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What are the best drones capable of shooting 4K video, under $1000?

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The Best 1 of 6 OptionsWhy?

6 Options ConsideredPriceWeightMax Speed
Excellent
Halo Drone
1370 g (3 lbs)45 mph
DJI Mavic Pro
743 g65 km/h
GoPro Karma
2.2 lbs35 mph (15 m/s)
DJI Mavic Air
430 g68.4 kph (S - mode); 28.8 kph (P - mode and Wi-Fi mode)
Yuneec Breeze
386 g18 km/h
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Excellent

Halo Drone

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Dragonblood4
Top Pro

Great video and photo capturing capabilities

•••
The Halo Drone comes equipped with a great 4K camera capable of capturing high-quality photos and videos. It comes with a lens that has a 115 degrees FOV and that can take smooth videos and pictures with little to no shakiness. It can record videos at different resolutions and framerates. However,...
Jwakeboard1
Top Pro

Relatively fast

•••
The Halo Drone can reach speeds of up to 45mph.
Monika
Dragonblood4
Top Pro

7 advanced follow modes

•••
This drone comes with 7 different smart follow modes that you can use to shoot video automatically, while the drone follows you, or another target, around.
BRIVA
Top Pro

Decent flight times

•••
The battery lasts an average of 22 minutes of flight time. This is a pretty decent battery life, when compared to other drones at this price range.
Jwakeboard1
Top Pro

Extremely portable

•••
The Halo Drone is very portable and can easily be taken anywhere with you. It weighs around 1.3kg and has a diagonal length of 430mm. What's more, is that all four arms are foldable which greatly decreases the size and lets you put it in a normal backpack easily. The foldable design also prote...
Dragonblood4
Top Pro

Camera can be used without the drone

•••
This drone's camera can be removed and used as a standalone camera.
Dragonblood4
Top Pro

Excellent sensor

•••
Built with a Sony IMX377 sensor.
Dragonblood4
Top Pro

Very stable

•••
Overall, the Halo is a very strong and stable drone that does not lose control under strong winds.
Dragonblood4
Top Pro

Good build quality

•••
The Halo drone is made from high quality materials which do not break easily. It's very sturdy and feels great to the touch.
Dragonblood4
Top Pro

Great design

•••
The Halo Drone has a sleek, modern design with a grey body and orange highlights.
Know any negative aspects of this option?
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5 Other Options Considered

DJI Mavic Pro

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Francisco
Top Pro

High quality shots

•••
Despite its small size, the Mavic Pro’s camera has practically the same specifications as more expensive and larger drone cameras. With it, you can take breathtaking shots without being worried about quality. It even has a 3-axis gimbal to keep the camera stable while the drone is flying, a feature...
Francisco
Top Pro

Has advanced algorithms for autonomous flying

•••
This drone’s software includes some clever autonomous flying algorithms that can be easily configured and activated via the smartphone companion app. You can predefine flying paths, set the drone to follow an object, or fly at a certain constant distance from the ground, following topographic chang...
Francisco
Top Pro

Easily adjustable focus

•••
You can adjust the focus of the camera by tapping on the object on the live view screen.
Francisco
Top Pro

Wide range of accessories of DJI accessories available

•••
You can buy external batteries, bags, propeller guards, filters, even a battery-to-power-bank adapter. Many of its accessories are much cheaper than other drone's accessories.
Francisco
Top Pro

Responds to remote's commands quickly

•••
The control’s input lag is almost non-existent and offers very precise control with no random movements.
Francisco
Top Pro

Flying consumes less battery than hovering

•••
The Mavic Pro drone has been designed in a way that it will operate longer when it is moving around and not hovering in the same place. The difference is small, though: a full battery should last for around 24 minutes on hovering and for around 27 minutes on flying. These times are excellent for a...
Francisco
Top Pro

Gestures can be used to take shots

•••
This drone's camera can be activated via physical gestures, which can be especially useful for taking selfies: this way, you don't have to use the remote and worry about it showing up on the shots.
Francisco
Top Pro

