A 10-Step Beginner’s Guide to Buying a Drone
Drone flying close to forrest
Drones have evolved rapidly from being just a mere flying toy. They are now useful tools for aspiring photographers who need to get wider angles or more intuitive shots for their projects. In addition, they also serve a variety of different purposes such as mapping terrain and surveying wildlife.
Drone flying over river
Here is our 10-step guide to buying a drone. You can also read about the things to know before buying a drone.
1. Price Range
The price range for drones varies from $50 to a couple thousand dollars. However, it’s important to keep in mind that even the most expensive model may not perform well for what you need. It all depends on how experienced you are handling drones and what you plan to use it for.
Camera drone
More expensive drones may have longer flying times, better cameras for photography and video-recording, better controllers and more durability in extreme environments.
2. Drones For Beginners
Although the most basic drones range from $50 to $300 and are often smaller and easier to manoeuvre, they can still handle a lot of tasks. Most offer camera and video-recording capabilities. Some will offer a live video feed to your controller which will in turn help you to navigate the drone out of sight.
Drone flying indoors
3. Drones for Intermediate Users
The next batch of drones are for intermediate users and can range anywhere from $300 to $1200. These drones are normally bigger and offer much better flying experiences. The majority of these drones come with a more impressive 720p camera and are able to fly for a longer period of time on one charge.
Drone flying over sea at sunset
4. Drones for Experts
The next class of drones can cost $1500 or more. These drones are some of the most impressive tools for photographers or avid drone-lovers. These drones can sport up to 6-8 rotors for better flight control and cameras with 1080p or better.
Drone flying aobe emergency scene
If the drone is not equipped with a camera, come with an attachment where you can attach your own personal camera or an action camera such as a GoPro. You will normally get a longer flight, more stability, and a better controller for flying.
Drone aerial footage of houses close to beach
5. Cameras
Drone camera
The majority of people prefer to use a done that is equipped with a camera. The good thing is that is now standard for new drones to have cameras. Most of the drones on the market are fully equipped with at least a 12MP camera resolution and 4k video resolution.
Drone image of beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
6. Air Time
Picture of Jeongdongjin, South Korea taken by a drone
The air time or flight time refers to how long your drone can stay in the air without the need to recharge. Most average drones will offer 25 minutes of uninterrupted flight time. It is important to know the limits of your drone to prevent it crash landing.
Drone flying in the sky
7. Video Transmission
Another key feature to look out for is the video transmission distance and the type of video transmission system. Look at the maximum distance from which the drone can transmit videos to the controller, and also look at the quality of the video that will be transmitted.
Drone footage
8. The Gimbal
The gimbal is an accessory that can really come in handy if you are using your drone to take pictures or videos. Some drones will have a gimbal fitted as standard. A gimbal attaches underneath the frame of your camera drone to stabilize the platform for the camera. It can also provide a better range of motion for your shots.
Drone with camera in flight
The gimbal and the camera drone work in unison to give you smooth footage even while rolling and tilting through the air. Your controller operates the gimbal separately. This is what allows the camera to stay steady even when the flight is not. When looking for a gimbal, be sure that it is compatible with both your drone and your camera (if buying separately).
Camera drone
9. The Remote Control
You will obviously need a remote controller in order to fly your drone. Some drones are capable of being used with physical controllers and others can be controlled via a smartphone app.
Drone with controller
Physical controller configurations range from two joysticks to more complex systems that can control flight and the camera at the same time. With more expensive systems, the flight controller may also be able to gauge external flight conditions like wind speed.
Drone controller connected to tablet
With smartphone controllers, the drones create their own WiFi hotspot. This allows you to fly anywhere, even when there is no other signal. You can connect your smartphone or tablet to the drone’s WiFi to pilot it.
9. Control Range
Drone flying above sea in sunset
You will need to know what the maximum distance is that your drone can be operated from the controller. They can be anywhere from a couple hundred feet to a mile or more. The range you will need will depend on the purpose that you will be using your drone for.
Drone footage of winding road next to sea
Drone footage of pine trees in snow
10. Ready-To-Fly Versus Do-It-Yourself Drones
With drones, you can either purchase a do-it-yourself (DIY) model or a ready-to-fly (RTF) model. Your choice will depend on how much time and effort you wish to spend on your drone. RTF models are more convenient and require less work up front.
Drone flying
DIY models allow for greater customization and can sometimes cost less. However, with a DIY model, you will need to have the requisite expertise to build a model, calibrate it, and make it work.
Quadrocopter drone
Here are 10 best selling drones that you can check out:
Holy Stone GPS FPV RC Drone HS100 with Camera Live Video and...
