May 2024
Video Drones: MetaRanking
This page highlights the aggregate summary of video drones rankings posted by key online experts, as of May 2024.
Summary
On 2 May 2024, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 86 video drone endorsements from 10 reputable publishers.
38 video drones were endorsed in total, only 17 made it into this month's ranking. (ReviewFinder requires a minimum of 2 endorsements to be included)
As of 2 May 2024, DJI Mini 4 Pro takes the cake as the most critically-acclaimed video drone with 6 expert endorsements. 4 experts out of 6 recommended it as the '#1 video drone' this month.
Brand breakdown
-
DJI: 20 video drones
(#1 is DJI Mini 4 Pro)
-
Autel Drones: 3 video drones
(#1 is Autel Evo Lite Plus)
-
Ryze Robotics: 1 video drones
(#1 is Dji Ryze Tello)
-
HoverAir: 1 video drones
(#1 is HoverAir X1)
-
PowerVision: 1 video drones
(#1 is PowerVision PowerEgg X Wizard)
Price breakdown
At a glance - May Ranking
| Rank | Change | Price | Video Drone |
BestReviews
|
PCMag
|
CNET
|
T3
|
Wirecutter
|
Man of Many
|
TechRadar
|
Digital Camera World
|
Tom's Guide
|
WIRED
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
- | $1159 |
DJI Mini 4 Pro
The DJI Mini 4 Pro is a compact drone that offers exceptional camera quality, impressive video capabilities, a long flight time, a reliable signal connection, effective obstacle avoidance, and excellent portability, making it a recommended choice for those looking for a compact drone with advanced features.
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
5
|
4
|
|
2
|
- | $1099 |
DJI Air 3
The DJI Air 3 is a highly regarded drone that offers exceptional camera quality, video capabilities, flight time, range and signal strength, obstacle avoidance, and portability, making it suitable for professional photographers and videographers.
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
3
|
2
|
-
|
1
|
|
3
|
+1 | $2199 |
DJI Mavic 3 Pro
The DJI Mavic 3 Pro is a highly praised drone that offers excellent camera quality, impressive video capabilities, extended flight time, strong range and signal strength, advanced obstacle avoidance, and portability, making it a powerful and versatile tool for professional photography and videography.
|
3
|
5
|
-
|
4
|
2
|
-
|
4
|
5
|
-
|
5
|
|
4
|
+1 | $408 |
DJI Mini 3
The DJI Mini 3 is a compact and lightweight drone with excellent camera quality and advanced stabilization features, making it ideal for adventurers and travelers who want to capture stunning aerial footage on the go.
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
2
|
4
|
3
|
-
|
|
5
|
-2 | $884 |
DJI Air 2S
The DJI Air 2S is a highly recommended drone for its exceptional camera quality, impressive video capabilities, reliable flight performance, and convenient portability.
|
-
|
3
|
1
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
-
|
|
6
|
- | $1399 |
Autel Evo Lite Plus
The Autel Evo Lite Plus is a highly praised drone that offers impressive camera quality, video capabilities, flight time, range and signal strength, obstacle avoidance, and portability, making it suitable for professional-grade aerial photography and videography, as well as for travel and outdoor activities.
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
5
|
6
|
-
|
6
|
|
7
|
+1 | $475 |
DJI Mini 2
The DJI Mini 2 is a highly recommended drone for capturing high-quality photos and videos, offering impressive camera quality, stable footage, long transmission range, and a compact and portable design.
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
3
|
|
8
|
+8 | $279 |
DJI Mini 2 SE
|
1
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
-
|
-
|
|
9
|
+1 | $195 |
Dji Ryze Tello
The DJI Ryze Tello is a beginner-friendly drone with good camera quality and portability, making it suitable for casual photography and videography, but may not meet the needs of professional or advanced users.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
7
|
-
|
7
|
7
|
|
10
|
+1 | Check price |
Autel Evo Nano Plus
The Autel Evo Nano Plus is a highly praised drone that offers a high-quality camera experience, impressive video capabilities, reliable flight performance, comprehensive obstacle avoidance, and excellent portability.
