Best Drones for Beginners
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Introduction
Are you eager to take to the skies with your very own drone? As an enthusiastic drone pilot myself, I completely understand the excitement. Flying a drone for the first time is an unforgettable experience – the thrill of lifting off, the unique bird’s-eye views, the satisfaction of capturing amazing aerial footage. But if you’re new to the world of drones, it can be hard to know where to start. That’s why I’ve put together this guide to the best drones for beginners.
Why Start with a Beginner Drone?
Now, you might be dreaming of flying the latest and greatest professional-grade drone right off the bat. But trust me, there are some very compelling reasons to start your drone journey with a dedicated beginner model:
Affordable and Durable
Drones designed for beginners are relatively inexpensive, usually coming in under the $500 mark. And that’s important, because as a novice pilot, you’re inevitably going to have a few bumps and crashes as you learn the ropes. Better to ding up a $100 starter drone than a $1000 pro rig, right? Plus, beginner drones are typically built to be durable, with tough plastic bodies that can withstand those early mishaps.
Best Drones for Beginners are Easy to Learn On
Flying a drone is a skill, and like any skill, it takes practice. Beginner drones are designed to make that learning process as smooth and frustration-free as possible, with simplified controls and flight systems. Many even have features like altitude hold and one-key takeoff and landing, which let you focus on getting comfortable with the basic controls without worrying about the complexities of manual throttle control.
Built-in Safety Features
When you’re just starting out, the last thing you want is for your drone to fly off out of control or crash into something. Quality beginner drones have built-in safety features to prevent that, like propeller guards to protect the blades in a collision, emergency motor shut-off, and automatic return-to-home functionality. Some even use GPS to hold their position steady or return to you automatically if they lose signal. These safety nets give you valuable peace of mind as you build your piloting skills.
Best Drones for Beginners – Key Features to Look for
So what separates a great starter drone from a mediocre one? When you’re shopping for your first quadcopter, look for these key features that will make learning to fly a breeze:
Stable Flying and Hovering
Learning to fly smoothly and hover steadily is Drone Piloting 101. Look for drones equipped with an altitude hold function and advanced stabilization systems that automatically compensate for wind and other disturbances. This will let you focus on mastering basic directional control without fighting to keep the drone level.
Best Drones for Beginners have Intuitive Controls
You want a drone controller that feels natural in your hands, with clearly marked control sticks for throttle, pitch, roll, and yaw. Some beginner controllers even feature built-in LCD screens to show you important flight data and settings. The drone’s companion mobile app should be user-friendly as well.
Decent Battery Life
More flight time means more opportunity to practice! Aim for a drone that gets at least 10-15 minutes of flight time per battery charge. Some larger beginner models can even reach 20-30 minutes. I always recommend picking up a few spare batteries too – that way you can keep flying without waiting for a recharge.
Best Drones for Beginners – Look for Included Camera
Let’s be real, half the fun of flying a drone is capturing cool photos and videos from the air! Most beginner drones will have a built-in camera, but the quality can vary. Here’s what to look for:
Video Resolution
720p HD video capability is a good baseline for starter drones. But some models in the $200-$500 range now feature 1080p or even 4K cameras for impressively sharp aerial footage.
Best Drones for Beginners – FPV Live Feed
Some drone cameras can broadcast a real-time first-person view (FPV) to your smartphone or even a VR headset. Flying FPV is a thrilling experience that makes you feel like you’re right in the cockpit. Look for drones that advertise FPV or “live video” features.
My Top Recommendations for Best Drones for Beginners
With so many beginner drones on the market, which ones do I recommend? Here are my top three picks for novice pilots, at different price points:
DJI Mini 2
Compact and Lightweight
The DJI Mini 2 is an incredibly compact drone, folding down to about the size of a smartphone. And at just 249g, it falls below the FAA’s 250g registration requirement, making it perfect for traveling.
4K Camera and 3-Axis Gimbal
The Mini 2 packs some serious imaging tech for its size, with a 4K camera stabilized by a 3-axis motorized gimbal. Capture shake-free 4K/30fps video and crisp 12MP photos.
30 Minutes Flight Time
DJI’s intelligent battery design and energy-efficient motors give the Mini 2 an impressive 30 minutes of flight time per charge. That’s plenty of time to practice flying or capture multiple video clips.
Hubsan H501S X4
Built-in GPS
The H501S X4 features built-in GPS for precise position hold and return-to-home functionality. This makes it easier to fly confidently without losing track of the drone.
Altitude Hold and Headless Mode
Two must-have features for any beginner drone. Altitude hold keeps the drone at a steady height, while headless mode orients the controls relative to the pilot rather than the drone’s front end.
1080P Camera with FPV
A respectable 1080P camera records good quality video. Plus, you can view the drone’s live FPV feed on your smartphone through Hubsan’s mobile app.
Cheerwing CW10
Mini Drone at Budget Price
At under $50, the Cheerwing CW10 is my top budget pick for beginner drones. Despite its small size (just 3 inches across), it comes packed with some impressive features.
Altitude Hold and One-Key Take-Off/Landing
This miniature drone is equipped with altitude stabilization and one-button take-off and landing functions, making your first flights easy and enjoyable.
720P HD Camera
The CW10’s 720P HD camera offers significantly better quality than typical entry-level drones, capturing clear and vibrant footage. The 120-degree wide-angle lens is perfect for sweeping landscape shots, making it a great option for beginner pilots who want to try aerial photography.
