It is a fact that there are not many GoPro compatible drones in the market, and the discontinuation of the Karma drone by GoPro has not improved the situation one bit. One of the reasons is that most drones nowadays come with high-quality cameras already installed. Therefore, it may be unnecessary to add another camera to the drone.
On the other hand, this situation has created a niche in the market for drones that support GoPro cameras. I am going to review a few of these drones in this article.
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What is the Best Drone for Gopro?
We could say that we traveled the world to find for you the Best Drone for Gopro and it’s partially true – we’ve been on the road since 2011 after all.
More importantly, we have done a very thorough research online and have gone through most of the available gopro drones that you can buy today. We read the comments left by people who bought and used these drones for gopro.
We also wrote a brief drones for gopro Buying Guide and FAQ sections to address most questions you may have.
Without further ado, here’s the list of top 7 gopro drones based on their pricing, specs and ratings by real users.
1. DJI Mini 3 Pro
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.55 pounds (0.25 kg) Max Flight Time: 34 Minutes Control Range: 18 Km Gimbal/ Stabilization: 3-axis SD Card Slot: Micro SD Charging Time: 1 Hours |
Mini 3 Pro brings the wow factor to DJI’s palm-sized drones. It marks the territory of professional content creators. Understandably, its price is a leap from Mini 2. The size of the sensor makes a true difference in quality. Pro has been upgraded with a 1/1.3″ CMOS, stabilized from both ends. It enables 48MP photography. The camera also rotates at a 90⁰ angle to support stills in both landscape and portrait. These verticals go on to adorn the feeds of your Instagram and TikTok followers.
The single charge lasts for 34 minutes. You can buy an Intelligent Flight Battery to expand it. In that case, the drone would weigh over 250g.
Pros
- Hurdle sensing,
- Staggering low-light performance,
- 60fps recording at 4K, Portable and powerful
Cons
- Pricier than the predecessor,
- A slight increase in runtime
2. DJI Mavic 3
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 1.97 pounds (0.89 kg) Max Flight Time: 46 Minutes Control Range: 30 Km Gimbal/ Stabilization: 3-axis SD Card Slot: Micro SD Charging Time: 1.6 Hours |
Mavic 3 is a state-of-the-art drone. The sensor got bigger with a 4/3” CMOS camera. It takes ultra-smooth HDR shots and films at a 12.8-stop dynamic range. All shadows, details, and highlights are beautifully accommodated in frames. It opens new doors to lightroom editing. Sunset or night-time videography testifies to its unchallenged supremacy.
It excels at all levels: transmission, term, and tracking. Trendy ActiveTrack, QuickShot, and MasterShot features are present in the current firmware.
There are two more expensive editions: Fly More and Cine Premium. The first upgrade has additional spares. Cine is a $5000 model. It brings 1TB internal SSD, RC Pro, and ProRes HQ recording. Mini 2 and Air 2S are low-cost (but more suitable) DJI drones for consumers.
Pros
- Unbeatable image quality,
- Extended aerial sessions,
- Advanced specs,
- Excellent dynamic range
Cons
- Very costly,
- The base model lacks some features
3. RUKO U11 Pro Drone
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.61 pounds (0.28 kg) Max Flight Time: 26 Minutes Control Range: 500 meters SD Card Slot: Micro SD Charging Time: 3.5 Hours |
U11 Pro is a good drone for entry-level pilots. It has cool flight modes like a return to home, follow-me, and preset waypoints. It also integrates GPS tracking to find the lost one easily.
Launched in a beginner mode, it comes with restricted distance and altitude. You can increase these specs through the app. It’s equipped with a 4K UHD camera, supporting photos, videos, and a 5GHz FPV transmission. The maximum range is 500-meters under light air conditions.
As you take your thumbs off the transmitter, it automatically hovers in a locked position. However, the wobbly camera captures shaky videos. Shock absorbers – whatever they’re – are not helpful.
Pros
- 4K UHD camera,
- Level-V wind resistance,
- Firm altitude hold,
- Two Li-Pol batteries
Cons
- Unstable videos,
- Frail connection
4. DJI Mavic Mini
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.55 pounds (0.25 kg) Max Flight Time: 30 Minutes Control Range: 4 Km Gimbal/ Stabilization: 3-axis SD Card Slot: Micro SD Charging Time: 1.5 Hours |
Mavic Mini does wonders with a tiny form factor. It supports 12MP JPEG photos and 2.7K Quad HD videos, which is more than enough for travelers or hobbyists. A Motorized 3-axis gimbal keeps the camera focused and stable.
