Best Drone Ratings – Top Rated For 2020
Thanks for visiting this review of the best drone ratings. Whether you have landed here by accident, or are interested in joining the ever increasing community of drone owners, or perhaps you are already acquainted to these most wonderful machines, you will find here below the following sections to help you make the perfect choice:
1. An introduction to drones
2. A guide to help you make the perfect choice
3. A number of drones selected among the best
4. A comment section for you to share your experience and ask questions
Drones
Drones have now become one of the most popular connected objects worldwide and it is not difficult to understand why. Start flying your drone in a public place and you will quickly see a number of curious folks rushing to see this machine turn into the air, perform acrobatic tricks or make great photos and video shots. The “quadricopter”, as it is also called because of its four propellers, is an exciting object that brings together young people as well as older people!
A drone falls in the robot’s category, being that it is a specialized robot that is designed to fly. It is an electromechanical instrument that is controlled by a device such as a computer to do a certain number of tasks independently (by itself). A robot can be conceived to warm up your meals (a microwave); wash your clothes (a washing machine); or to give you a great spin around the block (the driver-less car from google). A drone is a robot that has been created to fly.
This is a new dimension that is open to all! With a drone, you will not only explore the ground but also high in the air, above all, above people, monuments, landscapes. The drones with cameras make it possible to capture beautiful landscape that you had never seen before. You will rediscover places that you normally see every day, but under a totally different angle!
Many people who flew a drone with camera over their property report being amazed at how things were actually organized and how it was so different from what they imagined!
You can now explore previously inaccessible places
Whether you are interested in investing in a drone as a beginner or a professional, as a hobby or for work purposes, this guide will help you to select the right machine for you.
My first advice would be that you go for a quality drone that will become your companion for years and access places, landscapes and areas that you have never seen or even imagined before!
As you might expect, there are many models of drones, each responding to specific needs; therefore, your needs should be determined before the purchase. In parallel, several elements are to be taken into consideration when choosing a drone.
To give you a feel of it, here is a short video that you might like to watch. The model presented on the video is the Syma – X5C which has since been improved and is now available on Amazon for a very low price by following this link:
Hope you enjoyed it, but for a complete selection of other models and brands, you may scroll down the page.
For now, here are a few points for you to consider before purchasing your machine:
The size
From a few inches and a few ounces to several tens of inches and hundreds of ounces, the size of drones can vary in large proportions. Something to take into consideration in case of necessity of transport for example. Note that new generation drones display a collapsible frame, allowing them to occupy the same volume as a (large) bottle of water during transport. Ideal for nomads!
For Indoor or exterior use
While some recreational UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) can be used outdoors, the majority of mini UAVs are designed for indoor use only. A certain height under ceiling will then be necessary to make the most of its camera. As well as a space as clear as possible during the first maneuvers! Conversely, the majority of professional drones are designed for the outdoors and can even withstand some gusts of wind!
With a fitted camera
Some recreational UAVs have a small camera that you can use to take pictures or even films. Allowing for original shots, these small cameras are usually very much appreciated! The professional drones include cameras of (very) high level, offering exceptional image quality, both in terms of image and video.
If you are a video enthusiast, you will benefit from choosing a model integrating a Full HD or even UHD camera, allowing both to increase the image quality and to stabilize software in post-production in order to minimize any jolts of the image.
Stabilization
Know that the higher the number of propellers, the more stable your drone will be in the air. On the other hand, your camera can lose stability if it is not directly integrated into the drone and your shots may suffer misfires. Hence the importance of a nacelle, often equipped with a mechanical stabilization system to produce a clear and fluid image.
The piloting
Presence or absence of a smartphone application: Two types of drones coexist. Some are controllable with a remote control, while others will control completely or partially the device via a smartphone and an application. The latter generally greatly simplifies the handling of the device, and is ideal for beginners!
Professional drones generally offer a dedicated controller, in the form of a complete remote control, often incorporating an amplifier to increase the range of the whole.
The scope
Depending on the model and the technologies used, the range of the remote control and / or the climbing ability of the drone delimit the scope of use of the device. The range of drones can vary from a few tens of yards and an altitude of a few yards to several hundred yards above sea level for several miles! To make video plans at very high altitude, some devices can go up to more than 2000 miles.
The autonomy
Limited by their weight, the drones have a range of autonomy from a few minutes to more than half an hour (45 minutes for the more autonomous). It will therefore be necessary to pay particular attention to this point when choosing your drone; depending on the intended use.
