The best drone 2024: top flying cameras for all budgets (2024)

When we fly the best drones, we're assessing several things: how well they fly, how well they shoot and how well they perform for the price. The results are different for every drone we test. That's why we recommend different drones for different people in this guide.

Of all the drones we've flown, our personal favorite is the DJI Mini 4 Pro. It's a feature-packed sub-250g drone, complete with obstacle avoidance and an excellent camera. It's also safe and easy for first-timers to fly, making it one of the best beginner drones. But it won't be the right choice for everyone.

Our recommendations below include everything from entry-level drones to pro-grade models. Each has been tested by our expert team in the real world, who look for the benefits and drawbacks of every option. We've summarised the takeaways to make it easy for you to land on your ideal drone.

Top 3 picks

If you don’t have time to read our full list of the best drones, you can use the summary below for a quick overview of the the best options for different buyers. When you find a drone that ticks your boxes, use the links beneath to jump to our full write-up.

Best by use-case

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Written by

Written by

Timothy Coleman

Tim is TechRadar's Cameras editor. With more than 15 years’ experience in the photo video industry, Tim has spent countless hours working with all kinds of camera kit. As a result, he’s gained a deeply technical knowledge of what makes a good camera –and that expertise extends to drones. Tim notes, "As you'll find in the list below, DJI continues to dominate the drone market in 2024, producing excellent models for every niche – from entry-level to professional. That said, we've also covered options from a number of other drone manufacturers, particularly where they represent good value alternatives."

The best drones 2024

Below you'll find full write-ups for each of the best drones in our list. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.

Best sub 250g compact drone

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DJI Mini 4 Pro sample images

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With a lightweight build and pro-grade features, the DJI Mini 3 Pro was previously our favorite drone. The Mini 4 Pro builds on its qualities to deliver an even better experience, albeit not a radically different one. If you already own a Mini 3 Pro, it probably doesn’t justify an upgrade. But if you’re switching from a different model or buying your first Mini series drone, it’s an excellent choice.Its small, folding design is almost identical to the Mini 3 Pro, as is the regulation-friendly 249g takeoff weight. Also the same is the 1/1.3-inch sensor, which still delivers excellent image quality.

Thanks to processing updates, we found it even better at handling noise in low light. Serious videographers will also welcome the new D-Log M color profile, which offers greater consistency with the Mavic 3. Obstacle avoidance is now omnidirectional, meaning the Mini 4 Pro is even safer than its predecessor when it comes to operating indoors or near trees. We also found ActiveTrack 360° highly effective, making it an easy drone for beginners to fly confidently. If you can afford the DJI RC 2 controller option, you’ll have the best backpack-friendly drone bundle.

• Read our in-depth DJI Mini 4 Pro review

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Best budget drone without obstacle avoidance

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DJI Mini 3 sample images

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See Also

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If you're a first time buyer, the Mini 3 is the best budget drone you can buy – it's small, lightweight and much more affordable than the Mini 4 Pro. It lacks the obstacle avoidance that its pricier sibling offers, however if you're confident enough to navigate obstacles without DJI's automated safety feature, then the budget-friendly option delivers identical image quality; 4K video at up to 30fps and excellent JPEG and raw images. Its 12MP sensor also rotate to shoot in portrait – handy for social. What you don't get is log color profiles, and that will limit the Mini 3 appeal to professionals who need the editing flexibility for video files.

Another notable absence when compared to pro drones is subject tracking. However, DJI's Quickshots feature is present and a treat for beginners, allowing them to plot an automated flight path and potential capture engaging video sequences. This is an easy drone to start your piloting journey, especially if you get it with the optional controller and with the downward vision sensors and GPS that help with precise hovering. You'll get better image quality and increased stability in windy conditions with pro drones like the Mavic 3 Classic, but the Mini 3 is the one for budget buyers.

• Read our in-depth DJI Mini 3 review

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Best drone camera

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DJI Mavic 3 Pro sample images

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The Mavic 3 Pro won best camera product of the year in the TechRadar Choice Awards 2023, and with good reason. It's the first consumer drone to feature three cameras, ideal for aerial photography and filmmakers who need the most versatile drone on the market. The Mavic 3 Pro's main camera is the same one used by the Mavic 3 Classic and its 20MP Four Thirds sensor offers the best image quality of the three, together with an adjustable aperture, pro-tier video formats and frame rates. That said, if you need the extra reach from the main 24mm focal length of this camera, both 3x and 7x telephoto cameras produce excellent images.

