A camera drone is a fun way to explore aerial imaging. Taking photos and making movies from high up in the air or flying a small drone through tight spaces nets a completely different look compared with a smartphone or a handheld camera. Drones can be intimidating if you’re just starting out, so I’m here to help you get one that works. I’ve been reviewing drones for PCMag for 10 years now, and I’ve tried all kinds, but the DJI Flip is my top recommendation for beginners, thanks to its obstacle sensors and a reasonable starting price of $439. There are also good options if you’re on a tighter budget, so read on for my top picks, all of which are lightweight enough to fly without FAA registration and include video cameras with smooth stabilization.
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
EDITORS’ NOTE
November 16, 2025: With this update, we have removed the DJI Mini 4 Pro, as it is no longer available for purchase in the US due to a looming legislative ban on the company’s drones. Our remaining picks have been vetted for currency and availability. We currently have one new drone in PC Labs for evaluation.
- Stable video with three-axis stabilization
- 4K60 HDR recording and 48MP photos
- 10-bit color with log profile option
- Folds for easy transport and storage
- Forward and downward obstacle sensors
- 249g takeoff weight sidesteps FAA registration
- Up to 31 minutes of flying time per charge
- Skimpy 1.9GB built-in storage
- Lack of Remote ID restricts professional use
The DJI Flip is our top recommendation for beginners shopping for a drone. As a 249g drone, it does not require any FAA registration, and because it has built-in guards around its propellers, you can safely launch and land the drone in the palm of your hand. It supports voice commands and features a remote control for manual flight control. As for the camera, the Flip records video at up to 4K60 quality with 10-bit color and can snap stills at up to 48MP in Raw DNG or JPEG format. A three-axis gimbal keeps the footage smooth and stable, and the Flip’s battery is rated for up to 31 minutes of flying time. Forward and downward obstacle sensors are included, too. The Flip may not have every feature we want to see in a drone (it doesn’t include Remote ID or all-around obstacle sensors), but for the money, you won’t find a better aerial camera.
Beginners: The Flip’s integrated propeller guards and forward obstacle avoidance are good features for pilots buying their first drone. It includes a remote control in the box, allowing you to learn to fly manually, as well as automated flight modes and smartphone control for more casual use.
Selfie fans: This is a solid choice if you want a drone that flies itself, and we like that you can use voice commands or the smartphone app for quick selfie videos. It has a bunch of automated flight paths for selfie shots, including different orbit patterns and a couple of shots that start tight on a subject and pull back to show the surroundings.
Dimensions
3.1 by 11.0 by 9.2 inches
Weight
8.8 oz
Rotors
4
Integrated Camera
Integrated with Gimbal
Video Resolution
4K
Megapixels
48 MP
Media Format
Internal, microSDXC
Remote
Smartphone/Tablet App, Dedicated with LCD
Live Video Feed
1080p
Learn More
DJI Flip Review
- 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
The DJI Mini 3 has a beginner-friendly takeoff weight of 249 grams and is priced around $400, both of which are in its favor. It provides excellent picture and video quality too; its 4K30 camera records smooth, steady footage with faithful color, and cleverly swaps between 16:9 widescreen and 9:16 vertical modes. The Mini 3 flies for up to 38 minutes with its standard battery, and can fly for 51 minutes with its heavier extended battery (sold separately).
There are some remote control options available. For $419, you can get the drone with a remote that requires you to connect your smartphone, but DJI also offers it with its built-in-screen RC remote for $549. If you’re upgrading from a DJI Mini 2, you can use the DJI RC-N1 remote you already own to control the Mini 3; DJI sells the drone without a controller for $339.
Beginners: Out of the box, the Mini 3 weighs just 249g, so you won’t have to worry about registering it with the FAA. It includes a remote control, allowing you to learn to fly manually, as well as autopilot features for precise orbits and reveals.
Social media mavens: The Mini 3’s camera quickly switches between widescreen and vertical recording modes. This makes the drone a good choice for social media fans who want to share movies on widescreen platforms like YouTube and tall video apps like TikTok.
Professionals: When you add the extended life battery, the Mini 3 becomes a Remote ID-capable drone, allowing FAA-licensed individuals to use it for paid work, including inspections, real estate photography, and stock footage. If you aspire to be a pro drone pilot, the Mini 3 gives you room to grow.
