Best Drones for Christmas 2017

There might not be a better gift to give this Christmas than a drone. They are a blast to fly, fun to race and can take awesome pictures and video. But finding the right drone to buy with confidence isn’t so easy. We thought we’d help you find the perfect drone for that special someone you are shopping for this holiday season. Drones are not a one-size-fits-all gift, so Half Chrome Drones has made it easier for you. Check out our updated best drones for Christmas 2018 HERE.

Don’t miss out updated drones for Christmas 2019 list here!

Scroll down or use these links to jump to the type of drone you are looking for:
▪Best Drone for Most People
▪Best Drone for Photography and Video
▪Best Inexpensive Begin Drone (everyone should own one of these)
▪Best Beginner First Person View (FPV) Drone
▪Best Racing Drone 
▪Best Stocking Stuffer
▪Best Drones for Kids 

If you are looking to buy specifically for kids then check out our dedicated Best Drones for Kids article. But don’t miss out on some of the Christmas-themed drones in the Stocking Stuffer section below.

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Best Drones for Most People

DJI Spark, F100 Ghost, and MJX Bugs 3

The DJI Spark was designed to be the drone for anyone and everyone. It is small, easy-to-use and takes excellent pictures and video. It is incredibly stable and has a handful of video modes to help you capture the perfect shot. There is a lot to love about this compact portable quadcopter. We highly recommend going with the Fly More Package, which adds a remote, extra battery, carrying case and more. Check out our full review here or its current price here.

A solid low-cost alternative to the DJI Spark is the F100 Ghost by Force1. It doesn’t have the features that the Phantom does and the picture quality is not as good, but for under $180 it is a hard deal to beat. The F100 Ghost is a versatile drone that you can fly fast like a racer or you can keep it slow and steady for some solid aerial photography. It comes with a removable HD action camera that you can use or even upgrade to a GoPro if you want. Check out our full review here or its current Amazon price here. If you can’t get an F100, the MJX Bugs 3 is a nearly identical drone. Pick up an MJX Bugs 3 here.

Best Drones for Photography and Video

DJI Phantom 4 Pro,  Mavic, Phantom 3 Standard

All three drones here are built by the industry leader DJI. If you are wondering which DJI product is best for your loved one (and the best for your budget) we can help you select the best one for you.

If you are looking for the absolute best photo and video quality out there then look no further than the DJI Phantom 4 Pro. This drone can produce near Hollywood quality video and is loaded with top-of-the-line features like 360-degree obstacle avoidance, a 3-axis gimbal, and a plethora of intelligent flight modes. This drone is the favorite of many professionals and amateur photographers. For more information check out our article here or its current price here.

If you are looking to take high-quality photos and video in a super compact package then look no further than the DJI Mavic Pro. This awesome drone has a best-in-class range of more than 4 miles and takes great 4K video. DJI packed their new flagship consumer drone with great features including obstacle avoidance, new ActiveTrack object tracking modes, and even an indoor “tripod” mode. It is super portable and lots of fun to fly. Check out our article here or its current price here. If you want nothing but the best then get the Platinum version, which has a longer flight time. If you want to save a little money, the original Mavic Pro is still a great drone. The Mavic Pro can get many of the benefits of the Platinum just by upgrading the props.

If you are looking to save a few hundred dollars you could opt for the Phantom 3 Standard. It doesn’t have the range, portability or general awesomeness that the Mavic does, but it is one of the best buys for the money you can get. Check out our review here or its current price here.

If you want a no-compromises videography drone and you don’t mind spending a few more dollars then the DJI Inspire 2 currently is the top-of-the-line drone from DJI. With the newest Zenmuse X7 camera is really has no rival. It truly is the top dog when it comes to videography drones.

Best Inexpensive Fun Drones

Thunderbolt and E011

Whether you are a beginner or a drone professional you should own the Eachine E011.  This micro drone is well suited for indoor flying but packs enough punch to fly outdoors as well. Its ducted propellers keep it quiet and allow it to bounce off walls and keep on going. As an added bonus it can be converted to a Tiny Whoop first-person view racer with a few small modifications.

Check out our full review here. Banggood has a great deal on them right now here. If you prefer to order from Amazon you can grab the nearly identical RedPawz R010 here. The RedPawz may not have the goofy Lego guy but it still packs a punch.