Frequent software updates

•••
DJI constantly updates its drone's firmware and companion apps, adding new functionalities and improving existing ones.
Francisco
Top Pro

Convenient special bundle for travelers

•••
You can buy this drone as a “Fly More Combo” that includes additional batteries, extra props, a backpack and other accessories that make traveling with the drone easier. This is much more economical than buying the items separately.
Francisco
Top Pro

Easy to carry around

•••
Travelers will be especially happy about the drone’s slim body and easily foldable arms. When folded, the drone is about the size of a brick and can be transported with ease, making it an extremely compact 4K-capable drone. Unlike some other larger drones, the Mavic Pro’s camera is situated up the...
Francisco
Top Pro

Easy to fly

•••
Just unfold the drone, set its mode (“fly only” or “camera”), and use the remote to operate it. No need to set up the drone blades, as they reposition themselves once the motors are activated and takeoff can be done automatically. It even senses objects that are close, in order to crashing into the...
Francisco
Top Pro

Fast

•••
The drone can reach speeds up to 65 km/h and it can also change altitude rather quickly.
Francisco
Top Pro

Stays stable even under strong winds

•••
Thanks to all its sensors, design and powerful motors, this is one of the most stable small drones in the market. It stays almost perfectly still even under strong breezes.
Francisco
Top Pro

Beginner mode available, for easy learning

•••
If you are new to drones, the Mavic Pro’s beginner mode will help you learn how to fly it, while minimizing risks. It limits the distance and speed the drone can fly, and also reduces the sensitivity of the controller.
Francisco
Top Pro

No need to remove parts

•••
You don’t need to assemble or dissemble parts each time you are setting the drone up or have finished flying. Everything folds and unfolds neatly.
Francisco
Top Pro

Can be used indoors and in tight spaces

•••
The Mavic Pro can be set to tripod mode and used to film indoors or in other tight settings, where precision is needed. Once the drone is set to tripod mode, its speed is limited to approximately 2 mph and control input sensitivity is reduced, increasing the accuracy of commands sent to the drone.
Francisco
Top Pro

Control drones from long distances

•••
This drone has an impressive maximum range of 7 km, which is very impressive. This drops significantly in urban areas, where interferences are higher, but even in these conditions it still reaches a 1 km range. However, users should be aware that some countries may have laws prohibiting people from...
Francisco
Top Con

Signal may be lost in areas with many Wi-Fi devices

•••
This drone may lose the remote's signal if flying over a dense neighborhood with lots of Wi-Fi devices.
Francisco
Top Con

Performs poorly in low light scenarios

•••
Because of the small sensor size and the relatively limited ISO range, this drone's camera struggles heavily in low light conditions.
Francisco
Top Con

Tends to lose tracked objects in certain circumstances

•••
While in most circumstances the drone can track and follow objects quite well, it does struggle if the target's color blends with the background or if it makes sudden turns.
Francisco
Top Con

Video may be jerky due to fragile gimbal assembly

•••
The gimbal is held together with three rubber bands that tend to snap, making the video jerky.
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GoPro Karma

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Francisco
Top Pro

Great value package

•••
When you buy the drone, you also get a handheld gimbal system with control buttons. The stabilizing gimbal is useful as it can be mounted on other GoPro compatible accessories. The package also includes additional propellers and a backpack with a built-in shoulder mount where you can attach your ca...
Francisco
Top Pro

Simple to use controller

•••
This drone's controller only has a few intuitively placed buttons, which are easy to learn. There’s no need to attach a smartphone, since the controller comes with a built-in touchscreen. The information layout on the screen is simple and won’t overwhelm you.
Francisco
Top Pro

Helps beginners to learn how to fly it with a virtual learning mode

•••
The Karma has a virtual learning mode for beginners, allowing them to fly this drone virtually, with the remote, while learning the basics.
Francisco
Top Con

No automatic tracking mode

•••
As of July 2017, there is no tracking mode where the drone can follow an object around. This feature would have been useful when you want the drone to follow a subject doing outdoor sports or driving a vehicle. GoPro has promised to add this in a future update.
Francisco
Top Con

