Which drone should you buy in 2018?

Drones come in many shapes and sizes, ranging from pocket flyers to commercial hexacopters. This drone buying guide should help you find your perfect match — whether you want to race or capture crisp aerial footage.

Which drone should you buy in 2018?
drone buying guide 02

Which drone is right for you?

Sometimes, people ask us for advice on what to buy. They will often say something like: “What is the best drone I can buy?” This is not an unreasonable query — we are the experts, after all. But drones are not all made for the same purpose. Some are designed for racing speed, while others carry cameras on rock-steady gimbals. Consequently, a better question would be: “Which drone best suits my needs?”

To help you answer this qualified question, we have put together our very own drone buying guide.

drone buying guide 010

The complete package

What drone should I buy?

The first step in buying a drone is to think about how you plan to use your RC aircraft. Drones largely fall into three categories: racers, tricksters, and filmmakers.

Start by asking yourself the following questions:

  • Do I want a drone that can put on a stunt show?
  • Will I ever want to try drone racing?
  • Am I likely to use my drone for taking photos and videos?

[tweet_box]This guide should help you find the right drone — whether you want to race or capture crisp aerial footage.[/tweet_box]

drone buying guide 01

Takeoff time

Specific features

Once you have identified the purpose of your drone, it’s time to dig into the technical details. No, don’t walk away! Actually, there are only a few specs you need to look out for.

  • Range: this number tells you how far away from the controller your drone can fly.
  • Flying time: tells you how long your drone can spend in the air without a battery change.
  • Top speed: obviously worth checking out if you plan to race.
  • GPS: this feature allows your drone to fly back to base if it loses signal.
  • Stabilization: helps you keep your drone steady in tight spaces.

The other main factor is price. Drones range from $50 to thousands of dollars. To some degree you get what you pay for, although not always. However, beginner pilots would be well advised to learn on an affordable drone, just in case of any mishaps.

With these considerations in mind, let’s have a look at some of the options.

drone buying guide 08

Skeye Nano drone

What is the best stunt drone?

If you just want to impress your friends with aerial trickery, it’s not necessary to break the bank. Mini drones, such as the Skeye Nano ($74), are both fun and challenging to fly. This tiny flyer can pull 360º flips and figure-eights around the office.

drone buying guide 06

The gesture-controlled KD Aura

The KD Aura ($59.99) offers an interesting alternative. You control this drone with hand gestures — it feels more like training a dog than flying a quadcopter.

drone buying guide 09

The speedy Teal drone

Which drone should I buy for racing?

In terms of flat-out speed, the Teal drone ($1319) is pretty hard to beat. This remarkable quadcopter can fly at up to 70 mph, with acceleration of 0–60 mph in just 1.1 seconds. It also has a 4K camera on board and a flying time of around 20 minutes.

drone buying guide 07

The Nimbus 195 is made from carbon fiber

However, racing usually involves turns. Thanks to a carbon fiber body, the Nimbus 195 ($160) offers better maneuverability and durability. It’s also 1/10th of the price!

drone buying guide 04

DJI’s Mavic Pro

Which is the best camera drone?

Among professional photographers, the DJI Mavic Pro ($999) is by far the most popular camera drone. This drone offers 30 minutes of flying time and 4K video. But the best feature is the folding design; once you have finished flying, the Mavic Pro fits in your backpack.

drone buying guide 03

The DJI Inspire 2

Unlimited budget? Then you might want to consider the DJI Inspire 2 ($2999.99). It’s big and heavy, but this flying camera rig takes shots that Steven Spielberg would be proud of.

Flying high

Hopefully, our guide has cleared up some of the mystery surrounding RC flyers. If you already have a drone, we would love to hear your feedback. How does it fly? Was it worth the money? And if you’re yet to buy, what drone has caught your eye? Tell us in the comments!

The Gadget Flow Daily Digest highlights and explores the latest in tech trends to keep you informed. Want it straight to your inbox? Subscribe ➜

Mark is best known for writing about apps, but he also loves the tactile, hardware side of technology. Being a professional photographer, he's pretty handy with a camera, and he's a self-confessed tweetaholic.
Join the Discussion

You Might Also Like

Flashlightgo EDC flashlights: They shine light on your outdoor adventures

Flashlightgo EDC flashlights: They shine light on your outdoor adventures

I’ve got adventurers in my family. So when the holidays roll around or their birthdays are near, I know exactly what to buy: EDC gadgets. A palm-size, lightweight design characterizes EDC products, so they’re ideal for my favorite boaters and..
Apple Wonderlust: The new iPhone 15 Pro with USB-C, Apple Watch Series 9, and more

Apple Wonderlust: The new iPhone 15 Pro with USB-C, Apple Watch Series 9, and more

We’re following the Apple September event. Everyone who follows Apple know that this one’s all about the—you did not hear it!—new iPhone 15. The event began at the Apple Park with Tim Cook and showed us glamorous Apple Watch upgrade..
Everdure KILN R Series review: An outdoor pizza oven for home that has a rotating table

Everdure KILN R Series review: An outdoor pizza oven for home that has a rotating table

Elevate your home pizza nights with the Everdure KILN R Series. This pizza oven for your backyard cooks pizza in 2 minutes. Plus, it has a rotating table, giving you an evenly-cooked pie, every time. Anyone who loves pizza knows..
Vitaloop review: This filtration water bottle purifies water from nearly any source

Vitaloop review: This filtration water bottle purifies water from nearly any source

Want to drink fresh, safe water while you hike? Maybe you’re not sure about the water quality at your school or office. Well, that’s where the Vitaloop can help. This filtration water bottle cleans water from pretty much any source...
Withings ScanWatch Light & ScanWatch 2 health smartwatches are like personal health assistants

Withings ScanWatch Light & ScanWatch 2 health smartwatches are like personal health assistants

Withings ScanWatch Light and ScanWatch 2 are both health-focused smartwatches equipped with features for tracking movement, heart rate, and menstrual cycles. Plus, they boast an impressive 30-day battery life. Smartwatches offer a wide range of features and functions that make..
Lenovo Legion Go gaming handheld levels up gaming with its portable controllers

Lenovo Legion Go gaming handheld levels up gaming with its portable controllers

Powered by the AMD Ryzen Z1 Series processor, Legion Go is Lenovo’s first Windows 11 gaming handheld device. It creates an immersive experience for its gamers. The IFA 2023 event has brought us a delightful surprise in the form of..