The 26 best drone brands
DJI, Holy Stone and Autel Robotics lead our ranking of 26 drone brands. Compare what each brand makes, visit its official site, or shop it online.
Drone brands, ranked
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1
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2
Holy Stone
Foldable GPS drones with 2-axis or 3-axis gimbals and 4K cameras, plus tiny SPYDI pocket models.
Top products: HS720G· HS720R· SPYDI HS360S
Website: holystone.com |Brands like Holy Stone
Popularity 2.6/10
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3
Autel Robotics
Mostly enterprise and prosumer quadcopters for inspection, surveying and mapping work with longer flight range.
Website: auteldrones.com |Brands like Autel Robotics
Popularity 2.0/10
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4
Parrot
French maker of compact camera drones, tracing back to the early AR.Drone quadcopters for consumers.
Website: babesinthehood.net |Brands like Parrot
Popularity 1.6/10
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5
Yuneec
Hexacopter and multirotor specialist, focused on aerial photography and inspection platforms.
Website: us.yuneec.com |Brands like Yuneec
Popularity 1.6/10
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6
Potensic
Affordable 4K camera drones with GPS and 3-axis gimbals, including the lightweight ATOM 2 under 250 grams.
Top products: ATOM 2
Website: potensic.com |Brands like Potensic
Popularity 1.6/10
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7
Snaptain
Phone-app controlled Wi-Fi quadcopters with beginner-friendly one-key flight, aimed at first-time flyers learning indoors and outdoors.
Website: snaptain.com |Brands like Snaptain
Popularity 1.5/10
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8
Vivitar
Long-running camera brand whose SkyVision foldable drones bring 4K video and GPS to casual flyers.
Top products: SkyVision
Website: vivitar.com |Brands like Vivitar
Popularity 1.4/10
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9
3DR
US-built drones for security and inspection, with the H520 platform assembled in America.
Website: 3dr.com |Brands like 3DR
Popularity 1.3/10
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10
GoPro
Action camera maker whose only drone, the Karma, had a detachable handheld gimbal and was discontinued.
Top products: Karma
Website: gopro.com |Brands like GoPro
Popularity 1.1/10
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11
PROTOCOL
Hobbyists and families looking for camera drones or remote control helicopters will find products from PROTOCOL, a New York company. Its lineup includes drones with cameras, radio control helicopters and planes. The company has more than thirty years of experience...
Website: protocolny.com |Brands like PROTOCOL
Popularity 1.1/10
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12
Syma
Toy-focused maker of inexpensive helicopters and small quadcopters, mostly for kids and beginners.
Website: symatoys.com |Brands like Syma
Popularity 0.8/10
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13
Propel
Consumer drone maker offering affordable aerial video kits alongside licensed-character toy drones.
Website: propelwater.com |Brands like Propel
Popularity 0.8/10
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14
Xiaomi
Electronics giant whose Mi Drone folds small enough for a jacket pocket and shoots 4K video.
Website: mi.com |Brands like Xiaomi
Popularity 0.8/10
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15
Vision
Vision Wheel's aftermarket wheels come in matte black and chrome finishes, with gloss black, satin and milled spoke designs for SUVs, trucks and cars. Its range also covers wheels for heavy-duty trucks, trailers and dually setups. Buyers can compare finishes...
Website: visionwheel.com |Brands like Vision
Popularity 0.6/10
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16
World Tech Toys
Vehicles and superheroes are one of the favorites of children. They have several cars in their home to play with them. Without the toys, their childhood is incomplete. World Tech Toys is a brand of toys for children. They manufacture...
Website: worldtechtoys.com |Brands like World Tech Toys
Popularity 0.6/10
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17
PowerVision
Makes the PowerEgg, a foldable all-in-one drone with a gimbal camera, plus underwater drone options.
Website: powervision.me |Brands like PowerVision
Popularity 0.6/10
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18
JJRC
Toy-maker of beginner quadcopters and kids' drones with simple controls and spare parts included.
Website: jjrc.com |Brands like JJRC
Popularity 0.6/10
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19
Sky Viper
Kid-friendly drones with light-show features, from the Vista HD camera model to the Raptor racer style.
Top products: Vista HD· Raptor· Nova Light Show
Website: sky-viper.com |Brands like Sky Viper
Popularity 0.6/10
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20
Eachine
Build-it-yourself FPV racers and micro quadcopters, with bare frames and parts sold separately for tinkerers.
Website: eachine.com |Brands like Eachine
Popularity 0.5/10
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21
Force1
Sells RC drones alongside cars and boats, with a range sized for both kids and adult hobbyists.
Website: force1rc.com |Brands like Force1
Popularity 0.5/10
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22
UDIRC
Children's RC brand making cars, boats and beginner drones, often in simple flying kits.
Website: udirc.com |Brands like UDIRC
Popularity 0.5/10
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23
MJX
Multi-purpose drones with distinct models, several with GPS positioning and picture transmission features.
Website: mjxrc.net |Brands like MJX
Popularity 0.5/10
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24
Freefly
Professional US-built heavy-lift cinema drones and high-speed cameras for film crews.
Website: freeflysystems.com |Brands like Freefly
Popularity 0.4/10
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25
Dromida
Ready-to-fly quadcopters with LED lighting and flip modes, mostly for beginners.
Website: dromida.com |Brands like Dromida
Popularity 0.4/10
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26
Intel
Falcon-series enterprise drones, though the company has largely stepped back from drone work.
