Dec 28, 2025 7:30 AM

The Best Drones for Every Budget

Whether you want to battle Star Wars spaceships or shoot a cinematic masterpiece, one of these drones is going to be perfect for you.

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Best Drone for Most People

DJI Mini 5 Pro

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It's no exaggeration to say that the best drones have changed the way we view the world. They've taken once-difficult and expensive moviemaking techniques and made them accessible to anyone. Videos that previously required a camera crew, expensive cranes, and hours of filming can now be done in minutes with the tap of a single Auto Takeoff button.

Drones aren't just flying cameras, though; they're also the modern version of remote-controlled vehicles. Again, they've made flying easier and more accessible, thanks to intelligent collision sensors that protect your investment from mishaps. Cheaper drones, while fun, will never fly as well or deliver the kind of video and photo results possible with more expensive models. You get what you pay for. That said, if you're not worried about wowing YouTube with your sweeping panoramic masterpiece, you don't have to spend a fortune to get a good, fun drone. Here are the best drones I've tested for every budget.

The elephant in the room is the fact that the biggest drone maker was just barred from selling its products in the US. We're still recommending DJI drones for anyone outside the US, and we have more information about the ban below, along with alternative options.

Be sure to check out our many other buying guides, including the Best Action Cameras, Best Compact Cameras, and Best Mirrorless Cameras.

Updated December 2025: We’ve added the DJI Mini 5 Pro, DJI Neo 2, DJI Mini 4K, Antigravity A1, and Potensic Atom, and added information about the DJI ban.

What About the DJI Ban?

On December 23, 2025, DJI was added to the Federal Communications Commission's "Covered List"—a move that effectively prohibits the Chinese drone giant from launching new products in the US. The ban stems from a national security audit mandated by Congress that was never completed, largely because no government agency was ever assigned to conduct it.

The good news for existing DJI owners in the US is that their drones will continue to function. However, the long-term implications remain unclear: future software updates could be restricted, and even products currently sitting on store shelves may become unavailable for purchase. The ban encompasses DJI's entire product lineup—not just drones, but also gimbals, action cameras, and microphones.

DJI has consistently rejected the US government's security concerns over its relationship with the Chinese military, framing the situation as a byproduct of wider US-China trade tensions. The company continues to push for a proper audit, but for now, if you've been eyeing a DJI product, your window to buy may have already closed.

That's bad news for US consumers, because DJI's drones offer the best value for money and the company's competitors rarely come close in terms of performance. That's not to say there aren't other viable options—I've included a couple of non-DJI models below for this reason.

Flying Within the Law

Above a certain size and weight, drones are subject to some fairly strict laws regarding how and where they can be flown. You may need to register your drone, apply for a permit, pass an exam, or label your drone with personal details before getting it airborne. These laws differ depending on which country you’re in. Ensure you check local regulations carefully before flying. For the US, UK, and EU, more details can be found here: US FAA, UK CAA, and EU EASA.

In general, laws become more restrictive the heavier the drone, and sub-250-gram (8.8-ounce) drones tend to fall into a largely unrestricted category with relatively few legal hoops for pilots to negotiate. That’s why so many manufacturers offer lightweight drones.

What Else Do You Need?

To get the most out of a drone, it may be worthwhile to invest in a few optional accessories.

Batteries: The first thing I’d probably buy is spare batteries, as drone battery life tends to be fairly short, and having extras in your pocket greatly extends flying time. For a less immediate solution, you could buy a high-capacity power bank to recharge your drone’s battery while you’re out and about.

ND filters: If you’re filming in bright sunlight and want greater control over shutter speed (which can help achieve pleasing effects like motion blur), neutral density filters are an essential camera add-on. These are generally made to fit specific models of drones.

Carrying case: While drones are often hardier than they look, a dedicated carrying bag or case keeps your expensive investment well protected, while often leaving space for extras like controllers, cables, batteries, memory cards, and spare propellers. The bags that DJI bundles with its drones in its Fly More Combo packages are excellent quality, but any camera bag with customizable interior pockets would work well, too.

• Best Drone for Most People

  • Photograph: Sam Kieldsen

  • Photograph: Sam Kieldsen

  • Photograph: Sam Kieldsen

  • Photograph: Sam Kieldsen

  DJI

  Mini 5 Pro

  If you've been waiting for a pocket-sized drone that doesn't compromise on image quality, the DJI Mini 5 Pro (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is a genuine game-changer. By squeezing a full 1-inch sensor into its compact frame, DJI has effectively delivered Air-class camera performance into a folding drone small enough to slip into a jacket pocket. The results speak for themselves: 4K video at up to 120 frames per second, 50-megapixel stills, and an impressive 14 stops of dynamic range for video and photos that hold onto shadow and highlight detail even in tricky lighting.

  Beyond the camera upgrades, the Mini 5 Pro brings professional-grade safety features once exclusive to larger, pricier models. Forward-facing LiDAR works alongside omnidirectional vision sensors to detect obstacles even in total darkness—a godsend for those golden hour flights that stretch into twilight. I put it through its paces in brutal coastal winds gusting past 30 mph, and while it was clearly working hard, it maintained its position with impressive composure.

  Sadly, like all of DJI's drones right now, it's nearly impossible to acquire in the US. That's a great shame, because it's pound for pound the best camera drone on the market.

• Best DJI Alternative

  

  Courtesy of Potensic

  Potensic

  Atom 2

  With DJI effectively banned from launching new products in the US and longtime rival Autel Robotics having withdrawn from the consumer drone market, the drone playing field has shifted dramatically. Enter the Potensic Atom 2, a sub-250-gram drone that has suddenly become the most credible alternative to DJI's Mini series.

  The Atom 2's credentials are solid rather than cutting-edge. A 1/2-inch Sony sensor captures 48-megapixel photos and 4K HDR video at 30 fps, stabilized by a three-axis gimbal that delivers impressively smooth footage in normal weather conditions. Its AI-powered tracking modes work well enough for recording social media content, and the range of autonomous QuickShots adds creative flair without requiring expert piloting skills.

Avoid No-Name Brands

The internet is awash with “toy drones” in the $50 to $150 price range. There are two reasons for this. First, well-made drones are still expensive. Drones also share many components with smartphones, which means chips, camera sensors, and tiny lenses are cheap at the wholesale level. That results in a million knockoffs.

Unfortunately, you tend to get what you pay for. While two of the under-$100 models I've tested were fun to fly, the photos and video they produced were hot garbage. I also have my doubts about their long-term durability. I think most people would be better off buying one of the tiny toy drones mentioned above while saving up for a DJI Mini 4 Pro.

That said, if you don't care about creating content, just want to have fun flying, and don't mind taking a risk, these “toys” might be worth a look.

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