Are you a fan of drone technology and want to use it for your photography? Are you looking for a great drone for your GoPro?
The drone is the new trend in photography, so if you don’t want to be left behind, you’ve got to get one. Do you agree?
As a photographer or a videographer, you would want to take your skills to greater heights – literally and figuratively. Of course, you would want to deliver great shots and capture the breathtaking views from atop and without a drone, that would be difficult if not impossible to achieve.
Good news! There are drones for GoPro. So, if you already have a GoPro, you don’t necessarily need to buy an expensive camera drone to do aerial photography. Just get the best GoPro drone, and from there, you can further your photography skills!
Best GoPro Drones Reviews
At this point, we know that you are already very comfortable with your GoPro and are excited to take your photography to the next level by taking on aerial photography. I understand the excitement and we are here to support you!
To help you achieve that goal, we compiled the best GoPro drones in the market. These drones are compatible with GoPro enabling you to use your favorite camera for aerial photography this time.
Read More: 5 Best Drones for Beginners 2019 – Tips & Buying Guidelines
1. Traxxas Aton Plus Quadcopter
Specs
Dimensions: 18.6 x 18.6 x 3.7 inches
Flight time: About 20 minutes
Range: Around 150m
Traxxas is a well-known brand for RC cars and boat categories which could be the reason for its unique design. Its mainframe uses super durable plastic that is also present in other Traxxas product for high-quality and durability. The battery and quad come with ID plug for convenient charging.
There are three modes for Aton Plus – Film, Sport and Expert. Thanks to these modes you get to enjoy the maximum flying freedom that a drone for GoPro could offer.
Here’s a quick overview of its three modes:
Film
Aton excels in capturing beautiful videos and images with its easy to use controls. You don’t need previous flight experience to get the best shot. With this, aerial videography is virtually effortless. GoPro Camera is just amazing.
Sport
If you are into a speedy and more athletic flight experience, this mode is for you. Sport mode makes you appear like a flight pro as you press the button to perform flips and rolls. Thanks to Aton’s 6-axis flight stability, you can easily accomplish this.
When Aton Plus is in Sport mode, you’ll be able to reach speeds of 50mph. Also, it offers a very steady platform, so you don’t have to worry about shaky footage. Unfortunately, you’ll only have around 10-minute flight time with this mode.
Expert
As the name says, this mode is not for beginners. Expert mode is for the more advanced users as this unlocks Aton’s full performance capability for an impressive aerobatic flight without missing the view.
You can use Traxxas FlightLink to unlock the full potential of Traxxas Aton. This user-friendly app lets you customize the flight controls.
Overall, Traxxas Aton Plus is a great quadcopter. Thanks to its excellent features, this great GoPro drone will surely take your photography and videography to the next level. We highly recommend this. This makes it one of the best drones for GoPro.
Read More: How To Fly A Drone For Beginners
PROS
- Smart design with a rugged build
- Three modes for maximum flying freedom
- Two-axis gimbal is compatible with most GoPro cams
- 20-minute flight time with Film mode
CONS
- 10-minute flight time with Sport mode
- Not the best drone for beginners
- Only for low weight action cameras
2. 3DR Solo
Specs
Dimensions: 9.23 x 16.52 x 16.42 inches
Flight time: 20-25 minutes
Range: 5 miles
Weight: 3.3 lbs
Payload capacity: 420g
Max speed: 55 mph
3DR Solo is a highly advanced drone with a sleek look. It has a sexy matte black finish and colored LED lights on each of the arms which helps you fix the orientation of your drone when it’s in-flight.
3DR Solo also has a robust built and stable flight dynamics. It can withstand sudden strong gusts of wind.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t have collision avoidance. So, you have to fly this drone carefully because it can’t detect obstacles. Another downside is that it takes time to hit GPS on the first start.
Solo is the first drone with a brain as it uses two 1 GHz computers to power it. This smart GoPro drone enables you to get professional aerial photos and videos thanks to its pushbutton flight and computer-assisted Smart Shots features.
3DR Solo includes a host of built-in safety and support features. That’s not all; it is the only all-in-one drone to offer live video streaming in vivid HD from your GoPro directly to your mobile device. GoPro Camera is just amazing.
For its price range, 3DR Solo has a decent flight time of 20 minutes. It’s also easy to use for both beginners and professionals. It has a new video game-style controller and a satellite-guided flight for a smooth flying experience.
Also, we assure you that this will not be obsolete after a year because this is built to evolve. It is designed to integrate with the new technology including first-party accessories, third-party accessories and new gimbals. Isn’t that great?
Read More: 10 Best Drones for Kids in 2019 – Ultimate Buying Guide
PROS
- 20-minute flight
- Smart drone for GoPro
- Easy to maneuver
- Lots of pre-installed flight modes
- Robust and has stable flight dynamics
CONS
- Takes time to hit GPS on initial start
- No collision detection
3. Altair Aerial Blackhawk Drone
Specs
Dimension: 10.1 x 9.1 x 4.4 inches
Flight time: 15-20 minutes
Range: 300 – 500 meters
Payload capacity: 7 lbs
Altair Aerial Blackhawk is a heavy duty intermediate drone that is compatible with GoPro HERO or similar action cameras. It has an aerodynamic design with 15-20 minute flight time and 300-500 meter range which is impressive for a GoPro drone under $200.
Its heavy metal frame, notable speed, and extended flight range are sure to give you a fun drone experience. Its brushless motors are noticeably quieter compared to other cheap toy drones.
Blackhawk is reasonably beginner-friendly. This GoPro drone is easy to control. Once the battery is ready, you can easily connect it to the controller.
You will see plenty of extra buttons on the controller for adjusting the trim or other calibration effects, but you won’t need it because this drone works perfectly straight out of the box. GoPro Camera is just amazing.
Even if you are new to flying drones, you won’t have a hard time getting started with this. You can quickly assemble this within 15 minutes. Also, you will only need a screwdriver to complete the assembly. The instructions are straightforward and easy to follow, which is very helpful.
However, you can’t expect fancy features from this device probably because it’s a low-cost GoPro drone. There’s no headless mode, no altitude hold and no one-touch takeoff.
You shouldn’t worry though because it has the basics of what you need to start aerial photography. However, don’t expect to control this from your phone, because you don’t have that option.
Overall, Altair Blackhawk has the speed, range, and stability at a meager price. For those looking for the cheapest drone for GoPro, you should check this out.
Read More: 5 Best Cheap Drones Reviews 2019 – Budget Drones Under $100
PROS
- Fast and aerodynamic
- Brushless motors are quiet
- Beginner-friendly
- Able to mount GoPro unlike other cheap drones
CONS
- No app features
- Cannot be controlled without the remote
4. Force1 F100 Ghost Quadcopter
Specs
Dimension: 16 x 13 x 6 inches
Flight time: 15 minutes x 2 (30 minutes)
Range: 300 – 500 feet
Weight: 15.7 ounces
For those who want to purchase their first GoPro drone and are looking for a cheap option, this brand is for you. Force1 F100 Ghost fits every type of pilot: from a complete novice to advanced users.
Force 1 Ghost is probably among the cheapest drones for GoPro in the market. But don’t be fooled by its price because it’s very competitive. It offers crisp high definition footage which is perfect for aerial photography.
Also, you can enjoy flying up this drone for 15 minutes. But this comes with an extra battery that doubles the flight time to 30 minutes which also doubles the fun!
F100 Ghost banks on its brushless motors for a quiet flight. The onboard camera mount fits GoPro Hero 3 and 4. Its low-speed mode is perfect for beginners because it’s great for taking videos and pictures.
You can switch to high-speed mode if you become familiar with the controls. As you develop flight skills, impress your friends with breathtaking stunts and flips. GoPro Camera is just amazing.
You have to be extra careful though because the spare parts for this unit are challenging to find. Moreover, it doesn’t have a first-person view and GPS. Lastly, check first if the mount fits your GoPro because it doesn’t fit some GoPro models.
Overall, F100 Ghost is a must-try for those who are looking for a cheap GoPro drone or for beginners who don’t want to invest in an expensive drone for their new hobby. This device has the basics to get you started with drones.
Also, they have fantastic customer support who wants their clients to be satisfied with their purchase. There’s no reason not to try this.
PROS
- Easy to set up
- Responsive controls
- Brushless motors for a quiet flight
- 30-minute flight time
- Perform aerial stunts with ease
- Comes with four spare propellers
CONS
- Hard to get replacement parts
- Not compatible with all GoPro cameras
- No FPV (first person view)
- No GPS
5. GoPro Karma Quadcopter
Specs
Dimension: 11.9 x 17.3 x 5.9 inches
Flight time: 20 minutes
Range: 3 km
Weight: 11.65 pounds
GoPro Karma continues to be among the best GoPro drones in the market because it offers complete control of your camera and has super cool and smooth video features like Orbit, Cable Cam and Dronie.
Karma’s unique super smooth video is due to its “not too high” speed and controlled movements. It allows you to fly for around 20 minutes. However, you have to stay well within the controller range to avoid drops in connection. GoPro Camera is just amazing.
With this, you can take stunning aerial videos that look straight out of a Hollywood movie. You can also shoot videos without having to deal with shakes and unlevelled horizon because the gimbal delivers an impressive stabilization when you control the movements of your drone
The integrated screen on the controller provides ease of usage. You don’t have to download an app to connect the drone to a phone or tablet. The menu on the screen allows you to change camera settings and takeoff for hovering.
If you are the type who travels a lot, then you will love this more. GoPro Karma is foldable like the Mavic, so you can conveniently store it and take it with you on your next adventure.
Karma’s flight performance was superb. When I tested it, I experienced a smooth takeoff, hovering, and landing. However, the Karma’s controller is shorter than other drones, so it is harder to hold still. The video downlink is good, but it has a soft focus. It makes for a less sharp output.
Despite its limitations, GoPro Karma Quadcopter remains a solid choice. There is no question that this is designed perfectly for a GoPro Hero camera.
PROS
- Great stabilization using the Gimbal
- Portable and easy to use
- Smooth takeoff, hovering, and landing
- The integrated screen on the controller is convenient for FPV
- Fits GoPro Hero4, Hero5, Hero6, and Hero7
CONS
- Downlink is not very sharp
- The short controller is hard to hold still
6. Yuneec Typhoon G
Specs
Dimension: 20 x 16.5 x 8.3 inches
Flight time: 20 minutes
Range: 400m
Weight: 11.65 pounds
Yuneec Typhoon G is a powerful drone that even beginners can fly without issues. This drone is solely for GoPro and similar action cameras, so it is capable of shooting picturesque landscapes and magnificent skylines.
This RTF drone requires minimal fixing such as putting the batteries in and installing your preferred cam. It also features home flight mode that lets the drone fly to where it started.
Home flight mode is helpful if it’s your first time flying a drone and you find it challenging to control the drone back to where you are. Aside from that, there are more pre-installed modes such as “Follow me” and “Watch Me” that will assist you to get started conveniently.
FPV video transmission is compatible with Typhoon G’s gimbal. However, it is only limited up to 400 meters. So, don’t go too high because it loses signal at higher altitudes. GoPro Camera is just amazing.
The controller of the drone is the ST10+ remote controller. There are several buttons you have to be familiar with to fly the GoPro drone so it may take some time for beginners to control this completely.
Yuneec Typhoon G can reach speeds up to 15mph when GPS is enabled. If you turn it off, it speeds up to 60 mph.
There is no shock resistance feature available, so if you want to let kids play with Typhoon G, better do it while you are watching them.
Overall, this is another great GoPro drone because it is easy to assemble and control with lots of helpful pre-programmed modes.
Read More: 15 Best Drones with Cameras 2019 Reviews: Ultimate Buying Guideline
PROS
- Easy to assemble and maneuver
- Lots of pre-programmed modes
- Flexible with your camera choice
- The drone is fast even with GPS-enabled
CONS
- No shock resistance feature
- Beginners might be confused with the controller at first
7. DJI Phantom 2 Quadcopter
Specs
Dimension: 20 x 10 x 14 inches
Flight time: 25 minutes
Range: 300m
This GoPro drone is great for your expensive action camera because it is stable and safe. That’s not all; it is also easy to fly and easy to control.
For beginners, this is an excellent option if you want to invest in a high-quality and safe drone for GoPro because it is durable. It also includes a return to home feature, so you can easily retrieve the drone if the controls are switched off or if you lose control.
Recording videos and capturing photos are also easier to achieve with this GoPro drone because it comes with a Zenmuse H3-3D 3-axis gimbal, a new and technologically advanced version that offers plenty of support for smooth recording and stability.
With its stable flying qualities, integrated GPS and other safety features designed to prevent crashes, there is no doubt that DJI Phantom 2 is a great GoPro drone. GoPro Camera is just amazing.
The downside with Phantom 2 is its size. This GoPro drone is big which makes it more adept outdoors, but not for smaller areas. Also, it doesn’t come with FPV, but you can add it if you purchase the DJI Phantom FPV Kit for GoPro Hero.
Phantom 2 is a bit more expensive compared to its competitors. However, it has advanced functions, extended flight time and safety features that its competitors lack. It also delivers high-quality videos, thanks to a very stable gimbal. We highly recommend this.
PROS
- Very stable and safe
- Has return to home feature
- Delivers smooth and amazing videos
- Long flying time
- Comes with advanced gimbal
CONS
- More pricey
- No FPV
- Not for small spaces
How to Choose the Right GoPro Drone in 2019
Before you buy a drone for your GoPro, figure out why you want one in the first place.
The GoPro drone you decide to buy must be dependent on your intended purpose. GoPro drones are relatively small in size and built specifically for taking amazing aerial pictures and videos.
If it’s your first time buying a drone, you should consider these factors.
Stability
Flight stability is crucial for capturing videos that don’t shake. A gimbal helps you capture smooth and terrific shots.
Laws
Before trying out your drone, consider the laws regarding drone flight in your area. The US drone pilots have to abide by FAA regulations for recreational fliers and modeler.
Flight time
Consider flight time and capabilities when looking for a GoPro drone. Of course, you want a longer flight time to take the best shots and videos possible.
Size
Finally, size matters when choosing a GoPro drone. If you could see yourself filming in remote areas or mountains, opt for a regular quadcopter but if you would be using it in tight spaces better go for a mini or nano quadcopter.
Features
The different GoPro drones come with different features for example home flight mode and FPV. You have to determine what feature is important for you and go for the drone that includes that when you buy your equipment.
Read More: Buying A Drone 101: What Drone Should You Buy?
Conclusion
GoPro drones can take your perspective to new heights. If you’re into aerial photography and videography, consider having one to further your profession. There is always one that fits your requirements, but you have to determine what suits you best.
Consider the flight time, stability, features, and size when buying your GoPro drone. Determine your purpose for needing one and where you will be using it most of the time because there are drones that are best for outdoor activities and there are some that perform well indoors. Choose one that suits your needs, and that would be the best for you.
What’s your favorite GoPro drone in the list? Have you tried any of it? Feel free to share your experience with us below.