Drone photography has been the domain of professionals for the last decade. The expensive copters with their sharp learning curves were an expense and hassle that most folks wouldn’t want to bother with. Then came the pocket drones! The more compact designs accessible by amateurs have allowed people of all skill levels to take advantage of this technology. In this article we will talk about pocket drones, what they are, how they work, and what they can do. We will then look at ten of the top options for anyone looking to dive (or fly) into the world of action photography.
Comparison Table
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Product FAQ
There are a lot of different things to consider when comparing pocket drones, so we want to start by answering questions you might have and help you familiarize yourself with these fun little creative machines.
1. What Is A Pocket Drone?
2. What Are Some Common Features?
3. How Do You Control A Flying Pocket Drone?
4. How Are They Different?
5. Where Can You Get Them?
How We Reviewed
We looked at ten of the most popular items in the pocket drones category and compared their various features, accessibility, controls, ease of use, and overall value. There’s a wide range of pocket drones and accessories on the market, so we’ve broken down the essential information for each of the items we reviewed.
Overall Price Range Of This Product
The pocket drones and accessories we looked at for this review had a wide range of prices. The lowest-priced items were in the $50 range. At the high end, the products topped out at a little above $800. The variety in the pocket drone category opens users up to an abundance of options and features, which also means a wide range of prices.
What We Reviewed
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Features
The Mavic Air is the first of several pocket drones we looked at from DJI. While the Mavic Pro, which we look at later in this review, is an accessory-heavy work horse, the Mavic Air is simple and elegant. The DJI Mavic Air has a three-axis Gimbal system for the camera, delivering professional quality shots from any angle. Using the built-in Active Track and Smart Capture features, you can control the movement with gestures or other similar commands. This is a great pocket drone, but maybe not a value for its higher price tag compared to the others on this list.
Warranty
This item comes with a limited warranty on all parts from the manufacturer.
Pros
Cons
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Features
The Spark is something special as it’s a high end quadcopter without the price tag you would expect. This is the perfect transition piece if you are looking to move up from casual drone photography and try your hand at professional style shots. Its TapFly mode, an included onboard feature, makes it easy to tell your drone where you want to shoot. All you have to do is tap on your screen where you want it to point and the drone will automatically frame the shot to your instructions. An Active Track system allows the drone to identify people or objects and then tracks them according to your programming. This is a little different from standard facial recognition technology as this technology can interpret and follow things like bikes, cars, and other non-human objects.
Warranty
This model comes with a two-year limited warranty from the manufacturer.
Pros
Cons
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Features
The most inexpensive pocket drone on our list is the Baby Elfie from Engpow. This is definitely a beginner's model drone with very few features and accessories. This quadcopter is small, lightweight, and can fold up for easy transport. The dual control system is nice for one-handed flying when using the provided remote. The picture quality is only 720p for video and 2MP for still photos. Even though those are the lowest quality shots of all the machines on this list, at an average price around $40 this the perfect starter drone for your kids.
Warranty
This pocket drone comes with a standard limited warranty on parts from the manufacturer.
Pros
Cons
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Features
This is the cream of the crop on our list- and the average list price agrees with that sentiment. Though we found the average price to be high, we still think the value here is excellent. This pocket drone shoots in full 4K video with auto-stabilizing lenses and adjustable frame rates of up to 30 FPS. Using patented OcuSync technology to pilot the drone is easy and gives you capabilities most drones can’t match. This little quadcopter can fly up to 40 miles per hour while maintaining a distance of over 4 miles. This is some of the best speed and longest range available for a drone of this size and price.
Warranty
This model comes with a standard limited warranty from the manufacturer.
Pros
Cons
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Features
The Parrot Bebop 2 is one of the more expensive options on this list, so you would expect a good selection of features to come standard. The pocket drone can shoot in full 1080p at 30 frames per second, has a great charge time on the battery, and can shoot still photos at over 14 MP. This model also comes with First-Person goggles for flying. The Cockpit glasses give the sensation of flying from the front of the tiny quadcopter. This is a neat feature, but it doesn’t seem to explain the high price tag on the Bebop. There are core features missing from this unit, like autonomous flying, movement tracking, or subject chase capability- but don’t worry, you can purchase these features at an additional cost.
Warranty
This item comes with a standard one-year warranty from the manufacturer.
Pros
Cons
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Features
The Xiro Xplorer features an integrated 1080p / 13MP camera with electronic image stabilization. It provides automatic subject tracking, and app-based control within its 328-foot range. Video feed is live at 720p resolution and the app provides editing and sharing of footage.
Warranty
Warranty information was not provided. Please contact the seller directly for warranty information.
Pros
Cons
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Features
The Dobby pocket drone is one of the best values we reviewed for this list. This little white flyer is light in weight but heavy in features. The autonomous navigation is guided using two separate satellites for positioning, giving you accurate and articulated controls. This drone has a quad core processor that allows fast and intuitive facial recognition that calculates position and the course on the fly. The Snapdragon processor in the Dobby allows for intelligent flying that can be used indoors or outdoors to capture selfies like never before.
Warranty
There is a manufacturer two-year limited warranty on this model.
Pros
Cons
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Features
The Passport pocket drone is a unique pocket drone made of mostly carbon fiber parts and made for autonomous flight. The Hover Camera Passport has a built-in facial recognition system that targets the user and automatically tracks them in flight. The small drone can track someone running, biking, or even jumping off of a tall building. Using the tracking and recognition software the machine can capture your most daring stunts and peaceful runs.
Warranty
This product is covered under a manufacturer limited warranty.
Pros
Cons
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Features
The S6 Quadcopter from Wingsland is truly a pocket drone. The phone-sized body and collapsable arms make it an easy fit into a large pocket. The small body and slim design still allow for a 4K camera and built-in stabilization controls. There are also a handful of neat accessories you can attach to the S6, like an LED emoji display, a powerful but compact searchlight, or try some “mobile assault” with the Boom Boom Gun and outfit your drone with a small Air Soft barrel that actually fires.
Warranty
This model comes with a standard manufacturer limited warranty.
Pros
Cons
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Features
The GoolRC T47 is a great pocket drone if you’re on a budget. This little rechargeable quadcopter comes with a one-hand remote that acts as the control point and tracking beacon. The built-in barometer will help stabilize the height automatically while tracking the remote, making it easier than ever to get perfect tracking shots over a certain distance.
Warranty
This item comes with a standard limited-warranty from the manufacturer.
Pros
Cons
The Verdict
This is a strong category of drones, and many of these little guys made our shopping lists after this review. After looking at each of them against one another, we feel that the Dobby and Spark were the two strongest values. The DJI Spark was one of the more expensive models we looked at, but when you consider what comes packed in with the drone, it can’t be beat at that price. Both the hardware and software were dialed in and easy to operate. We really loved this and the other DJI models for this review, and highly recommend you look into these models if you’re ready for the excitement of your very own drone in a pocket.