Mini stays in the skies for half an hour. You can guide it through the controller alone. If losing the line of sight, rely on Fly App. It already has templates. You must dig up its Sport and CineSmooth from app settings, whereas newer models possess mode switches on transmitters.
It was a revolution in 2019. But drone technology is moving at a lightning pace. It’s better to get your hands on Mini 2 if the budget warrants it!
Pros
- Impressive flight duration,
- Easy to use,
- 3-axis stabilization,
- Pocketable, collapsible design
Cons
- DNG RAW format is unsupported,
- Not 4K oriented
5. DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone Quadcopter
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 1.26 pounds (0.57 kg) Size: 7.4 x 3.8 x 3.3 inches (18.8 x 9.7 x 8.4 cm) Max Flight Time: 34 Minutes Control Range: 32799 Charging Time: 55 Hours |
The Mavic Air 2 is a high-performance drone that comes with premium features to take your aerial photography to the next level. Although this drone is at the high end of the spectrum, it is one of the easiest drones to use for newbies and one of the best for professional work. The Mavic Air 2 features a high-performance camera that delivers 48MP photos and 4K/ 60fps video resolution and includes smart functions that make the photography and video sessions super easy to execute. The drone comes with a 3-axis gimbal to stabilize the camera while giving you a dynamic range of video shots. However, you will need to fix the Mavic Air 2 mount to use your GoPro, which you can buy separately. Other premium features include the impressive 34-minute flight time and the lithium-ion batteries that take only 55 minutes to charge. I also like that you can get HD live stream transmission with its onboard camera from an impressive distance of 6.2 miles. The drone also comes with an obstacle sensor, which helps to keep your drone from crashing onto obstacles in flight.
Pros
- Impressive 34-minute flight time, Short 55-minute battery charging time,
- Low noise and power-efficient propellers,
- Foldable and lightweight design for easy portability,
- Easy to use for newbies and pros alike
Cons
- It needs a separate gimbal for GoPro,
- Expensive
6. Holy Stone HS720E GPS Drone
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 1.09 pounds (0.49 kg) Max Flight Time: 23 Minutes Control Range: 999 meters Gimbal/ Stabilization: EIS SD Card Slot: Micro SD Charging Time: 5 Hours |
HS series deals with intermediate users. Likewise, this GPS-enabled drone comes with a 4K camera, Sony sensor, and brushless motors. You can master aerial photography. However, it’s not fit for commercial gigs (ones that pay!)
Try recording slow-mo videos at 1080p/60fps. Despite missing gimbal, EIS technology helps out the lens. With pressure and optical flow sensors, the quadcopter hovers like an eye in the sky. Smart flight modes allow you to pre-program the route. LED lights sit beneath each arm. Apart from calibration, they also make a spectacle in the night sky.
It’s powered with a 2800mAh Li-Pol battery – slow to drain, slower to recharge.
Pros
- Auto return mode,
- High-quality, stable imaging,
- Double altitude hold,
- Up to 128GB of microSD support
Cons
- Not professional-grade,
- >5hr 0-100% charging
7. DJI Mini 2 Quadcopter
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.55 pounds (0.25 kg) Max Flight Time: 31 Minutes Control Range: 10 Km Gimbal/ Stabilization: 3-axis SD Card Slot: Micro SD Charging Time: 4 Hours |
DJI is an industry-dominant manufacturer. Mini 2 welcomes you at the entry of lineups. Its boundless rock-steady coverage will blow your mind if you want to capture cinematic shots.
The 12MP camera has 4x zoom, 4K/30fps resolution, 4000-meter max altitude, and OcuSync 2.0’s 10-kilometer range. Coupled with a motorized 3-axis gimbal, it processes panoramic masterpieces with fine details. Fly App can further enhance and share them on the go!
Take a sunny coastline’s bird-view with the crisp sound of seagulls and clear footmarks on the sand! It weighs less than 250g. Meanwhile, you won’t have to register the aircraft in the US. Achieving smooth operation in the level-5 wind (20mph) is surprising with such a petite frame.
