Which drone should you buy in 2021?

Drones are everywhere. From your relative who brings theirs to every family event to your neighbor's drone that keeps accidentally flying into your backyard, you can't escape them. Luckily, 2021 is a great time to buy a drone yourself or upgrade to a newer, better one. And we're rounding up some of the best in today's digest. Keep reading to see which drones you should buy in 2021.

Which drone should you buy in 2021?
Best drones to buy—2021 guide

If you’re looking to buy a drone, there’s never been a better time. Today’s drones cover the basics and have advanced features, too. Since navigation, obstacle avoidance, and battery life have all improved over the years, you’ll get a good one no matter your price point. That being said, the best drone is one that meets your needs. So we rounded up several of our favorites to help you decide which drone you should buy in 2021.

Related: The new DJI Air 2S—is it worth a buy?

From a drone that’s ideal for professional photography and videos to one the whole family can use and enjoy, these are some of the best this year. Let’s take a look at them.

DJI FPV Combo Low Latency Digital System

If you want an immersive flying experience, go for the DJI FPV Combo Low Latency Digital System. You’ll feel like you’re flying thanks to the low-latency goggles, HD low-latency image transmission, and limitless flight control. Even with all those features, it’s pretty easy to fly. Also, you can expect breathtaking footage thanks to the 4K 60fps video and super-wide 150-degree FOV.

DJI FPV Combo low latency digital system in a video

DJI Air 2S Photography Drone

If you’re a creator and you’re wondering which drone you should buy in 2021, the DJI Air 2S Photography Drone ticks all the boxes. It helps you capture whatever, wherever with its 1-inch CMOS sensor, comprehensive functions, and compact body. You’ll get stunning detail, rich colors, and shots that stay on your subject.

DJI Air 2S photography drone
Which drone should you buy in 2021? DJI Air 2S photography drone flying

Autel Robotics Evo II Dual Thermal Drone

One of the best drones to use in the public safety sector is the Autel Robotics Evo II Dual Thermal Drone. It takes clear photos from up to 146 meters away and helps recognize people and objects in the smoke, fog, dark, and more. A high-resolution IR camera shows emergency services the detail they need.

Autel Robotics Evo II Dual thermal drone in a video

DJI Mini 2 Lightweight 4K Drone

For an excellent drone that’s easy to take anywhere, go for the DJI Mini 2 Lightweight 4K Drone. It’s a great choice if you’re on the fence about which drone you should buy in 2021. Weighing only as much as an apple, this compact drone is small but powerful and can resist winds between 29 and 38 kph. It also has a 31-minute battery life, letting you fly to your heart’s content.

Sony Airpeak Drone

For a truly impressive photography drone, look no further than the Sony Airpeak Drone. It can carry an entire Alpha camera system. Designed for video content creation and professional photography, this machine is a great drone to buy in 2021. It also supports the entire lineup of Sony’s mirrorless Alpha cameras, and AI keeps it steady in the sky.

Sony Airpeak Drone
Sony Airpeak drone on a black background

Autel EVO II Pro 6K Folding Drone

Another impressive option, if you’re wondering which drone to buy in 2021, is the Autel EVO II Pro 6K Folding Drone. It has 360 degrees of obstacle avoidance, so you won’t have to worry about it while it flies. And you’ll get impressive images since it can record up to one billion colors. It also takes incredible nighttime images thanks to its hyper-light feature for low-light conditions.

Autel EVO II Pro 6K folding drone
Which drone should you buy in 2021? Autel EVO II Pro 6K folding drone outdoors

Parrot ANAFI FPV Smartphone-Powered Drone

Capture the world as you fly above it with the Parrot ANAFI FPV Smartphone-Powered Drone. With the FPV, you can fly this drone using a virtual reality headset, so you’re right in the pilot’s seat. Best of all, you can fly this UAV for 26 minutes before you need to recharge. And, with its 4K HDR 21-mega pixel camera, you’ll get gorgeous still shots.

Parrot ANAFI FPV Smartphone-Powered Drone
Parrot ANAFI FPV smartphone-powered drone flying outside

Potensic Dreamer 4K Aerial Photo Drone

If you’re just starting out with drone photography and want to know which drone you should buy in 2021, consider the Potensic Dreamer 4K Aerial Photo Drone. It’s great for both beginners and intermediates with its safe and steady flying experience. You can count on the Sony CMOS sensor for amazing aerial photos.

PowerVision PowerEgg X Explorer AI Personal Camera

The PowerVision PowerEgg X Explorer AI Personal Camera is one smart drone. With facial and object recognition, it learns from you to know what to focus on. But this gadget isn’t only a drone, it’s also a personal camera you can use to capture important moments when in handheld mode. Finally, since it’s gesture-activated, you can signal what you want it to do in the air.

Skydio 2 Autonomous Drone

For an advanced drone, look no further than the Skydio 2 Autonomous Drone. The six color cameras have a 200-degree field of view, and they see nearly everything in any direction. This updated version offers longer-range Beacon tracking—up to 40 meters—compared to the previous version’s 10 meters.

We hope this list of some of the best drones of 2021 helps make your decision easier. As you can see, there’s a drone for pretty much any photography need or interest. Which one do you think you’ll go for? Let us know in the comment section.

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Lauren has been writing and editing since 2008. She loves working with text and helping writers find their voice. When she's not typing away at her computer, she cooks and travels with her husband and two daughters.
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