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These drones are hitting the skies and surf in 2018
These drones are hitting the skies and surf in 2018
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Smaller drones for a shrinking market
Since 2015 drone makers have had their own special section at CES -- the Unmanned Systems Marketplace -- so you can see all of the latest flying robots in one spot. However, while it was at first bursting with vendors big and small, the marketplace noticeably smaller than years past with companies like Ehang, Parrot, Walkera, Hubsan and Syma with little or no presence. The ones that did have booths showed off new consumer racing quads, selfie drones and a whole lot of folding camera drones in various sizes.
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Yuneec HD Racer
Yuneec might be having trouble taking business away from category leader DJI at this point, so it appears to be going after another drone maker: Parrot.
The HD Racer seems to target potential buyers of Parrot's Mambo FPV racer by offering beginner and advanced piloting modes and a low-latency HD video stream to a phone. One cool extra, though, is a flip-up command that will help right the quad after a crash.
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Yuneec HD Racer
Though it's not a true racing drone, it looks like a good fit for someone to learn to fly by first-person view, much like Parrot's Mambo FPV. By the way, sitting behind the HD Racer in this photo is the second-generation Typhoon H, which has been updated with a new airframe and 20-megapixel camera with a 1-inch image sensor.
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Yuneec Firebird FPV
A fixed-wing plane with a first-person-view camera so you can fly like you're in the cockpit, the Firebird has safe flying capabilities common to its multirotor drones like return to home, geofencing and autolanding. But it can also be flown manually allowing experienced pilots to perform acrobatics.
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Yuneec Firebird FPV
Yuneec says it will fly for up to 30 minutes.
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PowerVision PowerDolphin
PowerVision debuted its PowerRay underwater drone at CES 2017 and now it's back with the Dolphin. This model is designed to stay on the surface and can do everything from follow you while you're boating to help you catch fish with a camera that can be aimed above or below the water's surface.
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PowerVision PowerDolphin
A top view of the PowerDolphin.
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PowerVision PowerSeeker
The PowerSeeker fits into the Dolphin and Ray or can be used on its own to lure fish with its built-in blue light and has sonar that detects fish down to 40 meters (131 feet).
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PowerVision PowerEgg
PowerVision's first drone was the PowerEgg, which is still one of the weirdest flying machines I've seen at the show.
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Sublue Shark Mini
PowerVision wasn't alone with underwater drones. Sublue has a handful or submersible camera drones including one that can actually propel you through the water while you record. This is its Shark Mini that can record 4K-resolution video for up to an hour down to 40 meters (131 feet).
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Autel Evo
At CES 2017, Autel's big push was for its partnership with Flir and its IR camera that worked with Autel's X-Star quad. This year's push is for Evo, a folding 4K-resolution camera drone with a 30-minute flight time and vision sensors all around so it can see and avoid obstacles in its flight path.
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AEE Selfly
The Selfly is a folding quad that fits into the back of phone case. It started life as a successful crowdfunding project that proved to be trickier to produce than originally thought. AEE stepped in and partnered with its creator to help get it to market while also improving its performance and camera.
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AEE Air Selfie
If you don't like the Selfly's design, AEE also partnered up with the Air Selfie's creators to help rework its palm-size camera drone.
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Elan Selfie
Drone maker Elan clearly liked the design of the Air Selfie because it appears to have borrowed it for its own Selfie drone that can record 1080p video for up to 6 minutes and has a vision positioning system to help it hover in place while you get your shots.
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Kudrone
The Kudrone was a successful Indiegogo project that predictably has a lot of hate in the comments section of its campaign page. It's another palm-size selfie drone, but the twist here is that it has GPS so it can do things like autofollow and hover in place while you shoot with its 4K camera.
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UVify Oori
UVify says its new entry-level Oori racing quad is the world's fastest micro drone.
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UVify Oori
The controller is equipped with a 5.8GHz analog receiver to give you a live first-person view from the drone.
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UVify Oori
Built for beginners, it ditches wires and exposed electronics for slot-loading batteries and a tough outer shell. And unlike other racing drones, the Oori has a ground proximity sensor so it will hold its position instead of speeding away from you and crashing.
