The best drones you can buy in 2020 - Android

This is a shorter version of our complete Best Drones list on Drone Rush.

It used to be that if you wanted a drone, you either chose the DJI Mavic Pro for its compact design or the iconic Phantom line of drones for their camera capabilities, but many more options exist today. We explore the ins and outs of many drones over on Drone Rush, but let’s just focus on the best of the best for you today.

I beg you to learn the drone laws and register with the FAA before you fly, it’s the law, after all. Once you are ready to take to the sky, let’s take a moment to get you the right drone. You may be wanting a toy for in the house, a racer to take to the track or a superb camera drone to capture photos and video from the sky. There’s a drone or two for all of those tasks. 

Warning: Drone pilot certification for all pilots is coming soon, as is remote ID for all aircraft. Safety is the name of the game, but there will be additional steps you need to take before you fly in the coming months.

Best drones on the market today:

Editor’s note: We will regularly update this list with new and exciting drones as they launch. This update includes the exciting new DJI Mavic Air 2!

People buy and fly drones for a number of reasons, so we’re going to look at the best machines in a number of categories. If these drones do not quite fit your needs, we’ve evaluated hundreds of others on Drone Rush. Starting with the least expensive and moving up, here are the best drones:

9. Hubsan H111

Best Nano drone for flying indoors – $18

There’s no single category for small drones, but we generally consider any machine that can fit in the palm of your hand a nano drone. One of our absolute favorites is the Hubsan H111. We respect Hubsan as a brand, we have many of their larger drones in various other categories on the site, but the H111 is one of the easiest machines to get your hands on, and safest to fly indoors.

Make no mistake, this is a toy drone. It has limited battery life and minimal flight capabilities compared to more advanced machines, but it lives on my desk and flies frequently. It’s challenging enough to hone my piloting skills and super fun. It’s also priced right to be a great holiday gift.

Check out the Hubsan H111 on Amazon.

8. Syma X5C-1

Best toy drone, a resilient trainer – $42

We firmly believe every aspiring drone pilot should start with a drone like the Syma X5C. This toy-class drone has limited functionality, but it is true to the piloting experience of more expensive drones. Flying this machine will help you master the basics of flight, understanding which way is forward and managing to hit the video record button at the right time in that flight. Crashing is almost inevitable, but would you rather learn how to handle crashes on a machine worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars, or a resilient and fun Syma X5C?

Check out the Syma X5C on Amazon.

7. UVify OOri

Best racing drone trainer, the need for speed on a leash – $295

This one’s for those who prefer high-speed fun to silky smooth photo and video capture from the sky. The UVify OOri impressed us with its resilience and flight capabilities when we tried it at CES 2018. This small drone can safely fly inside your home with the prop guards installed. It’s stable and has enough flight assist features for most people to master it circling the couch. Machines like the Hubsan H111 and Syma X5C top out at less than 10mph — not the case with OOri. Give the UVify OOri some room to move and it’ll clock up to 60mph.

There are many trade-offs when you look at a racing drone. These machines are built for speed, extreme maneuverability and short distance operations for a race that lasts a little more than five minutes. A fun alternative to this drone is the Fat Shark 101 race trainer.

Check out the UVify OOri.

6. Walkera F210

Best ready-to-fly racing drone, no leash – $319