Looking for the best foldable drones? Well, since the release of the DJI Mavic Pro, foldable drones are probably the most popular type of consumer drone on the market.
Not only do foldable drones look cool but they are super convenient, especially when you are travelling around as they are very compact in their folded form and easy to pack.
Putting together this list was tough because there are so many awesome foldable drones you can buy. Choosing a foldable drone will depend on what you want to do with it, if it’s just to fly for fun, there are a lot of choices for you, I would avoid the expensive drones like DJI and Evo and advise you to look at models from Eachine and Holy Stone. However, I have not included these drones in this list.
If you are looking to use drones for commercial reasons or want to take some professional-level videos and images, then this list is for you.
However, if you are going to be using these drones for commercial purposes or make money some other way (like posting drone footage on YouTube and earning ad revenue), you will need to register these or any other drones you use to make money. If you live in the UK, you will need to register your drone with the CAA and obtain two types of ID’s, one is called a Flyer ID and the other an Operator ID, click here for more information on UK drone laws.
If you live in the USA, there is a similar process, you will need to register with the FAA and pass their Part 107 UAS knowledge test, the process is simple but must be complete if you fly your drones to make money, click here for more details on US drone laws.
According to one of the leading digital photography websites, digital photography school, one of the main features of a camera that will determine overall image quality is its image sensor size. The bigger the sensor, the more data the sensor can capture, which should result in better image quality.
For this reason, I have ordered the list of drones by the image sensor size, of course, there are other factors that will determine image quality as well, for instance, lens aperture and FOV, ISO range, shutter speed and the overall experience of the pilot in photography.
Best Foldable Drones
1. DJI Mavic 3
The new DJI Mavic 3 is not only the best foldable drone but also probably the best prosumer drone on the market right now. It’s an amazing piece of equipment that has been engineered for photographers and cinematographers. Mavic 3 is the first prosumer drone that comes with a dual-camera system, the main camera is has been jointly developed with Swiss camera maker, Hasselblad. It comes with an MFT sensor, adjustable aperture, 84° FOV and uses Hasselblad Natural Colour Solution (HNCS) for greater colour detail. The camera can capture 20MP 12-bit RAW images and record videos in 5.1k videos at 50fps, 4k at 120fps at a maximum bit rate of 200Mbps. It has support for HDR videos and images and there is a slightly more expensive version called the Mavic Cine 3 that allows users to record video footage in Apple ProRes codec, this version also comes with a 1TB storage space to accommodate the larger file size. The secondary camera comes with a telephoto lens, it has a 1/2-inch sensor, fixed f/4.4 aperture and has a 15° FOV. It can capture 12MP images and 4k video and has a 28× zoom capability. Other updated features include an obstacle avoidance system that is on par with the Skydio 2, ASPAS 5.0, intelligent flight modes, advanced return to home function, 46 minutes of flight time and an improved transmission system.
Key Features
- MFT sensor with 24mm lens and 84°FOV
- Adjustable aperture f/2.8-f/11
- 20MP 12-bit RAW images
- Single, AEB and timed photography modes
- ISO range 100-6400
- Records videos in 5.1k at 50fps, DCI 4k at 120fps, 1080p at 200fps
- Mavic 3 Cine supports recording in Apple ProRes 422 HQ
- 10-bit Dlog colour profile for HDR videos
- 200Mbps maximum bitrate
- 1/2-inch CMOS sensor with a telephoto lens (Secondary camera)
- Fixed f/4.4 aperture with 15° FOV
- 12MP images
- Records video footage in 4k at 30fps
- 28× digital zoom
- APAS 5.0
- Advanced return to home function
- Omnidirectional obstacle avoidance system
- Intelligent flight modes
- 46 minutes of flight time
- 15km transmission range
2. DJI Mavic Pro
The best foldable drone is the Mavic Pro 2, an advanced camera drone that comes with a 1-inch CMOS sensor that is capable of recording 4k videos and capturing 20MP images. The drone comes equipped with a camera that has been engineered by Hasselblad and comes with their unique HNCS colour technology. The 1-inch sensor and the adjustable aperture allows photographers to capture more detail in a low light environment. With HDR support, the camera captures videos and images in vivid detail that brings out their natural colours. Other features include Omni-directional obstacle avoidance technology, 31 minutes of flight time and OcuSync video transmission technology and a 10km control range.
