It’s no exaggeration to say that drones have changed the way we view the world. They’ve taken once difficult and expensive moviemaking techniques and made them accessible to anyone. Videos that once required a camera crew, expensive cranes, and hours of filming can now be done in minutes by the best drones with the tap of a single Auto Takeoff button.
Drones aren’t just flying cameras, though; they’re also the modern version of remote-controlled vehicles. Again, they’ve made flying easier and more accessible, thanks to intelligent collision sensors that protect your investment from mishaps. There is a dizzying array of drones available, but there is a basic division to be aware of—cheaper drones, while fun, will never fly as well or deliver the kind of video and photo results possible with more expensive models. You get what you pay for. That said, if you’re not worried about wowing YouTube with your sweeping panoramic masterpiece, you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a good, fun drone. Here are the best drones I’ve tested for every budget.
Be sure to check out our many other buying guides, including the Best Action Cameras, Best Compact Cameras, and Best Mirrorless Cameras.
Updated May 2022: We’ve added the Skydio 2+ and the Autel Evo Lite+, removed a Parrot drone and the aging Phantom 4, and updated pricing and links throughout.
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Photograph: DJI
Best for Most People
DJI Air 2S
DJI’s new Air 2S (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is our top pick. It strikes the best balance between size, weight, image quality, intelligent features, and price. Its camera isn’t quite as nice as the Mavic 2 Pro’s (see below), which has a variable aperture for more flexible shooting in sunny conditions, but adding neutral density filters to the Air 2S can help make up for the lack of aperture control.
The Air 2S is light enough (1.3 pounds) to bring on a hike yet powerful enough to fly even in light winds, and it can stay airborne for half an hour. It features an improved collision-avoidance system that should keep you out of trouble even when around trees. And the new 1-inch 20-megapixel sensor captures the beauty of the scene in stunning 5K video footage or 20-megapixel still photos.
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Photograph: Skydio
Best for Automated Flight
Skydio 2+ Drone
The Skydio 2+ (8/10, WIRED Recommends) has the best collision-avoidance and navigation system of any drone in this guide. If you’re looking for a drone that can follow your mountain bike through the trees or weave around canyon walls without your frantic guidance, this is the one for you. With a 27-minute flight time and a 6-mile range, it’s not quite a match for our top pick, but it’s plenty for most people. The main reason this isn’t our top pick is the camera. The 1/2.3-inch sensor is capable of 4K footage at 60 frames per second, but it’s not quite as nice as the 1-inch sensor in the Air 2S and Evo Lite+. Video pros should also note there’s no D-log support.
Still, if you can live without D-log and aren’t bothered by the slower sensor, this drone is capable of flying through situations other drones can’t. For some use cases, that might be better than a having a larger sensor.
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Photograph: DJI
Best Budget Drone
DJI Mini 2
The Mavic Air 2S has great collision-avoidance tech, but it’s pricey. For a more affordable option, DJI’s Mini 2 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is the way to go. It flies better than its larger siblings, though wind gusts that wouldn’t faze bigger drones like the Mavic 2 Pro will ground the Mini. The lack of collision-avoidance sensors makes it a better choice for more experienced fliers.
Despite those caveats, the Mini 2 is still a great entry-level drone. It’s fun to fly, shoots 4K video, and packs up smaller than many smartphones. That last bit is key, because the best drone is the one you actually bring with you. At a mere 249 grams, it’s easy to take the Mini 2 everywhere, and you don’t need to register it with the Federal Aviation Administration.