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UVify Draco
The Draco isn't new -- it launched mid-2017 -- but the company says it's still the fastest RTF (ready-to-fly) racing drone available. It also features a pretty great modular design making repairs literally a snap.
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UVify Draco Research
The Draco Research is the company's modular drone for, you guessed it, aerial research.
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Wingsland X1
Wingsland's X1 is a toy racing drone that sends a low-latency HD video stream from its camera to your phone via Wi-Fi. Out of the box, you pilot it with your phone like Parrot's Minidrones, but you can also bind it with a six-channel transmitter if you want actual sticks to control it.
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Wingsland S6
The S6 is a folding pocket-size camera drone with a 4K-resolution camera (full HD if you want to use its three-axis electronic stabilization), a handful of intelligent shooting modes, GPS and brushless motors that help it fly for up to 10 minutes all for less than $170. Adding to the package is the option to pop on accessories like a spotlight, toy cannon and an LED panel that displays emoji.
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Wingsland S6
All that and it folds up into its own little plastic case for travel.
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GDU 02
GDU was one of the first company's to have a camera drone with folding arms. However, the arms of its new O2 camera drone don't fold, but instead slide into the body.
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GDU O2
The O2 has all the bells and whistles you might expect in order to stay competitive with DJI including a 4K camera on a three-axis gimbal, obstacle avoidance, smart shooting modes and a 20-minute flight time.
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GDU O2
The O2's controller doesn't have a screen of its own, but is ready for your iPhone or Android device.
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High Great Mark
The Mark skips GPS and the visual positioning systems you'd find for stabilizing other camera drones for High Great's own VIO technology powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. The system allows for a simplified internal design and fewer sensors with similar stability indoors or outside to other camera drones.
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High Great Mark
Out in front is a Sony-powered 4K-resolution camera (though you'll need to shoot in 1080p if you want electronic image stabilization) and it gets up to 18 minutes of flight.
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High Great Hesper
The Hesper is a slightly larger, more powerful version of the Mark, which can be flown with just your phone or an optional controller and also adds a single-axis motorized gimbal and visual tracking capabilities.
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AEE Mach 2
Here's AEE's Mavic competitor, the Mach 2. The drone features a 4K-resolution camera on a motorized gimbal. Smart flight capabilities and a controller are part of the package, which will sell for south of $700.
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AEE Mach 2
The Mach 2's foldable arms and propellers make is so you can stuff it in a bag and go.
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AEE Mach 4
Made for commercial use, the Mach 4 has a battery bay that can hold a pack good for up to 40 minutes of flight and can have payloads attached both under and on top of its body.
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Walkera Vitus Starlight
The Starlight version of Walkera's folding drone features a high-sensitivity camera allowing it to basically see in the dark and capture bright video even at nighttime.
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ByRobot Lightrone
The Lightrone is an RTF mini FPV racing drone, commonly referred to as a Tiny Whoop.
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ByRobot Skykick
It's a toy drone tucked inside a ball and that's all I have to say about that.
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C-Fly Obtain
Here's one more DJI Mavic Pro lookalike: the C-Fly Obtain. The company also makes copies of the DJI Spark called Dream, the ZeroTech Dobby called Rooby and AEE's Air Selfie called Smile.
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Ryze Tech Tello
Built with tech from Intel and DJI, the $99 Tello is a supersmart, superstable phone-controlled camera drone. You can use its EZ Shot commands to take quick dronies; fly it while wearing an optional VR headset and with third-party controllers; and even program it with Scratch, an MIT-developed coding system.
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DJI
DJI didn't announce any new drones for the show (it has an event planned for Jan. 23 instead), but it was still the most crowded booth in the UAS Marketplace.
If you've never flown a drone before, you've got lots of fun in store. Learning how to fly a drone is an exhilarating experience. But it's even more fun when you can use a drone camera to take beautiful videos and photos from the sky. The best drone cameras can bring you views that you'd never be able to shoot from the ground, which will wow your family, friends and TikTok fans. And these days, you can get a great drone with a camera for less than $500.
