If you are looking for the best drones under $1000, there are a lot of choices on the market.
The consumer drone industry is growing at an accelerated rate and sometimes it’s hard to keep up with the many high-end drones that are being released.
People who are willing to spend around $1000 for a drone are looking to shoot some exceptional videos, and photos and maybe even use it for things like photogrammetry.
These drones can be used for both recreational and commercial use, from wedding and real estate photography to taking some breath-taking videos and photos of nature. The drones on this list are some of the most advanced on the market and come with amazing cameras and innovative features.
My list of the best drones for under $1000 is definitely not an exhaustive list, there are some that did not make it just out of personal preference. If you want more options for drones around the $1000 mark, check out my other articles that list high-end drones.
I try and update this article as much as possible because mid-high end drones that cost under $1000 are released often and some of them deserve to be on this list, like the brand new DJI Air 2S, which was released in the spring of 2021 and is definitely the best drone under $1000.
Rules & Regulations
As usual, please make yourself fully familiarised with the rules and regulations for flying drones wherever you may live.
If you live in the USA and want to use drones for commercial purposes, you will have to obtain the Part 107 certificate, which will require you to sit a 2-hour exam that will test you on many aspects of the rules regarding aviation.
If you plan on operating drones for recreational purposes, you will still need to take the new TRUST test via the FAA and register the drone if it weighs more than 250 grams.
In the UK, the rules are a little different, there is no distinction between flying a drone for recreational or commercial purposes. You will need to obtain a Flyer & Operator ID, this is even the case if the drone weighs less than 250 grams and has a camera.
For commercial operations, you may need to obtain a A2 CofC or a GVC certificate depending upon the level of risk the operation poses to the general public, for more details, check out the CAA website.
What Is The Best Drone Under $1000 in 2022?
The best drone under $1000 is the DJI Air 2S, this is a fantastic lightweight drone that comes equipped with many of DJI’s innovative features. The Air 2S comes with an amazing camera that has large 1-inch CMOS sensor capable of capturing stunning 20MP images and recording video footage in 5.4k at 30fps and 4k at 60fps. While its camera is the stand out feature, the drone also comes with obstacle avoidance, a new video recording mode called Mastershots and a Smartphoto mode that allows you to capture optimised HDR imges at the click of a button.
Other exceptional drones that I have listed below include Autels new Nano drones, the ever popular Parrot Anafi and the DJI Mavic Pro platinum.
10 Best Drones Under $1000
1. DJI Mavic Air 2S
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Whether you’re an aspiring photographer or an experienced drone professional, the DJI Air 2S is a powerful tool for producing high-quality images and video footage. This is the upgrade to the amazing Air 2 drone and comes with many advanced features. It is a foldable drone that weighs less than 600g and like all compact dromes, the DJI Air 2S is great to travel with. One of the best upgrades to this drone especially for photographers is its new 1-inch CMOS sensor that can capture images in 20MP and records video footage in 5k at 30fps and 4k at 60fps at a speed of 150 megabytes. Another feature that will make photographers happy is the support for HDR photos and a 10-bit D-Log colour profile for videos. The drone comes with a 4-way obstacle avoidance system and receives ADS-B signals from aeroplanes and helicopters via its AirSense system and displays their location on the DJI Fly App. Other features include DJI’s latest version of their OcuSync transmission system with provides it with a 12km control range, triple GNSS receivers, 31 minutes of flight time and a flight mode called Mastershots which will allow you to capture professional-quality videos with little hassle.
Key Features
- 1-inch CMOS sensor with 22mm lens, fixed f/2.8 aperture & 88° FOV
- 20MP images (RAW & JPEG)
- Burst, AEB,Timed, Panorama & Smart photo mode
- Records video footage in 5.4k at 30fps
- 10-bit D-log colour profile for HDR videos
- 150Mbps
- 8× digital zoom
- Mastershots & Quickshots for short cinematic videos
- Intelligent flight modes
- 4-Way Obstacle avoidance system
- 31 minutes of flight time
- 12km transmission range
2. DJI Mavic Air 2
The DJI Mavic Air 2 is one of the best photography drones on the market and comes with many of DJI’s innovative features that have made them the leader in the consumer drone industry. This is a beautifully designed drone that is smaller than the Mavic Pro and weighs just under 600g, so not a heavy drone and is easy to carry around. The DJI Mavic Air 2 is an excellent drone for professional photographers, it comes with an amazing HD camera that can record 4k video footage at 60fps with a recording speed of 100Mbps. The camera has a 1/2-inch CMOS image sensor that can shoot images in 12MP or 48MP HD resolution and can capture in both RAW and JPEG formats. The drone can record 8k hyperlapse videos and comes with HDR support that will capture the true colours of a photo and video. The Mavic Air 2 also comes with DJI’s latest Advanced Pilot Assistant System for safer flying, other features include OcuSync 2.0 for smoother live video transmission, smart tracking, 34 minutes of flight time and a transmission range of around 10km.
