January 2025
Video Drones: MetaRanking
This page highlights the aggregate summary of video drones rankings posted by key online experts, as of January 2025.
Summary
On 10 Jan 2025, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 77 video drone endorsements from 10 reputable publishers.
30 video drones were endorsed in total, only 18 made it into this month's ranking. (ReviewFinder requires a minimum of 2 endorsements to be included)
As of 10 Jan 2025, DJI Mini 4 Pro takes the cake as the most critically-acclaimed video drone with 7 expert endorsements. 4 experts out of 7 recommended it as the '#1 video drone' this month.
Brand breakdown
-
DJI: 15 video drones
(#1 is DJI Mini 4 Pro)
-
Autel Drones: 2 video drones
(#1 is Autel Evo Lite Plus)
-
HoverAir: 1 video drones
(#1 is HoverAir X1)
-
Ryze Robotics: 1 video drones
(#1 is Dji Ryze Tello)
-
Velcase: 1 video drones
(#1 is Velcase 360° Flip)
Price breakdown
At a glance - January Ranking
| Rank | Change | Price | Video Drone |
CNET
|
T3
|
Digital Camera World
|
BestReviews
|
WIRED
|
PCMag
|
Man of Many
|
Wirecutter
|
TechRadar
|
Tom's Guide
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
- | $1499 |
DJI Mini 4 Pro
The DJI Mini 4 Pro is a compact drone that offers exceptional camera quality, impressive video capabilities, a long flight time, a reliable signal connection, effective obstacle avoidance, and excellent portability, making it a recommended choice for those looking for a compact drone with advanced features.
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
4
|
1
|
2
|
-
|
1
|
2
|
|
2
|
- | $2199 |
DJI Mavic 3 Pro
The DJI Mavic 3 Pro is a highly praised drone that offers excellent camera quality, impressive video capabilities, extended flight time, strong range and signal strength, advanced obstacle avoidance, and portability, making it a powerful and versatile tool for professional photography and videography.
|
-
|
5
|
5
|
3
|
5
|
3
|
-
|
2
|
3
|
-
|
|
3
|
- | $1040 |
DJI Air 3
The DJI Air 3 is a highly regarded drone that offers exceptional camera quality, video capabilities, flight time, range and signal strength, obstacle avoidance, and portability, making it suitable for professional photographers and videographers.
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
1
|
2
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
|
4
|
+7 | Check price |
DJI Air 3S
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
4
|
1
|
|
5
|
-1 | Check price |
Autel Evo Lite Plus
The Autel Evo Lite Plus is a highly praised drone that offers impressive camera quality, video capabilities, flight time, range and signal strength, obstacle avoidance, and portability, making it suitable for professional-grade aerial photography and videography, as well as for travel and outdoor activities.
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
6
|
5
|
-
|
5
|
5
|
-
|
|
6
|
+1 | $1199 |
DJI Avata 2
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
5
|
4
|
8
|
-
|
|
7
|
+3 | $1799 |
DJI Mavic 3 Classic
The DJI Mavic 3 Classic is a highly praised drone that offers excellent camera quality, impressive video capabilities, a long flight time, advanced obstacle avoidance, and portability, making it a top choice for professional videographers and photographers.
|
-
|
2
|
10
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
|
8
|
-3 | $320 |
DJI Mini 2 SE
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
|
9
|
-3 | $419 |
DJI Mini 3
The DJI Mini 3 is a compact and lightweight drone with excellent camera quality and advanced stabilization features, making it ideal for adventurers and travelers who want to capture stunning aerial footage on the go.
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
4
|
|
10
|
+3 | $199 |
DJI Neo
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
4
|
-
|
11
|
5
|
|
11
|
-3 | Check price |
Autel Evo Nano Plus
The Autel Evo Nano Plus is a highly praised drone that offers a high-quality camera experience, impressive video capabilities, reliable flight performance, comprehensive obstacle avoidance, and excellent portability.
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
9
|
|
12
|
-3 | $399 |
HoverAir X1
|
-
|
3
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
|
14
|
+2 | $1949 |
DJI Mavic 3
The DJI Mavic 3 is a highly praised drone that offers exceptional camera quality, impressive video capabilities, an extended flight time, strong range and signal strength, effective obstacle avoidance, and excellent portability, making it suitable for a wide range of professional applications.
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
|
15
|
+2 | Check price |
Dji Avata
The DJI Avata drone is highly praised for its camera quality, video capabilities, and portability, making it a top choice for professional photographers and videographers.
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
|
16
|
+2 | Check price |
DJI Mini 2
The DJI Mini 2 is a highly recommended drone for capturing high-quality photos and videos, offering impressive camera quality, stable footage, long transmission range, and a compact and portable design.
