7 Best Travel Drones of 2023 – Review and Buyer’s Guide

Thanks to advancements in drone tech, it is increasingly possible to buy a cheap and easy-to-carry drone for travel. As such, drones are the latest travel fad for photography and video enthusiasts.

Think about it, if you are traveling to the Machu Picchu in Peru, Pitons in St Lucia, the Glacier National Park, or the many fascinating locations in the world, it is natural to want to capture the surreal environment from all possible angles.

There are many drones on the market today; how do you determine the best travel drone that suits your needs?

We teamed up with drone technology experts to bring you a list of the best travel drones Amazon has to offer. These products have also been reviewed by travelers who have taken them to more than one travel destination.

We hope you will find this helpful piece valuable and find something you can take along for your next trip.

Primary Keyword for 2023 Review: Key Features, Pros, and Cons

Taking the best travel drone to your next destination will require significant investment in bag space, money, and research of the drone laws in your preferred location. Some countries do not allow drones for travel, while others might have specific requirements. Thus, you need to go for drones designed for travel.

Many drones are on the market today; you will find some relatively inexpensive products with nice features. However, when you consider drones specifically meant for travel, the list shrinks. The table below summarizes the 7 best travel drones recommended by the techies and validated by travelers.

Image	Brand	Weight	Flying time	Video Capture Resolution	Details
BEST OVERALL	DJI	0.026 ounces	-	2.7K HD	Check price
PREMIUM PICK	DJI	595 Grams	31 Minutes	5.4K/30fps and 4K/60fps	Check price
BEST VALUE	Potensic	520g	25 Minutes	4k	Check price
	Parrot	1 Pound	25 Minutes	4K HD	Check price
	Holy Stone	460 Grams	26 Minutes	4K HD	Check price
	DJI	249 Grams	31Minutes	4K HD	Check price
	DJI	2.2 pounds	21 Minutes	4K	Check price

1. DJI Mavic Mini Quadcopter

DJI Mavic Mini is the new updated model of the brand. The manufacturers are introducing upgraded models regularly. It is induced with smart technology. Drones are becoming popular at a fast pace. If you wish to invest in a good gadget this drone is worth buying. It has been a top performer. The design is compact, portable, and reliable for taking it on trips. The mini camera drone effortlessly captures images and videos. It makes the ordinary look extraordinary.

Moreover, the drone only weighs 250 grams which is extremely travel-friendly. I love to take it on trekking and hiking with me, only to capture the beauty of nature. The Mavic mini has the same weights as a smartphone. You have the freedom to fly drones in Canada and the USA. As you do not have to register the drone with the government. The drone supports the 12MP aerial images and 2.7k HD videos.

2. DJI Air 2S Fly More Combo 

This is an impressive model. While we love our DJI Phantom 3, this drone has a smaller size and fewer flying regulations. It is an excellent travel drone for HD video quality.

This drone can record 4K video at 60fps or 5.4K video at 30fps; it is noticeably an upgrade on the  DJI Phantom 3. In addition, it features an advanced collision detection system that ensures this bird flies safely. And a whopping 12km (7.5 miles) flying range from the 10km (6.2 miles) found in other newer models. We also love the landing sensors on the base of the drones that ensure safe landing every time your birdie comes home to roost.

The DJI Air 2S Fly More Combo will automatically return home in the advent of low battery or poor signal connection. It comes fitted with sensors that allow it to reroute itself in complex environments and at high speed.

In addition, you will find advanced settings like object tracking that make it super-easy to capture professional-looking footage. The package comes with a shoulder bag, ND Filters Set, battery Charging Hub, and two extra batteries.

3. Potensic D68 Drone with Camera 

Are you on the lookout for an HD, beginner-friendly, budget-friendly drone?  Search no more; the Potensic D68 is the drone you seek. It comes with superb features and won’t create a hole in your pocket. Plus, it is one of the best drone to travel with.

Like the DJI Air 2S Fly More Combo, this drone has a “return home” feature that allows it to return home when there is poor signal reception from the controller or when you have a low battery. We absolutely love the one-touch liftoff and landing feature and the plenty of shooting options on the app.

We were able to chart a flying path for the drone by mapping it in the app and setting it to fly around a preset object in a circle. It is also possible to set a flying limit to prevent your drone from straying into restricted airspace.

