Best Drones For Beginners

Best Drones For Beginners

The drone technology is actually getting sky-high recognition. You will be amazed to know that these drones aren’t only used for video/film purposes but they are also used for a wide range of purposes in various other industries. And you can know about drones for beginners.

The very common use other than filmmaking is delivering products like sneakers, food, and many other light-weight products to the customers within 30 minutes. Another use is in the agriculture field where drones are mostly used for spraying pesticides. However, operating these drones is not an easy task and hence, we are compiling the best drones for beginners in this review.

These drones are handpicked by us and the users are recommended to perfect their pilot skills on these drones before moving to professional ones. Not only do some of these drones fall right under the budget category, but these will also come with an easy interface and very simple navigations. Before diving into the review, you must know that you will need permission from the authorities to fly in certain areas.

10 Best Drones For Beginners: Review with Pros & Cons

We have picked the 10 best drones that will fit the needs of a beginner. After this review, you will be able to decide for yourself. One thing that you should know is that the drones are based on the requirements. There will be no such thing as the best drone for everyone.

Best Drones For Beginners

Here is a comparison table of the top 10 best drones for beginners that you can purchase:

NameImageRatingPrice
Holy stone HS 100 Drone4.8/5
818 Hornet Drone4.7/5
EACHINE E520S Drone4.4/5
Yuneec Typhoon H Pro Drone4.6/5
Syma X8 Pro Drone4.3/5
Xiaomi FIMI A3 Drone4.1/5
Altair outlaw SE Drone4.8/5
DJI Spark Drone4.9/5
Parrot Bebop 2 Drone4.2/5
Ryze Tello Drone4.7/5

1. Holy stone HS 100 Drone

 

Best Drones For Beginners

When it comes to films and cinematography, there are endless tools that you will be able to use to give you a movie set of professional B-rolls. It will improve the quality of the film significantly. Just like the previous one, this drone is also compatible with VR headset. You will actually get a better idea of what the end shot will look like.

You will also get a follow-me mode where the drone will put its tracking technology on use and will follow you without any control. This feature will also allow the drone to come back automatically to the point from where it took off.

Features like Altitude Hold will ease the task and the user will be able to get some great shots. Holy stone HS 100 drones are one of the best drones for beginners.

Features
  1. The drone features a camera that will provide you a wide 120-degree field of view and the maximum resolution of this camera will be 1080p.
  2. The camera module can also be adjusted at a 90-degree angle. You will be able to get some very creative shots out of it.
  3. The 500-meter flight range also gives you practical functionality and you will be able to shoot a very clear image.
  4. It will automatically send you an alert to get it back in case the battery is draining out or the drone is getting out of range.
Pros
  1. The most salient pro that you will get on this drone is that it is the best one in the segment if your sole purpose is to film.
  2. The drone weighs around 700g and the weight along with the overall build makes it a pretty robust drone.
  3. Holy Stone HS100 will stay in the air for 15 minutes on a single charge. This is a very prominent feature considering the weight and features this drone has to offer.
  4. The object-tracking feature makes this camera a very good option for shooting selfies. You will also be able to get some very high-quality footage of any moving object. You will not need to worry about keeping it in the frame.
  5. The integrated GPS will allow the drone a better flight and smooth maneuver.
Cons
  1. There are some reviews from the users where they complained about poor packaging and in some cases, the propellers were missing as well.
  2. The price of $150 is a bit high for a beginner’s drone.

2. 818 Hornet Drone

Best Drones For Beginners

When it comes to choosing one from the list of best drones for beginners list, there will definitely be some confusion and users will need guidance. This drone, 818 Hornet is one of the best and you will find it very easy to use.

The interface and functions are pretty easy to understand. The drone will provide a very stable flight, thanks to its robust build. This drone is recommended for indoor use and you can fly it without worrying about the weather.

The camera comes with SD card support and you can insert up to 32 GB microSD. Altair claims to provide the best quality and after-sales service. The propellers come with a protective boundary that will allow you to fly safely without worrying about getting hurt. Here are some more features.

Features

  1. The camera comes with a flight time of 15 minutes on a single charge.
  2. The drone is very lightweight and it will allow you to use and carry it very easily.
  3. 818 Hornet is also compatible with VR headset and you will be able to see the FPV. This feature will be extremely helpful in getting the perfect shot.
  4. The integrated camera on the drone can record up to 720p videos which you can make more pleasing by making it go through any post-processing software.
  5. The drone controller comes with a very easy configuration and the users will be able to get hold of it very easily.
Pros
  1. The drone’s 720p camera gives a very wide 120-degree view where you will get the best aerial shots.
  2. The drone comes with 2 batteries included and it will offer you 30 minutes flight time rather than just 15 where you will need to get your own pair of batteries.
  3. The Altitude Hold feature will provide some very stable shots as it will allow you to fix the altitude rather than continuously controlling it using the joysticks.
  4. The drone comes with 3 skill levels you can set according to your learnings.
  5. The after-sales service of the drone will also be a very great factor in convincing you to get this drone. The company claims to provide all the parts whenever there will be any repair needed.
Cons
  1. The quality of the camera can be a lot improved but we should also look at the price bracket and it justifies the quality.
  2. There are no manual controls for the take-off and you will need to do it automatically.

