Best Drones for YouTube Creators

It’s no secret that most of us love watching videos on YouTube. In fact, it is the second-largest search engine in terms of search volume, only surpassed by Google.

The social media platform averages 1 billion hours of watch time every day. There is content on the site related to just about anything you can imagine. 

I run a YouTube channel with over 30,000 subscribers and often use drone footage in the videos. Aerial photography offers creators a wide range of artistic freedoms. Viewers also benefit from drone footage as drones can provide cinematic perspectives, tracking shots, and dynamic movement. 

Getting those incredible shots that attract tons of views, likes, and shares is part skill and part luck. If you want to hedge your bet, you need to have the right drone for the job.

You can capture the most amazing events on the planet, but if your drone is shaking and the camera is of poor quality, most people probably won’t enjoy the footage. That’s why choosing the right drone for YouTube is so important.

Your Ticket to Admission

Before getting into the drones, we need to talk for a second about the law.

Technically speaking, if you are posting drone footage to YouTube, you must have a Part 107 license from the FAA. The agency has made this very clear. If you do not, then you are breaking the law. Getting your license is pretty easy, especially if you use the right study tools. 

We recommend checking out courses like those offered by Altitude University and the Pilot Institute. You can also use study materials from online stores like Amazon and Sporty’s. It’s better to fly legally, and with a license, you can start earning money with your drone.

What to Look for in a Drone for YouTube

YouTube creators will enjoy flying any of the drones we have recommended below, but it’s good to know why these drones are ideal for capturing pictures and videos.

When capturing footage for YouTube, consider a drone with high-resolution video capabilities. The camera should be capable of capturing at least 4K resolution. It’s even better if it can capture 6K or 8K resolution. Anything less than high resolution won’t give you the crisp, professional-looking footage that makes for great YouTube videos.

In addition to a high-resolution camera, you need a drone with a 3-axis gimbal. A good gimbal will keep your camera steady and level even in moderate wind conditions. You can get away with a single-axis or 2-axis gimbal in some conditions, but 3-axis is always ideal.

The drone you choose should be easy to fly and safe. Safe flying is always the responsibility of the pilot, but it helps when the drone isn’t complicated to operate and has built-in safety features. Look for drones with intuitive flight controls, intelligent flight modes, long battery life, obstacle avoidance features, and reliable flight performance.

FLYING’s Top 5 Picks

FLYING’s top five drone recommendations for YouTube creators take all the above considerations into account. We’ll tell you a little about each drone and the pros and cons of buying the drone if you are looking to create YouTube videos. Here is the list:

The DJI Flip is the best drone for vertical content creators. This is one of the newest releases from DJI and was specifically designed for vertical video creators. This means it is the ideal drone for TikTok videos and YouTube shorts.

The drone is lightweight and folds in half, so it easily fits in your pocket. Don’t let the size fool you into thinking the videos aren’t high quality. The DJI Flip captures 4K footage, allowing you to capture, edit, and upload your content directly from your phone.

This ultra-portable drone is easy to fly with your phone or a remote. You can even control it with voice commands. There are numerous auto-shot modes, making it easy to create cinematic shots like flybys and follow-me videos. The DJI Flip takes seconds to set up, making it great for vloggers on the move. 

Pros for YouTube creators:

• Perfect for shooting vertical 4K videos
• Highly portable
• Auto-shot modes streamline production

Cons for YouTube creators:

• Not the best for longer cinematic videos
• Limited camera controls
• Lacks some advanced features creators are used to having

Cost: $439

If you are looking for cinematic quality, try the Autel Robotics EVO II Pro V3. This drone is a few years old but comes with a 1-inch 20 MP CMOS sensor and the ability to shoot up to 6K video. 

The drone is perfect for capturing long-form, high-resolution videos. Creators looking to shoot at night will love the drone’s adjustable aperture (f/2.8 to f/11) and improved low-light capabilities. 

The battery life is up to 40 minutes, giving you plenty of time to capture anything from the sights of the city at night to vast open landscapes. The drone also features an advanced AI tracking mode, making it easier to lock on to the subject of your video, even in dynamic environments. 

