The Best Drones for Every Budget

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 are 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.

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.

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 having a larger sensor.

DJI Mini 3 Pro

DJI's original Mavic Mini was a tiny, underpowered thing with a small sensor and very basic features. This third iteration (which gains the word "Pro" in the name) is anything but basic. The Mini 3 Pro uses a 1/1.3" sensor that's capable of 4K/60p video and 12.1-megapixel RAW Images. There's also a 48-megapixel option, though you lose some camera features in this mode. On the front of the drone, there's a new faster F/1.7 lens. The Mini 3 Pro also packs in three-direction obstacle avoidance and a gimbal that shoots vertically, and it still manages to weigh in at less than 250 grams. That number is important because, in most jurisdictions, a drone under 250 grams doesn't need to be registered (be sure to see to check your local laws).

The Mini 3 Pro is a joy to fly, and it can stay in the air for an amazing 45 minutes on a single charge using the extended battery—I got around 32 minutes with the standard battery. It flies very well and is surprisingly good at maneuvering in the wind. The only downside to the Mini 3 is that the price has jumped up from the Mini 2. I think the higher price is justified given the new features, but I've left the Mini 2 below as a budget pick since, at least for now, DJI is still selling it.

DJI Mini 2

The Mavic Air 2S has great collision avoidance tech, but it's pricey. Even the new Mini 3 Pro is $750. For a more affordable option, DJI's Mini 2 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is the way to go. It flies nearly as well as 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.

DJI Mavic 3

DJI's Mavic 3 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is in a class of its own. It's the best drone you can buy right now. The image and video quality are amazing, thanks to the new 20-megapixel Four Thirds sensor, and the ability to travel and track objects at 45 miles per hour means you're not going to miss a shot. The omnidirectional obstacle avoidance keeps the drone out of the trees, and it has a 45-minute flying time. It's expensive, but in this case, you get what you pay for. If that's not enough, there's also a Cine model ($4,999), which adds support for the ProRes video and a 1-terabyte drive to store it on.

Autel Evo Lite+

If you want to stay aloft as long as possible, the Evo Lite+ (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is your best bet. Its massive battery manages a 40-minute flight time, and the extra weight makes it more stable in wind (though slightly more sluggish, but not terribly so). The Evo Lite+ has a fantastic camera with variable aperture controls, a 1-inch sensor, and night mode for capturing better low-light images. 

The controller looks like an Xbox controller, which is fine, but it lacks any storage space for the removable joysticks as you get with DJI drones. Still, it's perfectly functional, and Autel's app will be familiar to anyone who has used a DJI drone.

Syma X20 Mini Drone

I've been flying drones for seven years, and I still get a little nervous every time. If you've invested more than $1,000 in your drone, you'd be crazy not to be a little nervous. One of the best ways to get over that is to practice with a cheap one—like my favorite toy drone from Syma. The X20 is sold in a variety of configurations and is rebranded by several companies, but it's all the same basic hardware. Don't pay more than $40. Be careful flying indoors, as it can hurt when it hits you. (Ask me how I know that.) It's a little different to fly compared to the bigger drones (if anything it's more difficult), but also a lot of fun.

Hanvon GoGo Bird

I confess, I first thought the GoGo Bird would be terrible. It looks like a cheap plastic kite with a tiny motor. It is a flapping kite with a tiny motor, but it's also pretty great. It's possibly the most fun you're going to have with a $60 drone. It can be tricky to fly at first—the controller is small and one-handed, which takes some time to master. But once you get the hang of it, your flapping wannabe bird is surprisingly maneuverable. 

The biggest downside is the tiny battery, which lasts for about 8 to 10 minutes of flying time. The GoGo Bird comes with extra batteries, but changing them is harder than it should be. That's my only real quibble, which is surprising. Even more impressive is how it has held my kids' attention for more than six months now, and that alone makes it well worth the price.

Propel Star Wars X-Wing Starfighter

Propel's X-Wing fighter drone is great for Star Wars fans. There are actually a few drones in this line: the X-Wing, and the Tie X1 ($75). The best part is that all of them have a "battle mode," so you can fly against friends and try to shoot them down. Get hit three times with the IR beam and your drone will auto-land. Unfortunately, these have a learning curve when it comes to flying—a little tap of the control stick goes a long way—and mine had a habit of flying off at an angle immediately on takeoff. Holding a position is also a lost cause, but once you master the sensitive controls, these are fun to fly (and fight). The prices of these fluctuate a lot, particularly on Amazon where the price swings around by $100 or more; don't pay more than $60 for the X-Wing.