Drones are getting more popular as a travel companion, especially for solo travelers.
There are lots of things you can do with a drone when traveling. From group photos to aerial shots and “follow me” videos, a drone can make your vacation even more fun. However, not all drones are suitable for travel.
Not sure where to start? No worries.
We’ve made a list of some of the best drones for travel you can find on the market today so you can pick the one that best suits your needs!
| Drone | Camera | Flight Time | Foldable | Storage | Range | Gimbal | Size | Weight |
| DJI Mavic Mini | 12 MP, 1080p at 60 fps | 30 mins | Yes | SD Card support | 2.5 miles control range, 2.5 miles video transmission range | Yes, 3-axis | 6.29 x 7.95 x 2.16 in. | 0.548 lbs |
| DJI Mavic 2 Zoom | 12 MP | 31 mins | Yes | 8GB internal, SD card support | 5 miles | Yes, 3-axis | 8.43 x 3.58 x 1.3 in. | 2 lbs |
| DJI Mavic Air 2 | 48 MP (12 MP effective), 4K at 60 fps | 34 mins | Yes | 8GB internal, SD card support | 11.5 miles control range, 6.2 miles video transmission range | Yes, 3-axis | 7.4 x 3.8 x 3.3 in. | 1.256 lbs |
| Potensic D80 | 2K (SD card required), 1080p live stream | 15-20 mins | No | SD card support | 1 km fcc, 500m video transmission range | No | 10.2 x 10.2 x 3.5 in. | 3.1 lbs |
| Snaptain A15H | 720p | 6-9 mins | Yes | SD card support | 98 ft video transmission range | No | 11.4 x 7.8 x 3.1 in. | 1.4 lbs |
| Snaptain S5C | 720p | 16 mins | No | SD card support | 260 ft video transmission range | No | 13.4×13.4×3.1 in. | 1.55 lbs |
The DJI Mavic Mini packs a ton of features in a small and lightweight form factor.
At just 6.29 x 7.95 x 2.16 inches and a weight of 0.548 lbs, the DJI Mavic Mini is as easy to move around as your smartphone. The foldable design allows you to fit it in your backpack without having to give up other travel essentials.
Furthermore, the DJI Mavic Mini boosts a 12 MP that can capture highly-detailed still images. The camera is capable of shooting high-quality FHD 1080p videos at 60 fps and it’s supported with a 3-axis gimbal that ensures a smooth, shake-free video performance.
Moreover, the 2.5 miles video transmission range allows you to shoot stunning aerial videos with no restrictions. You can fly the Mavic Mini for up to 30 minutes before the battery runs out, which is quite impressive for a drone of this size.
If you want to get a DJI travel drone without having to pay a premium, the DJI Mavic Mini has a lot to offer at a small footprint.
The DJI Mavic 2 Zoom is the only drone on our list that has a 24-48mm optical zoom lens. This allows you to shoot close-up photos of landmarks without having to move the drone too close to your subject while also keeping the same level of detail.
The optical zoom lens is supported with a 12MP 1/2.3″ CMOS sensor that enables you to capture high-quality HDR still images. Moreover, the camera is capable of shooting stunning 4K videos with the support of a 3-axis gimbal that ensures a stable video performance.
In addition to the SD card support, the DJI Mavic 2 Zoom has 8GBs of internal storage in case you forgot your SD card. Furthermore, the DJI Mavic 2 Zoom is equipped with an obstacle detection sensor that eliminates the possibility of getting your drone wrecked.
The Hyperlapse function enables you to plan a route for your drone to follow by setting up to 5 points to create a path. You can also set the drone to follow you using the ActiveTrack feature.
The DJI Mavic 2 Zoom’s flight time is about 31 minutes, which’s plenty for you to be able to take long aerial videos.
If you want a premium DJI drone for travel with an optical zoom lens, then the Mavic 2 Zoom would be an excellent choice for you.
The DJI Mavic Air 2 is ready to dominate the sky with its extensive list of features and excellent build quality.
The DJI Mavic Air 2 is slightly larger and heavier than the Mavic Mini, but it’s still considered quite portable thanks to the foldable design. You can easily fit it in your luggage bag and carry it around while you explore your destination. It’s the only drone on our list that’s capable of shooting awesome 4K videos that will leave you drooling.
The 48 MP camera sensor is one of the largest in a drone, but the default mode caps the resolution at 12 MP to consume less processing power and storage. The camera can capture highly-detailed still images with popping colors and minimal noise, making it perfect for all types of photos from quick selfies to aerial shots.
With a video transmission range of 11.5 miles, you can take some awesome aerial shots of the famous landmarks in your destination. The drone also has all the smart features you’d expect from DJI like Hyperlapse and ActiveTrack 2.0.
If you want to up your drone game, the DJI Mavic Air 2 is an excellent high-performance drone for travel.
The Potensic D80 has several unique features that make it stand out from the crowd.
It features a brushless motor that provides adaptable power according to performance requirements. The on-demand power ensures the best possible performance without consuming much battery life.
Furthermore, the Potensic D80 has several smart features that provide you with a fantastic user experience. The “Follow Me” feature allows you to set the drone to follow and film you while you’re hiking, fishing, or biking.