Key Features
- 1/2-inch sensor with 24mm lens, fixed f/2.8 aperture & 84° FOV
- 12MP & 48MP images
- Burst, Interval, Timed & Panorama photo modes
- Smartphoto for HDR images
- Records videos in 4k at 60fps
- D-Cinelike colour profile for HDR videos
- 8k Time-lapse videos
- Intelligent flight modes
- Obstacle avoidance system
- 30 minutes of flight time
- 10km transmission range
3. Autel Evo Nano Plus
Fly away with the new Autel Nano Plus Mini Drone. It has everything you need for taking stunning aerial shots, including a 50MP camera, 4k video quality, and a compact build. The camera has a large image sensor and comes with a RYYB colour filter which along with the wide f/1.9 aperture will reduce noise in low-light conditions. Other advanced features includes a 3-way obstacle avoidance system, long transmission range, intelligent flight modes and 28 minutes of flight time. This is an exceptional Mini drone that is very light and easy to carry around and it comes with some powerful camera features which makes it one of the best drones for photography.
Key Features
- 1/1.28-inch CMOS sensor with 23mm lens, fixed f/1.9 aperture & 83° FOV
- 50MP images
- Multiple photography modes
- 16× digital zoom
- Records 4k videos at 30fps
- HDR video recording
- 100Mbps
- Intelligent flight modes
- 4 Quickshots
- Obstacle avoidance system
- 28 minutes of flight time
- 10km transmission range
4. DJI Mavic Pro
Despite being a few years old, the Mavic Pro still remains one of the best drones on the market and although it initially cost well over $1000, it now retails just under this price tag. The Mavic Pro is the drone that popularised the foldable design and is also responsible for the many continuous copycats that have followed it since it was first released. Design-wise, the Mavic Pro was a huge move away from DJI’s Phantom range of drones which are much bigger and heavier. The Mavic Pro is a small, foldable and very compact drone that comes with many powerful features and is especially suitable for travel photographers. Although it is a small and lightweight drone, it can be flown in slightly windy conditions because of its aerodynamic design and powerful brushless motors. The main feature of this drone is definitely its camera, it can record in stunning 4k and capture images in 12MP and because it is stabilised by an advanced gimbal system, the videos and photos are crystal clear and free of any sort of distortion. This drone was also one of the first to come with an obstacle avoidance system and come with features such as automatic return home, ActiveTrack, Circle me mode and is compatible with VR headsets for a more immersive flying experience.
Key Features
- 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor with 26mm lens, fixed f/2.2 aperture & 78.8° FOV
- 12MP still images
- Burst, AEB & Interval photography modes
- Records 4k videos at 30fps
- 60Mbps
- 27 minutes of flight time
- Obstacle avoidance system
- Smart flight modes
- 7km transmission range
5. Autel Nano
The Autel Nano mini drone is a smart, small, and powerful drone, with a host of features including a 1/2-inch CMOS sensor that is capable of capturing 48MP images and stunning 4 videos. It’s similar to the Nano Plus, except for its smaller sensor, it comes equipped with an obstacle avoidance system, 28 minutes of flight time, multiple photography modes and an improved dynamic tracking mode. It is one of the best mini drones and is great for people who want a drone that is suitable for travel photography.
Key Features
- 1/2-inch CMOS sensor with 24mm lens. fixed f/2.8 aperture & 84° FOV
- 48MP still images
- Multiple photography modes
- HDR images
- Records 4k videos at 30fps
- 100Mbps
- 28 minutes of flight time
- Obstacle avoidance system
- Smart flight modes
- 10km transmission range
6. Parrot Anafi
The Parrot Anafi is a uniquely designed foldable drone that has a lightweight body and comes equipped with many advanced features. One of the best features is its hybrid 3-axis gimbal that allows the camera to tilt 180°, giving the pilot more viewing angles. The camera can capture 21MP images in both RAW & JPEG and record 4k video footage at 30fps and has a recording speed of 100Mbps. Other features include lossless zoom, dual GNSS receiver, intelligent flight modes, automatic return to home and 25 minutes of flight time. The drone also allows anyone to capture cinematic video footage from 4 different angles through its cineshot function. This is a fantastic drone for photography and is an excellent choice for a travel drone thanks to its lightweight and ultra-portable design.
Key Features
- 1/2.4-inch sensor
- 21MP images (RAW & JPEG)
- Hybrid 3-axis gimbal with 180° tilt
- Records 4k video footage at 30fps
- Lossless zoom
- Supports HDR imaging
- Intelligent flight modes
- Automatic return to home
- 4 Cineshots
- 25 minutes of flight time
- 4km control range
7. DJI Mini 2
The upgrade to the popular Mavic Mini and while DJI for some reason has ditched the Mavic branding for this drone, this drone very much belongs to the Mavic family. It comes with many of the features that made the original so popular, for instance, it weighs less than 250g, which means you will not have to register it if you live in the USA or UK (although, I advise you to still check what the regulations are as they can change). Its small, compact and lightweight design makes it a great choice for a drone to travel around with and it comes with some notable upgrades such as the ability for the camera to record video footage in 4k at 100Mbps and captures images in both RAW and JPEG which will please photographers. Like the original Mavic Mini, the Mini 2 does not come with any autonomous flight modes, which is unfortunate but it does come with a feature called Quickshots that allows you to record high-quality videos at the push of a button. The drone also comes with DJI’s OcuSync technology for a better and longer transmission range and has a flight time of 31 minutes.
