Drones are basically unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) that can be controlled either by a computer or operated from a remote location. The most striking feature of a drone is that they are designed for longer flight hauls with engine control mechanism. Meanwhile, a Quadcopter is a type of drone with four rotors in operation. The main difference is that all the four rotors are individually supported by a propeller and a motor. Most of the Quadcopters are operated using a remote control device and not like a drone.
The market is flooded with a lot of options when it comes to buying a drone especially for first time buyers, ranging from toy drones to selfie drones and to racing drones. Here we have provided a checklist for first-time buyers to keep in mind.
1) Flight Duration time- This basically depends on the weather factor, battery life, and the weight of the machine. So, intelligently choose the right drone depending upon your requirement. Say 20-30 minutes on air.
2) Replacement Spares- Choose the right drone which offers suitable replacement parts such as Battery, propellers, and a fast charger. Crash insurance is also provided with some drones. Keep that in mind.
3) Permission to fly- Please read the B4UFly instructions provided by the FAA if you are in the U.S to avoid any legal problems. Depending on the place, your permission requirement might vary.
4) Suitable Place – Keep in mind the no-fly zones before choosing a place to fly your drone. Example- National Parks etc.
5) Privacy Concern- No matter whatever safety precautions you follow, people will still complain about their right to privacy. So, adjust suitably.
6) Pricing – If you are planning to buy a good quality drone with top quality features then be prepared to shell more money out of your pocket. So, decide accordingly.
Special Mention
Amongst the low priced quadcopter drones available in the market, Holy Stone is offering various types of drone copters with sound features that can be bought for a reasonable price.
Holy Stone F181 RC has a simple design with a good durability. It flies as well as looks stunning.
Check out Holy Stone F181 RC on Amazon
However, the given list of Top 10 quadcopters is ranked based on the design acumen, video resolution quality, available select features, top quality camera output, price and so on. Remember, the list is just indicative and not exhaustive for your kind information.
Key Specifications
Amazon Price: USD 999 with free shippingDimensions: 3.3 x 3.3 x 7.8 inches
Camera Type: Gimbal Integrated
Video Resolution: 720p, 1080p, 4K, 2.7K
Weight: 1.6 lb
Automated Flight Features: Orbit, Follow, Return to base
Number of Rotors: 4
Live feed: 1080p and 720p
Pros and Cons
Easy and simple designGood quality images in 4K
Solid and durable Remote control
Produces top-notch photo and video output.
Longer flight time(24 mins approx)
Intelligent modes of operation-Orbit, return to base etc
Trouble avoiding mechanism
No way to take off on slippery surface like grass etc
Need a Smartphone to operate
Amazon Price-USD 999 with free shipping
A top quality camera drone(Dji Mavic Pro), this offers marvelous stellar flying experience and it is a top drone for stability. It is pretty simple and easy to fly. This Dji Mavic Pro offers good image quality, good safety features and solid stabilization (three axes).It is easy to transport and carry in a backpack.
Dji Mavic Pro is an excellent camera drone for all camera enthusiasts.The wireless controller is up to date having GPS Maps, calibration settings and easily connectable to a smartphone. Dji Mavic Pro drone combines the latest technology found in other models.
When it comes to drone reviews, DJI Mavic Pro is one of best available drones that fails to compromise on image quality, flying agility, and a sturdy battery life.
DJI Mavic Pro is FPV compatible meaning it is an FPV drone.And for beginners, it is easy to learn how to fly a DJI drone. For a fair price, DJI Mavic Pro Fly More combo comes with 1 extra battery, taking the total to 3 batteries.
Overall, the best of the rest when it comes to flying experience.
