Best beginner drones 2024: Embark on exciting aerial adventures whatever your budget

A child using one of the best beginner drones
(Image credit: Getty Images and Future)

Drones continue to grow in popularity with more and more beginner-friendly models available than ever before. It's easily the most crowded section of the market, but for newbie drone pilots and even those with some experience, this can only be a good thing.

With so many choices, it can be difficult to make an informed decision, which is why we've compiled a guide covering the best beginner drones available. But if a beginner model isn’t for you, be sure to check out our best camera drones, best beginner drones and best FPV drones guides where you'll be able to find something more suitable.

With prices and features to suit all budgets and requirements, the majority of drones in the beginner category are now sub-250 g models, which is perfect for beginners looking for hassle-free flights. These small and lightweight drones are less restricted than larger models in terms of where you can fly, while in the US pilots don’t require FAA registration or a Remote ID for the drone if it’s being used recreationally.

Amazon Prime Day is taking place on July 16-17 this year, and after last year's $216 off the DJI Mini 3 Pro, we expect to see some tasty beginner drone deals heading your way. There's already a saving available on the Potensic Atom Fly More Bundle, with discounts on more drones expected in the run-up to the two-day event.

The Quick List

Best beginner drones we recommend in 2024

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Best beginner drone overall

Best overall: One of the best beginner drones available in a tiny package

Specifications

Camera: 1/1.3-inch 12MP sensor
Battery: 2453 mAh Li-ion / up to 38 minutes
Video resolution: 4K, 2.7K, 1080p (FHD)
Frame rates: 4K up to 30 fps / 2.7K at up to 60fps / FHD at up to 60 fps
Foldable design: Yes
Weight: 248g
Dimensions: Folded 148 × 90 × 62mm / Unfolded 251 × 362 × 72mm

Reasons to buy

+
Sub 250 g drone
+
Excellent image quality
+
Less expensive than the Mini 3 Pro

Reasons to avoid

-
No collision avoidance
-
Reduced video functionality
-
No subject tracking 
Buy it if

✅ You're a social media content creator: It has excellent image and video quality, plus it can shoot vertically, which is ideal for social media content.

✅ You don't want to register it: It's in the sub-250g category, so no registration needed!

Don't buy it if:

❌ You're on a tight budget: While it's certainly very affordable for a drone of its caliber, anyone working with a tight budget might need to consider something slightly cheaper.

The bottom line

🔎 With identical image quality to the Mini 3 Pro, the DJI Mini 3 comes with a more beginner-friendly price at the cost of a handful of missing features. ★★★★

If DJI drones are known for anything, it's that they're easy to use and take great photos — and the DJI Mini 3 is among the most affordable models. This 248g drone is designed to be durable and friendly for users who are just starting out — it also benefits from a foldable design, making it portable while also facing much fewer restrictions than larger models. 

The Mini 3 uses the same camera as the more advanced Mini 3 Pro, albeit with some reduced functionality. But the key point here is that image quality and the main features the camera has to offer are identical, as we found in our DJI Mini 3 review. The camera offers a 24mm equivalent focal length, a fixed f/1.7 aperture, a 1/1.3-inch 12MP sensor and the ability to rotate the camera 90° to shoot photos and videos in both landscape and portrait orientations.

You can take photos in both RAW and JPEG formats with this camera, and it can record video at up to 4K resolution at 30 frames per second using the Normal color profile. However, it doesn't support the flat D-Cinelike profile for video. Unlike the Mini 3 Pro, this model doesn't have collision avoidance, so you need to be careful when flying near things like trees. But it does have Quickshots, which are pre-programmed flight patterns that make it easy to capture professional-looking videos with just a tap, perfect for beginners.

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AttributesNotes
DesignSmall and lightweight folding design.
PerformanceEasy to set up and fly.
FunctionalityUp to 4K 30fps video.

