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, video and photo quality, flight and safety features, plus how well they perform for the price. The results are different for every drone we test and 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 drone complete with obstacle avoidance and an excellent camera. It's also safe and easy for first-timers to fly, plus it weighs less than 250g so it comes with less restrictions and legal requirements than heavier drones, making it an excellent beginner drone. However, it won't be the right choice for everyone, especially pro pilots for whom the weightier Mavic 3 Pro could be a better bet.

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