I review drones for a living and these are my 9 favorite affordable options for summer flying from DJI, Potensic and more

Though the DJI Mini 3 is a couple generations old now, it's still a competent quadcopter. It packs a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor that's capable of capturing stunning, smooth 4K/30fps horizontal and vertical video as well as 12MP stills. 38 minutes of flight time packed into a compact body make it one of the best drones for beginners and those who love to travel.

The DJI Mini 4K features some pro specs. Not only can you capture 4K/30fps footage, but you also get access to QuickShots and panoramas with a 31-minute flight time. The drone also features a smart return to home and stable hovering, making it the ideal drone for beginners and drone enthusiasts.

Even though it has now been succeeded by the DJI Neo 2, the Neo is still a beautiful little drone. In my DJI Neo review, I praised this drone for its lightweight, compact and minimalistic design. It can shoot 4K footage at 30fps, take detailed stills, and remain stable in tricky conditions. Easy to control with the RC-N3 controller or the DJI Fly app on a smartphone, the Neo makes drone photography more accessible thanks to its low price point.

In my DJI Flip review, I noted that this drone was perfect for beginners or those looking to upgrade from older DJI models. The Flip captures detailed 48MP stills in all lighting conditions, and records gorgeous 4K/60fps footage. It’s great for content creators as it features many shooting modes, plus it’s built really well and sports a slick design — a little like a droid from Star Wars! The Flip is, in my opinion, the best drone for beginners.

For the first time, the Antigravity A1 Infinity Bundle is down to its lowest-ever price. As a 360° drone, the A1 lets you capture every angle possible. Footage is shot in 8K/30fps, enabling you to maintain 4K in 16x9 when reframing in post — and this footage is packed with detail. 55MP stills look great too. Flying the drone is easy (and immersive) with the Vision goggles and Grip controller.

The Potensic Atom 2 is even better than its predecessor, as it can capture 48MP stills. In my review, I noted that it records stable, smooth 4K/30fps video and features advanced, accurate AI subject tracking, along with a new, easy-to-use controller and app. It’s also lightweight yet sturdy. This deal includes extra batteries, a controller, and a carry bag.

The Potensic Atom SE Expansion Kit includes the drone, two batteries, a controller, and a carry bag. The drone weighs less than 249g, so you don't need to register with the F.A.A. in the U.S. The Atom SE is a great starting point for new drone pilots.

Unlike most other drones, you don't need a controller or a smartphone to fly the HoverAir X1, which is why it's a great selfie drone. Simply press the buttons on its body and it will record short-form videos and save them internally. My colleague enjoyed using it a lot and appreciated its surprisingly good obstacle avoidance and subject tracking features such as follow, rocket, and more.

If you're looking for a step up from the aforementioned HoverAir X1, the HoverAir X1 ProMax might be right for you. It is the premium model in the X1 lineup and it's capable of capturing 8K/30fps and 4K/60fps video and saving footage to its 64GB internal storage.