Best premium beginner drone

Best premium beginner drone: Dual cameras provide flexibility alongside excellent overall performance

Specifications

Camera: Dual 48MP 1/1.3-inch sensors / 24mm and 70mm cameras
Battery: 4241 mAh Li-ion / up to 46 minutes
Video resolution: 4K, 1080p (FHD), 2.7K Vertical Shooting, FHD Vertical Shooting
Frame rates: 4K up to 100 fps, 1080p up to 200fps, 2.7K Vertical Shooting up to 60fps, FHD Vertical Shooting up to 60fps
Foldable design: Yes
Weight: 25.4oz / 720g
Dimensions: 8.1 x 3.9 x 3.6-inches / 207 x 100.5 x 91.1mm folded / 10.2 x 12.8 x 4.2-inches / 258.8 x 326 x 105.8mm unfolded

Reasons to buy

+
Excellent dual cameras
+
Pro-spec features
+
Powerful mid-size model

Reasons to avoid

-
Heavier than ‘mini’ drones
-
You only require a single wide-angle camera
-
More restricted than sub 250g drones
Buy it if

✅ You need multiple focal lengths: With dual cameras offering 24mm and 70mm equivalent focal lengths, this is a versatile drone for photography and video.

You need more power: Sub-250g drones are great for beginners, but they can’t handle winds as strong as more powerful drones such as this.

Don't buy it if:

❌ You need a small and lightweight drone: At 25.4oz / 720g, it's not the lightest option out there.

You'd like the best image quality: Image quality produced by the Air 3 is excellent, but it’s not as good as  Mavic 3 series drones.

The bottom line

🔎 With dual cameras, a mid-size folding design and enough power to handle windier conditions than smaller and lighter mini drones, the DJI Air 3 is an excellent and, indeed, versatile drone for beginners and more experienced drone pilots alike. ★★★★½

The DJI Air 3 is the latest in the Air series and has been improved a great deal since the very first iteration. It includes two high-quality cameras, rather than just one, and they also use the same excellent 1/1.3-inch sensor found in the Mini 3 and Mini 4 Pro. Each camera has its own sensor, offering focal lengths equivalent to 24mm and 70mm, alongside the ability to shoot vertically, record 4K slow-motion footage and capture 48MP photos.

The Air 3 sits within the medium size and weight band with a weight of 25.4oz / 720g and a foldable design that makes it much more compact for transportation and storage. Size and weight will be a negative for some people, but the advantages these bring are more power than smaller drones and a maximum wind resistance of 27mph. Plus, larger batteries provide flight times of around 35 minutes before return to home is automatically initiated when the battery reaches 20%, which we found in our DJI Air 3 review.

You might think all these features are too much for a beginner, but with GPS positioning, collision detection from all sides and advanced return-to-home capability, this drone is incredibly safe and simple to fly. Of course, you still need to be cautious, but it's packed with top-notch safety features. 

On top of that, it captures great photos and videos, tracks subjects well and you won't outgrow it as your skills grow.

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AttributesNotes
DesignClassic DJI folding desgin.
PerformanceUp to 46 min flight time.
FunctionalityQuick shots, Hyperlapse, slow motion video, omnidirectional obstacle avoidance sensors.

Best cheap beginner drone

Best cheap option: A simple camera and low cost make this a great budget beginner option.

Specifications

Camera: 12MP Sony CMOS sensor
Battery: 2500mAh Li-ion 2S / up to 31 minutes
Video resolution: 4K, 2.7K, 1080p (FHD)
Frame rates: 4K at 30 fps / 2.7K at 30 fps / FHD at up to 60 fps
Foldable design: Yes
Weight: 8.64 oz / 245 g
Dimensions: Folded 88 x 143 x 58mm / Unfolded 210 x 152 x 58mm

Reasons to buy

+
Great value for money
+
Easy to use sub-250g drone
+
Good build quality

Reasons to avoid

-
Basic camera control
-
No collision avoidance
-
Sensitive controls
Buy it if

✅ You're on a budget: This is one of the more affordable beginner drones on this list.

You don't want to register it: It's in the sub-250g category, so it doesn't need registering.

