Top 10 Best Drones For Beginners in 2021

My Top 10 Best Drones For Beginners in 2021

Welcome to Top 10 Best Drones For Beginners in 2021

I've compiled this top ten list based on features, functionality, star ratings, popularity and price, to save you the hassle. I'm confident you'll get the one that's absolutely right for you.

Note: All Drones For Beginners listed were properly reviewed at the time of writing, but prices can change; click the product links to get more info., more reviews, and the latest prices on Amazon.com.

Editor
Rowan Bradley
Top 10 Best Drones For Beginners in 2021

Bottom Line:

• 720p HD camera: Kids and parents alike look forward to shooting aerial photography and videos to show friends and family. With a 120° field of view, you won’t miss an inch of the wondrous sights seen from this drone.

• Real-time FPV transmission: Using the built-in Wi-Fi module, this model is capable of transmitting real-time first-person views from the built-in camera to a smartphone or tablet. Many high-end models feature this capability, but none are as affordable as the Holy Stone F181W.

• LED light undercarriage: Each arm of this model is equipped with colorful LED lights that make it easy and exciting to spot at night. These LEDs are bright enough to illuminate the area around it, making them ideal for navigation when it is dark.
  
  Pros:

• Real-time FPV transmission directly to your smartphone app

• LED lights allow for nighttime entertainment

• Easy-to-use controls that provide enhanced responsiveness for new pilots

• 720p HD camera for entertaining and enchanting videos and photos
  
  Cons:

• The angle of the camera cannot be adjusted, limiting your range of view a bit

• The app control feature is only compatible with iOS 7.0 and later or Android 4.4 and later, meaning you can’t use this feature if you have an older phone

Bottom Line:

• 1080 x 720 video at 30 FPS: Even for its size, this model can take clear video and photos with ease. All of that valuable footage will be stored on the 4GB microSD card, included standard with this model.

• Low battery alarm: Drones of all types prefer soft landings. This model helps ensure you always bring your drone down safely with a built-in low battery alarm. When you hear the beep, you’ll know it’s time to bring this drone in for a rest.

• Out-of-the-box ready: Many drones require tiresome start up protocols before you can fully use them. The Force1 U818A is ready for use out of the box. Simply charge it up and take to the skies!
  

Pros:

• 1080 x 720 video at 30 FPS: Even for its size, this model can take clear video and photos with ease. All of that valuable footage will be stored on the 4GB microSD card, included standard with this model.

• Low battery alarm: Drones of all types prefer soft landings. This model helps ensure you always bring your drone down safely with a built-in low battery alarm. When you hear the beep, you’ll know it’s time to bring this drone in for a rest.

• Out-of-the-box ready: Many drones require tiresome start up protocols before you can fully use them. The Force1 U818A is ready for use out of the box. Simply charge it up and take to the skies!
  
  Cons:

• Fragile frame and components

• Difficult to find replacement parts

Bottom Line:

• GPS-assisted flight: In GPS mode, this model incorporates enhance satellite-assisted positioning. This allows it to become more aware of where it is in relation to the controller. This allows it, in turn, to more effectively stay within a safe range of the pilot at all times.

• 1080p HD video: Though most beginner drones shoot only in 720p HD, this model takes videography a step further by providing TV quality 1080p resolution in all recordings. This video can be recorded for easy uploading or beamed live to a smart device for real-time viewing.

• 500m flight range: Most entry-level drones only fly a paltry few hundred meters (if even that). This model has a range of up to 500m, a remarkable innovation among its peers. This allows for more extensive flights into new and exciting territory.
  
  Pros:

• GPS-assisted flight for improved location accuracy

• Low battery and signal loss auto return

• 500m flight range for improved versatility

• Great price for improved features
  
  Cons:

• Known problems with syncing/pairing

• RTH (return to home) mode has problems if improperly paired

Bottom Line:

• 4 transmission channels: Each controller is capable of outputting on one of four unique channels, allowing up to four Holy Stone HS200 models to operate in the same radius. This is a fantastic feature if you want to enjoy your new drone with friends.

• One key takeoff/landing: Two of the most difficult parts of operating a drone are automatic on this model. In just one touch, both takeoff and landing are handled by the onboard guidance system. This can especially help new pilots keep their drone safe from accidental crashes.

• 6-axis gyroscopic controls: This built-in multi-axis system allows for enhanced stability and responsiveness. This model follows tight movements and can even perform full 360-degree flips with the help of its internal digital gyroscope.
  

Pros:

• Four transmission channels allowing for up to four craft to operate at once

• Simplified takeoff and landing

• Integrated USB charging

• 6-axis gyroscopic controls for enhanced mobility
  
  Cons:

• Model is not wind resistant at all

• Requires recalibration due to magnetic interference in shipping

Bottom Line:

• Optimized for GoPro gear: Whether you own a standard GoPro camera or one of their many specialized grips, the GoPro Karma can adapt to equip it and keep it safe. In so many words, no other drone besides the Karma is designed with GoPro equipment specifically in mind.

• GoPro quality video stabilizer: GoPro as a brand is well-known for its exceptional video stabilization, even when their cameras are taken to the most extreme locations on Earth. The GoPro Karma hold fast to that unmatched level of stabilization, with its camera capturing every second of your journey with minimal shaking and shuddering from the wind.