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
17
|
+2 | $1313 |
DJI FPV
The DJI FPV drone is highly praised for its camera quality, video capabilities, flight time, range and signal strength, obstacle avoidance, and portability, making it a versatile and powerful tool for capturing stunning aerial footage.
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
|
18
|
+2 | $884 |
DJI Air 2S
The DJI Air 2S is a highly recommended drone for its exceptional camera quality, impressive video capabilities, reliable flight performance, and convenient portability.
|
6
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
19
|
-7 | Check price |
Dji Ryze Tello
The DJI Ryze Tello is a beginner-friendly drone with good camera quality and portability, making it suitable for casual photography and videography, but may not meet the needs of professional or advanced users.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
We ranked DJI Mini 4 Pro #1 in January 2025 because:
- 7 independent experts mentioned it in their “best video drones” rankings.
- Out of those, 4 experts ranked DJI Mini 4 Pro as #1.
T3
Best drone overall
|
Ideal consumer drone
Exceptional camera
Superb performer
Brilliant feature set
Under 250g in weight
|
Not the cheapest mini drone you can buy
|
Digital Camera World
A full set of pro functions in an ultra-light drone / Editor's Choice
|
All-round collision sensors
Good quality AI for orbiting etc.
Camera switches to optical portrait mode
4K 60fps shooting capability
Up to 200fps slow-mo
|
Light drones subject to gusts
Priced to match Pro drones too
Fly More kit doesn’t include filters
|
PCMag
Best Overall / Editor's Choice
|
Small, portable design
249g takeoff weight sidesteps registration requirements
4K60 video in SDR, HDR, or D-Log M
Supports vertical video and upward camera tilt
Two remote control options
|
Doesn't include AirSense transponder
Extended battery option puts it above registration weight limit
|
TechRadar
The best compact drone for most people
|
Improved video features
Omnidirectional Vision Sensing
Lightweight but powerful
|
Not a major upgrade
Camera has a fixed aperture
|
Tom's Guide
A tiny drone with the best video transmission feed
|
Much better low light performance
Smoother video transmission feed
Vertical video mode
|
Most expensive in the Mini series
|
We ranked DJI Mavic 3 Pro #2 in January 2025 because:
- 7 independent experts mentioned it in their “best video drones” rankings.
T3
Best premium drone
|
Amazing triple lens camera system
Exceptional video possibilities
Stunning photos
Supreme flyer
Exceptional remote controller
|
OTT for most users
Not cheap
|
Digital Camera World
The most powerful folding drone money (and plenty of it) can buy
|
Triple camera system for zoom and wide
Main camera has a 4/34ds sensor
Excellent 60fps live video feedback
|
Average looking telephoto
ProRes video recorded onto unswappable memory
|
BestReviews
Best for First-Person Flight
|
With a 5K camera tha can record up to 200 frames per second in 1080p quality. the Mavic 3 Pro excels at video recording and aerial photography, First-person mode works seamlessly with controller's built-in screen.
|
The price tag and fast flying speed make this a challenging drone for beginners.
|
PCMag
Best Drone for Pro Video and Cinema
|
Stabilized, triple-camera array
Wide-angle Four Thirds camera with Hasselblad color
Midrange 3x lens shows excellent picture quality
Up to 5.1K30 or 4K120 video
All-around obstacle sensors
Includes a companion app and a remote with a built-in screen
|
Base model has just 8GB of onboard storage
Falls shy of promised 43-minute flight time
Only the pricey Cine model supports ProRes
|
TechRadar
The best drone camera system – a trio of lenses
|
Superb Four Thirds camera
Triple-camera system
Adjustable aperture
|
Pricier than rivals
Some missing features at launch
|
Methodology: combine opinions of key experts
Identify Experts
We identify key publishers and experts that consistently review and recommend video drones.
Capture Rankings
For each publisher we find a currently recommended "top 10" list of video drones, it must be updated in the last 9 months.
Aggregate Rankings
We put all those lists together and aggregate them. The more frequently a product is recommended, the higher it is in our ranking
Experts chosen for January 2025 ranking
CNET
T3
Digital Camera World
BestReviews
WIRED
PCMag
Man of Many
Wirecutter
TechRadar
Tom's Guide
We ranked DJI Air 3 #3 in January 2025 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best video drones” rankings.
- Out of those, 2 experts ranked DJI Air 3 as #1.