Don't buy it if:

❌ You want lots of camera controls: The only camera setting you can control is exposure compensation, everything else is automatic, plus it's FPV style.

You want collision avoidance: This drone doesn't have it, so you'll need to be careful when flying.

The bottom line

🔎 The Potensic Atom SE redefines what inexpensive beginner drone models are capable of alongside great build quality, but camera control is limited despite producing reasonably sharp images. ★★★★

Weighing just 245g and featuring a folding design with a strong build quality, the Potensic Atom SE can be flown much closer to built-up areas and won't be prohibited by as many regulations as some counterparts. It also measures just 3.5 x 5.6 x 2.3 inches (88 x 143 x 58mm) when folded up, so you can transport this compact model when you're on the move. Better yet, it offers fantastic value for money and is ideal if you're starting out  

The controller attaches to your smartphone and is comfortable and straightforward to use. Despite its affordability, you still get some helpful additional features like GPS positioning, Return to Home, and some basic automated flight modes to get you going. During our Potensic Atom SE review, we found the flight controls tended to be a little oversensitive, and this drone doesn't come with any obstacle avoidance technology, so you'll have to be careful when learning how to fly it.

Considering its price, the camera on this drone is pretty good. It uses a 1/3-inch 12MP Sony CMOS sensor with a wide 118-degree field of view. With this setup, you can record 4K video at up to 30FPS and take still photos in both JPEG and RAW formats. However, if you're a more experienced photographer, you might find the camera's settings somewhat limited, as most of them are automatic. Despite this, the pictures generally come out well, with only a slight darkening around the edges in photos and none in videos. Overall, we think most beginners would be satisfied with how well the camera performs on this drone.

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AttributesNotes
DesignSmall folding design (similar to DJI).
PerformanceImage quality ok but not amazing.
FunctionalityLimited controls and flight patterns.

Best cheap 3-axis gimbal drone

Best cheap 3-axis gimbal: The most affordable sub-250g drone with a 3-axis gimbal and 4K video

Specifications

Camera: 12MP 1/3-inch Sony CMOS sensor
Battery: 2330 mAh / up to 32 minutes
Video resolution: 4K, 2.7K, 1080p
Frame rates: 4K up to 30fps, 2.7K up to 30fps, 1080p up to 60fps
Foldable design: Yes
Weight: 8.8 oz / 249g
Dimensions: 3.5 x 5.6 x 2.3-inches / 88 x 143 x 58mm folded / 8.3 x 6.0 x 2.3-inches / 210 x 152 x 58mm unfolded

Reasons to buy

+
Great price for a full kit
+
Up to 4K 30fps video
+
Subject tracking

Reasons to avoid

-
No collision avoidance
-
No ND filters available for video
-
Fixed focus camera
Buy it if

✅ You're on a budget: This is simply the best inexpensive sub-250g drone available that can capture up to 4K video.

You want a lightweight model: Sub-250g drones that fold for transportation and storage are incredibly comfortable to carry.

Don't buy it if:

❌ You require a flat video profile: Professionals and advanced enthusiasts may want to color grade their video footage, but the Atom doesn’t offer a flat color profile.

You need to fly in strong wind: While every drone has a maximum wind resistance, smaller drones typically have a lower resistance than larger and more powerful models.

The bottom line

🔎The Potensic Atom may not be quite as slick as its DJI Mini counterparts, but it’s the closest inexpensive competitor that blows the other competition out of the water thanks to a 3-axis gimbal, clear 4K video and smooth flight. ★★★★

This is a tad more advanced than some of its counterparts in the Potensic Atom range — and offers total control for users who want to take photos or capture smooth 4K footage with a 3-axis gimbal from above. It's among the most affordable drones we'd recommend for that.

It only measures 3.5 x 5.6 x 2.3 inches (88 x 143 x 58mm) when it's folded up and 8.3 x 6.0 x 2.3 inches (210 x 152 x 58mm) when unfolded — and weighs under 250g (249g), so doesn't need to be registered either. It can also last for a flight time of 25 minutes on a single charge — which is reasonable – and it can handle winds of up to 24mph (level 5 wind resistance).

