Fly High with the Best: Top 5 Drones to Buy in 2024
If you love taking pictures or videos from the sky, you need a great drone camera. The DJI Mini 4 Pro is currently the top choice for most people. It's small, weighing less than 250g, but still has a fantastic camera and can avoid obstacles well. It's perfect for beginners too, as it's safe and easy to fly.
In our guide, we have reviewed different drone models, considering things like picture quality, flying modes, and how easy they are to use. We also look at safety features in different situations.
Specifications
- Weight: 249g
- Controller: Yes (two options)
- Camera resolution: 48MP
- Flight time: 34 minutes
- Range: 10km-20km
The DJI Mini 3 Pro used to be our top pick for drones because it's light and has professional features. The Mini 4 Pro is similar but slightly better. If you already have a Mini 3 Pro, you might not need to upgrade. But if you're getting your first Mini drone or switching from a different model, the Mini 4 Pro is great. It's small and folds up like the Mini 3 Pro, and it weighs 249g, which follows regulations. The camera quality is still excellent, with a 1/1.3-inch sensor. It's now better at handling low light, and it has a new color profile for video. The obstacle avoidance is improved, so it's safer indoors or near trees. The ActiveTrack 360° feature is also very good, making it easy for beginners to fly. If you can afford it, getting the DJI RC 2 controller makes it the best bundle for carrying around.
Specifications
- Weight: 248g
- Controller: Yes (available without)
- Camera resolution: 12MP
- Flight time: 38 minutes
- Range: 6-10km
If you're buying a drone for the first time and you're on a budget, the Mini 3 is a good choice. It's small, light, and cheaper than the Mini 4 Pro. Unlike the Mini 4 Pro, it doesn't have obstacle avoidance. But if you're comfortable avoiding obstacles on your own, the Mini 3 still gives you great picture quality with 4K video and sharp images. Its camera can even turn sideways for portrait shots, which is useful for social media. However, it doesn't have advanced color settings for professionals who need more editing options for videos. It also doesn't have subject tracking like pro drones do. But it does have Quickshots, which are fun for beginners. You can plan a flight and capture cool videos automatically. It's a good drone to start learning with, especially if you get the optional controller, downward sensors, and GPS for precise flying. Pro drones like the Mavic 3 Classic might offer better picture quality and stability in wind, but if you're on a budget, the Mini 3 is a solid choice.
Specifications
- Weight: 720g
- Controller: Yes
- Camera resolution: 12/48MP
- Flight time: 46 minutes
- Range: 10-20km
Sitting between DJI's Mini and Mavic Pro drones is the Air series, and the newest one is the Air 3. Beginners might prefer a drone under 250g like the Mini 3, but the Air 3 is better against wind and can fly for 46 minutes. We think beginners will find the Air 3's interface easy to use, and it has safety features like avoiding obstacles.
The Air 3 weighs 720g when flying, which puts it in Europe’s C1 category. This means there are rules about where you can fly it to keep people and animals safe. But with the Air 3's new 3x zoom lens, you can still get close to things. The Air 3's two cameras take great pictures, and the 3x zoom lens makes it more versatile than the Air 2S for aerial photography. However, its fixed aperture lenses might make it hard to use ND filters for video in different light.
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DJI Mavic 3 Pro
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)
DJI Mavic 3 Pro is special because it's the first consumer drone with three cameras, great for photographers and filmmakers who want a versatile drone. The main camera, like the one in the Mavic 3 Classic, has a 20MP Four Thirds sensor and can take the best pictures. It also has a flexible aperture, high-quality video options, and different frame rates. The 3x and 7x telephoto cameras also take excellent pictures if you need more zoom.
The Mavic 3 Pro is easy to fly, even in wind, and has lots of safety features and easy controls. But because it's heavy, it falls into the strict European drone category C2. It's also expensive, so it might not be the best choice for beginners. But compared to the Inspire 3, it's more portable and cheaper, and it's just as versatile for professionals.
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Autel Evo Lite+
Specifications
- Weight: 835g
- Controller: Yes
- Camera resolution: 20MP
- Flight time: 40 minutes
- Range: 12KM
The Evo Lite+ is Autel's top drone, competing directly with DJI's Air 2S. It can record in 5.4K quality and has a 1-inch sensor, just like the Air 2S. But it beats both the Air 2S and the Mavic Pro 2 with its longer 40-minute flight time and adjustable aperture (from f/2.8 to f/11). However, it doesn't have the fourth-axis stabilization like its sibling, the Evo Lite, but its sensor can capture more light in dark places because of its bigger pixels.
Professional drone filmmakers might miss the 10-bit video and D-Log profile, and it doesn't have side sensors to avoid obstacles. But overall, we found the Lite+ to be a very versatile flying camera. For the price, its 20MP sensor is one of the best on a drone right now, giving the Air 2S some serious competition.