If you spend at least five minutes studying how to choose a quadrocopter, you will quickly realize that there are a huge number of options from which you can choose.
And so that you do not get lost in this sea of drones, we will tell you the most popular models that have many positive reviews from both Russian and foreign users on specialized resources.
How to choose a quadrocopter for beginners
The less experience you have, the easier the drone should have control.
The quadcopter can be controlled either using a special application for a smartphone, or using a remote control. Some models are controlled using the remote control, while additional flight information is displayed on the phone or tablet.
For beginners, it is better to choose models with a remote control, so using a mobile application is more difficult to control the flight.
If the quadrocopter is intended as a gift to the child, it should have safety options (for example, with frame protection of rotors).
Choose a drone that does what you want.
Decide how you want to use the drone, and then narrow down your choices to drones that can do these things well.
- For example, you are interested in a quadrocopter, which can perform simple acrobatics for the joy of you and the child. Then the obvious choice is a small, mobile drone instead of a larger drone with a camera.
- On the other hand, if you want to enjoy a bird's-eye view, you will need a drone with FPV (First Person View) - broadcasting first-person video.
- If you want to make complex aerial photography and shoot high-quality video in flight, you have to fork out for an expensive model with an excellent video camera. We will also mention such models in this rating of quadrocopters.
Size and weight
Large drones (from 50 cm) are quite heavy and fly steadily in gusty winds. These models run only outdoors.
Small (from 10 cm to 25 cm) and medium (from 25 cm to 50 cm) quadrocopters weigh much less, and can already deviate from a given trajectory with an average wind.
Important: the weight of the quadrocopter, intended for the novice user or as a gift to the child, should be less than 250 grams. Otherwise, you will have to register it with the Federal Air Transport Agency.
Camcorder
Which quadrocopter to choose for shooting - depends entirely on your needs.
- Professional drone cameras can shoot video in Ultra HD 4K (3840 × 2160) resolution.
- If the drone is necessary for amateur shooting, look at the models with the ability to record in the resolution of HD (1280 × 720) and Full HD (1920 × 1080).
- There are drones designed for fans to take spectacular selfies. Such models have a good camera with the function of fixing the object and tracking it.
- Shooting frames can be saved using the aircraft’s internal memory or SD card.
The best budget quadrocopters 2020
3. Blade Nano QX 3D RTF BLH7100
The average price is 5,490 rubles.
Specifications:
- quadrocopter
- complexity management: amateur
- size: mini
- camera availability: no camera
- maximum flight time 5 min.
- functions: 3D piloting, automatic flips
- sensors: accelerometer, gyroscope
- control: radio channel
- no registration required for flights
Here is the answer to the question of which quadrocopter to choose for beginners. Blade Nano QX is an inexpensive drone that does not have a camera, but there is speed and maneuverability.
The 3D prefix in its name means that this drone is capable of air pirouettes (flips around its axis).
pros: very easy to operate, spare screws included.
Minuses: short run time, very sensitive to wind.
2. Ryze Tech Tello
The average price is 7,890 rubles.
Specifications:
- complexity management: amateur
- size: mini
- maximum flight time 13 min.
- maximum flight speed 8 m / s
- maximum video resolution: 720p
- functions: automatic flips, automatic take-off and landing, first-person view (FPV)
- sensors: ultrasonic sensor, barometer, visual positioning sensor
- control: WiFi
- Supported OS: Android, iOS
- no registration required for flights
If you need everything from a quadrocopter at once at a reasonable price, then Ryze Tech Tello is the best choice. It has an impressive control range of up to 100 meters, good shooting quality and average flight time for most low-cost models. There is even digital stabilization, which improves the quality of the recorded video. The simplicity of management will allow even a child to easily master this model.
And it’s very convenient to connect the battery to Ryze Tech Tello, all you have to do is insert the battery into the case and snap it into place.
pros: compact dimensions, making it easy to fit in a backpack or bag, manoeuvrable and responsive to drive.
Minuses: takes off no more than 10 meters above the ground (software restriction), due to its small size it is sensitive to wind.
1. CXHOBBY (Cheerson) CX-10W
The average price is 3,370 rubles.
Specifications:
- complexity management: amateur
- size: micro
- camera availability: with camera
- maximum flight time 4 min.