Its speed
In the same way as autonomy, the speed of drones varies enormously, from five to ten miles per hour to more than 75 miles per hour for the fastest!
Here is my selection of the best drone ratings:
So now that you know what to look for when selecting a drone that will fit exactly your needs, I have made a selection for you, with the best drone ratings available:
The DoDoeleph Syma X5A-1 (Without Camera)
This drone is perfect for the beginner. Easy to maneuver (once you have the hang of it), but you will quickly wish that you had gone for one with the camera fitted. However I am showing to you here as it the best value for money until you decide if “droning” is your cup of tea. It comes with highly elastic plastic blade guards which will assure a longer life to the blades. As a beginner you should expect to experience a number of crashes.
Here is what you can expect with this model:
- The battery is a 3.7V 300 Mah
- Its charging time is about one and a half hour via a USB connection
- The flying time is about 7 minutes, which seems to be small but in reality for a beginner it is quite a lot
- An excellent frequency and bandwidth
- Fitted with colorful flashing lights
- Excellent for night flying
- and lots more to discover. Click on the button below:
The SkyRider Night Hawk Hexacopter Drone
Now you will love this one, for its cool look, and for its stability thanks to its 6 propellers. Also a great buy if you are a beginner and know already that you want to get yourself into drones as your hobby.
As most drones nowadays, it includes a Wifi camera to capture the sharpest photos and videos. You can control your drone to a distance of 300 feet and it also has 3 speed for easy maneuvering. You can even stream your videos to your smartphone or VR goggles. Flight time is approximately 6-8 minutes and recharging takes about 120 minutes (spare batteries are available on Amazon which unable you to extend your flight time). It is also FCC compliant (FCC Declaration of Conformity).
A very popular drone of good value for money considering its capabilities and the pleasure you will get out of it.
This amazing little toy comes with:
- Its incorporated Wifi camera
- The remote control (2.4GHz)
- The LED lights for navigating in the dark
- A free application to enable first person view, taking videos and photos, on screen info, and more
- A voice activation application
- A USB port to recharge your batteries
- Incorporated rechargeable lithium battery
- Includes the remote control, your phone holder, a USB cable, 6 spare rotor blades, a little screwdriver, your user’s manual, and much more…
And now here is a very popular semi-professional drone with some excellent reviews:
The Kolibri Hellfire HD Wide-Angle Camera Drone
This smart little gem has a 15 minutes flight time which in not common in this category of drones. So you will be able to enjoy it much more without having to recharge the batteries. It has an auto takeoff and landing capability, plus the altitude hold, which you will very much appreciate if you are a beginner, until you master the remote controls.
The 120 degree wide angle lens on its fitted camera allows you to steam live area videos directly onto your iPhone or Android smart device
It has all the bells and whistles included to help you train as a beginner and becoming a pro without investing in two separate drones.
The manufacturer also offers a very reliable customer service ready to help you get going and enjoy your new acquisition to the maximum.
Full description and technical specifications are available by clicking the button below:
One of the most popular brands among the various builders of drones is DJI (Da-Jiang Innovations). It is a Chinese technology company with headquarter in Shenzhen, Guangdong. You will soon understand why as I will review a few of my favorites drones below.
Just to give you an idea, watch the video below, it will impress you:
Wasn’t that cool or what?
The DJI Spark Mini Drone
This little beauty is available in 3 colors: Lava Red, Meadow Green, Sky Bleu and Sunrise Yellow. The price varies depending on the color.
The DJI Spark is the smallest member of DJI’s drone family, and it takes the littlest sibling role to heart. This little firefly buzzes around with enough maneuverability. It will keep kids and adults entertained, provides instagram worthy photos, and can take some decent video. Its light weight and portable form factor make it the easiest drone to travel with. It is the one you’re most likely to have with you when the opportunity for a perfect aerial selfie arises. It doesn’t have the chops or camera quality to get the epic, cinema quality aerial shots that larger drones are capable of, but it’s great for fun, photos, and adding a bit of flare to home movies.
With this cool little flying machine you will enjoy capturing the moment every time you feel inspired. With intelligent flight control options, a mechanical Gimbal and a camera with incredible picture quality; Spark allows you to push your creative boundaries.