|
-
|
8
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
-
|
8
|
-
|
|
11
|
+1 | $1249 |
DJI Mavic 3 Classic
The DJI Mavic 3 Classic is a highly praised drone that offers excellent camera quality, impressive video capabilities, a long flight time, advanced obstacle avoidance, and portability, making it a top choice for professional videographers and photographers.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
10
|
2
|
-
|
|
12
|
+1 | $479 |
HoverAir X1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
13
|
-
|
|
13
|
+1 | $2199 |
DJI Mavic 3
The DJI Mavic 3 is a highly praised drone that offers exceptional camera quality, impressive video capabilities, an extended flight time, strong range and signal strength, effective obstacle avoidance, and excellent portability, making it suitable for a wide range of professional applications.
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
|
14
|
-7 | $969 |
Dji Avata
The DJI Avata drone is highly praised for its camera quality, video capabilities, and portability, making it a top choice for professional photographers and videographers.
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
|
15
|
-6 | $980 |
DJI FPV
The DJI FPV drone is highly praised for its camera quality, video capabilities, flight time, range and signal strength, obstacle avoidance, and portability, making it a versatile and powerful tool for capturing stunning aerial footage.
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
8
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
10
|
-
|
|
17
|
New * | $999 |
DJI Avata 2
|
-
|
9
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
18
|
-1 | $600 |
PowerVision PowerEgg X Wizard
The PowerVision PowerEgg X Wizard is a highly capable drone with impressive camera and video capabilities, making it suitable for professional videography, aerial photography, and capturing action-packed footage.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
11
|
-
|
We ranked DJI Mini 4 Pro #1 in May 2024 because:
- 6 independent experts mentioned it in their “best video drones” rankings.
- Out of those, 4 experts ranked DJI Mini 4 Pro as #1.
PCMag
Best Drone for Most Creators / Editors' Choice
|
Small, portable design
249g takeoff weight sidesteps registration requirements
4K60 video in SDR, HDR, or D-Log M
Supports vertical video and upward camera tilt
Two remote control options
|
Doesn't include AirSense transponder
Extended battery option puts it above registration weight limit
|
T3
Best drone overall
|
Ideal consumer drone
Exceptional camera
Superb performer
Brilliant feature set
Under 250g in weight
|
Not the cheapest mini drone you can buy
|
TechRadar
The best compact drone for most people
|
Improved video features
Omnidirectional Vision Sensing
Lightweight but powerful
|
Not a major upgrade
Camera has a fixed aperture
|
Digital Camera World
A full set of pro functions in an ultra-light drone / Editor's Choice
|
All-round collision sensors
Good quality AI for orbiting etc.
Camera switches to optical portrait mode
4K 60fps shooting capability
Up to 200fps slow-mo
|
Light drones subject to gusts
Priced to match Pro drones too
Fly More kit doesn’t include filters
|
Tom's Guide
A tiny drone with the best video transmission feed
|
Much better low light performance
Smoother video transmission feed
Vertical video mode
|
Most expensive in the Mini series
|
We ranked DJI Air 3 #2 in May 2024 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best video drones” rankings.
- Out of those, 2 experts ranked DJI Air 3 as #1.
PCMag
Best Obstacle Avoidance System
|
Wide-angle and mid-telephoto camera stack
Sharp 4K footage with standard, flat, or HDR color profiles
Gimbal-stabilized cameras with 60-degree upward tilt
All-around obstacle avoidance
Hyperlapse, slow-motion, and waypoint flight features
Long battery life
|
Fixed-aperture lenses
Requires FAA registration
Meager 8GB of internal storage
|
TechRadar
The best all-round drone for aerial photographers
|
Dual cameras
Excellent wind resistance
Generous flight times
|
C1 European weight rating
Fixed aperture lenses
Large protruding camera
|
Digital Camera World
Dual camera drone for switchable zoom makes this hard to beat
|
Dual-cameras offer creative choice
All-round collision sensors for safety
4K 100fps slow motion
Long-range and long battery life
|
HLG and D-Log M 4:2:0 best output
Smaller sensor than Air 2S
|
Methodology: combine opinions of key experts
Identify Experts
We identify key publishers and experts that consistently review and recommend video drones.
