The first drone you buy shapes how much you enjoy the hobby. Get it right and you'll be out flying every weekend. Get it wrong and it ends up in a drawer.
This guide covers what actually matters, and what you can ignore.
Start with what you want to do
Be honest about why you want a drone. The answer changes everything.
- Learning to fly for fun. A cheap, light drone is perfect. You'll crash it, and that's fine.
- Photos and video. You want GPS, a stabilised camera (a gimbal) and good flight time.
- Speed and racing. That's FPV. It's a different path, covered in our FPV getting started guide.
Many people start with a cheap drone to learn, then buy a camera drone once they know they love it. It's not wasted money. The cheap one teaches you the skills.
Weight: the 100g and 250g lines
In the UK, weight decides which rules apply.
- Under 100g: no IDs needed. Toy drones and tiny indoor quads live here.
- 100g to 250g: you need a Flyer ID. If it has a camera, you need an Operator ID too.
- 250g and over: you need both IDs, and where you can fly gets tighter as the weight goes up.
Sub-250g camera drones are popular for a reason. They can fly over people (never crowds), so you have far more places to fly. Our UK drone rules guide explains this in full.
GPS or no GPS?
A drone with GPS holds its position when you let go of the sticks. It can also fly itself home if the signal drops or the battery runs low.
A drone without GPS drifts with the wind. You have to fly it all the time.
For learning, no GPS is actually good for you. It forces you to learn proper control.
For filming, you want GPS. A steady hover makes your shots smooth. Return-to-home saves drones.
Brushed or brushless motors
Cheap drones use brushed motors. They're light and cheap but wear out, often after a few dozen hours.
Better drones use brushless motors. They're more powerful, more efficient and last far longer.
If a drone costs more than about £100, it should really have brushless motors.
Flight time
Manufacturers quote flight times in perfect conditions. Expect less in real life, especially in wind or cold weather.
- Toy drones: 5 to 10 minutes
- Mid-range GPS drones: 15 to 25 minutes
- Good camera drones: 25 to 35 minutes
Buy spare batteries. Two or three batteries turn a short flight into a proper session. Many brands sell a "fly more" bundle that includes them. It's usually the best value.
Camera
Ignore big megapixel numbers. What matters for video is:
- A gimbal. A mechanical gimbal keeps footage smooth. Electronic stabilisation alone is much weaker.
- Sensor size. A bigger sensor handles low light and bright skies better.
- Bitrate and frame rate. Higher bitrate means more detail. 30fps is fine for most things.
A camera with a 3-axis gimbal is the biggest single step up in video quality.
Range and signal
Long range claims sound exciting. In the UK you must keep the drone in sight anyway. That's often a few hundred metres for a small drone.
A strong, reliable link matters more than maximum range. It means fewer dropouts and a clearer live view.
Spares and repairs
Before you buy, check you can get:
- propellers
- batteries
- propeller guards (great for beginners)
Well-known brands have spares everywhere. Unknown brands often don't, and a broken arm can end the drone's life.
How much to spend
There's no single right answer, but here's a rough guide.
| Budget | What you get |
|---|---|
| Under £60 | Toy drones. Great for learning. Short flights, basic cameras. |
| £60 to £200 | Better toy drones and some entry GPS drones. Quality varies a lot. |
| £200 to £500 | Proper sub-250g camera drones with gimbals and GPS. The sweet spot for most. |
| £500 and up | Better cameras, obstacle sensors and longer flight times. |
Our advice
If you've never flown, start cheap and light. A small indoor drone teaches you the controls. Fly it until you can hover and land without thinking.
Then buy the camera drone. You'll fly it better and crash it less.
Whatever you buy, get your IDs sorted before the first flight. Our guide to getting your Flyer ID and Operator ID walks you through it.