In the last few years, drone cameras have become ever more accessible to the point where they are no longer a specialist’s device. While there are still plenty of options for professionals who need top-of-the-line specs for film and TV productions, budding content creators can get their hands on drones with a simplified UI that’s easy to get to grips with. Whatever your background, we’re here to help with our round-up of the best drones to buy.
For anyone who’s thinking about buying their very first drone, know that the big allure of these devices is their ability to capture stunning cinematic shots of wide open vistas, and to follow subjects/objects from above as they move through an environment. Once upon a time, such a shot was only really possible via a crane or helicopter, but now drones have taken charge as they’re much easier to manoeuvre and set up.
As drone cameras have only grown in popularity, there’s now more choice than ever but that does mean that in order to get paired up with the one that’s right for you, it helps to make a list beforehand of your must-have features. For instance, if you plan on jumping between multiple locations in a day then portability is key, whilst those who are shooting at a professional level and are likely to stay in one location for a while will know that a high-end resolution is essential.
Bear in mind that there are also several legalities to consider when it comes to drone ownership. In the UK, any drone weighing over 250g can only be flown by a registered operator. Anything less than that will require you to get an official Flyer ID, so it’s best to check the official government advice before deciding on which drone to buy.
Once you’re all caught up on the advice and have a solid idea of the features you want the most, our guide can help you with your purchase to make your money go even further. Of course, there’s always a chance that you might be better served by a different type of camera or equipment. For smooth, stable footage, the best smartphone gimbals can get the job done brilliantly, whilst the best action cameras are ideal for fast-paced scenes.
Best drones at a glance
Best premium drone:
Best compact drone:
Best alternative compact drone:
Best entry-level drone:
Best cheap small drone:
Best FPV drone:
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Learn more about how we test drones
We thoroughly test camera drones with hours of flight time, as well as capturing sample photos and videos. We’ll always tell you what we find and we never, ever accept money to review a product.
DJI Mavic 4 Pro
Pros
- Three superb cameras
- Flexible camera gimbal
- Long battery life
- Omnidirectional obstacle sensors plus LiDAR
- Quiet operation
Cons
- Expensive – and no US price yet
- Weight makes it subject to flight restrictions
DJI Mini 5 Pro
Pros
- Excellent image quality
- Superb flight and safety features
- Pocket-sized design
Cons
- Battery life falls short of expectations
- Some confusion over weight
DJI Mini 4 Pro
Pros
- 249g weight circumvents most drone restrictions
- Omnidirectional vision sensors
- Excellent image quality
Cons
- Not cheap by small drone standards
- Average low light image quality
DJI Flip review
Pros
- Weighs under 250g
- Front-facing sensor
- Good flight performance
- Solid photo and video performance
Cons
- No omnidirectional obstacle avoidance
DJI Mini 3
Pros
- Great value as an entry-level drone
- Stunning overall video and image quality
- Lightweight and portable design
Cons
- Can’t quite match the DJI Mini 3 Pro for preformance
- Photos lose quality when cropping
- No Active Track
DJI Avata 2
Pros
- Makes FPV flying easier than ever
- Lightweight Goggles 3 with pass-through video
- Good battery life
- Impressive camera performance
Cons
- Weight restricts legal UK flight locations
- Quite expensive
FAQs
According to the CAA, “you do not need to register if you’ll only use a drone or model aircraft that weighs below 250g and is a toy or does not have a camera”.
However, all other drones will need to be registered and the owner must register for either a flyer or operator ID, depending on if they plan to fly it or are just responsible for managing and maintaining the drone.
You can find all of the rules you’re required to follow as someone with a drone in the UK on the CAA’s website.
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