stable flight utilizing a 6-axis flight control system
- Provides a 720P 120° Wide-angle HD Wi-Fi Camera
- FPV (First Person View) Wi-Fi Transmission
- Automatic Altitude Hold: Powerful air pressure altitude hold function keeps the drone hovering at the current height. Easy for you to shoot quality images or videos.
- Headless mode eliminates need to adjust aircraft position before flight and improves learning curve.
- Includes 2 batteries to extend flight time
- Video Recording Modes: 1280 x 720p
- Powerful Battery and Motor
- One Key Take Off & Landing
- Multiple Speed Control
- One key return
- 3D Flips
- Controllable Led Light
Specifications:
- Size: 12.6(L) x 3.3 (H) x 12.6 (W) Inches
- Weight: approximately 139 grams / .31 pounds / 4.9 ounces (FAA Registration NOT Required)
- Charge time: approximately 60 to 90 minutes (charges via USB)
- Flight time: approximately 6 to 9 minutes
- Control distance: approximately 50 to 100 meters / 164 to 328 feet
Pros:
- Great drone for beginners
- Affordable
- Durable (handles crashes well)
- Includes 2 batteries
- Stunts (3D flips)
- Automatic Altitude Hold
- One key return, with the press of a button the drone will return to home
- Wi-Fi Camera: Resolution of camera is 1280*720, 2MP
Cons:
- Lightweight (can be difficult to handle in winds)
- Short flight time (approximately 7 – 9 minutes)
- Long charge time (up to 90 minutes)
- Control distance is only around 50 to 100 meters / 164 to 328 feet
- Gets hot quickly, needs cool down time (10 minutes between flights) to avoid damaging the internal components
The Holy Stone F181W is an ideal beginners drone to either learn how to fly or to practice new skills. The F181W is one of the better values out there for around $120. When you consider the features this drone offers it is a definite step up from the cheaper drone options. It’s a great beginner drone for both young and old. The Holy Stone F181W may be the right one for you if you’re searching for a beginners drone with more features than a basic model.
Altair 818 Hornet Beginner Drone with Camera
FAA Registration Required: No
The Altair 818 Hornet is an easy drone to handle (pilots with any skill level should have no problems) and a step up from your basic drone. It is still a very durable, affordable drone for beginners. Given some of the additional features found on this drone the 818 Hornet is one of the better values available for under $200.
One nice feature included on the 818 Hornet that’s not featured on many of the less expensive drones is the Altitude Hold or hover mode. This hold function allows you to release the throttle and the drone will continue to hover at it’s current height making it easier to shoot quality images or videos. With the 720p (High Definition) 120° wide-angle camera you can capture some pretty clear videos and pictures.
Another key feature is the one button take off and landing to keep things simple. A simple press of the button and the drone is able to automatically take off or land.
Features:
- Provides strong stable flight utilizing a 6-axis flight control system
- Provides a 720P 120° Wide-angle HD Wi-Fi Camera
- FPV (First Person View) Wi-Fi Transmission up to 60 meters
- Automatic Altitude Hold: Powerful air pressure altitude hold function keeps the drone hovering at the current height. Easy for you to shoot quality images or videos.
- Headless mode eliminates need to adjust aircraft position before flight and improves learning curve
- Emergency Landing Function safely lands the drone in the event of an emergency
- Includes 2 batteries to extend flight time
- Low Battery Warning
- Video Recording Mode: 1280 x 720p
- One Key Take Off and Landing
- Multiple Speed Control
- One Button Takeoff and Landing
Specifications:
- Size: 334 x 334 x 127 mm / 13.15 x 13.15 x 5 inches
- Weight: approximately 248 grams / .54 pounds / 8.75 ounces (FAA Registration NOT Required)
- Charge time: approximately 180 minutes (charges via USB)
- Flight time: approximately 13 to 15 minutes
- Control distance: approximately 150 meters / 492 feet
Pros:
- Great drone for beginners
- Affordable
- Durable (handles crashes well)
- Includes 2 batteries
- Longer flight time (approximately 13 – 15 minutes)
- Emergency Landing Function
- Automatic Altitude Hold
- One key return, with the press of a button the drone will return to home
- Wi-Fi Camera: Resolution of camera is 1280 * 720
Cons:
- Lightweight (can be difficult to handle in winds)
- Long charge time (up to 180 minutes)
- Control distance is only around 150 meters / 492 feet
The Altair 818 Hornet is beginner-friendly due to features such as multiple speeds, headless mode and the ability to hold altitude. It is also well suited for photography and videos thanks to the 720P 120° wide-angle HD Wi-Fi camera, longer battery life and a stable hover. This is a good camera drone when you consider it has a price tag under $200. If you’re on a budget, looking for a drone for beginners and are interested in aerial photography the Altair 818 Hornet may be your drone.
