Camera drones for 2023
We’ve spent hundreds of hours testing the best drones, and we set out our favorites in the list below. Covering a range of sizes, skills and features – including the best beginner drones, our list is designed to help every buyer get off the ground. Each entry has been comprehensively tested, with the positives and drawbacks detailed in our ranking.
From backpack-friendly folding drones to professional quadcopters, these are the best drones on the market right night. Be sure to check out some our expert tips and the best deals, which we've included below, while making your choice so you're getting the best bang for your buck.
The best drone for 2023
Why you can trust TechRadar Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
The best drone for 2023
Why you can trust TechRadar Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
(Image credit: Future)
The best drone for most people SPECIFICATIONS Weight: 249g Controller: Yes (available without) Camera resolution: 12.1MP Flight time: 34 minutes Range: 8km-12km TODAY'S BEST DEALS Check Amazon REASONS TO BUY +Impressive low-light performance+Useful automated flight modes+Obstacle avoidance sensors REASONS TO AVOID -Pricy for a compact drone
The DJI Mini 3 Pro is the most powerful and, in our book, best compact drone you can buy. It has a premium price tag, but the Mini 3 Pro is a huge upgrade on the Mini 2 (see below), if you can justify the extra cost. For the money, you get a far superior camera, obstacle avoidance sensors and a range of features that you'd normally only find on larger drones.
In our tests, the Mini 3 Pro's 12.1MP 1/1.3-inch sensor produced excellent image quality with impressive high ISO handling. You'll find very little noise all the way up to the maximum ISO 6400, while the combination of a bright f/1.7 lens and dual native ISO tech means low-light performance is impressive for such a small drone. The drone's tri-directional obstacle avoidance worked well during testing and we particularly liked its ability to shoot in portrait without cropping. If you can stretch to the new DJI RC controller, that's the best backpack-friendly bundle for aerial photography and video, bar none.
Read our in-depth DJI Mini 3 Pro review
Source :https://www.techradar.com/news/best-drones
(Image credit: Future)
2. DJI Mini 2 The best budget drone for beginners SPECIFICATIONS Weight: 249g Controller: Yes Camera resolution: 12MP Battery size: 2,250 mAh Range: 5.8 GHz: 10km (FCC); 6km (SRRC) TODAY'S BEST DEALS View at Amazon REASONS TO BUY +Incredibly compact size+Impressive battery life+Simple controls and app REASONS TO AVOID -No 'follow me' mode-Pricier than Mavic Mini
One of our few complaints in our review of the DJI Mavic Mini was that it couldn't shoot 4K video – this excellent successor fixes that, while giving us a few extra treats in the process. The Mini 2 has the same ultra-compact design as before, making it the joint-smallest drone in DJI's line-up, but comes with a new controller that boosts it range (thanks to Ocusync 2.0 connectivity) and delivers a more polished flying experience.
Like the Mavic Mini, it's packed with a generous selection of beginner-friendly QuickShot modes, which see the drone perform pre-programmed moves. But the Mini 2 offers more for pro snappers, too, thanks to the inclusion of raw photo shooting, while 4K video means the arrival of a boosted 100mbps bit-rate. While it remains a fine drone, it's worth bearing in mind that rumors about a possible DJI Mini 3 continue to swirl.
Read our in-depth DJI Mini 2 review
(Image credit: Future)
3. DJI Mavic 3 The best premium drone SPECIFICATIONS Weight: 895g (Mavic 3 Cine, 899g) Controller: Yes Camera resolution: 20MP Flight time: 46 minutes Range: 15km (FCC), 12km (CE) TODAY'S BEST DEALS Check Amazon REASONS TO BUY +Superb Four Thirds camera+Adjustable aperture+Telephoto lens REASONS TO AVOID -Pricier than rivals-Some missing features at launch
Looking for the most powerful compact drone around? The DJI Mavic 3 is it. This aerial powerhouse is fronted by a dual-camera that mixes a large, 20MP Four Thirds sensor with a handy 162mm telephoto lens. The Mavic 3 fits all this into in a backpack-friendly bundle we were surprised to find is somehow lighter than the Mavic 2 Pro model it's based on.