- functions: first-person view (FPV)
- sensors: gyroscope
- control: WiFi
- Supported OS: Android, iOS
- no registration required for flights
If you don’t know which quadrocopter to choose from Aliexpress, take CXHOBBY CX-10W - you won’t be mistaken. It has a five-star rating on Yandex.Market and ranks first in our selection of budget quadrocopters due to a combination of cost, capabilities and ease of use.
All the controls of this model are simple and intuitive, the build quality is not satisfactory for users, and the presence of a camera and first-person view capabilities are pleasantly surprising at such a low price. In general, CXHOBBY CX-10W is an ideal option for those who begin to get acquainted with the capabilities of quadrocopters.
pros: compact size, perfect value for money.
Minuses: Fragile blades that can easily break if the quadrocopter collides with an obstacle.
The best mid-range quadrocopters
3. Propel Star Wars Tie Advanced X1
The average price is 15 690 rubles.
Specifications:
- maximum flight time 8 min.
- movie shooting: no
- sensors: heights, gyroscope
- control: remote control
- Supported OS: Android, iOS
- no registration required for flights
Star Wars fans will surely be delighted with this drone stylized as an imperial fighter. Although this model does not have a camera, there is a unique feature - the battle mode with other Propel Star Wars drones using the built-in infrared gun.
The controllers of these drones play several sound effects and music from Star Wars movies. Each drone is hand-painted and numbered.
pros: design, ease of control, there is an acrobatic mode, shoots with lasers (well, almost).
Minuses: no camera, hard to find for sale in Russia, look on ebay and amazon.
2. DJI Spark Fly More Combo
The average price is 41 500 rubles.
Specifications:
- complexity management: amateur
- size: mini
- camera availability: with camera
- maximum flight time 16 min.
- maximum flight altitude 500 m
- maximum flight speed 13.9 m / s
- maximum video resolution: 1080p
- functions: ActiveTrack, TapFly, automatic take-off and landing, gesture control, first-person view (FPV), return to the take-off point, notification of restricted areas
- sensors: magnetometer, accelerometer, visual positioning sensor, infrared sensor
- control: WiFi, radio channel
- Supported OS: Android, iOS
- navigation system: GLONASS, GPS
This is one of the best quadrocopters for video shooting in the review. It has a face recognition function, takes high-definition photos, and can shoot video in high resolution.
In addition, this model offers many DJI technology signatures that include intelligent flight modes for outstanding speed and control accuracy. In TapFly mode, you can control your flight on the phone screen, and QuickShot mode offers four intelligent shooting programs.
Due to its small size, this drone can fly even indoors or on rough terrain among trees.
pros: there is LED-backlighting, many shooting modes, including single-frame and interval, gesture control is available, there is support for DJI Goggles glasses.
Minuses: short flight time, few manual settings for photos and videos.
1. Fimi X8 SE
The average price is 35 990 rubles.
Specifications:
- complexity management: amateur
- size: medium
- folding design
- maximum flight time 33 min.
- maximum flight altitude 500 m
- maximum flight speed 18 m / s
- maximum video resolution: 2160p
- functions: Point of Interest, ActiveTrack, TapFly, Draw, automatic take-off and landing, intelligent orientation control, first-person view (FPV), return to the take-off point, notification of restricted areas
- sensors: magnetometer, ultrasonic sensor, visual positioning sensor
- control: radio channel
- Supported OS: Android, iOS
- navigation system: GLONASS, GPS
This drone comes with a 12 megapixel camera with a 78.8 ° wide-angle lens, triple optical zoom, slow-motion shooting and panoramic shooting. Fimi X8 SE allows you to shoot video of excellent quality with a resolution of 2160p, and also has the ability to fly along a programmed path during shooting. This feature is called Cine shot.
Other benefits of buying this drone include long flight times, three-axis stabilization, and restricted area alerts.
pros: high image quality, long range, convenient remote control.
Minuses: it is impossible to charge all 3 batteries at the same time, the accuracy of landing often leaves much to be desired.
Best premium quadrocopters
3. Autel Robotics EVO
The average price is 66,317 rubles.
Specifications:
- complexity management: amateur
- size: medium
- maximum flight time 30 min.
