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Review: Best drones for any budget
It’s official, folks: Barry and I are expecting … a drone in the mail! Whoops, did I give you a heart attack? 😅
Yep, Barry bought a fancy-pants drone. And you know me, that means I’ve been scouring the web comparing drones and deals for the past week!
Drones aren’t just for real estate glamour shots and secret prison drop-offs (yeah, that actually happens). You can use them to capture hi-def event footage, fly alongside you on the go or even discover ancient ruins — yep, scroll down to watch the video in Web Watercooler!
Ready to add “drone pilot” to your list of hobbies? I’ve got a list of the best ones for any budget. And by the way, don’t just buy a cheap $50 to $100 drone. You get what you pay for, and drones at that level are junk.
To get you off the ground
The cheapest quality drone worth your money is just under $300: The DJI Mini 2SE. The screen is your cellphone. It can be hard to see in bright sunlight, but that’s not a deal breaker.
- Pros: You’ll get 31 minutes of flight. And, at nearly 24 MPH, its wind resistance is higher than most pricier options. Like all DJI drones, it also has a “return to home” feature that automatically sends it back to its base.
- Cons: No obstacle avoidance (watch out for that tree) and no “follow me” feature, which means you’ll be making all its moves manually.
Bottom line: How good are you at walking and piloting at the same time?
For a few more bucks …
The Holy Stone HS720R is a good option for $319.99. You’ll use your cell for this screen, too.
- Pros: It does follow you as you move. You’ll get 26 minutes of flight time with 4K video — a much higher pixel density than the DJI Mini 2SE’s QHD.
- Cons: No obstacle avoidance, and the wind resistance is lower than others on this list at 17 MPH. It’s also above the 250g FAA weight limit, so you’ll need to register it here.
Bottom line: Great for a calm day, but don’t go storm-chasing with this one.
Take it to the next level
The DJI Mini 4 Pro Fly More Combo for $1,099 has a 34-minute flight time that can handle up to 45 minutes with the included battery.
- Pros: A built-in remote with a .5-inch 1920 x1080 FHD screen that’s bright enough to see in the sun. It also has obstacle awareness to keep that fancy toy safe and higher-than-standard storage at 32 GB. That should get you about 45 min of 4K footage!
- Cons: Using an extended battery may put the weight over the FAA registration weight limit.
Bottom line: If you want this one to last through that hike, you’ll need to register it with the FAA.
Reach new heights …
With the DJI Mavic 3 Classic, for $1,279 (20% off right now). I told you we splurged! But hear me out. If you want movie-quality pictures, this is worth every penny.
- Pros: A professional-level camera from the legendary Swedish company Hasselblad. I’m talking about a Planet Earth-level video. You also get 46 minutes of footage, multi-directional obstacle sensors and advanced return-to-home features that keep it safe on its return flight. Plus, low-noise propellers and video from up to 9.3 miles away!
- Cons: No built-in screen on the controller for this one – but you can attach your phone for remote video!
Bottom line: If you’re recording a wedding or another once-in-a-lifetime event, you’re gonna want the high-res video. Trust me.
And, just for fun …
You can feel like you’re flying. Getting a drone with first-person goggles is about as close as it gets! The DJI Avata Explorer Combo is a great pick at $829.
- Pros: Wind resistance up to 24MPH and super-smooth movement for all you aspiring drone cinematographers. Plus, built-in storage of 20 GB — you’ll still want to download your footage after each flight to be safe.
- Cons: The flight time is shorter than the others, only 18 minutes.
Bottom line: 18 minutes in a flight simulator is better than no minutes in a flight simulator.
Oh, and just for fun, if you want to feel like you’re flying, I’ve got a link to first-person drone goggles on my site! I’d get some myself, but I’m afraid of kites. … Anyone? Bueller?
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Tags: battery, camera, classic, deals, Earth, Feature, home, movie, phone, video
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