Today, drones are everywhere and both the young and old as well as hobbyists and professionals are loving them.
There are tons of different models to choose from which can be tricky if you’re just starting your search.
If you’re thinking of purchasing a drone and you’ve never flown one before, then you will need the best beginner drone to get started.
As someone who is now entering the drone world, you have quite a lot to learn since you’ll want to minimize the risk of your drone crashing.
Flying a drone is fairly easy but mastering it can take some time.
That is why for your first drone you need a unit that is beginner-friendly, meaning that it is stable in the air, easy to fly and strong enough to survive a few crash landings.
In this article, we will be taking a look at the best beginner drones on the market.
Drone
Features
Price
- Range: 250 meters
- Flight Time: 16 minutes
- Weight: 26.4 oz
Best beginner drone for you
- Range: 100 meters
- Flight Time: 13 minutes
- Weight: 8.1 oz
If you’re looking for the best beginner drone with camera while on a budget then the Ryze Tello is the one for you.
This drone was designed by Ryze Robotics in partnership with DJI.
It includes some of DJI’s best features and technologies for a fraction of the cost.
This affordable, compact and lightweight unit is ideal for mastering the basics of drone piloting.
You can control the unit using your smartphone running an app through Wi-Fi.
It is a responsive and lively little unit that does not skimp on tech making it the easiest drone to fly.
It can take 5mp photos and beam 720p video back to your smartphone in the Wi-fi range of 100 meters.
For fun, the unit can perform various tricks, flips and can start flying using the “Throw and Go” feature.
The unit is also programmable using the mobile programming app that supports Scratch.
You can command the drone to perform corresponding movements by dragging coding blocks right on your smartphone.
The only possible downside to the Tello is the 13 minutes flight.
However, for a beginner drone and at this price point, this is more than enough.
- Little drone for kids and adults that’s a blast to fly and helps users learn about drones with...
- VR headset compatibility,fly with a breathtaking first-person view.
- Tello has two antennas that make video transmission extra stable and a high-capacity battery that...
- Start flying by simply tossing Tello into the air.Slide on screen to perform 8D flips cool aerial...
- Equipped with a high-quality image processor, Tello shoots incredible photos and videos. Even if you...
- Range: 250 meters
- Flight Time: 16 minutes
- Weight: 26.4 oz
The Eachine E520S Is an advanced starter drone that closely resembles the DJI Mavic Pro.
Although it may not have all the high-end specifications of the Mavic Pro, it offers quite a bit considering its low price point.
This drone is reasonably priced and performs decently enough with its 16 minutes of flight time and a control range of 250 meters.
It includes GPS which makes it easier to fly in tricky weather conditions and will not drift off with the wind.
This unit also comes with a camera that offers 4K resolution photos and 2K videos.
However, it should be noted that there isn’t any form of stabilization so videos may be shaky and distorted.
That being said, for a unit at this price the video and photos are more detailed and clean when compared to others in its class.
For the beginner, the Eachine E520S comes with Follow Me modes, Headless mode, Altitude Hold and One key takeoff and landing.
- Range: 500 meters
- Flight Time: 15 minutes
- Weight: 25 oz
The HS100 quad is an excellent video drone for beginners that teaches you more than just how to fly your drone.
Not only does this drone introduce you to the basics of drone piloting but it also teaches you the basic skills needed for capturing professional photos and videos.
It does all of this for a fraction of the cost of a high-quality camera drone.
The unit involves a GPS positioning system which makes it easy to control using the app on your smartphone.
The control range is around 500 meters and the flight time is about 15 minutes.
The drone is equipped with a few high-end features like follow me and a whole bunch of others that makes flying the drone a whole lot easier.
One feature in the design that stands out on this unit is the built-in micro USB socket that allows for easy charging.
- The Largest & Wind-Resistant: Large body and powerful motors keep drone hovering stably in wind....
- 2K Optimized 120° FOV FPV 5GHz Wi-Fi Camera: 90° Adjustable angle, captures high-quality video and...
- Easy to Assemble & Carry: The foldable propellers are pre-assembled. Just insert camera, landing...
- GPS Assisted Flight: Provides you with accurate positioning details of your drone. Built in...
