If you want to buy a drone in 2020, you’re in good shape. Check out the best drones in 2020 here.
A few years ago, “drone buying” was even more difficult: there were fewer drones to choose from, the copters had less power and poorer cameras – but the price was still higher.
Fortunately, things are different in 2020: If you want to buy a drone, you can choose between many high-performance models.
In this purchase guide, I present the best drones of 2020.
Which drone do you want to buy?
What strikes the market in 2020 is that the multitude of manufacturers and models has assumed an almost unmanageable abundance, which makes it difficult for beginners and outsiders to keep an eye on things. The “a recommendation” to buy has never existed before, and today it certainly does not exist. For this reason, I show here what is important in each price range, which features are good, what makes the best drone in its price range and how it is possible to buy the best drone without much know-how .
What you need is a little time to read through this guide and an idea of how many euros you want to spend. Depending on the use (camera drones for filming, toy quadcopters for flying and racing drones), I have selected and presented the best drones.
These differ not only in their properties (e.g. range, camera, aircraft) but also often in price. The currently best camera drone, the DJI Mavic 2 Pro, costs more than 1000 euros, whereas there are cheaper models at a third of the price. Speaking of the best drone with a camera: This title applies to semi-professional multicopters. Professionals use the Matrice 600 or the DJI Inspire 2 for professional aerial photography.
The best camera drone in 2020
DJI Mavic 2 Pro
- Flight time : 31 minutes
- Range : 8 kilometers
- Video resolution : 3840 × 2160 (4K)
- Slow-mo resolution : 2688 × 1512
- Photo resolution: 5472 × 3648
- Gimbal: 3-axis stabilization
Rating 96/100
Price: 1,399 EUR
The best drone 2020 is definitely the DJI Mavic 2 Pro. The second version of the DJI Mavic was launched at the end of 2018 and offers everything photographers and filmmakers could wish for: massive flight times, an immense range and a Hasselblad camera that is second to none.
Thanks to the foldable axes, the DJI Mavic 2 Pro can be folded up to handy dimensions and is therefore ideal for trips and trips with light luggage.
Omnidirectional obstacle detection ensures rudum protection and thus prevents falls. This so-called obstacle avoidence is installed in every direction for the first time in comparison to other high-end drones and, thanks to visual sensors (i.e. small cameras), is the best guarantee of safety during flight. Pilots who buy this drone can therefore concentrate fully on the image and the scenery, while the quadrocopter provides the framework for ideal aerial photography.
The Mavic 2 is available as an inexpensive standard version including all the necessary components such as remote control (RC remote control), battery, etc. The Fly More version provides additional batteries, a carrying case and advanced charging technology that allow extended flights in any situation.
DJI Mavic 2 Zoom
- Flight time : 31 minutes
- Range : 8 kilometers
- Video resolution : 3840 × 2160
- Slow-mo resolution : 2688 × 1512
- Photo resolution: 4000 × 3000
- Gimbal: 3-axis stabilization
Rating 93
Price: 1,199 EUR
The DJI Mavic 2 Zoom is the unassuming sister of the DJI Mavic 2 Pro and is particularly interesting for filmmakers and pilots who want to buy the best drone for videos.
You get your money’s worth with this quadrocopter, especially because of the optical zoom! Unlike the DJI Mavic 2 Pro or the Parrot Anafi, the Mavic 2 Zoom can zoom up to 2x optically. The optical zoom, which is generated by a changed constellation of the lenses, delivers lossless image quality and in combination with the dolly zoom is the basis for more depth in videos and perspective effects.
Like the Pro version, the DJI Mavic 2 Zoom is a semi-professional drone that can stay in the air for almost half an hour and cover long distances. Thanks to OcuSync 2.0, which guarantees the transmission of the live image via a separate downlink, pilots can concentrate on the ideal shot, while the multicopter functions as a flying camera platform.
The Mavic 2 Zoom has 360° obstacle detection as well as a 3-axis gimbal.
Without the DJI Mavic 2 Pro, the Zoom would definitely be the best drone with a camera. Although it does not have a Hasselblad camera on board, it offers some unique features – and is also a bit cheaper.
DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2
- Flight time : 30 minutes
- Range : 7 kilometers
- Video resolution : 4096 × 2160
- Slow-mo resolution : 2.7K 60 FPS
- Photo resolution: 5472 × 3648
- Gimbal: 3-axis stabilization
Rating 90
Price: 1,665 EUR
The DJI Phantom 4 is the latest version of traditional DJI quadrocopters. Many thousands of pilots have flown and learned to appreciate the “lady in white” over the years. What speaks for the P4? A high-performance flight with a huge range, flight time and speed, as well as a solid, wind-stable system. With a take-off weight of over 1300 grams, the Phantom 4 is twice as heavy as the small Mavic Air, but also much more robust when there is a little wind.
In the fourth version, DJI mixes the old with the new: While the wide-legged landing gear continues to ensure a safe take-off and, above all, landings (which has its advantages especially in mud and snow), the DJI Phantom 4 comes with a new U-shaped camera holder. This holds the 4K 20 megapixel camera in place and, thanks to 3-axis stabilization, eliminates vibrations and wobble.
The DJI Phantom 4 is available as an Advanced and Pro version, which differ in terms of camera and flight time. As with many of the drones presented here, a fireproof sticker must be attached after purchase.
The DJI Phantom 4 is the best drone for anyone who wants to buy a solid, stable drone that can take high quality aerial photos and doesn’t have to follow the lightweight folding design trend.
DJI Mavic Air
- Flight time : 21 minutes
- Range : 4 kilometers
- Video resolution : 3840 × 2160
- Slow-mo resolution : 2.7K 60 FPS
- Photo resolution: 4056 × 3040
- Gimbal: 3-axis stabilization
Rating 89/100
Price: 746 EUR
The best drone according to the Mavic 2 versions with foldable arms is the DJI Mavic Air. As a smaller, lighter and above all technically revised variant of the DJI Mavic Pro, the Air is the drone for everyone who wants to have as much performance as possible for as little money as possible.
Like the first Pro version, the DJI Mavic Air has obstacle detection, but now not only in the front but also in the rear. This makes backward flights safer, which makes sense given the new smartshots. In addition to the “standard” selfie modes such as orbit, follow and companions, Mavic Air also has boomerang and asteroid in store, with which chic selfie videos can be made in impressive locations.
In conjunction with the 4K 12 megapixel camera and dimensions that hardly go beyond the palm of a hand, the DJI Mavic Air is the travel drone with the best price-performance ratio.
As with all DJI drones, you can buy the Air as a cheap standard version and a more expensive Fly More version and have it “insured” for around 100 euros with DJI Care Refresh.
DJI Mavic Pro
- Flight time : 30 minutes
- Range : 7 kilometers
- Video resolution : 4096 × 2160
- Slow-mo resolution : 1080p 96 FPS
- Photo resolution: 4000 × 3000
- Gimbal: 3-axis stabilization
Rating 87
Price: 899 EUR
The old lady of the foldable drones is still a real bestseller in 2020. When tens of thousands of pilots worldwide wanted to buy this drone in 2017, the frustration was deep due to the months of delivery times. It’s different in 20120, if you want to buy the Mavic Pro, you can do it in the usual “order today, get tomorrow” style.
The DJI Mavic Pro drone has a small camera with 1/2.3” CMOS sensor in the front, which enables pictures with 12 megapixels and videos in 4K quality. The camera itself is attached to a 3-axis gimbal that reliably compensates for vibrations.
Thanks to two visual sensors in the front, the DJI Mavic Pro has an obstacle detection system that detects and can fly around objects up to a distance of 15 meters in forward flight. Equipped with GPS and GLONASS, the quadrocopter is able to fly long distances and return to the starting point thanks to the Return to Home (RTH) function.
With a take-off weight of 743 grams, the Mavic Pro is around 300 grams heavier than the smaller Air, but after various test flights I also claim to be a bit more stable in the air.
If you want to buy a drone in 2020 that can take high-resolution videos and photos and don’t want to spend more than 1000 euros, the DJI Mavic Pro is very well served. It is less flashy than the Mavic Air, but especially as a Fly More version it is a real workhorse.