Best Drones for Beginners – Tips for Learning to Fly
Now that you’ve got a great beginner drone, how do you actually learn to fly the thing? Here are my top tips for getting off the ground and building your piloting skills:
Start in a Large Open Area
For your first flights, head to a large open space like a field or park, well away from people, vehicles, and obstacles. This will give you plenty of room to practice basic maneuvers without risk of crashing into anything.
Master Hovering First
Before you try to fly around, get comfortable just hovering in place a few feet off the ground. Use small, gentle control stick movements to balance the drone’s position. Once you can hold a steady hover, you’re ready for flight.
Slowly Expand Your Range
Start with basic forward, backward, and lateral flight, keeping the drone close and always within line of sight. As you get more confident, try flying box or figure-8 patterns to practice precision control.
Practice Flying Patterns
Challenge yourself with more advanced flying drills, like circles or figure-8s around a fixed point, or slaloming through a line of widely spaced trees. Always push yourself to refine your control and spatial awareness.
Best Drones for Beginners – Advanced Beginner Drones to Grow Into
As you build your flying skills, you may find yourself itching to upgrade to a more capable drone. Here are a couple of advanced beginner models to consider as a stepping stone to pro and enthusiast drones:
DJI Mavic Air 2
4K 60fps Video and 48MP Photos
The Mavic Air 2 boasts a fantastic camera, recording ultra-high resolution 4K video at 60 frames per second and snapping huge 48MP still photos.
34 Minutes Flight Time
With a max flight time of 34 minutes, the Mavic Air 2 will keep you in the air longer to hone your skills.
Advanced Obstacle Avoidance
Forward, backward, and downward-facing obstacle avoidance sensors help you fly with confidence while you’re still mastering precision control.
Autel EVO II
8K Video and 48MP Photos
The Autel EVO II takes aerial imaging to the next level with a camera capable of recording 8K video – that’s 4 times the resolution of 4K! You can also capture 48MP stills for poster-sized prints.
40 Minutes Flight Time
An incredible 40 minute flight time means you can fly longer sessions without stopping to change batteries.
Omnidirectional Obstacle Avoidance
The EVO II features obstacle sensors on all sides, giving you a 360-degree safety bubble as you fly.
The Thrill of FPV Drone Racing
Maybe aerial photography isn’t your main interest – maybe you’ve got the need for speed. If so, you might want to consider the exciting world of FPV drone racing. In this fast-paced motorsport, pilots don VR-style goggles to fly their drones from a first-person view as they navigate complex race courses at high speed. It’s an adrenaline-pumping good time! Here’s what you should know:
Best Drones for Beginners With Immersive Flying Experience
FPV drone flying is a totally unique experience compared to piloting a typical drone. Seeing through the drone’s “eyes” as you zip and zoom around obstacles is a huge thrill that makes you feel like you’re really flying.
High-Speed, High-Skill Thrills
FPV racing drones are all about speed and agility. Expect to fly at 50mph or more through tight hairpin turns and tricky technical sections. Crashing is part of the game – but that’s half the fun!
Getting Started with FPV Drones
Because of the high speeds involved, FPV is best saved until you’re very confident in your flying skills. Look for beginner-friendly FPV drones that come with everything you need to get started, like VR goggles, a high-quality camera, and compatible controller.
Conclusion
Learning to fly a drone is an exciting journey that can open up a whole new world of creative possibilities and thrilling experiences. Whether you dream of capturing stunning aerial films, flying FPV racing quads, or simply enjoying the freedom of flight, the key is starting with the right beginner drone.
By choosing a drone with beginner-friendly features like steady hovering, intuitive controls, and integrated safety systems, you’ll set yourself up for success as a new pilot. And by following my tips for learning to fly – starting slow, mastering the basics, and continually challenging yourself – you’ll build your skills quickly and safely.
So what are you waiting for? Pick up one of my recommended starter drones, head out to your nearest open space, and experience the indescribable thrill of flying for yourself. Trust me, you won’t regret it. Before long, you’ll be confidently piloting like a pro, and wondering what took you so long to give drones a try!
FAQs About Beginner Drones
- Do I need to register my drone with the FAA?
In the U.S., you’ll need to register any drone weighing over 0.55lbs (250g) with the FAA and label it with your registration number. Luckily, many beginner drones fall under this weight threshold. But always check the regulations in your area.
- How do I charge my drone batteries safely?
Always use the charging equipment provided by the manufacturer, or official third-party chargers designed for your specific batteries. Avoid overcharging, don’t charge batteries unattended, and store them in a fireproof container at around 50% charge when not in use.
- Can I fly my drone anywhere I want?
No, there are restrictions on where you can fly drones. In general, avoid flying near airports, over crowds of people, or in sensitive areas like government facilities. Use apps like AirMap or B4UFLY to check for local airspace restrictions before you fly.
- What should I do if I crash my drone?
First, immediately cut the throttle to stop the motors and prevent further damage. Carefully retrieve the drone and inspect it for damage to the frame, propellers, camera, and electronics. Make any necessary repairs and replacements before attempting to fly again.
- How can I improve my drone flying skills?
The key is practice, practice, practice! Fly regularly in a variety of conditions and locations to build your stick skills and spatial awareness. Try flying challenging patterns and courses to push your abilities. Consider also using a drone flight simulator to practice virtually. And don’t forget to have fun – that’s what it’s all about!
