Top drones are hard to find, and when you get your hands on one, it costs you an arm and a leg. Manufacturers are constantly updating drones and the current market is filled with more specs than we could have imagined a few years ago. However, the race to produce top drones has left many small and medium-sized manufacturers struggling to keep up and, in the end, they compromise on quality to stay afloat.
The journey of getting a top drone is not for the faint-hearted and you need to have the right information. There are several things that you need to know before buying a drone. Here are the most important:
- Familiarize yourself with the rules
There are a lot of rules that govern the purchase and use of drones. This ranges from obtaining a license from the relevant authorities, avoiding flying near an airport, keeping off public and private enclosures, keeping the drone under 400 feet among others. The laws tend to change in various countries or states, so be sure to know all the laws
- Getting drone flying skills
Most drones are easy to fly and it does not take a lot for beginners to get around the art of flying. However, drones are easier to crash than you may think. If it’s possible, take training lessons, or your drone will come crashing down causing destruction in its wake.
- Know why you need a drone
Different people require a drone for different reasons. The most important thing is to know why you need a drone and go for a drone that has special specs for your needs. If you are a photographer, you need one with an amazing camera. If you are a researcher, you probably need one that has longer flight hours and better data collecting software.
- Have the right control device
Mobile phones, as opposed to drone specific controllers, are the most commonly used to control a drone. You need then to have a good and updated phone for you to safely control your drone.
The availability of a lot of drones in the market has left customers with an impossible task of getting the right drone and at the right price. We have done extensive research and we bring you the top drones in 2020:
Altair Aerial Blackhawk Long Range
This is a fairly priced drone that is great for beginners. The drone has an amazing speed and is easily controlled in a range of about 500 meters which is long for its kind. It is crafted with heavy-duty material which is mainly a metal body rather than the common plastic body used in other drones. The use of metal in the construction of this drone is important as it helps avoid damages when faced by strong winds.
The drone is made with 6 Axis Gyros that help it move in any direction without a fuss. This is also important in maintaining a good flying experience as the drone can handle swift manoeuvres. For stability and protection, the drone is made with additional propeller guards as well as extra propellers in the package.
The idea behind the construction of this drone is to have a drone fly far and fast. This is why you can get 15 fly minutes with this drone and if you choose the medium throttle you just might get 17 minutes. It is fitted with lock protection that is important in preventing burnouts in case of a deadlock.
The drone does not have a camera on its own but there is a provision for a camera mount with GoPro Hero three and four being the preferred choice. However, it does not support hero 5. The drone also comes with a rechargeable Lithium battery.
Pros
- Built with heavy-duty metal
- It’s fast and travels a longer distance
- Has lock protection
- Can fly in any direction
Cons
- Does not have a camera
- It’s not compatible with GoPro Hero 5 camera
If you are in the market for a drone with an amazing camera, solid flying time and GPS technology, then this one ticks all the boxes. Designed to be controlled remotely, the drone responds to commands sent from some distance away.
What stands out with this drone is the panoramas that can capture crystal clear pictures of up to 32 megapixels. The sphere panoramas can capture twenty-five pictures in eight quick seconds and they have a wide range of 180 degrees. To ensure the camera is shooting clear videos and photos even at top speed, the drone is fitted with 3-axis gimbal that guarantees the stability of the camera.
The camera comes ready to shoot and supports 4k video which is good clarity for its value. It can also be able to shoot 30 fps at a speed of 100mbs which is excellent when you are out shooting high-speed events.
The drone is lightweight enough to be carried around in a bag pack but also strong enough to withstand strong winds. It is also foldable in compact sizes which is important if you are shooting on the go. It has a strong lithium battery that supports 21 minutes of flight time when fully charged. It comes with a remote controller that’s tailored to hold your smartphone which can also be used to control the drone.
Pros
- Can be remotely controlled
- Captures high-quality panorama images
- Has 3-axis gimbal for stability
- Supports UHD videos and camera
This drone is tailor-made to help kids learn and play at the same time. It is fitted with coding programs that are important in helping people learn how to code. It has a high definition camera that helps capture high-quality pictures and Virtual Reality headsets to give you a real view of the flight. VR is a nice touch and users can witness the thrill that comes with drones.
The manufacturer fits this drone with an intel processor that helps get the images in real-time and the quality is guaranteed. To ensure the images and videos are transmitted at a fast speed, Tello has fitted this drone with 2 antennas.
The Tello Quadcopter Drone is launched by simply tossing it up and has a strong battery that supports 13 minutes of flight time in a single charge. The drone can cover a distance of up to 100m. The DJI technology ensures the flight is stable and the drone can also perform eight flips without crushing. Flying this drone is easy as it requires only one tap.
Pros
- Compatible with VR headset
- HD imaging with a quick processor
- Fitted with coding program
- Faster transmission of images
TongLi T1 Professional Outdoor GPS Drones
One of the constant fears with most drone enthusiasts is the loss of the drone if it flies too high or it flies out of range. However, TongLi has designed a drone that automatically returns to you if signal or control is lost. The TongLi T1 Professional Outdoor GPS drone has been designed with a GPS tracker that enables the auto-return feature.
For beginners, this can be a good drone to train with as it has an altitude hold feature that allows it to maintain a certain height. The motors are brushless and it has a good flight control system that gives users an easy time while controlling. It also has an electronic speed control on each of the four motors that makes it stable.
When it comes to the battery, the 2000mAH lithium battery supports a flight of about a quarter of an hour. The battery is rechargeable and can be easily mounted or removed and uses two to three hours to fully charge.
The HD camera is fitted with FPV transmission which comes in handy if you are live streaming events. If you love recording yourself while out on an adventure, this drone can help you record your every move with a “follow-me feature”. You only need to set it on the app, and the drone will obediently follow you.
The drone is fitted with white and blue LED lights that help you fly it at night and keep track of its movement and direction.
Pros
- LED lights for night flying
- Has a follow-me mode
- It has an auto-return feature
- Has GPS tracking
Summary
There you go drone lovers, those are some of the best drones you can find in the market. Drones are meant to be fun and enjoyable while at the same time safe to the users and the public at large. Once you get your drone, it is important to respect the right and privacy of others. You must observe flying etiquette and follow all the laid down guidelines.
While low-cost drones are easier are appearing to newbies, it is important to note they are the hardest to control as they don’t have any sophisticated computer software. Thus, the best drones for newbies are those that use DJI technology as they require less control from the user. However, they cost a fortune and one must be willing to spend more.