- Flying Time Up to 18 Mins / Longer Control Distance: Capacity of 3500mAh high performance battery...
- Range: 2.5 miles
- Flight Time: 30 minutes
- Weight: 9 oz
Moving onto units that may be a bit pricey for some, we have the DJI Mavic Mini.
This drone is a great beginner option if you want to get started in aerial photography and videography.
The DJI Fly app offers an intuitive user experience that makes it simple to create cinematic shots with just a few taps.
Beginners will benefit from the flight tutorial that makes it a whole lot easier to use and fly the Mavic Mini.
The unit rocks a 3-axis gimbal-mounted camera that captures awesome 2.7K video footage and sharp 12 megapixel photos.
It offers a flight time of 30 minutes and a control range of 2.5 miles which is excellent for a beginner drone.
Although small, the Mavic Mini packs quite a punch with a host of intelligent features like QuickShots.
This feature helps those who are not quite confident in flying and capturing videos at the same time.
The unit also includes a few safety features to minimize the risk of beginner pilots running into trouble during flight.
- The compact yet powerful Mavic Mini camera drone is the perfect creative companion, capturing your...
- Weighing less than 0.55lbs by 250 grams, Mavic Mini is almost as light as the average smartphone. In...
- Mavic Mini supports 12MP aerial photos and 2.7K HD videos. A 3-axis motorized gimbal provides...
- Mavic Mini’s weight allows it to stay in the air longer than similar consumer FlyCams on the...
- DJI Fly App requires iOS v10.0, Android v6.0 or above. Compatible devices include: iPhone 11 Pro...
- Range: 6.2 miles
- Flight Time: 31 minutes
- Weight: 8.8 oz
The DJI mini 2 is an aerial game-changer that offers a long flight time, impressive control range, accessible controls and a fantastic camera.
This compact foldable drone is almost identical to its predecessors but features a few upgrades that make it even better for the beginner.
This unit is so small that it can fit into a jacket pocket for easy transport.
It features a revamped controller that is advanced yet intuitive enough to not overwhelm beginner pilots.
The Mini 2 has a maximum range of 6.2 miles and offers a flight time of an impressive 31 minutes.
Moving on to build quality the hardware itself is familiar but this model features improved motors, stabilization and wind resistance.
This allows the unit to deliver steady 4K footage in perfect weather conditions.
For more beginner-friendly drones, read on in best drone under 150 and the best cheap drones article.
- 【PACK LIGHT, FLY FREE】: at less than 249 g, it weighs about as much as an apple and fits in the...
- 【3-AXIS GIMBAL WITH 4K CAMERA】: a 12mp camera in the sky delivers content guaranteed to impress....
- 【OCUSYNC 2.0 VIDEO TRANSMISSION】: mini 2 supports up to 10km of hd video transmission and has...
- 【POWERFUL PERFORMANCE】: with a max battery life of 31 minutes, dji mini 2 grants more than...
- 【4X ZOOM】: there’s no need to get so close for your dream shot. 4x digital zoom makes it safer...
- 【QUICKSHOTS】: with just a few taps, dji mini 2 automatically records and shoots...
Pros: best starter drone
The benefits of using a starter drone are:
Less worrying
However, a starter drone makes you worry less since these drones are built to survive a few crashes here and there.
You do not want to start flying with a $1000 drone if you have no flying experience.
Better control
Expensive drones may seem easier to fly since they come with so many intelligent flight features.
But what happens if those features fail?
Would you be able to control the drone and land it safely?
It is much better to start with a low-cost drone which may be harder to fly because you’ll be forced to learn how to fly better.
This way when you upgrade to an expensive drone and something goes wrong in the air, you know how to fly the unit properly and land it safely.
Practice photography skills
It’s no surprise that camera drones that take professional high-quality photographs come at a high price.
Purchasing a beginner drone with a camera allows you to practice your photography skills even though the photos will be of lesser quality.
Affordable
Beginner drones are some of the most affordable units on the market.
This makes it easy for almost anyone to enter the exciting world of drones.
Flying indoors
The more expensive and bulkier professional drones can only be flown outdoors.
Some beginner drones can be flown indoors which is great when the weather is not ideal for flying outside.
This way you enjoy the fun that drones bring no matter where you are.