DJI Inspire 2
- Flight time : 27 minutes
- Range : 7 kilometers
- Video resolution : 6016 × 3200
- Slow-mo resolution : 4K 60 FPS
- Photo resolution: 6016 × 4008
- Gimbal: 3-axis, 360° swivel range
Rating 87
Price: 2999-6999 EUR
The DJI Inspire has always been a drone for professionals. I know two crazy people who bought this professional drone for private aviation, but I strongly doubt the cost-benefit ratio for hobby applications.
The standard version of the DJI Inspire V2 – without camera or gimbal – costs 3000 euros. If you put a Zenmuse X7 gimbal with MFT camera on top, you end up with 6000 euros.
But you get a redundant system with 6K video, 14 aperture settings and a dual control for pilot and cameraman.
The lifting of the axles after the start is very impressive, which is strongly reminiscent of science fiction. However, this has the immense advantage that the camera has a free 360° swivel range and that neither landing gear nor axes protrude into the picture.
The DJI Inspire V2 is the best drone for professional videos and is also used in film and television.
However, the Queen of the Skies is unaffordable for ordinary consumers.
Parrot Anafi
- Flight time : 25 minutes
- Range : 4 kilometers
- Video resolution : 4096 × 2160
- Slow-mo resolution : 1920 × 1080 60 FPS
- Photo resolution: 5344 × 4016
- Gimbal: 2-axis camera mount
Rating 86
Price: 549 EUROS
From the most expensive commercial drone (industrial & professional multicopter left out) to a real bargain: the Parrot Anafi.
The Parrot Anafi was released towards the end of 2018 and is said to be a powerful, foldable drone with 4K camera in the lower price segment.
With a price of around 600 euros, the Anafi is a real challenge to the Mavic Air and the Mavic Pro (1) and can also convince with technology:
four kilometers range, 25 minutes flight time, FPV and a super light design with only 320 grams take-off weight (Label must therefore be anyway).
The highlight of the Parrot Anafi, however, is the camera: It can not only record 4K HDR videos and 20 megapixel HDR photos, but also be rotated by 180°. Such a large swivel radius is unusual for drones, 90° down is common, but 90° up is not.
In addition, you get a lossless 1.4x zoom and the dolly zoom known from the DJI Mavic 2 Zoom.
However, the negative is that the Parrot Anafi only has a 2-axis gimbal, i.e. the third axis is digitally compensated.
Apart from that, the Parrot Anafi is a really good alternative to DJI Mavic Air and for me one of the best drones 2019!
Yuneec Mantis Q
- Flight time : 33 minutes
- Range : 1.5 kilometers
- Video resolution : 3840 × 2160 (4K) 30 FPS
- Slow-mo resolution : 1280 × 720 60 FPS
- Photo resolution: 4160 × 3120
- Gimbal: 3-axis electronically stabilized
Rating 75
Price: 399 EUR
“Your mini drone you always have with you” was the motto of drone manufacturer Yuneec at the launch of the Breeze. Now, in 2020, the new Mantis Q should meet the same standard: Small dimensions, 4K camera, great freedom.
With a price of around 300-400 euros, the Yuneec Mantis Q is quite cheap and a good drone for beginners and selfie disciples.
The Mantis Q is not the official successor of the Yuneec Breeze, but you can see the Quadrocopter as a better and newer version. The quadrocopter is foldable, has a 4K camera and can take pictures with 13 MP resolution. In addition, the length of the flight was significantly tightened, so that the Mantis Q can fly a good 33 minutes at a time. This is phenomenal compared to other drones.
As a selfie drone, the Mantis Q can fly autonomous maneuvers and has flight modes such as “Journey” and “Point of Interest” on board.
The voice control, with which commands can be transmitted to the drone without remote control, is unique. In conjunction with artificial intelligence and facial recognition, the Mantis Q is breaking new ground.
Compared to other camera drones, the quadrocopter is also cheap to buy: If you want to buy the drone, you don’t even have to put 400 euros on the table.
The best toy drone in 2020
Ryze / DJI Tello
- Flight time : 13 minutes
- Range : 100 meters
- Video resolution : 1280 × 720 (HD) 30 FPS
- Photo resolution: 2592 × 1936 (5 megapixels)
- FPV : Yes
- Automatic height control: yes
Rating 94/100
Price: 99 EUR
The best toy drone 2020 is definitely the Ryze / DJI Tello. In the price segment up to 100 euros there is no copter that offers something similar to the small white drone from Ryze Technologies: 5 megapixels, solid FPV live image on the cell phone and autonomous flight modes that make you want more.
