


We prefer rechargeable drone batteries that last at least 30 minutes, and we recommend that pilots pick up a few extras so that they can spend more time flying. But a shorter flight time means fewer shots, shorter videos, and less flexibility. Long battery life: Longer-lasting batteries tend to be larger and weigh more, so manufacturers try to balance drone size with battery life.A three-axis gimbal is the industry standard. Three-axis gimbal: A good gimbal stabilizes a camera attached to a drone with accelerometers and gyroscopes even when you are flying in wind or a jerky pattern, and it’s essential if you want usable footage.We consider only those models that can shoot at least 12-megapixel photos and capture smooth 4K video. High-quality camera: Generally, the more you pay for a photography drone, the better the camera you get.

We prefer drones that have this technology, as it removes a lot of stress for new flyers, but most budget options lack these features, so we make exceptions for drones under $500. Crash-avoidance sensors: Many modern drones have sensors that detect obstacles approaching in any direction and can adjust their flight path to avoid a crash.Drones shaped like planes do exist, but they’re not as easy to fly as models with evenly distributed propellers. Quadcopter design: A drone with a quadcopter shape (or alternatives, such as hexacopters, that add more arms) produces the most stable photo and video because such models can steadily hold their position in the air.