The Potensic D68 Drone with Camera records video at 2k and images at 4k resolution. And can be tilted up to 90º to offer many points of view. It transmits over a 5Ghz frequency back to the application. We were able to mount a phone on the controller to share the drone’s eye from above.

4. The Parrot Store Drone – Best noiseless

This is another drone perfect for travel. It is a portable drone that weighs 320g and comes in about a regular mobile phone size. This drone is ideal for long trips and backpacking.

One feature we do not like about many products we tested is the loud mechanical sound. However, this drone excels in this regard; it is super-silent thanks to a lightweight and wide propeller that ensures this unit liftoff and touchdown noiselessly.

You will enjoy beautiful 4K videos and 21MP photos complemented with a 3x digital zoom and a 3-axis hybrid stabilization as you record. The breathtaking effects (original aerial selfies, automatic subject framing, compensated traveling, etc.) and cinema-quality videos will impress your family and friends. It is one of the best drones for travel on the market today.

This drone does not come with many safety features; it is not ideal for beginner flyers. You also need to pay more to access some intelligent flight modes. In all, this drone is perfect if you want to take cinematic shots!

5. Holy Stone HS720 Foldable GPS Drone – Best foldable

This drone is in a class of its own. It boasts an excellent shock absorber and an intelligent flight feature that wins it a spot on this list. Even more impressive is the flexible camera that turns 90°, allowing users to capture images from many angles.

This drone is also budget-friendly at just under $300, making it an excellent choice for a novice. We were also impressed with the two batteries that allow us to fly this machine and take pictures for 52 minutes, 26 minutes each. In addition, Stone HS720 comes equipped with a 5G internet connection allowing for real-time video feed as it flies over you.

Another standout feature is the color LED display and an easy-to-navigate integrated app. At just 520g, the drone is lightweight and suitable for travel.

6. DJI Mini 2 – Foldable and Ultralight Drone Quadcopter – Best mini

DJI is a market leader in the drone manufacturing industry, and for good reasons – it has been producing high-quality drones for years. Have you ever seen a travel video you absolutely adored? The probability that it was shot with a DJI is very high.

The DJI Mini 2 weighs less than 249g with a size of just 5.2×3.2×2.3; this product will easily fit into your jacket pocket. There are restrictions about flying drones in certain countries, but brands less than 250g have fewer restrictions. So, DJI Mini 2 will work well for you in many places.

Despite its tiny size, this drone is not a toy. We were able to extract 31 minutes of flight time from this birdie — an impressive number of minutes considering the other products of similar weight and sizes that we tested. The drone also flies significantly better than other small-sized drones. In addition, the DJI Mini 2 comes with a “return home” feature. And records video in 4k at 30fps.

Pros

• This drone has a flight time of 31 minutes.
• It comes with an automatic return home feature.
• The drone can handle wind gusts of up to 24mph.

Cons

• It does not come with collision avoidance sensors.

7. DJI Mavic Air Portable Quadcopter Drone – Best for beginners

Are you looking to capture the amazing scenery in your travel destination? Are you wondering what to do to capture something different and exceptional? Then, you need to think outside the box. To get started, get the DJI Mavic Air Portable Quadcopter Drone. The portable, foldable and functional drone will change the way you do travel photography.

Capable of recording stunning 4K video, epic 12MP stills, and high definition 1080p slow-motion images from more than 5 KM away in its small, compact body, this drone is a powerhouse. It comes with “intelligent” camera modes perfect for visual tracking of your machine and allows hands-free flying. These smart features also make it easy for beginners to take great shots.

The DJI Mavic Air Portable Quadcopter Drone comes in a foldable design that seamlessly fits into a bag pack. And the 20-minute flying time means plenty of time to capture exceptional images that will impress family and friends.

Give it a try. You will experience advanced drone photography in a way you have never seen before.

Best Travel Drone:  Buying Guide

When buying a travel drone, you will not find two products that are exactly alike. There are many types on the market. It can be challenging to decide the best travel drone that suits your cinematic needs and budgets. Each travel drone shines uniquely. We have gone through some of the factors to help you decide the right fit for you.

