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If you want your vacation photos to stand out, take them from above with one of the best travel drones. Drones are becoming one of the most important pieces of travel gear for those of us who regularly create travel content or just want to see places from a different angle that we wouldn’t be able to see from the ground.
DJI, one of the most popular drone companies in the world, was the first to make consumer drones popular with the release of their DJI Phantom series. This brought amazing flight technology, high-quality images, and a shape that was easy to carry around. Before we go any further, let’s take a look at all the things we should look for in a travel drone.
Best Travel Drones Comparison Table
| Model | Video Output Resolution | Dimensions | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DJI Mini 2 | 4K | 159 x 203 x 56 mm | 249 g | $449 |
| DJI Mini 3 Pro | 4K | 130 x 140 x 55 mm | 249 g | $599 |
| Holy Stone HS720E | 2K | 175 x 220 x 85 mm | 460 g | $249 |
| DJI Air 2S | 5.4K | 180 x 97 x 77 mm | 595 g | $999 |
| DJI Mavic 3 | 4K | 350 x 400 x 100 mm | 800 g | $2,199 |
| Parrot ANAFI | 4K | 244 x 67 x 65 mm | 320 g | $699 |
| Autel Robotics Evo Lite+ | 4K | 250 x 250 x 105 mm | 660 g | $1,199 |
| DJI Avata | 4K | N/A | N/A | Price N/A |
DJI Mini 2
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Weight | 249 g |
| Camera | 12MP, 4K/30fps, 3-axis gimbal |
| Max Flight Time | 31 minutes |
| Max Transmission Distance | 10 km |
| Max Speed | 57 km/h |
| Intelligent Features | QuickShots, Panorama, ActiveTrack, and more |
Our top pick is, of course, made by DJI. We think you should get the Mini 2. Perfect no matter how much you know about drones, and great if you’re just starting out and want something sturdy and cheap. This drone is only 249g and doesn’t need to be registered with the FAA, but you will still need a license to use it for commercial purposes.
This is why we think this drone is the best for travel. In terms of specs, it is not as powerful as a couple of other DJI drones (such as the Mavic 3). It has more than enough space for general travel, but it’s smaller and lighter, so it’s a better choice overall.
The Good
- Easy to carry and not too heavy
- Stabilization on three axes for a high-quality camera
- Flights that take a long time and go a long way
- Smart features make it easy to take great pictures.
The Bad
- No obstacle avoidance sensors
- Compared to more advanced models, it has fewer settings.
Holy Stone HS720E GPS Drone
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Weight | 460 g |
| Camera | 4K/30fps, 2K/60fps, 1080p/120fps |
| Max Flight Time | 26 minutes |
| Max Transmission Distance | 1 km |
| Intelligent Features | Follow Me, TapFly, and more |
The Holy Stone HS720E isn’t as stylish as drones made by companies like DJI, whose designs it clearly borrows from. It doesn’t have the same range and isn’t as easy to use, but it can make 4K videos for a low price. It also comes in a good hard case that is ready for travel.
The main battery can be charged again, and the box comes with two batteries and a hub that can charge both of them at the same time. Even if you count the time it takes to land and take off again, the total flight time is longer than what most drones come with.
The Good
- Great price for what you get.
- High-quality camera with several options for resolution
- Flight time and range aren’t too bad.
- Features like Follow Me and TapFly are built in.
The Bad
- No obstacle avoidance sensors
DJI Air 2S
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Weight | 595 g |
| Camera | 20MP, 4K/60fps, 3-axis gimbal |
| Max Flight Time | 31 minutes |
| Max Transmission Distance | 12 km |
| Intelligent Features | ActiveTrack 4.0, MasterShots, and more |
The Air 2S is a very powerful drone that is only a little bit bigger than DJI’s ultralight Mini 3 Pro, but it has more features and moves up a weight category because of it. With those few extra grams, the drone can carry a 1-inch CMOS sensor that can record up to 5.4K video.
That might seem like a lot, but it lets you digitally crop or zoom with great quality, and the RAW stills with a 12.6-stop dynamic range are stunning. Only the Mavic 3 can compete in low light from this list. The drone is also more stable against the wind when it has more weight.
The Good
- The camera is very good, and the 3-axis gimbal keeps it steady.
- Long flight time and a transmission range that is hard to beat
- Includes smart features like ActiveTrack 4.0 and MasterShots. Sensors that detect obstacles help keep crashes from happening.
The Bad
- Costs more than other models.
- Some portable options are bigger and heavier.
DJI Mavic 3
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Aircraft | Ascent and descent speed: 8 and 6 m/s; wind resistance: 12; max altitude above sea level: 6000 m; return to home function; Maximum temperature 40°C; range 8 km; radio frequencies 2.4 and 5.8 GHz |
| Camera | 20 MP sensor; 4/3 CMOS; video resolution 5.1K; light sensitivity 100-6400; digital zoom 3x; shutter speed 8-1/8000 s; field of vision 84°; equivalent focal length 24 mm; aperture f/2.8 to f/11; focus 1 m to infinity. |
| Features | Night mode, omnidirectional dual vision, infrared sensor, motorized 3-axis stabilization, RC-N1 remote controller. |
| Battery | LiPo 4S (15.4 V / 77 Wh), 5,000 mAh, 46 minutes flight time |
| Dimensions | 283 x 347.5 x 107.7mm |
For professionals and hobbyists who don’t mind traveling with heavier bags, the DJI Mavic 3 offers all the professional-grade features you’d expect from a high-end drone in a body that’s pretty small. The DJI Mavic 3 has a 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad camera that can shoot 5.1K video.