- The Largest & Wind-Resistant: Large body and powerful motors keep drone hovering stably in wind. Headless Mode, Altitude Hold and One Key Takeoff and Landing for easier operation. Perfect for beginners. Size 16.9*16.9*6.9 IN
- The Largest & Wind-Resistant: Large body and powerful motors keep drone hovering stably in wind. Headless Mode, Altitude Hold and One Key Takeoff and Landing for easier operation. Perfect for beginners. Size 16.9*16.9*6.9 IN
- 2K Optimized 120° FOV FPV 5GHz Wi-Fi Camera: 90° Adjustable angle, captures high-quality video and aerial photos. You can enjoy the Real-Time Viewing right from your remote control. Ideal selfie done, catching every moment of your vacation from a birds-eye perspective. 5GHz WIFI enables clearer and farther FPV images transmission
- Easy to Assemble & Carry: The foldable propellers are pre-assembled. Just insert camera, landing gears and battery. Then, get it take off. Besides, the foldable propellers makes it easy to keep the drone or take it out.
- GPS Assisted Flight: Provides you with accurate positioning details of your drone. Built in Return-to-Home (RTH) function for safer fly, the drone will automatically return to home precisely when its battery is low or the signal is weak when flying out of range, never worrying about losing the drone. Follow Me Mode: The drone will automatically follows and captures you wherever you move. Keeping you in the frame at all times, easier to get complex shots, provides hands-free flying and selfie
- Flying Time Up to 18 Mins / Longer Control Distance: Capacity of 3500mAh high performance battery and reaching up to 1968FT control distance giving you a more extensive flight experience. BLADES ARE UNDER THE FOAM BOX
Drone with HD Camera, Potensic F181DH RC Drone Quadcopter RTF Altitude Hold...
- Fully Equipped: 4 Extra batteries & spare replacement parts (motors, blades, gears) included, providing quality guarantee, while enabling you to enjoy longer flying time.
- Handy to Carry: This professional grade carrying case is convenient and gives your drone the all-round protection it needs.
- Fully Equipped: 4 Extra batteries & spare replacement parts (motors, blades, gears) included, providing quality guarantee, while enabling you to enjoy longer flying time.
- Handy to Carry: This professional grade carrying case is convenient and gives your drone the all-round protection it needs.
- Step-less speed function: Exclusively designed for the proficient and the beginners. It can achieve seamless speed shift between 10%-100%, and the adjustment on speed can be 1%, which not only enables you to fly indoors & outdoors, but makes it easier to practice your piloting skills to quickly move from beginner to expert.
- First Person View: Possessing 2 megapixels camera and 5.8GHz wireless HD monitor screen, & high-speed picture transmission without delay, there is no need to connect to your phone.
- Altitude Hold Function: Powerful air pressure altitude hold function allows the drone to hover at it's current height after releasing the throttle stick, making it easy for you to shoot quality images or videos.
DJI Mavic Pro
- Fly for miles. From your pocket. Inside the Mavic’s pocket-sized remote controller is DJI’s brand new OcuSync transmission technology, with a range of 4. 3mi (7km) and Full HD 1080p video streaming.
- Fly for miles. From your pocket. Inside the Mavic’s pocket-sized remote controller is DJI’s brand new OcuSync transmission technology, with a range of 4. 3mi (7km) and Full HD 1080p video streaming.
- No bumps and scrapes When you know what’s in front of you, you won’t bump into it. The same is true of the Mavic. Using Flight Autonomy it can see obstacles as far away as 49ft (15m) in front.
- Absolute Precision Flight Autonomy technology means the Mavic can hover precisely in more environments, and automatically land almost exactly where you took off.
- Stay flying longer Why fly for 10 or 15 minutes when you can fly for up to 27? With the Mavic you can. Finely tuned control
- Use every single pixel The Mavic is the only drone of its size to carry an integrated high-precision 3-axis mechanical camera stabilization system. . Operating Temperature Range:32° to 104° F (0° to 40° C)
- Includes: DJI Mavic Pro Quadcopter [US Version], Battery, 16GB microSD, Propeller pairs x3, Remote Controller
Parrot Bebop 2 - Red
- Enhanced 14 megapixel fish-eye lens offers 1080p video recording and image capture
- 25 minutes of flight time thanks to a powerful 2700 mAh battery
- Equipped with powerful motors for flight in greater altitudes
- Enhanced 14 megapixel fish-eye lens offers 1080p video recording and image capture
- 25 minutes of flight time thanks to a powerful 2700 mAh battery
- Equipped with powerful motors for flight in greater altitudes
- Powerful rear flash LED for better visibility—even in the dark,Connect to the App StoreTM or Google PlayTM and download the FreeFlight 3 application
- Requires registration with FAA. Visit their website for more info on how to register.