- maximum flight range 7 km
- maximum video resolution: 4K
- functions: automatic flips, automatic take-off and landing, first-person view (FPV)
- sensors: ultrasonic sensor, barometer, visual positioning sensor
- control: WiFi
- Supported OS: Android, iOS
- navigation system: GPS and GLONASS
The first thing you'll notice in EVO is its bright orange color scheme. It makes it noticeable, and this is very good if you need to find a quadrocopter in tall grass or visually determine where it is located against a bright sky.
Autel Robotics EVO is a very rugged drone with long battery life and an obstacle detection system. If the connection between the drone and the remote control is disconnected, the EVO will automatically return to its take-off point. You can also activate a home return manually.
The battery life is pretty good, although the stated 30 minutes of flight are possible only in ideal conditions. In real UAVs it will last less - about 26 minutes.
The drone camera can shoot 4K and 60 FPS video. In this case, a less expensive model puts a checkmate on such a monster of aerial photo and video shooting as DJI Mavic 2 Pro. You can take photos in Raw or JPG format with a resolution of 12 MP. Image quality is on par with powerful modern smartphones.
pros: compact, foldable design, stable 4K shooting at up to 60 frames per second, the remote control has a 3.3-inch screen that displays telemetry data, battery life, and other important data.
Minuses: It’s hard to find for sale in Russia, look on Aliexpress or on Ebay. There is no notification of restricted areas. Have to tinker to remove the memory card.
2. DJI Inspire 1
The average price is 149,990 rubles.
Specifications:
- by management complexity: professional
- size: large
- maximum flight time 18 min.
- maximum flight altitude 120 m
- maximum flight speed 22 m / s
- maximum video resolution: 2160p
- functions: automatic take-off and landing, first-person view (FPV), return to the take-off point, notification of restricted areas
- sensors: magnetometer, accelerometer, ultrasonic sensor, barometer, visual positioning sensor, gyroscope
- control: radio channel
- Supported OS: Android, iOS
- navigation system: GPS
DJI Inspire 1 gives you everything you need for aerial filming and photography of the highest quality. His camera supports 4K video recording at 25 frames per second, and the lens provides a 94-degree view.
In flight, the Inspire 1 feels extremely stable even at high altitude and in strong winds. It also has the ability to control flight and camera from different remotes and is equipped with a retractable landing gear.
This drone uses a 3-axis pendant camera control system with a full pan range of 360 degrees. This allows the camera to maintain a fixed angle on the subject no matter how the drone moves. Inspire 1 is also compatible with iOS and Android, and all you need to do is connect your device to the remote control and you're ready to fly.
pros: there is an autopilot, there is a notification of restricted areas and the ability to return to the take-off point.
Minuses: The only significant drawback of the Inspire 1 is its very short battery life and, to a lesser extent, the high price
1. DJI Phantom 4 PRO
The average price is 125,000 rubles.
Specifications:
- complexity management: amateur
- size: medium
- camera availability: with camera
- maximum flight time 30 min.
- maximum flight altitude 500 m
- maximum flight speed 20 m / s
- maximum video resolution: 2160p
- functions: Point of Interest, ActiveTrack, TapFly, Draw, automatic take-off and landing, gesture control, flying around set points, intelligent orientation control, first-person view (FPV), returning to the take-off point, following the operator, warning about restricted areas
- sensors: magnetometer, accelerometer, ultrasonic sensor, barometer, visual positioning sensor, infrared sensor, gyroscope
- control: radio channel
- Supported OS: Android, iOS
- navigation system: GLONASS, GPS
Although this quadrocopter costs a little more than its closest competitor DJI Mavic 2 Pro, it has some additional features for which many enthusiasts are willing to pay extra. They include: a titanium-magnesium alloy housing, an additional battery, 6 optical sensors (2 look down, two look back and 2 look forward) and a camera with the ability to take 14 frames per second in burst mode.
DJI Phantom 4 PRO allows you to record video with a resolution of 4K UHD at 60 frames per second. And to make shooting easier, the quadrocopter has features such as:
- Point of interest - allows the quadrocopter operator to set the radius, altitude and speed of flight.
- Activetrack - Intelligent mode that allows you to track moving objects. So the operator in time recognizes an obstacle in flight.
- Tapfly - the ability to fly in the right direction by pressing a finger on the screen in a mobile application.
pros: easy to use, wide 20 mm lens, return function to take-off point, automated flight modes.
Minuses: a wide-angle lens sometimes creates distortion at the edges, autofocus does not always work quickly in poor lighting conditions or in the case of low-contrast objects.