Of course, the Tello drone cannot be seen as a “real” drone with a camera, but the quadrocopter is superior to the competition for home and garden. Compared to other mini drones, the quadcopter can also score with a well-functioning altitude control, whereby of course only ultrasound and barometer are used and aspects of positioning, such as GPS and GLONASS, are not installed.
If you want to buy a good drone in 2020 to take your first steps in model flying or are looking for a drone as a gift, you can’t avoid the Ryze / DJI Tello.
Parrot Mambo
- Flight time : 6-8 minutes
- Range : 50-100 meters
- Video resolution :
- FPV : No.
- Gadget: cannon & gripper
- Automatic height control: yes
Rating 85
Price: 95 EUR
The Parrot Mambo is a funny drone. In order to test it extensively, I bought the copter in 2018 and had endless fun, especially with the cannon. This can shoot small plastic balls over a distance of a few meters.
We all had a lot of fun in the office and for weeks the copter was my favorite toy.
If you do not want to terrorize colleagues and friends, you can also attach a gripper or an FPV camera instead of the cannon. However, the gripper is quite complicated and probably too difficult to use for beginners.
An ultrasonic height control ensures smooth and calm hovering. If you want, you can buy the Parrot Flypad as a remote control (RC Control), but you don’t have to: The Parrot Mambo can also be easily controlled with a smartphone.
If you want to buy a toy drone that doesn’t have a camera, but has a lot of fun and craziness on board, you have to look at the Parrot Mambo!
Holy Stone HS700 FPV
- Flight time : 20 minutes
- Range : 1000 meters
- Video resolution : 1920 × 1080
- FPV : Yes
- Cool: GoPro cameras, brushless motors
- Automatic height control: yes
Rating 85
Price: 300 EUR
The Holy Stone HS700 is a good drone for everyone who is looking for a cheap entry into FPV flying. With a price of around 300 euros, the quadrocopter is significantly more expensive than other toy drones, but the HS700 has some good features on board.
The technical setup should be mentioned here in particular: You can fly around 20 minutes on one battery charge – and this over a distance of around 1000 meters. The Holy Stone HS700 is therefore more integrated into the area of camera drones and this is also justified with regard to the onboard camera: It records videos in Full HD and sends the video data via live image to the smartphone (FPV).
It’s pretty cool that you can take the camera out of the gimbal and use it as an action cam. Now, of course, this is clearly behind in comparison to a real GoPro, but that’s not a bad thing! If you want to buy a drone to carry an existing GoPro action camera, the HS700 is the right choice.
Ontop the copter is equipped with brushless motors that work almost without wear. This is extremely beneficial to the drone’s lifespan and is not common for toy drones.
Anyone looking for the best drone for GoPro cameras in 2020 and looking for a cheap entry into mid-range FPV should take a look at the HS700!
Parrot Mambo FPV
- Flight time : 6-8 minutes
- Range : 100 meters
- Video resolution : 1920 × 1080
- FPV : Yes
- Photo resolution: 1920 × 1080
- Automatic height control: yes
Rating 84
Price: 129 EUR
For the second time, the Parrot Mambo Quadrocopter finds its way into the list of the best drones 2020. Why? Because the copter works extremely well as a flight platform, is of high quality and, above all, modular.
Unlike the basic version, the Parrot Mambo FPV has a snap-on camera on the roof that can take videos and photos in Full HD resolution. And because FPV means First Person View, you get this image data sent to your smartphone or tablet.
It also works pretty well with the Parrot Free Flight app, whereby I don’t just mean the live image but above all the controls. In the test, maneuvering worked extremely well even with this extremely affordable FPV drone.
So if you want to buy an inexpensive FPV drone, you should consider the Parrot Mambo.
Blade Nano QX
- Flight time : 8 minutes
- Range : 100 meters
- Video resolution :
- FPV : No.
- Cool: super agile & fast
Rating 80
Price: 50 EUR
One of my favorite drones is the Blade Nano QX! This mini quadcopter is a toy drone par excellence and pretty much the best thing you could wish for to heat your home and garden.
