The Best Camera Drones & Quadcopters for 2018

DJI Phantom 4

The DJI Phantom 4 is not only the best camera drone that DJI has ever put out on the market, it may be the best consumer-level drone ever made.

But, what else do we expect from the industry’s leader, other than the absolute best? DJI has constantly pushed the bar on each new iteration of their Phantom series and nothing has changed with the introduction of the DJI Phantom 4.

There are many upgrades that make the Phantom 4 an even better drone than the Phantom 3.

For starters, it’s faster, it flies better, its live HD streaming is even better, its easier to use, and it looks better than ever.

And, its new 3D camera will even allow you to map out environments you fly over.

All-in-all, the DJI Phantom 4 has set a new standard for consumer drones. The best part is that the Phantom 4 doesn’t significantly increase in price over the DJI Phantom 3 Professional, making it even more of a better buy.

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DJI Inspire 1

If you’re looking for professional quality out of your drone and you don’t mind paying a premium to get it, the DJI Inspire 1 is the most complete drone currently on the market.

For the most part, the DJI Inspire 1 has similar specs to the Phantom 3 Professional. However, the DJI Inspire is bigger, faster, and better designed than the Phantom 3.

Not only that, but where the Phantom 3’s camera can only pan up and down, the Inspire 1’s camera can pan up and down, as well as in a 360 degree rotation. And, the Inspire 1 allows you to control the camera separate of the drone itself, which will give you more control over the shots and video footage you get.

Another strong selling point of the Inspire 1 is the fact that you can choose between different cameras ranging from the high-end to cinema-level quality.

Ultimately, the Inspire 1 is a borderline commercial drone, designed for professional users in mind. But if you have the money and you want the best consumer drone available on the market, then by all means… get it!

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3DR X8+

Why choose a quadcopter when you can get an octocopter? Seriously, the 3DR X8+ was designed to hold big payloads and with 8 motors and 11-inch propellers, the sky is the limit with the camera system, gimbal, and sensors you can install on this drone.

However, while the X8+ can hold the kind of high quality camera equipment and gimbal found on a more professionally-geared drone, like the DJI Inspire 1, none of these things are included on the X8+.

Rather, the choice for the camera system is up to you.

So, while the X8+ is ready to fly right out of the box, you can’t start recording your flights until you add a camera system.

Still, though, at just under half the cost of the Inspire 1, you have plenty of room in the budget to add a professional-quality camera setup.

Ultimately, the X8+ was designed with a certain type of buyer in mind and, in my opinion, that buyer is someone who likes to have more control over their equipment and doesn’t want to pay a premium for a fully assembled, ready to fly and film, drone.

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Typhoon H 4K

The Typhoon H 4K made waves at CES with its collision-avoidance technology (powered by Intel’s RealSense.) And, while the Typhoon H definitely has established itself among the top options on the market, it isn’t quite as polished as the DJI Phantom 4.

That’s not to say that these downsides are enough to make it a bad drone. On the contrary, the Typhoon H is a very solid drone. It’s just that for a similar price, the DJI Phantom 4 is a much more well-rounded option.

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DJI Phantom 3 Pro

If you’re looking to get a drone that is easy to fly, ready-to-fly out of the box, and can deliver stunning video, and you don’t mind paying a decent amount for it, then the DJI Phantom 3 Professional drone is perhaps your best bet.

The Phantom 3 comes with a camera that has the ability to record your flights in 4K resolution, as well as live stream your flights in 720p resolution. The camera can also take stills at 12-megapixels.

And, to further improve video and image quality, the Phantom 3 uses a 3-axis camera gimbal, which virtually eliminates shaky video, as it keeps the camera incredibly stable during flight.

But, perhaps the two best features of the Phantom 3 Professional (and the rest of the Phantom 3 series, for that matter) is how easy it is to fly and the fact that it’s ready to fly right out of the box (unless you need to update the firmware…)

Ultimately, with the introduction of the Phantom 4, the Phantom 3 is no longer the best consumer drone on the market. However, with the new Phantom 4, the Phantom 3 saw a significant price reduction and now it is easily one of the best price-to-performance options on the market.

So, if you don’t quite have the budget for the Phantom 4, the Phantom 3 Pro is a really good alternative that won’t cost you quite as much.

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Yuneec Q500 4K

While, in my opinion, the Yuneec Q500 4K quadcopter is a little behind the Phantom 3 Professional in terms of overall quality, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider it.

In fact, Yuneec’s Q500 4K has quite a few things going for it that may sway you to choosing it over the DJI Phantom 3 Professional.

For starters, the Q500 4K has two unique features called Follow Me and Watch Me. The Follow Me feature, when activated, will force the drone to follow you (or rather the controller) and the Watch Me will force the drone to keep you (the controller) in the camera’s focus.

