Racheli Cooper, Chief Editor.
Introduction to our Guide to the Best Drones for Beginners
What is a good drone for beginners?
These days, it feels like every photographer, aspiring cineaste, or adventurer is using a drone to take spellbinding images of their surroundings – and you can’t really blame them.
But learning how to use one takes some getting used to: you need to read through the instruction manual, set up the contraption, then figure out exactly how to use it. So, keeping those in mind, how in the world does a complete newbie choose a drone to get started with?
We take the guesswork out of the selection process with today’s list of the best drones for beginners.
Our List of the Best Drones for Beginners
- DJI Mini 3 – best compact drone for beginners 🏆
- DJI Mini 2 – best value portable drone
- Maji Air Drone – simple and affordable drone for beginners
- DJI Mini SE – mobile-linkable quadcopter drone
- Raptor 8k Black Drone – pro-grade but beginner-friendly (🎖️Editors’ Pick!)
- Tactical X Drone – durable and reliable drone for beginners
Best Drones for Beginners Comparison Table
Note: Prices are subject to change over time. Please click the links to check for current pricing.
Specifications | 🏆 DJI Mini 3 (Top Pick!) | DJI Mini 2 | Maji Air Drone | DJI Mini SE | 🎖️Raptor 8K Black Drone (Editors Pick!) | Tactical X Drone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
| Camera | 4K @ 60fps | 4K @ 30fps | 1080p HD | 2.7K @ 30fps | 8K @ 30fps | 1080p HD |
| Flight Time | 45 minutes | 31 minutes | 15 minutes | 30 minutes | 25 minutes | 15-20 minutes |
| Range | 12 km | 10 km | 120m | 6 km | 8 km | 300m |
| Max Speed | 68 kph | 57 kph | Unknown | 46.8 kph | 72 kph | Unknown |
| Weight | 0.73 lbs | 0.55 lbs | 0.45 lbs | 0.24 lbs | 3.6 lbs | 2.4 lbs |
| Size | 5.5 x 3.2 x 2.2 inches | 5.5 x 3.2 x 2.2 inches | 6.3 x 4.4 x 2.3 inches | 6.3 x 4.4 x 2.3 inches | 17.7 x 16.5 x 9.8 inches | 11.4 x 11.4 x 4.3 inches |
| Features | 3-axis gimbal, OcuSync 3.0 | QuickShots, 3-axis gimbal, OcuSync 2.0 | GPS, Altitude hold, 360-degree flips, One-key takeoff/landing | GPS, Altitude hold, 360-degree flips, One-key takeoff/landing | Object avoidance, Follow-me mode, Return-to-home | 3-speed modes, Altitude hold, One-key takeoff/landing |
| Customer Reviews | 4.9/5 | 4.8/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.4/5 | 4.3/5 |
1. DJI Mini 3 (Editor's Choice!)
Best Compact Drone for Beginners
Key Features
- 48MP imaging technology with a Type 1/1.3 (10 x 7.5mm) sensor;
- 24mm lens with a fixed F1.7 aperture;
- Portrait shooting feature;
- 4K / 30p video quality;
- H.264 codec with a bitrate of 100MBps;
- Raw and JPEG image capture;
- OcuSync 2.0 image transmission with a maximum range of around 10 km;
- Downward vision sensing feature;
- Universal compatibility with the DJI RC remote;
- Flight time ranges between 38 and 51 minutes on a single charge; and
- One of the lightest in its class at just 249g.
This drone is best for beginners needing a compact, easy-to-use drone for capturing high-quality aerial footage and photos. As a drone, the DJI Mini 3 is as compact as it gets: weighing less than 250g and totally portable, this particular quadcopter drone outstrips its predecessors in the series thanks to the inclusion of a tri-directional obstacle avoidance system, a much-improved sensor that works very well in good light, increased aperture on the lens to F/1.7, and infinitely better video capture features.
A more professional edition of the DJI Mini 3, the Mini 3 Pro offers a similar range of functionalities and comes within the same weight class. But while most of its features are the same as those of the Mini 3, the Mini 3 Pro offers additional features like focus tracking, master shots, and an elegant timelapse. This makes it one of the best FPV drone for beginners.