There are plenty of affordable options for drone owners that offer various combinations of features, video quality and prices to suit every drone enthusiast. So, whether you're looking to get into drone photography or just want to enjoy the thrill of the flight, we've got some recommendations. Here are the best drones for both beginner and intermediate drones.
We've outlined our top picks for the best drones for beginners, intermediate users and "prosumer" enthusiasts, as well as an introductory drone for folks interested in racing, which is a whole scene unto itself. We'll update this list periodically. We've also included a more in-depth buying guide and FAQ on the best drones below, with more information about the key things to consider before you buy.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
With its large 1-inch image sensor, the DJI Air 2S is able to take great-looking photos and videos from the sky. It'll shoot video at up to 5.4k resolution, while still images can be taken in DNG raw format at up to 20 megapixels. The drone has a variety of intelligent flight modes too that makes it particularly easy to capture cinematic footage even when you're out hiking by yourself, including a mode that follows you as you walk through the hills and a mode that automatically circles a point of interest.
One thing it doesn't do is flip the camera over to let you shoot in portrait orientation. That's a shame, as it means that capturing vertical video for TikTok or Instagram Reels is more difficult as you'll need to crop your video down the middle, losing a lot of resolution in the process. If that's a priority for you, look towards DJI's Mini 3 Pro.
It's as easy to fly as others in the DJI range and it has a range of obstacle sensors to help keep it in the air and avoid it plouwing headlong into a tree or a wall. Its maximum flight time of up to 31 minutes is solid for a drone of this size but it can be bought with a bundle of extra batteries for those of you that want to capture more footage from the sky.
Its folding design makes it quite easy to fit into a photography backpack, but it's physically larger and heavier than DJI's 'Mini' range, so keep that in mind if you're after the lightest model to take on your travels. But its combination of flight time, automated flying modes and excellent image quality make it a superb all-rounder that's well worth considering.
Read our DJI Air 2S review.
Joshua Goldman/CNET
The DJI Mini may have launched back in 2020, but it's still available to buy today and it's still a superb option for those of you looking to take your first steps into the world of aerial photography. Its compact, folding size means it's super easy to chuck in a bag and carry anywhere while its 249g weight means you don't need to register it with the FAA (in the US).
It uses the same control scheme as other DJI drones, which we've found to be easy for beginners learning the ropes while allowing more advanced flyers the flexibility to test their skills. It can fly for up to 31 minutes on a single charge and has a flying range of up to 6.2 miles (10 kilometers).
Its small camera unit is stabilized for smoother footage and it can shoot video at 4K at up to 30 frames per second. Still images are captured at 12 megapixels.
One of the reasons that the foldable drone is so light is that it has no sensors for obstacle avoidance. That means there will be a learning curve and potentially some crashing. So while it is an affordable beginner options, those of you with no existing flying skills should start out practicing in wide-open spaces until you get the hang of things. Once you do get more confident, the Mini 2 is stable, nimble, safe to fly and quieter than other DJI models.
Read our DJI Mini 2 review.
Andrew Lanxon/CNET
While DJI's Air 2s and Mavic 3 offer superb image quality from the air, they lack the ability to flip the camera over and shoot video and photos in portrait orientation. As a result, those of you wanting to use your footage for your TikTok page or Instagram Reels will need to crop the video right down the middle, losing a lot of resolution in the process and making it harder to compose your shots when you're out on location.
The Mini 3 Pro has no such problem, as with a simple tap of an on-screen button its camera flips over into portrait orientation, allowing you to capture social content using the full view and maximum 4K resolution of the sensor. Videos can be shot at up to 60 frames per second, while still images can be captured in DNG at an impressive 48 megapixels.
Its folding design allows it to shrink down to something little bigger than a standard can of coke but it still packs a variety of sensors that help stop you crashing it into trees. Keep in mind though that its tiny size and 249g weight does mean that it's susceptible to strong winds and in blustery conditions will have to fight harder to remain airborne -- reducing your flight times.
