Take off with the best beginner drones
The best beginning drones in 2024 make it easy for people who have never flown before to get up in the air. We’ve tried all of the best drones for beginners, from cheap ones to easy-to-use quadcopters. The list below shows how we ranked our favorites. No matter how much money you have or how good you are at flying, our guide will help you find the best drone for beginners.
The DJI Mini 3 has the most flight time, so we think it’s the best drones for people who are just starting.Even though it doesn’t have the collision avoidance sensors of the more expensive DJI Mini 4 Pro, the Mini 3 is an excellent tool for taking easy aerial video because it’s small, easy to use, and has automatic shooting modesYou don’t have to spend a lot of money on your first drone., the Ryze Tello is our pick. It weighs only 80g and is perfect for beginners.
Find all the best drones for beginners in this list. Choose from simple, low-cost choices, or go for something more innovative to get started. After getting better at flying, check out our list of the best drones for all kinds of flyers.
Our professional testers fly the best drones for beginners for a lot of hours to see how well they work. We look at many things, like battery life, stability, and how easy they are to use, along with picture quality and safety features, to decide which models are worth looking at. The list below shows our main points and includes some good buying tips to keep in mind as you pick out your first drone.
THE BEST BEGINNER DRONES IN 2024
Each of the best drones for beginners on our list has a full review below. You can be sure that our suggestions are good because we’ve put each one through a lot of tests.
THE BEST BEGINNER DRONE OVERALL
1. DJI Mini 3
THE BEST-STARTING DRONE FOR MOST USES
| SPECIFICATIONS | Best for: Most beginner flyers Camera resolution: 12MP Range: 10kmWeight: 248g Battery size: 2453mAh Controller: Yes (available without) |
| Today’s Best Deals | US$658 at Amazon(HDR) |
| REASONS TO BUY | Great image quality+Small, lightweight build |
| REASONS TO AVOID | No collision avoidance-No subject tracking |
The newest small DJI drone is the best one for newbies so far. The DJI Mini 3 is a small, light drone with helpful automatic shooting modes and an easy-to-use interface., just like the two Mini models that came before it. Like those that came before it, it still doesn’t have collision prevention, which you can only get with the Pro version, which costs more. It was easy to fly with the stock controller, which is the same one that comes with the Mini 2. However, when we tried it, it lived up to the hype. There was drift when it was very windy.
Better DJI drones have Log profiles, but this one doesn’t. However, its 1/1.3-inch camera, which is bigger than the DJI Mini 2’s, took a sharp 4K/30p video that was very good overall. It was also unique because its 12MP camera could be rotated to portrait mode for taking pictures for social media. If you already have a DJI Mini 2, there isn’t as much reason to get a new one. But if you want a very well-made and full-feature starter drone, this is the best one you can find.
THE BEST BUDGET BEGINNER DRONE
2. Ryze Tello
THE BEST BUDGET BEGINNER DRONE
| SPECIFICATIONS | Best for: Budget-conscious flyers Camera resolution: 5MP Range: 100mWeight: 80g Battery size: 1100mAh Controller: iOS/Android phone and Tello app |
| Today’s Best Deals | US$195 at Amazon(HDR) |
| REASONS TO BUY | Responsive controls+Tiny and lightweight+Decent battery life |
| REASONS TO AVOID | Doesn’t fly well in wind-No controller included |
The Ryze Tello is a cheap, light drone that was made in collaboration with DJI. It’s great for learning how to fly. You can use the Tello app on your phone or Wi-Fi to handle it, or you can use a Bluetooth game controller, though the range is shorter. During our tests, it flew quickly and responsively, which makes it an excellent way to learn the ups and downs of quadcopter flying.
Things aren’t always good. Ryze says the drone should be able to fly 100 meters, but this one can only go 30 meters. Besides that, even a tiny breeze will blow it away in any direction. The 720p camera isn’t great either; it sends all of your videos and photos straight to your phone instead of saving them locally. So, when the Wi-Fi link comes and goes, the movie will be broken up.
Even with those problems, the Tello is a good drone for beginners because it does basic tasks well and seems to be better built than cheaper models. This is the best drone for beginners on a budget.