Pricing
Click here to check current discounted pricing.
Money-back guarantee
If you are not satisfied with the DJI Mini 3, you can return it within 14 days after purchase to get your money back.
Where to Buy It?
We recommend buying DJI Mini 3 only from their official website. This way, you can avail DJI Mini 3 discount code and get the product for less than the usual price.
Other Stores
Best to avoid reseller sites like that of Amazon, Facebook Marketplace and eBay for possible fake products and refund policy issues.
2. DJI Mini 2
Best Value Portable Drone
Key Features
- Compact and foldable construction;
- Maximum flying time of 31 minutes per run;
- Video transmission of up to ten kilometers;
- Level V wind resistance, enabling it to withstand winds of up to 38 kilometers per hour;
- Ultra-clear 4K videos and high-resolution still imagery; and
- Intelligent modes and quick-shot mode.
The DJI Mini 2 is another one of our best DJI drone for beginners. It is a compact, lightweight image-capture quadcopter drone that is equipped with OcuSync 2.0 video transmission technology. It is best for beginners since it can fly farther and longer than most drones while taking high-resolution footage at the same time. Weighing just a little less than 249g and foldable, it’s a drone that makes all the difference in terms of convenience, as well as performance.
Pricing
Click here to check current discounted pricing.
Money-back guarantee
If you are not satisfied with the DJI Mini 2, you can return it within 14 days after purchase to get your money back.
Where to Buy It?
We recommend buying DJI Mini 2 only from their official website. This way, you can avail DJI Mini 2 discount code and get the product for less than the usual price.
Other Stores
Best to avoid reseller sites like that of Amazon, Facebook Marketplace and eBay for possible fake products and refund policy issues.
3. Maji Air Drone
Simple and Affordable Drone for Beginners
Key Features
- App-based controls that you deploy through your mobile phone, regardless of whether you're running Android or iOS;
- Separate remote control for those who are more skilled or prefer a different way of running a drone;
- Built-in gravity sensor for absolute control over your drone's flight route;
- Track setting to determine your flight path well beforehand;
- 120° wide angle Full HD camera that takes 12MP stills and 120fps videos;
- 360° panorama mode;
- One-key takeoff;
- Multiple flight modes; and
- Foldable construction for easy portability.
This drone is best for beginners who need a simple and affordable drone for capturing basic aerial footage and photos. The Maji Air Drone is a remote-controlled portable drone that is foldable and lightweight. It’s a drone that can be used by both professionals and amateur drone enthusiasts who will appreciate the fact that it is foldable, lightweight, offers an extensive range of motions, as well as high-precision image capture technology.
Pricing
Click here to check current discounted pricing.
Money-back guarantee
If you are not satisfied with the Maji Air Drone, you can return it within 30 days after purchase to get your money back.
Where to Buy It?
We recommend buying Maji Air Drone only from their official website. This way, you can avail Maji Air Drone discount code and get the product for less than the usual price.
Other Stores
Best to avoid reseller sites like that of Amazon, Facebook Marketplace and eBay for possible fake products and refund policy issues.
4. DJI Mini SE
Mobile-Linkable Drone for Beginners
Key Features
- A good drone for beginners, it weighs less than 249 grams;
- Compact construction;
- Mobile application for control on the go;
- Three-axis gimbal 2.7K camera;
- 4km HD video transmission range;
- Maximum flight time of 30 minutes;
- Vision sensor and GPS precision hover feature; and
- Simplified recording and editing on the fly.
The DJI Mini SE is a compact, lightweight image-capture quadcopter drone that was specifically created for novice users and for use in active or sports photography. Unlike other models in the DJI Mini series, the Mini SE can be linked via Bluetooth to one’s mobile device, enabling users to edit their footage, add eye-popping effects, and even splice them into other videos for a truly heart-pounding visual experience.
Pricing
Click here to check current discounted pricing.
Money-back guarantee
If you are not satisfied with the DJI Mini SE, you can return it within 14 days after purchase to get your money back.
