How to buy the best drone and pilot it safely in 2024

Whether you're piloting it to capture breathtaking video or bird's eye photos, the best drones are expensive bits of kit and can easily cost hundreds – if not thousands – of pounds.

When shopping for a drone, you'll need to consider how and where you want to use it, as this will not only affect the price, but also whether you need to pass a test or get certain ID before you can fly.

Below, we've covered everything you need to know about taking to the skies, including what size drone you should consider and the rules and regulations you'll need to follow.

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What are the different types of drone?

A drone is typically an unmanned aerial vehicle that is controlled by someone on the ground. They have no crew or passengers, and can serve a variety of purposes – from photography to research and surveillance.

In this guide, we'll be focusing on smaller drones weighing less than 1kg that are equipped with cameras. There are larger drones available, but you'll need proper licences and training in order to fly them. These large drones also tend to cost several thousands of pounds and, if it weighs over 20kg, it's considered a commercial drone.

There are a few different ways a drone can fly:

• Multirotor: Four or more propellers lift these drones off the ground. They have good stability and control – making them great for photography. Most small consumer models, like the drones we will be covering in this guide, tend to be multirotor drones.
• Fixed-wing: These fly in a similar fashion to an aeroplane. They have a large fixed wing and need to take off like a plane. They tend to be heavier and are used to travel long distances. Fixed-wing drones are typically used commercially or by governments.
• Powered-lift drones: Sometimes referred to as hybrid drones, these models take off like a helicopter. They tend to be used by businesses to make longer-distance drone deliveries.

The most common types of consumer drones are:

• Small camera drones under 250g
• Small camera drones over 250g
• Small to medium camera drones between 250g and 1kg
• Small drones without a camera
• Toy drones

Are drones legal? 

Yes, drones are legal to own and fly in the UK. However, there are some regulations you're required to follow and you may need to obtain some identification for you and your drone if it weighs over 250g or has a camera. We've explained this in more detail below.

What should I look for when buying a drone?

Key factors to consider when buying a drone include:

• Ease of flying: The best drones will have a dedicated controller rather than being steered via an app on your phone. This allows for better control over the machinery. Some controllers have a built-in display so you can see the photos your drone is going to take. You may also be able to pre-program the drone to take a set route. 
• Safety features: These can include built-in avoidance technology that allows drones to dodge trees, or functions that set a maximum distance so you don't need to hunt it down in case the battery dies. The best drones will also have a 'return to home' feature which makes it return to its take-off point if it loses connection from the controller, or 10 seconds after a low-battery warning.
• Good cameras: Look for a drone capable of 4K video and at least an 8.3Mp camera, especially if photos are important. You'll also want to make sure the camera has a good ISO range that can hit between 50 and 3,200, so your photos aren't too dark or bright.
• Good battery life: Flying is a pretty energy-intensive task, and most drones can only fly for around 20 to 40 minutes. When buying a drone, look for a model with detachable batteries. Extra batteries tend to cost between £50 and £180, so consider factoring this into your budget.
• Stability in pictures and videos: Drones can hover, but because they're lightweight they'll easily sway in wind. This can affect image quality and make videos look shaky, so look for drones that have a camera gimbal or image stabilisation software that can deal with flying and taking pictures at the same time.
• Weight: Always check the weight on the specs sheet - if it's over 250g, you'll need to get extra IDs and take a course to be able to fly it. 

The best drones will have most – if not all – of these features.

How much should I spend when buying a drone?

While it's possible to spend thousands, a good drone for amateur camerawork shouldn't cost more than £1,000. That will get you a drone from a reputable brand that can shoot 4K photos and video, and it's likely to have the features mentioned above.

Toy drones are significantly cheaper – you probably won't pay more than £80 for one.

What is the best drone to buy? 

DJI is one of the few brands that widely sells consumer models under 250g in the UK, so there isn't a huge variety to choose from.

Luckily, when we tested drones in 2017, DJI's drones performed very well: its older Phantom 4 model and Mavic Pro were the only two drones to earn a Best Buy from us.

Below, we've picked out a few of the brand's current popular models so you can compare specs and prices:

DJI Mini 2 SE

• Under 250g
• Stable hovering and wind resistance
• Return to home features

This beginner-friendly model costs around £269. While it's pretty cheap for a drone, you'll be compromising on the camera, as it can't take 4K photos or video. DJI claims it has a maximum flight time of 31 minutes, and you fly it by using a controller that your phone slots into so you can view what your drone sees. 