Digital Camera World
Dual camera drone for switchable zoom makes this hard to beat
|
Dual-cameras offer creative choice
All-round collision sensors for safety
4K 100fps slow motion
Long-range and long battery life
|
HLG and D-Log M 4:2:0 best output
Smaller sensor than Air 2S
|
PCMag
Best Obstacle Avoidance System
|
Wide-angle and mid-telephoto camera stack
Sharp 4K footage with standard, flat, or HDR color profiles
Gimbal-stabilized cameras with 60-degree upward tilt
All-around obstacle avoidance
Hyperlapse, slow-motion, and waypoint flight features
Long battery life
|
Fixed-aperture lenses
Requires FAA registration
Meager 8GB of internal storage
|
We ranked DJI Air 3S #4 in January 2025 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best video drones” rankings.
- Out of those, 2 experts ranked DJI Air 3S as #1.
TechRadar
The best all-round drone for aerial photographers
|
Dual cameras
Excellent wind resistance
Generous flight times
|
C1 European weight rating
Fixed aperture lenses
Large protruding camera
|
Tom's Guide
The best drone overall
|
Easy to fly
Smooth 4K/60fps video
Detailed stills thanks to two cameras
Great low-light video
Vertical shooting available
Long flight time
|
Not very different from Air 3
FAA registration required
|
We ranked Autel Evo Lite Plus #5 in January 2025 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best video drones” rankings.
Digital Camera World
Folding mid-weight drone with 5.4K video and adjustable aperture
|
5.4K
Adjustable aperture
Night mode
|
Props can get in shot when flying fast
Plasticky controller
Subject tracking could be better
|
PCMag
Best Drone for Photography
|
Stabilized 6K30 and 4K60 video
20MP stills in Raw DNG or JPG
1-inch camera with variable aperture
Beefy battery for up to 40 minutes of flight
Three-way obstacle sensors
Automated camera moves and Hyperlapse
GPS and automated return-to-home
|
Color video profile isn't configurable
8-bit flat video profile
Screenless remote is a step backward from previous generation
Doesn't support autonomous navigation around obstructions
|
TechRadar
The best rival to the DJI Air 3S
|
1-inch sensor with adjustable aperture
40-minute flight time
|
Costs more than Air 2S
No D-Log profile
|
We ranked DJI Avata 2 #6 in January 2025 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best video drones” rankings.
T3
Best drone for cinematic shots
|
Amazing flight characteristics
Easy-to-use flight control
Immersive experience
Robust design
Front and rear obstacle-sensing
|
Manual mode is extremely difficult
Manual mode requires a different controller
|
TechRadar
The best FPV drone
|
Incredible image quality
Solid flight times
Easy and stable to fly
|
Awkward manual handling
Imperfect controller ergonomics
|
We ranked DJI Mavic 3 Classic #7 in January 2025 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best video drones” rankings.
T3
Best drone for high-res video
|
Impeccable flight characteristics
Shoots incredible 5.1K footage
And 20MP stills in RAW or JPEG
Four-way obstacle avoidance
Wide range of autonomous flight settings
|
Still quite pricey by consumer drone standards
No zoom camera
|
Digital Camera World
Get a Mavic 3 for less (if you can do without the zoom)
|
Camera has 4/34ds sensor
Excellent 60fps live video feedback
5.1K video
Stand-out battery life
ARPS 5.0 subject tracking
|
Misses out on the hybrid camera zoom
5.1K maxes out at 50fps
|
Tom's Guide
Best camera drone
|
Amazing camera quality
Long flight time
Great obstacle avoidance
|
Lacks 28x zoom of Mavic 3
|
We ranked DJI Mini 2 SE #8 in January 2025 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best video drones” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked DJI Mini 2 SE as #1.
Digital Camera World
Finally, DJI's low-cost drone has no significant compromises
|
Side-steps registration fees
GPS and Altitude Hold
Shoots RAW as well as JPEG stills
Some subject-tracking features
|
Camera could have better dynamic range
No forward collision sensors
Lacks ability to program waypoints
|
BestReviews
Best of the Best
|
It weighs less than 249 grams, so it doesn't need to be registered with the FAA to be flown legally. It can fly for up to 31 minutes and has a maximum transmission range of 6.2 miles, plus it can fly in wing speeds up to 23.6 miles per hour.
|
Some had issues with the return home feature failing to properly return the drone.
|
TechRadar
The best budget drone if you don’t need obstacle avoidance
|
Decent 4K video image quality
Excellent value
|
Lacks collision avoidance
No Follow Me tracking
|
We ranked DJI Mini 3 #9 in January 2025 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best video drones” rankings.