As a pro drone, the Mavic 3 Pro is also incredibly easy to fly even in windy conditions and accessible to all users, thanks to its excellent safety features and intuitive controls, although its in the restrictive C2 European drone category because of how heavy it is. Another sticking point is its price that makes it overkill for beginners. However, it’s a more portable and less expensive option for pros than the Inspire 3, plus it's even more versatile.

• Read our in-depth DJI Mavic 3 Pro review

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Best all-round drone for aerial photographers

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DJI Air 3 sample images

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Clearly sitting between the Mini series and Mavic Pro series of DJI drones is the Air series, and the latest model is the Air 3. Novices will find a sub-250g model like the Mini 3 more manageable than the Air 3, but you can enjoy much better wind resistance with the larger model, plus a generous 46-minute flight time. We also think beginners will get to grips quickly with the Air 3's easy interface and safety features such as obstacle avoidance.

As a drone with 720g take-off weight, the Air 3 is placed in Europe’s C1 category and that comes with flight restrictions, meaning you need to keep a greater distance from people and animals and events to be safe and legal. However, you can still get close to the action thanks to the Air 3's new 3x telephoto lens. The Air 3's dual cameras are versatile and offer class-leading image quality, too. Its fixed aperture lenses can prove tricky for shooting video with ND filters in variable light, but the 3x zoom lens makes the Air 3 a much more versatile aerial camera than the Air 2S.

• Read our in-depth DJI Air 3 review

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The best DJI Air 3 alternative

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Autel Evo Lite+ sample images

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See Also

The Top 10 Longest Range Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)

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As the flagship flying machine from Autel’s latest line-up of DJI rivals, the Evo Lite+ goes directly up against the Air 2S. Capable of shooting 5.4K footage at 30fps using a 1-inch sensor, it shares a remarkably similar spec sheet. But it also both leapfrogs the Air 2S and the Mavic Pro 2 with its 40-minute flight time and adjustable aperture (ranging from f/2.8 to f/11). The Lite+ model does lack the fourth-axis stabilization of its Evo Lite sibling, but the larger pixels on its sensor give it better light-gathering potential in dim conditions.

Pro drone videographers might think twice about the lack of 10-bit video and D-Log profile, while the omission of side sensors for obstacle avoidance is a shame. But in all other respects, we found the Lite+ to be an impressively versatile piece of flying camera equipment in our review. For the money, its 20MP sensor is probably the best camera available on a drone today, which gives the Air 2S some serious competition.

• Read our in-depth Autel Evo Lite+ review

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Best value camera drone for enthusiasts

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DJI Mavic 3 Classic sample images

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Technically a step down from the Mavic 3, the Classic forgoes the telephoto camera of its pricier sibling. While it’s not a budget choice, this simplified setup makes the Classic a more cost-effective option for videographers. It retains the excellent 4/3 main sensor, which we think is the best camera available on a folding drone. Though this isn’t a beginner drone, we found in testing that collision avoidance, subject tracking and automated Quickshots made the Classic easy to pilot with confidence – even if real-world battery life proved shorter than the claimed 46 minutes.

You don’t get the 1TB SSD or Apple ProRes recording of the Cine edition, but we think its ability to capture 5.1K video in Normal, HLG and 10-bit profiles will be plenty for most videographers. And thanks to the larger sensor, noise handling is fantastic across the full ISO range. You also get all of the flight and safety features of the original Mavic 3 models. If you’re fine with a 1-inch sensor, the DJI Air 2S is more affordable. But if you want the best image quality from a foldable drone, the Mavic 3 Classic is the best choice.

• Read our in-depth DJI Mavic 3 Classic review

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Best cheap drone for novices

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Simple, lightweight and affordable, the Ryze Tello is a fun drone for first-time flyers. Despite its budget price tag, the Tello offers plenty: the battery delivered a reasonable 13 minutes of flight time in testing, while downward-facing light sensors allow the Tello to hover in place and perform a handful of automated tricks. Our review found image quality from the nose-mounted 5MP camera less impressive, with limited dynamic range and noticeable compression when streaming 720p HD video to your smartphone.

That said, we found the app refreshingly simple. It's a straightforward way to pilot the Tello, with an on-screen twin-stick setup that’s rewardingly responsive. The theoretical range is 100m, but 30-40m is more realistic – which, given how even the slightest breeze can blow the 80g Tello off course, is no bad thing. On a calm day, it's an enjoyable drone to fly, zipping along at a decent rate and reacting nimbly to inputs. The limited range is somewhat restrictive but, provided you don’t mind choppy video, it’s still the best starter drone around.

