Catch All the Action

Shoot dazzling landscapes or star in action flicks with these drones.

BEST FOR: WEEKEND WARRIORS DJI Mavic Mini

Small but capable, the Mini can fly up to

2.5 miles while beaming back HD video. With a 30-minute battery, you have enough time to orchestrate shots and even do some mulligans. DJI’S app has flying tutorials and helps construct killer videos, too. $400; dji.com

BEST FOR: EXPERTS Skydio 2

Starring in your own action movies means using a drone smart enough to fly itself. The Skydio scans the terrain for obstacles at a million points per second, constructing a 3-D model of the world around it. Then it bobs and weaves its way through the environment—at up to 36 mph for 23 minutes—chasing you on a run, bombing downhill, or ripping waves all while filming at up to 45 megapixels from six cameras. $999; skydio.com

BEST FOR: NEWBIES Extreme Flyers Micro Drone 4.0

Unlike the toys you find at the mall, the six-ounce Micro Drone is easy for beginners—and packs better tech. Toss it in the air and it instantly starts hovering, and the controller’s joysticks are easier to learn on than a phone’s touchscreen. Its tiny, two-axis gimbal keeps the footage, up to 1080p, rock solid. $200; microdrone.co.uk