Buying a drone?
The Only One-Stop Drone Buying Guide You Need
So, you’re finished browsing our drone reviews but the choice is still a little bit overwhelming – after all, there is so much great technology available at your fingertips, it can be difficult to decide which one will work best for your needs! That’s why we have drafted this handy drone buying guide to help you figure out which drone will be your best buy. All that you need to know now is your priorities.
Have a look and get flying in no time!
Learn to Fly
We all dream of flying like a bird, and now you can!
Beginners
If you are new to all of this and buying your first drone, it is especially intimidating. There are so many choices available – how do you know that you are making the right one?
Our top beginner picks are based on affordability and ease of use. Some of them still have extremely impressive specs and technology – so don’t be fooled into thinking that an amateur can’t fly a remarkable piece of drone equipment!
Top Beginner Picks:
DJI Mavic Mini
An affordable yet impressive piece of machinery. It’s lightweight and user-friendly, making it a beginner favorite. Another plus is that it does not require any registration, so you will not have to worry about breaking any laws. After all, learning about your new drone will keep you busy enough!
Parrot Bebop 2
A great all-rounder drone that is user-friendly enough to get you started on your journey, but includes some game-changing unique features. Beginners love it because it is operational from a smartphone and hobbyists love it thanks to its ability to showcase first-person viewing straight from your smartphone screen. This starter drone will definitely show you why people are so enthusiastic about these neat flying machines.
Yuneec Mantis Q
It’s not quite a beginner drone but we included it in the list because of its affordability. For the price, it’s an extremely sophisticated drone that boasts a 4k camera and a sleek, folding design that makes it handy to carry around.
What are they?
You might be asking yourself, how can I tell the difference between a drone meant for commercial/ research applications and one that is meant for consumers or hobbyists? Find all info below!
Which drones are better for each?
These days, drones are being used by everyone from amateur hobbyists, to photographers, to researchers, to farmers, to military operators, etc. You will find here some suggestions about the correct choice for your purpose. Click below to find out more!
Hobbyists
Hobbyists will be slightly more familiar with the drone landscape, but there are still a lot of factors and choices to get overwhelmed by. If this is something that you enjoy and are more accustomed to, you probably want to consider the things that you enjoy the most about owning a drone when looking to purchase another one. For some it’s the photography, for others it’s the flying, and some even enjoy the challenges that come with drone flying. We’ve compiled a list of our favorites that keep all of the things hobbyists are enthusiastic about in mind.
Top Hobbyist Picks:
Easy enough to get started with and equipped with powerful motors and GPS capabilities, this drone is especially appealing to hobbyists because it allows you to really challenge your flying abilities by turning off all of the assist modes. Do you dare to put your skills to the test?
Parrot Anafi
The Parrot Anafi is another drone that folds up for easy transportation. It is loved for its high video quality, making it especially enjoyable for hobbyists who enjoy photography. Another advantage is that it can be easily charged via USB – a simple function that a lot of competitors lack.
Photographers
A lot of people are purchasing drones for their impressive image and video shooting capabilities. If this is what you’re after, you will want to have a drone that has the best camera and shooting features. Some drones are equipped with remarkable shooting capabilities and others have fun features that can make your shooting more adventurous. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite photography features sported by drones to help you out.
Top Photography Picks:
DJI Mavic 2 Zoom
User friendly enough for beginners to love, this stunning drone is also a photography favorite thanks to its ability to film in beautifully crisp 4k. It has the ability to shoot videos at a safe distance thanks to its impressive zoom lens capabilities, so it is perfect for people who want to create drone footage without having a ton of drone experience.
DJI Mavic Air
It has ‘Air’ in its name because of its incredibly lightweight design, but that does not mean that you will be missing out on exciting features. Photographers love it for its high-quality video shooting capabilities and a huge range of shooting features, high ISO performance, and 1080p videos up to 240fps.
Top Drone Companies
So who makes all those drones?
See below for our list of the top drone companies.
Do you know of some others that you can recommend? Let us know if one slipped our radar…
SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd.
Origin: China
Founded: 2006 (Frank Wang)
Headquerter: Shenzen
Most popular drone: DJI Mavic 2 Pro
Parrot SA
Origin: France
Founded: 1994
Headquerter: Paris
Most popular drone: Parrot Bebop 2
SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd.
Origin: China
Founded: 1999
Headquerter: Jiangsu
Most popular drone: Tyhphone H Pro
Autel Robotics
Origin: China
Founded:
Headquerter: Bothell, WA
Most popular drone:
Insitu Inc.
Origin: USA
Founded: 1994
Headquerter: Bingen, Whasington
Most popular drone:
UVify
Origin: USA
Founded: 2014
Headquerter: San Francisco
Most popular drone: UVify Draco
Drone InsurancesProfessionals
Are you someone who takes drone-flying extremely seriously? Are you looking for something to race with ease or something with borderline futuristic technology to utilize? There are drones on the market that really take all of these things to a whole new level. These features do drive up the price tags so always keep your budget in mind, but it could be easily argued that these extraordinary features are worth the splurge.
DJI Phantom 4
If you’re serious about both drones and photography, this might be the best option for you. It is designed to last with a high-strength magnesium body and boasts superior photography abilities and gimbal design. It’s stylish too, making it a favorite for professional drone flyers who want to get great work and look good doing it.
DJI Mavic 2 Pro
Deemed the bigger and bolder Mavic 2, the Mavic 2 Pro is one of the most impressive drones on the market. It has some of the best technology that DJI has to offer, including a front-end collision detector to help you skillfully avoid any unnecessary accidents. This powerful piece of machinery is loved by the pros for its strength and functionality.
As drones technology becomes more advanced, the policy makers are having a hard time keeping up. While some countries have clear, established drone laws, many others don’t. Sometimes the existing regulations don’t take into account how much the drones landscape changed the last several years. We will help you to be up to date with laws. These laws are changing all the time, so make sure you have the most up-to-date info, click below for more of the latest info!
Do I need a Drone Insurance or not?
If buying a drone is on your holiday shopping list, be sure to check your insurance coverage before you crack open that instruction manual.
Even the pros can have problems - anything can happen. Protect your drone from accidents, theft, or other unprecedented nightmares. We all know there is nothing worse than having a beloved prized possession (not to mention a super fun gadget) break. Click below to find out more about what you can do to protect your new drone!
Opportunity to Fly
First time flying a drone? Here are some tips to follow.
Fly legally
If you are flying as a job, or receive any other form of compensation, you must operate under a different set of rules and possess a commercial drone license. These are easy to obtain too. Get it!
Be Patient
Be aware of the wind and wait for the best circumstances to fly your drone. Ground conditions may be acceptable, but that may not be true higher up, so take always take note before you fly into the clouds.
Start Small
We highly recommend that your first drone be a toy-class unit that is, for all intents, disposable. These are expensive 'toys' so take baby steps in the beginning and build your way up to the top drones.
Drones overall will be more impactful than I think people recognize, in positive ways to help society.
