Best Drones 2020

What is the best drone? That seems like a simple question, but it is actually impossible to answer. A better question is, “What is the best drone for you?” The answer to that question depends on what you are looking for.

Why Do You Want a Drone?

• Do you want something to take breathtaking aerial pictures and photos? 
• Do you just want something fun?
• Do you want something to race FPV as they do on ESPN?

We have picked the best drone in a variety of categories to make the process of choosing the right drone easy, no matter what you are looking for. Your search ends here.

I Want the Best Drone to Take Awesome Pictures

Most people that want a drone because they’ve seen the awesome aerial footage that some drones can provide. Quality camera drones aren’t cheap, but they do come with an excellent array of flight modes and features to help you capture the perfect footage.

You’ll notice that DJI dominates this category. Autel, Parrot, and Yuneec have some awesome products, but DJI is the clear leader.  A good aerial photography drone won’t come cheap. Here are our recommendations based on price.

If you are interested in getting started but these price tags scare you, then check out this article on how to get started.

Beginner Aerial Photography- Mavic Mini $399

It is hard to find a drone with a good camera for less than $500. There is one huge exception, the Mavic Mini. The Mavic Mini is a pint-sized drone that has an excellent camera, 30-minute flight time and some easy to use flight modes. It is by far the best entry-level photography drone that you can buy. It also only weighs 249 grams. That means that you don’t have to register it with the FAA to fly it.

Getting Serious- DJI Mavic Air 2 ($799-988)

The DJI Mavic Air 2 is a spectacular machine. If this article was limited to one drone, then it would probably be the Air 2. It is incredibly stable, takes 4K video, and is foldable and extremely portable. This drone is probably the best choice for most people. The only exception is the professional pilot who needs the absolute best optics and better range than the Mavic Air 2 can provide. Even pros will have a Mavic Air 2 in their lineup of flying cameras because of its portability. Learn more about the DJI Mavic Air 2 here. If you are looking for another perspective on this awesome drone check out DronesGator’s comparison of the Mavic Air 2 and the Mini 2 here.

Only the Best: Mavic 2 or Inspire 2

If you are a professional photographer or you require the absolute best then there are a few excellent options from DJI, the portable Mavic 2 models and Hollywood-quality Inspire 2.

There are two Mavic 2 models available, with the Mavic 2 Zoom starting at $1249 and the Mavic 2 Pro checking in at $1449. The drones are almost identical, both have 31 minutes of flight time, 8000 meters of range, and six-direction obstacle avoidance. The major difference between the two is their cameras.

While both are spectacular cameras, the Pro version sports Hasselblad lenses with a 1″ sensor and a variable aperture. The Zoom version is the first consumer drone with an optical zoom camera. The Zoom allows for some more creative video shots while the Pro will snap the best pictures. Whichever one you choose you won’t be disappointed. Learn more about the differences between the Mavic 2 models here.

Compared to the Mavic series, the Inspire 2 is a much bigger and faster machine. It gives you the option of switching cameras for your specific needs and even transforms to ensure you’ll never get a propeller or landing gear ruining any of your shots. If you are looking for Hollywood-quality video, then the Inspire 2 is likely the drone for you. This awesome and capable machine won’t come cheap, it starts at $2999.  Learn more about the DJI Inspire 2 

I Just Want To Fly For Fun

You don’t need to spend a couple hundred dollars to get a quadcopter. In fact, there are good options for less than $25. These are great for people that are getting into the hobby and do not want to spend a small fortune on a drone. These quads are ready-to-go and you won’t spend much time trying to figure out how to get them up in the air. If you want a few more options then check out our articles for best drones under $50, best portable drones and best drones under $100. Here are our top suggestions if you are flying for pure enjoyment.

Under $25- Eachine E011/RedPawz R010

The Eachine E011  and the RedPawz R010 are small quadcopters with a lot of punch. These ducted flyers can be flown both indoors and out. The E011’s best feature is that it can easily be converted to carry a camera if you decide you want to learn how to fly FPV. The ducted design makes it safer than most quads. It is an ideal drone to learn on.