Rating of quadrocopters with a 2020 camera
3. Xiaomi MiTu Minidrone 720P
The average price is 5,990 rubles.
Specifications:
- maximum flight time 10 min.
- maximum flight height 25 m
- maximum video resolution: 720p
- functions: first-person view (FPV)
- sensors: accelerometer, ultrasonic sensor, barometer, visual positioning sensor, infrared sensor
- control: WiFi, Bluetooth
- Supported OS: Android, iOS
- no registration required for flights
This is a wonderful quadrocopter with a camera for a beginner and a great gift for a schoolchild.MiTu Minidrone provides not only a ten-minute flight, but also a first-person view with the possibility of video shooting with a resolution of 720p.
This drone is convenient to operate and small enough to be used in a large room or on the street, in addition, without the need to register with the Federal Air Transport Agency.
An important advantage of this model is the presence of internal memory. Thanks to this, the recording quality will not deteriorate, which happens when transferring data via Wi-Fi. And if we are talking about Wi-Fi, then keep in mind that this drone is "friendly" only with devices that support WiFi 5.8 GHz.
pros: the camera shoots well under normal lighting conditions, it can be controlled both using a mobile application and using a Bluetooth gamepad, there is an air combat mode with another MiTu Minidrone device, and high-quality assembly.
Minuses: short run time, poorly flies in windy weather due to light weight (88 grams).
2. DJI Mavic Air
The average price is 47 553 rubles.
Specifications:
- complexity management: amateur
- size: medium
- camera availability: with camera
- folding design
- maximum flight time 21 min.
- maximum flight altitude 500 m
- maximum flight speed 19 m / s
- maximum video resolution: 2160p
- functions: Point of Interest, ActiveTrack, TapFly, automatic take-off and landing, gesture control, first-person view (FPV), return to the take-off point, following the operator
- sensors: magnetometer, accelerometer, ultrasonic sensor, barometer, visual positioning sensor, infrared sensor, gyroscope
- control: WiFi, radio channel
- Supported OS: Android, iOS
- navigation system: GLONASS, GPS
For those who are looking for how to choose the best quadrocopter with a camera, we recommend paying attention to the folding DJI Mavic Air model. It can shoot video in Ultra HD resolution at a speed of 30 frames per second, 2720 × 1530 at a speed of 60 frames per second or in Full HD resolution at a speed of 120 frames per second.
Photos can be shot in HDR and panoramic. The drone also supports Raw and JPEG applications, making it ideal for professional video and commercial services.
This kid also has surprisingly good wind resistance. Even with a strong and gusty wind, he confidently holds the course, takes off well and safely returns to the owner.
pros: there is a collision avoidance system, lightweight and compact, simple operation, there is a built-in memory of 8 GB.
Minuses: fragile propellers, short flight time, thoughtful and well-optimized DJI GO4 application, but not in Russian.
1. DJI Mavic 2 Pro
The average price is 113,290 rubles.
Specifications:
- complexity management: amateur
- size: medium
- camera availability: with camera
- folding design
- maximum flight time 31 min.
- maximum flight altitude 500 m
- maximum flight speed 20 m / s
- maximum video resolution: 2160p
- functions: Point of Interest, ActiveTrack, TapFly, automatic take-off and landing, first-person view (FPV), return to the take-off point, following the operator
- sensors: magnetometer, visual positioning sensor, infrared sensor
- control: radio channel
- Supported OS: Android, iOS
- navigation system: GLONASS, GPS
Which quadrocopter with a camera is better to take if you want the shooting to be good at any time of filming and in any weather? The best choice is the DJI Mavic 2 Pro. It offers a 20 MP camera with a viewing angle of 77 °, controlled by f / 2.8 - f / 11 aperture, the ability to shoot in 4K with 30 FPS and shoot accelerated video. This model also has support for DJI Goggles glasses.
Whatever route you set for the quadrocopter, you can count on overcoming it, thanks to 360-degree avoidance of obstacles. And thanks to a well-thought-out stabilization system, this drone confidently flies even with strong winds.
pros: excellent shooting quality, long working hours, very convenient menu, the software works stably, without glitches and freezes, the battery can withstand low temperatures.
Minuses: dear, requires registration with the Federal Air Transport Agency.