It weighs under 250g too, so you only need an Operator ID from the Civil Aviation Authority to fly it. You can check it out from DJI, or compare prices below:

DJI Mini 4 Pro

• Under 250g
• Omni-directional obstacle sensors
• Can shoot 4K 60FPS video

A step up from the Mini 2 SE, this costs around £689. Most retailers bundle it with extra batteries so you'll probably be spending closer to £980 in total. It has all the safety features we look for, 4K photos and video, a camera gimbal, and DJI claims it can fly for up to 34 minutes. 

The Mini 4 Pro weighs under 250g (if you use the smaller, swappable battery pack), so you'll only need to register it and yourself as the operator with the Civil Aviation Authority. You won't need to take a theory test in order to fly it. You can buy it from DJI, or check prices below:

DJI Mavic 3 Pro

• Over 250g – weighs 958g
• Omni-directional obstacle sensors
• Can transmit video up to 15km

If you're looking for a more professional model, DJI's Mavic 3 Pro features a tri-camera design that can take 5K photos and 4K video at 120 frames per second. It's got all our recommended safety features, comes with a controller with a built-in screen, a camera gimbal, and DJI claims it can fly for up to 43 minutes per battery. 

These premium features come at a cost though, as the Mavic 3 Pro is around £1,879. It weighs just under 1kg, so you'll need to pass a theory test from the Civil Aviation Authority and abide by stricter rules in order to fly it. You can get it from DJI, or compare prices below:

SYMA Z4W Explorer toy drone

• Range: 50 metres
• Can take off and land with one key
• Requires extra AA batteries, which aren't included

If you're just looking for a simple drone that kids can fly, this is a good option. It has two speeds that are set slower for beginners, and you can fly it with a remote controller or a smartphone. You can set a flight path, too. 

It's got a 480p camera and you'll be able to fly it for around 10 minutes. It typically costs around £40, and you can pick it up from retailers like Smyths Toys.

Where to buy a drone

Many large tech retailers sell beginner drones that weigh under 250g.

The exception is Amazon, which sells drones from several brands, but quite a few of them weigh more than 250g so there are extra requirements you'll need to meet in order to fly. Remember to always check the weight so you know what IDs and tests you may need.

If you're set on a DJI drone, you can also buy direct from its online store.

Below, we've picked some of the most searched-for retailers that sell drones:

• Amazon
• Currys
• Drones Direct
• Very

Do you need a licence to fly a drone? 

As of November 2019, regulations have been put in place that cover flying a drone in the UK. 

Here's an overview of what you need to know before you start flying a drone. More information can be found from the CAA.

If your drone weighs more than 20kg, it's considered a commercial drone and you'll require extra licencing to fly it.

Operator ID

The Operator ID states who will be taking legal responsibility for a drone.

You'll need it if your drone weighs more than 250g or has a camera.

You need to be over 18 to get an annual Operator ID and it costs £11.13 for a year's validity.

If the drone pilot is under 18, their parent or guardian will need to register as the operator. Under-18s may still have to take a test to obtain their Flyer ID, depending on the drone's weight.

You can register to get your Operator ID from the CAA.

Flyer ID

You must obtain a Flyer ID if you want to pilot a drone that weighs more than 250g. The ID shows that you can responsibly and safely fly a drone.

To get a Flyer ID, you'll need to study and take a theory test on how to operate and fly your drone safely. The test is free and valid for five years. It allows you to fly drones at a basic low-risk level.

Flyers under 13 will also need to pass the test if they want to fly a drone and need to register with a parent or guardian – unless the drone they're using is specifically a toy.

You can learn more from the CAA.

How can I tell if my drone is a toy?

As toy drones are the only drones with cameras that don't need to be registered with the CAA, it can be a bit confusing to tell what's considered a toy or not.

As a general rule, a toy drone is a small aircraft that kids under 14 can play with. 

Here are the easiest ways to tell whether or not a drone is a toy::

• Read the minimum age on the product's packaging or spec sheet: If it says something like 'not for use under 14 years', then it's not a toy, and you may need to register it with the CAA.
• The drone is marketed towards children
• The drone is described as a toy
• You bought it from a toy retailer

Toy drones can still fly quite high, so you'll still need to follow the CAA's drone code. If the drone in question weighs above 250g, you'll need to follow additional regulation.