Other improvements over its predecessor include a 46-minute battery life (in reality, about half an hour of actual flight time) and the ability to shoot 5K/50p video or 4K/120p slow-mo footage. Upgrade to the DJI Mavic 3 Cine bundle, and you'll get 1TB of internal storage, a very fancy DJI RC Pro controller and the ability to shoot video in Apple ProRes 422 HQ format.
A couple of big firmware updates have finally added the polish and feature set we expected to see from the Mavic 3 at launch, making it the best camera drone around for outright image quality (if not value or portability).
Read our in-depth DJI Mavic 3 review
(Image credit: Future)
4. DJI Air 2S The best all-round drone for aerial photographers SPECIFICATIONS Weight: 595g Controller: Yes Camera resolution: 20MP Flight time: 31 minutes Range: 8km-12km TODAY'S BEST DEALS Check Amazon REASONS TO BUY +Large 1-Inch sensor+Small and lightweight REASONS TO AVOID -No adjustable aperture-Controller isn’t foldable
It's no longer the newest drone in DJI's lineup and recently lost its number one spot to the DJI Mini 3 Pro above, but the Air 2S remains an excellent choice if image quality is more important to you than size. This drone has the same 20MP 1-Inch sensor as the one found in the older Mavic 2 Pro, which gives it greater light-gathering powers than the Mini 3 Pro, and a compact, folding design. It's a combo that we loved in our review, making the Air 2S our top choice for hobbyists and pros who really need that larger sensor.
The new Mini 3 Pro (see above) is even smaller still, but this drone's camera is even better. The ability to shoot 5.4K video at 30fps gives you some extra creative flexibility, and supports a useful digital zoom option (even if we’d only recommend using that at 2x zoom). Throw in the ability to shoot 1080p at 120fps and some impressive high ISO performance, and you have a superb all-round flying machine that soars above its mid-range rivals. Those on a tighter budget should still consider the Mavic Air 2, though.
Read our in-depth DJI Air 2S review
(Image credit: James Abbott)
5. BetaFPV Cetus Pro Kit The best FPV drone kit for beginners SPECIFICATIONS Weight: 45.8g Controller: Yes Camera resolution: N/A Flight time: 5 minutes Range: 80m TODAY'S BEST DEALS Check Amazon REASONS TO BUY +Affordable FPV kit+Robust build quality REASONS TO AVOID -Limited battery life-Can’t shoot photo of video
A complete yet affordable FPV kit, we think the BetaFPV is the best way for beginners to try first-person drone flight. The bundle comes with a full FPV setup, including 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. FPV flight makes crashes more likely, but the Cetus is built tough enough to withstand most impacts. Turtle Mode means it can right itself remotely, while 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 is 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, making backup cells a necessity, 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 the top option.
Read our in-depth BetaFPV Cetus Pro Kit review
(Image credit: Future)
6. Autel Evo Lite+ A versatile rival to the DJI Air 2S SPECIFICATIONS Weight: 835g Controller: Yes Camera resolution: 20MP Flight time: 40 minutes Range: 12KM TODAY'S BEST DEALS Check Amazon REASONS TO BUY +1-inch sensor with adjustable aperture+40-minute flight time REASONS TO AVOID -Costs more than Air 2S-No D-Log profile
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
(Image credit: Future)
7. DJI Avata Not cheap, but this FPV drone's fun factor is off the charts SPECIFICATIONS Weight: 410g Controller: Yes Camera resolution: 48MP Battery size: 2,420 mAh Range: 10km (FCC), 2km (CE), 6km (SRRC) TODAY'S BEST DEALS Check Amazon REASONS TO BUY +Crash-resistant design+New Goggles ideal for small drone+Large sensor produces good footage REASONS TO AVOID -No manual mode with standard controller-Annoying microSD card slot placement
FPV (or first-person view) drones are more niche affairs than the more sedate drones in this list, but they are a blast to fly – and the DJI Avata is the best around for beginners looking to dabble in this increasingly popular style of aerial filmmaking. Using a combination of DJI's Motion Controller and one of its two flavors of DJI Goggles, you can fly it indoors or outside while shooting impressive 4K/60p video.
Our review found one particularly frustrating design decision – the placing of a microSD card slot inside one of the Avata's blade rings. But otherwise, we found it to be impressively crash-resistant – mainly thanks to those propellor guards – and easy to fly, after a few practice runs. Your main decision will be whether to go for DJI's Motion Controller, which sees the drone respond to your hand movements, or pay the extra for DJI's more standard FPV Remote Controller ($139 / £139 / AU$229). Traditionalists will prefer the latter, but some may find the motion pad more intuitive.