• Extremely lightweight: Like its camera predecessors, this model is among the most lightweight beginner drones with a camera in its class. With a simple to pack form factor, this model can easily go wherever your adventure leads you.
  
  Pros:

• Optimized for use with GoPro cameras

• Most stable video recording in industry

• Automatically follows the primary controller

• Extremely lightweight form factor
  
  Cons:

• May be imminently phased out by GoPro

• Very expensive compared to other models

Bottom Line:

• 9-axis gyroscopic controls: If a 6-axis gyroscope is great, the a 9-axis gyroscope must be fantastic. And indeed, the 9-axis gyroscopic control system in this model handles like no other. This has the added bonus of improving wind resistance overall.

• 1080p HD video: Crystal clear video from the skies is very easy with this model. Because all video is saved into the primary app, you’ll be able to share your videos quickly and easily onto social media platforms.

• 300m control range: With an expanded flight range, this model is able to fly over new and interesting locations. With headless mode as a standard inclusion, this model will remain easy to track and control even at the maximum 300 meters.
  
  Pros:

• 9-axis gyroscope for added wind resistance

• 300m control range with 10 minutes of battery power

• 1080p HD quality video optimized for uploading

• 3D VR functionality

Cons:

• Phone-mount does not fit all phones

• Sub-optimal range of motion

Bottom Line:

• Enhanced durability: As noted, few other drones can take a hit like this model. Built with unique blade guards and a thick plastic body, the Altair #AA108 can stand up to more than its fair share of wear and tear. This should come in handy especially as beginner drone pilots build their flying skills.

• Out-of-range and low battery alarm: This model lets you know when it is reaching the end of its flight range with a non-intrusive alarm. The same goes for when the drone reaches low battery, allowing you to safely land it to commence a recharge.

• 3 flight modes: This model also comes with three different flight modes. These modes are tiered based on skill level, allowing a beginner drone pilot to move up and learn progressively and at their own pace.
  
  Pros:

• Best durability among beginner drones

• Out of range alarm for enhanced safety

• 10-minute flight time

• 3 flight modes for multiple skill level
  
  Cons:

• Requires SD card for saving video (sold separately)

• Handles poorly in wind

Bottom Line:

• Emergency automatic landing: One of this model’s most outstanding features is its ability to automatically land if it senses an internal emergency. This can include everything from a mechanical malfunction to a deficient battery. Rather than dropping from the air and crashing, this feature helps the Altair 818 Hornet remain safe against unforeseen emergencies.

• 15-minute flight time: This model provides a longer-than-average flight time, thanks in part to its battery and energy-optimized hardware. During that long 15 minutes, you’ll have plenty of time to adjust and snap the perfect photographs using the built-in camera.

• 3 flight modes: In order to get new users up to speed, this model also comes with three different flight modes. Each mode optimizes a different built-in system, allowing a new pilot to learn the ropes over time.
  
  Pros:

• Emergency automatic landing for device safety and preservation

• 15-minute flight time for extended flights (with two batteries for up to 30 minutes)

• 3 flight modes for a variety of skilled pilots

• Specialized for aerial videography
  
  Cons:

• Does not including a “homing” system due to lack of a GPS

• Wind may affect operation and camera control

Bottom Line:

• 25-minute battery: With this exceptionally long single battery life, you won’t be forced to land your drone every several minutes in order to recharge it. Long shots and long exposures will always be an option with this much battery life onboard.

• 1.2-mile flight range: To acquire this much flight range, you often have to seek out a $1,000 and up for professional drone models. Not with the Parrot Bebop 2, which can travel exceptionally far from its origin in order to snap an extensive array of views and angles.

• FPV goggles: Cashing in on the wave of VR goggles, this model comes with a pair of FPV goggles that allow the pilot (or their friend) to view the world from a bird’s eye, live from the built-in 1080p camera. These goggles create an immersive experience through Parrot’s proprietary immersion technology.
  
  Pros:

• 25-minute battery for exceptionally long flights

• 1.2-mile flight range for improved navigability

• 3-axis stabilization system

• Comes with FPV goggles
  
  Cons:

• High-end price tag

• Some features require in-app purchases

Bottom Line:

• Auto-updating on-board software: Using a unique proprietary update system, this model is able to keep its firmware up to date. With this system on board, you can be sure that your drone is persistently free of device-threatening bugs and glitches.

• Timer and burst photography: Leaping to a nearly professional level of photography, this model includes a timer for specialized time-sensitive shots. With this model’s burst photo feature, you can even take a rapid sequence of photos – such as at a sporting event.

• 25-minute battery life: While this long single battery life is noteworthy, it’s even more enticing when you learn that it remains firm even when recording video. As a result, the Parrot PF728000 can record much more video than the competition before needing to recharge.
  
  Pros:

• 25-minute battery life even while filming video

• Auto-updating software for continual quality assurance

• Timer and burst options for enhanced photography

• Can fly at up to 55 km/h (34 MPH)
  
  Cons:

• High-end price tag

• Refurbished products only have 80% of original battery capacity