Dimensions
2.4 by 3.5 by 5.7 inches
Weight
8.8 oz
Rotors
4
Integrated Camera
Integrated with Gimbal
Video Resolution
4K
Megapixels
12 MP
Media Format
microSDXC
Remote
Dedicated with App, Dedicated with LCD
Live Video Feed
1080p
Learn More
DJI Mini 3 Review
- Small, light build
- Smooth, stabilized aerial footage
- Takes off from and lands in your palm
- Automated flight modes are easy to use
- 22GB internal storage holds 40 minutes of 4K
- Up to 18 minutes of flight time per charge
- Unattractive, overbaked video profile
- Kludgy manual flight controls in phone app
- Very limited operating range without physical remote (sold separately)
- Middling wind resistance
- Lack of Remote ID is a problem for licensed pilots
The Neo is DJI’s smallest and lightest drone and among the easiest to use from any brand. It isn’t much bigger than a soda can and weighs just 4.8 ounces (135g), so you don’t have to deal with FAA registration. Built-in propeller guards protect your hands during palm launches and landings, preventing crashes caused by minor bumps and collisions. It features a nose-mounted 4K video camera that combines gimbal and digital stabilization to deliver smooth, high-quality footage.
Selfie fans will appreciate the Neo’s ease of use and automated flight modes, which include pull back and reveal, orbit around a subject, and track and follow a subject as it moves. If you prefer manual flight, you can control it with a smartphone app or opt for a proper remote (sold separately for $129) featuring analog control sticks for a more rewarding tactile experience and extended range.
Even without a remote included, the Neo has some nice features for beginners. These include a strong battery that provides approximately 18 minutes of flight time per charge, along with the convenience of USB-C charging for quick top-offs between flights. You won’t have to worry about a memory card either; the Neo has 22GB of storage built in, which is more than enough for 40 minutes of recording time.
Beginners: The DJI Neo is a compact, ultralight drone that doesn’t require FAA registration to operate, and can take off and land in the palm of your hand. You can fly it with voice commands, on-drone controls, a smartphone app, or an optional remote control.
Selfie fans: If you want a drone that you can break out for a quick selfie and put back in your bag without having to deal with a bulky remote control, the Neo is it. You can use a smartphone app, on-body control buttons, or voice commands to start a selfie video.
Dimensions
1.9 by 5.1 by 6.2 inches
Weight
4.8 oz
Rotors
4
Integrated Camera
Integrated with Gimbal
Video Resolution
4K
Megapixels
12 MP
Media Format
Internal
Remote
Smartphone/Tablet App
Live Video Feed
1080p
Learn More
DJI Neo Review
- Smooth, stable 4K30 video
- Up to 48MP JPG or 12MP Raw photos
- Supports Remote ID
- 32-minute battery life
- No FAA registration required
- Omits obstacle avoidance
- No internal storage
The Potensic Atom 2 is an enticing drone for beginners. It makes the 249g takeoff weight, so registration isn’t required, and it records clear, stable video at 4K30 quality. The camera also does 12MP Raw or JPG and 48MP JPG stills. The Atom 2 features a remote control that works with your smartphone and an app for flight control, and it can fly for up to 32 minutes on a fully charged battery.
Beginners: The Atom 2 weighs 249g, so there’s no need to register it with the FAA. It also includes a remote control in the box, making it easy to get started flying. It offers the basic safety features we want in a drone, including GPS stabilization and a return-to-home feature, making it a good choice for your first drone.
Professionals: Although it’s priced affordably, the Atom 2 includes Remote ID built-in, making it a fine choice for use if you are an FAA sUAS license holder. This means you can use it for paid work, such as real estate photography.
Dimensions
2.3 by 3.5 by 5.6 inches
Weight
8.8 oz
Rotors
4
Integrated Camera
Integrated with Gimbal
Video Resolution
4K
Megapixels
48 MP
Media Format
microSD
Remote
Dedicated with App
Live Video Feed
1080p
Learn More
Potensic Atom 2 Review
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Buying Guide: The Best Drones for Beginners and Kids in 2025
What Is the Best Drone to Buy for a Beginner?