3. EACHINE E520S Drone

Best Drones For Beginners

 

This drone can be the best example when it comes to getting features like GPS, high-quality video, and various automatic flight modes. If you have seen DJI Mavic, the design has a very huge resemblance.

The drone folds its propellers and becomes a very compact unit. It can be paired with your smartphone where you will get all the controls and features right on your phone. If you are a beginner, we recommend this drone as it will be a great option to get it and learn all the tricks.

The camera provides a 4K video output but the quality is definitely nowhere near the claimed resolution. However, you can consider it one of the best drones for beginners just on the basis of so many advanced features it has to offer.

Features
  1. The drone provides a range of high-quality wi-fi streaming up to the range of 250 meters.
  2. The camera will last up to 15 minutes of a single charge.
  3. The drone will feature various options like follow-me, return to the starting point, etc.
  4. The battery is charged using a USB charger. It will offer you better compatibility as there will be various USB cables already lying around.
  5. Though the drone is a bit noisy, it provides a very stable flight and you will also be able to fly it in a stiff breeze.
Pros
  1. The 4K camera that comes integrated with this drone offers a good quality output.
  2. The drone is a great value for money where the features that are available are very advanced and fall under the professional category.
  3. The camera weighs around 780g where you will be able to get a pretty robust build and overall performance.
  4. The features are actually very easy to use and you will be able to get hold of it all by yourself without any professional help whatsoever.
  5. The GPS feature of the drone will provide you a lot of features such as tracking, it will be helpful in filming the moving object and you will not have to worry about keeping the object in the frame, and back to home, it will allow the drone to come back to the starting point automatically.
Cons
  1. Even though the camera resolution goes all the way up to 4K, the quality is just not there when compared to other professional 4K drones.
  2. There is no gimbal used in the drone and this missing part will make the footage a bit jittery and shaky

4. Yuneec Typhoon H Pro Drone

Best Drones For Beginners

 

With all the best features on board, the drone comes with a huge price and for a beginner, it’s definitely expensive. The drone is loaded with features and the very first thing you will notice about this camera is its 6 propeller setup and an integrated high-quality camera.

There is one thing that you should keep in mind is that it’s quite big. You will need the effort to carry it around.

The drone, Yuneec Typhoon H Pro offers a range of 10,000 meters where you will be able to cover a lot more just by being at one point. Yuneec Typhoon H Pro offers is one of the best drones for beginners and the best quality available to others drones in it.

Features
  1. The very first feature that you will get is that it is capable of running for 25 minutes on a single charge which is very significant for a drone.
  2. There are some very advanced features like obstacle detection, a very accurate GPS, and many others.
  3. The 4 K video output is the feature that everyone needs these days. The quality this sensor offers will just enhance the overall quality of your film.
  4. Even if one of the motors fails or gets hit by any obstacle, the camera will not fall and you will be able to land it safely.
  5. This drone will cover the range of a whopping 10,000 meters which is actually pretty significant.
Pros
  1. The biggest pro of this drone is its camera quality. If you have mastered the skill of flying, you will be able to get some very good results out of it.
  2. The drone will also support a microSD up to 128 GB and it will be more than enough for single use.
  3. The quality of the controller is just what it should be. It is built with premium quality plastic and doesn’t give a feel of a toy.
  4. The remote will take 8 hours to charge but it isn’t a deal-breaker in any way. You will be able to get 12 flights out of it on a single charge.
  5. The camera on the drone is quite stable where you will get very smooth footage. The drone is also equipped with sensors that can detect obstacles very easily.
Cons
  1. The con that is pretty significant to a beginner is that it is quite heavy and it will be a big task to move it from one place to another.
  2. Though the features are unmatched, the pricing can be a bit lesser so that everyone can afford it.

5. Potensic T25 GPS Drone

 

Best Drones For Beginners

If you are going to learn how to fly drones, there are not many drones you can choose from. There are limited options that can do both, provide you the option of learning along with being available at budget prices.

The USP of this drone is the inbuilt GPS that allows altitude-holding even if there are mild winds. This camera drone allows you to have various modes that you can set according to the condition or situation.

We also concluded this drone in the list of best drones for beginners because of how easy it makes learning and flying for beginners.

