Best Drones for Travel (For Your Next Vacation)

There’s no better way of getting amazing photos and videos of your vacation than with a drone. A drone enables you to see beautiful places from great angles with just the click of a button.

Thanks to technology advancements, drones are no longer heavy and oversized. Manufacturers are now fitting adequate power in small packages so you can carry your drone on the go.

However, choosing the best drones for travel (for your next vacation) from a market filled with different sizes, brands, and prices can be daunting.

So how do you know which drone works for you?

Consider a high-quality camera, prolonged battery life, several flight modes, quick setup, and durability.

With that in mind, some of the best drones for travel to take with you on your next vacation include the DJI Mini 2, the DJI Mini 3 Pro, Parrot Anafi, the DJI Mavic 3, and the DJI Phantom 4 Pro.

Let’s look at the top choices below recommended by pros:

Features:

• Weight: 249g
• Dimensions (folded): 5.71 inches x 5.51 inches x 7.36 inches
• Battery life / flight time: 31 mins
• Picture quality: 12MP
• Video quality: 4K
• Experience Level: Beginner/ Intermediate

As an entry-level drone, the DJI Mini 2 is the drone to pack for your next vacation.

It features 4K video resolution, an advanced controller, an extended range, and enhanced wind resilience.

It has an identical design to the original Mavic Mini. However, the revamp lies in the controller, which is more aesthetic and responsive and thus easier to use.

The best part? The DJI Mini 2 is so small that you can hold it with your hand or slip it in your back pocket on the go. 

Weighing just 249g, it’s incredibly lightweight, and you don’t need to register it with the FAA either.

The Mini 2 supports long-range OcuSync 2.0 video transmission of up to 6.2 miles with remarkable anti-interference features.

Better still, it boasts of 4,000 meters maximum altitude and level-five wind resilience. Your vacation footage will be clear and stable in all conditions.

With a flight time of 31 minutes, you have adequate time to take perfect footage. This way, you can fly further and explore so much more.

The 4x digital zoom feature allows you to transition smoothly between different distances and image composition. It helps to capture your perfect shot effortlessly.

The DJI Mini 2 features QuickShots among other Intelligent Flight Modes that can take cinematic shots that you can directly and automatically share on your social media platforms.

The drone also supports both Android and iOS devices.

Features:

• Weight: 1 pound
• Dimensions: 10.9 inches x 4.92 inches x 8.66 inches
• Battery life / flight time: 25mins
• Picture quality: 21MP
• Video quality: 4K
• Experience Level: Beginner/ Intermediate

Next in line is the Parrot Anafi drone.

The Anafi shows off remarkable technology in a handy, confidence-striking package. It has pro features like a high-quality camera, adequate storage, and excellent performance.

How does this drone fly? The flight performance is quite notable in several ways. But what’s more intriguing is the prop silence. You can barely hear a thing as the drone hovers above your head.

Here’s a detailed review.

You’ll enjoy images of higher quality and more excellent resolution with the Parrot Anafi. The 180° vertical swivel gondola rotates and adjusts, allowing you to take breathtaking images.

The 21MP camera operates on a three-axis gimbal that eliminates shakiness to give you clear and smooth photos. Aside from the wide-angle lens, a Burst mode allows you to shoot 10 photos per second.

The remote control is intuitive and ergonomically made to enable novices to enjoy their first flight and many more.

Further, you can launch and land your drone with just a single button. In case of loss of signal, worry not. The smart RH technology brings your drone back to its take-off point.

The Parrot Anafi goes where you want it. It boasts a compact and featherweight foldable structure that you can easily pack in your travel bag.

 It features a robust battery that provides up to 25 minutes of flight time and a 2.4-mile flight range.

Charging the battery is a breeze thanks to the quick-charge USB-C port.

Features:

• Weight: 895g
• Dimensions: ‎3.6 inches x 8.7 inches x 3.8 inches
• Battery life / flight time: 46mins
• Picture quality: 20MP
• Video quality: 5.1K
• Experience Level: Beginner/ Intermediate

If you love nature, then the DJI Mavic 3 is for you.

It boasts a quick setup, the longest flight time of the drones on this list, obstacle avoidance sensors, and a high-quality camera.

Once you fly the Mavic 3 for a short while, you’ll agree that it offers a fresh outlook for achieving a perfect angle. And better still, you won’t have to worry about crashing your drone.

The Mavic 3 means accessing breathtaking angles and achieving incredible images and videos.

First, 46 minutes is the longest flight time experienced in consumer drones. You’ll stay in the air longer exploring and taking all the shots you want.

The two-camera Hasselblad setup has an aperture ranging from f/2.8 to f/11. This helps adjust the light that gets in to eliminate unnecessary shadows or a burn effect to achieve professional-level work.

Additionally, flying safe with the Mavic 3 is a priority. There are advanced obstacle sensors on all sides of the drone that detect and keep you away from risks like crashing into a tree or building.

Using the OcuSync 3+ transmission system, the Mavic 3 provides a transmission range of nine miles so you can explore and upload live feeds on your device or social media.

Whenever the Mavic 3 has a low battery or lost signal, rest assured it’ll get back to you. The advanced Smart RTH system allows your drone to return to its starting point through a safe, fast, and optimized path.

An SD Card slot in the Mavic 3 affords you a memory card for more storage. This works best for avid photographers that want more photos and videos from all their travel adventures.

DJI Mavic 3 has a stunning design with dark gray and black colors.