The camera and gimbal on the Q500 4K are also detachable and the drone comes with a handheld device so that you can use the included camera on the ground as well as in the air.

And, perhaps the most important difference between the Yuneec Q500 4K and the DJI Phantom 3 Professional (and all of the DJI Phantom 3s for that matter) is the support department for both companies.

DJI’s support team has been trashed by its users and they have racked up a worrisome amount of complaints. Yuneec on the other hand has received praise for their superior support department. Since these two drones are expensive pieces of equipment, having a support team behind you to protect your investment is definitely a big feature. And, while I’m positive DJI will improve their customer support (at least, if they want to survive they will), right now Yuneec clearly leads in that department.

Ultimately, though, I feel that if we just look at the quality of the drone, the Phantom 3 Professional is the better option. But with all of the unique features and the better support department, the Yuneec Q500 4K is definitely worth considering.

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DJI Phantom 3 Advanced

The DJI Phantom 3 Professional and the Phantom 3 Advanced are identical drones. They use the same controller, have the same design, utilize the same 3-axis gimbal, and sport the same flight features. The only difference is in the camera.

The Professional version can shoot 4K video, whereas the Advanced can only shoot 2.7K video. But ultimately, 90% of users probably won’t be able to utilize 4K UHD video anyways (let alone 2.7K), so why not save a couple hundred bucks and go with the Advanced version?

In my opinion, the Advanced is the better bang for your buck for most prospective buyers. It’s ready to fly out of the box, it can stream live video at 720p (same as the Professional), it has the same 12MP camera for stills as the Professional, and it can fly the same distance for the same amount of time as the Professional.

The only other real difference between the two is that the Professional version comes with a better charger. But if you purchase some additional batteries that should cover you.

In the end, the DJI Phantom 3 Advanced is perhaps the best price-to-performance quadcopter currently on the market. It’s easy to fly, ready to fly right out of the box, has the ability to shoot excellent video footage and take awesome stills, and it has a class-leading flight time and flight range.

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3DR Solo

While the 3DR Solo comes in at under $600, that price doesn’t include the camera gimbal or the camera itself.

3DR has partnered with GoPro and as such their drone and gimbal are designed to work with GoPro cameras. This is great news for anyone who already owns a GoPro HERO3, 3+, or 4 (the GoPros that are compatible with the Solo) as it eliminates the additional cost of adding a camera.

However, you will still need to purchase the Solo Gimbal, which comes in at an additional $400.

So, all-in-all, if you don’t own one of the compatible GoPros, the total cost to get the 3DR Solo to a similar place as the DJI Phantom 3 Professional, you’re looking at spending close to $2,000… which is quite a bit more expensive that the Phantom 3 Professional price tag.

On the other hand, the Solo has some unique features and qualities to it that make it stand out. As previously mentioned, if you already own a compatible GoPro, then that is one cost you can eliminate from the equation.

Also, with the option to swap out cameras, the Solo will allow you to upgrade your gimbal and camera in the future to keep up with modern technology. The Solo also comes with an “accessory” bay which no doubt will be come extremely important when third party companies (and 3DR) start offering helpful accessories for your drone (i.e. parachutes, LED lights, optical flow, etc.). And, perhaps most importantly, the Solo’s motor pods can also be swapped out and upgraded in the future to ensure that it’s hardware can keep up with modern drone technology.

So, while the Solo isn’t as complete of a package as the DJI Phantom 3, it’s ability to upgrade definitely gives it a unique edge. Whether that’s enough to sway you to buy it over the Phantom 3 will come down to your own personal preferences.

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Blade Chroma

While DJI has firmly established themselves as the leader in consumer-level drones with their Phantom 3 series, that doesn’t mean that they don’t have their host of competitors.

The Blade Chroma 4K is another challenger to the throne. However, while the Chroma is a solid machine, the Phantom 3 Professional is about as flawless of a drone as you can find right now and, as such, the Chroma comes up a little bit short.

Still, though, with a 4K camera and 3-axis gimbal, the Chroma will allow you to take high-quality video footage and the 12 megapixel camera will let you snap nice-looking stills as well.

And, while the Chroma isn’t quite as easy to fly as a DJI Phantom 3 (Advanced or Professional) nor offers the range, it is still pretty simple to operate and gives a decent enough range for most users.

The Chroma does claim a 30-minute flight time, but that may be a bit of a reach because most users report max flight times of ~25 minutes. Still, though, a 25-minute flight time is in the upper echelon for drones in this price range.

In the end, if you want the ability to film flight footage in 4K, I would recommend the DJI Phantom 3 Professional first and foremost. However, if you’re scared off by the overwhelming amount of negative reviews for DJI’s support team, then the Blade Chroma is a good alternative.

