Drones allow us to capture incredible footage of the surrounding nature, buildings, landscape, or tourist sights. It’s pretty easy to see why a quality drone would be a good addition to any vlog – your subscribers will get a glimpse of the beauty of your immediate surroundings, you can get creative and unique shots for your vlogs, and have the opportunity to film from various angles.
If you’re on the lookout for vlogging drones to spice up your vlog footage, you’ve come to the right place. Today, we will explore the best vlogging drones for 2020 and give you specific recommendations.
Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
- Quick Overview of the Best Vlogging Drones
- Autel Robotics Evo
- DJI Phantom 3 Standard Quadcopter Drone with 2.7K HD Video Camera
- DJI Mavic Air 2 – Drone Quadcopter UAV
- DJI Mavic Mini – Drone FlyCam Quadcopter UAV
- DJI Inspire 2
- DJI Mavic 2 Pro
- DJI Phantom 4 Pro Plus
- DJI Mavic 2 Zoom Drone
- How to Choose the Right Drone for You
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Quick Overview of the Best Vlogging Drones
Autel Robotics Evo
Easiest to Spot
Design
If you’re looking for a no-brainer drone option, consider the Autel Robotics Evo. It’s one of the best vlogging drones with a compact and crisp desgn, so it won’t be a bother while travelling. It’s foldable and lightweight, so it’s easy to carry around with you to various locations. The Autel Evo contains a 3.3 inch OLED screen which makes it easy to navigate and suitable for beginners. The colour scheme is quite interesting – it comes with a bright orange body coupled up with black arms.
Specifications
The flight time is around 30 minutes and there are plenty of features on the Autel Robotics Evo that make up for it. For instance, the 4K video resolution and 60fps shooting that result in mind-blowing videos and photos. There are many obstacle- avoiding systems that, along with the built-in screen on the controller, make flying a whole lot easier, especially if you’re a beginner. You also get various flying modes that will keep it interesting, like the intelligent flying mode or orbit mode.
Verdict
Anyone who is looking for an all-round drone that’s worth investing in should look no further than the Autel Robotics Evo. It’s easy to fly and control, and the video quality is superb.
Pros
- Unique design
- 4K resolution/ 60fps
- Portable and travel-friendly
- Easy to control
Cons
- Can be sensitive to magnetic interference
DJI Phantom 3 Standard Quadcopter Drone with 2.7K HD Video Camera
Best Drone for Beginners
Design
There are plenty of accessories that come in addition to the battery, such as a charger, a set of propellers, and a radio controller. It has 20mm wide-angle lens and GPS assisted flight features. The design is crisp with a white base and red stripes. The logo is located in the centre of the drone. With its lightweight design of 2.7 pounds and 23 inches, it’s perfectly easy to carry around with you.
Specifications
This is a great option for beginners who haven’t had much experience with drones. It comes with specific safety features that will be of help to anyone who hasn’t operated a drone before. You’ll be able to view live footage up to half a mile away on your tablet or phone with three camera perspectives: Point of Interest, Follow Me, or Waypoints models. As far as image quality is concerned, it has 2.7K HD resolution. The DJI Phantom 3 is able to fly up to 25 minutes with the included battery.
Verdict
Overall, it’s the perfect choice for beginners who are on a tight budget. It’s both easy to navigate and carry around, which certainly makes things a lot easier. On top of that, it offers 2.7K HD resolution, built-in GPS, and specific safety features.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Beginner-friendly
- Automated takeoff/landing
- 2.7K HD
Cons
- The battery can take a little longer to recharge compared to other models
DJI Mavic Air 2 – Drone Quadcopter UAV
Best Drone Overall
Design
If you’re not on a tight budget, the DJI Mavic Air 2 drone is an outstanding choice for anyone who has experience in flying a drone. An improved range of motion is introduced thanks to a new controller that includes Ocusync 2.0. The Air 2 sinks into tiny dimensions when it’s folded (180 x 97 x 84 mm) and it weighs around 1.2 pounds, making it lightweight and easy to fly and carry around with you everywhere you go.
Specifications
The Air 2 is a new and improved version from its precursors, resulting in better image quality, range, and air time. You will be able to fly within a whopping 10 km range with a flight speed of 42mph. It contains two cameras that capture 48 MP photos with 4K quality. The flight time is 34 minutes which is a vast improvement. The Air 2 has the option of obstacle sensing from three directions, which makes it suitable for beginners as well. It comes with low-noise propellers, a flight battery, a remote controller, a control stick, battery charger, and various types of cables, all for the price of $800.
Verdict
The Air 2 is one of the best drone options out there. With its 4K video quality, easy navigation, and amazing battery life, it should be a no-brainer for anyone who has the budget for it.
