Mini drones are lightweight and portable devices that cater to different people. They can be classified as a toy drone, with capabilities ranging from aerial photography to racing.

They are also easy to use for kids and kids at heart. This way, they can serve as a beginner drone as well.

From the growing list of mini drones, we chose the DJI Mavic Air as the most promising. It paves the way in terms of introducing 4K videos in this space, among other features.

But there are other names to learn about, and we are about to go over them shortly.

Best Mini Drones of 2022

1. DJI Mavic Air

Best Overall

Best Overall

Mini drones should not be underestimated, especially if you’re referring to the DJI Mavic Air. Crafted by arguably the leader in drone technology, this model deploys 4K videos at 30 fps capability. The 3-axis mechanical gimbal ensures that the camera is stable during flight. 

Professional photographers and videographers can bet on its output, although they may need advanced editing and storage equipment because of the large file size.

At 430 grams, this unit is ultraportable. But don’t be fooled by the weight of this mini drone because it can manage a flight time of 21 minutes. Activate the Sport mode to run it at a top speed of over 42 mph or 68 kph. 

This foldable drone with a camera costs under $500, so it is accessible to beginners on a budget. Its controller is foldable as well, so you can take this with you on your next adventure, hassle-free.

DJI Mavic Air is Suitable For:

With a portable, foldable, lightweight design, this drone fits the requirements of beginners who love to go on adventures and want to maximize aerial photography. It’s one of the DJI offerings that can match under $500 budgets. It is easy to use and ideal for starters.

Pros:

• It produces 4K 30 fps videos with its high-quality camera for drone and 3-axis mechanical gimbal.
• It is lightweight and foldable, allowing for better portability.
• It can be set to reach over 42 mph or 68 kph on Speed mode.
• It has a maximum flight time of 21 minutes.
• It costs under $500, which can be accessible to those without a bigger budget.

Cons:

• Users report that it uses the DJI Fly app, not DJI Go, so it may not be compatible with some devices.
• Its output may be hard to edit or store if you don’t have the equipment with the right capacity.
• It may still be pricey for buyers on a tight budget.

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2. DJI Mavic Mini

Best Overall

The Mavic Mini is one of the most popular DJI drones on this end of the market. It’s been named the best starter drone by experts and users alike, including us. It’s only bumped by another Mavic model out of the #1 spot because it yields 2.7K video, which is technically not at all bad.

Completing its other functions are the following: 

• a 4-kilometer transmission range
• a 500-meter controller range
• a revamped 30-minute flight time limit

You can view your live feed through the HD display on your controller. While the Air has its collision sensors, this one is outfitted with just a proximity sensor. Still, you can rest assured that your drone is safe enough during its sky operations.

The GPS and geofencing help you keep away from airports so that you can fly with peace of mind. At under $500, the Mavic Mini belongs to the more affordable drones from DJI.

DJI Mavic Mini is Suitable For:

This everyday flycam is made for those who seek a professional yet beginner-friendly flying experience. It has several features that can provide you with the safety and functionality that you need as you operate your drone with starting skills. Then, you are not left wanting for when your skills become upgraded.

Pros:

• Its high-quality camera can produce a 2.7K video, which is exceptional enough among mini drones. 
• It has good control and transmission range.
• A proximity sensor, GPS, and geofencing are engineered into its design to ensure a safe flight.
• It is so lightweight and small that you can wrap your hand around it as if you’re holding a smartphone.
• It has a reasonable price for a mini drone.

Cons:

• It does not have collision sensors, which can be found in the other DJI Mavic units. It can be bundled with a replacement program, which may place an additional burden on your budget.
• Users report that it uses the DJI Fly app, not DJI Go, so it may not be compatible with some devices.

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3. Hubsan H122D X4 Storm

Best Value

Combining the ability to take aerial photos and videos with speedy functionality is the Hubsan H122D X4 Storm. It lets you take good visuals while doubling as a race-drone. It is the mini drone to buy if you also want to align your budget with a reliable drone. The last thing you want is not to get what you paid for.

You can get more from this model, starting with its feature that lets you view your real-time footage from the controller’s monitor. This one comes pre-configured, so you won’t have to worry about setup. Just assemble and launch the drone. You can control it up to 100 meters away. And it can reach 400 feet above ground without encountering any issues.

You can snag this deal starting at around $100. It gives you value for your money with its photography and videography results, as well as drone racing ability. Further, it is backed by a one-year limited warranty.

Hubsan H122D X4 Storm is Suitable For:

Amateur photographers and videographers with a tight budget can look into the details of this drone. It doubles as a race-drone for enthusiasts of this emerging sport. This one is a low-cost alternative to DJI and other high-end choices.

Pros:

• It can yield 780p high-definition (HD) videos, which you can view via live feed at a 100-meter controlling distance.
• It has multiple speed modes that you can use for drone racing practice.
• Its monitor is pre-configured, making it a launch-and-go model.
• It has no problems reaching the altitude limit of 400 ft.
• Its price is accessible to many people. 

Cons:

• It may only be used as a practice drone as it is smaller than a standard racing drone.
• Its flight time is limited.

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4. Eachine E58 Foldable RC Drone Quadcopter 

Best Value Runner-Up

There are multiple features to highlight when it comes to the Eachine E58 Foldable RC Drone Quadcopter. From its palm-fitting design and a decent camera to its various modes, it is a mini drone that deserves the spotlight more often. Its 720p camera comes with a 90° tilt setting. This renders clear, bright, and color-rich footage and images.

For distortion prevention, it dishes out the 6-axis gyroscope. For image stabilization, you have the 3-axis gimbal. Its controller is lightweight and intuitive. This First-Person View drone has a transmission range of around 80 meters. That is reduced to 30 meters with FPV in use.