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3DR Iris+

While the 3DR Iris+ is currently listed at just under $500 on Amazon, the truth is that you will also need to add a camera and gimbal to it in order for it to be ready to film your flights (which will put you well over $1,000 after those two pieces of equipment are added).

Still, though, if you’re a fan of open source products and you want the ability to be able to upgrade your drone, then the Iris+ is a decent option.

It’s not as polished of a quadcopter as the newer 3DR Solo and it lacks some key features of the Solo (namely a dedicated controller), but it does come in at a more affordable price tag.

Ultimately, I’d only recommend the Iris+ to a very specific buyer… and that buyer would be someone who likes to tinker and doesn’t quite have the budget to go for the Solo.

For those who want something more polished and user friendly, I’d recommend something from DJI’s Phantom 3 series.

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DJI Phantom Aerial UAV

If you want to get your own GoPro, or if you already have a GoPro, it might make sense to get a quadcopter that comes with the camera mount and gimbal, but doesn’t include the camera.

You can save money this way, since you already have a GoPro you can use.

One option you have if you already have a GoPro is the DJI Phantom Aerial UAV. Since it doesn’t come with a camera, it is a good option for anyone who already has a GoPro.

And, since it comes in at under $500, it is definitely one of the more affordable options. Of course, if you don’t have a camera already, you will probably want to look at one of the models above that does come with a camera.

Although, if you want to get a GoPro for other activities as well as to use on a drone, it would make sense to buy a drone like this one—that doesn’t have a camera—so that you can swap out the GoPro for whatever adventure you need it for.

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Parrot Bebop

The Parrot Bebop is the successor to the AR Drone 2.0. The Bebop improves on pretty much every area of the AR Drone.

And, while it is not without its flaws, there is enough on this quadcopter to make it viable option.

For starters, the biggest thing that separates the Parrot Bebop from other drones in its price range is its camera. With a 180 degree field-of-view, a 14 megapixel/1080p camera, and the ability to digitally stabilize and fix the distortion of the picture, the Bebop can take incredible stills and record digitally stabilized video.

Another interesting feature on the Parrot Bebop is that it can be controlled solely through its mobile app on your iPhone or Android device. However, the downside of that is that using the mobile app leaves you a bit lacking in terms of having precise control over your drone.

Parrot does have a dedicated controller for the Bebop, but purchasing that will set you back an additional $400. That’s almost double the price of the Bebop itself.

In the end, the Bebop is a decent option, especially now that it costs well under $300. It won’t give you the most ideal drone experience, but it is definitely a good choice for anyone who doesn’t have a significant budget, but who wants to still be able to enjoy some of the cool features that come on the high-end machines.

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Parrot AR Drone 2.0

The Parrot AR Drone 2.0 is the predecessor of the Parrot Bebop. While the Bebop is the more advanced drone, the AR Drone 2.0 comes in at close to half the cost of the Bebop and because of this price difference the AR Drone 2.0 is still a viable option if you are working with a limited budget.

The biggest selling point of the AR Drone 2.0 is the fact that you don’t have to spend money on a controller. That’s because the AR Drone 2.0 is piloted through Parrot’s mobile app.

That’s right… the AR Drone 2.0 is controlled directly by your phone.

While this is a great feature, there is a downside to it… flying your drone with your phone isn’t as effective as flying your drone with a standard controller. And, the bad news is that the AR Drone 2.0 will not work with a third-party RC controller.

Also, it should be noted that if you’re looking to fly at long distances, the AR Drone 2.0 can only go about 200 feet maximum. And, for the most part, that’s pretty standard for any sub $300 drone…

So, in the end, while the AR Drone 2.0 is a solid quadcopter that flies well and is easy to operate, you will be limited to your mobile phone as your controller if you decide to go with it.

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CX-20 Professional

The CX-20 Professional might look familiar for two reasons… first, because it looks very similar to a DJI Phantom and, second, because it looks like the Quanum Nova from HobbyKing.

The CX-20 Professional and the Quanum Nova are, in fact, the same quadcopters. The Nova, however, is just HobbyKing’s branded version of the CX-20. The main—and only—difference between these two drones is that the CX-20 is open source and therefore upgradeable. And that’s the main reason why it is listed and not the Quanum Nova.

As far as performance goes, the CX-20 comes with a ton of features that help make flying it as easy as possible. In fact, for the price, in terms of ease-of-use, the CX-20 is on par with some of the high-end consumer drones out there (DJI Phantoms, 3DR Solos, Yuneec Q500, etc.).

The CX-20, however, does not come with a camera or gimbal. Although, a camera/gimbal system can be added as the drone has many gimbals that are compatible with it and it will work with a GoPro camera.

So, ultimately, the CX-20 offers the more budget-oriented buyers out there with an affordable quadcopter that is ready to fly out of the box, is easy to fly, and can be upgraded to take awesome footage of your flights.