If you're after a toy drone, you can pick them up from retailers like Smyths Toys and  Amazon.

If buying from Amazon, watch out for labels like 'for kids and adults', as those may not qualify as toys. If you're wondering about specific models, we'd recommend getting in touch with the CAA or reading guidance on the Metropolitan Police website.

How can I fly my drone safely? 

Here's an overview of the CAA's guidance to flying a drone safely:

• Make sure your drone is fit to fly: This means software updates, making sure your drone's safety features are working, checking battery levels, and that the weather is good for flight.
• Make sure you're fit to fly: Think of it like driving – don't drink and fly, don't fly under the influence of drugs or medication, don't fly if you're tired, and don't fly while you're distracted.
• Don't fly two drones at once or while you're operating a vehicle: Don't operate vehicles (including bicycles) and fly a drone at the same time.
• Whenever flying, the legal responsibility lies with you: You should never put anyone in danger, and you should always be ready in case something goes wrong. Failure to follow laws and regulations could end you up with fines or even prison.
• Don't forget to label your drone with your Operator ID number: This needs to be a separate label. You can't just write it in marker on your drone. It needs to be visible on the drone when it's on the ground.
• Always keep your drone in direct sight, and make sure you have a full view of the surrounding airspace: When flying, you need to be able to see your drone at all times. You must have a full view of your drone and airspace without using binoculars, telephoto lenses, VR headsets, goggles, or relying on a view from a smartphone or display on your controller. 
• Consider flying with the help of an observer: If you've got someone to help you fly, they should be close to you and be able to have a direct line of sight on the drone. They must stand next to you and be able to talk to you at all times. They don't need flyer or operator IDs, but you need to tell them what to look out for. You are still responsible for keeping your flying safe. If you want to fly your drone using any first-person view software – such as through a phone or controller display, you must have an observer with you.
• Stay below 400 feet (or 120 metres): This is a legal requirement you must follow when flying any drone. If you fly higher, you could collide with other aircraft.
• You cannot fly near airports, airfields, or spaceports: it's a criminal offence if your drone endangers the safety of an aircraft.
• Stay 50 metres away from people: You also cannot fly over crowds
• Stay 150 metres away from residential, commercial, recreational and industrial sites
• Check if you're allowed to fly a drone before you take off: There may be restrictions in place that mean you can't fly your drone. Before flying, it's a good rule of thumb to ask whether you can.
• Be ready to take action quickly if something goes wrong on the air or ground: You may need to land if a group of people shows up or if flying is disturbing wildlife. This includes watching out for low-flying aircraft.
• Don't drop or fire things from your drone while it's flying: You're legally responsible if your drone hurts someone – this includes anything that could fall off your drone.

There is further regulation you'll need to follow if your drone has a camera:

• Respect people's privacy: If someone asks you to stop taking pictures they're in with your drone, you should land it until they leave. If you're using a drone to take pictures or video of people in their homes or gardens, that's against data protection laws and could be a criminal offense.
• Photos or videos you take may be covered by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): You may need to follow these regulations, too.
• Let people know before you start taking photos and video, and make sure they can see you clearly: You're responsible for protecting people's privacy, so you'll need to be careful before taking shots or footage.
• Be careful about sharing images or footage: Think before showing people the pictures or videos you've taken – especially before posting anything on social media. Avoid sharing anything that could be unfair or harmful to anyone, much like how you would when using your phone's camera.

Following these can keep you and others safe when a drone is in the air. Remember that if you fail to fly a drone safely, you could be fined or face a prison sentence.

Depending on the drone you plan to fly, you may also need insurance. You can read the requirements from the CAA.

How far and high can a drone fly?

It depends on the model, and whether you have spare batteries. Most consumer drones can't fly for very long without needing a recharge or battery swap. Manufacturers claim that you expect to get anywhere from five minutes to an hour's flight time depending on the model. 

While some military and commercial drones can fly thousands of feet in the air, consumer models can only reach an altitude of around 400 feet. They're legally obliged to, as CAA code has regulations in place that limit flying drone flight to within 400 feet (120 metres) above the earth's surface to avoid collisions with any manned aircraft. 

If you're on top of a hill, you can fly 400 feet above it, but if you're at the base of it, you can only fly 400 feet above that. You also need to be able to see your drone and the surrounding skies at all times while it's in the air. That means no controlling your drone with a VR headset. 

Read our guide on how to buy the best VR headset to compare models from Meta, Apple and PlayStation.