THE BEST PREMIUM BEGINNER DRONE
3. DJI Mini 4 Pro
THE BEST BEGINNING DRONE ON THE MARKET
| SPECIFICATIONS | Best for: Flyers with deep pockets Camera resolution: 12MP / 48MP Range: 20kmWeight: 249g Battery size: 2,590 mAh (or 3,890 mAh ‘Plus’ version not available in Europe) Controller: Yes (available without) |
| Today’s Best Deals | US$959at Amazon(HDR) |
| REASONS TO AVOID | Upgrades may not tempt Mini 3 Pro owners-Not suited to windy conditions |
We previously chose the Mini 3 Pro as the most expensive starting drone. The Mini 4 Pro is a small step up from that model. The aperture is the same at f/1.7, and the sensor size is 1/1.3 inches. Our tests show that it takes excellent 12MP and 48MP pictures in both raw and JPEG forms, with almost no noise up to ISO 6400. But there are some changes for movie makers. The Mini 4 Pro now has a D-Log M color profile that makes it a tempting choice as a second drone to a professional Mavic 3-series model, where color consistency is easy to achieve. It can take 4K video at up to 100 frames per second.
Because the Mini 4 Pro can fly and keep you safe, you should feel better about the changes you think should be made to the camera. Obstacle Avoidance works in all directions on the Mini 4 Pro but only in three directions on the Mini 3 Pro. It also has better subject tracking and a more extended broadcast range, which can go up to 20 km depending on where you live and what the law allows. Other drones in this guide aren’t as good as this sub-250g drone. It’s so good that you’ll wonder if you need to register a drone again.
4. Autel Evo Nano+
THE BEST DJI DRONE ALTERNATIVE FOR BEGINNERS
| SPECIFICATIONS | Best for: Low-light shooters Camera resolution: 12.5MP Range: 16.8km Weight: 249g Battery size: 2250 mAh Controller: Yes |
| Today’s Best Deals | Check Amazon |
| REASONS TO BUY | Big sensor and bright lens+Collision detection+Stunning video and stills |
| REASONS TO AVOID | Fragile-Still missing subject-tracking |
In the sub-250g drone class, the Autel Evo Nano+ goes up against the DJI Mini 4 Pro. That’s not an easy task since the second one is so close to being perfect. On the other hand, the Evo Nano+ is an excellent drone for beginners on its own.
We tested it and found that its camera works better in low light than the DJI Mini 3, which is currently our top pick for beginners. It’s pretty much the same when the wind is blowing. If you like taking pictures of sunsets and cityscapes at dusk or if you need a fast drone that can fly in Europe, that makes it easy for us to recommend.
The Mini 4 Pro does have the upper hand in this case. Adding new features and making changes to the Evo Nano+ through firmware updates, on the other hand, should make it better over time. And if you want a great alternative to what DJI has to give, this one should be at the top of your list.
THE BEST BEGINNER FPV DRONE
5. BetaFPV Cetus X drone
THE BEST BEGINNER FPV DRONE
| SPECIFICATIONS | Best for: First-time FPV flyers Camera resolution: N/A Range: 600m Weight: 55g Battery size: 450mAh Controller: Optional |
| Today’s Best Deals | US$142.99at Amazon(White) |
| REASONS TO BUY | Complete FPV starter kit+Multiple flight modes |
| REASONS TO AVOID | Requires plenty of patience-Short battery life |
The BetaFPV Cetus X Kit is an excellent choice if you want to try flying an FPV drone. Like a transmitter and a simple pair of goggles, it comes with everything you need for first-person flight. We found that it has more power than models like the Cetus Pro and that its different flight modes and speed settings make it an FPV drone that you can grow with.
It took us a while to get good at the Manual/Acro mode during our study. Also, crashes are going to happen. The frame is made to handle hits, but it did break in our tests. Still, if you can handle the ride without getting sick, the Cetus X will give you a genuinely realistic flying experience.
It did happen that the video feed would break up and get messed up. The built-in DVR can record flight feeds, but this isn’t a drone for taking pictures. It was also a letdown that the battery life was only five minutes. For first-timers, this is the best FPV kit because it comes with everything you need to get airborne and has enough power to do easy freestyle tricks.
HE BEST DJI MINI 3 ALTERNATIVE
6. POTENSIC ATOM
The best drone for newbies besides the DJI Mini 3
| SPECIFICATIONS | Best for: Beginners on a budget Camera resolution: 12MP Range: 6kmWeight: 249g Battery size: 2,230mAh Controller: Yes |
| Today’s Best Deals | Check Amazon |
| REASONS TO BUY | Intelligent flight features+Manual camera control |
The new Atom, which came out a year later and fixes the Atom SE’s problems, is not the same thing as the Potensic Atom SE. It’s in the middle of the DJI Mini 2 SE and the DJI Mini 3. The review we wrote said that this great drone for beginners “offers a performance that belies its low cost.” In a fly more combo kit that includes two extra batteries, a fast-charging hub with a power adaptor, and a carry case, the Atom costs less than $400, £400, or AU$700. This is less than the Mini 3. The normal kit comes with a lot of great accessories.