Cons: best starter drone
There are some drawbacks to beginner drones.
You will find that you may have a problem with the manufacturing or the quality of the product.
That is why it is important to be careful when selecting a beginner drone.
Make sure that you do some research, read some reviews and purchase your unit from a reputable company to eliminate any issues.
You get what you pay for
If your beginner drone is extremely cheap then you shouldn’t expect it 2 have a long flight range or flight time.
Build quality
Most beginner-friendly drones are sturdily built but there are some out there that are cheaply made.
Look for a drone with great reviews and check to see if the manufacturer offers any after-sale services or warranties on parts, etc.
This way you are covered if anything goes wrong or your drone gets damaged in any way.
Repairs
Sometimes starter drones may crash and a part will break.
It can be difficult to find replacement parts which means that you will not be able to fix the unit and most likely have to purchase a whole new unit.
Wind and weather issues
Wind and weather can be problematic for many beginner-style drones.
This is because beginner drones may not be strong enough to withstand high winds or rainy situations.
Low-resolution cameras
Starter drones come at a very low price so they aren’t equipped with the best cameras.
However, some models do offer decent-quality videos and photos.
Long charging times
Beginner drones tend to have a long battery charging time.
This means you’ll have to leave the batteries charging for much longer than you would with an expensive drone.
That being said, some beginner drones may come with an extra battery so that when one battery is depleted you can easily swap it out for the new one.
This way you can increase your flight time between charges.
How to choose the best drone for beginner
When looking for the best beginner drone, here are a few things to look for and keep in mind.
Durability
The fact is that you are a beginner and you are going to crash at some point.
Don’t worry as this is a natural and normal part of the drone piloting process.
For this reason, you will need a drone that can withstand a few crash landings and lasts long enough for you to master the art of flying.
User friendly
Look for a drone that comes with user-friendly controls and features like altitude hold, headless mode, and different flight speeds.
This will make the drone easier to control and makes the learning process easier as well.
The best drones for beginners will give you the option of turning these features off one by one so you can work your way up to more advanced piloting techniques.
Safety features
Beginner drones that can land themselves when the battery is running out or return home when they go out of range are a good option.
Price
As your very first drone, you do not want to go overboard when it comes to your budget.
Do not under any circumstances spend thousands of dollars on a drone that you won’t be able to fly properly.
One crash is all it takes and your expensive drone can get damaged beyond repair.
Battery life
Do not expect too much out of your beginner drone batteries.
These units are on the cheaper side so battery life and flight time are going to be way shorter than the more expensive models.
A flight time of 15 minutes is considered good enough for a beginner drone.
Control range
Just like flight time, the control range of your beginner drone may not be as good as the more expensive models.
However, since you are now starting, you don’t want your drone to go out very far to lose signal or lose control of the unit itself.
FAQs: Entry-level drones
How to fly a drone?
This is the number one question of most beginner’s minds.
Many drones come with several intelligent flight modes which makes it easy to fly but the only thing you may have to worry about is using analog sticks.
However, if you’ve ever played a video game using a controller then you’ll be comfortable using the drone controller.
Like the video game controller, the left stick in the drone controller lets you turn in the air and move up and down.
Meanwhile, the right stick allows you to move horizontally.
Sometimes the manual that comes with your drone will tell you how to use the controller.
It is always best to practice in a big open space so that you can figure out the basics without having to worry about crashing.
How high can a beginner drone fly?
The legal height to fly a drone in the US and some other countries is 400 feet.
Most drones will fly between 100 to 400 feet in the air to stay within the legal requirement.
You should also check out the drone no fly zone map before you fly.
How long can an entry-level drone fly for?
Most drones will fly for about 8 to 25 minutes due to the weight requirements for the battery.
Entry-level drones, of course, will have less flight time than the more expensive units.
However, it is always best to buy some extra batteries and keep them charged up and handy to extend flight time.
Do starter drones have cameras?
The best starter drones do have cameras and they are usually controlled by a separate app on your smartphone.
On the other hand, you may be able to find some that allow you to take pictures and videos with a button on the controller itself.
Drone
Features
Price
- Range: 250 meters
- Flight Time: 16 minutes
- Weight: 26.4 oz