Read our DJI Mini 3 Pro review.
Andrew Lanxon/CNET
If you've been on Instagram or TikTok recently then you'll almost certainly have seen exhilarating videos of similar FPV drones flying through bowling alleys, factories or doing other incredible aerial maneuvers. To achieve that, FPV pilots wear headsets that let them see through the eyes of the drone, navigating those twisting turns and zooming through tight gaps as if they're behind the controls and up in the air.
And that's exactly how you'll fly the Avata; with a set of DJI FPV goggles that give you a view directly from the drone's perspective. It's an exhilarating way of flying as it really feels like you're up in the air controlling the drone from behind a steering wheel. It's a more extreme way of flying than you'll get from more typical drones like the Air 2S, with more instant controls and faster speeds.
The upside is that you get fast and exciting footage of your drone speeding through forests or through impossibly-small obstacles which you simply can't achieve with other drones on this list. The downside is that the first-person perspective can make you quite nauseous, particularly if you suffer at all from motion sickness. I found I could manage 5-10 minutes of flying at a time before needing an extended break.
The nature of wearing the goggles also means you're unable to see around you -- which makes it more difficult to spot any incoming dangers, such as rescue helicopters. As such, you're legally obliged in many areas (including the UK) to have a spotter next to you keeping an eye out on your behalf as you race your drone around the sky.
The Avata is smaller and lighter than DJI's first FPV drone and has built-in guards around its propellers which allow it to bump into walls, trees or other obstacles without necessarily being taken out of the air.
Its 4K, 60 frames-per-second video looks great and it's easy to fly using the DJI Motion Controller, which lets you simply maneuver the drone based on your hand movements. You'll see a crosshair in your view that moves around when you move the controller -- wherever you point the crosshair, the drone will follow. It's a simple 'point-and-click' way of flying that I really enjoyed.
Read our DJI Avata review.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
The DJI Mavic 3's relatively high starting price of $2,000 makes it significantly more expensive than others on this list, but if you're a professional or enthusiastic photographer wanting superb photos and videos from the sky then it's an investment that might be worth making.
The Mavic 3 packs a 4/3rd-size image sensor which is physically larger than any other image sensor you'll get from other drones on this page. That bigger sensor allows it to capture more light and offer better dynamic range. As a result, its 5.1k video looks superb, with tons of detail for cropping into and excellent exposures, even in high-contrast scenarios.
It's got sensors all-round too, keeping it safe from smashing into obstacles, while its huge 46-minute maximum flight time is better than almost any other drone around. It folds down to the size of a large camera lens, so it's relatively easy to get into a photography backpack, but those of you wanting a tiny drone for travelling should still look to the DJI Mini 3 Pro.
Read our DJI Mavic 3 review.
Drew Evans/CNET
The DJI FPV was the company's original first-person drone, offering a beginner-friendly entrance into the exhilarating world of FPV drone flying. We loved its lighting-fast 97mph top speed and its solid 4K video quality. And while the DJI FPV has been somewhat usurped by the new DJI Avata which is smaller, lighter and safer (thanks to built-in propeller guards), the original DJI FPV is still worth considering.
That's largely down to its price, which is now around $1,000 for a full kit with everything you need to fly, from the drone itself, to the controller and the original FPV headset. The DJI Avata comes in at $1,170 for the similar 'Fly Smart' combo which I personally think is worth paying (as it includes the motion controller which makes FPV flying much easier) but if you want an FPV experience at the lowest cost then the cheaper DJI FPV might be the better option.
Emax
Though mainstream drones like the DJI Mini can fly fast, racing drones fly even faster, capable of hitting speeds above 100 mph. They're also much more agile, built for acrobatic maneuvers with you at a set of manual controls. That means there's a learning curve that usually involves some crashes.
Getting started will be neither quick nor easy, but for a racing drone, the Emax Tinyhawk 2 keeps things relatively simple. You'll still need to learn how to pilot the thing, but the process will be less expensive and less frustrating than other entry-level systems. For one thing, you don't need to worry about getting all of the individual pieces to work together -- or soldering anything, which is required for many DIY models.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do drones cost?