With a take-off weight of just 18 grams and very high-performance engines, you can accelerate with the blade, fly loops and flip. The soft propellers and protective frame also make the quadrocopter suitable for children, although I would like to classify myself as such: The Blade Nano QX is just fun!
Unfortunately, the fun drone is not cheap: you have to expect a price of around 60 euros. In comparison, there are other, cheaper copters, such as the HS170.
Ironpeas / ScharkSpark Warrior
- Flight time : 8 minutes
- Range : 100 meters
- Video resolution :
- FPV : No.
- Cool: foldable, height maintenance
Rating 80
Price: 40 EUR
A new drone for domestic adventures is the Warrior marketed by Ironpeas / ScharkSpark. It is a small foldable drone with a rigid onboard camera.
You can fly with the little speedster for about 8 minutes, the coolest feature actually being the height and the foldable axes.
With a price of only 40 euros you get entertaining fun, but there is nothing more. Compared to other toy drones, the Warrior therefore looks quite pale, but thanks to its good quality and low price it can still score.
Holy Stone HS170
- Flight time : 8 minutes
- Range : 50 meters
- Video resolution :
- FPV : No.
- Cool: affordable beginner drone
Rating 78
Price: 40 EUR
Coming fresh from the test, I definitely have to add the Holy Stone HS170 to the list of the best drones 2020. What a sleek flight! The reason for this is probably the comparatively large rotor blades, which give the HS170 a good boost.
At the time of our test flight (end of Feb 2020) it was bitterly cold, which should serve as an explanation for the short flight duration of 5 minutes. At low temperatures, the performance of LiPo batteries is reduced by up to 30%.
Nevertheless: The Holy Stone HS170 is a really amusing toy drone, although without a camera, but at a reasonable price. An insider tip for children, beginners and beginners!
Syma X5C Explorer
- Flight time : 8 minutes
- Range : 50 meters
- Video resolution : 720p
- Photo resolution : 3.6 megapixels
- FPV : No.
Rating 70
Price: 85 euros
The Syma X5C Explorer is no longer an insider tip. If I remember correctly, the X5C was one of my first 5 drones and lo and behold: The 2019 bestseller from Syma is still in the sky.
The fact that the copter has not been stamped out in the meantime is due to the upgrades that it experiences every now and then. The camera was recently improved from 2 MP to 3.6 MP – but still worse compared to the Ryze Tello.
But the Syma X5C Explorer is significantly larger (who likes it) and feels a bit more old-school quadrocopter. Unfortunately there is no FPV, but there is a good 8 minute flight duration and a decent range.
However, like all toy drones, the Syma X5C cannot be used for real aerial photography.
The best racing drone in 2020
Walkera Runner 250 Pro
- Flight time : 10 minutes
- Range : 1000 meters
- Video resolution : FullHD
- Photo resolution : 3.6 megapixels
- With FPV glasses : Yes, Walkera Goggle V4 video glasses
- GPS : yes
Rating 95/100
Price: 900 EUR
The best racing drone available off the shelf in 2019 is the Walkera Runner 250 Pro. The quadrocopter is even lighter and slimmer than previous models, the frame is made of carbon, like most racing drones.
The Walkera Runner 250 Pro is powered by four brushless motors that feed their energy hunger from a 3-cell 2200mAh LiPo. You get around 10 minutes of flight time.
The new dual stellite-based positioning with GPS and GLONASS ensures more precise maneuvers and a safer flight feeling (especially for beginners). This enables a more stable and precise location and automated return maneuvers (RTH).
The live image of the racing drone is guaranteed by a rigid Full HD camera attached in the front. This sends the video material to a connected tablet or to the video glasses included in the complete package.
The complete package includes the 600-gram racing drone with a Devo7 RC remote control and Walkera Goggle V4 FPV video glasses.
This makes the Walkera Runner 250 Pro the best racing drone to get started right away.
Hubsan H123D racing drone
- Flight time : 6 minutes
- Range : 300+ meters
- Video resolution : 720p
- FPV : Yes
- Brushless motors : yes
Rating 85
Price: €200
The Hubsan 123D X4 is a racing drone that is more geared towards the hobby target group. Compared to the Runner 250 Pro, this is significantly smaller, lighter and cheaper.