Drones are pretty complicated pieces of hardware. They rely on GPS stabilization and other flight assistance systems to hover perfectly in place, as well as radio transmitters to maintain a connection between the aircraft and its remote control. They usually require a smartphone to work; typically, you connect your phone to the drone’s remote control to run a flight app and control the camera. If you’re willing to spend more, you can get one with a remote that runs the control app on a touch screen.
We recommend sticking to a quality brand to get started—we’ve included models from DJI and Potensic, both of which are trustworthy brands. We’ve had bad luck with some of the lesser-known budget models you see for sale online, so we don’t recommend spending money on shoddy starters like the Holy Stone HS360.
It’s worth spending a little more on a drone with a better camera, one that supports higher-than-1080p video and features a gimbal for enhanced stabilization. You should also pick a drone with an integrated GPS and a return-to-home system. Finally, if you can afford to spend a bit, an upscale model with obstacle avoidance sensors helps you avoid accidents while you learn to fly.
DJI Neo (Credit: Jim Fisher)
The Best Drones That Don’t Require FAA Registration
Pilots flying in the US, even for fun, must register certain drones with the FAA. If you plan to fly outside and your drone weighs 250g (8.8 ounces) or more, you must pay a $5 registration fee to ensure compliance with federal regulations. Moreover, you must pass the Trust test, a basic online knowledge quiz. For more, read up on the rules for flying drones in the US.
Are Kids Allowed to Fly Drones?
Can kids legally fly a drone? The short answer is yes, but it depends on the operator’s age, the purpose of the flight, and the country.
DJI Flip in hand (Credit: Jim Fisher)
There’s no minimum age to fly a drone in the US, but you must be at least 13 years old to register with the FAA. The drones in this story are all in the registration-free 249g weight class. However, all pilots must still pass the Trust test, a free basic knowledge quiz, to fly a drone outdoors. For heavier drones, the Trust test and a $5 registration fee are mandatory for all users.
These restrictions are fairly lax, but only apply to creators flying for personal enjoyment. If you’re a young YouTube influencer and monetize your drone footage, you must fly under commercial rules and register each drone you own, regardless of weight. That means you must have a Part 107 license or fly under the direct supervision of a licensed pilot. The minimum age to get a Part 107 license is 16 years old.
DJI Neo (Credit: Jim Fisher)
Canada is stricter with its laws. You can fly a 249g drone without a license in uncontrolled airspace north of the border, but you need a Basic License to fly within about 100 feet (30 meters) of other people. You must be at least 14 years old to get this type of license. If you want to fly in controlled airspace, an Advanced License is a requirement. You must be 16 years or older to get one.
The UK regulations are muddier. First, each drone you own requires an Operator ID, a registration number that’s tied to the aircraft and owner. You must be at least 18 years old to receive one. The UK also issues Flyer IDs, a type of license that’s tied to a person, not an aircraft. Kids don’t need a Flyer ID for models lighter than 249g, but must pass a basic knowledge test for anything heavier (there’s no strict age requirement). Children 13 and up can obtain a Flyer ID on their own, while younger children must bring a guardian to take the test.
Recommended by Our Editors
How Much Does a Beginner Drone Cost?
For quality video, we recommend budgeting between $200 and $1,000. On the low end of the price spectrum, the DJI Neo ($199) is ideal for selfies, as it features automated pull-back-and-reveal and orbit flight paths, and is compact enough to take off and land in the palm of your hand. You can also fly it manually with your phone, or purchase a remote (an additional $129) for a more refined experience.
You can spend a little more and get the Potensic Atom 2 ($359), which includes a remote in the box. It records 4K30 video and snaps 48MP stills. For $439, the DJI Flip represents an even larger leap forward in camera quality. It is also 4K, utilizing newer sensor technology for more natural-looking images and HDR video, and supports voice commands.
Potensic Atom 2 in flight (Credit: Jim Fisher)
All of the drones featured in this buying guide weigh 249g or less, so they don’t require FAA registration. Beginner pilots don’t have to worry about the Remote ID feature, which is a required feature for licensed pilots. If you are considering obtaining your FAA license in the future, choosing a light drone with Remote ID, such as the Potensic Atom 2, is a good idea. The DJI Mini 3 also supports Remote ID, but only when used with an optional extended life battery.
The Best Drones for Pros
If you’re looking for a drone that’s a bit better than a beginner bird, make sure to check out our list of the best drones you can buy, regardless of skill level. Just prepare to spend a lot more.