Key Specifications
Amazon Price: USD 1509Dimensions: 7 x 11.5 x 11.6 inches
Camera Type: Integrated with Gimbal
Video Resolution: 720p, 1080p, 4K, 2.7K
Weight: 3.1 lb
Automated Flight Features: Return-to-Home, Orbit, Waypoint, Follow
Number of Rotors: 4
Live feed: 1080p
Pros and Cons
Easy to handle for proficient usersLatest Sport-mode for fast response
Good quality slow motion sensors
Obstacle avoidance mechanism
Tablet and Remote control integrated
High-quality feed
24mm f/2.8 lens with 4K
Smaller in size but not a concern
Amazon Price-USD 1509
One of the costliest camera drones (camera DJI) available in the market, this Dji Pro Phantom 4 is a dandy. But the highlight of this drone is that it offers a complete package of features including good design, high high-quality camera.
DJI Phantom 4 Pro’s photo and video quality are nice and good. At times, the photo might look soft but with correct shutter adjustment, stellar photos are just a click away.
This one has improved over the DJI Phantom 3 Professional camera drones. A good camera drone for a solid price.
Key Specifications
Amazon Price: USD 1065Dimensions: 7 x 11.5 x 11.5 inches
Camera Type: Gimbal ready
Video Resolution: 720p, 1080p, 4K, 2.7K
Weight: 3 lb
Automated Flight Features: Return-to-Home, Orbit, Waypoint, Follow
Number of Rotors: 4
Live feed: 720p
Pros and Cons
Good solid Automated flight modesVery easy to handle and stable
Wide lens-20 mm
Obstacle handling mechanism
Top-notch drone in this price range
Quite expensive and requires some expert handling skills
Amazon Price-USD 1065
A buyer friendly camera drone (DJI Phantom) but quite expensive.It has one of the best safety systems to avoid any obstacle.A classy DJI camera drone with some nice glamorous features and this could be your right choice if the price is not a factor.
Among other DJI Phantoms, this DJI is something unique and distinct.
Key Specifications
Amazon-USD 684.73Dimensions: 8 x 13.8 x 13.8 inches
Camera Type: Gimbal ready
Video Resolution: 720p, 1080p, 2.7K
Weight: 2.8 lb
Automated Flight Features: Return to base, follow and orbit
Number of Rotors: 4
Live feed: 720p
Pros and Cons
Very stable in the air.Also, uses 20mm wide-angle lens.
GPS inbuilt.
2.7K video recording
Live to feed solid performance
Battery performance poor.
No 4K mode
20mm wide lens distortion at times.
Amazon-USD 684.73
A good Dji drone(DJI Phantom 3 Advanced) in terms of performance and user experience. This is one of the best camera DJI drones in the market and it has got 2.7K video and very stable in flight.
Quite similar to Phantom 3 in design but advanced DJI phantom 3 uses silver color in the propeller struts.
Dji phantoms are a thought-provoking technology product that has garnered lots of appreciation worldwide.
Key Specifications
Amazon-USD 2999+ free shippingDimensions: 12.5 x 16.7 x 16.7 inches
Camera Type: Gimbal ready
Video Resolution: 5.2K,1080p, 4K
Weight: 7.3 lb
Automated Flight Features: Return to base, waypoint, and orbit
Number of Rotors: 4
Live feed: 720p
Pros and Cons
Dual-operator and FPV cameraObstacle avoidance mechanism
5.5K video quality
Sturdy Magnesium alloy design
Top speed of 67 mph
Camera angle-360 degrees
Easy for advanced users only.
Professional skills to edit videos.
Expensive camera
Amazon-USD 2999+ free shipping
If money is not a hindrance to buying a drone, this DJI provides 5.2K video with superb performance and top class build quality.Among various camera drones, this camera DJI Inspire 2 is more an upgraded version of its predecessor Inspire 1 but it has advanced control features and enhanced video capability.
