The best drones make it simple to capture cinematic stills and video from the sky. With high-resolution sensors and automated safety features, the top options let you get airborne easily, giving you access to aerial angles previously reserved for helicopter passengers. For this reason, drones have become the tool of choice for countless filmmakers and photographers.
DJI has been majorly active in 2023, launching some of the most exciting drones to market. We billed the new DJI Mavic 3 Pro as the most versatile consumer drone yet thanks to its triple lens camera, while the DJI Inspire 3 takes cinematic quality to great heights for professionals with its 8K video capture up to 75fps in ProRes RAW.
I'm also expecting more beginner-friendly drones later this year, with Potensic and Holy Stone gearing up to launch new models. What's for sure, there's a camera-equipped drone for all skill-levels and budgets.
Timothy Coleman, Cameras editor
Based on our extensive testing, we think the best drone for most people right now is the DJI Mini 3 Pro. It packs a seriously impressive skill set for such a small drone, with a fantastic camera and three-directional obstacle avoidance. It’s also easy for first-timers to fly, making it one of the best beginner drones.
That said, we’ve also reviewed drones to suit a range of different budgets and requirements. If you’re a professional pilot with deeper pockets, we highly recommend the triple-camera DJI Mavic 3 Pro as one of the most versatile flying machines on the market right now.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for a cheap and simple drone to learn the ropes, we suggest taking a look at the Ryze Tello, which we highly rate for buyers on a tight budget. Or if you’d like to give FPV flight a go, the DJI Avata is our favorite drone for first-person piloting.
From backpack-friendly folding drones to premium quadcopters, our guide below covers the very best drones you can buy. We’ve also shared some top buying tips to help you pick your perfect drone, based on our countless hours of flying experience. If you’re getting airborne for the first time, check out our dedicated beginner’s drone guide.
The best drone 2023
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Packing the performance of bigger drones into convenient proportions, we think the DJI Mini 3 Pro is the best compact drone you can buy. It’s more expensive than previous editions of the Mini, but that extra cost yields a huge upgrade over the Mini 2. For the money, you get a far superior camera, obstacle avoidance sensors and a range of in-flight features that you’d normally only find on larger drones.
In our review, we found that the Mini 3 Pro’s 12.1MP 1/1.3-inch sensor produced excellent image quality. We also encountered very little noise even at the maximum ISO 6400, while the combination of a bright f/1.7 lens and dual native ISO tech gives the Mini 3 Pro impressive low-light performance.
Its three-directional obstacle avoidance worked well in testing. Together with automated flight modes, this makes it an easy drone for beginners to operate. We also liked the option to rotate its camera by 90 degrees for crop-free portrait recording. If you can stretch your budget to include the DJI RC controller, you’ll land the best backpack-friendly bundle for aerial photography and video, bar none.
- Read our in-depth DJI Mini 3 Pro review
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
DJI’s new flagship is the first consumer drone with three cameras. This is two more than most pilots need. But if you’re an aerial photographer or videographer in search of the most versatile drone on the market, the results of our testing suggest the Mavic 3 Pro is the premium pick for you.
In our review, we found the image quality of the main 24mm Four Thirds camera – the same one used by the Mavic 3 Classic (below) – the best. It’s also the winner in terms of adjustable aperture, formats and frame rates. That said, both telephoto cameras produce excellent images, and the option to zoom in 3x and 7x is fantastically useful in a range of scenarios.
Despite being a pro drone, we found the Mavic 3 Pro incredibly easy to fly, aided by excellent safety features that make it accessible to all users. That said, its pro-tier video modes, as well as its price tag, make it overkill for beginners. Its weight also puts it into the restrictive C2 European drone category. But if you want a top-spec drone that’s more portable and less expensive than the Inspire 3, the Mavic 3 offers it all – plus two telephotos.
- Read our in-depth DJI Mavic 3 Pro review
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
If you don’t need the reassurance of collision avoidance, the Mini 3 is the best budget drone you can buy. Small, lightweight and more affordable than the Mini 3 Pro, it delivers identical image quality to its costlier sibling. Provided you’re confident to navigate in-flight obstacles without automated assistance, it’s a high-quality drone capable of capturing excellent JPEG and raw stills, as well as 4K video at up to 30fps. Helpfully, its 12MP sensor can also rotate to shoot in portrait.
A lack of Log profiles limits its appeal to professionals, while the absence of subject tracking marks another downgrade from the Pro version. That said, the Mini 3 still features Quickshots, which allow beginners to capture cinematic footage using automated flight paths. We found it an easy drone to pilot with the optional controller, with downward vision sensors and GPS to help with hovering. Stepping up to the Mavic 3 Classic would yield better image quality and increased stability in windy conditions, but with decent real-world flight times of 25 minutes, the Mini 3 ticks all the key boxes for budget buyers.
- Read our in-depth DJI Mini 3 review
Also consider...
Technically a step down from the Mavic 3, the Classic edition lands at a lower price by losing 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.
