Drones have quickly become one of the most prominent ways to capture videos and record footage. There is a certain feel to those aerial shots which regular videos cannot recreate. Hikers, content creators, travel to literally everyone else in the video industry have now completely embraced drone footage. If you are interested in the best drones for video then you have come to the right place. In this article we will present to you our top choices when it comes to drones, along with a buying guide. Want to learn more about the best drone for starters? Keep reading on.
How to pick the best drone for video
There are so many choices out there on the market when it comes to drones. This makes it difficult for someone who does have a clear idea to make a straight choice. In this section we will look at the factors that you should take into consideration when purchasing a drone. Most of these features heavily depend on the price of the drone. Higher the price, the more features it has. Finding a right balance of price and features is what we help you to achieve.
GPS Support
A feature that is not present in low tier drone models. This is a premium feature that is present only in the best drone for video on the market. A drone which has this feature usually comes with a high price tag attached to it. But it is still one of the best features to have on your drone. It helps on both landing and take off minimising the risk of crashing. Not to mention its “ return to home” feature. This allows you to recall your drone back to the starting position, great whenever you find yourself in a pickle.
Air pressure sensors
Needed for stability. These sensors regulate the altitude of the drone. It will free up the time and effort you need to spend on holding the drone at a specific height by automating the process. Therefore you can focus on other variables such as capturing footage and getting better angles.
Regulations.
Bigger and bulkier drones have more potential than others. Therefore drones that weigh more than 250g have to be registered. Where and how will change depending on your state. But in general the FAA is the place to go to. If you do not want to go through this trouble, then pick a lighter drone.
Uptime
Uptime depends completely on the battery pack. Lithium-ion batteries are the most common power source for drones. A standard battery can power a drone for upto 30 minutes with the minimum duration being 15. Anything more than that will cost you more on an extra battery to increase uptime.
Our choices on the best drone for video
DJI Mavic 2 Pro
A pretty expensive drone but we believe it is the best drone for video. The DJI Mavic 2 Pro is a premium drone. It does not come cheap, but it is not super expensive either. Considering there are drones that clip in at around $20000, the price of the DJI Mavic 2 Pro, is very affordable for what it gives. If you are looking for best drone for video that fits everyone’s general preference, then this is your go to option. It is capable of 4K recording at 30 FPS which is a major plus considering this will make you future proof for a good few years to come. It does not have a zoom feature. But it has the potential to capture some amazing footage. The drone has some of the most advanced flight and camera technology in its arsenal, making it a solid choice for anyone looking for a more “ professional “ drone.
We picked this over the DJI Mavic Air 2 as the best drone for video because we felt it would do much better as a premium drone. The DJI Mavic 2 PRO outclasses the DJI Mavic Air 2, in a number of different aspects. It provides a much better sensor that can capture footage without the stutters that the DJI Mavic Air 2 experiences. It also has a better controller with a screen to broadcast what is being captured. Not to mention the added stability. When you combine all of these pros, it puts the DJI Mavic 2 Pro above it.
Features
4K 30 FPS recording
Intuitive partner app
Image level: Pro Grade
| PROS | CONS |
| Ease of control during flight | Quite loud(Noise level exceeds ISO100) |
| Portability through its premium design | Does not have portrait shooting feature |
| 20MP sensor(One inch) | |
| Intelligent shooting/flight |
We give this drone a solid 5 out of 5. If you want a premium drone but not quite sure what to expect and look for; this is your best option.
[rating stars=”5.0″]
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DJI MINI 2
The DJI MINI 2 is the best drone for starters. When we mean starters we mean starters who want a drone that can actually film decent footage. The DJI MINI 2 might be a cheaper model with less features but it can still film some impressive footage at 4k. This is a smaller, more compact looking drone that clocks in at 249g; therefore you do not need to register this with the FAA. The drone has a newer controller that supports Ocusync 2.0, thereby giving it more range and better connectivity. Another reason why we believe it is the best drone for starters is due to its pre programmed capture modes/moves. As you progress to be a more advanced user its raw shooting capabilities will start to be of use.
The DJI MINI 2 can function during windy weather( Average strength. But it will drain the battery reserves quite fast doing so. Therefore, since the drain of the battery is not exactly linear, you might not be able to get the full uptime that is advertised. It is better to land early in order to prevent any accidents in air.
Features
4K recording
Ocusync 2.0
| PROS | CONS |
| Compact size | Does not have GPS |
| Good battery capacity | High battery drain during strong weather |
| Simple controls and app support |
We give this drone a 4 out of 5. Overall, is the best drone for starters that want some quality footage.