  1. The 720p camera of the drone is more than capable of capturing some great shots and providing very high-quality detailed pictures.
  2. The camera also comes with an adjustable angle where you will be able to move it right from the controller.
  3. You can also connect the drone to the smartphone. You will be able to see the live feed right away. It will allow you to take better shots.
  4. There is also an orbiting feature if you will enable it the drone will keep circling the person operating the drone.
  5. You can also select a location in the Flight Plan mode where you can select a point and the drone will automatically fly there.
Pros
  1. The first pro that is there is the Novice mode. When you enable it, the drone will restrict the flying radius to 30 meters and as you will excel it, the range will be bumped to 70 meters.
  2. There is also a Follow Me feature that you can enable to keep a particular object in frame and not have to control it continuously.
  3. The 1.7 Kg weight of the drone gives it a very sturdy and robust build. It will help you in flying the drone more stable.
  4. The integrated GPS will help you to bring the camera back to its take-off point without you actually moving the joysticks.
  5. The 120-degree field-of-view will give you a very wide perspective and you will be able to shoot way more than you can with an ordinary lens.
Cons
  1. The biggest con of this drone is its limited 9 minutes flying time even when the drone is not very lightweight or small.
  2. Though the company claims that it will be very stable but in our review, we found out that the footage is quite wiggly and full of stutter

6. Xiaomi FIMI A3 Drone

Best Drones For Beginners

Finally, we came to this. There are many people who are just trying to find this one only. As it’s from Xiaomi, the product will be available at very good pricing along with a range of features. And this is one of the top best drones for beginners with good quality and features.

One thing that already makes it distinctive from other cheap drones is that the user will not need any smartphone to watch the live feed but he/she will be able to watch it right from the LCD screen present on the controller.

Features
  1. The drone comes with the DVR tech that allows you to save the footage separately without using smartphone storage.
  2. On the camera front, the drone comes with a Sony IMOS 1080p sensor paired with Ambarella ISP Processor for better results.
  3. The drone is also equipped with a gimbal that provides 2 and 3-axis mechanical and electronic stabilization, respectively.
  4. The company claims 25 minutes of run time, thanks to the 2000mAh battery.
Pros
  1. The first pro that will come to your mind is the build quality of this drone. The materials that are used in this drone offer a very good in-hand feel and in no way, it feels cheap.
  2. The gimbal presence will make the camera much better to shoot video footage. It will provide a very stable and smooth shot.
  3. As there is already a screen integrated into the controller, you can totally rely on the drone itself, and don’t worry about carrying a smartphone with you.
  4. The drone is considered best for FPV flying. As it’s very important to see what you are shooting, no other drone does it better than FIMI A3.
Cons
  1. There are various users who reported that the camera on this drone can very easily get fogged up and it can easily ruin the footage.
  2. The connections can be very unstable from time to time and you will need to stay extra precautions.

7. Altair outlaw SE Drone

Best Drones For Beginners

 

When it comes to manufacturing drones, Altair does it very professionally and best drones for beginners. This is the company’s most advanced drone in terms of technology.

You can set it to different modes. It will basically fly itself giving you the very best footage you can get. Thanks to the GPS, the drone will be able to hold a particular altitude itself.

The video output can be set on a maximum of up to 1080p. The pricing of the drone is also very budget-friendly.

Features
  1. The first feature that you should know is that the drone comes with a flying time of 18 minutes.
  2. The drone comes with a very good range of 600 meters.
  3. You will also get different skill levels where you can set according to your learnings and experience.
  4. You will be able to fly outdoors, as well as indoors. The compact size of the drone allows you to do so.
Pros
  1. Coming to pros, you will get a 1080p camera that will allow you to get a highly stable shot without any stutter.
  2. The GPS features present on the drone will allow you to have the features that will include follow-me, coming back to the take off point, etc.
  3. The drone offers a very good flight time and it will also provide you with a very good range.
Cons
  1. There are no guards for the propellers and this will make it more vulnerable to the comparisons. You will need to fly very safely.

8. DJI Spark Drone

 

Best Drones For Beginners

 

Coming to a more pricy segment, this is one of the best that you can get. However, even though the drone is very good quality. The build is also just top-notch, you can get this drone only if you have a lot of money.

The videos and pictures that you will get from this drone will of much higher quality than its counterparts. In this review, we are going to discuss its features and then the pros and cons.

Features
  1. The drone will provide a whopping 2,000-meter range. You can actually shoot much more just by sitting at one point.
  2. The DJI Spark comes with a 15 minute flying time and considering its compact size, it’s significant.
  3. The camera resolution can go all the way up to 1080p, ie, Full HD.
  4. The features of obstacle detection, gestures control, etc. are also present on this drone.
Pros
  1. There are various automated modes that you can enable so the camera can fly on its own.
  2. The very significant pro that you just can’t miss is long-range.
  3. Though it’s a bit pricey, the drone seems to be very well priced considering the build and features it has to offer.
  4. The obstacle detection will allow you to fly with more peace of mind and you will be able to keep it safe.
Cons
  1. If you are getting a drone for training purposes, this drone is not a suitable one for you.
  2. DJI can also offer it with a little more in the budget so that it can be more affordable.

