Best Drones for Beginners in 2023

Drones suitable for beginners should be relatively inexpensive (or equipped with collision sensors). Since flying a drone is never completely risk-free – even the best pilots experience accidents.

The majority of drones come with safety features such as distance limiters, and return-to-home functions. Moreover, the propeller guards can help you if you find yourself in a difficult situation.

You can experiment with more exciting shots once you become familiar with the controls of your drone and feel more confident flying it. However, it is advisable, to begin with, tutorials or pre-programmed modes.

Whether you are looking for a drone for aerial photography or videography, or even for drone racing, some of the best drones are listed below. The items you can purchase do not cost as much as you might think. 

Although the purpose of this guide is to provide information to those who have never flown a drone before. When looking for the best indoor drone, a low-cost drone can also be a good option.

For that reason, it might be worthwhile to invest in a drone with collision sensors to prevent any unfortunate accidents from occurring. Here are the best drones for beginners, but keep in mind that their designs and prices will vary depending on their purpose.

List of the best Drones for beginners: 

1: DJI mini 2

• Weight: 249g
• Dimensions (folded): 138×81×58 mm
• Controller: Yes
• Video resolution: 4K 30fps or FHD 60fps
• Camera resolution: 12MP
• Battery life: 31 minutes (2250mAh)
• Max Range: 10 km / 6.2 miles
• Max Speed: 57kph / 35mph

There are several reasons why the DJI Mini 2 is an excellent drone for beginners. The drone weighs under 250g, so you only need to register it if you plan on using it commercially. It has advanced GPS safety features such as return to home.

 Thus, it is impossible to accidentally fly into an airfield, for example. Among the other useful features are Quick shots. It is also possible to share images, set distance limits, and automatically land the aircraft.

In areas under Federal Aerial Administration (FAA), it can be flown in winds up to 24mph, thanks to new remote control, Without it going out of range.

 In the meanwhile, videographers can record in 4K and use 3-axis stabilization. Photographers can shoot in Raw, adjust the exposure manually, bracket exposures, and more. 

It is the best choice if you are considering the Mini 2 as your first drone, but you are already familiar with cameras. As a result of its downward-facing visual and sonar distance sensors, it is also quite useful indoors.

This can assist the drone to hover even in the absence of GPS, as well as the optional propeller guards (detachable cages to prevent any accidents when flying near obstacles).

 In addition to this, the app allows you to easily download the images to your phone if you do not wish to wait until you return home to do so.

2: DJI mini 3

• Weight: 249g
• Dimensions (folded): 145×90×62 mm
• Controller: With some options
• Video resolution: 4K 60fps
• Camera resolution: 48MP
• Battery life: 34 minutes (or 47 mins Battery Plus)
• Max Range: 12 km / 7.5 miles
• Max Speed: 58kph / 36mph

We do not post 5-star reviews everywhere. Nevertheless, if you don’t mind digging a little deeper into your pocket than you might want, the Mini 3 Pro is an impressive drone.

 The drone offers enough photographic quality to satisfy a serious creative, as well as all the intelligent features found on DJI’s higher-end models. Furthermore, it can fly around obstacles and keep going, and yet manages to stay below the frustrating weight threshold.

There is even a rotating camera on the Mini 3 Pro, which is not found on previous models of the drone. In this way, people can be captured without being cropped into a horizontal image for vertical social media. 

This feature may be the selling point of the drone for some. Additionally, there is a choice of the controller (none, standard, or with display), as well as the option of a longer-lasting battery. Certainly, professional flexibility has arrived in the ultra-light category.

As a first drone, it’s challenging to recommend due to the price, but if you’re feeling flush, why not? It is difficult to crash with those sensors.

3: DJI mini SE

• It weighs: 249g
• Dimensions (folded): 138×81×58 mm
• Resolution: 2.7K 30fps
• Camera resolution: 12MP
• Battery life: 30 minutes (2400mAh)
• Max Range: 4 km / 2.5 miles
• Max Speed: 47kph / 29mph

With a price of $299/£269/AU$459, the DJI Mini SE is DJI’s most affordable drone yet.

