Gear

The Best Drones for Every Budget

Whether you want to battle Star Wars spaceships or shoot a cinematic masterpiece, one of these picks is going to be perfect for you.

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. And 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.

Be sure to check out our many other buying guides, including the Best Action Cameras and Best Compact Cameras.

Updated May 2021: We've added the DJI Air 2S, Potensic Dreamer Pro, and the Hanvon GoGo Bird.

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  • DJI drone
    Photograph: DJI

    Best for Most People

    DJI Air 2S

    DJI's new Air 2S (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is our top pick because 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 to bring on a hike (1.3 pounds), yet powerful enough to fly even in light winds, and it can stay airborne for half an hour. It features a newly improved collision-avoidance system that should keep you out of trouble even when there are some trees around. And the new 1-inch 20-megapixel sensor captures the beauty of the scene in stunning 5K video footage or 20-megapixel still photos. 

    $999 at DJI
    $999 at Amazon
    $999 at Adorama
  • 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 you go, and you don't need to register it with the Federal Aviation Administration.

    $449 at DJI
    $449 at Amazon
  • Photograph: DJI

    Best Luxury Drone

    DJI Mavic 2 Pro

    DJI's Mavic 2 Pro (9/10 WIRED Recommends) is in a class of its own—it's the best drone you can buy right now if price is no concern. The image and video quality are amazing, 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 will keep the drone out of the trees, and the 25-minute flying time means you can stay aloft for a while. It's expensive, but in this case, you get what you pay for.

    $1,599 at DJI
    $1,599 at B&H Photo and Video
  • Photograph: Parrot

    Best Video on a Budget

    Parrot Anafi

    With a camera that tilts a full 180 degrees, a Hitchcock-style "dolly mode," and built-in zoom, the Parrot Anafi can shoot some footage no other drone on this page can manage. The downside is that the footage isn't as sharp and clear as what you'll get from DJI's machines. Out of the box, the Anafi is very sluggish to fly, but head into settings and bump up the speed, and it will fly just as well as more expensive options. Flight time is a solid 25 minutes, and it's hands-down the quietest drone I've ever flown.

    $699 at B&H Photo and Video
    $700 at Best Buy
  • Photograph: DJI

    Stable Stalwart

    DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0

    DJI's Phantom drones feel like monoliths from another era, and they may well be—the company hasn't released a significant update to the Phantom line in nearly four years. Still, if you're a video or drone professional, the Phantom 4 Pro V2 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is the drone to get. It's like flying a rock, and I mean that in the best way possible. The Phantom 4 Pro is stable and responsive, it shoots incredible, cinema-quality footage, and it's practically smart enough to fly without you. It may not generate much buzz these days, but the Phantom remains an excellent choice that won't let you down.

    $1,599 at DJI
    $1,599 at B&H Photo and Video
  • Photograph: Amazon

    Another Cheap Drone

    Potensic Dreamer Pro 4K Drone

    DJI and Parrot drones, while very nice, can be prohibitively expensive—especially if you're just getting started. Amazon is littered with cheap knockoffs, most of which are garbage, but Potensic's Dreamer Pro stands out for its solid build (it's plastic, but it's still strong), comfortable controller, and 30-minute flight time. You get most of what you'll find in more expensive drones—a 4K camera, intelligent flight modes (follow, circle, return to home, etc.), and a nice controller and app combo. What you don't get is weight, which means it's more susceptible to wind movement. There are also no collision-avoidance features. 

    Still, if you want quality 4K video without breaking the bank, the Dreamer Pro is a good choice.

    $300 at Amazon
  • Photograph: Syma Toys 

    Best Toy Drone

    Syma X20 Mini Drone

    I've been flying drones for seven years now, and I still get a little nervous every time I fly. 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 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.

    $37 at Amazon
    $30 at B&H Photo and Video
  • Photograph: Amazon

    Best Fake-Bird Drone

    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 $40 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 does come with extra batteries, but changing them is harder than it should be. Still, 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.

    $40 at Amazon
  • Photograph: Amazon

    Best Star Wars Drone

    Propel Star Wars X-Wing Starfighter

    Propel's X-Wing fighter drone is great for Star Wars fans. There are actually three drones in this line: the X-Wing, a Tie X1, and a Speeder Bike. 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). Also, be aware that the prices of these fluctuate a lot. Don't pay more than $60 for the X-Wing.

    $89 at Amazon
    $100 at Walmart
    $50 at Walmart (TIE Fighter)
  • Photograph: MANJUNATH KIRAN/Getty Images

    Drones to Avoid

    Save Your Money

    DJI is still selling the Mavic Mini, which was replaced by the Mini 2. The Mavic Mini is $50 cheaper, but it's not worth it at that price. Spend the extra money on the Mini 2 and you'll get a much better deal. If you find the Mavic Mini on sale for $300 or less, then it's a little more sensible. The same goes for the Mavic Air 2, which is still available, but not worth it when the Air 2S is such a step up for not much more money.

    Then there's the "toy" drone market. The internet is awash with drones in the $50 to $150 price range. There are two reasons for this. First, well-made drones are still expensive. In that category, even our cheapest pick is $300. But drones also share many components with smartphones, which means chips, camera sensors, and tiny lenses are cheap at the wholesale level. That results in a million knockoffs. Unfortunately, you do tend to get what you pay for.

    While two of the under-$100 models I've tested were fun to fly, the photos and video they produced were hot garbage. I also have my doubts about their long-term durability. I think most people would be better off buying one of the tiny toy drones above and save up for DJI's Mini 2. That said, if you don't care about creating content, just want to have fun flying, and don't mind taking a risk with a no-name brand of questionable quality, these "toy" drones might be worth a look.

Scott Gilbertson is a product reviewer for WIRED, specializing in portable technology. He was previously a writer and editor for WIRED's Webmonkey.com, covering the browser wars, web standards, the independent web, and all aspects of internet culture. He studied at the University of Georgia.
Writer and Reviewer
TopicsShoppingdronescameraDJI