In use, the Atom is easy to set up and fly, with GPS positioning holding the drone in position when hovering and providing a reliable return to home and subject tracking functionality. There’s no collision avoidance, which is unsurprising given the low cost of the drone. But, with careful flying this won’t be a problem — we found it an absolute breeze to fly in our Potensic Atom review.

The Atom can record video in various resolutions: up to 4K at 30FPS, 2.7K at 30FPS and 1080p at 60FPS, offering beginners both flexibility and simplicity. You can also take photos in both RAW and JPEG formats. In terms of camera features, it sits between the DJI Mini 2 SE and the DJI Mini 3, albeit leaning closer to the latter. We think if you're new to drones and want something affordable but still worthwhile, the Atom could be a good choice for you.

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AttributesNotes
DesignSmall folding design with a 3-axis gimbal.
PerformanceManual control over the camera for photos and video.
FunctionalityQuickShots automated flight patterns.

Best FPV drone for beginners

Best FPV: The perfect drone kit for learning how to fly FPV

Specifications

Camera: For FPV feed to goggles only
Battery: BT2.0 450 mAh LiPo 1S 30C / up to 5 minutes flight time
Video resolution: N/A
Frame rates: N/A
Foldable design: No
Weight: Standard 1.61oz / 45.8g (including battery)
Dimensions: 117 × 117 × 35mm

Reasons to buy

+
Includes everything to get started with FPV flight
+
Offers basic safety features
+
The controller can be used with FPV simulators

Reasons to avoid

-
Can’t capture video or photos
-
Not suited to windy conditions
-
Battery life is short
Buy it if

✅ You're on a budget: This is a very affordable beginner FPV-style drone and comes with a host of extras and accessories.

Your priority is learning how to fly: This drone is aimed at those looking to improve their flying skills first.

Don't buy it if:

❌ You want to capture photo or video: It can't record videos or shoot photos, so photographers will find it useless.

You want to fly for a long time: The battery life is only up to 5 minutes, so you'll need to have either a lot of patience or a lot of spare batteries.

The bottom line

🔎 With a low cost and a complete kit with everything you need to get started, the BetaFPV Cetus Pro provides a low-risk entry point to learning how to fly FPV drones when compared to more expensive models. ★★★★

First-person view (FPV) drones let users capture incredible footage but it's incredibly difficult to learn how to fly them in Manual/Acro mode. Here, you can configure the drone to perform dives, flips and rolls and capture some of the most immersive shots that you can.

But for $226, the Cetus Pro is ideal for beginners who want to dip their toe into FPV flying – and it includes everything you need. You can get the Cetus Pro Brushless Quadcopter, a LiteRadio 2SE Transmitter, VR02 FPV Goggles, two batteries, a USB battery charger with cable, four spare propellers, a propeller removal tool, a USB-C cable and a convenient carry case. Spare parts are also available for replacements if you ever have a crash.

The Cetus Pro Brushless Quadcopter has strong brushless motors that power its four propellers, all guarded by protective propeller guards to keep them safe during frequent crashes. It's incredibly compact, measuring just 117 × 117 × 35mm and weighing only 45.8g with the battery included, making it suitable for indoor or outdoor flights. Plus, it offers three flight modes, including Acro, and three speed modes, allowing you to begin at a slower pace and gradually progress as your skills improve.

The camera on the Cetus is used purely to provide a live feed to the analog goggles so you can enjoy an FPV view. The Cetus and the VR02 FPV Goggles do not, however, have the capability to record video so this drone is purely a learning tool, as we mentioned in our BetaFPV Cetus Pro review. The only additional accessories you might need in order to get started are an additional four-battery set that costs $26 / £21, and a battery charger for six batteries that costs $20 / £16.

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AttributesNotes
DesignBuilt to withstand crashes.
PerformanceVery short flight times (5 mins per battery).
FunctionalityTurtle Mode flips the drone when upside down.

