What Is A Cool Drone To Buy For The Money With A Camera

Even if you have no good reason to justify buying one, you have to admit that drones are cool. Some are glorified tech toys, but the models we highlight here are fit for use in imaging and cinematic applications small and large. If you think you can use a flying camera in your next project, there's some good news—the tech has come a long way in a very short time. There are models on the market now that put earlier copters to shame in terms of video quality and stabilization.

And now the bad news. You get what you pay for, and if you want an aerial video platform that can capture stunning footage, you need to be ready to spend some cash, anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Because drones are such pricey propositions, it pays to do your research before buying one.

You can technically buy a drone for under $100, but we think it's worth it to spend a bit more to start. Our top-rated starter drone is the $450 DJI Mini 2.

The drones we review are ready-to-fly models, so you can use them right out of the box. In most cases, you'll need to bring your own Android or iOS device to view the camera feed in real-time. If you don't own a smartphone, the Autel EVO II series is worth a look, its remote has a built-in screen. We don't focus on racing, industrial, or agricultural aircraft here—our coverage is squarely centered on imaging and video.

Drone Regulations and Safety

The rules of the air vary from region to region—we've covered what to know for US and UK pilots. But, typically, if your drone weighs 8.8 ounces (250g) and up, you'll need to register it in order to fly it outdoors legally—even over your own property. You'll also need to pass a basic knowledge test, administered online with no fee, and not that hard to ace.

You Can Trust Our Reviews

Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions. (See how we test.)

The DJI Mini 2 weighs 249g, so you don't need to register it, but you still need to take the TRUST test to fly (Photo: Jim Fisher)

There are mass market drones that don't need to be registered (but you still need to take the TRUST test). Drones that are lighter than 250g don't require you to go through the process. The DJI Mini SE, Mavic Mini, and Mini 2 are all exempt, as is the forthcoming Autel Nano series. The lightweight DJIs omit obstacle avoidance (included in the Autel Nano), but still include GPS stabilization, automated return-to-home, and automatic takeoff and landing. They're safe drones to fly.

Almost all of the models featured here have some safety features. If your control signal is interrupted, or if the battery gets down too low (most drones can only fly for about 25 minutes on a single battery charge), you drone will start to head back to its takeoff point and land.

DJI Air 2S (Photo: Jim Fisher)

Flyaways still happen, and there are horror stories on various web discussion forums. Of course, negative experiences are amplified in this context, simply because uneventful flights that don't result in a crash or missing drone aren't hot topics for discussion. Some manufacturers offer extended warranties that will replace a lost aircraft, but make sure to read the fine print before buying something like DJI Care Refresh—there are restrictions and fees to consider.

If you're flying within the United States, you need to take heed of FAA guidelines—or be prepared to face potential fines or jail time. There are no-fly zones set by the FAA, so don't take off if you're near an airport without notifying the control tower first. And, even if you're out in the middle of nowhere, don't take your drone above 400 feet. Most are set to obey these regulations out of the box, but controlling a quadcopter is just like driving a car—even if you missed seeing that speed limit sign, you're still liable to pay the ticket.

The Best Racing and Toy Drones

There are a number of products on the market that are sold as drones, but don't quite fit the bill. Remote-controlled aircraft have been around for ages. But with the recent surge in popularity, quadcopters that would simply be sold as RC products are now being tagged as drones. These don't include GPS stabilization, return-to-home functionality, and other automated flight modes that make a drone a drone.

DJI FPV Combo (Photo: Jim Fisher)

Drone racing enthusiasts often build their own aircraft from kits or parts. Some skill with a soldering iron and screwdriver is required, but it's become an aspect of the hobby itself. DJI is hoping to change that with its FPV Combo, released earlier this year. It's a ready-to-fly racer that works with a digital VR headset (included), and can fly as fast as 87mph. It also benefits from GPS stabilization, making it easier to for beginners.

What Are the Best Brands of Drones?