The prices for drones varies depending on what kind of features you want or the quality you need from the camera. As with most areas of tech, price lines up with performance, with the more expensive models offering higher-resolution video with bigger image sensors and longer flight times.
DJI's range currently starts at only $450 for the Mini 2, which offers decent 4K video and strong flight times but lacks obstacle sensors or any kind of intelligent flight modes. At the higher end, the DJI Mavic 3 shoots 5.1k video with a large image sensor for pristine quality, its 40-minute flight times are class-leading and its range of obstacle sensors means it can fly autonomously to capture cinematic footage of you with minimal effort. At $2,000 though, you pay a lot for these kinds of features.
How far can drones fly?
Many drones in DJI's range can fly in huge areas, with the Mavic 3 being able to fly up to 9.3 miles (15km) away from you. That's in ideal conditions however, and sometimes you may find you get interference from other sources and the drone will advise a closer proximity.
Keep in mind too that while the drone may technically be able to fly a long way away, your local laws may not be so forgiving. In the UK, for example, your drone always has to remain in eyesight of the pilot, and the small size of these drones means they're likely going to be impossible to see once they get too far away.
How fast can drones fly?
The top speed of drones varies depending on their use for the most part. More typical camera-focused drones like the Mini 3 Pro can achieve up to 37 mph in its fastest "sport" mode, while the DJI FPV can hit a whopping 97 mph. FPV drones are designed for faster, more extreme flights so you'll typically find these drones have much higher top speeds. Some drones designed for racing can even achieve speeds of 170 mph.
What's the best DJI drone?
"Best" is of course a subjective word and what might suit your needs most may not suit someone else. If you're looking for the best image quality for beautiful landscape images, the big sensor of the DJI Mavic 3 is the one for you. Looking for the best small drone for travelling? The Mini 3 Pro's tiny design will suit you well.
If you want a generally solid all-round drone then look towards the DJI Air 2S. Its combination of travel-friendly size, excellent image quality and decent flight times means it ticks most boxes and could be the best drone for most people.
Which drones shoot vertical video for TikTok and Instagram?
While you may have seen lots of vertical videos from drones on your TikTok or Instagram feeds, the reality is that very few drones can actually shoot this video natively. Even camera-focused drones like the DJI Mavic 3 can't shoot video in portrait orientation, so drone users will have to crop their footage down the middle before uploading it to their social accounts.
The recent DJI Mini 3 Pro is one of the few drones currently able to flip its camera over and shoot vertically. It means you can take advantage of the full 4K resolution of the sensor, and have a much easier time in composing your shots as you don't need to imagine what it would like after the crop -- what you see as you fly is what you'll post to TikTok later.
How do you connect a drone camera to a phone?
Most drones -- including most of the DJI models featured here -- require you to connect your phone at some stage to act as the viewfinder and control screen for the drone. Usually that'll involve you connecting the phone physically to the controller using either a Lightning cable (for iPhones) or a USB-C cable (for Android phones) and using apps like DJI FLY. The controller then connects to the drone, showing the feed from your drone's camera right on your phone screen.
Which drones are waterproof?
In short, almost none of them. Complete waterproofing is tricky for drones as the propellers need to be able to generate downforce (so can't be fully enclosed) and short of fitting wiper blades from a car, the camera will always be susceptible to raindrops. None of the drones on this list are sold with any kind of "waterproof" promise and while you can certainly get away with flying in a few spots of rain -- or even through clouds -- if it really starts to pour then you should land immediately.
How we test drones
Like all products on CNET, any items that feature on our best lists are tested by us to make sure that they perform as well as the manufacturers claim. Nothing is taken at face value and nothing is recommended to buy based on marketing promises or specs alone. If they don't perform, they simply don't make the list.
For drones, we take them out of the city to a safe flying spot. We set them up and connect them to the controllers and our phones, just as you would. We then send them into the sky, checking out how easy they are to fly, how responsive they are and whether there are any issues with signal transmissions or physical problems such as obstacle avoidance not working properly.