Best Drones for Beginners between 200 and 850
The last three drones are still affordable but fall into the upper range of my recommendations, between $200 and $850. All three are excellent drones that include advanced features and abilities simply not available on the less expensive drones covered so far. If your budget allows it, I would suggest that you seriously consider one of these more advanced drones. When I first started flying, I purchased drones from the under $100 category. However, although they were good drones and served my needs well at the time, I quickly outgrew them and purchased ones found in this section. Everyone will have different requirements, just take the time necessary to buy the drone that meets your needs, wants and desires.
DJI Spark with Remote Control Combo
FAA Registration Required: Yes
The DJI Spark is my personal favorite and I consider it to be one of the best drones for beginners. This feature rich drone is an extremely easy drone to handle and stands head and shoulders above the basic drone. It is still a very durable, affordable drone for beginners. Given all of it’s features, the Spark is one of the best values on the market for around $399 (which includes the controller).
One nice feature included on the Spark that’s not featured on many less expensive drones is the obstacle avoidance system which helps you avoid crashes. Usually, the ability to sense and avoid objects is something reserved for only the larger more expensive drones.
Other key features include the one key return home, a 12-megapixel camera that shoots video in 1080p at 30 frames per second, and a two-axis gimbal (stabilizes the camera and cancels out jarring or shaky movements) resulting in smoother, better-looking footage. When you consider that many drones only feature single-axis mechanical stabilization; this definitely puts the Spark ahead of the competition.
Features:
- Strong Stable Flight
- GPS and Vision Position Based Navigation
- 2-Axis Stabilized Gimbal Camera
- HD Wi-Fi Camera provides 12 MP Still Photos / 1080p 30 frames per second Video
- FPV (First Person View) Wi-Fi Transmission
- Automatic Altitude Hold: Altitude hold function keeps the drone hovering at the current height. Easy for you to shoot quality images or videos.
- Gesture and TapFly Control
- Subject Tracking from Various Angles
- Flight Autonomy with Obstacle Detection
- Powerful Battery and Motor
- Automatic Take Off and Landing
- Intelligent Flight Modes
- One Key Return to Home
- Low Battery Warning
- Top Speed of 31 mph in Sport Mode
- Up to 16 Minutes Fly Time
- Control Range up to 1.2 Miles / 2 KM / 6,336 feet
- Control, Edit and Share using the DJI GO App
Specifications:
- Size: 143 × 143 × 55 mm / 5.6 x 5.6 x 2.2 inches
- Weight: approximately 300 grams / .66 pounds / 10.58 ounces (FAA Registration Required)
- Charge time: approximately 45 minutes (charges via USB)
- Flight time: up to 16 minutes
- Satellite Positioning Systems: GPS/GLONASS
- Transmitter Power (EIRP) 2.4 GHz
- Hover Accuracy Range: Vertical: +/- 0.1 m / Horizontal: +/- 0.3 m
- Wi-Fi Operating Frequency: 2.4 GHz/5.8 GHz
Pros:
- Great drone for beginners
- Affordable
- Portable
- Excellent flight performance
- Compact form factor
- Two-axis gimbal
- Obstacle avoidance
- Automatic Altitude Hold
- One key return, with the press of a button the drone will return to home
- Wi-Fi Camera: 12 MP Still Photos / 1080p 30 frames per second Video
Cons:
- Doesn’t have a 4K camera (video limited to 1080p)
- Average flight time (up to 16 minutes)
The Spark is by far one of the best drones for beginners available today. For anyone looking to break into the world of drones without breaking the bank, there’s no better option.This drone is quick (31 mph (50 kph), smart, can fly for longer periods (up to 16 minutes) and more importantly the most reliable in its class. The Spark is awesome and one of the best values out there. For $399, Don’t think twice. Just buy it.