This makes it one of the cameras with the highest resolution. It can take 20 MP pictures, has omnidirectional obstacle sensors that let you fly without worrying, and has the new OcuSync 3 (O3) technology that lets you fly over 15 km with live feed, which is the farthest you can fly with a consumer drone.
The Good
- All-around obstacle avoidance
- Long times in the air
- Features that make it safe
The Bad
- The base model is expensive and only has 8GB of storage.
- Skydio is better than APAS for automatic navigation.
Parrot ANAFI Drone
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Weight | 320 g |
| Camera | 4K HDR, 21MP, 180-degree tilt gimbal |
| Max Flight Time | 25 minutes |
| Max Transmission Distance | 4 km |
| Intelligent Features | Follow Me, Dolly Zoom, and more |
Parrot was one of the first drone companies to follow DJI’s lead and make one of the first compact consumer drones. Their latest compact drone, the Parrot Anafi, gives you some really interesting options in the travel drone market.
The Parrot Anafi drone has a great Sony CMOS sensor that lets it take up to 21 MP photos that are incredibly clear. It also takes amazing 4K footage with a resolution of 4096 x 2160, 100 Mbps, and a vertical angle of 180°, which no other drone has.
The Good
- The unique 180-degree tilt gimbal lets the camera be pointed in interesting ways.
- High quality camera with 21MP resolution and HDR
- Flight time and range aren’t too bad.
- Features like Follow Me and Dolly Zoom are built in.
The Bad
- No obstacle avoidance sensors
- Compared to more advanced models, it had a shorter transmission range.
Autel Robotics Evo Lite+
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Weight | 663 g |
| Camera | 4K/60fps, 3-axis gimbal |
| Max Flight Time | 35 minutes |
| Max Transmission Distance | 9 km |
| Intelligent Features | Dynamic Track, Waypoint, and more |
The Autel Evo Lite+ has a camera with a Type 1 sensor that lets it take pictures that are as good as those from the DJI Air 2S. It also has a variable aperture that lets it cut incoming light without the need for ND filters. The folding drone can fly for about 40 minutes on a full battery, and it has sensors that can detect obstacles from three directions to keep accidents from happening in the air.
The Autel Evo Lite+ is a good camera drone for people who want to make videos but don’t want to buy from DJI. It has a good 6K camera, but we wish we could fine-tune the video profile. If you want to edit for color, you can choose a flat look. However, the Lite+ might be worth it if you want longer flight times or to avoid DJI’s sometimes restrictive Fly Safe geofence.
The Good
- Long flight time and a transmission range that is hard to beat
- Stabilization on three axes for a high-quality camera
- Includes smart features like Dynamic Track and Waypoint Obstacle avoidance sensors that help prevent crashes
The Bad
- Not as well-known as other brands
- May not have as much customer service and resources as bigger businesses.
DJI Avata
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Flight modes | Normal, Sport, Manual |
| GPS | Yes |
| Camera | 48MP, Type 1/1.7 (7.6×5.7mm) CMOS sensor |
| Flight Assistance | Return To Home, Emergency Brake and Hover |
| Battery Type | Intelligent Flight |
The DJI Avata is a first-person view (FPV) drone. With this kind of drone, you don’t see what the camera sees on your phone screen, but through a pair of VR goggles. For thrill seekers, there is a camera in the nose, a remote that responds to movement, and a 30mph Sport mode.
Also, built-in prop guards keep it flying after small bumps, and sensors that face down let it fly close to the ground. If you want to channel your inner Scorsese and Welles, you can also slow down and take your time for Cinewhoop-style long takes.
The Good
- Sharp FPV goggles with diopter adjustment make it very easy and fun to fly.
- It works well with a one-handed controller.
- Great for point-of-view shots
- Wide-angle lens and 4K60 video show movement.
The Bad
- Expensive
- Could be dangerous
- Not good for small, crowded spaces.
FAQs
What type of drone is best for long distance flying?
The Mavic 3 is the best long-range drone because it can fly for up to 46 minutes and send video from up to 9.3 miles away using its OcuSync 3+ transmission system. Dirk Dallas, who flies drones, gives you a look inside the DJI Mavic 3.
What’s the most a drone can carry?
GRIFF Aviation 300: This is a very big drone that can carry up to 500 pounds. The Griff Aviation 300 is the heaviest lift drone. It has 8 propellers and can carry a payload of about 500 pounds (226 kg) and stay in the air for 31 minutes.
Can a drone fly 100 km?
When everything is just right, the most powerful drones can fly up to 200 km. But there are many other things that can make the distance longer or shorter. The range of a drone can be limited by things like signal interference, obstacles, bad weather, and low battery life.
Can a drone fly for 2 hours?
Most high-end consumer drones can stay in the air for about 28 minutes. Some high-end drones and fixed-wing aircraft, which can fly for several hours, are an exception to this rule.