[rating stars=”4.0″]
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DJI Mavic 2 Zoom
This is a drone that sits on the higher end of the price range. It is very similar to the DJI MAVIC 2 PRO with one difference. The difference is its camera lens. Unlike the DJI MAVIC 2 PRO, this drone has the ability to zoom in on an object. This means that it is capable of taking clear shots while keeping the legal distance of 50m. That means you no longer hae to hover next to what you want to capture to get a decent image. While the DJI MAVIC 2 PRO can produce clearer shots, this can provide better closeups. The videos and photos it captures are still professional grade and will pass any quality test there is. When you combine its zoom potential with the different intelligent flight/camera modes on the drone, you can achieve some really creative captures. The intelligent modes include both Hyperlapse and Active track.
Features
Optical zoom
Intelligent flight modes
| PROS | CONS |
| High battery capacity | Small sensor 12MP |
| Zooming capabilities | Noise level exceeds ISO 100. Could bring in complications when flying |
| Easy to control | |
| Intelligent flight/camera modes |
Overall we give this a 5 out 5. Not every drone has a camera that is capable of producing such outstanding zoom shots.
[rating stars=”5.0″]
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DJI Mavic Mini
The best drone for kids. The DJI Mavic MINI is in our opinion the best drone for kids that are entering the world of drones. Many users think that extremely cheap drones made in china are the best training models. However, it is not so as these drones are ridiculously hard to control due to their bad design. It is extremely affordable for what it gives. If your kid wants a drone that can net them some decent footage then this would be your best option. Sure it does not have all the fancy intelligent modes that the other models of DJI MAVIC provide, but that is because this is an entry level drone.
We do have to warn you about its weakness during rough weather. This is a small drone, strong gusts of wind and gales could take it out of the sky with ease. Do not attempt to fly this drone during strong winds.
Features
12MP / 2. 7K Quad HD camera
2.5 miles of Stream support
| PROS | CONS |
| Impressive HD footage | Hard to control in strong winds |
| Low weight | Video might get jittery due to wind |
| Impressive range for an entry model | |
| Extremely stable footage |
Overall we give this a 5 out of 5. For its price and what it gives, this is an absolute steal. This might be expensive for an entry drone, but it gives outstanding results.
[rating stars=”5.0″]
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Ryze Tello
We added this because we felt the DJI Mavic MINI might still be a bit expensive for some. This is the best drone for kids if you are on a really tight budget. The drone is extremely affordable and is quite basic in its functions, but it will get the job done. It is the next best drone for kids if you really cannot afford for the DJI Mavic Mini.
For its price, the Ryze Tello is not that bad. It has a reasonable uptime of 13 minutes. Not the best, considering the other models on this list can stay on air upto 30 minutes. But this model is almost 10 times cheaper. It also has a light sensor on its bottom which allows the Ryze Tello to perform maneuvers and hold its position during flight. The camera on it is not that great. The 5MP camera supports upto 720p HD Streaming. But since the video stream is sent directly to the smartphone, there can be certain issues due faulty transmission. This could result in fluctuating frame rates.
The application is very easy to use, which makes it really good for kids. The device is highly responsive, but it suffers quite hard in windy weather.
Features
720p HD quality
5MP
13 minutes of uptime
| PROS | CONS |
| Responsive controls | Suffers heavily during windy weather |
| Easy to use application | Unstable video |
| Reasonable battery capacity |
Overall we give this drone a 4 out 5. It is not the best drone on our list, but for its price you can not find another that works better than the Ryze Tello.
[rating stars=”4.0″]
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DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0
Are you an adventurer or a traveler that loves to do Vlogs and travel documentaries. With a passion/hobby like this you can not always guarantee clear calm weather to take aerial shots. You would like a drone that can work well regardless of the weather at hand. We put the DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 on this list just for that. It is the sturdiest and most reliable quadcopter out there.
We recommend you to pick this over the DJI Mavic 2 Pro only if you need the stability and security the Phantom provides. The model is quite expensive but it is unmatched in its features. The drone contains a 20MP sensor that can shoot 4k Video at 60FPS; there aren’t many on the market that can match its quality. Not to mention its stability and intelligent flight modes make the captures so much better. Combine everything with 30 minutes of uptime, you have an absolute beast of a drone. It can even get the most amazing raw stills.
Features
4K/60FPS video @100Mbps
20MP sensor(1 inch)
| PROS | CONS |
| Unrivalved stability | Large and heavy |
| Can hold its own in any weather condition | Expensive |
| 60FPS 4K video streaming | |
| High uptime |
The phantom definitely deserves 5 out 5 stars. It is a powerful quadcopter that gives you the sense of security and reliability you long for. There aren’t many models that can match the phantom on what it does best. If you can spare the cash always pick this.
[rating stars=”5.0″]
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This wraps up our list of the best drones for video. We have added different models that will suit different users and preferences. From drones that are made for rough weather to beginner friendly models, there is something for everyone. Read the picking guide and get what suits you the best.