Capture Rankings
For each publisher we find a currently recommended "top 10" list of video drones, it must be updated in the last 9 months.
Aggregate Rankings
We put all those lists together and aggregate them. The more frequently a product is recommended, the higher it is in our ranking
Experts chosen for May 2024 ranking
BestReviews
PCMag
CNET
T3
Wirecutter
Man of Many
TechRadar
Digital Camera World
Tom's Guide
WIRED
We ranked DJI Mavic 3 Pro #3 in May 2024 because:
- 7 independent experts mentioned it in their “best video drones” rankings.
BestReviews
Best for First-Person Flight
|
With a 5K camera that can record up to 200 frames per second in 1080p quality, The Mavic 3 Pro excels at video recording and aerial photography. First-person mode works seamlessly with the controller's built-in screen. Impressive runtime of up to 43 minutes per charge.
|
The price tag and fast flying speed make this a challenging drone for beginners.
|
PCMag
Best Drone for Pro Video and Cinema
|
Stabilized, triple-camera array
Wide-angle Four Thirds camera with Hasselblad color
Midrange 3x lens shows excellent picture quality
Up to 5.1K30 or 4K120 video
All-around obstacle sensors
Includes a companion app and a remote with a built-in screen
|
Base model has just 8GB of onboard storage
Falls shy of promised 43-minute flight time
Only the pricey Cine model supports ProRes
|
T3
Best premium drone
|
Amazing triple lens camera system
Exceptional video possibilities
Stunning photos
Supreme flyer
Exceptional remote controller
|
OTT for most users
Not cheap
|
TechRadar
The best premium drone
|
Superb Four Thirds camera
Adjustable aperture
Telephoto lens
|
Pricier than rivals
Some missing features at launch
|
Digital Camera World
The most powerful folding drone money (and plenty of it) can buy
|
Triple camera system for zoom and wide
Main camera has a 4/34ds sensor
Excellent 60fps live video feedback
|
Average looking telephoto
ProRes video recorded onto unswappable memory
|
We ranked DJI Mini 3 #4 in May 2024 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best video drones” rankings.
PCMag
Best for Creators on a Budget
|
Good-looking 4K30 video
Support for vertical video and upward gimbal tilt
12MP stills in Raw DNG or JPG
38-minute flights with standard battery
51-minute extended battery available
249g build for registration-free flight
Built-in GPS and FlySafe safety features
|
Omits obstacle detection
Limited to one color profile
Doesn't support Hyperlapse or ActiveTrack
|
TechRadar
The best budget drone if you don’t need obstacle avoidance
|
Great image quality
Small, lightweight build
|
No collision avoidance
No subject tracking
|
Digital Camera World
A great choice for the beginner and often often found cheaply
|
Very portable
Registration-free in USA, China, and more
Easy-to-fly
Raw photos
|
Limited tracking features
Feature enthusiasts should go for the Mini 4 Pro
No collision sensors
|
Tom's Guide
Vertical video for less
|
Can shoot vertical video
Extremely long flight time
Easy to fly
Light and agile
|
Fewer obstacle avoidance sensors than Mini 3 Pro
Light weight makes is susceptible to wind gusts
|
We ranked DJI Air 2S #5 in May 2024 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best video drones” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked DJI Air 2S as #1.
PCMag
Best for Photographers
|
1-inch sensor camera
Video at up to 5.4K quality
Robust safety features
Obstacle detection and avoidance
Automated camera shots
HDR, Log, and Standard video profiles
AirSense transponder
Half-hour flight time
|
Doesn't offer in-camera filtered looks
8GB internal storage isn't much
Remote doesn't include EV control wheel
App-based editing limited to 1080p output
HDR HLG workflow for pros only
Raw images don't transfer to smartphones and tablets automatically
|
CNET
Best all-round drone
|
Great image quality, long flight times, helpful automated flying modes
|
No ability to shoot video or photos in portrait orientation
|
T3
Best mid-range drone
|
Sensational camera and shoots in 5.4K
Four-sided obstacle avoidance
Lightweight and compact
Quiet to fly
|
Fiddly licensing required
|
Tom's Guide
Large 1-inch image sensor means better images
|
Easy to fly
Good flight time
Larger image sensor
|
Shorter flight time than others
|
We ranked Autel Evo Lite Plus #6 in May 2024 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best video drones” rankings.
