Best Drones for Sale: Quadcopter Reviews and Buying Guide

With an explosive growth in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones particularly quadcopters, are one of the most buzzed-about, if not the, gift in recent years. The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) predicted that a million drones would be sold around Christmas.  Are you going to join other enthusiasts and buy a drone? What are the best drones for sale? What are the most important things you need to look for when buying a quadcopter drone? What are the major differences among many popular quadcopter drones on the current market? Our quadcopter drone reviews and buying guide will answer all these questions with easy to understand information. We hope our site will help you find the best drones for sale that meet your unique requirements.

Drones vs. Quadcopters

First things first. Drones and quadcopters are used interchangeably everywhere. If you are new to the drone market, a brief explanation will resolve some confusion. A drone is actually a flying robot. It is formally known as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The flight of UAVs may be controlled either autonomously by onboard computers or by a pilot via a remote control. There are multirotor drones and fixed-wing drones. A quadcopter is a multirotor that is lifted and propelled by four rotors. At a small size, quadcopters are cheaper, more reliable and more durable than conventional helicopters due to their mechanical simplicity. Most of RC drones for sale available are quadcopters.

Criteria for Selecting the Best Drones for Sale

There are many models and styles of RC drones for sale on the market. Keep the purpose of what you want from a drone and the location of where you will be flying a drone in mind during the buying process. Besides your budget,  your goals will determine what to look for from a quadcopter drone. If you are a beginner, you definitely want different features than a professional requires. How much you want to do with aerial photography and videography will change the evaluation criteria. In general, we consider four criteria for choosing the best drones for sale: features, quality, easy of use and value. You should carefully look into the four aspects together and evaluate the trade-offs. Let’s talk about the four quadcopter buying criteria in more detail.

Features of a Quadcopter Drone

So many features available, I know! It’s confusing when you are new to the quadcopter drone market . You should first pay close attention to some of the essential features, such as flight time and battery life, the aircraft weight/size, and the connectivity range. They will greatly impact your flying experience. Some quadcopter can be flied both indoor and outdoor, while some are most suitable to fly either outdoor or indoor only.

If you want to take photos and videos, look for a quadcopter with camera. Besides normal camera specifications, some drone camera features will greatly impact the quality of your photos/videos and your photo/video experience. Gimbal-stabilization systems and FPV( first person view) systems are the two most talked about camera quadcopter functionalities.

Some of auto features of a quadcopter will provide convenience for a drone flyer especially for a beginner, such as return to home GPS and autopilot.  Although auto-flip may provide some fun experience, you may want to practice flipping manually anyway to master drone flying skills. On the other hand, it may not be desirable if a cheap quadcopter is packed with too many auto features, since the quality of the drone may be compromised.

Quality and Durability of a Quadcopter Drone

No one want their new quadcopter to break down shortly after the excitement of drone flying experience has just started. Sturdiness, durability and reliable operation of a drone are very important. We suggest sticking with a well-known brand since there are many inferior products on the market. Please be aware learning to fly a drone is not an easy task. A kid or a beginner’s first drone will inevitably crash many times before getting the hang of it. Whether a drone is designed to take beatings should be considered. On the other hand, every drone flyer has crashed their drone at one point or another and you will too. When it does happen, an easy to repair quadcopter will be less headache.

Easy to Use Quadcopter Drones

Some drones are plug-and-play and ready-to-fly (RTF) whereas other drones require more calibrating before you can send them into the air. We recommend a ready-to-fly quadcopter for your first drone. When flying a drone, ease of use and control will help you enjoy your flying experience much more, especially for a beginner. Normally the cheapest quadcopters are not the most easy to fly. The most easy to fly drones are found in the $700-$1000 price range. Surprised?

Value of a Quadcopter Drone

$700-$1000 price range drones are not only the easiest ones to fly, but also offer great quality and more advanced features than cheaper drones. Normally the price of a drone scales with its quality and features. But there are some exceptions. The goal of our quadcopter drone reviews is to help you find the best drones for sale on the market among the ever-widening options. Talking about value, please consider whether affordable replacement parts are available as well when you are buying a drone.

Best Drones for Sale Top Picks

Applying the drone purchasing criteria discussed above, we picked the best drones for sale in different categories. Read on!

Best All-around Drone for Sale

The verdict: our pick of the best all-around quadcopter drone for sale is [easyazon_link identifier=”B013U0F6EQ” locale=”US” tag=”whizkidsrob06-20″]DJI Phantom 3[/easyazon_link].