Controller's screen is hard to see under direct sunlight

•••
The controller's screen is glossy, making it hard to use under direct sunlight.
Francisco
Top Con

Limitations when filming in 4K

•••
Filming in 4K gives a “fish eye” effect which can be removed later, but it also reduces the maximum resolution down to 2.7K.
Francisco
Top Con

Lack of an obstacle avoidance system may cause crashes

•••
If the drone loses connection with the remote and takes a straight course home, it can crash somewhere, since it lacks an obstacle avoidance system.
Francisco
Top Con

Over-reliance on GPS may lead to random drifting

•••
The Karma doesn’t have any obstacle avoidance or downward sensors, relying solely on its GPS signal. This means it may drift randomly in the air if the GPS signal isn’t strong enough. At worst, it may cause collisions with objects in its path. Fortunately, the controller can somehow compensate this...
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DJI Mavic Air

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Francisco
Top Pro

No image issues due to low stability

•••
The Mavic Air's camera is attached to a 3-axis gimbal that ensures high stability when filming/photographing. This means that the pilot doesn't need to worry too much about being careful while maneuvering or ensuring a smooth flight route to attain good results.
Francisco
Top Pro

Extremely portable

•••
The Air has several features that make it easy to carry around. It folds into a very compact size ( 83 × 49 x 168 mm ) and can be conveniently carried inside an included case. During transportation, the gimbal is covered with a protective plastic part. The remote control is also small enough to be...
Francisco
Top Pro

Very fast

•••
This drone is capable of a maximum speed of 68.4 kph, which is faster than the Mavic Pro or Mavic Pro Platinum.
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Yuneec Breeze

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Francisco
Top Pro

Decent camera quality, better than most budget drones

•••
Overall, the Breeze's camera offers better image quality and color reproduction than most budget drones. It can shoot in 4K at 30 fps, but it can also shoot in lower resolutions, up to 120 fps. Photos are shot in 13 megapixels, and have roughly the image quality of a picture taken with a medium...
Francisco
Top Pro

Solid and well built

•••
Despite having a plasticky cheap look and feel, it is actually very well built and can withstand minor crashes without any problems.
Francisco
Top Pro

Batteries are cheap and easy to charge

•••
Extra batteries for this drone are rather cheap and only take 40 minutes to charge. This is an important point, given that a Con of this is drone is it's short battery life (only 12 minutes).
Francisco
Top Pro

Automated takeoff and landing

•••
The drone can take off and land automatically with just a press of a button on the controlling app. It uses GPS to remember the place where it took off from, so you can tell it to land in the same place. Even if connection to the mobile device is lost, the drone can still use those coordinates to s...
Francisco
Top Pro

Easy to control on a smartphone or tablet

•••
This drone is easily and conveniently operated via an app on an iOS or Android device (no need for a physical controller). It is very easy to use it, as the controls are very basic. You need to keep in mind that on small devices, the controls will obstruct the video on the screen.
Francisco
Top Pro

For easier control, first-person view goggles and controller mount are available

•••
For a small price, you can get first-person view goggles and a controller to put your phone in. The controller is easier to use than the in-built controls on the mobile app.
Francisco
Top Pro

Easy to carry around

•••
Thanks to its foldable propellers, low weight, compact design and clever camera integration, the Yuneec Breeze is very portable and you can take it anywhere with little effort.
Francisco
Top Pro

Guards minimize the risk of injuries of damage to the propellers

•••
Beginners can fly the drone indoors with great confidence, since the risk of injury or broken propellers is low, due to propeller guards.
Francisco
Top Pro

Easy to share your captures

•••
The app you use to control the drone can also be used to share your moments on social media. Once you have captured a video or photo, you can simply select the social network profile that you want to upload to and you’re done. No PC or video editing software necessary.
Francisco
Top Pro