• Read our in-depth Ryze Tello review
• Find the best deals on Tello drones with our Tello promo codes.

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Best FPV drone

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DJI Avata 2 sample images

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The DJI Avata was already our favorite first-person drone, and the sequel only makes it better. If you’re looking for a forgiving route into the immersive world of FPV flight, we think the Avata 2 is a top choice. We found it intuitive to fly in our review, with the addition of an Easy ACRO mode making aerial maneouvres more accessible for beginners. The updated Motion Controller 3 is both simple to operate and precise enough for indoor flight –although experienced users will prefer the optional DJI Remote Controller 3 for fully manual flight.

The Avata 2 is longer, flatter and more aerodynamic than before. This helps it to achieve longer flight times of up to 23 minutes, and also makes it quieter than the original Avata. Thanks to an enhanced 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor and 10-bit D-Log M support, we were able to shoot higher quality 4K/60p footage, with improved dynamic range revealing more detail in the shadows. Footage streamed to the upgraded DJI Goggles 3 also proved crisp, courtesy of a new video transmission system that makes it easier to spot potential obstacles.

• Read our in-depth DJI Avata 2 review

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Best compact DJI alternative

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Autel Evo Nano+ sample images

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DJI's Mini 4 Pro is our top pick in the sub-250g category, but if you want a compact drone from an alternative manufacturer, the colorful Evo Nano+ is a nice choice. With a big sensor and bright lens, our tests found that its camera performance trumps the DJI Mini 2, particularly in low-light situations. We also found that results after dark were much improved by locking the exposure to ISO 3200. The Autel fly app has improved considerably since we first reviewed the drone, with a more streamlined interface for stills and video.

Despite ducking under 250g, the Nano+ handles windy conditions fairly well. It felt highly controllable in testing, with three-way obstacle avoidance boosting our confidence, even if bright sunlight sometimes gave false proximity warnings. Its body feels less robust than the Lite+ (above) but rigidity improves when the battery is inserted. Overall, the Evo Nano+ is a superb small drone capable of producing stunning 4K/30p video. If you’re looking for a compact DJI alternative that flies below most registration requirements, the Evo Nano+ should be on your radar.

• Read our in-depth Autel Evo Nano+ review

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Best FPV drone kit for beginners

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Liftoff with Beta FPV Controller

We think the BetaFPV is the best way for beginners to try first-person drone flight. A complete yet affordable FPV kit, the bundle comes with goggles, batteries and a console-style controller, which you can also use to practice in simulators.Delivered ready to fly, the drone itself is incredibly light, yet also tough enough to withstand reasonable impacts – which is good, because first-person flying makes crashes more likely. Turtle Mode also means it can right itself remotely.

Three speed settings and three flight modes offer flexibility for learners to improve. We found Normal to be the easiest to fly, while Manual/Acro proved the most difficult, requiring careful control and throttle regulation. Besides the potential nausea associated with FPV flight, there are two main drawbacks with the Cetus kit: battery life is limited to just 4-5 minutes per charge, and there’s no option to record stills or video. But if you want an affordable way to sample the FPV experience, we still think it’s a top option.

• Read our in-depth BetaFPV Cetus Pro Kit review

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How to choose the best drone for you

How to test drones

How we test drones

While the cameras are the main focus of the drones we review, we also test their flying performance to see how easy they are to operate. We assess safety features including the effectiveness of obstacle avoidance, how stable they are in flight especially in breezy conditions, actual top speeds, subject tracking features and if there's any latency – there's are all key considerations for high performing drones.

After testing the drone's battery life claims based on some real-world flights, we then move onto their cameras. Taking flight in daylight hours and in low light allows us to properly check image quality, along with shooting like-for-like videos using the drone's array of color profiles, maximum resolution (be it Full HD, 4K, 5,3K or in some cases 8K) and at the various frame rates available. Automated flight modes are also tested to see whether they're genuinely useful or fun gimmicks.

These videos are then assessed on a calibrated monitor, along with the drone's still photos (which we shoot in maximum resolution in both JPEG and raw, at various ISOs). What makes a good image? The lens should give crisp detail ideally from edge to edge with minimal fall-off in the corners, while at the other extreme the camera sensor should handle noise well at the high ISOs needed for low light shooting. Those tests tells us the reasonable limits of the drone's camera. We then combine these results with our overall impression of the drone's design, features and value to produce our final verdict.