Features:
- Maximum flight of 16 minutes
- Maximum speed of about 31 miles an hour in windless sport mode
- A camera with 1 / 2.3in 12MP sensor capable of filming 1080P video
- Three Tap-Fly modes: forward; backwards; free
- Advance and descent of obstacle avoidance
- Using the DJI GO application, a large number of intelligent flight modes are available
- Maximum descent speed: 9.8 ft / s in automatic unloading mode
- Max Service Ceiling above sea level: 13,123 feet
For more details and purchase, click on the button below:
Now, let’s get a step higher and see what’s available on a more professional point of view. I have selected for you…
The DJI Phantom 3 Advanced Quadcopter, with an 2.7K HD Video Camera
The DJI Phantom 3 Advanced is a drone ready to fly right out of the box. It offers exceptional possibilities for a drone of this size. You only have to fix the propellers on the engines. Equipped with a 2.7 K camera allowing it to film beautiful landscapes or to take sublime photos, the DJI Phantom 3 advanced is suitable for all levels of skill.
The DJI Phantom 3 Advanced features a brand new 2.7K camera developed by DJI. Ultra-compact, it can shoot in Full HD up to 60 frames per second but also in 2704 x 1520p at 24, 25 or 30 frames per second. In addition, this camera is able to take photos of rare quality.
Equipped with a sensor Sony EXMOR 1 / 2.3 “12.4 megapixels of last generation, it will delight lovers of beautiful photos and videos. DJI Phantom 3 Advanced, will be the ideal asset for lovers of beautiful images.
Featuring a 94 ° FOV (field of view) and an f / 2.8 aperture, the DJI Phantom 3 Advanced’s camera will allow you to take photographs and videos without the fish-eye effect characteristic of wide angle cameras.
And if that was not enough…
In addition to the classic photo and video modes, you will have the pleasure of discovering a photo burst mode allowing you to take 3, 5 or 7 photos in one second. A Timelapse mode is also present and will offer pictures at regular intervals. The DJI Phantom 3’s camera has a microSD port that supports cards up to 64GB. Your DJI Phantom includes a 16GB Class 16 microSD card.
So, as you can see, this little beauty is really intended for the photography and movie enthusiast. This super little machine is easy to maneuver, has an astonishing time flight of 23 minutes for a distance of about 1.25 miles.
If you want to learn more about this excellent drone, or wish to purchase it at the best price, click on the button below:
Now, if you are a drone fan, then you will love the YUNEEC Typhoon H Professional drone that combines the best of current flight technology.
A drone PRO with 6 Propellers – The Yuneec Typhoon H Pro
The H contained in the name of the YUNEEC Typhoon H Professional drone means Hexacopter. Indeed, this drone is equipped with 6 propellers! This makes it more stable, powerful, and easier to handle! Ready to fly, you can fly it 3 minutes after being taken out of the box containing it.
It is equipped with the Ultrasonic anti-collision technology! This allows it to avoid obstacles, but also the Indoor Positioning System to ensure better navigation if you want to fly inside. On the outside, it will receive transmissions up to nearly 1 mile and will be able to fly up to 22 minutes while shooting 4K video.
PROFESSIONAL IMAGES FOR YOU
The YUNEEC Typhoon H Professional is equipped with a camera that offers images worthy of professional photos and videos. It has a 4K camera and a 12M sensor for photos. Its camera is able to turn 360 °, with a wide-angle sensor to allow you to get the best views possible.
Its functions, such as Follow Me, which allows the drone to follow you even when you play sports, or Watch Me, which turns the camera around you to film you, will amaze you. Be aware that this model also comes with a backpack to carry your drone and a second battery.
To find more about this beauty, and to order it while it is still available, click on the button below:
The DJI Mavic Pro FLY MORE COMBO Collapsible Quadcopter Drone
Among the best drone ratings reviews so far, if there is a drone that has made a name for itself in the world of quadcopters, it has to be the DRONE DJI MAVIC PRO – FLY MORE COMBO . I can definitely consider it as one of the most intelligent that is available on the market! You should not less this one pass by you, treat yourself to one today!
The DJI MAVIC PRO – FLY MORE COMBO drone is compact yet embeds many technologies that make it one of the best on the market.
You will enjoy its maneuverability, stability, ability to steer clear of obstacles and its pocket size that allows you to take it anywhere with you. Additionally, it weighs only 743 grams!
The remote control is also reduced. It gives you the possibility to obtain a lot of data thanks to its OLED screen. You will see at a glance at what speed your machine is flying, at what distance it is, what is the strength of the signal.
A VERY CLEVER DRONE!
