The best drones for beginners will be relatively budget-friendly (or equipped with collision sensors) because flying a drone is never risk-free - even the best pilots have accidents!
Many drones come with built-in safety features such as distance limiters, return-to-home functions, and propellor guards that will help you should you find yourself in a sticky situation.
Once you know the controls of your drone and feel more confident flying you can start to experiment with more exciting shots. First, however, we'd strongly recommend just taking off and landing without pushing the controls too far. Take the advice of in-app tutorials, and be sure you know what any pre-programmed modes do before trying them.
Whether you're investing in a drone for aerial photography or videography, or even drone racing, some of the best drones (opens in new tab) you can buy don't cost as much as you think. This guide is aimed at people who haven't flown before but if you're thinking of upgrading check out the best indoor drones (opens in new tab) or the best FPV drones (opens in new tab).
• Best drones (opens in new tab)
• Drone flying for beginners (opens in new tab)
• Best travel drones (opens in new tab)
• Best DJI drones (opens in new tab)
• Best cheap drones (opens in new tab)
• Best FPV drones (opens in new tab)
• Best underwater drones (opens in new tab)
• Best drone accessories (opens in new tab)
• Best drones for kids (opens in new tab)
• Best indoor drones for fun (opens in new tab)
If you're looking for the best drones for kids (opens in new tab), then a low-cost drone is also a great option. That said, you might want to spend a little more to invest in a drone with collision sensors to help prevent any unfortunate accidents.
We've selected the best drones for beginners below, but it's worth keeping in mind that their designs and prices will differ depending on the purpose of the product.
Note that many of these drones weigh under 250g, which makes things easier legally in many countries. Heavier drones require FAA (USA) or CAA (UK) registration and online exams. Plus, of course, lighter drones are a lot safer for beginners and anyone near them.
The best drones for beginners in 2023
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With more than half of the global market, DJI has kept its tech at the serious end of the market. However, a friendly relationship with neighboring firm Ryze has led to the Tello, a compact drone that doesn’t skimp on tech. It beams 720p video back to a phone in WiFi range (100m), or 5mp photos, which are recorded by the App.
This data link also provides you with a battery warning, and the drone is capable of taking off and hovering using its 14-core processor and in-built sensors.
That power makes for fun features like the “Throw & Go” launching and flips, but also supports Scratch, a simple, block-based programming language that means literally anyone (kids included) can have fun ordering the Tello about.
Read our full Ryze Tello Review (opens in new tab) for more details
We don’t through 5-star reviews around every which way, but so long as you don’t mind digging a little further into your pocket than you might want, the Mini 3 Pro is an amazing drone.
It offers enough photographic quality to please a serious creative, all of the intelligent features seen on DJI’s higher-end drones – including the ability to fly around obstacles and keep on going – and despite this, it manages to stay below the frustrating weight threshold.
The Mini 3 Pro even adds a feature not seen on previous ‘copters; a rotating camera that will help capture people without the resolution loss of cropping into a horizontal image for vertical social media – for some this might be the feature that sells the drone alone.
Other big pluses are the choice of the controller (none, standard or with display), and the option of a longer-lasting battery. It really feels like professional flexibility has arrived in the ultra-light category – the only reason it’s not top of this list is the price makes it tricky to suggest as a first drone, but if you’re feeling flush, why not? Those sensors make it hard to crash!
Read our full DJI Mini 3 Pro review (opens in new tab) for more details
The DJI Mini 2 is an excellent beginner drone for several reasons, especially if you can get it for less than its successor (read our DJI Mini 3 review). Firstly, it weighs under 250g which means you only have to register it if you plan on using it commercially, it has advanced GPS safety features such as return to home and restricted fly zones so you can't accidentally fly into an airfield for example. Other useful features include Quickshots (opens in new tab) so that you can easily share images, distance limiters, and automatic landing.
Thanks to a new remote control, in Federal Aerial Administration (FAA) areas, it has a range of 10km (6.2 miles) and can be flown in winds up to 24mph without it going out of range. While videographers benefit from 4K recording and 3-axis of stabilization, photographers can choose to shoot in Raw, manual exposure, exposure bracketing, and other features you'd expect to find on a normal camera.
If you’re thinking of the Mini 2 as your first drone, but you’re already familiar with cameras, then this is definitely the best choice. It’s also pretty handy indoors thanks to downward-facing visual and sonar distance sensing systems which can help it hover even without GPS, and the optional propellor guards (detachable cages to prevent any accidents while flying near obstacles). The app also makes getting the images to your phone easy if you don’t want to wait until you get home.
Read our full DJI Mini 2 review (opens in new tab) for more details
The Skydio philosophy is less about a pilot controlling a flying camera, as it is about letting the camera do the work. As such, the device sports all-round cameras that allow it to build up an internal view of the environment and circumvent obstacles, plus, of course, a main 4K camera.
