It’s kind of a wild west age for drones these days. Most anybody can fly one (at least recreationally), and the technology that powers them is getting more impressive every day. Here are six of our current favorite drones, flyers that show how fun and innovative (not to mention affordable) these gadgets can be.
Ryze Tech Tello Quadcopter Powered by DJI
With rock-steady image stabilization on its 720p HD camera and a takeoff procedure that’s literally as easy as a flick of the wrist, this is a great starter drone that can be tricked out via Scratch coding as your skills progress. Just download the Trello app and control it by smartphone, aerial flips and all. The Ryze Tech Tello Quadcopter is now on sale for $99.
Force Flyers DIY Building Block Fly ‘n Drive Drone
Kids will instantly take to this one. Not only does the modular setup teach STEM skills in the building process, but the durable ABS plastic also allows it to stand up to drops and collisions that would ground other drones. Pick up the Force Flyers DIY Building Block Fly ‘n Drive Drone for $39.99, down 20% from the list price.
Bionic Bird: The Furtive Drone
Who says drones need to look like a robot? This biomimetic gadget looks and flies like a bird, flapping its wings on takeoff and gliding along gracefully once it’s up to altitude. You can even perch it on a portable “egg” charger and juice it up in 12 minutes. Grab the Bionic Bird for $99.95, a 33% discount off the retail price.
Not only can you fly the Wingsland S6 from your smartphone, but you can also store it right alongside it in your jeans. This pocket-sized drone may be small, but the 13 MP photos it takes are cinematic, and the follow and point of interest modes make flying easy for any level of expertise. Get the Wingsland S6 4K Pocket Drone for $249.99, half off the original price of $499.99.
This customizable drone can stream 720p video back to your smartphone, or you can virtually jump aboard with the ability to view the live footage on a VR headset. This model is great for beginners, but with a top speed of 45 mph, it’s plenty fast for race enthusiasts. Get a Micro Drone 3.0 Combo Pack on sale for $145, more than 30% off the MSRP.
The 6-axis gyro sensitivity on the Spectre makes it a great model for stunt flyers, and the built-in LED lights mean you can enjoy it night or day. The HD camera is no slouch either, and you can also enjoy the footage through the IRIS VR goggles (not included). This one was previously sale priced at $99, but you can pick up the TRNDlabs Spectre Drone for $59.99, a full 60% off the original cost.