Top 10 Best Drones

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A lot of people don’t realize how accessible drones have become. What was once a luxury, high-tech tool is now a fun and affordable toy that anyone can enjoy.

Whether you want a drone for photography or just to play with, the right model for you is out there. Here are ten of the top drones on the market right now and why we love them.

What Types of Drones are Available Right Now?

Just a few years ago, drones were the exclusive toys of professional TV producers, cinematographers, and the military. They are the ones who developed and perfected the wide variety of drone types that led to the current home-friendly models.

Fixed-Wing Drones

These early iterations have a full-sized pair of wings that allows them to plane around the air using no actual engine. They look a lot like tiny airplanes or paragliding set-ups. Conspicuous and hard to maneuver, they cannot stand still and require specialized training to handle and to land. They’re still used by land surveyors and traffic controllers.

Single-Rotor Drones

This model does not hide its military roots. They look like the skeleton of a tiny helicopter and work largely under the same concept: powered by a single set of rotor blades at the back. They are highly maneuverable, resilient, and very expensive. Their large plastic blades also pose a high accident risk, which makes them very poor Holiday presents.

Multi-Rotor Drones

The latest and most versatile type of drone is the one we have all grown to love. Instead of using large blades at the back, multi-rotor drones use between three to eight sets of small rotating blades (also known as rotors.) This makes them safer in urban areas. In addition, they are cheaper to produce and can fly still, take off, or land very easily. Simpler models with short battery lives and three or four rotors are now incredibly popular and affordable among amateur photographers and kids alike.

Although single-rotor and fixed-wing models continue to be used in some industries, they are too large for the average hobbyist to handle – at least, not without specialized training and even a local permit, depending on where you live. That’s why we have only included multi-rotor models on this list.

1. REDPAWZ R011 Micro FPV Racing Drone

REDPAWZ R011 Micro FPV Racing Drone Review

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This little drone for kids and beginners comes with a pair of HD virtual reality goggles. The drone’s 120 degree camera connects straight to the headset, so you can experience flight in full detail.

Headless mode and a one-touch homing button make the FPV racing drone easy to fly, even for young kids and first-timers. It can do 360 flips and other tricks once you get the hang of it.

Pros:

  • Easy for kids and beginners
  • Connects to VR headset
  • Homing button to prevent it from getting lost

Cons:

  • Smaller model
  • Batteries can drain quickly

2. DROCON Mini RC Drone for Kids

ROCON Mini RC Drone for Kids Review

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This drone from Drocon, one of the most trusted drone producers, is a great toy for kids. It does not come with a body camera, but it can preform flips and plenty of tricks. It has three different speed settings for an extra challenge.

The drone is pocket-sized for convenient portability and easy for kids to fly. It can be charged with a USB cable or straight from the controller, which makes it easier to take anywhere.

Pros:

  • Small size  – wings fold in to fit in a bag or pocket
  • One-key take off and landing
  • Headless mode for easier flight
  • Dual charging methods

Cons:

  • No camera

3. Drocon Foldable Mini RC Drone for Kids

con Foldable Mini RC Drone for Kids Review

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Much like the previous Drocon drone on our list, this drone is compact, portable and easy for kids to use. It folds into a much smaller size to take anywhere safely.

This drone comes with three speed modes, as well as a self-circling mode – you can set it to drive in circles over a certain area automatically. LED lights on the body make it visible wherever it goes.

Pros:

  • Foldable for portability
  • Sleek black design
  • Great for kids

Cons:

  • No camera
  • Only charges through USB wall plug

4. DROCON Drone for Beginners

DROCON Drone for Beginners Review

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This drone from Drocon looks cool, is easy to fly and comes equipped with an HD camera that can transmit directly to a smart phone or device. The drone connects over wifi to stream video.

It has a one-touch homing button to securely return it, so there is no risk in it getting lost. 360 rolling and other special effects make it a lot of fun to play with, while still easy enough for anyone in the family to use.

Pros:

  • Wifi connectivity – live stream video and pictures
  • Return key to prevent loss
  • Easy for beginners or kids

Cons:

  • Must download app to live stream video
  • Battery drains quickly

5. Holy Stone F181W WiFi FPV Drone

Holy Stone F181W WiFi FPV Drone Review

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This is one of the pricier drones on our list, but it is also one of the most top-quality. This Holy Stone drone has an onboard HD camera that streams in real time to a smart phone or device. It is easy enough for beginners but complex enough for more advanced fliers, as well.