Because much of the software is designed around orbiting or following someone, the drone (while not a modest price) is available relatively cheaply given the tech onboard. Why? Because it can fly using phone controls only.
Software is a key part of the Skydio experience, and USB-C charging, syncing and setup is all very straightforward. Keyframed flights and other impressive videos can be planned or created on the fly, and all are surprisingly user-friendly.
Then, if you want to fly more traditionally (and, let's face it, faster) with sticks you can pick up the controller; with it also comes a much better range (phone wi-fi is limited, after all). Oh, and you don’t have to remember to start recording; video recording is automatic, one thing less to worry about.
See our full Skydio 2+ review (opens in new tab) for more details
Autel’s Nano and Nano Plus – the cheaper option has the weaker camera and the lower price, so might be a better first drone since even that has 4K, though the sensor is 12.7mm across the diagonal (half-inch). Dig deeper into your pocket for the Nano plus and you get a camera with a 19.8mm sensor (0.8-inch).
In either case, the drone is light enough to stay under the registration rules in FAA airspace (in the UK and EU you’ll likely still need to register because of the camera). Moreover, it has front, back, and base collision sensors and the video feedback looks stunning – what Autel call ‘Skylink’ – which provides an amazing 2.7K30 resolution live view on the monitor.
The software includes a number of intelligent flight modes and tracking features, which have improved since launch, though some are less useful (filter-like effects – really?). We did like the ability to record sound from the phone and attach it automatically to the video – i.e. narrate your flight for YouTube, or just as notes.
The SuperDownload feature; wireless transfer of images and videos to a nearby smartphone at 160 MB/s, is also handy, and this drone is a serious alternative to the DJI Mini 3 Pro.
Read our full Autel EVO Nano+ review (opens in new tab)
Like Apple's iPhone SE, DJI offers an older case design with updated components at a lower cost. That's great, because DJI led in this category for so long, and refined the airframe so well, that even the older design looks and works well.
The drone's 2.7K video is more than enough for most – looks great on social media – and the drone uses the same DJI Fly app as (nearly) all DJI drones, with features like automatic return to home and landing. There are also automated QuickShots to capture video selfies in which the drone orbits you or flies interesting paths.
The Mini 2 SE took over from the Mini SE and (as well as the price bump), the major change was to the radio control system, updated to DJI's O2 technology. This meant DJI could (and did) supply the drone with their new RC-N1, the same remote control seen across the line. We like it because it has a firm design with the phone grip above the sticks, making it easier to see. It also means the live video is better quality and less likely to be affected by interference, plus the controller can also top up your phone charge as you fly.
The Mini SE can still be found in stores, so we've left it in this list below for those looking for an even cheaper way in.
• Read more about the DJI Mini 2 SE v DJI Mini SE changes
The DJI Mini SE is DJI's most affordable drone yet at just $299/£269/AU$459 making it the perfect choice for beginners – but now the Mini 2 SE is out we don't know how long it'll be available.
While the DJI Mini SE does lack several features found on the DJI Mini 2 such as raw photos, 4K recording, and a max range of 6.2 miles, it does undercut it on price by quite a lot. And you can still take really decent images but they'll be output as jpegs instead.
For consumers not confident learning to fly and shoot video at the same time, the automated QuickShots provide several striking orbiting or other dramatic swooping shots while keeping your subject in the frame.
The DJI Mini SE makes use of its intelligence to do this from the main camera rather than packing any extra scanners, which probably helps even this beginner model pull off 30 minutes of flight time (as with all drone official times, expect about 20% less).
Read our full DJI Mini SE review (opens in new tab) for more details
This excellent drone for beginners introduces not just the experience of flying, but the basic feature set of a serious photography or videography drone for a fraction of the cost. That’s because it includes a GPS positioning system, and control is via a good-quality phone app (a phone will clip into the radio controller and serve as a screen).
Together this gives higher-end features like ‘follow me’ (the drone will follow the location of the phone) as well as making the drone easy to fly – let go of the controls and the drone will just hover, at the same altitude, even in a breeze. It can also return to its launch point at the touch of a button.
The design is clearly inspired by DJI’s Phantom, right up to the 4-light intelligent battery. That said the battery has a Micro USB socket built right in for easy charging - DJI hasn’t thought of that yet!
On the downside, the camera is not gimbal-stabilized, so the drone's vibrations are certainly more than visible in the adequate but gloomy video, and, sadly, it sends back its signal via wi-fi, so it tends to drop out after around 100m, but the clean video is recorded to the Micro SD card on the drone nonetheless.
Nice touches are the extra landing legs, prop guards, and stylish pilot’s manual notebook in the box.
