Drones have exploded in popularity in recent years. Once just a niche hobby, drones are now widely used by professionals and amateurs alike for aerial photography, videography, inspections, mapping, and more. The drone market has rapidly evolved with new models featuring advanced cameras, sensors, and flight capabilities.
With so many drones to choose from, it can be tough to determine which is the best fit for your needs and budget. In this article, we break down the top 5 best drones you can buy in 2024 based on performance, features, ease of use and value. Whether you’re a drone enthusiast, casual flyer or looking for your first drone, these models offer the right blend of quality and affordability.
1 – DJI Mavic 3 – The Best Overall Drone
When it comes to the total package, the DJI Mavic 3 is the best overall drone you can buy in 2024. As DJI’s new flagship consumer drone, the Mavic 3 pushes the boundaries of what’s possible with a compact, folding drone. It builds upon the success of previous Mavic models and takes performance to the next level.
The Mavic 3 packs a beastly 20MP 1-inch CMOS sensor Hasselblad camera capable of 5.1K video at 50fps and 200Mbps. This allows you to capture stunningly detailed aerial photos and cinema-quality video. The large sensor offers better dynamic range and low light performance than smaller drones. Photos and video look crisp and vivid on the Mavic 3’s camera.
New to the Mavic series is a tele camera that pairs with the main wide angle camera to provide 28x hybrid zoom. You can get much closer to subjects without losing image quality. DJI’s omnidirectional obstacle sensing provides a safety net when flying the Mavic 3, detecting obstacles up to 200m away.
With a maximum flight time of 46 minutes and 9 mile (15km) video transmission range, the Mavic 3 gives you the flexibility to fly far and stay aloft longer. Even in windy conditions, the Mavic 3 handles admirably thanks to its aerodynamic design. All these features make the Mavic 3 the best drone for aerial photography and professional use.
Despite its prosumer features, the Mavic 3 still folds down small enough to fit in a backpack. DJI refined the drone’s design to be quieter and smoother flying as well. Easy to transport and simple to fly, the Mavic 3 is accessible to drone pilots at every level. It also works seamlessly with DJI’s suite of software and mobile apps.
Priced at around $2,200, the Mavic 3 is certainly an investment. However, you get what you pay for – an incredibly capable drone that won’t leave professionals wanting more. If you’re serious about aerial photography and videography, the DJI Mavic 3 is the best overall drone you can buy.
2 – DJI Mini 2 Drone – The Best Value
DJI’s Mini 2 drone delivers big features and performance in an ultra compact and portable package. Despite weighing less than 249 grams, the Mini 2 boasts advanced flight and camera capabilities that make it the best value drone available.
The Mini 2’s compact and foldable design makes it incredibly portable – it can fit easily in a bag or your jacket pocket. Take it anywhere without hassle. Weighing under 249g means the Mini 2 does not need FAA registration in the US or require a license to fly in many countries, keeping things simple.
Don’t let the size fool you – the Mini 2 is a capable drone, especially at its very reasonable $450 price point. It shoots high quality 4K/30fps video and 12MP photos using a 1/2.3″ sensor, beating phones and point and shoots. You’d have to spend hundreds more to get better image quality on a larger drone.
The 3-axis gimbal provides stable, shake-free video that looks like it’s from a big Hollywood drone. Built in features like Hyperlapse, panoramas, and automatic QuickShots like Asteroid and Dronie let you get creative. Plus, the Mini 2 has up to 31 minutes of flight time – longer than more expensive drones.
While not an advanced photography drone, the image and video quality from the Mini 2 will satisfy most casual users. It flies smoothly, capturing stable footage even in light winds. With 4km HD video transmission, you can fly it farther than your eyes can see. Overall, at under $500, you’d be hard pressed to find a drone that packs in as much performance and capability as the DJI Mini 2. It’s the best drone you can get for the money.
3 – DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone – Best for Intermediate Pilots
Sitting between DJI’s entry level and highest end consumer drones, the Mavic Air 2 hits the sweet spot for enthusiast drone pilots. Priced at $799, the Mavic Air 2 brings prosumer camera tech and high end flight performance down to a more affordable price point. It makes an excellent drone for intermediate pilots who want to take their aerial photography more seriously.
The Mavic Air 2 shoots stunning 4K/60fps video at an impressive 120Mbps bit rate. Photos look tack sharp and vivid thanks to the 1/2″ CMOS sensor capable of 12MP stills. This is a significant step up from cheaper drones. The 3-axis gimbal keeps footage buttery smooth, while HDR video ensure you get usable footage even in high contrast lighting conditions.