Best FPV drone for video

Best FPV drone for video: Produces fantastic video in a beginner-friendly package

Specifications

Camera: 48MP 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor
Battery: 2420 mAh Li-ion / up to 18 minutes
Analogue or digital VTX:: Digital
Goggle resolution:: 1920 x 1080p
Video resolution: 4K up to 60 fps / 2.7K up to 100 fps / FHD up to 100 fps (with DJI Goggles 2)
Foldable design: No
Weight: 14.46 oz / 410g
Dimensions: 180 x 180 x 80mm

Reasons to buy

+
Easy to fly with the Motion Controller
+
Long battery life for an FPV drone
+
4K video capture

Reasons to avoid

-
More expensive than traditional FPV drones
-
FPV controller has to be purchased separately
-
Limited parts availability for repairs
Buy it if

✅ You want long flight times: Each battery has up to 18 minutes of flight time, which is impressive for an FPV drone.

You want a drone you can grow with: It has specs and features to please beginners and more experienced fliers.

Don't buy it if:

❌ You're a photographer: You can capture JPEGs, but as the horizon will almost always be wonky, there are better options for photographers.

You don't want to register it: It weighs 410g, so it'll need to be registered.

The bottom line

🔎 FPV drones are notoriously difficult to fly, but with the DJI Avata anyone can capture immersive FPV video footage in stunning 4K resolution at up to 60 fps, and it’s a whole lot of fun to fly, too. ★★★★

The DJI Avata makes flying an FPV drone in Manual/Acro mode a little easier — even for complete beginners with zero FPV experience. Using this device, you can capture stunning 4K videos without as much difficulty. Beginners can use the simple-to-use  DJI Motion Controller, which we highlighted in our DJI Avata review, but more advanced users can also fly the device manually with the DJI Motion Controller 2.

The DJI Avata is a cinewhoop drone designed with prop guards to safeguard both the drone and surrounding objects in case of a crash. What sets it apart from traditional FPV drones is its use of GPS positioning and downward sensors in certain flight modes, making it beginner-friendly. 

Measuring 180 x 180 x 80cm and weighing 14.46 oz/410g with a battery, it has microSD card compatibility and comes with 20GB of onboard storage.

The video quality from the 48MP 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor paired with an f/2.8 lens (which is like having a 12.7mm equivalent focal length) is outstanding. It can shoot in 4K at up to 60FPS, 2.7K at up to 100FPS and 1080p at up to 100FPS when using DJI Goggles 2. When using the DJI FPV Goggles V2, you can capture video in 2.7K and 1080p at up to 120 FPS. These specifications are impressive, especially considering how easy it is to fly the Avata, making it an excellent choice for beginners diving into FPV drones.

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AttributesNotes
DesignRobust cinewhoop design.
PerformanceExcels at capturing video.
FunctionalityFeatures augmented reality home point and Return to Home function.

Best affordable lightweight drone

Best affordable lightweight drone: DJI quality at a bargain price.

Specifications

Camera: 1/2.3-inch 12MP CMOS sensor
Battery: 2250 mAh Li-ion / up to 31 minutes
Video resolution: 4K, 2.7K, 1080p
Frame rates: 4K 30 fps / 2.7K up to 30 FPS 1080p up to 60 FPS
Foldable design: Yes
Weight: 8.7 oz / 249 g
Dimensions: 7 x 5.55 x 5.47 inches / 178 x 141 x 139 mm unfolded

Reasons to buy

+
Up to 4K 30 FPS video
+
Solid flight performance
+
Great price for a DJI drone

Reasons to avoid

-
No obstacle avoidance
-
Overstated flight times
-
Fewer features than the DJI Mini 3
Buy it if

✅ You're looking for your first drone: With most of the features you could need or want as a beginner, the DJI Mini 4K is a compelling option with solid flight performance.

You want a drone from the market leader: DJI is the undisputed market leader, and although this is the company's cheapest model, it still manages to impress for the price.