Pros
- Lightweight and discreet,
- Strong wind-resistance,
- Long battery life,
- 10Km transmission distance
Cons
- Night shots degrade quality,
- No obstacle avoidance
Verdict
TLDR: Quick summary of our findings as to what can be considered the Best Drone for Gopro is below:
Overall best drone for gopro out there: DJI Mini 3 Pro
Premium Pick if money is not much of an issue: DJI Mavic 3
Budget Choice – there’s no shame in spending prudently: RUKO U11 Pro Drone
Our other reviews you may find useful in your research:
What You Should Know Before Buying drones for gopro
Connectivity
Most drones will have WiFi connectivity built-in but not all of them do. Some cheaper drones may run off of a controller while others come with their own dedicated app for controlling the drone.
Controller
This is the remote control that you will use to fly your drone and it comes in various shapes, sizes, and designs. Most of them come with adjustable controls so that you can customize it for a better flying experience but they all serve the same purpose of controlling the flight modes as well as taking pictures or videos from the air. Many of them also include optional add-ons such as extra battery packs for added flight time or attached cameras so that you can record everything while up in the air.
Extra batteries
Always consider how many extra batteries you want when purchasing any drone especially if it includes long flight times. Many larger drones require 3 or 4 batteries which can take a significant amount of space in your drone backpack.
Return to home mode
This is a feature that allows you to press a button on the controller and have your drone fly itself back to its takeoff point. This can be very useful if it ever loses connection, runs out of battery, etc..
Size & portability
When it comes to flying any drone at home you should be sure to keep in mind how large it is so that it doesn’t crash into anything when flying around the house (or worse). Many models have foldable designs that allow them to be easily stored away but its best to measure the drone itself and take note of its size before making any purchases.
Range
Range greatly depends on how much you want to spend. The cheapest drones are usually only able to fly up to 15 meters away but the most expensive drones can fly up to 50 kilometers away.
Questions and Answers About drones for gopro
Can you hook a GoPro to a drone?
Some drones admit GoPros; others don’t! Swapping in a high-quality camera is more convenient than buying the latest drone model. Thus, take future upgrades into account.
There are fixed drone cameras, which aren’t exchangeable. Then, we have quadcopters with stationary or gimbal mounts. You can hook a GoPro with such types. Gimbals don’t produce blurry images. Make them the priority.
Are cheaper drones really that bad?
This question can be answered both ways. When we say ‘cheap drone’ we mean cheap in price, and not necessarily quality for the purposes of this article – although it is true that if you do not spend a lot on a drone then you will get less features and overall value for your money. However, there are some very good drone brands that offer affordable flying platforms which may lack advanced features such as GPS but still manage to deliver an excellent user experience. The important thing to note here is how much you actually need these extra features and what level of drone piloting experience you have already acquired; because if this is your first time buying a drone or you only intend to use it for casual flying, then a cheaper model will suit your needs just as well.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a drone that can fly on its own and takes aerial footage from an IP camera with little input from yourself but will cost more money; then you might be better off saving some cash than buying a cheap drone.
What is the best price of drones with GPS?
Your basic beginner drone does not have GPS (global positioning system). This means that it will not automatically return home safely when the battery starts running low. A beginner drone typically has 4 channel or 6 channel options which allows users to move forward/backward, left/right, up/down or rotate clockwise/counterclockwise. The benefit of these drones is that they are cheaper to buy and easier to use, however if the drone is out of sight you will have to use your hand to steer it back.
Newer drones are better, bigger and faster than older ones – but they’re also more expensive. There are some very good drones available in the market at cheap prices that still perform well and have advanced features such as GPS, FPV camera, and app-based flight experience.
The best price of drones with GPS fall into the $200 to $500 category. These drones can return home safely when the battery is running low. These drones with GPS typically come with better quality parts and components, meaning that they will fly more stably and for longer, while also being able to take better aerial photos and videos.
How long is the battery life on a cheap drone?
The battery life will last up to ten minutes, even with a cheap drone.
How many miles can a drone fly?
A drone’s total flight range might be limited by the length of its battery charge, the payload it can carry, and other factors.It is important to keep in mind that as a rule of thumb, a typical quadcopter on a standard 2200mAh battery will fly for 6-8 minutes per charge. The maximum length of drone flight range that a person can expect will vary depending on factors such as:Drone weight (drones made from lightweight materials will potentially fly farther). Battery capacity (larger batteries will typically allow for longer flight).Propeller size (props that have larger diameters require more energy to spin, so a drone can fly farther with smaller props).Drone motors (some types of motors draw more current than others and will drain the battery faster).How much weight is being carried by the drone (the heavier the payload, the shorter your flight range will be). The weather conditions. Strong headwinds or storms can significantly shorten your flight range.