We test the flight times and battery capacity in different conditions. Most manufacturer's claims of battery life are done under perfect, wind-free conditions which isn't realistic for most of us. As such, we fly them in real-world scenarios and give an indication of what actual battery life you can expect.
And we of course shoot plenty of videos and photos, looking at the image quality, at the colors and the contrast. We pay attention to the dynamic range as this will determine how well a drone can balance a bright blue sky against the darker ground. If a drone offers DNG raw photos, we use this too, and we see how well the images can be artistically edited in software like Adobe Lightroom.
Things to consider before you buy a drone
New to the world of modern drones? Don't worry, we've got you covered. Here's a quick overview of what any beginner needs to know to find the best drones for their money.
The price of the drone is only the beginning
Depending on the aircraft, extra batteries can run you from $5 for toys to more than $100 each for camera drones.
Joshua Goldman/CNET
You're going to want a couple extra batteries, some spare propellers, maybe some prop guards and perhaps a quick charger, so you're not waiting hours to fly again. You're more than likely going to crash, which could lead to repair costs -- either for replacement parts or shipping it back to the manufacturer for repairs. (This is exactly why DJI offers crash insurance for new drones.)
Before you buy a drone, it's worth spending a little time researching the price and availability of replacement parts, batteries and other accessories. And be cautious of third-party parts -- especially batteries and chargers -- which may be inferior to those made by the drone manufacturer.
Everyone will assume you're invading their privacy
When you're out flying in a public space, or even in your own backyard, anyone who sees you doing it will think you're spying on them or someone else. You could be standing in the middle of a 20-acre field with no one in sight and your drone no more than 50 feet directly overhead and you might end up answering questions about being a peeping Tom. It's happened to us. Repeatedly.
And along those same lines....
Everyone but you thinks they're dangerous
It doesn't matter if you're the safest drone pilot around or that you could do more damage hitting someone with a baseball than a drone -- onlookers may feel threatened. After all, nothing about plastic blades spinning at high speeds screams "safety."
Parrot's Bebop 2 has some nice safety features including propellers that stop instantly if they hit anything.
Joshua Goldman/CNET
As such, US-based pilots may benefit from an Academy of Model Aeronautics membership. Along with a whole host of benefits including access to AMA-member flying sites, the $75 annual membership protects you with $2,500,000 of comprehensive general liability insurance as well as $25,000 in accident or medical coverage, $10,000 maximum accidental death coverage and $1,000 fire, theft and vandalism coverage.
Finding places to fly can be a challenge
In population-dense places like cities and metropolitan areas, it can be difficult to find places to safely and legally fly. US national parks are off-limits. Regulations differ among state, county and municipal parks. And then there are the no-fly zones, which puts many metropolitan areas out of bounds as well as just dangerous, because of buildings, people and cars.
Before you buy a drone -- even a toy one, if you plan to fly outside -- you'll want to visit AirMap or download the FAA's B4UFly app to check for no-fly zones. These don't cover state or local ordinances, though, so you'll need to do additional research on your chosen environs before you fly.
The EU and UK's drone rules are based mostly on how heavy a drone weighs and no longer differentiate between people flying for fun, or people flying for professional purposes. Europeans among you with new drones should make sure to fully familiarize yourself with the 2022 drone regulations and ensure both you and your drones are registered before taking flight.
Any remote control aircraft except 'toys' need an FAA registration in the US
Screenshot by Sean Hollister/CNET
The US Federal Aviation Administration is requiring anyone who wants to fly an unmanned aerial vehicle that weighs between 0.55-pound (250 grams) and 55 pounds (approximately 25 kilograms) for recreation or hobby to register with the agency. Civil penalties for not registering such an unmanned aircraft may include fines up to $27,500. Criminal penalties may include fines up to $250,000, imprisonment for up to three years or both.
Most sub-$100 UAS drones fall under this weight. A kitchen or postal scale can be used to weigh your drone or you can check with the manufacturer. Also, this applies to both store-bought and homemade aircraft.