Key Features
- 1-inch CMOS sensor with 28mm lens & 77° FOV
- 20MP still images
- Adjustable aperture f/2.8-f/11
- Multiple photography modes
- Records videos in 4K@30fps, 2.7K@60fps, 1080P@120fps
- Hasselblad Natural Colour Solution
- Photo ISO – 100-3200 (Auto), 100-12800 (Manual)
- Video ISO – 100-6400
- 100Mbps
- 10-bit D-log colour profile for HDR videos
- 31 minutes of flight time
- 10km transmission range
- Obstacle avoidance technology
3. Autel Evo 2 Pro
The Evo 2 Pro is a beast of a drone, it looks and feels like a drone made for professional use. It is a little bulky when folded up and I am not a huge fan of its orange colour, other than that, this drone is truly amazing. The camera comes with a 1-inch CMOS sensor that can capture 20MP images and record 6k video footage at 30fps with a recording speed of 120Mbps. It has multiple photography modes that will allow you to capture HDR and panorama images and has a 10-bit log colour profile for HDR videos. The Evo 2 Pro has a long flight time of 40 minutes, a 9km transmission range and comes with several autonomous flight modes.
Key Features
- 1-inch Sony sensor with 28.6mm lens & 82° FOV
- Adjustable aperture f/2.8-f/11
- 20MP still images
- Records videos in 6K@30FPS, 4K@60FPS, 2.7@120fps
- 16× digital zoom (3×lossless)
- ISO Video – 100-6400
- ISO Photo – 100-12800
- Hyper-light technology for nighttime photography
- Multiple photography modes
- Intelligent flight modes
- 5-way obstacle avoidance system
- 40 minute flight time
- 9km control range
4. DJI Air 2S
One of the best and lightest drones with a camera that costs less than $1000, the Air 2S is one of DJI’s newer drones and comes with many of their innovative technology. This drone sports a 1-inch sensor that can capture amazing photography in 20MP and has HDR support that really brings out the colours. Videos can be recorded in 5k, 4k, 2.7k and FHD, it’s extensive camera features is perfect for creators to capture and record the videos and photos they want. There is a new feature called MasterShots that allows anyone to record cinema-like videos from different angles at the push of a button. It has a flight time of 30 minutes and a transmission range of 12km.
Key Features
- 1-inch CMOS sensor 22mm lens & 88° FOV
- Fixed f/2.8 aperture
- 20MP still images (RAW & JPEG)
- SmartPhoto mode for one-click optimised images
- 8× Digital zoom
- Records videos in 5k@30fps, 4k@60fps, 2.7k@60fps
- 10-bit Dlog-M colour profile for HDR videos
- ISO Video – 100-3200 (Auto), 100-6400 (Manual)
- ISO Photo – 100-3200 (Auto), 100-12800 (Manual)
- 150Mbps
- Multiple photography modes
- Mastershots for one-click cinematic videos
- Obstacle avoidance technology
- Intelligent flight modes
- 30 minutes of flight time
- 12km transmission range
5. DJI Air 2
With a 1/2-inch Quad Bayer image sensor, this camera can take some exceptional images and videos. The camera captures still images in 48MP and can shoot different types of panorama photography with amazing clarity. Videos are recorded in 4k at 60fps and come with HDR support thanks to its D-Cinelike colour profile which will help capture more colour details of the subject matter. The Mavic Air 2 boasts a range of intelligent features that includes image tracking, obstacle avoidance and low battery automatic return to home. It uses DJI’s innovative video transmission technology for a smooth live video feed and has a control range of 10km and a flight time of 34 minutes.
Key Features
- 1/2-inch sensor with24mm lens & 84° FOV
- Fixed f/2.8 aperture
- 12MP & 48 still images
- Photography modes include AEB, Burst, Single, Timed & Panorama
- ISO Video – 100-6400
- ISO Photo – 100-3200 (Auto), 100-6400 (Manual)
- Records videos in 4k@60fps, 2.7k@60fps, 1080p@240fps
- 8k Hyperlapse videos
- 120Mbps
- D-Cinelike colour profile for HDR videos
- Intelligent flight modes
- OcuSync 2.0 transmission technology
- HD live video feed
- 34 minutes of flight time
- 10km control range
6. Autel Evo 2
The Evo 2 is very similar to the Evo 2 Pro, the main difference being its camera, this version comes with a 1/2-inch sensor that can capture 48MP images and 8k video footage. The camera has multiple photography modes, has features for HDR videos and images and can capture 8k time-lapse video footage. Other advanced features include an omnidirectional obstacle avoidance system, intelligent flight modes, 40 minutes of flight time and a 9km transmission range. One of the best features of this drone is its remote controller, it comes with an HD OLED screen, so there is no need to attach a mobile device.
