Drones are increasingly becoming an essential piece of equipment for aspiring content creators. Drones allow you to take stunning aerial shots and thus create striking visual imagery that allows you to stand out from the crowd. However, you may be understandably nervous about investing in your first drone. Drones certainly aren’t the easiest pieces of equipment to operate, so I highly recommend purchasing a beginner drone to learn the ropes and hone your skills before upgrading to a more advanced model.

I have first-hand experience of a drone disaster. In Bora Bora, I chanced using my drone when I could see rain on the horizon and, well… let’s just say that that risk did NOT pay off! My drone went down and was never seen again. I’ve also broken another drone by bumping it into the side of a building whilst using it in a city. The moral of the story: get a beginner drone to learn on! Here are the best options right now.

The DJI Mini 2

I’m a big fan of DJI. I love their OM 4 gimbal for creating Instagram stories and they have some great advanced drones, too. The DJI Mini 2, however, is the perfect beginner option. It’s lightweight, compact, affordable and it captures 4K video, so it’s amazing for creating Instagram Reels and TikTok videos. It can resist winds up to 38kph so it will help you create stable footage and it has 10k video transmission. 

Honestly, the DJI Mini 2 is my favorite option on this list. It’s great not just for photography but for video too and in terms of engagement, video content is really where it’s at right now.

Ryze Tello 

At $99, the Ryze Tello is a great budget option that gives you serious bang for your buck. It’s compact and easy to fly, so it’s really great for beginners to learn on. It has a 100-metre range and captures 5MP photos so although it’s not the most advanced option on this list, you can still experiment and capture some striking photos for your Instagram feed. Unfortunately, the video is where this drone falls a little short. However, the quality is still good enough to learn on, but you will want to upgrade once you get good. And for such an affordable price, you really can’t complain! 

Potensic Dreamer 4K 

The Potensic Dreamer is easy to set up and fly, which makes it a great way to get acquainted with the art of aerial photography. It’s simple, straightforward controls are what make this affordable device so beginner-friendly. Best of all, a full charge will give you four hours of use which is very good going for a drone!

Simrex X300C 

The Simrex X300C is the most affordable option on this list. It feels a lot like a drone that was created for kids to use, but don’t let that put you off. This model is so lightweight that you won’t have to register it, and it’s easy to use so it’s perfect for beginners.

However, although the Simrex X300C feels like a toy, it won’t fall apart as easily. I’m not recommending that you bump or crash it, but it’s definitely studier than you might think. All in all, this is a great little drone that’s perfect for learning the ropes.

Holy Stone 110D

Holy Stone offers quality, reliable drones for all ability levels. The 110D features altitude control so that you can take your hands off of the joystick controller and leave the drone suspended in the air. It also has extra-easy headless mode and gesture control, which is pretty impressive at this price point. The HS110D also has a wide-angle lens and can capture video up to 1080P, so it punches above its beginner-drone status in terms of image quality.

Drone Tips for Beginners

• Check local laws. Here in the US, drones weighing above 250g have to be registered. Bear in mind that you also have to get Part 107 certified if you’re flying a drone for commercial use.
• Read the manual. Every drone is different so read the manual from cover to cover before take off!
• Fly in open air – not near any skyscrapers!
• Learn to fly your drone towards you first.
• Check the weather. Strong winds, rain, fog or snow are all total no-gos – especially for beginners!
• Pay close attention to battery status – you do not want your drone to run out of juice in mid-air.
• Have fun and get creative!

For more on photography, check out the best lenses for beginners or my guide to essential camera equipment for content creators.