Pros
- Incredible 4K quality
- Great battery life and fly time
- 10 km range
Cons
- You have to be careful with tall grassy areas when taking off due to the possibility of creating difficulties in the flight
DJI Mavic Mini – Drone FlyCam Quadcopter UAV
Best Compact Drone
Design
If you’re someone who likes to simplify your everyday life, then you’ll definitely enjoy the Mavic Mini. With a compact design and a weight of 0.5 pounds, it’s just as easy to use and carry around as your smartphone. It comes with propellers, a microSD card, and a battery. The card slot is located on the rear, so it’s easy to access, while the 3-axis stabilizing gimbal is on the front. It comes in white colour with a minimalistic design.
Specifications
The Mavic Mini allows you to take 12MP aerial photos and capture 2.7K HD quality footage, resulting in perfectly smooth, detailed, and clear footage. You will get 30 minutes of air time and access to QuickShots. The range of motion is 4 km. One of the best things about the Mavic Mini is the option to connect to the DJ Fly app which is bound to make your experience a lot easier and simpler. You will be able to modify and personalize your footage and share it via social media.
Verdict
For any beginner out there, or an experienced drone flyer who wants to simplify their gadgets, the Mavic Mini is an ideal option. It delivers in terms of quality and performance, all the while keeping the price affordable.
Pros
- Since it’s so lightweight, you won’t have to register it in some countries
- Compact design
- Longer air time
- Easy to carry around
Cons
- Limited distance if your GPS is having issues
DJI Inspire 2
Best Drone for Quality Shots
Design
The DJI Inspire 2 is aimed at people who don’t mind big and hefty drones. It weighs around 7.58 pounds, while its dimensions vary depending on which stage of flying you’re at. It comes with two cameras, two battery packs, four batteries, a charger, and a case.
Specifications
One of the best features of the Inspire 2 is the 5.2K 30fps camera that gives you breathtaking shots. The flight duration is between 25 and 27 minutes and its optical-protection system is excellent – it can detect obstacles from up to 30 meters which is an extremely useful feature. It’s speedy and easy to stabilize. The maximum range is 7 km, and the maximum speed is 94 kph. Overall, it’s safe to say that its performance is incredible.
Verdict
If you have the budget, definitely consider purchasing the DJ Inspire 2. Investing in it will result in stunning shots, and at the same time, you will find it easy to navigate. What more could you ask for?
Pros
- Incredible image quality of 5.2K
- Obstacle detecting from up to 30 meters
- Easy to navigate and fly
- It comes with many accessories
Cons
- It can be expensive for some
- Heavier weight than others
DJI Mavic 2 Pro
Best for Professional Vloggers
Design
The DJI Mavic 2 Pro is one of the best looking drones out there, while remaining compact and travel-friendly. It comes with a phone holder located at the bottom of the controller, a 3-axis gimbal, 8GB of internal storage, 3x propellers, cables, a remote controller, and a battery charger, all for the price of $1,600.
Specifications
There are plenty of amazing features that come with the DJI Mavic 2 Pro. The omnidirectional obstacle sensing and other safety features make it a breeze to fly, even for beginners. If you’d like, you can also use the option of ‘intelligent flight’, along with many other shooting options like quickshot and burst mode. You’ll be able to fly it up to 31 minutes in the air with a video quality of up to 4K.
Verdict
The DJI Mavic 2 Pro is popular for a reason – it captures incredible shots with multiple shooting options, all the while being easy to navigate. If you’d like to invest in a drone, it’s definitely a killer option.
Pros
- 4K video quality
- Easy navigation
- Safety features
Cons
- It’s a bit pricier than the other options
DJI Phantom 4 Pro Plus
Best Drone to Invest In
Design
If you have the budget for it, the DJI Phantom 4 Pro Plus is a great vlogging drone that will last you a long time. It comes in a white colour, with a crisp and minimalistic design, weighing around 11 pounds. It costs slightly less than the DJI Phantom 4 Pro, at around $2,050. The Pro Plus also comes with a remote with a built-in screen that makes the drone easier to fly. There is a micro SD card slot for anyone who wants extra space.
Specifications
The image quality is certainly improved from its previous versions – now the camera has a 1-inch 20MP sensor and five-directional obstacle sensing which makes it easy for beginners to use. Due to the 4K video quality and the higher frame rate of 60fps, the shots come out crispy clear and rather detailed, and the captured colours are very vibrant. With the Phantom 4 Pro Plus, you get around 30 minutes of flying time.
Verdict
Overall, if you have the budget for it, the DJI Phantom Pro Plus is definitely worth going for. As a result, you will get brilliant, filmmaking-worthy shots at an incredible quality. Not to mention, the drone is easy to navigate, which makes it suitable for beginners.
Pros
- 4K resolution with 60fps
- Easy to use
- Five-directional obstacle sensing
- Great design
Cons
- There isn’t a slot for a SIM card
DJI Mavic 2 Zoom Drone
Best for Travelling
Design
The Mavic 2 Zoom has a lightweight and foldable design that’s perfect to carry around with you while travelling. If you’re a travel vlogger, then it’s a great option to invest in. As the name suggests, it comes with 2x optical zoom lens and a 12 MP sensor. There is 8GB of internal storage, a 3-axis gimbal, and an SD card. The takeoff weight is around 2 pounds, which is a vast improvement. With the bundle kit, you’ll also get extra batteries, adapters, and a shoulder bag.