The registration cost is $5 and it can all be done online in a matter of minutes. You don't have to register each aircraft you own -- just yourself; you'll be given a number to attach to what you're flying. That's it. Essentially, it's the FAA's way of getting you to agree that you've read its safety guidelines including staying more than five miles away from airports and below 400 feet.
The UK has its own registration requirements. Essentially, owners of drones that weigh more than 250 grams must register as a drone operator, which costs £9 annually. And pilots of drones that weigh more than 250 grams must pass a free online education course every three years. Australia has promised that new rules are "on their way," but for now there are no official requirements.
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Philips
Cheeps! Seems like many of you enjoyed yesterday's roundup of early Black Friday deals at Best Buy (traffic was through the roof), so let me add one more that should have made the list: The Philips Hue A19 Starter Kit for $59.99 (reg. $99.99).
You get four "smart" LED bulbs and the Hue bridge, all of them adjustable and manageable via voice and app. (To be fair, Amazon just matched that price, and according to CamelCamelCamel, it's the first time the kit has ever been priced below $100.)
Speaking of yesterday, I also shared the very tempting DJI Sparkdrone for $400. It's a pretty capable little guy, but one designed mostly for selfies and other near-area flying.
Alas, the big-brother Mavic Pro starts at $999 -- not exactly affordable for most folks.
Phone not included.
CNET
Okay, but could you swing $699? Because the official DJI Ebay store has the refurbished Mavic Pro with remote for $699 shipped -- by far the lowest price I've seen for this highly celebrated quadcopter.
First things first: a refurbished drone? That must mean "crashed and glued back together," right? Nah, these are fully inspected and certified to be good as new, and they come with a full one-year warranty, same as new Mavic Pros.
Second: You may find this model selling new for maybe $50 more, but chances are good it won't come with a remote. Trust me when I say you want the remote.
The Mavic Pro is capable of pretty much all the best drone tricks, including following you around, flying to and from waypoints and so on. It can capture 4K video via its built-in gimbal-assisted camera, and it will avoid obstacles so it's less likely to have an unfortunate encounter with a tree.
I especially like the fold-up arms, which make the Mavic much easier to toss into a bag or backpack. The controller also folds up into a nice, compact little bundle.
Take note though, extra batteries are crazy-expensive (around $150 apiece), and there's definitely a learning curve if you want to take advantage of the various flight modes. (Watch the how-to videos, they help a lot.)
Obviously this is still a pricey item for most folks, but it's also a huge discount on arguably the best consumer drone currently available. It was too good not to share!
Give your desktop or laptop the speakers it deserves.
Klipsch
Bonus deal: If you use your PC for anything that involves audio -- games, movies, music -- you owe it to yourself to hook up some good speakers.
Like these: For a limited time, and while supplies last, BuyDig has the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX-certified desktop speaker system for $109 shipped. That's after applying coupon code CHEAPSKATE40 at checkout. Price elsewhere: at least $130. Price when they hit the market back in 2003 (!): $180.
Indeed, the ProMedias have been around forever, and with good reason -- they're awesome. You get two pro-grade satellites and a robust subwoofer. Check any online store and you'll see an average user rating of around 4.5 stars. Are they on the pricey side overall? Yep. Are they worth it? That's your call.
This pocket-friendly speaker does it all: Bluetooth, line-in, microSD card and FM radio.
Archeer
Bonus deal No. 2: Admit it, I've cut wayyyy back on Bluetooth speaker deals. But the holidays are coming, so don't be surprised if I fall off that particular wagon.
Starting now: For a limited time, and while supplies last, you can get the Archeer Ultra Slim Portable Pocket Speaker for $15.32 when you apply promo code Z6SELL9F at checkout. (This is a rerun, last time it was $19.53.)
I really dig this model. It's not much larger than your average smartphone, yet it delivers pretty decent sound. It's also an FM radio. At this price, it's kind of a no-brainer gift item, either for yourself or someone else.
Black Friday deals: See every Black Friday 2017 deal we've found so far.