Don't buy it if:

❌ You want a better camera: The camera on the Mini 4K is great, but the best camera within the beginner class is found on the DJI Mini 3 with horizontal and portrait format shooting.

You would like more features: This is a basic model that can shoot 4K video and photos in JPEG and RAW, but for more features consider the Potensic Atom and Holy Stone HS900.

The bottom line

🔎 The DJI Mini 4K is undoubtedly one of, if not the best beginner drones in its price bracket. Flight performance is solid and although features are more basic than higher-end DJI drones, it remains a fantastic entry point for beginners. ★★★★★

DJI has been lacking at the entry-level beginner end of the market, with just the DJI Mini 2SE that tops out at 2.7K video capture. But in 2024, for the first time, the DJI Mini 4K, as the name suggests, brought 4K resolution to the fold. This puts the drone up against some serious competition from the likes of the Holy Stone HS900 and Potensic Atom, but with DJI's stellar reputation to back it up. And we loved the performance of the DJI Mini 4K in our full review.

This is undeniably DJI's best-ever entry-level drone to date. Its 1/2.3-inch 12MP CMOS sensor can capture video in 4K up to 30 FPS, 2.7K up to 30 FPS, and 1080p up to 60 FPS. Photo capture is available in both JPEG and RAW formats, which is great for beginners and more experienced photographers alike. Automatic Exposure Bracketing and Panorama capture are also available, alongside Quickshots automated flight patterns.

The drone is palm-sized when folded and weighs just 8.7 oz / 249 g, making it both regulator-friendly and easy to carry. Wind resistance is rated at Level 5, which equates to up to 24 mph, while the advertised flight time of 31 minutes per battery charge comes in at a much more modest 21 minutes. This is the point where the battery reaches 20% and return to Home is automatically initiated. It's still pretty good at this drone level, but having several batteries / the Fly More Bundle is well worth the investment.

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AttributesNotes
DesignCompact and lightweight folding design.
PerformanceImage quality is great considering the small sensor.
FunctionalityOffers basic yet useful features for beginners.

Best indoor beginner drone

Best indoor beginner drone: An indoor mini drone perfect for developing flight skills

Specifications

Camera: No camera
Battery: 180mAh / up to 10 minutes
Video resolution: N/A
Frame rates: N/A
Foldable design: No
Weight: 6.7oz / 190g
Dimensions: 3.10 x 1.25 x 3.50in / 7.87 x 3.18 x 8.89cm

Reasons to buy

+
Inexpensive to buy
+
Lots of fun
+
Common flight controls

Reasons to avoid

-
No camera
-
Indoor use only
-
Drifts when hovering
Buy it if

✅ You would like a fun indoor drone: The A20 is undoubtedly a lot of fun to fly indoors and is designed to avoid damage to the drone and objects.

You would like to learn drone controls before buying a more expensive model: This is an incredibly inexpensive drone with identical controls to camera drones.

Don't buy it if:

❌ You would like a camera: With no camera, this is a drone that's mainly for fun and learning flight controls. 

You don't want to fly indoors: Indoor drone flight isn't for everyone, and the A20 isn't suited to outdoor flight.

The bottom line

🔎 The Potensic A20 Mini Drone may not have a camera, but it's an excellent indoor drone for children and beginners who would like to develop their flight skills. ★★★★

One of the best ways to get into flying drones for the first time is by buying one designed explicitly for indoor use. Not only can you avoid worrying about crashing the drone or losing it, but you can also save money as they tend to be much cheaper. As such, the Potensic A20 Mini Drone is one of the best places to start.

While it doesn't have a camera (only a light on the front to show which direction it's facing), it's still worth buying to practice your flying skills. At 190g and measuring only 3.10 x 1.25 x 3.50 inches (7.87 x 3.18 x 8.89cm), you shouldn't expect this drone to cause any damage if it crashes inside, plus it has propeller guards that protect the drone as well as objects and people it crashes into.

There's no camera, so it won't suit anyone looking to take photos or videos with it, plus the features are quite basic and it isn't recommended for outdoor use, as we found in our Potensic A20 review. These features can either be an advantage or disadvantage depending on what you want to use the drone for. If you're purely looking to advance your flying skills, then it could be a great option for you.