Parrot Bebop 2 FPV
FAA Registration Required: Yes
Beginners that are seeking a portable, compact drone need to seriously consider the Bebop 2 as a possibility. It definitely has some advantages such as, stable video, decent battery life, and a good operating range. This is a great first drone for anyone interested in starting with aerial photography. Enjoy the FPV (first person viewing) experience with the Bebop 2 FPV from Parrot.
The Bebop 2 is equipped with a number of sensors to track metrics such as: pressure, acceleration, orientation, and others to provide stability and smooth flight, from take off to landing or while hovering in mid-air. Whether you’re a beginner, amateur or a skilled drone pilot, you won’t be disappointed with the simple and fluid flight the Bebop 2 will provide.
The 14 megapixel fisheye lens camera is capable of capturing 1080P video at 30 frames per second and produces a fairly decent quality image. The Bebop 2 also features 3-axis Digital Stabilization System (stabilizes the camera and cancels out jarring or shaky movements) resulting in smoother, better-looking footage.
Features:
- Strong Stable Flight
- Compact Design
- GPS Position Based Navigation
- 3-axis Digital Stabilization System (not physical)
- HD Camera provides 14 MP Still Photos / 1080p 24/25/30 frames per second Video
- FPV (First Person View)
- Includes FPV goggles
- One Button Take Off and Landing
- Includes the FreeFlight Pro App
- Intelligent Flight Mode
- Stunts: Flip Forward and Backward / Barrel roll in either direction
- Return to Home Feature
- Top Speed of 37 mph
- Flight Time: Maximum 25 Minutes (Average about 18 Minutes)
- Control Range up to 1.24 Miles / 2 KM / 6,547 feet
Specifications:
- Size: 382 x 328 x 89 mm / 15 x 12.9 x 3.5 inches
- Weight: approximately 500 grams / 1.1 pounds / 17.6 ounces (FAA Registration Required)
- Charge time: approximately 45 to 60 minutes
- Flight time: Maximum 25 minutes
- High capacity 2700mAh battery
- Satellite Positioning Systems: GPS/GLONASS
- Wi-Fi Operating Frequency: 2.4 GHz/5.8 GHz
Pros:
- Great drone for beginners
- Affordable
- Portable
- Excellent flight performance
- Compact form factor
- 3-axis digital stabilization
- One key return, with the press of a button the drone will return to home
- Camera: 14 MP for Still Photos / 1080p 24/25/30 frames per second Video
Cons:
- Doesn’t have a 4K camera (video limited to 1080p)
- Fixed position camera (can’t be adjusted)
- Some Intelligent Flight Modes are not included (cost an additional $20 in-app purchase)
- No option for removable storage (limited to 8 GB internal storage)
- Image distortions
- Lacks obstacle avoidance
Overall, the Bebop 2 FPV is an excellent selection as a beginners drone. It’s easy to fly, portable and durable. This is a quality FPV drone designed and built for both beginner and experienced drone pilots. It is made with durable material and provides great performance that makes it an excellent drone for your outdoor activities.
This is a drone that everyone will find enjoyable to fly and will definitely help to improve your piloting skills. Given it’s power, speed, functions, features and ease of use, the Bebop 2 is a great choice as a beginners drone.
DJI Mavic Pro 4K Quadcopter with Remote Controller (Top Pick)
FAA Registration Required: Yes
The Mavic Pro is my top pick as the best drones for beginners. It doesn’t matter if your skill level is beginner, intermediate or professional, this drone has something for everyone. Since the Mavic Pro is the most expensive drone in my review it may not be an option for many beginners. However, if it fits within your budget it is well worth the cost.
If you need a portable, compact, photo drone, you’ll want to take a hard look at the Mavic Pro as an option. Often, a compact drone means fewer features and abilities, however, that’s simply not the case with the Mavic. Not only is it one of the most portable drones I’ve seen, the Mavic is one of the most feature rich drones available on the market today.
Without question, the Mavic Pro is fun to fly, However, it isn’t going to be the right drone for everyone. For FPV racers the Mavic Pro probably won’t fit the bill as it will be slower and more expensive than other racing drones. Hobbyists and casual flyers will also discover a comparable level of excitement and maneuverability found with less expensive drones.