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. While 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. 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
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 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, we found the app refreshingly simple. It offers 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 an enjoyable 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
If you’re looking to explore the increasingly popular niche of first-person drone flight, we think the DJI Avata is the best FPV drone out there. Using a compatible controller and pair of DJI Goggles, you can fly indoors or out while shooting impressive 4K/60p video. Pro shooters will enjoy support for DJI’s flat D-Cinelike profile, too.
Besides one frustrating design decision – placing a microSD card slot inside one of the Avata’s blade rings – our review found it to be a well-built drone with impressive crash resistance, courtesy of its propellor guards. We felt it was easy to fly after just a few practice runs.
Several variants of DJI controllers are available for the Avata. These include standard remotes that will likely appeal to traditionalists, as well as motion-sensitive options like the DJI RC Motion 2, which sees the drone respond to the pilot’s hand movements. This will be the more intuitive option for many learners.
Either way, you’ll be able to fly the Avata at top speeds of 60mph, while capturing unique footage. As long as you’re aware of its limitations – you’ll need a spotter if you’re shooting outdoors – the DJI Avata is an ideal choice for fledgling FPV pilots.
- Read our in-depth DJI Avata review
The DJI Mini 3 Pro remains our top pick in the sub-250g category, but the colorful Evo Nano+ isn’t far behind. 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 found results after dark were much improved by locking the exposure to ISO 3200, too.
Despite ducking under 250g limit, the Nano+ handles windy conditions fairly well for such a small drone. 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.
The Autel fly app has improved considerably since we first reviewed the drone, with a more streamlined interface for stills and video. 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
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
How to choose the best drone for you
When choosing your ideal drone, budget is the obvious place to start. Flagship drones usually benefit from the largest sensors, highest video resolutions and latest pro-grade features, but these will usually set you back thousands. You’ll often find the best value by looking in the middle of the range, where models like the DJI Mini 3 Pro balance price, portability and performance. If you’re a novice in search of an affordable drone to get started, the Ryze Tello offers a decent experience for just $99 / £99.
Beginner fliers should consider drones with safety features like obstacle avoidance, which help to prevent mid-air collisions. Automated flight modes also make it easy to pull off set piece manoeuvres without the need for professional flying skills. Similarly, drones with a follow-me mode take the effort out of tracking a subject.
Most drones allow you to use a smartphone as a controller, usually by inserting it into an included handset. If you’re a seasoned pilot with specific control requirements, it’s worth checking what remotes are compatible with a given model. Factors such as flight time, range and speed can also be crucial, depending on how you plan to fly.
If you plan to shoot aerial photos and videos, it’s worth thinking about how you plan to use your images. If you’re shooting to share on social, you might be happy with stabilized Full HD footage. But if you’re producing a short film or even working commercially, you should look for a drone with a large sensor that’s capable of recording 4K footage, with support for color profiles for greater editing flexibility.
Finally, keep size and weight in mind. Many of the drones above can be folded down to fit in a backpack, which makes them easier to travel with. Larger drones are less portable but tend to be more stable in the air. Any drones that weigh more than 250g are likely to attract registration requirements (see below).
What are laws around flying a drone?
Drone laws exist to ensure a high level of safety in the skies, especially near sensitive areas like airports and national parks. They also aim to address privacy concerns that arise when camera drones fly in residential areas.
In several regions, such as the United States, drones weighing less than 250g are exempt from registration with civil aviation authorities. While registration might not be mandatory, it’s still necessary to follow local drone laws. This includes the requirement to keep your drone within sight at all times when airborne.
Different countries have different rules. Previously, in the UK, drones weighing less than 250g were exempt from registration. This has changed: owners of any camera-equipped drone must now register their aircraft with the Civil Aviation Authority and obtain an Operator ID. This registration carries an annual fee of £10.33 for individuals aged 18 and above.
If your drone exceeds 250g in weight, you will also require a Flyer ID. To obtain this, you need to pass an online test featuring 40 multiple-choice questions. The answers can be found in the Drone Code and are intended to promote safer flying practices.
For drones weighing less than 250g without a camera, neither ID is necessary. That said, you still need to comply with the UK’s drone laws. According to the Drone Code, this means maintaining visual contact with your drone, flying no higher than 120m above the ground, staying at least 150m away from populated areas, and avoiding restricted airspace, typically found near airports.
Are DJI drones illegal in the US?
In December 2020, the US government placed Chinese drone maker DJI on its ‘Entity List’ – the same trade blacklist that Huawei landed on in 2019. It is now prohibited for US federal agencies to purchase or use DJI drones, and several states, including Florida, have banned their use by government agencies.
However, it’s still perfectly legal for private customers to buy and fly DJI drones in the US, and there’s no sign that DJI will be banned from selling its products on the consumer market. The trade blacklist simply restricts its access to US technologies for future products. So while it may 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 flying cameras. DJI itself has strongly refuted the US blacklist decision, saying it “has done nothing to justify being placed on the list”. It has also stated that “DJI is not a military company in China, the United States or anywhere else.”
Who makes the best drone?
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. 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.
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.
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.