Either way, you'll be able to fly the Avata around at top speeds of 60mph, while capturing some unique footage. Pro shooters will enjoy the support for DJI's 'flat' D-Cinelike profile, for color grading afterwards. And as long as you're aware of its limitations (like needing a 'spotter' alongside you if you shooting outdoors), the DJI Avata is an ideal choice for fledgling FPV pilots.
Read our in-depth DJI Avata review
(Image credit: Future)
8. DJI Mavic Air 2 Still offers great value for hobbyist fliers SPECIFICATIONS Weight: 570g Controller: Yes Camera resolution: 12MP Battery size: 3,950 mAh Range: 10km TODAY'S BEST DEALS Check Amazon REASONS TO BUY +Very easy to fly+Shoots great 4K/60p video+Strong 34-minute battery life REASONS TO AVOID -Camera feed sometimes stutters-No screen on the controller
Previously our number one drone, the Mavic Air 2 has been nudged out of the limelight by the arrival of the DJI Air 2S (see number one) and Autel Evo Lite+ (above). But you shouldn’t rule it out as an option – after all, in our review, we called it the 'sweet spot' all-rounder of drones. It’s more affordable than the Air 2S and may just suit you better, if you don’t need the new model’s larger 1-Inch sensor.
It still shoots 4K/60p video, boasts an impressive 34-minute flight time and has a comparable maximum 10km range. You also get the same subject-tracking goodness as the Air 2S, a slightly longer 34-minute flight time, and that handy, compact folding design. While we’d stretch to the Air 2S if you can, due to its larger sensor and useful digital zoom, the Mavic Air 2 remains a great value option that is well worth considering.
Read our in-depth DJI Mavic Air 2 review
(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)
9. Autel Evo Nano+ A great compact drone that excels in low light SPECIFICATIONS Best for: Low-light shooters Camera resolution: 12.5MP Range: 16.8km Weight: 249g Battery size: 2250 mAh Controller: Yes TODAY'S BEST DEALS Check Amazon REASONS TO BUY +Big sensor and bright lens+Collision detection+Stunning video and stills REASONS TO AVOID -Fragile-Still missing subject-tracking
The DJI Mini 3 Pro remains our top pick in the sub-250g drone category, but the colorful Evo Nano+ isn't far behind. Our tests found that its sensor trumps the DJI Mini 2, particularly in low-light situations, and it can handle windy conditions well for such small drone.
Like the DJI Mini 2, there's unfortunately no subject-tracking and also no API support to make it compatible with third-party apps. But otherwise, the Evo Nano+ is a superb compact drone, particularly if you need one that ducks under the 250g weight limit that in many regions can affect where you fly it.
We found that it produced stunning 4K/30p video and stills, and the Autel Fly has also improved considerably since we first reviewed the drone. If you're looking for a small drone and a DJI alternative, then the Evo Nano+ should be near the top of your wishlist.
Read our in-depth Autel Evo Nano+ review
(Image credit: Future)
10. Ryze Tello The best cheap drone for first-time fliers SPECIFICATIONS Weight: 80g Controller: Optional Camera resolution: 5MP Flight time: 13 minutes Range: 100m TODAY'S BEST DEALS Check Amazon REASONS TO BUY +Responsive flight controls+Lightweight and compact REASONS TO AVOID -Choppy video transmission-Unstable in wind
Simple, lightweight and affordable, the Ryze Tello is designed to be a fun drone for first-time flyers. And despite its budget price tag, the Tello offers plenty: the battery serves up a reasonable 13 minutes of flight time, while downward-facing light sensors allow the Tello to hover in place and perform a handful of automated tricks.
Our review found the image quality from the nose-mounted 5MP camera to be less impressive, with limited dynamic range and noticeable compression artifacts when streaming 720p HD video. Because video is beamed directly to your smartphone, the frame rate is affected by any drop in connection strength.
That said, the app is refreshingly simple and makes for 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 not necessarily a bad thing.
The Ryze Tello is fundamentally a fun drone to fly on a calm day, zipping along at a rapid chop and reacting nimbly to intuitive inputs. The limited range is somewhat restrictive but, provided you don’t mind choppy video, it’s nevertheless the best starter drone around.
