FIRST TIME FLYERS

The best affordable drones to get you started

DJI Mini SE

With gimbal-stabilised Full HD footage, GPS and 30 minutes of flight time per charge, DJI’S cheapest and smallest drone is a little star. Folding to pocketable size, its sub-250g weight means you can fly freely in areas like parks and town centres where heavier drones are restricted. With Quickshot modes and a simple app, you can produce really clever yet quick-to-shoot videos.

£269 / dji.com

Fimi X8 Mini

If you simply must have 4K video recording in your drone, this Xiaomi-backed model is the best cheap option. Weighing under 250g and featuring an excellent 31-minute battery life with good image quality, it’s a stable and safe flyer. It’s not quite as refined as the DJI Mini SE above, though, and that’s still our preferred option around this price point. £257 / banggood.com

Ryze Tello

Cheap, tiny and controllable with just your phone, the Tello is a good shout for anyone who wants to master the basics of quadcopter flight before investing in pricier, heavier gear. Flight range is limited to a mere 13 minutes and the 720p video quality is choppy, but it’s so small you can even fly it indoors. This one’s for fun rather than anything more – you can even perform little stunts using the app. £99 / currys.co.uk

Potensic A20

While nothing here is going to set an adventurous would-be pilot’s pulse racing, the A20 is a great option for introducing your kids to the world of quadcopter flight. Solid rotor guards and a sturdy build mean it can take a few crash landings, and it can be flown using a single control stick, while there are three speeds to choose from and 21 minutes of flight is promised. £40 / amazon.co.uk