Where to Buy It?
We recommend buying DJI Mini SE best drones for beginners only from their official website. This way, you can avail DJI Mini SE discount code and get the product for less than the usual price.
Other Stores
Best to avoid reseller sites like that of Amazon, Facebook Marketplace and eBay for possible fake products and refund policy issues.
5. Raptor 8K Black Drone
Pro-Grade But User-Friendly
Key Features
- Increased flight time compared to similar models;
- Flight speed of around 12 meters a second;
- Tri-axis gimbal stabilizer;
- 720p maximum image resolution;
- Panorama mode; and
- Built-in anti-collision system.
This drone is best for beginners who want a pro-grade drone at a budget price. The Raptor 8K Drone is a precision-engineered drone that can be safely used in or out of doors. This particular drone was crafted to have exceptional stability in flight, as well as high resolution imaging technology for clear, richly detailed footage. These qualities made us include the Raptor 8K Drone in the best drones for beginners list.
Pricing
Click here to check current discounted pricing.
Money-back guarantee
If you are not satisfied with the Raptor 8K Drone, you can return it within 30 days after purchase to get your money back.
Where to Buy It?
We recommend buying Raptor 8K Drone only from their official website. This way, you can avail Raptor 8K Drone discount code and get the product for less than the usual price.
Other Stores
Best to avoid reseller sites like that of Amazon, Facebook Marketplace and eBay for possible fake products and refund policy issues.
6. Tactical X Drone
Durable and Reliable Drone for Beginners
Key Features
- Portable construction. The Tactical X Drone can easily be folded thanks to jointed arms and flexible blades. This lightweight device is also easily portable;
- Gravity sensor . This feature enables both beginners and experts to fly their drones and use them to shoot impeccable footage almost straight out of the box;
- Long range shooting. The Tactical X Drone can cover up to 19 meters in a single flight;
- High-definition imaging technology. The Tactical X Drone records videos at 120 frames per second and has a still image resolution of 12 megapixels;
- Slow-mo mode. This unique feature enables users to present high-resolution slowed-down playback which captures even minute details of action;
- Panoramic mode for sweeping views of wide landscapes; and
- Long-lasting battery capacity. Unlike most drones, the Tactical X Drone lets you shoot up to fifteen minutes of active footage without needing to recharge.
This drone is best for beginners who need a durable and reliable drone for aerial photography and videography at an affordable price. The Tactical X Drone is a compact, state of the art aerial photography/videography device that relies on an advanced gyroscope system for exceptional stability in flight, as well as high-resolution imaging technology for clear, richly detailed footage. We included it in our best drone for beginners list for these reasons.
Pricing
Click here to check current discounted pricing.
Money-back guarantee
If you are not satisfied with the Tactical X Drone, you can return it within 30 days after purchase to get your money back.
Where to Buy It?
We recommend buying Tactical X Drone only from their official website. This way, you can avail Tactical X Drone discount code and get the product for less than the usual price.
Other Stores
Best to avoid reseller sites like that of Amazon, Facebook Marketplace and eBay for possible fake products and refund policy issues.
What Can be Considered the Best Drones for Beginners?
What do you expect from a good drone for beginners? Safety and simplicity are the hallmarks of the best drones for those who are just learning how to fly a drone. In this context, we’re talking about products that are compliant with flying safety standards and related to the proper or ethical use of cameras, especially when capturing footage in public places.
By simplicity, we mean asking whether you can use the best drones for beginners right out of the box. Likewise, especially where drones manufactured overseas are concerned, the instruction manual needs to be intelligible even to those who don’t have the faintest clue about drones.
What are the Most Popular Brands When it Comes to the Best Drones for Beginners?
When we compiled our list of the best drones for beginners, we opted to check with the experts as to which brands have been particularly in demand over the past year.
Their list includes a few best drones for beginners we’ve included in our own list – DJI being first and foremost – as well as other brands.
How Did We Choose the Best Drones for Beginners?
