The world is abuzz and obsessed with drone and drone technology.
By now you’ve probably heard, seen or operated one of these cool gadgets.
While they go by many names, UAVs or drones have captured the world’s attention and continue to do so every day.
Drones have become so popular that they are even being used in the professional field to make some jobs easier.
So how do you get your hands on the best drone?
First, you need to take a look at the top drone companies around the world.
In this article, we will be taking a look at some of the best drone manufacturers to give you an idea of who they are and what to expect from their products.
Top drone companies
While there are expensive drones for upwards of $10,000, we’ll be talking about drones brands that make units to match the normal consumer budget.
This article aims to give anyone wanting a drone some insight into the top drones makers for the type of drone they want and the budget of the drone as well.
That is why we even included a few of the low-budget manufacturers in this as well.
In the end, we want to give you all the information you need to make a good choice when looking for a drone.
Without any further delay, let’s jump right in.
DJI
DJI Is one of the most popular names in the drone industry today.
This company has taken the drone world by storm and from the looks of it, they aren’t going to be slowing down anytime soon.
They are the only manufacturer that consistently introduces new products to the market year after year.
Headquartered out of Shenzhen China, DJI caters to both hobbyists and professionals.
They are the manufacturers of the iconic designed Phantom drone that is often imitated by other manufacturers.
The Mavic Pro folding drone is also a market-leading drone produced by this company alongside their professional models like the Matrice drone and the Spreading Wings drone.
Even with these awesome drones on the market, DJI is still hard at work creating better drones for fun and work.
You can expect units from DJI to be jam-packed with the latest advanced technologies and intelligent flight features that you probably won’t need but it’s there if you need it.
The company also keeps adding value to its products by constantly introducing new accessories, software updates and features.
If you are looking for a premium quality drone, then DJI is the company that should be at the top of your list.
As such, their prices can be a bit on the higher side but you can also find a few affordable options since their units cover a wide range on the price spectrum.
Yuneec
Yuneec, headquartered in Kunshan Jiangsu, China, is the world leader in electric aviation.
They also have offices in North America, Europe and other parts of Asia.
Back when they were starting out, they first started in the aircraft industry before entering the drone world.
This was the company to introduce the world’s first ready-to-fly drone straight out of the box.
The Typhoon Q500 quadcopter cemented Yuneec’s place in the drone world.
Today, the company offers some of the best camera drones for professional purposes you’ll ever find.
However, their units are on the larger side which can be hard to move around with but is by no means a deal-breaker.
These drones offer great battery life and can haul some fairly large cameras into the sky.
Aside from that, they come with some neat technologies to up their object avoidance and detection capabilities.
The company also manufactures over 1 million units a year but they are sold under OEM/ODM brands.
Parrot
Parrot is a French company that is headquartered in Paris, France.
Their main specialty is developing, and marketing consumer products for smartphones, tablets and automobiles like Bluetooth hands-free kits.
However, they also have seized a large part of the consumer drone market with the Anafi drone due to its ability to point the camera straight up or down.
They’ve also manufactured some fun toy drones that are easy to fly and their lineup includes drones for children and adults of any age.
Autel Robotics
Autel Robotic is yet another company that has a rich history in flight.
The company is a subsidiary of Autel Intelligent Technology Company Ltd. based in Shenzhen, China which is known for producing award-winning automotive diagnostic tools and equipment.
Autel Robotics, on the other hand, has a US headquarters in Bothell, WA.
Their main goal is to research, develop and deliver easy-to-use consumer drones to unlock a new level of aerial exploration in aerial photography and other industries.
They transform complex technologies into simple solutions so the consumer can also benefit.
Autel has launched many crafts into the air by only a few on the consumer level.
One such unit is the Autel’s EVO 2 that is creating quite a stir since it is the first of its kind to carry an 8K camera.
Aside from that, the EVO 2 comes with a host of intelligent flight features and can be folded down easily for transport.
Word is that on the higher end of the spectrum, Autel Robotic is currently focusing on creating VTOL crafts.
These are units that can soar long distances at exceptionally high speeds.
Skydio
Skydio is the leading drone manufacturer in the US.
They are on a mission to make the world more productive, creative and safe with autonomous flight.
Back in 2018, they launched the R1 drone which was a big breakthrough in autonomous drones for consumers and set the stage for commercial development.
One year later, the company introduced the Skydio 2 which offered all the things the R1 offered and so much more.
It was no surprise when the unit sold out in a single day!
The Skydio 2 uses one of the most advanced flying artificial intelligence systems in the world known as the Skydio Autonomy Engine.
Holy Stone
Holy Stone is one of the most popular drone brands and for good reason.
They have some of the best starter, novice and pros drones on the market.
Their units are equipped with the latest features, well-built and cover a broad price range.
If you are looking for your first drone, definitely give the units from this manufacturer a look over.
The HS 170 predator mini drone it’s probably one of their best for beginners.
There’s also the HS100,and HS 165 both of which are easy to fly and come with some decent quality cameras and FPV abilities.
For a better camera, check out their HS 720E drone.
When it comes to price and quality, no other manufacturer comes close to Holy Stone drones.
Hubsan
If you want the best toy drones out there, think Hubsan.
Hubsan headquarters is based in Dong, China and manufactures some of the best toy drones on the market.
