I'm an avid Reddit user, and I often fall down the rabbit hole of reading what people think about a particular product — whether that's a video game I'm playing at the moment or a camera I recently reviewed.
Now, I review the best drones for a living, and my curiosity recently got the best of me. I wanted to know what Reddit thought, so I typed "Reddit best drones for beginners" and et voilà: I found an active thread on r/DJI.
I spent some time reading through the several comments, and two things stood out for me. One, Redditors prioritize value over everything else, especially if the drone is meant for beginners, as anyone who's new to the hobby doesn't want to spend a lot. Two, they look for ease of use and how good the drone feels to fly.
What is the best beginner drone? from r/dji
Both of these are valid points and something I always evaluate when I review quadcopters, regardless of the level of expertise they require to pilot. And to give the users in the thread credit, some of the recommendations are fantastic and in line with what I think.
With that out of the way, read on to see what I think of Reddit's top picks. Spoiler alert: I kinda agree (but also not).
DJI Neo
The DJI Neo is one of the easiest drones to recommend and I rate it as the best budget drone — and clearly Reddit seems to agree. Many users in the aforementioned thread recommend it too with some even saying that they have "no regrets" spending money on it. You won't be spending a lot on it either as the Neo retails for just $199 / £179, which is what makes it one of the top choices for beginners.
If you want a no-frills, stripped-back drone, I can't recommend the Neo enough. It focuses more on the aspect of having fun than chart-topping specs. Battery life is limited to just 18 minutes, image resolution tops at 12MP, and video footage is captured at 4K/30fps. It's also got built-in propeller guards so you can use it indoors and around other people without worrying about hurting them.
So it isn't about the specs at all — something I realized after having flown the drone for 10 months. What makes the Neo a top recommendation is the fact that you don't need a controller to fly it — you can use your smartphone or the button on its body that lets you toggle one of several short-form QuickShot video modes.
Further reading: I tested the DJI Neo and it's so good that all I can think about now is flying it
DJI Flip
If there's one drone you won't go wrong with as a beginner it's the DJI Flip. It is, hands down, the best drone for beginners for a number of reasons. It's the easiest drone to get a hang of and if you fly in mostly windless conditions, you'll be just fine. It strikes a fantastic balance between features and price, offering great value for money at just $439 / £369.
If you want a well-rounded drone that's good at nearly everything, you'd pick the Flip. Unlike the DJI Neo, it features front-facing obstacle avoidance which gives newcomers some reassurance while flying amongst trees, for example. Other safety features include propeller guards as well as palm takeoff and landing — all you need to do is place your palm under the Flip for it to land.
The Flip is a top choice for beginners because not only is it easy to fly, but it offers premium features at an accessible price point. This includes 4K/60fps video, 48MP stills, D-Log M for capturing a wider dynamic range for more freedom in post-production, 31-minute flight time, and more. The Flip is the perfect starting point to figure out whether you like aerial photography as well as improving your creative skills.
Further reading: I just tested the new DJI Flip and it might be the best drone for newbies — here’s why
DJI Mini 4 Pro
I can't deny the fact that the DJI Mini 4 Pro is an outstanding drone — it is, in fact, the best mini drone. Several Redditors recommend it as a top pick for beginners but there's a caveat: you should buy it only if your budget allows because it doesn't come cheap.
I'd say this one's more for enthusiasts than total beginners; it's a drone you upgrade to from, say, the DJI Neo.
On the off chance you do decide to buy the Mini 4 Pro, I know you'll be pleased with its performance. This one, again, weighs just under 249g so no need to worry about registering it with your country's regulatory organization. The drone captures stunning 4K/60fps and slow-motion FHD/200fps footage, and beautiful 48MP photos too.
The Mini 4 Pro is extremely easy to fly and control too, just like the DJI Flip and Neo. But I'd think twice before buying it only because it's a lot of money to be spending on your first drone. What if you don't actually end up enjoying it, and realize perhaps drone flying isn't for you? That's why it's best to start with a much cheaper quadcopter and upgrading to the Mini 4 Pro (or another drone of its calibre) in the future.
Further reading: 5 things I like about the DJI Mini 4 Pro — and 2 things I hate
And there you have it. Now you know what I think about Reddit's top recommendations when it comes to choosing the best drone as a newbie. What do you think of Reddit's picks and my opinions on them? And are there any other drones you would personally recommend to beginners? Let me know in the comments below!
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