Smart shooting modes like Hyperlapse, panoramas, and multiple QuickShots like Helix, Boomerang, and Asteroid make capturing complex shots easy. Just tap a button and the Mavic Air 2 will execute the shot autonomously. ActiveTrack 3.0 uses advanced object recognition algorithms to track cars, people, and other objects effortlessly.
In terms of flight performance, the Mavic Air 2 does not disappoint. It boasts an impressive 34 minutes of maximum flight time. The OcuSync 2.0 transmission extends the control range out to 6.2 miles. Plus, it has omnidirectional obstacle avoidance sensors that warn you and stop the drone from hitting objects. This level of technology makes the Mavic Air 2 very easy and safe to fly.
For the price, the Mavic Air 2 packs in cutting edge camera tech, stable and smooth flying capabilities, and smart shooting modes all in a sleek, compact package. This makes it the perfect drone for aerial photography enthusiasts who don’t need their commercial pilots license. The DJI Mavic Air 2 hits the sweet spot that makes it the best drone for intermediate pilots.
4 – DJI Avata FPV Drone – Best for Beginners
Looking to get started with an easy to fly FPV racing drone? The DJI Avata combines stability and speed with an intuitive design made for beginners. Priced at $629, it’s an accessible entry point into the exciting world of first person view (FPV) drone flight.
Unlike the more complicated controls of a 5 inch racing drone, the Avata is operated with an ergonomic handheld style controller. The controls are simplified so you can focus on flying fast while still keeping the Avata stable and under control. The controller also features a built-in touchscreen that displays critical telemetry data.
The Avata comes with a dedicated FPV headset so you can experience immersive first person flight. What really makes the Avata beginner friendly is its two flight modes – Normal and Manual. In Normal mode, sensors and AI algorithms keep the drone stable and obstacle-free. Manual mode unlocks the full speed and maneuverability once you have the hang of it. The drone even has a built-in simulator to hone your skills without the risk of crashing.
DJI succeeded in creating an FPV drone that almost flies itself while still providing fast and agile flight. At sub 250 grams, you can fly the Avata almost anywhere without regulatory restrictions. It’s sturdy enough to survive dozens of crashes too. So even if you’re new to FPV flight, the Avata lets you learn without the stress or cost of constantly repairing a racing drone.
For anyone interested in learning how to fly FPV drones, the DJI Avata offers the perfect training package. It’s simple and safe enough for total beginners but fast and agile for more experienced pilots. The Avata is the best FPV drone for getting started with this thrilling style of flight.
5 – NewBeeDrone AcroBee65 RTF Drone – Best for Kids
Drones can make fantastic gifts that provide kids with a fun and engaging way to learn about technology, robotics, and photography. But many off the shelf drones simply aren’t designed with inexperienced young pilots in mind. That’s where the NewBeeDrone AcroBee65 comes in – the perfect drone for kids.
Priced under $130, the AcroBee65 offers an affordable introduction to drones that won’t devastate your bank account. It’s built durable enough to withstand the inevitable crashes of novice flyers. Soft rubber propeller guards keep fingers safe while preventing damage during bumps and scrapes.
Despite being a drone designed for kids, the AcroBee65 still has cool capabilities to stay interesting. It can perform flips, rolls, and other tricks to wow friends. The HD camera streams real time video back to a phone over WiFi for cool FPV flight. You can even fly the AcroBee at night thanks to built in LEDs.
The AcroBee65 is simple and intuitive to fly too. The remote has one stick that controls altitude and rotation, while the other controls forward/backward and left/right movement. With a top speed of only 30 mph, kids can pilot the drone without fear of losing control. The battery provides 10 minutes of flight time – long enough to keep young attention spans engaged.
Learning to fly on the AcroBee65 teaches kids coordination and critical thinking in a fun, safe package. Everything is user friendly for young learners, from the protective body design to simple controls. For an exciting, confidence-building gift, the NewBeeDrone AcroBee65 is the best drone you can buy for kids.
Conclusion
Drones come in all shapes and sizes these days with models catering to every type of user. Hobbyists, professionals, and new pilots alike can find their perfect drone match. We hope our picks for the top 5 best drones to buy in 2024 gives you a head start in finding the right drone for your needs and budget. Whether you want stunning aerial photography, a fun weekend flyer, or a gift to inspire the next generation of drone pilots, these models offer the right blend of quality and value. Happy flying!