In order to determine the items that made into our list of the best drones for beginners, we took into consideration the following factors during testing:
- Ease of Use – We like drones that you can use right out of the box with instructions that are absolutely easy to follow. Drones that you can get into the air ASAP? Yes, please;
- Reliability – We looked at how reliable and durable these drones are in terms of flight time, image stability, image and video quality, audio clarity, and how well they hold up regardless of terrain and weather conditions;
- Features – We like items that have features that people can use to make even the simplest shoot projects look absolutely cool and professional.
- Value for Money – We made it a point to consider items that were within a reasonable price range yet offer a whole range of features and functionality that can step up one’s game in terms of photography and video production.
Conclusion to our Best Drones for Beginners Guide
Now to wrap up our guide of the best drone with camera for beginners;
Our team of experts carefully tested the items presented in today’s listicle review to ensure that readers will have a sterling selection to choose from when it comes to the best drones for beginners in terms of how easy – and fun – they are to use.
Please note that, in the interest of getting authentic high-quality products, we recommend that you shop for these best drones for beginners through their official websites where you may also get great discounts for multiple purchases. Beware of purchasing from marketplace sites claiming to be resellers so to avoid issues with refunds and returns in the future!
FAQ
What makes a good drone for beginners?
First thing is that it should be simple enough to handle. We prefer that it has right-out-of-the-box instructions that a complete newbie can follow.
What happens if a drone goes out of range?
If a drone goes out of range, it may lose connection with the remote controller, which can result in a loss of control. Many drones, including DJI models, have a built-in fail-safe feature called “Return-to-Home” (RTH) that automatically activates when the connection is lost. The drone will then use GPS data to safely navigate back to its takeoff point or a pre-determined home location. However, it's crucial to ensure the RTH feature is set up correctly and that the drone has a strong GPS signal to avoid potential crashes or flyaways.
Are drones hard to fly?
The difficulty of flying a drone depends on the model and features, but modern drones with advanced stabilization systems and user-friendly controls make it easier for beginners to learn and operate them.
How to land a drone safely?
To land your drone safely, follow these steps: choose a suitable landing spot, maintain line of sight, approach the landing area slowly and steadily, hover the drone above the landing spot, lower the altitude gradually, and gently touch down while keeping the drone level. Additionally, practice manual landings and become familiar with your drone's automatic landing features for added safety.
How can I prevent drone fly-away incidents?
To prevent drone fly-aways, calibrate your drone, update firmware, monitor weather conditions, maintain line of sight, observe altitude limits, monitor battery levels, set a home point, use a leash or tether, practice flying, and learn emergency procedures.
Where can I fly my drone?
Fly your drone in safe and legal locations, adhering to local laws and regulations, avoiding no-fly zones, choosing open spaces, maintaining a safe distance from people and property, being aware of wildlife, and obtaining necessary permissions.
Why is my drone footage choppy?
Choppy drone footage can be caused by factors like a low-quality SD card, transmission interference, high video resolution and frame rate, insufficient hardware, shaky drone movements, or incorrect camera settings.
If you've read all the way through this best drones for beginners guide, we are grateful. We have reviewed all these products in detail, feel free to check them out;
- DJI Mini 3 Reviews
- DJI Mini 2 Reviews
- DJI Mini 3 Pro Reviews
- Maji Air Drone Reviews
- DJI Mini SE Reviews
- Raptor 8k Drone Reviews
- Tactical X Drone Reviews
Timothy McDowell is a Gadget Reviewer and Writer at Pixoneye.com, the leading destination for customer ratings and reviews of consumer products. With several years of experience as a tech writer and reviewer, Timothy is an experienced and knowledgeable writer who is passionate about exploring new gadgets and technologies. He is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned a degree in Computer Science and developed a deep understanding of technology and programming.
As a Gadget Reviewer and Writer, Timothy is responsible for researching and testing the latest consumer products to provide readers with insightful and helpful reviews. He is particularly interested in fitness gadgets, SaaS, and the stock market. Timothy is committed to staying up-to-date with the latest trends in tech and is passionate about helping consumers make informed purchasing decisions. In his free time, he enjoys staying active and exploring the great outdoors. Join our community today and discover the best consumer products with Pixoneye.com.
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