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LaTrax Alias

With the LaTrax Alias you get a ready-to-fly quadcopter that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. No, it’s not the best quadcopter on the market, but for the price it comes in at, it definitely can compete with the other drones in its class.

There are a few other cool features with the Alias as well. For starters, the Alias comes in under the FAA’s weight requirement for registration. That means you don’t have to worry about flying the Alias outdoors unregistered and getting a hefty fine.

Also, the Alias has a full control mode where you are given 100% control over it. This will let you really open it up and push your flying skills to the limit.

And, because the frame of the Alias is pretty well built, it can sustain some mild crashes, which will give you some room for error.

And, finally, the Alias does have the ability to handle a camera. In fact, LaTrax has a camera that you can add on to it. It’s nothing spectacular but it can record in 720p and it does have a 12 MP camera. There isn’t a gimbal option, so the quality of the footage won’t be anything to write home about, but at least you have the option.

Ultimately, for the price you pay, the Alias is definitely an option worth considering in the under $200 range.

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UDI U818A

The UDI U818A is one of the best entry-level quadcopters on the market. There’s quite a lot to like about this drone…

For starters, the U818A flies pretty well considering its inexpensive price tag. It offers stabilized flight and is easy enough to fly that it can even be flown on windier days.

Also, the built-in camera is a nice addition at this price point. No, the U818A isn’t going to take HD video and you probably won’t blow anyone away with the quality of your flight footage…

However, the fact that it has a camera at all is nice and at the very least you can have some fun going back and rewatching the video of your flights.

Another big selling point with the UDI U818A is the fact that it comes in under the FAA’s 0.55lbs weight regulation and as such does not need to be registered.

Ultimately, the UDI U818A is up there with the Hubsan X4 as being one of the best quadcopters under $100 on the market and if you’re a beginner, it is definitely a worthy option to help you get your feet into flying drones.

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Hubsan X4

One of my most favorite drones for sale under $100 is the Hubsan X4. While there are a few different versions of the X4, the H107C listed here is probably the best value.

First off, the Hubsan X4 H107C is fairly small… so small, in fact, that it will fit in the palm of your hand.

Thanks to it’s small size, it is incredibly light (0.08lbs) and, as such, you will not need to register it with the FAA.

And, the fact that this quadcopter comes with a 720P/2MP camera for under $60 is pretty incredible.

It won’t give you the best video quality in the world, but at least you can take footage of your flights without having to spend hundreds of dollars.

Overall, you shouldn’t expect the Hubsan X4 to blow you away. However, for the price, you’d be hard pressed to find a more enjoyable quadcopter to fly.

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Blade Nano QX

Another tiny quadcopter that is a solid budget-friendly and entry level option is the Blade Nano QX.

While it is too light to carry a camera, the Nano QX does offer beginners a fun way to learn more about drones and how they work.

The Nano QX gives you two different flight modes, stability mode, and agility mode.

In stability mode the Nano QX will assist you and when you take your hand off the controls, it will hover in place. In agility mode you are in full control of the drone.

Fortunately, the Nano QX is durable enough to take mild crashes and collisions in stride and so the agility mode is great way to improve your flying skills.

Ultimately, the Blade Nano QX is a great drone for beginners or for anyone who just wants a fun toy to play with.

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Syma X5C

It’s hard to recommend any other drone than the Syma X5c in this category simply due to its ~$50 price tag. The low price inevitably makes the Syma X5C the perfect option for beginners or for anyone looking for a cheap drone to practice their flying skills with.

But the cheap price tag isn’t the only thing the Syma X5C has going for it…

For your $50 you get an easy-to-fly drone that is ready to go right out of the box. And, you also get an HD camera… which for the price is somewhat unbelievable.

It should be noted, though, that while the Syma X5C does technically come with the ability to record in 720p, the results won’t necessarily reflect cinema-quality video. This is mostly due to the fact that the camera is attached to the Syma X5C and it does not include a camera gimbal for stabilized video.

However, camera gimbals are expensive and you need to spend closer to $1,000 to get high-end video quality from you dron. And, as previously mentioned, at this low of a price, the fact that there is even a camera is pretty remarkable.

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Proto X

The Proto X isn’t exactly what you’d call a hobby-level quadcopter. Instead, it’s merely a toy. However, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have its place…

If you’re looking to give a “drone” to your child as a gift, then something like the Proto X might be your best option.

It’s small enough and cheap enough to where if the recipient of your gift crashed it—and they will most likely crash it—it won’t be too big of a deal.

But if you want to jump into the drone craze and really get something that will take you into “enthusiast” territory, this is not the drone for you.

Ultimately, at ~$30, the Proto X is a toy and not a viable option for anyone looking to get serious about flying quadcopters and drones.

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