4 easy to use and convenient automatic flying modes

•••
Yuneec has equipped the drone with 4 different auto modes: "selfie" mode makes it hover from a specified distance and await a command to take a photo or video; "orbit" makes the drone orbit around the controller; "journey" mode makes the drone to follow a previously s...
Francisco
Top Con

Memory can't be expanded

•••
You can’t expand this drone's memory, as there is no memory card slot. It has a built-in 14 GB memory that can store about 40 minutes of 4K video.
Francisco
Top Con

Rather disappointing battery life

•••
This drone’s flight time, due to the small battery size, is not great: it can only stay in the air for about 12 minutes (if there are no strong winds), before it force-lands. On the plus side, it ships with two batteries, so you can quickly swap them. It takes about 40 minutes to charge a battery.
Francisco
Top Con

Videos may look shaky

•••
Unfortunately, there’s no gimbal stabilization, so the videos may look shaky, due to strong winds or sudden maneuvers. It does make up for it with electronic image stabilization, but this doesn’t work when shooting in native 4K.
Francisco
Top Con

Almost no hardware upgrades available

•••
The Breeze is basic and, excluding the prop guards, there are no options for any sort of upgrades on the drone.
Francisco
Top Con

Can't control the camera's focus settings

•••
You cannot control the camera’s focus settings, even though you can adjust other settings, like white balance and shutter speed.
Francisco
Top Con

Unable to keep up with fast moving objects

•••
This drone's top speeds are enough for following a walking/running person, but insufficient to keep up with anything that moves faster. In fact, this drone tops at around 11 mph, with an ascent rate of 1 m/s.
Francisco
Top Con

Flight range is insufficient for advanced users

•••
By default, the drone can fly up to a maximum height of 30 feet and a maximum distance of 300 feet from you. While this is enough for most casual uses, professionals and film-makers will definitely be left wanting more.
Francisco
Top Con

Can’t automatically avoid obstacles

•••
There are no additional sensors that monitor the surroundings around the drone, so you need to be careful while operating it not to crash it against anything. This is true even when the drone is set to any of the automated modes: it can crash while following or orbiting you.
Francisco
Top Con

If users want a physical controller, they need to buy it separately

•••
While the mobile app is easy to use, some may find it a bit frustrating and would prefer a physical controller, which is only available if bought separately.
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Yuneec Typhoon H

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Francisco
Top Pro

Can be operated by two people at once

•••
You can buy a second, smaller controller (with no screen) and have a second person controlling certain drone functions. For example, you can use it while doing certain activities in Follow Me mode. Alternatively, you can use it as a separate flying controller, while the other person controls the ca...
Francisco
Top Pro

Very flexible camera movement

•••
The camera is mounted on a 3-axis gimbal which not only makes taking very steady captures easy, but also allows the camera to swivel 360 degrees. In addition, the landing gear retracts, so it doesn’t get in the way of your panning shots. The camera itself is on par with those found on other drones...
Francisco
Top Pro

Remote doesn’t need an additional smartphone or tablet

•••
While many drones come with a remote that requires a smartphone or tablet to monitor flying data and view live images, the Typhoon H doesn't need this: it comes with a remote with a built-in display. It’s an HD touchscreen display that allows you to change settings and see what you are filming...
Francisco
Top Pro

Obstacle avoidance system that works even in low light

•••
This drone has a sonar-based obstacle avoidance system, meaning it works well even in poor light conditions.
Francisco
Top Pro

Quiet and smart 6-rotor flight system

•••
While the majority of drones have four rotors, the Typhoon H uses six rotors. This design makes the drone quieter and ensures the drone is able to land safely in case one of the rotors malfunctions.
Francisco
Top Con

Takes some time to set up the drone

•••
It takes a while to set up the drone, since you need to unfold and lock all of the arms and install each propeller.
Francisco
Top Con

Batteries take a long time to charge

•••
It takes about 2 hours to charge the batteries, which is twice as long as other similar drones take.
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46 Community Recommendations

Onze
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Ryan
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Claybay
Claybay
Contributor for 5 months
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Halo Drone
Recommended 5 months ago
Great 4K camera @30fps
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