While its published flying time is 12 minutes, some users report that actual flying time ranges from 7 to 9 minutes. But overall, its performance can make your $100 go a long way. You can even get it at a discounted price if you know when and where to look.

Eachine E58 Foldable RC Drone Quadcopter is Suitable For:

This quadcopter may be classified among cheap drones, but its camera quality does a good job for its price. That said, you can try it if you are looking for a low-cost option. Use it as your practice or starter drone and have fun with it. 

Pros:

• Its arms can be folded, allowing the fuselage to fit your palms
• It boasts of a 2 MP sensor that can help you take 720p photos and videos.
• It prevents distortion and remains pretty stable in flight.
• It is considered low-cost, making drones accessible to more people.

Cons:

• Its transmission range is relatively limited.
• It is published to fly for 12 minutes at the most, but its actual flight time can range from 7 to 9 minutes.
• It does not have GPS capability for safe and secure operation.

5. Potensic A30 RC Mini Quadcopter

Best Budget

Our choice in the Best Budget category is a toy drone that is meant for kids and kids at heart. The Potensic A30 RC Mini Quadcopter is a small package with several promising features. You can fly it indoors or outdoors, depending on your preference.

It is capable of altitude hold, which lets the aircraft hover at its current height when you release it. This makes for easy flying, even for first-time users. Learn piloting skills with the Headless Mode, which follows the direction your transmitter is facing for better control. And, of course, your device can stay safe with the protected propellers in place.

This drone will take an emergency stop when the battery is low, or the controller is out of range. It is recommended for those who are 14 years old and up. The price is also easy on the pocket at under $50. The fuselage comes in two colors: blue or black.

Potensic A30 RC Mini Quadcopter is Suitable For:

This toy drone is specially targeted at the younger market, yet it also works for adults. It has straightforward features to make drone flying simple for first-time users. The price is unbeatable at below $50. However, it may be used only for recreational flying and practice drone racing.

Pros:

• It has a lightweight body and protected propellers for safe and easy operation.
• It is stable despite its size.
• It has several features, such as Altitude Hold and Headless Mode.
• It can halt during emergencies, such as signal or battery loss.
• It costs under $50.

Cons:

• Its battery life may deteriorate quickly.
• It may not be able to fly during windy conditions.
• It does not come with a camera, which may be a bummer for budding photographers.

6. Cheerson CX-10C RC Quadcopter RTF Drone

Best Budget Runner-Up

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Cheerson is an Amazon seller of drones and accessories. The Cheerson CX-10C RC Quadcopter RTF Drone, one of the brand’s creations, is not a drone mini edition. Instead, it claims to be the world’s smallest quad: a nano version. 

It’s lightweight yet durable at the same time. It sports a 6-axis gyro, which provides stability when you’re flying in windy conditions.

It has various LED lights that enable you to take flight at night. If you want to try it out as a race-drone, you can switch the speed at high, middle, and low. However, it may not produce impressive visuals. Its camera is limited by its 0.3 MP status. Its flying time is also a measly 2.5 to 4 minutes.

You can buy this for yourself or as a gift at under $50.

Cheerson CX-10C RC Quadcopter RTF Drone is Suitable For:

This nano drone could be the smallest drone you can get your hands on. It has a built-in camera for the drone, although with minimal capabilities, so it isn’t for professional photographers who want to practice aerial photography. It has various speeds, though, which you can use in drone racing. It is great for beginners with a tight budget who want to have fun.

Pros:

• It is super lightweight and portable, being one of the smallest drones out there.
• It sports a camera for some photography capabilities.
• It gives you three Speed modes to switch to while you practice drone flying.
• It costs just $50.

Cons:

• It may not have the power to act as an official racing drone.
• Its camera features and resolution are limited.
• It may not be as durable as some higher-end options.

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What is the Best Mini Drone to Buy?

Among the mini drones on our list, the Mavic Air fulfills the most common requirements: high camera quality and speed. This makes this model stand out. You can consider it as a dual-purpose drone, with either capability working excellently.

If you want to get your money’s worth, you can also rely on the Mavic Air, the Mavic Mini, and the Hubsan H122D X4 Storm. They prove to deliver a lot of value, especially in the two areas mentioned.

But if you just want a unit for recreational flying, the Potensic A30 RC Mini Quadcopter will not break the bank. You can check it out for its top features, which are all accommodating of first-time users. 

As you can see, the answer depends on your priorities. So, make sure to know your negotiables and non-negotiables before shopping for a mini drone.

What is the Best Mini Drone with Camera?

We looked at many mini drones camera models while we conducted our research. Hands down, the DJI Mavic Air is still the best mini-drone with a camera out there. Its 4K video capability is unparalleled. Even the second-ranking DJI Mavic Mini can only manage to deliver 2.7K.

Of course, the 2.7K video has an advantage over the 4K version. When we think about the users of these mini drones, we are talking about beginners. Some of them may be budding photographers and videographers. But not all of them may have the equipment that can handle the size of a 4K output.

In this case, there’s also something to be had if you choose a lower resolution camera. Aside from the Mavic Mini, the Hubsan X4 H122D and the Eachine E58 Foldable RC Drone Quadcopter are both contenders in this category.

Conclusion

Our top 6 picks were carefully selected to give you a good number of options without driving you nuts. The choices out there can already overwhelm even the most veteran users among us. So, we hope that you read the reviews and found the answers to your questions.

With the Mavic Air leading our list, we can say that DJI remains the brand to check out. Yet, even a highly-regarded model like the Air can have its limitations. Your priorities and preferences matter at this point because they can serve as your filter. If the Mavic Air isn’t for you, there are five others to consider. Any of these can be the right fit for you.

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