A high-quality drone can add production value to a film project or help you get a unique view for your travel vlog—plus, they’re just really fun to fly. These are the top drones we’ve tested.
What Are the Rules for Owning a Drone?
The rules of the air vary from region to region—we’ve covered what to know for flying in the US. But, typically, if your drone weighs 8.8 ounces (250g) or more, you need to register it before you can fly it outdoors legally—even over your property. You also need to pass a free basic knowledge test online that’s pretty easy to ace.
You don’t need to register some mass-market drones (those that are lighter than 250g), but you still need to take the Trust test. The DJI Mini family is exempt, as is the Autel Nano series. Entry-level models omit obstacle avoidance (something you get with the Autel Nano and upmarket DJI Mini 3 Pro) but still include GPS stabilization, automated return-to-home, and automatic takeoff and landing. They’re safe drones to fly.
Almost all of the models here have some safety features. For instance, if your control signal is interrupted or if the battery gets down too low (most drones can only fly for around a half-hour between charges), most of these drones will start to head back to the takeoff point and land.
Flyaways still happen, however—there are horror stories on various web discussion forums. Of course, negative experiences are more prevalent in that context, simply because uneventful flights that don’t result in a crash or missing drone aren’t hot topics for discussion. Some manufacturers offer extended warranties that replace a lost aircraft, but make sure to read the fine print before buying something like DJI Care Refresh—you must consider any associated restrictions and fees.
If you’re flying within the United States, you need to follow FAA guidelines—or prepare to face potential fines or jail time. The FAA sets no-fly zones, so don’t take off if you’re near an airport without notifying the control tower first. And, even if you’re out in the middle of nowhere, don’t take your drone above 400 feet. Most are set to obey these regulations out of the box, but controlling a quadcopter is just like driving a car—even if you didn’t see that speed limit sign, you’re still liable to pay the ticket.What Are the Types of Drones?
Several products on the market sell as drones but don’t quite fit that description. Remote-controlled aircraft have been around for ages. But with the recent surge in popularity, quadcopters that would simply be sold as RC products are now being tagged as drones. These don’t include GPS stabilization, return-to-home functionality, and other automated flight modes that make a drone a drone.
Drone racing enthusiasts often build their aircraft from kits or parts. Doing so requires some skill with a soldering iron and screwdriver, but it has become an aspect of the hobby itself. DJI has an off-the-shelf racer, the FPV Combo, that can move at a brisk 87mph. We took a first look at it but weren’t comfortable enough with its controls to conduct a full review.