The A20 uses the same controls as much more expensive drones, which makes it a fantastic learning tool for beginners. There’s even a hover feature that makes it behave almost identically to camera drones so you will undoubtedly gain flight confidence with the A20. The kit also comes with three batteries that take 10 minutes to charge and provide 10 minutes of flight time, so you can charge as you fly to extend flight times as much as you like.

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AttributesNotes
DesignLooks like a micro whoop FPV drone.
PerformanceFun and easy to use with the same controls as camera drones.
FunctionalityFlies well and can perform flips for fun.

Best for children

Best for children: Basic but fun and extremely easy to use

Specifications

Camera: 5MP sensor
Battery: 1100 mAh / Up to 13 minutes flight time
Video resolution: 720p
Frame rates: 30fps
Foldable design: No
Weight: 80g
Dimensions: 98 x 92.5 x 41mm

Reasons to buy

+
Inexpensive
+
Small and lightweight
+
Easy to use 

Reasons to avoid

-
Low-resolution photos and videos
-
Limited flight time
-
100m flight distance 
Buy it if

✅ You're on a budget: It's incredibly affordable for those new to the world of drones.

You want to learn the basics: It's a great option for kids or complete newbies who want to focus on learning the basics of flying.

Don't buy it if:

❌ You're a content creator: The photo and video quality isn't particularly impressive, so content creators will want to look at other options.

You want to fly it outside: It's not suitable for use in anything more than a light breeze.

The bottom line

🔎 The DJI Ryze Tello is the perfect drone for those only just starting out to fly drones, it's small, and easy to use and the propeller guards and onboard sensors make accidents much less likely, and therefore flying the drone even more enjoyable. ★★★★

Given the DJI Ryze Tello is among the easiest drones to fly once you unbox it, it's ideal for both kids and beginners alike as we highlighted in our DJI Ryze Tello review. It's small, compact and more affordable than most, and its nose is fitted with a 5MP camera so it can capture 720p HD video while you're flying it.   

You can also control this drone with a smartphone app by simply downloading it and pairing your phone with the device. The controls are responsive and smooth without being too sensitive, unlike many other drones, and it's also ideal for use inside given how small it is. In fact, we'd probably recommend flying this indoors given winds tend to knock the DJI Ryze Tello off course quite easily.

It's got some great safety features, like sensors underneath to prevent crashes and guards around the propellers to keep both them and your home safe if it does bump into something. We were amazed by how far it can go — up to 100 meters on WiFi control, which is really good. Plus, it has some fun built-in moves that kids will love trying out.

Of course, to keep the cost down, they had to make some trade-offs. For example, it doesn't have a gimbal for really smooth video, and the battery life is a bit disappointing — it takes about an hour to charge but only gives you 11 minutes of flight time. However, if you're ok with these drawbacks and don't need the best camera quality, this could be a fantastic, budget-friendly drone to start learning how to fly.

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AttributesNotes
DesignIncredibly lightweight — only 80g.
PerformanceHigh speed for its size with very responsive controls.
FunctionalitySome cool 'trick flight' features.

Best budget model for features

Best budget model for features: Holy Stone's best-ever drone is packed with features

Specifications

Camera: Sony 1/2.3 in 48MP CMOS sensor
Battery: 2250 mAh Li-ion / up to 30 minutes
Video resolution: Up to 4K
Frame rates: 4K 30 FPS / 1080p up to 60 FPS
Foldable design: Yes
Weight: 8.7 oz / 249 g
Dimensions: 5.63 x 3.26 x 2.44 in / 143 × 82.8 × 62 mm folded / 6.59 x 8.57 x 2.44 in / 167.4 x 217.8 x 62 mm unfolded

Reasons to buy

+
Great flight performance
+
4K 30 FPS video
+
Lots of features

Reasons to avoid

-
No obstacle avoidance
-
No histogram for photos and video
-
Raw shooting is not yet available
Buy it if

✅ You're on a budget: The HS900 is competitively priced considering the features on offer, so you get quite a lot for your money.

