Best Drones for 2024 [CNET]

The right drone can capture amazing photos or videos you wouldn’t be able to capture without one. Make that footage high quality with the best drones on the market.

New to the world of modern drones? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a quick overview of what any beginner needs to know to find the best drones for their money.

The price of the drone is only the beginning

You’ll want a couple of extra batteries, some spare propellers, maybe some prop guards and perhaps a quick charger, so you’re not waiting hours to fly again. You’re more than likely going to crash, which could lead to repair costs, either for replacement parts or shipping it back to the manufacturer for repairs. (This is exactly why DJI offers crash insurance for new drones.)

Before you buy a drone, it’s worth spending a little time researching the price and availability of replacement parts, batteries and other accessories. Be cautious of third-party parts — especially batteries and chargers — which may be inferior to those made by the drone manufacturer.

Everyone will assume you’re invading their privacy

When you’re out flying in a public space, or even in your own backyard, anyone who sees you doing it will think you’re spying on them or someone else. You could be standing in the middle of a 20-acre field with no one in sight and your drone no more than 50 feet directly overhead and you might end up answering questions about being a peeping Tom. It’s happened to us. Repeatedly.

And along those same lines….

Everyone but you thinks they’re dangerous

It doesn’t matter if you’re the safest drone pilot around or if you could do more damage hitting someone with a baseball than a drone; onlookers may feel threatened. After all, nothing about plastic blades spinning at high speeds screams “safety.” 

US-based drone pilots may benefit from an Academy of Model Aeronautics membership. Along with a whole host of benefits including access to AMA-member flying sites, the $85 annual membership protects you with $2,500,000 of comprehensive general liability insurance as well as $25,000 in accident or medical coverage, $10,000 maximum accidental death coverage and $1,000 fire, theft and vandalism coverage. 

Finding places to fly can be a challenge

In population-dense places like cities and metropolitan areas, it can be difficult to find places to safely and legally fly. US national parks are off-limits. Regulations differ among state, county and municipal parks. Then there are the no-fly zones, which put many metropolitan areas out of bounds and are dangerous because of buildings, people and cars.

Before you buy a drone, you’ll want to download the FAA’s B4UFly app to check for no-fly zones. These don’t cover state or local ordinances, so you’ll need to do additional research on your chosen environs before you fly.

The EU and UK’s drone rules are based mostly on how heavy a drone weighs and no longer differentiate between people flying for fun, or people flying for professional purposes. Europeans among you with new drones should make sure to fully familiarize yourself with the drone regulations and ensure both you and your drones are registered before taking flight.

Any remote control aircraft except ‘toys’ need an FAA registration in the US

The US Federal Aviation Administration requires anyone who wants to fly an unmanned aerial vehicle that weighs between 0.55 pounds (250 grams) and 55 pounds (approximately 25 kilograms) for recreation or hobby to register with the agency. Civil penalties for not registering such an unmanned aircraft may include fines of up to $27,500. Criminal penalties may include fines up to $250,000, imprisonment for up to three years or both.

Most sub-$100 UAS drones fall under this weight. A kitchen or postal scale can be used to weigh your drone or you can check with the manufacturer. Also, this applies to both store-bought and homemade aircraft.

The registration cost is $5 and it can all be done online in a matter of minutes. You don’t have to register each aircraft you own — just yourself; you’ll be given a number to attach to what you’re flying. Essentially, it’s the FAA’s way of getting you to agree that you’ve read its safety guidelines including staying more than 5 miles away from airports and below 400 feet.

The UK has its own registration requirements. Owners of drones that weigh more than 250 grams must register as a drone operator, which costs £11 annually. Pilots of drones that weigh more than 250 grams must pass a free online education course every three years. Australia has drone registration requirements for those flying drones as part of their business (including professional photographers), but for now there are no official requirements for those using drones for sport or recreation.