Digital Camera World
A great choice for the beginner and often often found cheaply
|
Very portable
Registration-free in USA, China, and more
Easy-to-fly
Raw photos
|
Limited tracking features
Feature enthusiasts should go for the Mini 4 Pro
No collision sensors
|
PCMag
Best Budget Drone
|
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
|
Tom's Guide
Vertical video for less
|
Can shoot vertical video
Extremely long flight time
Easy to fly
Light and agile
|
Fewer obstacle avoidance sensors than Mini 3 Pro
Light weight makes is susceptible to wind gusts
|
We ranked DJI Neo #10 in January 2025 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best video drones” rankings.
PCMag
Best Selfie Drone
|
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
|
TechRadar
The best DJI drone for quick selfies
|
Super quick easy to get airborne
Super cheap
|
Level 4 wind resistance only
Cost of extras quickly adds up
|
Tom's Guide
The best cheap drone
|
Easy to fly and control
Compact and lightweight
Gorgeous 4K footage
User-friendly app
Multiple fun shooting modes
|
Susceptible to gusts of wind
No obstacle avoidance
Short flight time
|
We ranked Autel Evo Nano Plus #11 in January 2025 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best video drones” rankings.
T3
Best DJI-alternative premium drone
|
Large 0.8-inch CMOS sensor
Excellent for low light shooting
Stunning 4K video and 50MP stills
Three-way obstacle avoidance
|
Doesn't deal with high winds well
|
PCMag
Best 249g Drone Without Geofence
|
4K30 video with gimbal stabilization
Camera supports 12MP and 50MP photos
Automated quick shots and Hyperlapse
Up to 28 minutes of flight time
Three-way obstacle sensors
GPS with return-to-home functionality
|
Raw photos are tricky to process
Overprocessed look to video
Log profile is only 8-bit
|
TechRadar
The best DJI Mini 3 alternative
|
Big sensor and bright lens
Collision detection
Stunning video and stills
|
Fragile
Still missing subject-tracking
|
Tom's Guide
The best camera drone not made by DJI
|
Comes in multiple colors
Small and light
Good video and photo quality
|
More expensive than DJI Mini 3 Pro
|
We ranked HoverAir X1 #12 in January 2025 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best video drones” rankings.
T3
Best drone for selfies
|
Perfect for personal use
Excellent 2.7K camera
Image stabilisation
Wide rage of automatic flight modes
No controller required
Pocket sized
|
Not especially cheap
|
Digital Camera World
A drone that can follow you and take video without any help
|
Rotors inside a safety cage
Brilliant folding design
Automatically follow you and records
|
Needs a phone for first use
Not ideal for younger kids because
|
Tom's Guide
Doesn't require a lot of flying experience
|
Ultra lightweight and compact
Doesn't require controls
Good subject tracking
Durable
|
Expensive for its size
Very sensitive to wind
|
We ranked DJI Mavic 3 #13 in January 2025 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best video drones” rankings.
CNET
Best drone for serious photographers
|
Superb image quality, superb flight times, relatively compact size
|
Higher price puts it out of reach for many
|
TechRadar
The best value camera drone for enthusiasts
|
Excellent Hasselblad sensor
Impressive safety features
|
Still an expensive option
Flight time shorter than claimed
|
We ranked Dji Avata #14 in January 2025 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best video drones” rankings.
CNET
Best FPV drone for exhilarating first-person flying
|
Easy to fly with the motion controller, exhilarating flight experience, smaller and safer design
|
FPV flying can cause nausea, extra flight restrictions depending on location
|
Tom's Guide
Best small FPV drone
|
Fast
Easy to fly
Everything included
|
Goggles somewhat uncomfortable
Short flight time compared to other DJI drones
Requires extra controller for manual mode
|
We ranked DJI Mini 2 #15 in January 2025 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best video drones” rankings.
CNET
Best beginner drone
|
Pocket-friendly size, easy to fly, relatively affordable price
|
Better camera quality on other models
|
We ranked DJI FPV #16 in January 2025 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best video drones” rankings.
Tom's Guide
Best drone for aspiring racers
|
Very fast
Easy to fly (at the beginner level)
Three skill levels
Great FPV goggles
|
Shorter flight time than other DJI drones
|
We ranked DJI Air 2S #17 in January 2025 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best video drones” rankings.
CNET
Best all-round drone
|
Great image quality, long flight times, helpful automated flying modes
|
No ability to shoot video or photos in portrait orientation
|
T3
Best mid-range drone
|
Sensational camera and shoots in 5.4K
Four-sided obstacle avoidance
Lightweight and compact
Quiet to fly
|
Fiddly licensing required
|
We ranked Dji Ryze Tello #18 in January 2025 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best video drones” rankings.
TechRadar
The best cheap drone for novices
|
Responsive flight controls
Lightweight and compact
|
Choppy video transmission
Unstable in wind
|