With that being said, any drone buyer looking for a fantastic camera drone will find few, if any, drones available today that are better for this price. The 12 megapixel camera is capable of capturing sharp and clean 4k video at 30 frames per second and produces cinematic looking footage. The Mavic Pro also features a 3-axis gimbal (stabilizes the camera and cancels out jarring or shaky movements) resulting in extremely smooth video which is excellent for aerial photographers.
Features:
- Strong Stable Flight
- Compact Design
- GPS and Vision Position Based Navigation
- 3-axis (pitch, roll, yaw) Stabilized Gimbal
- HD Camera provides 12 MP Still Photos (JPEG or DNG RAW format) / 4k 3840 × 2160 24/25/30 frames per second Video
- FPV (First Person View) Wi-Fi Transmission
- Automatic Altitude Hold: Altitude hold function keeps the drone hovering at the current height. Easy for you to shoot quality images or videos
- One Button Take Off and Landing
- Control, Edit and Share using the DJI GO App
- Intelligent Flight Modes
- Gesture and TapFly Control
- Subject Tracking from Various Angles
- Flight Autonomy with Obstacle Detection
- Powerful Battery and Motor
- Low Battery Warning
- One Key Return to Home
- Top Speed of 40 mph
- Flight Time: Maximum 27 Minutes
- Control Range up to 4.3 miles / 7 km / 22,704 feet
Specifications:
- Size Folded: H 83 x W 83 x L 198 mm / H 3.27 x W 3.27 x L 7.8 inches
- Size Ready to fly: (approximately):H 89 mm x W 432 mm x L 483 mm x / H 3.5 x W 17 x L 19 x inches
- Weight: approximately 743 grams / 1.64 pounds / 26.21 ounces (FAA Registration Required)
- Supported SD Cards: Micro SD Max capacity: 128 GB
- Gimbal Controllable Range: Pitch: -90° to +30° and Roll: 0° or 90° (Horizontally and vertically
- Charge time: approximately 60 minutes
- Flight time: Maximum 27 minutes
- High capacity 3830 mAh battery
- Satellite Positioning Systems: GPS/GLONASS
- Hover Accuracy Range: Vertical: +/- 0.1 m / Horizontal: +/- 0.3 m
- Transmitter Power (EIRP) 2.4 GHz
- Wi-Fi Operating Frequency: 2.4 GHz/5.8 GHz
- Fly with Android or iOS device or use the mobile device as FPV (attaches to the controller)
Pros:
- Reasonably priced
- Excellent drone for beginners
- Compact form factor
- Portable and fold-able
- Superb flight performance
- Long flight time
- OcuSync Transmission Technology for long range signal transmission
- 3-axis (pitch, roll, yaw) Stabilized Gimbal
- One key return, with the press of a button the drone will return to home
- Camera: 12 MP for Still Photos (JPEG or DNG RAW format) / 4k 3840 × 2160 24/25/30 frames per second Video
Cons:
- Numerous features (may overwhelm some beginners)
- The gimbal assembly is a bit fragile
- The camera and gimbal are not removable
My opinion is that the DJI Mavic Pro is one of the best drones for beginners for under $1,000 (approximately $850). Some of the beginner-friendly features include; Beginner Mode, Long Transmission Range, Obstacle Avoidance, Return to Home, One Button Take Off and Landing, Intelligent Flight Modes and Control, Edit and Sharing using the DJI GO App but, this is only the tip of the iceberg, there’s so much more to experience.
The bottom line is that DJI has crammed an impressive amount of features and abilities into a very compact package. The Mavic Pro should br the gold standard for drones, it combines together affordability, portability, power and tons of features that leaves the rest of the competition in the dust.
Best Drones for Beginners Summary
Drones are not merely harmless toys. A drone operator has a responsibility and there are certain rules that you must follow in order to ensure the safety of yourself and others. Please Fly Responsibly. The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) does require the registration of many drones flown in the US, for hobby or commercial purposes. Some of the drones we reviewed do require registration while others do not.
All 8 drones in this review are in my opinion the best drones for beginners. These drones have price tags from very inexpensive to affordable but moderately expensive. While all of the drones will allow a beginner to learn to fly, the features and abilities of the drones are vastly different. I indicated my personal favorite along with my top pick. However, my uses and requirements for a drone may be greatly different than yours. At the end of the day, only you can determine which drone meets your needs and desires best and fits within your budget.
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