Key Specifications
Amazon-USD 487.95Dimensions: 8 x 13.8 x 13.8 inches
Camera Type: Gimbal ready
Video Resolution: 2.7K,1080p, 720p
Weight: 2.7 lb
Automated Flight Features: Return to base, waypoint, orbit and follow
Number of Rotors: 4
Live feed: available
Pros and Cons
Good 2.7K cameraStable design
Ready to use quad-copter
GPS available
Wide lens-20mm
Return to base feature
Low battery life
Operating range is limited
Time-consuming charge option
Amazon-USD 487.95
It is a ready to operate DJI quadcopter in this price range and it provides good value for money. Dji Phantom 3 Standard has a three-axis integrated gimbal and its intelligent operation feature being the best amongst other camera dji, this one is a user’s delight for sure.
Key Specifications
Amazon-USD 499Dimensions: 3.5 x 12.9 x 12.9 inches
Camera Type: Gimbal not ready
Video Resolution: 1080p
Weight: 1.1 lb
Automated Flight Features: Return to base and follow
Number of Rotors: 4
Live feed: available
Pros and Cons
Good video quality at 1080pSuitable for on-air gimmicks
Reasonable flight duration(19 mins)
Easy and compact to handle
Geo-fence user-friendly.
Not so good video quality
Tablet or Smartphone handling skills is a must
Wi-Fi signals poor in congested areas
Amazon-USD 499
This drone is suitable for anyone to handle and its tough design makes it an ideal companion. Even though light weight in nature; it is easy to operate for tablet and smart phone users. If your priority is not top notch video quality, then grab this one right now.
Key Specifications
Amazon-USD 369.99Dimensions: 7.7X7.7x2.6 inches
Camera Type: Not gimbal ready
Video Resolution: 1080p,720p
Weight: 13.58 oz
Automated Flight Features: Follow, orbit
Number of Rotors: 4
Live feed: yes
Pros and Cons
Compact and sturdy designEasy to carry and transport
Replacement spares easily available
Android friendly mobile apps
Good step by step directions
Low battery life(less than 15 mins)
Image quality is not super good
Amazon-USD 369.99
With plenty of camera drones available in the market, Yuneec Breeze 4K easy is an easy to shoot aerial selfie drone but when it comes to advanced features it is not enough. A low-cost drone that packs a punch for its price.
Yuneec’s mobile app-suitable for Android and iOS — is undoubtedly easy to use and operate. This drone has automated flight features and is installed with in-app, precise directions.The highlight feature is the availability of spare parts for this drone.
Key Specifications
Amazon Price-USD52.99Dimensions: 12.2x12.2x8 inches
Camera Type: Gimbal not ready
Video Resolution: 720p
Weight: 2.0 lbs
Automated Flight Features: no
Number of Rotors: 4
Live feed: Yes
Pros and Cons
Easy and quick to handleBlade guards support the anti-collision feature.
Good HD camera.
Replacement spares are easily available.
Ideal for both indoors as well as outdoors.
GPS not available
Long charge time
Quite heavy with guards for blades
Flight duration limited to 10 Mins
Amazon Price-USD52.99
It is easily affordable to buy one and at 720p HD, the picture quality is pretty good. It is most suitable for aerial snapping and not for any advance use. For a reasonable price, this drone is packed with a 720-pixel camera( HD). One of the most durable camera drones with all the parts available for replacement in case the need arises.
On reviewing the growth of camera drones in the past few years, Syma X5C Explorer has received a lot of rave reviews for its outdoor and indoor performance.
Overall, a simple drone to buy for beginners not looking for pricey features.
Key Specifications
Amazon-USD 391.98Dimensions: 20.5 x 12.2 x 18 in
Camera Type: Gimbal available
Video Resolution: 4K,1080p
Weight: 3.7 lbs
Automated Flight Features: Return to home, follow, waypoint and orbit
Number of Rotors: 6
Live feed: 720p
Pros and Cons
Intel technology for obstacle tackling4K video output
Good functional remote control
Solid design and adjustable landing gear.
Obstacle mechanism - low speeds
Quite expensive
Flight duration only 19 mins
Big controller design
Amazon-USD 391.98
This drone is built with the Intel technology but overall, the picture quality is not rich. So, buy this drone only if you are ready to spend.
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