The popularity of drones has exploded over the past few years. These days, when you go to a park, it’s not uncommon to find at least one person flying a drone. Much like other tech products, there is a huge range of drones that you can buy ranging from very affordable to very expensive. Of course, each one has its own unique features that will appeal to different levels of experience among drone operators. So, how do you find the best drone? Check out our list and narrow down some of the top models available!
DJI Spark
DJI is known for making some of the top drones available on the market. The Spark is a small, palm-sized drone that puts an emphasis on form factor. The camera on the DJI Spark can be controlled with just hand gestures. No awkward controllers or smartphone apps required! For editing video, DJI has their own app which makes turning your drone footage into a viral video easier than ever. Plus, it may be surprising to hear the the DJI Spark offers 16 minutes of flying time in such a small form figure.
If you’re looking for a drone that has some very cool features and can take great 1080p video, the DJI Spark is definitely one to consider.
Syma X5C
For a budget option, the Syma X5C is a great choice for best drone. This model has excellent reviews on Amazon as well as elsewhere online. It comes as a pretty bare bones setup but it can be customized to suit your needs. For example, there’s no HD camera on the Syma but it can be made to carry one which, of course, would be an additional expense. The battery is probably the biggest issue with this model, offering only 7 minutes of flying time. When you buy a drone for under $100 you are going to make some sacrifices.
The Syma X5C is not the best drone on the market. However, it is a great model for beginners that want to try flying their own drone and experimenting with photos or video. People who enjoy the Syma X5C will likely end up upgrading down the road. People who don’t enjoy flying drones… Well, at least they’re not out more than $100 at the end of the day. Better to find out you don’t like drones by buying an affordable drone rather than one that’s $800+.
DJI Mavic Pro
DJI makes the list once again with the Mavic Pro. This model is, arguably, the best drone on the market for someone who isn’t doing professional video shoots. With that said, the DJI Mavic Pro is no slouch when it comes to shooting high quality video. 4K video at 30 fps is possible with the DJI Mavic Pro. It can also livestream to Facebook or Youtube but those services only support 1080p livestreaming. The battery offers an impressive 27 minutes of flying time which is handy because the DJI Mavic Pro has an operating distance of up to 4.3 miles. Plus, this drone can really zip around with a top speed of 40 mph.
If you’re looking to invest in the best drone that you can get without spending thousands of dollars on a professional-quality drone; the DJI Mavic Pro should definitely be near the top of your list.
Parrot Bebop 2
The Parrot Bebop 2 is a nice spot between the value, beginner drone models and some of the more expensive, feature-rich models. With 23 minutes of fly time, the Parrot Bebop 2 almost matches the much more pricey DJI Mavic Pro. One of the things I like most about the Parrot Bebop 2 is that there are several features that are optional. For example, the drone can be controlled by a smartphone or tablet. However, they also offer a package that includes a dedicated controller and goggles that offer a first person view of the drone’s camera. You can save some money, get a great drone, and operate it with your smartphone or go for the full meal deal with FPV goggles and a controllers. It’s up to you!
The embedded GPS is a nice touch as well. You can set a flight map for the drone and, using GPS technology, the drone will follow the exact path you set and return back to you before its battery runs dry. You’ll also notice some added features with top brands like Parrot. For example, they offer a cloud service that saves media you record and backs up your video files. That’s something you won’t get on most budget drones.
Aerix Black Talon 2.0
For those that want to go fast, the Aerix Black Talon 2.0 is a great, affordable option. This is not the best drone for capturing video. This drone is made for speed. That’s not to say you can’t capture video using the Aerix Black Talon 2.0. A 720p camera is on board and there are option FPV goggles available for just $20. Flight time is very limited at just 4 minutes. Again, this is a racing drone. If you want a drone that can fly for long distances and shoot beautiful, panoramic video – look at something else. If you want a beginner-friendly drone that goes fast; this is the one you want!
The Best Drone
It’s hard to come out and say which drone is the best drone. Everyone has different budget constraints and different features they are looking for. This list includes something for everyone from the video junkies to the racing junkies and even the people who want to have some fun flying a drone without breaking the bank. Do you have a suggestion for best drone that didn’t make the list? Let us know!