There are several features of the DJI Mini SE that are not available on the DJI Mini 2, including raw photos, 4K recording, and a maximum range of 6.2 miles.

 In terms of price, it is quite competitive with it. Also, you will be able to take perfect images, but they will be output as JPG files instead. 

It is not recommended for consumers who are not comfortable learning to fly and shoot video simultaneously. You can take several striking orbiting or swooping shots while keeping your subject in view with the automated Quick Shots. 

Instead of packing any additional scanners, the DJI Mini SE uses its intelligence to accomplish this task from the main camera. Even this beginner model probably manages 30 minutes of flight time (as with all drone official times, expect 20% less).

4: Autel Evo Nano+

• Weight: 249g
• Dimensions (unfolded): 260×325 mm
• Controller: Yes
• Video resolution: 4K 30fps
• Camera resolution: 48MP
• Battery life: 28 minutes
• Max Range: 10 km / 6.2mile
• Max Speed: TBC

It is a cheaper alternative with a weaker camera and a lower price than Autel’s Nano and Nano Plus. Considering that even that drone has 4K, even though the sensor is 12.7 mm across the diagonal (half an inch), this might be the best first drone for you.

 When you purchase the Nano Plus, you will receive a camera with a 19.8 mm sensor (0.8 inches). However, in either case, the drone is light enough to remain within FAA airspace registration regulations (in the UK and EU, you will likely still need to register due to the camera).

 Additionally, it includes front, rear, and base collision sensors as well as an amazing 2.7K30 resolution live view on the monitor – what Autel calls ‘Skylink’. Several intelligent flight modes and tracking features have improved since launch, but some are less useful (filter-like effects – really?). 

It was very convenient to be able to record sound from the phone and automatically attach it to the video. It may, for example, be used to narrate your flight for YouTube or as a note-taking device.

 The Super Download feature, which can transfer images and videos to a nearby smartphone at 160 MB/s, makes this drone a serious competitor to the DJI Mini 3 Pro.

5: HS 100 Navigator

• Weight: 700g
• Dimensions: 500x500x175mm
• Controller: Yes
• Video resolution: 720p @ 30fps
• Battery life: 15 minutes (2500mAh)
• Range: 500 m
• Max Speed: 18.5mph / 30kph

It is an excellent drone for beginners because it introduces more than just the experience of flying. For a fraction of the cost, this drone offers the same basic feature set as a serious photography or videography drone. 

Due to the inclusion of the GPS positioning system, the device is controlled through a good-quality phone app (a phone can be clipped into the radio controller and used as a screen). 

Together, these features provide higher-end features such as ‘follow me (the drone will follow the location of the phone). This also makes the drone easy to fly. 

You can let go of the controls and the drone will hover at the same altitude. Despite a breeze. By pressing a button, it can also return to its launch point.

The design is influenced by DJI’s Phantom, right down to the intelligent battery with four lights. As a result, the battery features a Micro USB port for easy charging – something DJI hasn’t considered. 

A disadvantage of this camera is that it is not gimbal-stabilized. There is no doubt that the drone’s vibrations are visible in the adequate but gloomy video. Wi-Fi signals tend to drop out after around 100 meters, but the clean video is still recorded to the Micro SD card on the drone. 

The extra landing legs, prop guards, and stylish pilot’s manual notebook are nice touches.

6: BetaFpv FPV Cetus Kit

• Weight: 35g with battery
• Dimensions: 102 mm
• Controller: Yes
• Video resolution: Live-View only
• Battery life: 5 minutes
• Max Speed: 80kph

Piloting a drone via goggles which give you the virtual cockpit experience is useful for many sub-styles, including racing, stunts, and the cine whoop. 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, familiarize 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.

7: Simrex X20

• Weight: 595g
• Dimensions: 200x103x89mm (folded) 445x371x89mm (unfolded)
• Controller: Yes
• Video resolution: 1280P
• Battery life: 30 minutes (3000mAh)
• Range: 500 m (Wi-Fi)
• Max Speed: 18.5mph / 30kph

This drone comes with some compromises due to its lower price point than DJI’s Mini. It does, however, have mechanical gimbals and a class 10 SD card slot, unlike many budget drones.