DJI Spark, Fly More Combo, Alpine White
- Intelligent Flight ModesSmart, reliable, and incredibly intuitiveQuickShotVideos with a Tap
- High-Performance CameraAmazing images and stabilized videoMechanical Gimbal StabilizationShake-Free Shots
- Flight PerformanceAwesome potential, immersive experiencesPowerful Propulsion Speed and Precision Control
- Intelligent Flight ModesSmart, reliable, and incredibly intuitiveQuickShotVideos with a Tap
- High-Performance CameraAmazing images and stabilized videoMechanical Gimbal StabilizationShake-Free Shots
- Flight PerformanceAwesome potential, immersive experiencesPowerful Propulsion Speed and Precision Control
- Flight SafetyWorry-free flight in the palm of your hand ; Propeller guards are recommended when using these functions.
- 2-Axis Stabilized Gimbal Camera. Voltage - 100-240 V
- Requirement = Windows 10 64bit, Windows 7 64bit
Autel Robotics X-Star Premium Drone with 4K Camera, 1.2-Mile HD Live View...
- 4K Ultra HD video camera with quick-release 3-axis gimbal stabilizer
- HD Live View up to 1.2 miles away and autonomous flight modes via the free Starlink app for iOS or Android (mobile device sold separately)
- 4K Ultra HD video camera with quick-release 3-axis gimbal stabilizer
- HD Live View up to 1.2 miles away and autonomous flight modes via the free Starlink app for iOS or Android (mobile device sold separately)
- Dual GPS/GLONASS outdoor navigation, SecureFlyTM magnetic interference protection, and the Starpoint Positioning SystemTM
- Intuitive remote controller with LCD display and one-touch action buttons
- Included accessories: Premium hard case, 64-GB MicroSD card, intelligent battery, 1-hour fast charger, spare propellers and small parts
- Backed by Autel Robotics customer support: U.S. based, seven days a week
Yuneec Breeze Flying Camera - Compact Smart Drone with Ultra High Definition...
- 4K STUNNING VIDEO & PICTURES with breathtaking 4K Ultra High Definition and ultra-clear 13 megapixel stills.
- EASY TO USE no flying experience necessary to take dramatic aerial group photos and video, simply pick from 5 automated flight modes to get the shot of your choice: Selfie, Pilot, Orbit, Journey, Follow Me.
- 4K STUNNING VIDEO & PICTURES with breathtaking 4K Ultra High Definition and ultra-clear 13 megapixel stills.
- EASY TO USE no flying experience necessary to take dramatic aerial group photos and video, simply pick from 5 automated flight modes to get the shot of your choice: Selfie, Pilot, Orbit, Journey, Follow Me.
- SAFE TO FLY with built-in Indoor Positioning System to allow Breeze to hold its position indoors and outdoors; the propeller protectors preventing them from coming into contact with other objects. Also, automatically returns to home and lands with the tap of a button.
- SOCIAL Download the app on your mobile device to control and navigate Breeze, edit photos & videos, then instantly share to your favorite social media sites.
- UPGRADED ONE YEAR WARRANTY - Guarantees against manufacturer defects from the original date of purchase.
Ruko F11Gim drones with camera for Adults, 2-Axis gimbal 4K EIS Camera,...
- 【FAA Compliance】 , which you can check on the FAA website and will not affect the normal use of the drone. If you have any questions about FAA Remote ID, please feel free to contact the Ruko Customer Support team for assistance.
- 【FAA Compliance】 , which you can check on the FAA website and will not affect the normal use of the drone. If you have any questions about FAA Remote ID, please feel free to contact the Ruko Customer Support team for assistance.
- 【2-AXIS GIMBAL EIS 4K CAMERA DRONE】The Ruko F11GIM drone has a 2-axis gimbal and Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) for clear 4K/30fps video and 5x zoom photos. Its camera features a 100° FOV wide angle that can be adjusted to 80° and supports gesture shooting. Footage can be stored on a microSD card up to 128G.
- 【56 MIN LONG FLIGHT TIME DRONE】Ruko F11GIM drone has a long flight time of up to 56 minutes with its two 2,500 mAh batteries (28 minutes each). The batteries take about 4.5 hours to recharge and it is recommended to use a 5V-3A/2A charger. The visual battery level indicator for easy power monitoring.
- 【GPS DRONE BRUSHLESS MOTOR】Capture stunningly easily with GPS and powerful brushless motors, intelligent GPS flight modes such as "follow me," "waypoint flight," and "point of interest," the GPS drone allow you never to worry about losing your drone.
- 【INTELLIGENT RETURN HOME】Ruko F11GIM drone's smart return home feature is perfect for beginners, with low battery or loss of signal the drone will automatically fly back to its take-off location, and support one-button return.