Under $100- Ryze/DJI Tello

The Ryze Tello really changed the game when it comes to drones under $100. Starting at $99, it is the absolute best option if you are looking for a small or beginner drone. Its 5 MP camera with image stabilization is the best in its class. Its stability control system and advanced flight modes are fantastic for a drone of this size and cost. If you want a small, fun, and capable drone for under $100, then the Tello is your best option. Its biggest limitation is its brushed motors. To learn more about the Tello click here. If you want a more powerful and efficient cost-effective option then keep reading…

Best Brushless Option under $100

Most drones under $100 use brushed motors. The issue with brushed motors is that they reduce flight time, don’t have a lot of power, and will eventually burn out. The solution is to get a brushless motor drone. Typically they are more expensive (see DJI options above), but there are a couple of inexpensive options. The MJX Bugs 3 and the Force1 F100 are two of our favorites. These two quads are extremely versatile and can be used to fly FPV or carry an action camera or GoPro. The

Bugs 3 and the F100 are identical machines on the inside but have different styling on the outside. The brushless motors spin pretty fast, so we would recommend the Bugs 3 / F100 to an intermediate pilot or a very cautious beginner. We give the edge to the F100 over the Bugs 3, as it is backed by a reputable American company and has sleeker styling.

I Want to Fly FPV or Race

If you’ve seen the Drone Racing League (DRL) on ESPN and you want to get into flying FPV then you definitely do NOT want to start with a big racing quad like they use on TV. You’ll need to work your way up. Those machines are both expensive and dangerous to fly until you understand the ins and outs of quadcopters. If you want to learn more about how to get into FPV then check out this article. If you want to learn more about racing then check out this article. Here are the best current options on the market if you want to learn how to fly FPV.

Best Brushed Micro FPV Quad

The Emax TinyHawk is best drone for anyone that is thinking about getting into FPV flying. It is incredibly robust. I have yet to fly (and crash a drone that can take a beating like the TinyHawk. Its brushless motors are powerful and smooth so you can fly it both indoors and out. By itself it typically can be bought for around $100 but you can also get a RTF version with goggles and a remote for $165. That is hands down the best starting kit on the market today. Learn more about the TinyHawk here.

Under $200- Ready-Made Racer: Emax Hawk 5

Once you’ve mastered the micro FPV drones you’ll probably want something bigger and more powerful. A lot of pilots build their own racing drones, but if that isn’t for you then you may want to check out the Emax Hawk 5. Emax is probably my favorite drone company as they have come up with countless good drones. Their Hawk 5 lineup is no exception. I love the Hawk 5 Pro and the Hawk 5 Sport might just be the best bang for the buck you can get with a 5-inch quad. The 2400KV version is great for a 4S but I’d actually recommend the 1700KV 6S version. You can fly the 6S version on either a 4S or a 6S. The Hawk 5 Sport will cost your $190 whereas the Hawk 5 Pro will set you back $230.

But I Want a REAL Race Quad…

Sure micro quads are a lot of fun, but you want the real deal. The Hawk 5 is pretty close, but it isn’t necessarily going to put you on top of the podium. You certainly could build your own racer or you could let the pros build one for you. Good Venture Drones is a Chicago-based company that builds professional-quality FPV race quads. Their basic build is faster than you can imagine and their pro build will blow your mind. Check them out.

So What is Best for You?

That really is a tricky question. Hopefully, this article helped clear things up. If not, then check out our Half Chrome Drone Cipher™ and it will hopefully direct you to the right quad. For those looking for the Cliff Notes version of this article here are our top four recommendations.

1. DJI Mavic 2 Zoom– If you want the best then this is most likely what you want. The zoom features are awesome. The one exception would be for the pro and semi-pro photographer may want the better optics on the Mavic 2 Pro.
2. DJI Mavic Air 2– This is overall a most impressive machine. It takes spectacular pictures and is easy to travel with.
3. Ryze Tello– This tiny drone is an awesome little dynamo. You won’t find a more capable drone under $100.
4. Emax Tinyhawk– If you want to get into flying FPV this is the best place to start. Or if you just want a fun and durable quad you can fly inside and out this is the one.

If you’ve read all of this but you still aren’t sure, then feel free to contact us. We also have other articles looking at the best drones in each price range.

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