The mechanical 3-axis gimbal, 12MP raw pictures, 4K video up to 30fps, and manual camera control are the best things about the Atom. Such a great deal on a starter drone isn’t something you see very often. The video from the Atom SE is worse than the video from the motorized gimbal. It was also great that the GPS worked so well and that the video looked great, thanks to the intelligent flight features like subject tracking. What’s wrong with the Atom drone? It doesn’t skip over things (which you don’t get at this price), and you can’t use ND filters to change the camera speed for video in bright light. Potensic’s best drone ever, on the other hand, is a great deal and a natural pick over DJI.
FAQ
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST FIRST DRONE
WHAT ARE THE BEST BENEFITS OF A BEGINNER USING A DRONE?
Styles and sizes of beginner drones vary, but the best ones all share a few traits. A good partner app will help you out when you’re just starting. Some of the best ones we’ve tried are made by DJI, Ryze, and FIMI. Also, a drone that doesn’t move will let you carefully learn how to control it and see how well it responds to directions. When you fly some of the above drones, like the DJI Mini 3, they have set tricks that make it easy to get shots that look like they belong in Hollywood. You can get great results with a bit of practice.
WHICH IS THE BEST DRONE FOR BEGINNERS TO USE FOR VIDEOGRAPHY?
You might want to think about how much a starter drone with a camera cost if you want to get helpful footage. Look for a drone that has a camera that can record in at least 1080/30p. Until you can afford a really high-quality camera like the DJI Mini 3, a 720p sensor like the one on the Ryze Tello will do. These cost at least AU$550, £350, or 550 pounds.
WHICH OUTDOOR DRONE IS BEST FOR A BEGINNER?
It would help if you thought about where you’ll fly your drone the most. Icon or the Ryze Tello are small toy models that you can use if you’d rather stay inside or in a safe place close to your home. But if you want to go on longer trips, you’ll need a drone like the DJI Mini 3 that can handle some bumpy landings and strong winds. Outside, it’s best to fly drones like the DJI Mini 3 Pro, which have sensors that help them avoid obstacles. However, these tend to be more expensive.
DO I NEED A PASS TO FLY MY DRONE?
Drone rules make it very hard to fly things in the sky. These rules are in place to keep the skies safe for everyone, especially around airports, national parks, and other sensitive areas. The laws about drones also try to handle privacy issues that come up when camera-equipped drones fly over residential areas.
Drones that weigh less than 250 grams do not need to be registered with a civil aviation body in many places, such as the US. Even though you won’t have to register your drone, you should still follow all local rules about them, like keeping them within visual range at all times.
But not everywhere does it work this way? Drones that weigh less than 250g do not need to be registered in the UK. These rules have now been changed, and anyone who owns a drone with a camera needs to register it with the Civil Aviation Authority and get an Operator ID. If you are at least 18 years old, you can do this for £9 a year.
You’ll also need a Flyer ID if your drone weighs more than 250g. You will need to take an online test with 40 multiple-choice questions in order to get this. You can find all the answers in the Drone Code. This should help you ride your drone more safely.
You won’t need either ID if your drone is less than 250g and doesn’t have a camera. But you should still make sure you’re flying your drone legally in the UK. There are rules in the Drone Code that say you should always keep an eye on your drone, not fly higher than 120 meters, and stay at least 150 meters away from populated places. Also, stay away from areas of the sky that aren’t allowed to fly, like those around airports.
HOW DO WE CHECK OUT THE FIRST DRONES
For beginner drones, how easy they are to use and how well they move are just as important as their cameras, so we test them both with equal weight.
To test the first one, we check how stable it is in the air, how quick it is overall, and how fast it can go. It’s rare for beginner drones to be able to avoid obstacles, but we fly them through an obstacle course to see how well they work.
We first check the drones’ battery life claims by flying them in real life. Then we look at their cams. The sensors on most beginner drones are small and have trouble in bright conditions. We fly them in different lights to find out where their limits are and when you can actually expect to get usable footage.
Next, we look at their video footage, which was recorded at various frame rates on a monitor that has been appropriately adjusted, along with some still images from the drone. When we check the picture quality, we see how well it deals with noise at high ISO and how much information is spread out across the frame. Finally, we make our decision based on these results and what we think about the drone’s style, features, and value in general.
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