Read our in-depth Ryze Tello review
(Image credit: Future)
11. DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 A pro-friendly choice for those who need a sturdy, powerful quadcopter SPECIFICATIONS Weight: 1375g Controller: Yes Camera resolution: 20MP Battery size: 6000mAh Range: 8km TODAY'S BEST DEALS Check Amazon REASONS TO BUY +Large 1-inch 20MP sensor+Sturdy and fast drone+Shoots 4K/60p video at 100Mbps REASONS TO AVOID -Large and bulky-More complex than foldables
DJI's Phantom range was the series that really took its drones to new heights – and while the Phantom 4 Pro V.20 isn't the newest model in this list, it remains a fine option for professionals who need something sturdy and reliable for windy conditions. Launched in 2018, the Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 was a big upgrade on the Phantom 4, bringing vastly improved obstacle avoidance and intelligent flight modes like ActiveTrack. Its 20MP 1-inch sensor can also shoot impressive raw stills and 4K/60p video at 100Mbps in the D-log color profile.
Of course, the Phantom 4 Pro V2.0's size (it weighs 1,375g) means it isn't as convenient as the foldable Mavic 2 Pro, which also has a 20Mp 1-inch sensor. But it does also bring a mechanical shutter (for avoiding rolling shutter) and boasts a higher 4K frame-rate than its smaller sibling. With some excellent handling and 30 minutes of flight time that we enjoyed in our review, it's certainly worth considering if you need to shoot high-quality aerial stills and video in challenging weather that might be too much for the Mavic 2 Pro.
Read our in-depth DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 review
(Image credit: Future)
12. PowerVision PowerEgg X An all-weather drone that converts into a handheld camera SPECIFICATIONS Weight: 522g Controller: Yes Camera resolution: 12MP Flight time: 3,800 mAh Range: 6km TODAY'S BEST DEALS Check Amazon REASONS TO BUY +Can fly in rain and land on water+Converts into a handheld camera REASONS TO AVOID -Image quality falls short of rivals-Lacks Raw video modes
Ignore the culinary name: the PowerEgg X is a flyer, not a fryer. And in a market dominated by drones that don’t like water, PowerVision’s aerial orb is distinctive in its ability to fly in the rain and land on lakes (with the Wizard bundle). Image quality is affected by the plastic waterproof housing, but being able to operate in – and float upon – the wet stuff opens up a range of creative possibilities.
So, too, does the versatile modular design. The PowerEgg X can also be deployed as a handheld gimbal camera and an autonomous AI camera, which can be mounted to a tripod and controlled with hand-gestures. The flip-side of the adaptable setup is that we found it slower to deploy in our testing. It might be lightweight, but removing the protective casing from the body, adding the propeller arms and setting up the controller takes a few minutes.
Image quality isn’t class-leading, either. The PowerEgg X does produce decent, detailed 4K footage in bright conditions, but the fixed aperture, fixed-focus 12MP 1/2.8-inch CMOS sensor can’t compete with DJI’s Mavic drones. It’s also not currently possible to record in raw video formats. Still, for short, sharp video sequences in bad weather, the PowerEgg X is one of the best options around.
Read our in-depth PowerVision PowerEgg X review
(Image credit: Future)
13. FIMI X8 Mini A more affordable 4K alternative to the DJI Mini 2 SPECIFICATIONS Weight: 258g Controller: Yes Camera resolution: 12MP Battery Size: 3500mAh Range: 8km TODAY'S BEST DEALS Check Amazon REASONS TO BUY +Easy to fly+Excellent battery life+Decent image quality REASONS TO AVOID -No front collision sensors-Less polished than DJI Mini 2
While we think the DJI Mini 2 is the better mini drone overall, the impressive FIMI X8 Mini is a more affordable alternative – and worth considering if you can't stretch to the Mini 2's price tag. During testing, we found that it shoots high-quality 4K video with lots of detail, even if the dynamic range is understandably limited given its relatively small 1/2.6-inch sensor. And its companion app, while a little rough around the edges, is stable and offers a range of automated flight modes.
The X8 Mini can also be handily charged via USB-C and has a bundled controller that is actually more solidly built than the drone itself. If you just want a direct connection with your phone instead, there's also a 5.8Ghz Wi-Fi flight mode (although the range is limited to 100m when doing this). Overall, the FIMI X8 Mini offers good value for money and is a good DJI alternative – even if it isn't exactly a tech minnow, being part of the Xiaomi family.