Features:

• Weight: 3 pounds
• Dimensions: ‎ 9.9 inches x 15.7 inches x 6.75 inches
• Battery life / flight time: 30mins
• Picture quality: 20MP
• Video quality: 4K
• Experience Level: Beginner/ Intermediate

The DJI Phantom 4 Pro is an excellent contender for the best drones for travel.

The DJI Phantom Series has undergone modifications in several stages up to this point of the Phantom 4 Pro v.2. The most noticeable change is the structure, which is now smoother and cleaner.

The Phantom 4 Pro features 30 minutes of flight time, 4K video resolution, an incredible gimbal camera, and powerful and straightforward flight performance.

The 20MP camera with the one-inch sensor can capture crystal-clear images and 4K video at 60 fps.

Better still, the camera comes with a built-in gimbal that provides adequate stability to eliminate shutter vibrations and distortions.

With a lithium polymer battery, the user can enjoy a maximum of 30 minutes of flight time on a single charge.

Moreover, several Intelligent Flight Modes like Follow Me, ActiveTrack, Gesture Mode, TapFly, and Waypoints make flying the Phantom 4 Pro so much fun, not to mention convenient.

Besides, switching between modes is effortless, allowing smooth transitions for quality shooting.

There are five directions of obstacle sensing in the Phantom 4 Pro. This is a significant advantage, especially when trees, power lines, and tall buildings are a concern when flying.  

Features:

• Weight: 249g
• Dimensions: ‎ 3.5 inches x 2.4 inches x 5.7 inches
• Battery life / flight time: 34 and 47 mins
• Picture quality: 48MP
• Video quality: 4K
• Experience Level: Beginner/ Intermediate

For the love of outdoor and travel photography, the DJI Mini 3 Pro is a perfect drone.

The Mini 3 Pro design is slightly improved in the forward motion department compared to its predecessor, the Mini 2.

The flight performance is more the same as other Mavic drones. Generally, it’s easy, fun, and safe to fly.

The DJI Mini 3 Pro features smart technology, an improved transmission system, expandable storage, impressive camera abilities, and a lightweight design.

Don’t miss any detail when on vacation as you take photos with 48MP quality and videos with 4K resolution.

Also, the advanced Portrait Mode allows you to take videos and stills vertically to share on Instagram and other social media platforms.

There’s a 34-minute flight time with a standard battery. Still, you can opt for a 47-minute flight time battery if you want to fly longer. Keep in mind this battery is heavier.

A flight range of 6.2 miles thanks to the OcuSync 3.0 ensures a strong transmission, especially for short-range flights.

The tri-directional obstacle avoidance sensors help the user fly without the worry of crashing into anything. This way, you’re confident of having your drone back in one piece.

I recommend you get the Fly More kit with three batteries, a controller, and other spares. With a built-in screen, the RC Pro also allows you to QuickTransfer photos and videos effortlessly.

Lightweight at only 249 grams, the Mini 3 Pro is also foldable. That makes it easy to pack and go wherever.

What to Consider When Buying a Travel Drone #

Believe it or not, there’s quite a lot to think about when it comes to buying the best drones for travel. Here are some common factors to consider.

Foldable #

While most people ignore or forget this factor, it’s very critical.

It would help if you considered how your drone folds.

Does it fold easily, or must you dismantle some parts to carry it? Do you want to reassemble your drone whenever you want to use it?

Fortunately, for the drones in the DJI Mini Series, you don’t need to fold or dismantle them!

Built-in Camera #

If you want a drone for vacations, then it must have a good built-in camera.

Most advanced drone brands and models come with cameras and guarantee quality footage.

Also, built-in cameras reduce the bulk of carrying an extra camera on the go.

That said, if your budget is strict, you can consider buying a cheap drone without a camera, and attach a GoPro, which works great. The Holy Stone HS700D is a good example of a drone that can carry a GoPro.

Size #

Do you have enough space to carry your drone in your backpack?

Some drones have many extra accessories that you must take separately in a carry case.

Therefore, buying compact drones that easily fit into your luggage is best.

Besides, you won’t have to pay extra travel fees because you don’t have excess luggage. Small drones are as or even more powerful than the bigger models.

Battery Life #

Since you’ll be filming and taking still photos with your drone, you need an extended battery life of over 30 minutes.

Most drones have short battery life. Always carry backup batteries on a full charge.

Weight #

Like drone size, the weight of your drone plays a significant role in its performance and portability.

From a practical perspective, weight affects speed.

Being light makes it easy for a drone to maneuver, fly higher, and avoid obstacles. However, lightweight drones must have a resilient body that can withstand harsh weather conditions.

Conversely, a weighty drone means lugging it around wherever you go. As much as it’s an inconvenience, it’s also going to cost more as most airlines charge more for extra weight.

Camera Quality #

The camera quality is everything when choosing a travel drone.

Why invest in an expensive drone if the camera quality is poor? High-class drones have quality cameras that can even shoot 4K professional-grade videos.

A quality camera should also have a built-in gimbal. This provides stabilization when taking both videos and stills.

Conclusion #

And there you have it. These are the five best drones for travel for your next vacation.

If you’re on a budget, the DJI Mini or the Parrot Anafi is good enough. I

f you have the budget for it and want to take photos that you can even sell as stock footage, the DJI Mavic 3 and the Phantom 4 Pro are your best bets.

The DJI Mini 3 Pro strikes a good balance between price and performance and is the drone that would appeal to most travelers.