9. Parrot Bebop 2 Drone

Best Drones For Beginners

This drone is built specifically for video and photo purposes. The interface and controllers of this drone will allow all beginners to start filming it very easily.

The tech that is used in this drone will allow you to have better controls. There is nothing much you need to do while flying, thanks to its automated modes. This drone is the best drones for beginners for captured photography.

Features
  1. The drone comes with a 1080p camera that can record and shoot quality videos and pictures.
  2. This drone also comes with a whopping 2,000-meter range and you will be able to shoot extensively.
  3. The flying time claimed by the company is 25 minutes and it’s one of the best in the segment.
  4. There are various advanced features that you can set up to automatically fly the drone.
Pros
  1. The drone is compatible with VR headsets and can be considered best when it comes to the drones for first-person views.
  2. The modes that are present on this drone offer the users great feasibility of autonomous flying with very little inputs.
  3. The flight time provided by the company makes it very good and a value for money product
Cons
  1. The interface and the design of the drone are said to be a little bit outdated and the company needs to update it.

10. Ryze Tello Drone

Best Drones For Beginners

When it comes to getting the drone, there are not any drones that can come with this set of features and specifications and in this budget. The drone is equipped with the flight tech from DJI. Due to this tech onboard, this drone comes right under the category of efficient drones.

Ryze Tello Drone is one of the best drones for beginners and can be very easily used for training purposes. After getting perfection in maneuvering skills, the users can shift to more heavy ones like Phantom or Mavic.

The feature that makes it very distinctive is that it can be completely programmed according to the user. This feature gives the teachers a great option to teach their students in a better way.

Features
  1. The Tello app comes with a very easy and intuitive interface that will help you with a better understanding of the drone.
  2. This drone is also compatible with a range of controllers and you will also be able to use it with VR headset.
  3. The drone comes with various modes and a 5 MP camera, and you can fly it just by tossing it in the air.
  4. This drone will work on batteries and you will get 3 batteries included in the package
Pros
  1. The camera present on the drone will be able to shoot up to 720p videos.
  2. Talking about the range, RyzeTello will come with a maximum height of 10 meters and will go up to 100 meters away.
  3. On a single charge, this drone will fly for 13 minutes and comparing it to others available in the market, it’s a pretty good deal.
  4. The VR compatibility will provide you the ease of filming a particular shot by actually being able to see the person shot.
  5. The $100 price range is pretty good and is definitely a pro regarding its features.
Cons
  1. There are not many cons that come with this drone but if we do nitpicking, the extreme light-weight of the drone will make you take extra care of it.

Short Buyer’s Guide For The Best Drones For Beginners

Everyone from photographers to engineers are using drones for various purposes. It’s high time that you understand some points before actually buying one. There are no such things as best drones for beginners or professionals. All you need to go through is the requirements and then search for the drones based on that particular requirement set.

Purpose

The very first thing that you need to decide is for which purpose you are getting a drone. If you are going to first learn how to fly, we recommend you get the one that fits your budget and doesn’t make a huge dent. If you are professional, you should look out for the advanced features that are present.

Cameras

The next thing that you should check is if the integrated camera is capable of shooting good and smooth videos. The videos can only be captured well by the drones that come with gimbal support and offer good stabilization.

Size

If you are a frequent traveler, you should look out for the size of the drone. It will be very much difficult and next to impossible for you to carry a heavy and bulky drone with you. You will end up not taking it with you on every trip.  Hence, there is no purpose in investing in it.

Flying Time

This is also a point you need to consider. For example, if you are a videographer, you are going to need more flying time otherwise you will not be able to get the shot.

Final Verdict!

After this detailed review, if you are still finding it difficult to decide on one, we are here to help you in getting one. As we discussed above, it totally depends on your requirements. In this section, we are going to recommend 2 drones that will serve the purpose in every way possible.

The first one for the best drones for beginners who are going to fly the drone for the first time is Xiaomi’s FIMI A3 drone. Along with the best pricing, the drone offers a pretty good set of features and a very modern design.

The second drone is for those who know how to fly but they need to upgrade to a better one. DJI Spark is for you, yes, it’s a bit pricey but the overall quality and performance are just top-notch.

Some FAQs

Are drones legal to fly?

In the US, you can fly drones weighing under 250g without any registration. If you have a drone above this weight limit, you need to register it with the authorities.

What will happen if the drone falls?

There are very high chances that the drone will not survive. However, you will still be able to get the recorded footage.

How much time a drone battery needs to be fully charged?

Well, it depends on the capacity. A 2,000mAh battery will take around 150-200 minutes to fully charge.

 

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *