There's only one name that really stands out in the drone market, and that's DJI. While other brands are available, almost every leading model comes from DJI, and so if you're looking for a drone, it make sense you'd want to seek out the best DJI drones. We've rounded up our favorite models in this guide.
The great thing about DJI is that the company creates a wide spectrum of drones. There are high-end professional drones on offer, but also budget-friendly drones suitable for beginners. No matter what budget you're working with, then, you'll find something to suit.
As always, when shopping for a drone, bear in mind its weight and make sure you do your research on any drone flying regulations in your country. Typically, if your drone weighs more than 250g, you'll need to register it with your local authority.
If you want to cast your net a little wider in your hunt for the perfect drone, take a look at our guide to the best drones, best camera drones or the best FPV drones.
The quick list
Best drone overall
The DJI Mavic 3 Pro's camera quality is amongst the best in the world when it comes to consume drones. This is also the first model to offer three cameras.
Best mid-range drone
This is an impressive drone with a dual-camera set up and a range of features and functionality that rival pro models.
Best affordable drone
For an entry-level drone, the Mini 4K offers some impressive features, including 4K video. It's a great choice for beginners or those on a budget.
Best drone for children
Thanks to how easy it is to use and its budget-friendly price, we think this is a great option for beginners and children alike.
Best entry-level drone
Reasonably priced and lightweight, we think the DJI Mini 3 is a great choice for a first drone.
Best single-camera drone
The Four Thirds Hasselblad camera on the DJI Mavic 3 Classic is seriously impressive, making this our favorite single-camera drone.
The best DJI drones we recommend in 2025
Why you can trust Space.com Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test and review products.
Best drone overall
✅ You want to shoot high-quality: The DJI Mavic 3 Pro shoots up to 5.1K resolution, with framerates of 75fps. Phew. It's great for slo-mo, too, shooting up to 200fps at 1080p.
❌ You're a beginner: While this drone is easy to learn to use, it's very expensive. There are much better drones for newcomers offering great features for a lower price.
🔎 DJI Mavic 3 Pro: Undoubtedly the best DJI drone on the market, the camera quality here is second to none, and it offers the most professional experience for a consumer drone. ★★★★★
If you want the best of the best, you won't be disappointed with the DJI Mavic 4 Pro. It packs in a fantastic camera, professional functionality and a large suite of features that will suit almost all drone users.
In our DJI Mavic 3 Pro review, we sung the praises of the drone's camera capabilities. There are three cameras here: a 24mm Four Thirds Hasselblad, a 70mm medium telephoto camera and a 166mm telephoto. There's a great range of focal lengths covered, allowing you to get really creative when shooting. The Hasselblad is particularly impressive, with an adjustable aperture between f/2.8 and f/11.
You'll find the traditional Mavic folding design in the DJI Mavic 3 Pro, meaning it can be packed away for easy travel. There are two controller options for the drone too, both having 5.5-inch touchscreens, so you don't need to rely on your smartphone for flight control.
You'll get around 30 minutes of flying time on a full charge of the Mavic 3 Pro, and we've found it very intuitive and easy to fly. There are a number of flight assistance functions that make flying a joy, like Advanced Return to Home, AirSense ADS-B, obstacle sensing and geofencing.
- Read our full DJi Mavic 3 Pro review.
Best mid-range drone
✅ You want excellent images: The cameras on this drone are excellent, particularly the main wide-angle camera.
❌ You don't want to have to register with the authorities: Since this drone weighs more than 250g, you'll need to register it the FAA or your local equivalent.
🔎 DJI Air 3S: This dual-camera drone offers fantastic image quality, and it's also a joy to fly thanks to its advanced features like collision avoidance. ★★★★½
If you don't want the most expensive drone on the market but you also require something more advanced than an entry level model, then the DJI Air 3S might be a good compromise. The mid-range drone sits somewhere between the Mini 3 and the Mavic 3 Pro in terms of functionality, but thanks to a wide range of advanced features it feels more professional than its beginner-friendly counterparts.
In our DJI Air 3S review, we praised how versatile the drone's cameras are. There are two cameras on board: a 50MP 1-inch 24mm CMOS camera, and a a 48MP 1/1.3-inch 70mm telephoto camera. Between them, you're able to capture some truly incredible photos and the dual cameras allow for some creative flair.
It's a great choice for video, too. You can capture 4K up to 120fps and 1080p up to 240fps, so it's great for slow-motion videos. You can also capture with flat color profiles if you like to get more advanced with color grading in post processing. The same goes for stills: You can choose between Raw and JPEG formats.
Away from its camera functionalities, the DJI Air 3S is a joy to fly thanks to its wealth of advanced features. You'll find a forward-facing LiDAR to aid with night flying, advanced collision avoidance and impressive subject tracking capabilities.
- Read our full DJI Air 3S review.
Best affordable drone
- Read our full DJI Mini 4K review
Best drone for children
- Read our full DJI Ryze Tello review
Best entry-level drone
- Read our full DJI Mini 3 review
Best single-camera drone
- Read our full DJI Mavic 3 Classic review.
The best DJI drones: Frequently asked questions
Which DJI drone models are best for beginners?
Sub-250g drones are a great option for beginners because they're small, lightweight and are less restricted than larger drones in most regions. This ultimately makes them easier to fly, and some models provide advanced features and professional camera functionality. We think the DJI Mini 3 or the Mini 4K are the best choices for beginners.
Are larger DJI drones unsuitable for beginners?
Sub-250g models may be recommended for beginners, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't buy a larger model if you have the budget. The Air 3 and Mavic 3 Pro models are just as easy to fly as the Mini models, but just remember that larger drones are subject to more rules and regulations. These can be checked for all drones on the FAA website in the US and the CAA website in the UK.
Do DJI drone kits include everything I need?
Most DJI drone kits, except for drone-only options, include everything you need to get started with flight, but Fly More Bundles offer additional useful accessories. You may need to register your drone or register yourself as a drone pilot with your country's aviation authority depending on the model you buy and the region where you live.
Should I buy a Fly More Bundle?
Fly More Bundles typically include an extra two batteries, additional spare propellers, a battery charging hub and a carry bag for the drone. So, for many people what's included is extremely useful. The Fly More Bundle is also usually less expensive than buying the included items separately.
Will I require any additional accessories?
You can fly perfectly well with just a drone, controller and smartphone if you don't have a smart controller, but there are accessories, such as landing mats, that are extremely useful. Check out our drones accessories gift guide for some handy recommendations.
How we test
All of our drones reviews are either done by expert staff or freelancers who have hundreds if not thousands of hours of flying time behind them. The drones you see in this guide have either been reviewed and selected by an expert who believes it should make the cut, or, by an expert who hasn't yet reviewed a model for us, but recommends it.
Here at space.com we have complete journalistic independence and we have a wide catalogue of drone reviews so you can rely on the recommendations and our judgement on the best DJI drones on the market.
Recent updates
Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com.