If you are looking for something a little larger we recommend the Syma X5UW or the gold Thunderbolt version. This drone has an HD camera and altitude hold makes it stable and reliable.  You will also get WiFi FPV so you can see a live video feed on from its camera on your smartphone. As an added bonus Force1 will give you three batteries to triple your flight time. Check out our full review here or its current Amazon price here.

Best Beginner First Person View (FPV) Drones

Eachine E013, DYS Elf, and Walkera Rodeo 110

You’ve probably seen drone racing on TV. What’s the best way to get started? By picking a ready-to-fly First Person View (FPV) drone. We have found three inexpensive complete packages for you to try based on your experience and comfort level. The Eachine E013, also known as the Red Pawz R011, is a fantastic all-in-one solution for flying FPV. You’ll get a drone, remote and even FPV goggles. If you haven’t tried flying FPV this is the perfect place to start. Check out our full review here or its current price here.

If you’ve flown some and are looking for something with a little more power then we would recommend taking a look at the DYS Elf. It has the safety of the built-in propeller guards, but adds powerful brushless motors. Its a beast of a little drone and can take a real beating. Check out our full review here or its current price here.

If you are looking for a more powerful micro then take a look at the Walkera Rodeo 110. This machine takes flying FPV to the next level. It isn’t quite like flying one of the racers you’ll see darting around on ESPN, but it really isn’t that far off. It comes with a nice Devo 7 remote, so you won’t have to go through the complicated binding process that can drive even experienced hobbyists crazy. Check out our full review here or its current price here.

Best FPV Full-Size Race Drones

XDR220 and Furibee DarkMax

If you aren’t new to drones and you want a real racer without having to go through the hassle of building one yourself then you need to check out one of these two drones. If you are looking for an all-in-one package then the DYS XDR220 is one to check out. You’ll get the drone, balance charger, Radio Link transmitter and FPV goggles. You’ll have to add the battery of your choice, but this is still a pretty awesome package. Check out our full review here or its current Amazon price here.

If you already have your transmitter and FPV goggles then you’ll want to check out the Furibee DarkMax. It is a mean-looking racer that can really move. The DarkMax is both lightweight and durable and can fly on 2S all the way up to 6S batteries. That means it can come close to hitting triple digit speeds. Good luck finding a better deal for around $160. Check out our full review here or its current Amazon price here.

Best Stocking Stuffers

Virhuck Volar, JJRC Christmas Drones, and H49

We have a few great options if you are looking for a tiny stocking stuffer drone that costs no more than a couple eggnog spice lattes. The little Virhuck Volar is a small quad that is big on fun.This tiny quad is a blast to fly. We even took it to Oktoberfest for some added fun. Spin the drone and you will witness a super-fast three-color LED yaw spin that will delight even the grumpiest of Scrooges. Dim the lights and check out our full review here or its current Amazon price here.

If you want something small and compact but that still has a camera then we’d recommend taking a look at the JJRC H49. It is probably the best low-cost portable selfie drone out there right now. It is likely smaller and lighter than the phone in your pocket. It has altitude hold and features an HD FPV camera so you can snap a “dronie” (drone selfie). Check out our full review here or its current Amazon price here.

Maybe you want to stuff your stockings with some Christmas themed drones. Then you need to check out these two little machines from JJRC. The H66 and H67 are two unique quads. The H66 is an egg-shaped drone with an HD camera. The H67 is almost identical to the Eachine E011 (one of our favorites) but has Santa riding the drone instead of his sleigh. Check out our full review here or its current price of the H66 and H67.

 Best Drones for Kids

If you are looking for the perfect drone for kids big or small then you need to check out this article.

More Drones…

Every month we update what we believe are the best drones on the market. Check out Best Drones Now. We have also created the one-of-a-kind Half Chrome Drone Cipher™. You answer a few questions and we’ll pair you with the best drone for you.

Do you want to search by price? Click on your menu above or we can break it down for you. Check out drones under $50, from $50-100, from $100-200, from $200-500 or over $500. Maybe you like a good Top Ten list, we’ve got you covered.

Learn More…

If you want to learn more about taking great pictures or flying FPV then check out our comprehensive guides on those topics. Also take a look at our articles on how to choose the right drone for great aerial photos or for getting started flying race drones. Learn more about drones and how to get the most out of them in our Drone Academy. In the Academy we also detail some of the advanced testing we do, including our recent addition, drone thrust testing.

I Want Videos…

Did you know that Half Chrome has its own YouTube Channel? We have reviews, flight tests, crashes, 360-degree videos and more. Check it out and subscribe today.