Size and Shape

Drone manufacturers put in a lot of work to make their products light enough to please photographers. Yet, the shape and size of many leave more to be desired. Rigid, bulky, and frail, drones can be inconveniently shaped.

Many photographers point to the inability of drones to fold as the major reason for shunning it altogether. Drones now come in two shapes: foldable and fixed bodies. Each has its set of pros and cons.

In a bid to be travel friendly, manufacturers sacrifice plenty of technological features. Fixed body drones are the conventional and most common type around. Others come in a shape that requires special care during travels. Some models like the Yuneec Typhoon require a camera backpack for transport.

On the other hand, are the durable new entrants, like the DJI Mavic Air Portable Quadcopter Drone and the Potensic D68 Drone with Camera, the foldable drones, thanks to advancement in drone technology. These drones pack down small and do not need a special backpack. Therefore, they are generally better suited for travel. Unfortunately, many other foldable drones on the market are prone to breakage due to the moving component parts.

Material

Also, ascertain the material built of your preferred drone. Drones made from plastic will be lightweight and cost less but more prone to breakage. Carbon fiber is a tough material that is more resistant to weather, breakage, and more expensive. Weigh your pocket and determine the level of durability to pay for.

Weight

Drones come in different sizes but, thankfully, are seldom bulky.  Depending on the manufacturer, quality, and except the ultra-lightweight selfie models, most drones weigh anything from 0.5 pounds and 4 pounds.

What determines a drone’s weight is the technology and construction. Generally, the more advanced your drone, the heavier it will be. Of course, you will find some exceptions to this rule, but generally, this holds true.

A heavy drone has its pros; apart from being more advanced, it will better withstand harsh environmental elements. The wind is the number one enemy of drones. It has a negligible effect on heavy drones.

Light drones can drive at 10 mph gust off-course; heavier models can handle close to 25 mph. Note, even the heaviest drones will likely struggle in bad weather and crash to the ground.

When you consider that a heavy camera can weigh 30lbs or more, traveling with The Parrot Store Drone weighing 1lb or less is not bad.

Price

Even though drones are cheaper than at any other time in history, it still requires a significant monetary outlay. It can take forever to choose a product that costs a lot of money, requires technical know-how, and is likely to crash one day.

When you find the product that ticks the right boxes, ensure it is a good fit for your pocket.

If you are just starting out at flying drones, we recommend going for older models with plenty of functionalities found in the newer ones but cheaper. So, you do not feel distraught when you crash it. Alternatively, consider the Holy Stone HS720 Foldable GPS Drone; it cost less than $300.

Photo & video quality

If you are considering the best travel drone, it’s definitely going to be because you want to capture breathtaking videos and photos of the beautiful places you plan to visit. No one buys a drone to fly around, pretending to be a pilot.

Ensure your pick has an excellent video and photo quality like the DJI Phantom 3 Professional Quadcopter Aircraf, DJI Air 2S Fly More Combo, and The Parrot Store Drone. So that you can document your exciting moments at their best.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much does a good travel drone cost?

Drone photography professionals spend big bucks on gadgets that will deliver excellent image, video quality, and flight time. The cost of a travel drone ranges from about $30 to $300. You will find camera drones for about $550 and higher. Our best value, the Potensic D68 Drone with Camera, sells for under $250.

Q: Why do travel drones have short flight times?

Travel drones have short flight times because of the lithium polymer battery limitations. However, you can maximize flight times by piloting less aggressively while considering your drone weight and flight plan.

Q: Can I put a big battery in my travel drone?

The battery capacity directly affects flying time. If you want to fly for longer periods, you need a bigger battery. And a bigger battery means less flight time. Our experts have a piece of simple advice about this: “don’t put a bigger battery in your drone; simply change the battery between flights.”

Conclusion

As advancement in tech revolutionizes different aspects of our lives, drones are no longer exclusive toys of a select few — instead, they are a piece of equipment used by professionals in many fields. For example, photographers, builders, tradesmen, and even surveyors may want to check a landscape without physically walking the whole length. With drones, this is easy and quick.

We teamed up with professionals and travelers to create this comprehensive review of the best travel drones of 2023. The buying guide should be considered before making a purchasing decision.

We hope you will find the best travel drone for your next travel location on this list.