- 【LEVEL 6 WIND RESISTANT DRONE】The drone has level-six wind resistance for stable flight, even in winds up to 31 mph. The controller and app allow for easy adjustment of flight speed and provide a 3937ft FPV 5G transmission video.
- 【GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE】We offer a 30-day return and exchange and a 90-day product guarantee. Contact us anytime if you have any issues. Ruko support is always available to assist you.
DJI Mavic Air 2 - Drone Quadcopter UAV with 48MP Camera 4K...
- 【UP YOUR GAME】: The Mavic Air 2 camera drone takes power and portability to the next level. It combines a powerful camera with intelligent shooting modes for stunning results. Push your imagination to its limits because aerial photography has never been this easy.
- 【UP YOUR GAME】: The Mavic Air 2 camera drone takes power and portability to the next level. It combines a powerful camera with intelligent shooting modes for stunning results. Push your imagination to its limits because aerial photography has never been this easy.
- 【NEXT-LEVEL CONTENT】: Capture impressive 48MP photos with a 1/2-inch CMOS sensor while the 3-axis gimbal provides 4K/60fps video. The secret to incredible HDR video is a high-performance Quad Bayer image sensor. OcuSync 2.0 has a video transmission distance of up to 6.2mi / 10 km and can also deliver 1080p FHD resolution livestream directly from the drone’s camera.
- 【IMPROVED FLIGHT】: An impressive flight time of up to 34 minutes allows you to pull off epic, fast-paced shots. Obstacle sensing in three directions makes it extra convenient for beginners and improves safety for your Mavic Air 2.
- 【INTELLIGENT TRACKING】: Mavic Air 2 features intuitive shooting functions that make aerial photography easier than ever. Spotlight 2.0 keeps the camera locked on a subject while you fly freely. ActiveTrack 3.0 keeps subjects centered. POI 3.0 tracks moving subjects like people and vehicles.
- 【APP COMPATIBILITY】: The DJI Fly app requires iOS v10.0, Android v6.0, or above. Compatible devices include: iPhone (11 Pro Max, 11 Pro, 11, XS Max, XS, XR, X, 8 Plus, 8, 7 Plus, 7, 6s Plus, 6s, 6 Plus, 6), iPad Pro (9.7’’), iPad Air 2 (9.7’’), iPad mini 4 (8’’), iPad Pro (10.5’’), iPad Pro 2018 11’’, iPad Pro 12.9’’, Samsung Galaxy (S20, S10+, S10, S9+, S9, S8+, S8, S7 edge, S7, S6, Note10+, Note9, Note8), Huawei (P30 Pro, P30, P20, P10, Mate 30 Pro, Mate 20 Pro, Mate 10, nova 5, nova 4, nova 3e, nova 2, Honor 8X, 10, 9, 20 Pro, Magic 2, Mi 8, MIX 2S, MIX 2, Redmi Note 5, Oppo Find X, R15, Vivo NEX, X27, X21, X20A, OnePlus 7, 6T, 5, Pixel 3 XL, 2 XL, 2, LG V20, LG G6, Sony Xpeial 1.
- 【WHAT YOU GET】: Mavic Air 2 Aircraft, Remote Controller, Intelligent Flight Battery, 3x Low-Noise Propellers (Pair), RC Cables (USB Type-C, Lightning, Standard Micro-USB), Control Stick, Gimbal Protector, Battery Charger, Manuals, AC Power Cable, Type-C Cable.
- 【VIDEO CAPTURE RESOLUTION】: 4K Hd. Operating Temperature Range--10° to 40°C (14° to 104°F)
SIMREX X20 GPS Drone with 4K HD Camera 2-Axis Self stabilizing Gimbal...
- Ultra-Long Flying Time: Capacity of the battery is up to 3000mAh, which provides about 30 minutes ultra-long flight time. And it can reach up to 500m control distance giving you a more extensive flight experience.
- Ultra-Long Flying Time: Capacity of the battery is up to 3000mAh, which provides about 30 minutes ultra-long flight time. And it can reach up to 500m control distance giving you a more extensive flight experience.
- 4K HD 108°FOV Adjustable FPV Camera: Captures high-quality video and aerial photos for the memorable moments. See the world through the eyes of a bird on your phone.
- Headless Mode: Orientation of the drone is in relation to the operation, when eyes can't identify the orientation of the drone, the Headless Mode can help to control easier and avoid from losing the direction.
- Drone with GPS Location & Auto Return Assisted Flight：Provides you with accurate positioning details of your drone.When your drone is Runaway or in Low Power, the drone can auto-return. Never worrying about losing the drone.
- Easy to fly: With functions like One Key Take off/Land/Return, Altitude Hold Mode, Headless Mode, and High/Low Speeds Switch and Trajectory Flight. Best choice with enough fun for beginners.
<h4>Here is our top selection, sorted by price:</h4>