One of the best features of this drone is that it has double the battery life of other models, allowing you to fly twice as long.

Pros:

  • HD camera and live streaming
  • Easy to fly
  • Longer battery life

Cons:

  • Not ideal for kids

6. Holy Stone HS220 FPV RC Quadcopter Drone

Holy Stone HS220 FPV RC Quadcopter Drone Review

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This Holy Stone quadcopter drone is a little more advanced then some others on this list, but still comes at a fair price. It has an HD camera and live streaming capability to a smart device, plus double modular battery packs for twice the flying time.

The special features of this drone include two flight modes, altitude control, headless mode and 360 flips.

Pros:

  • Live streams photos and video
  • Long battery life
  • 2 flight modes – folded or wing

Cons:

  • Smaller model, could easily blow away

7. ScharkSpark Drone for Beginners

charkSpark Drone for Beginners Review

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This ScharkSpark drone is perfect for beginners, but a ton of fun for more advanced fliers, too. It does not have an onboard camera, but it does have a bright LED light for flying in the dark.

The updated battery pack gives you longer flying time, and headless mode plus one-ley landing makes flying a breeze.

Pros:

  • Great for kids and beginners
  • Foldable for portability
  • Longer battery life

Cons:

  • No camera

8. Spacekey FPV Wi-Fi Drone with Camera

Spacekey FPV Wi-Fi Drone with Camera Review

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This is a fun, simple drone for kids and adults alike. The 120 degree HD camera streams directly to a smart device, and you can share the photos and video you have captured right away.

One-key take off and landing makes it easy to fly, and altitude hold mode allows for clear photos and video.

Pros:

  • Live stream photos and video
  • Share directly from app
  • Easy for kids and adults

Cons:

  • Short battery life

9. Holy Stone HS160 Drone

oly Stone HS160 Drone Review

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This Holy Stone drone is one of the best on our list for durability. It has an HD camera that live streams to a smart device, dual modular battery packs for longer flight time, and is made from tough, flexible plastic that will not break easily.

A handheld carrying case adds to the overall durability.

Pros:

  • Live stream photos and video
  • Longer battery life
  • Not likely to break

Cons:

  • Not ideal for younger kids

10. Potensic A20 RC Nano Quadcopter

Potensic A20 RC Nano Quadcopter Review

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This simple little drone is the perfect Christmas or birthday gift for an adventurous youngster. It has a bright light for nighttime flying, easy take off and landing and altitude hold mode.

There is no camera on this drone, but it is a great way for a child or beginner to learn.

Pros:

  • Easy to operate
  • Adjustable speeds
  • Headless mode for easy flight

Cons:

  • No camera
  • Short battery life

What to Look for in a Drone?

Depending on what you want it for, there are a few aspects to consider when choosing a drone. Always look at the following features before deciding:

Rotor Number

Most multi-rotor drones nowadays are quadcopters, which means they have four rotors. However, there are models with three, six, or eight rotors. Fewer rotors usually increase battery life as each rotor takes energy to move, but more rotors offer extra maneuverability and even the ability to carry heavier loads.

Assembly Required

For those of us who love a good crafting project, buying a drone that requires extra assembly will mean cheaper shipping prices and extra hours of fun. If your mechanic skill hasn’t reached that level yet, look for an RTF or ready-to-fly model.

Carrying Capacity

Most consumer-geared quadcopters have little to no carrying capacity, especially if they are marketed as toys or “kids’ models.” If you were planning to take some aerial shots on your next vacation, check that your drone can handle the weight of your camera or phone. Alternatively, specialized photography drones often come with their own cameras already attached.

GPS Capabilities

Many drones nowadays come with GPS connections that can be used to help direct the flight or locate the drone if anything happens to it. This is a must for excursionist or travelers who plan to take their drone into unknown territory.

Power Source

Most electricity-powered drones simply have a battery that you can recharge at home. These are affordable and convenient, but they are not the only option out there. If you are looking to carry anything or to resist longer travel times, look for a gas-powered drone.

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