Best GPS Drones for Beginners: 2024 Edition

Are you experiencing some déjà vu? Maybe because you have been here before to read a similar article from this website. Set that nagging feeling aside because this article is new and updated for the year 2024.

We’re at about the halfway point of the calendar year and it’s time to take look at the top-five GPS drones for beginners in 2024…

Honorable Mention: Autel EVO Nano+

This year we’re adding an honorable mention for the sake of variety on this list (because everything after this is all from one company). Last year the Autel EVO Nano+ earned the number three spot on our list of best GPS drones for beginners, but this year we’re saying “good-bye” to it. The drone has not gone anywhere from a retail standpoint, but it has become woefully obsolete in its category and is no longer able to throw punches with the competition.

However, just because it is obsolete does not mean it’s not worth looking at as a viable option for a beginner. If you are looking to start flying drones in 2024 and want a reliable drone with plenty of beginner-friendly features that isn’t from DJI, the Nano+ is a great option. Its sensor size is slightly larger than a half-inch and is capable of shooting 4K (2160p) video at 30 frames per second. It can also shoot both JPEG and DNG (RAW) photos and it also has a maximum flight time of 28 minutes. It’s capable of a maximum range of 10KM (6.2 miles) and has bi-directional obstacle avoidance to assist new pilots in navigating treacherous airspace. By all accounts, this is a drone that is still worthy of consideration if you believe you will only ever fly for hobby and you do not want to purchase products from DJI.

That said, one of the major issues that contributed to the Nano+ falling off of our official list has to do with its cost when it comes to return on investment. The Nano+ standard bundle retails for $679 USD as of the writing of this article and when you compare that to what you get in return performance-wise…it doesn’t make a ton of sense compared to some of the options available in the year 2024.

Still, if you like the idea of flying drones and you want something beginner-friendly, this is a great option still in 2024 (though I would not expect to see it on 2025’s list).

5. DJI Mini 4K

Taking the number five spot on our list is the all-new (kinda) DJI Mini 4K. This drone is designed and built specifically with beginners and hobbyists in-mind and when you break down the hardware and its capabilities, it becomes immediately clear it strikes a great balance between performance and price on the low-end of our beginner drone scale.

The DJI Mini 4K features the same sensor found on the DJI Mini 2, a 1/2.3″ CMOS sensor capable of shooting 12 mega-pixel photos and video in 4K at 30 frames per second. It has a maximum operating range of 10KM (6.2 miles) and a maximum flight time of 31 minutes. The DJI Mini 4K also features downward obstacle avoidance, which assists pilots in landing the drone safely and smoothly. The best part? You get all of this performance for the ultra-low cost of $299.99 USD. That is an absolute steal.

While all of that is fine and dandy, the fact is the Mini 4K is DJI’s way of getting rid of old parts from drones of the past. When you look at this drone on paper, you quickly figure out it is essentially the DJI Mini 2 repackaged in 2024. That’s it. That also means it is obsolete technology compared to the rest of the entries on our list, so for those reasons we have to put it at the end of the list — despite the fact it strikes the best balance of price and performance.

4. DJI Mini 3 Pro

Coming in at number four on our list, the DJI Mini 3 Pro. This drone is a fan-favorite among hobbyists and even entry-level professionals that need a quick and portable aerial imaging platform. It offers a high-performance experience and since the release of its successor, the Mini 4 Pro, it does it at an extremely reasonable price.

Touting a 1/1.3″ CMOS sensor capable of shooting up to 48-megapixel photos and video in 4K at 60 frames per second, this drone is a dream when it comes to aerial multimedia shooting. Plus, it has the ability to turn its camera 90-degrees to allow for true vertical (portrait) shooting, perfect for social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok. The Mini 3 Pro touts a 38 minute or 51 minute maximum flight time depending upon the battery you would find yourself using. This version of DJI’s Mini drone can also fly up to 12KM (7.4 miles) and has tri-directional obstacle avoidance, giving beginners peace-of-mind while flying with near 360-degree obstacle avoidance around the drone.

Where the DJI Mini 3 Pro really excels in this conversation is its balance of price and performance. As of the writing of this article, the base package included with the DJI Mini 3 Pro retails for $639 USD. That’s great value for great technology.

That said, the Mini 3 Pro only takes the fourth spot on the list because it is aging rapidly with some of DJI’s more recent releases. It’s still uber-capable and should be considered by all beginners looking to get their first GPS drone, but there are options out there that have updated technology and a few more bells and whistles that make flying easier and safer.

3. DJI Air 3

Last year’s list did not feature any drones larger than the Mini series from DJI. That changes in 2024. Coming in at number three on our list of best GPS drones for beginners is the DJI Air 3. This drone is significantly larger than the Mini and EVO Nano drones and offers some upgraded specs that could be beneficial to beginners, especially those looking to move from flying for fun to flying professionally some day.

The DJI Air 3 features two sensors capable of different types of shooting. Both sensors are 1/1.3″ and feature stacked sensor technology which lends itself to more efficient camera performance and high-quality imagery that can be found in larger standard sensors. The cameras can shoot 12-megapixels or 48-megapixels via in-body Bayer processing functions and can shoot video in 4K at 60 frames per second (100 frames per second in slow-motion mode). Where the differences between the sensors come in is their field-of-view and focal length equivalents. The main wide angle sensor has an equivalent focal length of 24mm, allowing for sweeping landscape shots filled with color and grandiosity. Meanwhile the secondary telephoto sensor has an equivalent focal length of 70mm, creating engaging depth of field and bringing new levels of detail to each aerial shot.