Key Features
- 1/2-inch CMOS sensor with 25.6mm lens & 79°FOV
- Fixed f/1.8 aperture
- 48MP images
- Multiple photography modes
- Support for HDR images
- 16× zoom
- Records video footage in 8k at 25fps, 6k at 30fps, 4k at 60fps
- 120Mbps
- 10-bit log colour profile for HDR videos
- ISO Photo – 100-3200
- ISO Video – 100-6400
- Omnidirectional obstacle avoidance system
- Intelligent flight modes
- 40 minutes of flight time
- 9km transmission range
7. Fimi X8 SE 2022
The Fimi X8 SE has gone through several updates, the latest is the 2022 version, it is an amazing drone that comes with some stunning features. The drone comes with a lot of features, the main one is its camera that has a 1-2-inch sensor that is capable of recording 4k footage at 30fps with a maximum bitrate of 100 Mbps and capturing 48MP images. The camera is supported by an advanced 3-axis mechanical gimbal that will make sure your videos and images are distortion-free. It comes with several intelligent flight modes including active track and waypoint. Although it claims to be waterproof, there is no evidence of this as there is no IP rating in its spec sheet. The drone has a flight time of 34 minutes and a transmission range of 10km.
Key Features
- 1/2-inch CMOS sensor with 25mm lens & 79° FOV
- Fixed f/1.6 aperture
- 48MP images
- Multiple photography modes including burst timed & panorama
- Records videos in 4k at 30fps
- Support for HDR videos and images
- ISO range 100-6400
- Quickshots for cinematic video footage
- Intelligent flight modes
- 34 minutes of flight time
- 10km transmission range
8. DJI Mavic Air
It’s quite amazing how small this drone is and yet DJI has managed to install the majority of their innovative technology inside this drone. The Mavic Air is one of the lightest drones on this list and when folded up it can easily fit inside a large pocket. This is a great drone to travel with and comes with some amazing features such as the camera that can record in 4k, take images in 12mp and is stabilised by a 3-axis gimbal system for distortion-free images and videos. It comes with a couple of safety features like an automatic return home function and a 3-way obstacle avoidance system. It has a decent flight time of 21 minutes and a top speed of around 42 mph which is fast for this type of drone.
Key Features
- 1/2.3 CMOS sensor with 24mm lens & 85° FOV
- Fixed f/2.8 aperture
- 12MP images
- Burst, AEB, Single, Timed & Panorama photography modes
- ISO Video – 100-3200 (Auto & Manual)
- ISO Photo – 100-1600 (Auto), 100-3200 (Manual)
- Records 4k videos at 30fps, 2,7k at 60fps
- 100Mbps
- Support for HDR videos and images
- Intelligent flight modes
- 21 minutes of flight time
- 4km transmission range
9. Parrot Anafi
Parrot at one point used to be the leading manufacturers of consumer drone brands and although they discontinued most of their drones, the Anafi is still supported, and it is definitely their most impressive drone. It has a unique design for a foldable drone, in its folded form it seems longer and more compact than most other drones. It’s also one of the lightest drones on this list and makes a great choice to travel around with. It comes with some very impressive features like its 4k HDR camera, long flight time, smart flight modes and a well-developed drone app. The 4k camera is exceptional, it can record stunning aerial footage that is crystal clear and free of any shakiness or jello effect. It has a transmission range of around 4km and can stream live video footage in 720p resolution. The drone is powered by a 2 cell LiPo battery that provides it with a flight time of 25 minutes.
Key Features
- 1/2.4-inch CMOS sensor with 23mm ASPH lens & 84°
- Fixed f/2.4 aperture
- 21MP images
- Support for HDR images & videos
- ISO range- 100-3200
- 2.8× lossless zoom
- Records video footage in 4k at 30fps, 1080p at 60fps
- 100Mbps
- Intelligent flight modes.
- 25 minutes of flight time
- 4km transmission range
10. DJI Mini 2
The successor to the Mavic Mini, the Mini 2 comes with some quality upgrades whilst still retaining its small, compact and sub-250g design. The camera has the same size sensor as the Mavic Mini but unlike its predecessor, the Mini 2 can record videos in 4K and capture still images 12MP in both JPEG and RAW format. The camera can capture three types of panorama photography and comes with HDR support for images with its auto exposure bracketing feature. The transmission system has been updated from enhanced WiFi to DJI’s OcuSync 2.0 video transmission system, which allows for a smoother live video feed and a control range of 10km. This is a great foldable mini drone and perfect for entry-level drone photographers.
Key Features
- 1/2.3-inch Sensor 24mm lens & 83° FOV
- Fixed f/2.8 aperture
- 12MP still images
- Records videos in 4k@30fps, 2.7K@60FPS, 1080P@60FPS
- ISO Video/Photo – 100-3200 (Auto & Manual)
- 4×digital zoom
- HDR support for images
- Panorama, AEB & Interval photography modes
- 5 Quickshots
- HD live video feed
- 31 minutes of flight time
- 10km range