The Hubsan 123D X4 comes ready to fly (RTF) out of the box, so all you have to do is insert batteries into the transmitter (RC spark) and you can fly straight away. As usual with racing drones, the motors are brushless, which makes sense due to the high speeds. Brush motors would be over in a racing drone after a few flights.
The Hubsan 123D X4 is a small racing drone about the size of a palm. The battery is also smaller: 2 cells with 980mAh provide energy for around 6 minutes of flight time.
Unlike the Walkera Runner 250, the Hubsan does not include FPV glasses (e.g. from Walkera, Google, DJI, Fatshark) in the package. But since these usually cost a good amount of money, this racing drone for beginners is cheaper.
You have to calculate around 200 euros. If you want to buy FPV glasses for the drone later, you can do that of course, but depending on the manufacturer, you have to expect a price of around 200-800 euros.
LHI 250 racing drone
- Flight time : 6 minutes
- Range : 300 meters
- Video resolution :
- With FPV glasses : No.
- Brushless motors : yes
Rating 80
Price: 210 EUR
The third and last copter is the LHI 250 Racing Drone. This is like the previous two made of carbon fiber and costs around 200 euros in the RTF setup.
In contrast to the Hubsan and Walkera, there is no camera attached to the LHI 250. Depending on the point of view, this can be good or bad. Bad: You have to buy one for the drone yourself. Good: If you own a light action camera (GoPro, Rollei, Apeman, …), you can use it! Then the LHI 250 quickly becomes a 4K racing drone 🙂
Another special feature of the LHI 250 is that you can choose whether you want to get an already assembled model or prefer to do it yourself.
4 brushless motors and a 3C (3 cell) 1500mAh LiPo battery work in the engine compartment of the LHI 250.
With a price of 200 euros, the LHI 250, like the Hubsan, is a good entry into the world of racing drones.
Conclusion: price-performance winner and the best drones in 2020
Which drones you should choose in 2020, as you can see, depends heavily on the budget. The price-performance winner is the DJI Mavic Air , which offers a lot of technology for comparatively little money. If you prefer current models, you will hardly be able to avoid the industry greats DJI Phantom 4 and the DJI Mavic 2 Pro in the “right” camera drone segment . The latter is still one of the best-selling quadrocopters this year and has been revised with the Platinum version. For smaller budgets, the Multicopter Blade Nano QX (without camera) for 80 euros, the Tello drone and the Evergreen Syma X5C Explorer (with camera) for 80 euros are also recommended. Anyone with a cheap selfie drone should look for the Breeze or the Spark.
FAQ
I get a lot of questions from readers about possible purchase decisions and I am always happy to answer them. Often, these revolve around the question of what the best drone with a fixed price range of properties and features should have. With this FAQ I would like to highlight the most important and most frequent questions again.
RTF
RTF stands for ready to fly and means that if you order a drone, after receiving and unpacking it, all you have to do is turn on the spark and copter. The bond between the two was already implemented in the factory. In other words: ready to fly!
A special form is ARTF, which means Almost ready to Fly. Most of these drones still have propellers to be attached to the rotors, otherwise it is analogous to RTF.
BNF
Bind and Fly means that you yourself have to bind the transmitter (in the remote control) and the receiver. Sometimes you have to buy a separate spark for the quadrocopter.
Only two models in this guide are delivered as BNF: the Spark connects to the smartphone in the inexpensive standard version, the Blade Nano QX in the BNF version requires a compatible remote control.
Drones are usually cheaper than the BNF version, but are only worthwhile if you already have a compatible RC spark.
Headless mode
Anyone who wants to buy drones in 2019 will read this feature somewhere in the description and may be wondering what it is all about. Put simply, when headless mode is activated, you always fly “forward” when you press the nick stick. “Forward” is not meant here from the perspective of the drones at the moment, but in relation to the direction of flight when the mode is activated. Sounds complicated, it is actually not, but beginners and beginners should not see this feature as an advantage when buying and rather learn to fly properly .
Visual obstacle detection
Drones starting at 600 euros usually have visual obstacle detection. Visually means that no cameras are used to detect obstacles such as branches or walls in the multicopter’s flight path. Copers who use this system are, for example, the Mavic drone (sensors only in the front) and the P4, which carries 5 visual sensors for obstacle detection and flying around.