But the DRONE DJI MAVIC PRO – FLY MORE COMBO also possesses many other assets. For example, it connects to your smartphone to discover even more benefits. It can even abide to the pilot’s basic gestures, dodge obstacles, and offer you a soft automatic landing …
Finally, the DRONE DJI MAVIC PRO – FLY MORE COMBO drone’s camera is of superior quality. Despite its small size, it can shoot in 4 K at 30 frames a sec. or in Full HD at 96 frames a sec., if you wish, for example, to operate in slow motion. You will be able to enjoy unforgettable views of the sky as soon as you use your drone.
For more details and to order your own, click on the button below…
And while we are reviewing drones at pro and experienced pilots, I would like to show you one that has collected quite a impressive number of positive reviews from their owners. It is…
The DJI Inspire 2 Quadcopter + Zenmuse X4S Starters Travel Bundle
The DJI’s magnesium/aluminum/clad Inspire 2 Quadcopter is a faithful cinematographic and photographic tool.
Combining the Inspire 2 with the separately available X4S and X5S gimbal cameras yields cinema-grade images, which can record in high bit rates using H.264 and H.265 formats; or, in the case of the X5R, various flavors of Apple ProRes and CinemaDNG raw using the required licenses available from DJI.
All the recording functionality is processed by the Inspire 2’s CineCore 2.0 image processing engine. And there is much more to be enjoyed in the Inspire 2 than just in the recording functionality. The DJI beefed-up the flight capabilities of the Inspire 2.
Able to accelerate to 50 mph in 4 seconds and reach a top speed of 67 mph. The Inspire 2 can follow fast-moving subjects for dramatic sports and action footage. However, this flight ability of the Inspire 2 doesn’t reduce the battery life.
With the two included LiPo batteries onboard, up to 27 minutes of flight time can be had on a full charge.
For more details and to order your own, click on the button below…
Safety rules regarding Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) i.e Drones
As drones have become more popular and accidents have happened, certain regulations had to be put into place. These regulations vary from city to city, state to state and country to country. So, wherever you are in the world, before flying your drone, or even buying it, it is best that you contact the competent authority. Your nearest police station should be able to help you with the contact details.
Thanks for your visit
Hopefully you enjoyed reading this review of the best drone ratings and found it useful for selecting the right drone for your pleasure or profession. My readers and I would love to hear from you and if you have anything to share, or have any questions, just use the box below and someone will respond as soon as possible. If you found this guide helpful make sure to share it socially and write a comment below, I will be most grateful!
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OMG! I didn’t think drones really existed until I landed on this site. I am a grown woman (52) and now I’m thinking about buying one! Are they even legal in NYC?
Thanks for visiting my website and for your comment Shalisha. Once you have one, you and your family will have hours of pleasure with it, trust me. Drones are legal just about everywhere, however, it is necessary that you consult with your nearest police station as in every cities or towns there are specific regulations.
If you want me to suggest one in particular, I would go for the DJI Spark Mini Drone, it is available in 4 colors.
Let me know if you have any questions.
John ツ
I am so interested in drones. I have seen them everywhere and they are so cool. I am glad you gave me some ideas here on what to look for when purchasing.
Actually I did not know you about the fitted camera. That would be cool to be able to take stills. Do most people control them with a smartphone as you mentioned here or the remote control that comes with it?
As a newbie the Skyrider Night Hawk is very interesting to me. Thanks for sharing.
Nice seeing you here Nate. Yes, this is an amazing toy and tool which has become very popular as it opened a new vision on our world from the above. I started with a remote control because I didn’t have a smartphone then, but the smartphone gives you much more options and a better control of your machine.
So, I do hope that you get into this kind of “sport” soon and do let me know if you have any questions.
Best wishes,
John ツ
Awesome review! I was talking to my daughter about the possibility of owning a drone, and over the months we completely forgot about it. I accidentally ran into your review, and it’s a good thing too because now we have a great understanding on the prices, and capabilities of some of the more popular, and reliable ones.
I certainly think a couple hundred dollars is nothing in comparison to the fun we could have.
Thanks I booked marked your page for future reference!
-Mike
Thanks for visiting my website and for sharing your plans of owning a drone Michel. You will never regret your investment as it will give you hours of quality time with your daughter, and for years to come. You might also wish to own two of them so that you can enter into competitions with your daughter, like racing, acrobatics, etc.
Let me know if you have any questions or need advice.
Cheers,
John ツ
This is a good review.
I am interested in DJI Spark Mini Drone.
I like its remote control functions with gestures.
Thank you.
Thanks for your comment Eli. Good choice, yes it is also my favorite among the small drones. Suitable for beginners and up. I look forward to seeing you here often as I have some very exciting reviews to upload very soon.