Pros for YouTube Creators:

• 6K video and a 1-inch sensor
• Adjustable aperture
• Excellent low-light performance

Cons for YouTube Creators:

• Larger than pocket size
• More expensive
• Less suited for short social media clips

Cost: $2,099

Some of the best shots on YouTube are the FPV action shots. The DJI Avata 2 is an excellent drone for capturing fast-moving, adrenaline-pumping scenes.

The Avata 2 is beautifully designed and built to take a beating. The drone is highly portable and comes with a protective cage around the propellers. Its safety features and durability make it ideal for young filmmakers with a need for speed.

In addition to the drone’s 4K camera, immersive experience, One-Push Acrobatics, and 155-degree FOV, the Avata 2 is FAA remote ID compliant. The drone is also compatible with DJI’s goggles and motion controller. When used together with the Avata 2, you get a truly immersive flying experience. It’s like sitting on top of the drone as it flies around.

Pros for YouTube Creators:

• Immersive flying experience
• Captures fast-moving, high-energy clips
• Cinematic footage that stands out on YouTube

Cons for YouTube Creators:

• Shorter flight times (18 minutes)
• Slightly harder to fly at high speeds
• Not the best for traditional footage

Cost: $1,199

If you’re looking to get shots for YouTube on a budget, the DJI Neo is for you. The Neo is compact, ultra-portable, and perfect for shooting on the go.

Don’t let the small size of the Neo fool you. While some drones sacrifice camera quality for size, you still get 4K video and crisp 12 MP stills with the Neo. It only has a single-axis gimbal, but it utilizes software stabilization (RockSteady and HorizonBalancing) to reduce shake and correct horizon tilt. You’ll still be able to capture stunning 4K Ultra HD Video and record sound wirelessly.

Vloggers will love the drone’s preset cinematic movements, including Follow, Rocket, Circle, Expanse, and Spotlight. You don’t even need a remote to operate the Neo. The drone can be launched from the palm of your hand and controlled with simple voice commands.

With built-in propeller guards, the Neo is safe for indoor and outdoor flying, allowing filmmakers to spread their creative wings like never before.

Pros for YouTube creators:

• Hands-free operation
• 4K camera
• Preset flight modes

Cons for YouTube creators:

• No obstacle avoidance
• Short flight time
• Single-axis gimbal

Cost: $199

Our top pick for the overall best drone for YouTube creators is the DJI Mavic 3 Pro. This drone is a powerhouse for creating cinematic perfection on YouTube.

The Mavic 3 Pro features a triple camera system, which includes a 24 millimeter Hasselblad wide-angle lens, a 70 mm medium tele lens, and a 166 mm tele lens. This set up allows creators to switch between wide sweeping shots and zooming into the details all in the same flight.

The Mavic 3 Pro captures up to 5.1K resolution, has 10-bit D-Log for greater dynamic range, and features Hasselblad’s signature color science. Whether you’re filming landscapes, people, or action scenes, the camera system is engineered to maintain clarity, depth, and accurate color reproduction.

With flight times of up to 43 minutes, you’ll be able to capture everything you need to produce high-ranking YouTube videos that go viral.

Pros for YouTube creators:

• Versatile with wide, medium, and telephoto lenses
• Long flight times
• Industry-leading image quality

Cons for YouTubecreators:

• Expensive
• Advanced controls take some time to fully learn

Cost: $2,199

As YouTube continues to grow, creators will look for new and exciting ways to make their videos stand out. Drones offer vloggers a wealth of creative flexibility.

From high-speed dramatic shots to stunning landscapes, drones can capture everything you need to make high ranking videos. Check out our list, get the drone best for you, and start creating magic.

FAQs

Do I need a license to post drone footage on YouTube?

Yes, if you’re using drone footage commercially, including on monetized YouTube channels, you need an FAA Part 107 license.

What editing software works best for drone footage?

Popular options include Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and DaVinci Resolve for color grading and stabilizing aerial shots.

Can I fly drones indoors for YouTube content?

Yes, some compact drones with propeller guards are safe for indoor use, but you should still fly cautiously in tight spaces.

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