The best drone 2024: top flying cameras for all budgets

DJI Mini 4 Pro
(Image credit: Future)

When we fly the best drones, we're assessing several things: how well they fly, how well they shoot and how well they perform for the price. The results are different for every drone we test. That's why we recommend different drones for different people in this guide.

Of all the drones we've flown, our personal favorite is the DJI Mini 4 Pro. It's a feature-packed sub-250g drone, complete with obstacle avoidance and an excellent camera. It's also safe and easy for first-timers to fly, making it one of the best beginner drones. But it won't be the right choice for everyone.

Our recommendations below include everything from entry-level drones to pro-grade models. Each has been tested by our expert team in the real world, who look for the benefits and drawbacks of every option. We've summarised the takeaways to make it easy for you to land on your ideal drone.

Top 3 picks

If you don’t have time to read our full list of the best drones, you can use the summary below for a quick overview of the the best options for different buyers. When you find a drone that ticks your boxes, use the links beneath to jump to our full write-up.

Best by use-case

Written by
Tim Coleman
Written by
Timothy Coleman

Tim is TechRadar's Cameras editor. With more than 15 years’ experience in the photo video industry, Tim has spent countless hours working with all kinds of camera kit. As a result, he’s gained a deeply technical knowledge of what makes a good camera – and that expertise extends to drones. Tim notes, "As you'll find in the list below, DJI continues to dominate the drone market in 2024, producing excellent models for every niche – from entry-level to professional. That said, we've also covered options from a number of other drone manufacturers, particularly where they represent good value alternatives."

The best drones 2024

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Below you'll find full write-ups for each of the best drones in our list. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.

Best sub 250g compact drone

The best compact drone for most people

Specifications

Weight: 249g
Controller: Yes (two options)
Camera resolution: 48MP
Flight time: 34 minutes
Range: 10km-20km

Reasons to buy

+
Improved video features
+
Omnidirectional Vision Sensing
+
Lightweight but powerful

Reasons to avoid

-
Not a major upgrade
-
Camera has a fixed aperture

DJI Mini 4 Pro sample images

Buy it if:

✅ You want the best lightweight drone: With excellent image quality and obstacle avoidance in all directions, this is the most feature-packed sub-250g drone.

✅ You’re serious about video: Support for 4K 100fps slow-mo and the D-Log M color profile offers additional versatility and finer control of video output.

Don't buy it if:

You’re already happy with your Mini 3 Pro: While the Mini 4 Pro has some new features, many will find that they don’t justify switching from the already capable Mini 3 Pro.

❌ You only fly in the open: Omnidirectional Video Sensing is useful, but only if you operate in complex environments with lots of obstacles.

With a lightweight build and pro-grade features, the DJI Mini 3 Pro was previously our favorite drone. The Mini 4 Pro builds on its qualities to deliver an even better experience, albeit not a radically different one. If you already own a Mini 3 Pro, it probably doesn’t justify an upgrade. But if you’re switching from a different model or buying your first Mini series drone, it’s an excellent choice. Its small, folding design is almost identical to the Mini 3 Pro, as is the regulation-friendly 249g takeoff weight. Also the same is the 1/1.3-inch sensor, which still delivers excellent image quality. 

Thanks to processing updates, we found it even better at handling noise in low light. Serious videographers will also welcome the new D-Log M color profile, which offers greater consistency with the Mavic 3. Obstacle avoidance is now omnidirectional, meaning the Mini 4 Pro is even safer than its predecessor when it comes to operating indoors or near trees. We also found ActiveTrack 360° highly effective, making it an easy drone for beginners to fly confidently. If you can afford the DJI RC 2 controller option, you’ll have the best backpack-friendly drone bundle.

Best budget drone without obstacle avoidance

The best budget drone if you don’t need obstacle avoidance

Specifications

Weight: 246g
Controller: Yes (available without)
Camera resolution: 12MP
Flight time: 31 minutes
Range: 6-10km

Reasons to buy

+
Decent 4K video image quality
+
Excellent value 

Reasons to avoid

-
Lacks collision avoidance
-
No Follow Me tracking 

DJI Mini 4K sample images

Buy it if:

✅ You’re a first time buyer: The DJI Mini 4K is a great starting point if you’re new to drones, with decent 4K video and flight features.

✅ You’re want the best cheap drone: For less than $300 / £300, you get a well equipped 4K drone with 3-axis gimbal and decent flight performance.