Website: intel.com |Brands like Intel
Popularity 0.4/10
Official websites and social accounts
| Brand | Website | X / Twitter | YouTube | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DJI | dji.com | /DJI | DJIglobal | @djiglobal | djiinnovations |
| Holy Stone | holystone.com | /HolyStoneToy | holystone_drone | @HolyStoneDrone | Holy Stone |
| Autel Robotics | auteldrones.com | /autelrobotics | autelrobotics | @autelrobotics | Autel Robotics |
| Parrot | babesinthehood.net | – | – | @babesinthehood1 | – |
| Yuneec | us.yuneec.com | /YuneecAPV | YuneecAPV | @yuneecapv | YuneecAPV |
| Potensic | potensic.com | /Potensic | potensicdrones | @potensicdrones | Potensic |
| Snaptain | snaptain.com | /groups | snaptain_official | @snaptain | snaptain |
| Vivitar | vivitar.com | /VivitarOfficial | vivitarofficial | @VivitarOfficial | vivitarofficial |
| 3DR | 3dr.com | – | – | – | – |
| GoPro | gopro.com | – | – | @gopro | – |
Drones Buying Guide
Drones have become increasingly popular in recent years. They are used for a variety of purposes, including photography, videography, surveillance, and even delivery. With so many options available on the market, it can be daunting to choose the right drone for your needs. In this buying guide, we’ll take a look at the different types of drones, considerations to make before buying, and the top drones on the market.
Types of Drones
Before diving into what to consider when purchasing a drone, it's essential to understand the different types available on the market.
Camera Drones
Camera drones are the most common type of drone you’ll find today. They are designed specifically for aerial photography and videography. These drones come in a range of sizes and can capture high-quality photos and videos from different perspectives. Camera drones can also be used for surveying, mapping, and inspection services. They typically come equipped with a camera, gimbal, and battery, and can fly for up to half an hour or more, depending on the model.
Racing Drones
Racing drones, as the name suggests, are made for racing. They are smaller and lighter than camera drones and are designed to be fast and nimble. They also typically have better maneuverability and a higher degree of control, making them popular for racing events. Due to their increased speed, racing drones may not come with a built-in camera, but some models have the option to attach one if needed.
Toy / Beginner Drones
If you're relatively new to the world of drones, toy or beginner drones may be a good place to start. Toy drones are typically small, lightweight, and affordable. They are designed for recreational flying and don't usually have advanced features like obstacle avoidance or GPS tracking. Beginner drones are a step up from toy drones and can be more costly. They often include features like GPS and obstacle avoidance, making them easier to control and fly. They are a good option for individuals looking to learn how to fly and capture basic footage.
Considerations Before Buying
Before purchasing a drone, there are a few considerations to make to ensure you are choosing the right model for your needs. Here are some of the most important factors to keep in mind.
Flight Time
The flight time is the maximum amount of time a drone can stay in the air on a single battery charge. Flight times can range from a few minutes to over half an hour. If you plan to use your drone for aerial photography or videography, you'll want to look for a drone with a longer flight time to capture more footage per flight.
Camera Quality
If you plan to use your drone for photography or videography, camera quality should be one of your primary concerns. High-end drones often come equipped with a high-quality camera that can capture photos and videos from unique angles with excellent clarity. Consider the resolution, frames per second, and other camera features when choosing a drone that can serve your needs better.
Size and Portability
Drones come in all shapes and sizes, from small, palm-sized drones to larger, professional-grade drones. Keep in mind where you'll be using your drone and how easy it is to transport. If you plan to travel with your drone, look for a model that is lightweight and easy to pack.
Controllability and Range
The controllability of a drone comes down to how easy it is to pilot and control while in flight. Consider the range of the drone’s remote control and the level of control you want while flying. Some drones come with advanced features like obstacle avoidance or automatic flight paths, making them easier to control, but they are typically more expensive.
Safety Features
As with any flying device, safety is paramount when it comes to drone operation. Some drones come with advanced safety features like GPS tracking, obstacle avoidance, and a "return to home" function in case the drone loses connection with its control. Look for a drone that comes with safety features that suit your needs.
Top Drones on the Market
With so many drones available on the market, it can be challenging to know which one to choose. Here are some of the best drones currently available.
DJI Mavic Air 2
As one of the top drone manufacturers in the market, DJI is known for creating high-quality and reliable drones. The DJI Mavic Air 2 is no exception. It has a 4K camera that can capture high-quality photos and videos with 60 frames per second, making it perfect for professional videography. The drone can also fly for up to 34 minutes on a single battery charge, and it comes with safety features like obstacle avoidance and automatic return-to-home. The DJI Mavic Air 2 is an excellent option for those looking for a high-end drone.
Parrot Anafi
The Parrot Anafi is a lightweight, high-performance drone designed for aerial photography and videography. It features a 4K camera that can swivel 180 degrees, allowing for creative shots from unique angles. The drone can also fly for up to 25 minutes on a single battery charge and is relatively quiet, making it perfect for capturing footage in quiet areas. While it lacks some of the more advanced features found on DJI's drones, the Parrot Anafi is an excellent option for those looking to capture high-quality footage for an affordable price.
Hubsan X4 H107C
For those looking for a drone for casual flying or for beginners, the Hubsan X4 H107C is an excellent option. It's small, lightweight, and comes equipped with a 720p camera for basic photography and videography. The drone is easy to control and features a beginner mode for those who are new to flying drones. While it may not be the best option for professional videography, the Hubsan X4 H107C is an affordable and fun drone for basic flying and video capture.
Conclusion
Choosing the right drone can be a challenge, but with this buying guide and knowledge of what you need, you can make an informed decision. Consider your needs, like the type of photography or video you plan to capture, as well as factors such as size, controllability, and safety features when choosing a drone. With the top drones on the market, you can get the quality footage and flying experience you desire, whether you're a beginner or a professional.