PCMag
Best Drone for Long Flights
|
Stabilized 6K30 and 4K60 video
20MP stills in Raw DNG or JPG
1-inch camera with variable aperture
Beefy battery for up to 40 minutes of flight
Three-way obstacle sensors
Automated camera moves and Hyperlapse
GPS and automated return-to-home
|
Color video profile isn't configurable
8-bit flat video profile
Screenless remote is a step backward from previous generation
Doesn't support autonomous navigation around obstructions
|
TechRadar
A versatile rival to the DJI Air 2S
|
1-inch sensor with adjustable aperture
40-minute flight time
|
Costs more than Air 2S
No D-Log profile
|
Digital Camera World
Folding mid-weight drone with 5.4K video and adjustable aperture
|
5.4K
Adjustable aperture
Night mode
|
Props can get in shot when flying fast
Plasticky controller
Subject tracking could be better
|
We ranked DJI Mini 2 #7 in May 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best video drones” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked DJI Mini 2 as #1.
CNET
Best beginner drone
|
Pocket-friendly size, easy to fly, relatively affordable price
|
Better camera quality on other models
|
Tom's Guide
Best drone for most people
|
Relatively inexpensive
Long battery life
Easy to fly
|
More susceptible to wind gusts
|
We ranked DJI Mini 2 SE #8 in May 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best video drones” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked DJI Mini 2 SE as #1.
BestReviews
Best of the Best
|
It weighs less than 249 grams, so it doesn't need to be registered with the FAA to be flown legally. It can fly for up to 31 minutes and has a maximum transmission range of 6.2 miles, plus it can fly in wing speeds up to 23.6 miles per hour.
|
Some had issues with the return home feature failing to properly return the drone.
|
PCMag
Best Entry-Level Drone / Editors' Choice
|
Doesn't require FAA registration
Palm-sized, lightweight design
Produces silky smooth 2.7K30 video
Around 30 minutes of flying time per charge
USB-C charging for drone and remote
|
Omits obstacle detection and Hyperlapse features
SDR video profile is limiting for some scenes
|
Digital Camera World
In terms of real cameras, the Mini 2 SE is a flying bargain
|
Side-steps registration fees
GPS and Altitude Hold
Mini SE (slightly) better in wind than predecessor
|
JPEG stills only
No forward collision sensors
|
We ranked Dji Ryze Tello #9 in May 2024 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best video drones” rankings.
TechRadar
The best cheap drone for novices
|
Responsive flight controls
Lightweight and compact
|
Choppy video transmission
Unstable in wind
|
Tom's Guide
Best drone under $100
|
Small, fast drone
Easy to control
Comfortable remote control
|
Scratch programming language is tricky to set up
Short battery life
|
We ranked Autel Evo Nano Plus #10 in May 2024 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best video drones” rankings.
PCMag
Best 249g Drone Without Geofence
|
4K30 video with gimbal stabilization
Camera supports 12MP and 50MP photos
Automated quick shots and Hyperlapse
Up to 28 minutes of flight time
Three-way obstacle sensors
GPS with return-to-home functionality
|
Raw photos are tricky to process
Overprocessed look to video
Log profile is only 8-bit
|
T3
Best DJI-alternative premium drone
|
Large 0.8-inch CMOS sensor
Excellent for low light shooting
Stunning 4K video and 50MP stills
Three-way obstacle avoidance
|
Doesn't deal with high winds well
|
TechRadar
The best DJI Mini 3 alternative
|
Big sensor and bright lens
Collision detection
Stunning video and stills
|
Fragile
Still missing subject-tracking
|
Tom's Guide
The best camera drone not made by DJI
|
Comes in multiple colors
Small and light
Good video and photo quality
|
More expensive than DJI Mini 3 Pro
|
We ranked DJI Mavic 3 Classic #11 in May 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best video drones” rankings.