You're looking for a DJI alternative: Not everyone loves DJI drones, so if you fall into this category the HS900 is worth considering.

Don't buy it if:

❌ You need advanced features: The HS900 is incredibly feature-packed for the price, but it doesn't offer obstacle avoidance like the DJI Mini 4 Pro.

You would like a larger drone: Being a sub-250 g model, the HS900 lacks the power of larger drones and the higher wind resistance of these models.

The bottom line

🔎 The Holy Stone HS900 is an impressive drone that's reasonably priced. Image quality is good and plenty of features are on offer, while overall flight performance can’t be faulted. ★★★★

Holy Stone has long been producing drones with good performance that have been lacking in the camera department, but this has all changed with the Holy Stone Sirius HS900. This sub-250 g beginner model is the Chinese company's best drone to date, allowing the HS900 to compete with some of the bigger names in the beginner drone segment.

Image quality from the camera featuring a Sony 1/2.3 in 48MP CMOS sensor can't be faulted. Photo capture is available in 4K dimensions (3840 x 2160 px) and 48MP with image dimensions of 8192 x 4608 px. Video can be captured in 4K at 30 fps and 1080p at 60 fps, while the 3-axis gimbal and Electronic Image Stabilization effectively smooth out footage. We were impressed by the overall performance of the HS900 in our full review.

Flight times typically average around 22 minutes per battery before Return to Home is initiated automatically when the battery level reaches 20%, which isn't class-leading and sits closer to the lower end of the scale. It's still not bad though and marginally beats the DJI Mini 4K.

Wind resistance is rated at level 5 which equates to wind speeds of up to 24 mph, which is good for a drone that's palm-sized when folded. Other features include Cruise Control, Time-lapse and automated flight patterns which include Point of Interest, Spiral up, Tap Fly (waypoints), Gesture Selfie, One-key Ascension and Catapult.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
AttributesNotes
DesignLightweight folding design.
PerformanceImage quality is a huge improvement over previous models..
FunctionalityTime-lapse and Quickshots among many others.

Buying advice

Many drones aimed at beginners are basic models in terms of camera functionality and overall features. But what they do have to offer is the same basic controls as larger and more expensive models, so you can get a feel for how they work without the fear of losing a small fortune if you’re unlucky enough to crash.

Even if you have a large budget, it doesn’t hurt to buy a cheap model that costs less than $250/£250 to get started, some even cost less than $50/£50. Then once you feel confident with the controls and have inevitably outgrown the camera functionality and overall features, you’ll know when it’s time to move up to the next level.

One important point you must consider as a beginner is the weight of the drone you’re aiming to buy. Drones that weigh less than 249g don’t require you to register with the FAA (US) or CAA (UK) to fly them legally which removes one small hurdle in the path to drone flight. So, once you’ve chosen the model that’s right for you, get ready to see the world in a completely new and exciting way.

How we tested

Beginner drones are typically tested over several days in different locations, environments and weather conditions (excluding rain) to test flight performance, flight features, overall handling and image quality for both photo and video capture. All beginner drones offer a variety of features so only those available can be tested, but all features are explored to cover performance and ease of use.

Drones are flown using manual flight patterns to test the connection between the aircraft and the controller, latency between the two, the accuracy of the controls, app connection and reliability and flight in general. And if automated flight patterns and collision avoidance are available, these are always tested to asses accuracy.

All testing is conducted in a way that meets local aviation laws and restrictions to ensure that all flights are safe and legal. Drone laws vary from region to region, so you must check local laws to ensure that you’re following the guidelines for your country before embarking on your first drone flights.

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James Abbott

James is an award-winning freelance landscape and portrait photographer, as well as a highly experienced photography journalist working with some of the best photography magazines and websites with a worldwide audience. He’s also the author of The Digital Darkroom: The Definitive Guide to Photo Editing. www.jamesaphoto.co.uk

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