DJI models currently dominate our top picks, and there's a good reason for that. The company is simply a few steps ahead of its competition right now, and has a product catalog with models at various price points, which take up a good number of the slots in our top ten. It made a huge splash with its iconic Phantom series, and now makes the best small drones we've tested in the form of its folding Mini and Air lines (formerly called Mavic).

Its pro lines offer a lot more power, for more money. Its Inspire and Matrice models can carry heavier payloads, including interchangeable lens systems. They're overkill for most consumers, and not nearly as convenient to carry as small, folding drones.

There are a few other brands to consider when looking for a drone. We like Autel's EVO II, and it has a new line of aircraft set to go on sale next year, including the mid-sized EVO Lite and registration-free EVO Nano. Autel drones have an LCD built into the remote control, so you don't need to use a smartphone, a requirement for pretty much every other brand.

Parrot Anafi and remote

Parrot, based in France, offers the Anafi, another good folding drone, and is an option for consumers wary of buying tech from Chinese firms. Skydio is another company to consider, its operations are based in California.

Sony has recently jumped into the market with its Airpeak S1. It's set to ship this fall, but is positioned for cinema productions. It starts at $9,000 without a camera or gimbal.

The Best Small Drones

For a long time, the DJI Phantom series was about as small as you could go if you wanted to get a full-featured drone that maintains stability in the air and includes strong safety features. That's no longer the case. Hikers and travel photographers appreciate a small, light kit, and they can now get a drone that fits into a backpack.

Autel EVO II (Photo: Jim Fisher)

Of course, not every small drone is a top flyer. Some are barely capable of getting off the ground and require you to use your smartphone as a remote control, which makes for a sloppy control experience. Make sure you get one with a real remote.

There are some standouts in the class. The DJI Mavic Air 2 and Air 2S offer as much power and imaging prowess as you can find in an older Phantom model, but in a much smaller package. Size doesn't compromise their performance in any way. It's not just DJI, either. The Parrot Anafi is svelte, charges via USB-C, and supports 4K HDR video.

The DJI Mini 2 is so light that you don't have to pay a FAA registration fee to fly it, and its video and images are of strong quality. It drops some higher-end video features, though, and doesn't offer any sort of obstacle detection.

Skydio 2 (Photo: Jim Fisher)

The Skydio 2 has the best obstacle avoidance we've seen in any drone, and is one of the few models built in the US. It costs a bundle, and its camera isn't that good, so it didn't earn a top rating—but it's worth a look if you're interested in a drone that can follow and film you in action.

The Ryze Tello isn't a good drone for videographers, but Scratch programming support makes it an appealing first drone for teens learning to code.

The Best Drones for Pros

The DJI Inspire 2 is aimed at professional cinematographers, news organizations, and independent filmmakers. And it's priced as such—its $3,000 MSRP doesn't include a camera. You have the option of adding a 1-inch sensor fixed-lens camera, a Micro Four Thirds interchangeable lens model, or a Super35mm cinema mount with its own proprietary lens system and support for 6K video capture.

DJI Inspire 2 in action

If you want a smaller drone with high-end video, think about the DJI Mavic 3. It starts around $2,200 and supports 5.1K50 recording with a Four Thirds format camera in 10-bit HEVC format. You can step up to the Mavic 3 Cine, a $5,000 kit, to add support for ProRes 422 HQ and 1TB of onboard storage.

DJI also has the Matrice line, built for industry and to carry heavier cameras. They're the UAVs you'll look to if you want to fly a full-frame mirrorless or RED cinema camera around. The Matrice 600 starts at $6,600 without a gimbal.

As mentioned earlier, Sony's forthcoming Airpeak S1 promises to carry big cameras, just like a Matrice, but is sized closer to the Inspire series—welcome news for location work.

Ultimately, you can't go wrong with any of the models listed here. For the latest field-tested drone reviews, check out our Drones Product Guide. And if you just bought a quadcopter and are looking to get started, read our guide on how to fly a drone.