T3
Best drone overall
|
Impeccable flight characteristics
Shoots incredible 5.1K footage
And 20MP stills in RAW or JPEG
Four-way obstacle avoidance
Wide range of autonomous flight settings
|
Still quite pricey by consumer drone standards
No zoom camera
|
Digital Camera World
Get a Mavic 3 for less (if you can do without the zoom)
|
Camera has 4/34ds sensor
Excellent 60fps live video feedback
5.1K video
Stand-out battery life
ARPS 5.0 subject tracking
|
Misses out on the hybrid camera zoom
5.1K maxes out at 50fps
|
Tom's Guide
Best camera drone
|
Amazing camera quality
Long flight time
Great obstacle avoidance
|
Lacks 28x zoom of Mavic 3
|
We ranked HoverAir X1 #12 in May 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best video drones” rankings.
T3
Best drone for selfies
|
Perfect for personal use
Excellent 2.7K camera
Image stabilisation
Wide rage of automatic flight modes
No controller required
Pocket sized
|
Not especially cheap
|
Digital Camera World
A drone that can follow you and take video without any help
|
Rotors inside a safety cage
Brilliant folding design
Automatically follow you and records
|
Needs a phone for first use
Not ideal for younger kids because
|
Tom's Guide
Doesn't require a lot of flying experience
|
Ultra lightweight and compact
Doesn't require controls
Good subject tracking
Durable
|
Expensive for its size
Very sensitive to wind
|
We ranked DJI Mavic 3 #13 in May 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best video drones” rankings.
CNET
Best drone for serious photographers
|
Superb image quality, superb flight times, relatively compact size
|
Higher price puts it out of reach for many
|
TechRadar
The best value camera drone for enthusiasts
|
Excellent Hasselblad sensor
Impressive safety features
|
Still an expensive option
Flight time shorter than claimed
|
Tom's Guide
28X digital zoom
|
+Amazing camera quality
+28X digital zoom
+Long flight time
|
-Much pricier than the model it replaces
|
We ranked Dji Avata #14 in May 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best video drones” rankings.
CNET
Best FPV drone for exhilarating first-person flying
|
Easy to fly with the motion controller, exhilarating flight experience, smaller and safer design
|
FPV flying can cause nausea, extra flight restrictions depending on location
|
T3
Best drone for cinematic shots
|
Immersive experience
Shoots in 4K
Small and portable
Perfect for FPV flying
|
18 minute flight time
Lengthy set up
Not cheap
|
Tom's Guide
Best small FPV drone
|
Fast
Easy to fly
Everything included
|
Goggles somewhat uncomfortable
Short flight time compared to other DJI drones
Requires extra controller for manual mode
|
We ranked DJI FPV #15 in May 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best video drones” rankings.
T3
Best FPV drone
|
Highly immersive and loads of fun
Incredible speed
Steers like a wasp
Excellent safety features
|
Requires balls of steel
Not cheap (and expensive to repair)
|
Tom's Guide
Best drone for aspiring racers
|
Very fast
Easy to fly (at the beginner level)
Three skill levels
Great FPV goggles
|
Shorter flight time than other DJI drones
|
We ranked DJI Avata 2 #16 in May 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best video drones” rankings.
TechRadar
The best FPV drone
|
Incredible image quality
Solid flight times
Easy and stable to fly
|
Awkward manual handling
Imperfect controller ergonomics
|
We ranked PowerVision PowerEgg X Wizard #17 in May 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best video drones” rankings.
T3
Best weatherproof drone (that can land on water)
|
Lands and takes off from water
Good range of autonomous modes
Handles very well
Also serves as a stabilised land camera
|
Camera not up to DJI spec
Not as portable as the DJI Mini and Air 2
|
Tom's Guide
Best drone for the water
|
Can land, take off on water
Able to fly in poor weather conditions
Can be used as camcorder
|
Slow flier, especially when using pontoons
Video quality not best-in-class
|