Read our in-depth FIMI X8 Mini review
How to choose the best drone for you
So how exactly do you choose the right drone to buy? The obvious place to start is budget. This guide is focused on drones that have cameras for shooting aerial photography and video, which tend to be pricier than hobbyist stunt drones.
If you need 4K video quality, then we'd budget to spend at least $400 / £400. But if you're looking for a budget drone to improve your flying skills, rather than take high-quality footage and photos, then you can spend much less – the Ryze Tello, for example, costs just $99 / £99.
What specific features should you look out for? If you're looking for a drone that can automatically track you without needing to be directly controlled, look for one for a 'follow me' function. Models that have this function include the DJI Air 2S, DJI Mavic Air 2 and Skydio 2 (US-only).
Beginner fliers should also look out for drones with automated flight modes – like DJI's Intelligent Flight modes – which can pull off 'set piece' moves without the need for any real flying skills. Most drones use your smartphone as the controller, which plugs into an included pad – iOS and Android phones are usually both supported, but it's worth double-checking that your chosen drone works with your phone.
Something else that's worth checking are the local drone laws in your area. In many regions, drones that weigh below 250g don't need to be registered with local civil aviation authorities, which can give you a small saving. Most laws require you to keep your drone in line of sight, though, so you might not able to exploit its maximum range.
Photographers, meanwhile, should look out for raw photo support. This is less common in drones than cameras, but is becoming standard on newer models – the DJI Mini 2, for example, has raw support, but its DJI Mavic Mini predecessor doesn't.
Should you buy DJI drones?
Despite the US government's decision in December 2020 to place Chinese drone maker DJI on its 'Entity List' – a trade blacklist that Huawei found itself on in 2019 – we're still more than happy to recommend its flying cameras.
There are a few reasons for this. Firstly, the US government hasn't yet explained exactly why DJI was added to its 'Entity List' and DJI itself has strong refuted the decision, saying it "has done nothing to justify being placed on the list".
Also, more recently in June 2021, the Pentagon released a report stating that two "Government Edition" DJI Drones are "recommended for use by government entities". This doesn't mean that DJI has been given the all-clear, and Congress is mulling over a law that could ban the government for five years from 2023.
But for consumers, there's no sign that DJI will be banned from selling its drones in the US – instead, the trade blacklist simply restricts DJI's access to US technologies for future products. So while it may well affect DJI's supply chains, all the big retailers like Amazon are still selling the company's drones as usual.
The decision of whether or not to buy DJI drones is a personal one, but we are very happy to continue recommending its class-leading models as usual. Right now, models like the DJI Air 2S remain the best in their class, and we see no reason not to recommend them to anyone looking to step into aerial photography.
Which brand of drones is best?
For many years, DJI has been the standout brand for drones with cameras. And while that continues to be the case, the Chinese company has come under fire in recent times – both from increased competition and run-ins with the US government. This hasn't changed our opinion of whether or not you should buy a DJI drone (as you can read above), but it is good to finally see some healthy competition in the drone space.
In the US, Skydio has become a standout brand for obstacle-avoidance powers, which make it a strong contender for those who need 'follow me' functionality. And more recently, we've been impressed by the offerings from another Chinese company, Autel, which is making very good DJI rivals at different price points. For now, we still think DJI is the best overall brand for drones, but there are now lots of alternatives, particularly if you have a specific use case for a flying camera.
(Image credit: DJI)
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 check their stabilization in the air, their responsiveness and their top speed. Perhaps most importantly, we also assess their obstacle avoidance – which is particularly crucial if you want a drone that automatically tracks and follows a subject.
After testing the drone's battery life claims based on some real-world flights, we then move onto their cameras. We shoot a range if clips at different resolutions and frame-rates, including high-contrast scenes to push their dynamic range to the limit, plus some low-light scenes. Automated flight modes are also tested to see whether they're genuinely useful or fun gimmicks.
(Image credit: Future)
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). When it comes to image quality, we look at detail, sharpness across the frame, and high ISO noise handling, to see which conditions you can reasonably expect to shoot usable video and stills in. We then combine these results with our overall impression of the drone's design, features and value to produce our final verdict.