Holiday Gift Guide: CNET's full gift guide, including dozens of products priced under $25, $50 and $100.
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Get a DJI Mavic Pro with remote for $699
Get a DJI Mavic Pro with remote for $699
CNET's Cheapskate scours the web for great deals on PCs, phones, gadgets and much more. Questions about the Cheapskate blog? Find the answers on our FAQ page. Find more great buys on the CNET Deals page and follow the Cheapskate on Facebook and Twitter!
Get your smart-home lighting off to a smart start by saving 40 percent on this kit.
Philips
Cheeps! Seems like many of you enjoyed yesterday's roundup of early Black Friday deals at Best Buy (traffic was through the roof), so let me add one more that should have made the list: The Philips Hue A19 Starter Kit for $59.99 (reg. $99.99).
You get four "smart" LED bulbs and the Hue bridge, all of them adjustable and manageable via voice and app. (To be fair, Amazon just matched that price, and according to CamelCamelCamel, it's the first time the kit has ever been priced below $100.)
Speaking of yesterday, I also shared the very tempting DJI Sparkdrone for $400. It's a pretty capable little guy, but one designed mostly for selfies and other near-area flying.
Alas, the big-brother Mavic Pro starts at $999 -- not exactly affordable for most folks.
Phone not included.
CNET
Okay, but could you swing $699? Because the official DJI Ebay store has the refurbished Mavic Pro with remote for $699 shipped -- by far the lowest price I've seen for this highly celebrated quadcopter.
First things first: a refurbished drone? That must mean "crashed and glued back together," right? Nah, these are fully inspected and certified to be good as new, and they come with a full one-year warranty, same as new Mavic Pros.
Second: You may find this model selling new for maybe $50 more, but chances are good it won't come with a remote. Trust me when I say you want the remote.
The Mavic Pro is capable of pretty much all the best drone tricks, including following you around, flying to and from waypoints and so on. It can capture 4K video via its built-in gimbal-assisted camera, and it will avoid obstacles so it's less likely to have an unfortunate encounter with a tree.
I especially like the fold-up arms, which make the Mavic much easier to toss into a bag or backpack. The controller also folds up into a nice, compact little bundle.
Take note though, extra batteries are crazy-expensive (around $150 apiece), and there's definitely a learning curve if you want to take advantage of the various flight modes. (Watch the how-to videos, they help a lot.)
Obviously this is still a pricey item for most folks, but it's also a huge discount on arguably the best consumer drone currently available. It was too good not to share!
Give your desktop or laptop the speakers it deserves.
Klipsch
Bonus deal: If you use your PC for anything that involves audio -- games, movies, music -- you owe it to yourself to hook up some good speakers.
Like these: For a limited time, and while supplies last, BuyDig has the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX-certified desktop speaker system for $109 shipped. That's after applying coupon code CHEAPSKATE40 at checkout. Price elsewhere: at least $130. Price when they hit the market back in 2003 (!): $180.
Indeed, the ProMedias have been around forever, and with good reason -- they're awesome. You get two pro-grade satellites and a robust subwoofer. Check any online store and you'll see an average user rating of around 4.5 stars. Are they on the pricey side overall? Yep. Are they worth it? That's your call.
This pocket-friendly speaker does it all: Bluetooth, line-in, microSD card and FM radio.
Archeer
Bonus deal No. 2: Admit it, I've cut wayyyy back on Bluetooth speaker deals. But the holidays are coming, so don't be surprised if I fall off that particular wagon.
Starting now: For a limited time, and while supplies last, you can get the Archeer Ultra Slim Portable Pocket Speaker for $15.32 when you apply promo code Z6SELL9F at checkout. (This is a rerun, last time it was $19.53.)
I really dig this model. It's not much larger than your average smartphone, yet it delivers pretty decent sound. It's also an FM radio. At this price, it's kind of a no-brainer gift item, either for yourself or someone else.
Black Friday deals: See every Black Friday 2017 deal we've found so far.
Holiday Gift Guide: CNET's full gift guide, including dozens of products priced under $25, $50 and $100.
