To make our list of best adventure drones, we came up with some specific criteria. First, it must travel easily. Sure, the DJI Inspire 2 is an absolute marvel, but it’s not exactly a cinch to lug around. Second, it must feature strong Follow Me technology—i.e., the ability to track a moving target autonomously. Third, the drone should be built to withstand the rigors of whatever adventure you throw at it (within reason, of course). With these benchmarks in mind, here is our list of best adventure drones.
DJI Mavic Air
It’s right there in the marketing: “MAVIC AIR: Adventure Unfolds.” All totaled, the word “adventure” appears eight times on the Mavic Air’s landing page. And you know what? It absolutely should. Because the DJI Mavic Air is arguably the best adventure drone ever built. Combining the travel-friendly design of the Spark, the prosumer-grade specs of the Mavic Pro, and featuring incredibly sophisticated target-tracking tech, the Mavic Air emphatically checks all the boxes on our list, and then some.
DJI Mavic 2 Pro
Not only is the DJI Mavic 2 Pro one of the greatest all-around consumer drones ever built, it’s also one of the most capable adventure drones on the market. Though not as small as the Mavic Air, the Mavic 2 Pro does feature a compact, foldable design that makes it easy to carry along on any adventure. In addition to its travel-friendly size, DJI outfitted the Mavic 2 Pro with its most ambitious tracking technology to date. Oh, and did we mention the camera? The Mavic 2 Pro comes equipped with a Hasselblad camera that’s capable of shooting UHD 4K video and 20MP stills, so you’ll be able to capture all your adventures in glorious detail.
Parrot Anafi
Parrot’s latest flyer is the closest thing the Mavic Air has to a true competitor. With an HDR camera that shoots 4K video and 21MP stills, a lightweight, collapsible design, and autonomous tracking features that are just as sophisticated and versatile as the Mavic Air’s, the all-new Anafi is definitely one of the best adventure drones on the market and a drone you should strongly consider if you’re looking for a top-of-the-line flyer.
Hubsan H501S
Something you might have noticed about these drones is that they aren't exactly cheap. Even the Anafi, which is the most affordable of the bunch, will set you back some serious bank. So, what’s a cost-conscious adventure enthusiast to do? My friends, say hello to the Hubsan H501S. Priced around the $200 mark, the H501S lets you adventure for a more reasonable cost. THe H501S locks onto the radio controller and tracks its movement via signal tether. Its onboard camera isn't as sophisticated as the other flyers on our list, but it's still capable of capturing solid action footage in 1080p. Those features, coupled with the low cost and solid build, make the H501S an ideal choice for adventurers just starting out with drones.
Power Vision PowerRay
With the last drone on our list, the PowerRay, we cheated the criteria a little bit. The PowerRay does not have strong Follow Me technology. And, at 18" long and 14 lb, it doesn’t exactly “travel easy.” But here’s the thing: Of all the drones on this list, the PowerRay is the only one that can go underwater. That’s right. It’s an “underwater” drone (also known as an ROV). And, thanks to the PowerRay’s 4K camera, 210' tether, and live-streaming functionality, you can now take your adventures into (and beneath) the water and capture everything below.
What do you think of our list of adventure drones? Did we forget any? Leave us a comment or question down below.
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