You plan to fly in built-up areas: Because it weighs more than 250g, the Lite+ is subject to more restrictions on where you can fly it. You don’t get the 1TB SSD or Apple ProRes recording of the Cine edition, but we think its ability to capture 5.1K video in Normal, HLG and 10-bit profiles will be plenty for most videographers. And thanks to the larger sensor, noise handling is fantastic across the full ISO range.

With a lightweight build and pro-grade features, the DJI Mini 3 Pro was already our favorite drone. The Mini 4 Pro builds on its qualities to deliver an even better experience, albeit not a radically different one. If you already own a Mini 3 Pro, it probably doesn’t justify an upgrade. But if you’re switching from a different model or buying your first Mini series drone, it’s an excellent choice.

When you’re ready for more advanced motions, it has an eversion function that lets you perform 360-degree flips! And, so you can fly it day and night, it has some brilliant, built-in LED lights. If you’re looking to explore the increasingly popular niche of first-person drone flight, we think the DJI Avata is the best FPV drone out there. Using a compatible controller and pair of DJI Goggles, you can fly indoors or out while shooting impressive 4K/60p video. Pro shooters will enjoy support for DJI’s flat D-Cinelike profile, too. You have a limited budget: While the DJI Avata comes with everything you need to fly, it represents a serious investment. A complete yet affordable FPV kit, we think the BetaFPV is the best way for beginners to try first-person drone flight. The bundle comes with a full FPV setup, including goggles, batteries and a console-style controller, which you can also use to practice in simulators.

Either way, you’ll be able to fly the Avata at top speeds of 60mph, while capturing unique footage. As long as you’re aware of its limitations – you’ll need a spotter if you’re shooting outdoors – the DJI Avata is an ideal choice for fledgling FPV pilots. You have a limited budget: It costs less than the original modes, but the Classic remains an expensive drone, especially factoring in the Fly More Kit. When the aircraft is between 3 m and 20 m from the Home Point, it will return to the Home Point at the current altitude with the RTH at Current Altitude option enabled (the default setting in DJI GO 4) if flying at or above 2.5 m. It will ascend to 2.5 m then return to home if flying lower than 2.5 m. If RTH at Current Altitude is disabled in DJI GO 4, the aircraft will land automatically when the aircraft is between 3 m and 20 m from the Home Point. You usually fly drones alone: Rules in most regions require a spotter to maintain a line of sight while flying an FPV drone.Despite being a pro drone, we found the Mavic 3 Pro incredibly easy to fly, aided by excellent safety features that make it accessible to all users. That said, its pro-tier video modes, as well as its price tag, make it overkill for beginners. Its weight also puts it into the restrictive C2 European drone category. But if you want a top-spec drone that’s more portable and less expensive than the Inspire 3, the Mavic 3 offers it all – plus two telephotos. You already have the DJI Air 2S: With a similar sensor and feature set, marginal upgrades don’t offer a compelling reason to switch to the Lite+. With dual cameras and improved wind resistance, the DJI Air 3 represents a significant upgrade over the already capable Air 2S from 2021. A 720g take-off weight puts the Air 3 in Europe’s C1 category, meaning it’s subject to more restrictions than the sub-250g drones in this list. But you also get a lot of benefits for the extra baggage, including a generous 46-minute flight time. You want to fly in strong wind: The Mini 3 can struggle and drift in windy conditions; you’ll find more stability from the Evo Lite+. You only fly in the open: Omnidirectional Video Sensing is useful, but only if you operate in complex environments with lots of obstacles.

Its small, folding design is almost identical to the Mini 3 Pro, as is the regulation-friendly 249g takeoff weight. Also the same is the 1/1.3-inch sensor, which still delivers excellent image quality. Thanks to processing updates, we found it even better at handling noise in low light. Serious videographers will also welcome the new D-Log M color profile, which offers greater consistency with the Mavic 3, If your drone exceeds 250g in weight, you will also require a Flyer ID. To obtain this, you need to pass an online test featuring 40 multiple-choice questions. The answers can be found in the Drone Code and are intended to promote safer flying practices.Technically a step down from the Mavic 3, the Classic edition lands at a lower price by losing the telephoto camera of its pricier sibling. While it’s not a budget choice, this simplified setup makes the Classic a more cost-effective option for videographers. It retains the excellent 4/3 main sensor, which we think is the best camera available on a folding drone. You’re a complete novice: The Mavic 3 Pro is easy to fly, but the Mini 3 offers a lot for beginners at a lower price and weight. You don’t want to crash a drone: Crashes are part of FPV flying and you’ll need to accept that likelihood before flying the Cetus Pro.

You’re on a tight budget: As one of the most expensive consumer drones on the market, the Mavic 3 Pro is a premium option.

You use third-party software: Unlike DJI, Autel doesn’t currently allow other companies to develop software tools for its drones. You want a starter drone: The DJI Air 3 is fine for beginners to fly, but novices might find the smaller and lighter Mini 3 more manageable. In testing, we found image quality class-leading, as we’ve come to expect from DJI. Fixed apertures aren’t helpful for users of ND filters, but we found that the 3x zoom lens allows you to work at a safe and legal distance from subjects, a particularly useful feature if you’re recording wildlife. You want to shoot FPV videos: Though the Cetus Pro has a camera, it’s used only for the FPV feed and can’t capture stills or video.