Piloting a drone via goggles which give you the virtual cockpit experience is useful for many sub-styles, including racing, stunts, and the cinewhoop (opens in new tab). As a beginner the world can be bewildering; you need a traditional radio controller, goggles (often analog), and often to build a drone yourself, before familiarizing yourself with motor types and manual battery charging.
You could buy a book, dive into the message boards, or get a ready-made kit. Sure it might not impress some, but it’s cheaper, it works, and the controller will do all the same stuff – and work with your next drone too.
We especially appreciated the addition of a beginner-friendly altitude hold (hover & auto-land) sensor, not usually found in small enthusiast drones.
This Potensic A20 Mini Drone is perfect for kids and beginners, complete with two rechargeable batteries and a controller. While the Potensic A20 might not come with any photo or video capabilities, it's a great option for those looking for a durable and affordable option that won't be at risk of breakage from small, clumsy hands!
Featuring Altitude Hold and One Key Taking off/ Landing, every aspect of the Potensic A20 Mini Drone is designed to be simple to use, no matter whether you're introducing a kid to drones, or you're a beginner yourself.
One of our favorite aspects of the drone is its Headless Mode. Ordinarily, the forward direction of a flying drone is the same as the nose direction. However, Headless Mode means that the forward direction will be the same as your transmitter. This is particularly useful for kids or beginners who might not be quite au fait with some of the trickier aspects of piloting a drone.
Weighing just 190g, not only does the compact and lightweight nature of the Potensic A20 make it easy to carry around or store away, but it also means that you won't have to register the drone with the FAA in the USA.
Choosing the best beginner drone
Is learning to fly a drone hard?
Flying a drone is not as hard as you might think. If you're used to playing video games or using apps on your phone, you should find learning to fly a drone pretty straightforward.
(If you want to impress long-time pilots, however, control by pinching the sticks on the remote. Using thumb-only is a sure sign of game-controller experience, while more subtle movements are possible by using thumb-and-forefinger on each stick. It also helps dissuade you from applying the same force you might on a game controller, though most will cope with it.
Easy as it is, you'll want to do your homework and make sure you understand all your drone's features and capabilities, as well as follow any legal regulations in your area. For example, if you buy a drone in the UK or USA that weighs over 250g / 8.8oz, then you'll need to pay a small registration fee and take an exam online. (Any drone that weighs under 250g is considered a toy and safe to use.)
Rather than rushing into things, start with short and low flights and build up from there. Familiarise yourself with how the drone lands. Otherwise, you may end up crashing your drone or worse, causing an accident.
How does a drone work?
Most drones use the two-stick control method (or a touch-based equivalent on your smartphone) where the throttle (up/down) and rotation (yaw) are on the left stick and the direction of flight (roll & pitch) are on the right.
Most drones for beginners or otherwise will have rechargeable batteries, an even number of rotating props, a remote control receiver, and a processor to translate that input into the minor changes in the propeller speed, which is what will ultimately move the drone.
What's the best drone for beginners?
Overall, the best drone for beginners available today is the DJI Mini 2 or (ignoring budgetary concerns) the Mini 3 Pro (opens in new tab) That's because they’re light, compact, and easy to fly but also have good quality cameras. You can – but shouldn’t – fly it up to 10km (6.2 miles) away, and they’ll cope with winds of up to 24mph, while the camera gimbal will keep images vibration-free while recording up to 4K video.
It’s also good for flying indoors thanks to downward-facing visual and sonar distance sensing systems which can help it hover even without GPS, and the optional propellor guards.
How do I choose the best drone?
Overall, the best drone for beginners available today is the DJI Mini 2 or (ignoring budgetary concerns) the Mini 3 Pro. (opens in new tab)(opens in new tab) That's because they’re light, compact, and easy to fly but also have good quality cameras. You can – but shouldn’t – fly it up to 10km (6.2 miles) away, and they’ll cope with winds of up to 24mph, while the camera gimbal will keep images vibration-free while recording up to 4K video.
It’s also good for flying indoors thanks to downward-facing visual and sonar distance sensing systems which can help it hover even without GPS, and the optional propellor guards.
How we test drones
Our full drone tests are carried out in the field (opens in new tab), allowing us to assess the quadcopter for its flight performance, ease of use, and its image quality. All our drone reviews and guides are overseen by Adam Juniper (opens in new tab) who is one of the UK's leading experts on drones, a professionally-qualified commercial drone pilot, and who has written several books on flying drones, including The Drone Pilot's Handbook.
Read more:
Best camera drones (opens in new tab)
Best indoor drones (opens in new tab)
Best drones for kids (opens in new tab)
Best accessories for your drone (opens in new tab)
The best DJI drones (opens in new tab)
The best camera backpacks (opens in new tab)