Specifications
With the Mavic 2 Zoom, you get to choose between a couple of shooting options like hyperlapse or super resolution which can spice up your vlogs. The flight time is 31 minutes, and the resolution is 4K. It’s pretty easy to navigate due to the plethora of safety features like collision avoidance and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.
Verdict
For anyone who would like to own a drone that captures breathtaking footage while remaining travel-friendly, the Mavic 2 Zoom is the perfect choice to go for.
Pros
- Travel-friendly
- Straightforward navigation
- Great quality
Cons
- Some flight modes are excluded from this version
How to Choose the Right Drone for You
It’s not every day that you get to purchase a drone, so you have to make sure you get it right. Here are some tips that will help you choose the right drone for you.
Do your research. By reading this article, you’re already doing this step, but we have to reiterate the importance of doing your research before deciding on a large purchase such as a drone. Become acquainted with all the features and intricacies of drones while you’re doing your research and think about what you’d like to get out of them.
Keep in mind your YouTube niche. Different types of channels go well with different types of drones, so definitely keep your vlogging genre in mind when buying a vlogging drone. For instance, lifestyle and travel vloggers will get the most bang out for their buck if they decide to invest in a drone with a high range and long fly time. This will allow you to capture all the unique and picturesque shots that you can use in your vlogs without the cost of cutting down your fly time or being limited in the flying range.
Consider your budget. If you don’t have a lot of money to spend on a drone at the beginning of your YouTube journey, then maybe it’d be a good idea to save up and come up with other creative ways to inject scenic footage in your videos instead of rushing it and purchasing a drone that’s not high-quality. Or go for some of the more budget-friendly vlogging drones on our list.
Are you a beginner? If you’ve never flown a drone before, then it might not be a good idea to invest in a pricey one with tons of features right off the bat. Instead, opt for some that are more beginner-friendly vlogging drones.
What kind of features do you want? Drones come with various features, so think about the specific features you’re looking for and don’t stop until you find a drone that has those features. Consider the fly time of your desired drone, which is the maximum amount of time you can spend flying it in the air – this will help you plan out your flying sessions and locations better. Another feature to consider is the range of the drone you’re eyeing – if it doesn’t come high enough, you won’t get the desired footage you want. Many drones go up to three miles, so definitely keep this in mind on your next vlogging drone shopping spree.
Conclusion
We hope you found our drone recommendations for vlogging helpful! Whether you’re a beginner, on a tight budget, or someone who prefers a straightforward design, you will find a drone that suits your needs.
Which drone from the list will you be trying out? Let us know!
FAQs
What Drone Do YouTubers Use?
YouTubers use various kinds of vlogging drones, and some even get sent drones for free in order to test them out.
We can’t know exactly what vlogging drones YouTubers use since some of them don’t disclose that information. However, Casey Neistat, one of the most popular daily vloggers, has been seen in some of his vlogs using the DJI Mavic Pro vlogging drone, while FunForLouis, a famous travel vlogger, uses the DJI Phantom 4 vlogging drone.
How Much Does a Drone Cost?
Drones vary in terms of cost – most vlogging drones cost between $300 and $1,500. Some come with additional accessories which bump up the price more. You can find a decent drone for the price of around $300. More advanced vloggers might want to try out drones with additional features (including safety features) that come at around $800. If you have the money to splurge, you can easily find a fancier one that costs anywhere from $1,000 to $1,500.
Are Drones Worth the Money?
Whether purchasing a drone is a worthwhile investment depends on the extent to which you plan to use it in the first place as well as the type of vlogging you do. If you’re a food vlogger, it wouldn’t make much sense to invest in a pricey drone since you’re not that likely to use it. On the other hand, if you’re a travel vlogger, having a drone will give you a better range of motion, and thus more stunning shots that will make your vlogs more visually appealing.
Table – price, fly time, video quality
| Product | Resolution | Price | Fly time |
| Autel Robotics Evo | 4K | $1,050 | 30 minutes |
| DJI Phantom 3 | 2.7K | $650 | 25 minutes |
| DJI Mavic Air 2 | 4K | $800 | 34 minutes |
| DJI Mavic Mini | 2.7K | $400 | 30 minutes |
| DJI Inspire 2 | 5.2K | $2,900 | 27 minutes |
| DJI Mavic 2 Pro | 4K | $1,700 | 31 minutes |
| DJI Phantom 4 Pro Plus | 4K | $2,050 | 30 minutes |
| DJI Mavic 2 Zoom | 4K | $1,280 | 31 minutes |
Last update on 2024-11-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. Our editors may earn a small commission if products are purchased via our external partner links.