Key Features
- 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor with 24mm lens, fixed f/2.8 aperture & 83° FOV
- 12MP still images (RAW & JPEG)
- Interval, AEB & Panorama photography modes
- Records videos in 4k at 30fps
- 100Mbps
- 31 minutes of flight time
- 5 Quickshots
- 4* digital zoom
- 10km transmission range
8. DJI Mavic Air
One of the best foldable drones on the market, the original Mavic Air still remains an impressive drone even though it was released a couple of years ago. It’s a beautifully constructed drone that comes with powerful features and is also one of the lightest drones on this list weighing just over 400g. If you are looking for a good drone to travel with, the Mavic Air is one of the best for this purpose. Despite being a small, lightweight drone, it comes with many of the features that have made DJI the leading consumer drone brand. The drone comes with DJI’s innovative Advanced Pilot Assistant System which incorporates an obstacle avoidance system for safer flying and comes with several autonomous flight modes. This was the first Mavic drone to record video footage in 4k at 100Mbps bitrate (Mavic Pro recorded at 60Mbps) and supports D-Cinelike colour profile. It can capture images in both RAW and JPEG formats and can record slow-motion videos in true HD. This is a very good drone and worth the price it currently sells for.
Key Features
- 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor with 24mm lens, fixed f/2.8 aperture & 85° FOV
- 12MP still images
- Burst, Interval, HDR & Panorama photography modes
- Records 4k videos at 30fps
- 100Mbps
- 21 minutes of flight time
- Advanced Autopilot Assistant System
- Obstacle avoidance system
- Intelligent flight modes
- 4km transmission range
8. Hubsan Zino 2
Hubsan is known more for their low-cost beginner-friendly drones, however, their Zino range of drones are on the higher-end of the drone market and have proved to be very popular because they do not come with the price tag of something like the Mavic or Evo drones. The Zino 2 is an exceptionally well-designed drone, it’s heavier and larger than a lot of comparable foldable drones but that shouldn’t put you off because it does come with some advanced features and its foldable design makes it very compact and easy to carry around. The drone comes with dual GPS modules that allows for better hovering capability and more precise drone tracking on the app. The drone also comes several smart flight modes including an impressive image tracking mode and a GPS automatic return to home feature. The best feature of this drone is definitely its 4k camera that can record at 60fps and has a recording speed of 100Mbps for crystal clear smooth video footage. The camera is stabilised by an advanced gimbal system and comes with a dedicated image processor from Ambarella.
Key Features
- 1/2.3-inch Sony sensor
- 12MP still images
- Multiple photography modes
- Ambarella H22 Video processor
- Records 4k videos at 60fps
- 100Mbps
- Intelligent flight modes
- 33 minutes of flight time
- 8km transmission range
9. DJI Mavic Mini
This is one of my favourite drones, it’s the ultimate travel drone as it is very light and ultra-portable. However, don’t let its small size and weight deceive you, this is a very powerful drone and comes with many of DJI’s signature features. The drone comes with a very good 2.7k camera and is stabilised by a 3-axis gimbal, attaching a gimbal system to such a small device is very impressive. The camera can record video footage in 2.7k at 30fps at a speed of 40Mbps. The video quality is very good and you can also capture 12MP images in JPEG format. The drone has a flight time of around 30 minutes, which is also very impressive for such a small drone and has a transmission rage of around 4km. DJI developed a completely new app for this drone called the DJI Fly App and it comes with a host of features that will let you have more fun flying the drone.
Key Features
- 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor with 24mm lens, fixed f/2.8 aperture & 83° FOV
- 12MP still images
- Records 2.7k videos at 30fps
- Edit videos and images within the DJI Fly app
- Quickshots- allows you to take short Hollywood style videos
- 30 minutes of flight time
- 4km control range
10. DJI Phantom 3 Pro
This was one of DJI’s first drones that came with a 4k camera, like all Phantom drones, it has an all-white colour scheme and gold markings on its rotor arms. It is larger and heavier than most drones on this list, so not a great drone to travel with. However, because it is large and comes with powerful motors, you can fly this drone in windy and even cold temperatures. For its size, the drone is very fast, it can reach a top speed of around 56 km/h and has a decent flight time of 23 minutes. The 4k camera may not be as good as the later generation of DJI 4K camera drones but you can still take some exceptional videos and photos with it. The camera has a 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor that can shoot still images in12MP and because it is stabilised by a mechanical gimbal, videos and photos will be crystal and clear and free from any kind of distortion.
Key Features
- 1/2.3-inch sensor with 20mm lens, fixed f/2.8 aperture & 94° FOV
- 12MP still images
- Burst, AEB & Timed photography modes
- Records videos in 4k at 30fps
- 60Mbps
- 23 minutes of flight time
- 5km transmission range