While they do offer higher-end solutions, like the Hubsan Zino Pro with brushless motors, a 4K camera and a 3-axis gimbal,their toy drones are what most people are after.
Their toy-drone prices are similar to Holy Stone which makes them great for starting your drone journey.
Hubsan is best known for its X4 models like the X4 H107C and the H107D X4 Mini.
These drones, though very cheap, give you stable flights, responsive controls and HD cameras.
Potensic
Based in Shenzhen, China, Potensic offers drones for both beginner and professional drone enthusiasts.
The company specializes in creating a wide array of drones to achieve the dreams of the consumer flyer despite their age.
That is why they have many kid-friendly models in their line up like the A20 drone that is very easy to fly.
So no matter how small, your kid can enter the exciting world of drones for a very low price.
There’s also the T18 and T25 drones with 1080p cameras if you need an inexpensive beginner drone.
The T25 is possibly one of the best GPS drones with a 1080p camera on the market.
So if you need a cheap drone for your kid, a Potensic drone may be the right choice thanks to their wide assortment of drones.
This company also provides awesome customer service so in the event you run into issues with your drone, they’d be willing to help out.
JJRC
JJRC is a Chinese toy manufacturer that makes robots, toy guns and various remote-controlled vehicles.
They have an extensive array of toys with the majority being remote-controlled drones for kids and hobbyists.
JJRC aims to use technology to create fun and intelligent ways to stimulate the minds of the younger generation.
They have popular units like the JJRC H23 Drone that feature a cool design and look like a flying car.
JJRC also has a waterproof drone so if you’re a new drone pilot and thinking of flying over water, then this unit can work as a great practice drone.
They do include a few other units like the JJRC H68 that capture decent quality videos for non-professional uses.
Walkera
Walkera first started as an established Chinese company that makes remote-controlled hobby helicopters.
After their many successes, the company eventually decided to expand and began creating drones.
In 2011, they introduced their most popular model, the Ladybird which quickly became a number one seller.
It got so much attention that we saw many copies of the Ladybird surfacing from other manufacturers.
By 2014, Walkera had to establish a US division of the company to meet the needs of the drones market.
Today, Walkera seems to be more focused on making racing drones like the Walkera F210 Professional Racer drone.
Syma
Located in Shantou, China, Syma Toys is best known for its remote-controlled helicopters.
They are now a high-quality producer of radio-controlled drones to awaken the love of flight in children.
Their innovative and visionary approach involves a fantasy, fun and inspirational look into the world of flight.
Give your child a gift that will stimulate their mind and peak curiosity.
Syma has a wide range of units on the market like the Syma X5C-1 which is one of the best sellers from this brand.
They also have the Syma X500 that comes with a 4K camera which is a low-cost alternative to the expensive DJI Mini.
Cheerson
Cheerson, founded in 2011, is based in the Guangdong Province in China.
The company designs and manufactures various kinds of remote-controlled toys.
They gained great success with its CX-10 model which is one of the smallest quad ever made and remains a top seller.
The brand is known for providing units that offer great value for money.
Their units are sturdy and make great options for starter drones.
They also have a few semi-professional drones with decent cameras, GPS and gimbal support in their product line.
FAQ’s about drone manufacturers
Which drone company is the best?
To say that a certain brand is the best would be wrong since they all make drones catering to different needs.
Some people may want the best drone for the money or the best drone with camera.
The best drone manufacturer would be the one that makes the best drone that suits your specific needs.
However, DJI has been one of the top-selling drone manufacturers over the years so they must be doing something right.
While we can’t say that they are the best, we can say that DJI makes some premium-quality drones equipped with exceptional cameras, intelligent flight features and the latest technologies.
Why are certain drone manufacturers not on the list?
We cannot include all the drone manufacturers on the market since they are many.
It is impossible to track every drone company in the fast-paced world of the drone industry.
We also don’t want to create confusion for those just entering the drone scene which is why you see some manufacturers of toy drones on our list.
We’ve only mentioned those that have been having a real impact on the drone market whether it’s a pro-level or beginner level.
These manufacturers are implementing the latest technologies and including intelligent flight features that make drones easy to use for beginners and pros alike.
They also make drones for drone pilots at every level of the drone journey and offer drones that can meet most consumer budgets.
If you have any questions about a manufacturer not mentioned on this list, comment below and we’ll try our best to give you some information about the company and its products.
Is it better to buy direct from the manufacturer or Amazon?
Each manufacturer will offer different things and have different rules, especially with their warranty policy.
However, most of them will offer some sort of standard warranty which will be valid no matter where you purchase the unit from.
If you are paying top dollar for your drone, you should ensure that it does come with a warranty.
This will help you to save money if you crash or if your drone malfunctions due to faulty parts.
Some companies like DJI offer an extended warranty and it is best if you buy it from their site but it can still be applied to a drone you bought off of Amazon.
However, to avoid any misunderstandings, be sure to check the description on Amazon for any mention of the warranty.
If not, message the seller just so you’re clear and your mind is put to ease.
Are there different rules for different drone brands?
The short answer is, No.
All drones regardless of the brand must adhere to the drone laws in your country, state, city or town.
Ensure you follow the regulations at all times to avoid running into trouble with the authorities.
Register your drone if you have to and enjoy your time in the sky.