Don't buy it if:

You're typically gung ho: The Mini 4K doesn’t feature collision avoidance like the Mini 4 Pro, so the daring will likely get into scrapes quickly enough.

❌ You want decent subject tracking: Despite having Quickshots flight moves, the Mini 4K doesn't have the same sophisticated tracking features as the Mini 4 Pro.

First time buyers can't go wrong with the Mini 4K – it is the best budget drone you can buy at under $300 / £300. It is a carbon copy of the DJI Mini 2 SE, only it comes with higher resolution 4K video to the Mini 2 SE's 2.7K video. The Mini 4K also shoots 2.7K up to 60fps and video bitrates are higher, so its videos are less compressed, plus you get a 2x digital zoom. Otherwise, the drones are identical; a regulator-friendly 246g take-off weight, 3-axis gimbal and stable flight performance considering the tiny size. 

If money is no object, the Mini 4 Pro is the best beginner drone you can buy. It has omnidirectional object avoidance and advanced Follow Me subject tracking, plus a larger sensor and slightly better image quality overall. If you're typically gung ho, you might get into a few scrapes flying the Mini 4K given the lack of obstacle avoidance or need to be extra cautious to avoid objects, especially when flying over bodies of water. However, the Mini 4K is admirably robust and a third of the price of the Mini 4 Pro while being equally capable in many ways. Its battery life is excellent, despite not fulfilling the 31 minute measured times it can go longer than rivals, plus DJI's Quickshots flight moves get you dynamic video sequences around your chosen subject.

All in all, we found the Mini 4K to be an excellent beginner drone, perhaps the best, and a decent second drone for advanced pilots.

Best drone camera

The best drone camera system – a trio of lenses

Specifications

Weight: 958g (Mavic 3 Pro Cine, 963g)
Controller: Yes
Camera resolution: 20MP (Hasselblad camera), 48MP (70mm medium tele camera), 12MP (tele camera)
Flight time: 43 minutes
Range: 15km (FCC), 12km (CE)

Reasons to buy

+
Superb Four Thirds camera
+
Triple-camera system
+
Adjustable aperture

Reasons to avoid

-
Pricier than rivals
-
Some missing features at launch

DJI Mavic 3 Pro sample images

Buy it if:

✅ You need camera versatility: The only triple-camera drone perfectly balances quality and versatility.

✅ You want DJI's best safety features: DJI's most advanced collision avoidance plus advanced return to home ensure accident-free flying.

Don't buy it if:

A single camera will do: The Mavic 3 Pro's main camera  can also be found for less on the Mavic 3 Classic.

❌ You don't need all the bells and whistles: There are highly capable and cheaper drones available, while lighter models come with fewer restrictions.

The Mavic 3 Pro won best camera product of the year in the TechRadar Choice Awards 2023, and with good reason. It's the first consumer drone to feature three cameras, ideal for aerial photography and filmmakers who need the most versatile drone on the market. The Mavic 3 Pro's main camera is the same one used by the Mavic 3 Classic and its 20MP Four Thirds sensor offers the best image quality of the three, together with an adjustable aperture, pro-tier video formats and frame rates. That said, if you need the extra reach from the main 24mm focal length of this camera, both 3x and 7x telephoto cameras produce excellent images.

As a pro drone, the Mavic 3 Pro is also incredibly easy to fly even in windy conditions and accessible to all users, thanks to its excellent safety features and intuitive controls, although its in the restrictive C2 European drone category because of how heavy it is. Another sticking point is its price that makes it overkill for beginners. However, it’s a more portable and less expensive option for pros than the Inspire 3, plus it's even more versatile.

Best all-round drone for aerial photographers

The best all-round drone for aerial photographers

Specifications

Weight: 720g
Controller: Yes
Camera resolution: 12/48MP
Flight time: 46 minutes
Range: 10-20km

Reasons to buy

+
Dual cameras
+
Excellent wind resistance
+
Generous flight times

Reasons to avoid

-
C1 European weight rating
-
Fixed aperture lenses
-
Large protruding camera

DJI Air 3 sample images

Buy it if:

✅ You want to keep your distance: The Air 3 has two lenses, including a 3x telephoto that lets you get close to the action to make videos from a safe working distance.

✅ You need a sturdy drone for windy conditions: The Air 3 is physically larger than the Mini 4 Pro and has better wind resistance for breezy weather.

Don't buy it if:

This is your first drone: The weighty DJI Air 3 sits in the C1 category of drones and that comes with flying restrictions that you don't get with sub-250g drones like the Mini 4 Pro.

❌ You shoot a lot of vid