John ツ
good lord that was a lot of information. i have ofen wanted to buy a good drone, but always seem to fall for the cheap ones you see at the front of computer stores. all this information will help guide me in my future purchase. i may as well buy it from your recommendations here on your site. thank you for making things so much easier. i rellay want to avoid disappointment this time.
Thanks for visiting my website and for your comment Steve. The problem with the cheaper models is that they are usually difficult to maneuver. Although it is often recommended to start with a cheap one as we can expect a few crashes, so that if it is broken we have not lost too much money, but on the other hand, you have less chances of crashing and breaking a better model as it is easier to control.
When you are ready to order yours, I will be pleased to advice you further and if you purchase through this website you can be sure to find the right one for you.
Best wishes,
John ツ
Hi, I was looking at drones as I wanted to buy it for my cousin for his birthday party as he mentioned to me that he was really interested in getting one but his parents did not allow so thanks for this guide. Especially found the ‘points’ to consider really useful as I did not know what to look out for in the past!
I’ve heard of the new DJI Mavic Air. What are your thoughts on that?
Thanks for visiting my website and for your comment. You cannot go wrong by selecting a drone from the DJI collection. Indeed, the DJI Mavic Air is a new addition in the family. I have not posted a review yet because I was still awaiting for comments from users, but so far it is one that is already collecting great reviews. So, yes, if it is one that you are looking at for your cousin’s birthday, he will certainly love it.
You can find out more about it and purchase it here for a quick delivery: The new DJI Mavic Air
Hope that you get it in time for his birthday.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best wishes,
John ツ
Hi there,
One of my dream is to have a drone. Like you well said, it can help you explore places you have never been before.
As a beginner I think I will go with The SkyRider Night Hawk Hexacopter Drone. It sounds like an easy one to get started and it is very affordable.
Thank you again for the useful information.
Thanks for visiting my website and for your comment Babacar. Yes, the SkyRider Night Hawk Hexacopter drone is indeed the model I would suggest for beginners because of its stability thanks to the 6 propellers.
One of the hardest things to master for a newbie is to keep your drone stable as much as possible, especially if you are filming or taking aerial pictures. The advantage of it too, is that it is not afraid of wind, and of course as you say, the price is very affordable.
So, if you are ready, it is worth going for this model, and enjoy hours of pleasure.
John ツ
I think this was a great list.
There were a lot of drones that I recognized, like the DJI Spark and the Phantom 3, as well as some I have never even heard of before like the Typhoon H Pro.
Hopefully in the next couple of years drones can come down in price for the more amateur consumer, but until then I guess I’ll just save up!
You seem to know your stuff Joe. Prices will most likely come down with time for the basic models. As for the more sophisticated models, I have the feeling that their prices might not come down that much because they will become even more sophisticated. At least, it is what I reckon.
Thanks for visiting my website and for your comment Joe.
I wish you the very best.
John ツ
My son wished for a drone these Christmas and I had to persuade him that Santa Claus is not yet familiar with drones. The truth was that I was not familiar with them and couldn’t find the right one. So I am happy I have found your website. Could you please suggest what would be the best drone choice for 9 years old boy? Would it be better to start with the ones without camera?
Ah.. ah.. Arta, these days, kids are more clued up than we are. As my wife would say, that’s why we have kids, because they know how to tune the television better than us.
So, yes Arta, make your son’s dream come true, it is still not too late for a belated Christmas gift, or why not an early birthday present?
Well, view his age, it is very easy and cheaper to choose for him. I will recommend the Syma – X5C-1 it is basically unbreakable (because he will crash a few times at the beginning). It comes with spare blades in case of breakage, but I had one, crashed it many times, but never broke anything.
It is fitted with a camera, which can be removed, but he will soon want to have a camera, so he may as well have it already.
So that’s it. Thanks for visiting my website and I wish you the very best.
John ツ
Great review,
Did you see the mini drone racing on gmix chanel? After watching the recing the kids and I were talking about getting our own small or ‘mini’ drones just last week.
I must say not knowing that much we rocked up town… I didn’t realize the price points – so we’re still saying.
Good read thanks
Hi Toni,
Thanks for sharing your experience. I am not clear though if you have been stopped on your tracks because of the price tag, or perhaps you have been looking at the wrong drones. There are some at very high price, but I would assume that you are just looking for one (or perhaps two) just to have some great fun with your kids. In that case you only need to look in the lower price range. Here are a few of the best selling drones on Amazon which are excellent and very affordable: http://amzn.to/2o8QFsP
Let me know if you need help making your choice.
John ツ