Moreover, the 2K 120° wide-angle camera lets you capture stunning aerial videos and take group selfies. You can also shoot some cool videos by setting a point of interest for the drone and it’ll keep flying around it in a clockwise direction. Additionally, you can plan your drone’s route on your smartphone by drawing dots and it’ll follow the path while you sit back and relax.
As for the battery compartment, the Potensic D80 is equipped with a modular battery that’s super easy to put out or replace. It provides you with 16-20 minutes of flight time, but you can extend it with a spare battery.
With a wide-angle camera, smart commands, and up to 20 minutes of flight time, the Potensic D80 has proven itself to be an excellent mid-range drone for travel.
The Snaptain A15H is an excellent option for those who want to save some cash without going for a low-end option.
It features a foldable design that makes it easier for you to fit into your luggage bag or backpack. Moreover, at 1.4 lbs, it won’t add much weight to your luggage.
The wide-angle 720p camera allows you to take HD videos at a decent level of detail. You can even adjust the angle to ensure that you never miss a thing. Furthermore, the Snaptain A15H has 3 speed modes, allowing beginners to test the waters with the lowest speed. It also comes with several smart features like one-key takeoff/landing, in addition to altitude hold mode and headless mode.
One cool feature of the Snaptain A15H is that you can control it using your voice and give commands like “take off”, “left”, “right”, “landing”, “forward”, and “backward”, making it super easy to use. Another useful feature is the preset flight routes. Just draw the path for your drone on your smartphone and let it fly in autopilot mode.
Additionally, you can use your smartphone as a remote control for your drone using the gravity sensor mode. You can also make the drone do 3D flips to shoot some cool aerial videos.
The flight time is 6-9 minutes, which’s subaverage, but it should be enough for you to take a short video and capture a few photos. You can buy some spare batteries to get some extra juice.
If you’re looking for a portable travel drone that can do lots of tricks without breaking the bank, the Snaptain A15H would be your best bet.
Another good budget option is the Snaptain S5C. It’s a bit heavy and bulky compared to other drones on our list, but it’s still small enough for you to be able to travel with it.
What makes the Snaptain S5C stand out from the crowd is that it supports VR headsets, allowing you to see through the lens of your drone’s camera. The wide-angle camera is capable of shooting 720p videos.
You also get several features that enhance the drone’s functionality and ease of use like one key takeoff/landing and altitude hold mode. Additionally, you can control your drone using your smartphone with the built-in gravity sensor.
The video transmission range is capped at 260 ft, making the drone suitable for selfies, group photos, and action videos.
The Snaptain S5C’s flight time is 16 minutes, which’s about enough to fly the drone to a suitable altitude and record a video. You can get a few spare batteries to extend the drone’s usable time.
The Snaptain 5SC is an affordable drone for travel that’s capable
There are a few things you need to keep in mind when picking a travel drone.
The first thing you need to look for when buying a drone for travel is the camera. The whole purpose of getting a drone of travel is to take awesome pictures and videos, which’s why you need to make sure that the camera will be on par with your expectations.
The size of your travel drone is a crucial factor to consider since you don’t want the drone to occupy all of your bag’s space. Moreover, you don’t want your luggage weight to exceed the maximum allowed weight in case you’ll be traveling by air.
Moreover, the less your drone weighs, the less trouble you’ll have to face when it comes to drone legislation rules since lightweight drones usually don’t require a license to fly.
Another factor to consider when picking a drone for travel is flight time. The flight time of the drones on our list ranges from 6 minutes to up to 34 minutes.
Whether you need a long flight time or not depends on how you’ll be using the drone. If you just need a drone to take some casual shots and videos, you shouldn’t be too concerned with the flight time.
On the other hand, if you want your drone to follow you while you do awesome stuff like hiking and mountain biking, then you’ll likely need a drone with a long flight time.
You can also buy a few spare batteries and get a drone with a removable battery so you can swap it out when it’s dead.
The video transmission range is the maximum distance you can keep between you and your drone when recording a video. If you want to be able to take aerial photos and videos, go for a drone with a long video transmission range (2+ miles). If you just want a drone for selfies and group photos, you’ll be fine with a limited video transmission range.
Before traveling with a drone, you must research the local drone rules and regulations in the country you’re traveling to.
If you are flying to your destination, you’re allowed to either store your drone in the luggage or your carry bag if it’s not too heavy. However, if you’ll put it in your luggage, take out the batteries and put them in your carry bag since they’re not allowed.
If you’re traveling to another state inside the United States, you need to research the local drone rules for the particular state you’re traveling to, even if your drone is registered with the FAA. Some states have local drone state laws in addition to the federal drone laws.
As we’ve mentioned, drone rules vary from one country to another. Some countries even banned the ownership and use of drones. Here are some of the general drone rules that are widely enforced in many countries:
There’s no clear winner on our list. Each drone has its own set of pros and cons, so it’s just a matter of personal preference.
We really like the DJI Mavic Mini. It’s small, has a gimbal-supported 1080p camera, and you don’t even need to register it in the United States and Canada. It’s hands-down one of the best drones for travel out there.
Another good choice for those on a budget would be the Snaptain A15H. It has a 720p camera and you can even control it with your voice! How cool is that?
If you need a drone with a 4K camera, an optical zoom lens, and a long video transmission range, then the DJI Mavic 2 Zoom would be your best bet.
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