Additionally the Air 3 is capable of staying airborne for 46 minutes and offers an unmatched range of operation with DJI’s OcuSync 4, giving it a maximum range of 20KM (12.4 miles). On top of that, it has omnidirectional obstacle avoidance, which provides full 360-degree coverage around the drone.

While the Air 3 is a showstopper on this list when it comes to performance specs, it is significantly more expensive than the other options here and could be too much drone for somebody just getting started. The Air 3’s standard package retails for $879 USD, which is down due to speculation on a new version of the Air drone coming soon. In speaking of which…

2. DJI Air 3S

*Speculated Specifications*

Yes, I know some of you hated when I included the Mini 4 Pro in last year’s list, despite the fact it had not yet been released…but I ended up being right on almost everything about the Mini 4 Pro, so really I did you a favor by recommending it prematurely. I’m going to do you another premature favor again this year…wait, that sounded wrong…

Coming in at number two on our list of best GPS drones for beginners in 2024 is the DJI Air 3S. Yes, as of the writing of this article, the Air 3S is not officially available for purchase and is, frankly, just a rumor on an official basis. That said, the leaks I have found regarding the Air 3S are from extremely credible sources and all of the information points to this drone hitting shelves by the end of July or the beginning of August. Bear-in-mind that all of the specs shown above and discussed below about the Air 3S are purely speculative and in no way represent factual information (yet).

The Air 3S will likely see a larger sensor than its predecessor, going from a 1/1.3″ CMOS sensor to a 1-inch CMOS sensor for the main wide-angle camera. It will likely still feature a telephoto camera with a 70mm equivalent focal length, but look for this to stay at the 1/1.3″ size. It will be capable of shooting 12-megapixel and 48-megapixel photos like its predecessor and will also feature stacked sensor technology to enhance photo and video quality. What the Air 3S will see upgraded from the Air 3 is its maximum video resolution. Much like the Mavic Air 2 to the Air 2S, we will see an increase from 4K maximum video resolution to 5.4K. The increased video resolution will likely be capped at 30 frames per second, but will give creators a flexible option for even more detail and sharpness in their video shooting.

While I am not certain, I do think the Air 3S will have the ability to shoot in D-Log, upgraded from the Air 3 which was capable of shooting in D-Log-M. This ability to shoot with a 1-inch sensor in true D-Log will future-proof this drone for a beginner, meaning you can dependably use it professionally if you decide to turn your hobby into a career.

I would not look to see the maximum range change in this updated version of the Air, as OcuSync 4 is still extremely new — so maximum range will still be just 20KM (12.4 miles). We will also more than likely see a decrease in total flight time from 46 minutes with the Air 3 to 44 minutes with the Air 3S. This decrease was seen when transitioning from the Mavic Air 2 to the Air 2S as they utilized the same batteries. The same will likely be true with the Air 3 and Air 3S.

Where this drone falls short of the top-spot is in its pricing. The Air 3S will likely retail initially for somewhere between $1,300 and $1,500 USD, putting it well above the cost of anything else on this list. That’s a big bite for somebody to take before even knowing if they will like flying drones. However, if you have that much money burning a hole in your pocket and you want to get the best technology out there in the consumer category of drones, then definitely hold out for the Air 3S — it will not disappoint if my predictions about it are true.

1. DJI Mini 4 Pro

At the top spot in our list of the best GPS drones for beginners for the SECOND YEAR IN A ROW is, the king of the castle, the DJI Mini 4 Pro. I put this opinion out there for as much scrutiny as anyone can muster to throw at me. I will die on this hill: the Mini 4 Pro is the best GPS drone for beginners, hands-down. It gives us the best of everything included in this list and maybe even a little bit more at an affordable price all things considered.

The Mini 4 Pro features a 1/1.3″ CMOS stacked sensor capable of shooting 12-megapixel photos natively and 48-megapixel photos via the Bayer processing feature. It shoots a maximum video resolution of 4K at 60 frames per second and is capable of shooting in D-Log-M for extreme flexibility in post production and editing. It also shoots photos in both JPEG and DNG (RAW) formats for the ease of hobbyist photographers and the flexibility of professional photographers alike. On top of all of that the DJI Mini 4 Pro can stay in the air for 34 or 45 minutes depending upon which battery you are utilizing (standard or Plus) and has a maximum range of 20KM (12.4 miles) via DJI’s OcuSync 4 transmission system. Not to mention the extremely user-friendly obstacle avoidance system with 360-degree omnidirectional coverage provides supreme awareness in flight for beginners and intermedia pilots.

And if all of that weren’t enough for you, as of the writing of this article, you can purchase the DJI Mini 4 Pro’s standard package for just $759 USD. I won’t pretend it’s cheap in a general sense, but if you really want a drone and you want the best technology you can possibly get for under $800, then this isn’t expensive either.

I have nothing bad to say about this drone with respect to its beginner-friendliness. I loved the specs on it so much that I went out and bought one myself for when I travel and to shoot social media content. Typically when I buy camera gear and really any kind of technology, there is a period of about 2-3 days where I experience a deep-seeded feeling of buyer’s remorse. That was not the case with the Mini 4 Pro. In fact, after having the drone in the air for a single 30-minute flight, I was washed-over by a warm feeling of validation in my purchase. This drone is worth every cent you put up for it, I promise you that.

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