 Using the former gives you stabilized video while using the latter eliminates the need for a radio connection to record video. Additionally, it is nice to have the option of setting the speed and being able to fold the product.

It’s when you’ve seen unstabilized (or – nearly as bad – digitally stabilized) video. Mechanical gimbals are essential when capturing aerial footage with a drone.

 It is rare to find one at a price point this low. Folding drones are rare, and here you’ve got all the useful features (like one-press return-to-home) that come with GPS.

There is fish-eye distortion and softness near the center of the video, which isn’t as sharp as the packaging claims.

Setup could be more elegant, but is broadly the same as pricier products, though the ‘charging cable’ (a USB lead) also highlights the difference between this and a DJI Mini 2. 

Ultimately you get better video with a Mavic Mini, which doesn’t pretend to be 4K. Nevertheless, this is a less expensive route into many of the features – if not the elegant software and pure ease of use – of the bigger brands.

8: Potensic A20 Mini Drone

• Weight: 190g
• Dimensions: 78x31x88cm
• Controller: Supplied
• Video resolution: 720p @ 30fps

Featuring two rechargeable batteries and a controller, this Potensic A20 Mini Drone is perfect for kids and beginners. Even though the Potensic A20 is not equipped with any photo or video capabilities. Small, clumsy hands won’t break this durable and affordable option!

This Potensic A20 Mini Drone is equipped with Altitude Hold and One-Key Takeoff/Landing. If you are a beginner or introducing a child to drones, this kit is designed to be as easy to use as possible. 

Our favorite feature of the drone is its Headless Mode. As a rule, the forward direction of a flying drone corresponds to the nose direction. As a result of Headless Mode, the forward direction will be the same as your transmitter’s. 

Children or beginners who are unfamiliar with some of the more challenging aspects of drone operation may find this particularly helpful.

In addition to its compact and lightweight design, the Potensic A20 weighs only 190 grams. Besides making, it easier to carry around or store away, it also eliminates the need to register the drone with the FAA in the United States. 

9:  Potensic T25

• Weight: 180g
• Quality: 720p
• Controller: Supplied

The GPS drone follows me around and captures all of my images and films using the Follow Me Mode and Dual GPS. As well, with the Customize Flight Path option, you can fly the Potensic T25 Drone as you wish. My commands are highly obeyed by this drone.

 For $170, it is the best drone for beginners. The Headless Mode, Altitude Mode, and One Key to Takeoff/Land make it easy for young or inexperienced users to use. Due to its convenience and ease of use, you may easily transport it outside.

With two battery modules, you can travel further and see further without worry. The battery modules each have a capacity of 1000 mAh and a control range of 300 meters. Drones for adults are fantastic.

The Drone will remain stationary in the wind if it is equipped with dual GPS and will automatically return to its home base. There is also one critical remote control back to home (RTH) when the battery is low, the signal is poor, or the drone is lost.

FAQs: 

1: What should you expect to spend on your first drone?

Toy drones cost $30-$90, while entry-level camera drones cost $300-$500. Typical prices for a mid-range consumer drone range from $500 to $1,000. The amount you need to spend on a drone will depend on what you intend to use it for.

2: How difficult is it to fly a drone?

Drone flying requires practice, but it does not have to be difficult. It’s a good idea to practice in a wide-open environment with a basic model with simple controls until you’re a confident drone pilot.

3: What is the flight time of a drone?

Consumer drones typically last between ten and thirty minutes, while professional drones can last up to an hour.

Conclusion of Best Drones for Beginners:

The drones in the upper list are all suitable for new pilots who aren’t sure how often they’ll use a drone or for people who enjoy flying.

All of them are starter drones that are both intelligent and durable enough to survive blunders and errors. A further advantage of these devices is that they are designed to assist beginners in developing confidence in flying. The Drone is highly recommended for all new learners.

The prices of all of these drones are quite reasonable, and it would be a great idea to use one of them as your first drone.