[easyazon_image align=”right” height=”302″ identifier=”B013U0F6EQ” locale=”US” src=”https://www.whizkidsrobotics.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/31JowUws45L.jpg” tag=”whizkidsrob06-20″ width=”500″]Phantom 3 is from the well-known drone manufacturer DJI. It offers a combination of advanced features, reliable operation, easy to use, and a surprisingly good price with [easyazon_link identifier=”B013U0F6EQ” locale=”US” tag=”whizkidsrob06-20″]Phantom 3 standard[/easyazon_link] at under $800. The whole package of DJI Phantom 3 is so impressive that hardly anything else on the market can match it. There are 4 different models starts with the cheapest Phantom 3 Standard with 2.7K video camera. The [easyazon_link identifier=”B00VSIT5UE” locale=”US” tag=”whizkidsrob06-20″]Phantom 3 Advanced[/easyazon_link] can do everything that the Phantom 3 Standard can do but provides extended communication range, GPS+GLONASS dual positioning module, and advanced vision positioning system for GPS-free and indoor flight. The [easyazon_link identifier=”B00VSITBJO” locale=”US” tag=”whizkidsrob06-20″]Phantom 3 Professional[/easyazon_link] is at the top of the line with an impressive 4k video camera upgraded from the 2.7K for the Phantom 3 Advanced. The newest models is the [easyazon_link identifier=”B01AER3J60″ locale=”US” tag=”whizkidsrob06-20″]Phantom 3 4K[/easyazon_link], priced the same as the Phantom 3 Advanced. Phantom 3 4K comes with a 4k video camera as the Phantom Professional’s but with shorter connectivity range similar to Phantom 3 standard.

DJI Phantom 3 is our favorite drone. You may find one of the models picked in another category of this best drones for sale reviews. We have summarized the major features below for your reference. We also provide a comparison table for the four DJI Phantom 3 models right after that for your convenience.

[easyazon_link identifier=”B013U0F6EQ” locale=”US” tag=”whizkidsrob06-20″]DJI Phantom 3[/easyazon_link] Features at a Glance

Compare the Differences among DJI Phantom 3 Series

Best Affordable Drone for Sale

The verdict: our pick of the best affordable quadcopter drone for sale is [easyazon_link identifier=”B00MNG37C2″ locale=”US” tag=”whizkidsrob06-20″]Syma X5C Explorers[/easyazon_link].

[easyazon_image align=”right” height=”341″ identifier=”B00MNG37C2″ locale=”US” src=”https://www.whizkidsrobotics.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/31F80tz4ENL-2.jpg” tag=”whizkidsrob06-20″ width=”500″]Although professional drones with advanced features are expensive, there are many great affordable drones for sale. [easyazon_link identifier=”B00MNG37C2″ locale=”US” tag=”whizkidsrob06-20″]Syma X5C Explorers[/easyazon_link] is currently the no.1 best seller in the hobby RC quadcopters & multirotors category on amazon.com and has been like that for a while. Why does this simple-looking quadcopter hold the first best seller chair in the severely competitive drone market? The extremely popular drone is one of the best quadcopters on the market and it costs less than $50. Although it doesn’t come with many advanced features as the DJI Phantom 3, you get an agile and reliable flying drone with fast response to your remote controls, almost indestructible with propeller guards, and a decent HD camera on top of that amazing price. Here are the major features of Syma X5C Explorers.

[easyazon_link identifier=”B00MNG37C2″ locale=”US” tag=”whizkidsrob06-20″]Syma X5C Explorers[/easyazon_link] Features at a Glance

Best Beginner Drone for Sale

The verdict: our pick of the best beginner quadcopter drone for sale is [easyazon_link identifier=”B00IZC6C8E” locale=”US” tag=”whizkidsrob06-20″]Hubsan X4[/easyazon_link].

[easyazon_image align=”right” height=”500″ identifier=”B00IZC6C8E” locale=”US” src=”https://www.whizkidsrobotics.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/41rZGLXFhSL.jpg” tag=”whizkidsrob06-20″ width=”500″]Beginners and kids are entering the drone market with enthusiasm to learn. The criteria to choose the best drone for beginners or kids are somewhat different from those of a experienced hobbyist. Many advanced features may not be that necessary. Low cost to buy and repair, easy to fly, small size more suitable for indoor practice, and especially durable to take beatings are the top things we are seeking from drones for kids or drones for beginners.

[easyazon_link identifier=”B00IZC6C8E” locale=”US” tag=”whizkidsrob06-20″]Hubsan X4[/easyazon_link] fits the bill. This series comes with 3 models: [easyazon_link identifier=”B00IZC6C8E” locale=”US” tag=”whizkidsrob06-20″]base X4 H107L[/easyazon_link], [easyazon_link identifier=”B00P79ZQIA” locale=”US” tag=”whizkidsrob06-20″]X4 camera H107C[/easyazon_link]and [easyazon_link identifier=”B00WRYG3NA” locale=”US” tag=”whizkidsrob06-20″]X4 FPV H107D[/easyazon_link]. Although Hubsan X4 is a mini drone, it has packed with all the features you need when you just start to fly a quadcopter.

[easyazon_link identifier=”B00IZC6C8E” locale=”US” tag=”whizkidsrob06-20″]Hubsan X4[/easyazon_link] Features at a Glance

Best Camera Drone for Sale

The verdict: our pick of the best camera quadcopter drone for sale is DJI Phantom 3 Professional.

[easyazon_image align=”right” height=”278″ identifier=”B00VSITBJO” locale=”US” src=”https://www.whizkidsrobotics.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/31v8lICSD0L.jpg” tag=”whizkidsrob06-20″ width=”500″][easyazon_link identifier=”B00VSITBJO” locale=”US” tag=”whizkidsrob06-20″]DJI Phantom 3 Professional[/easyazon_link] is the best quadcopter with camera for the aspiring aerial photographer or videographer. Phantom 3 series is our pick for the all-around drone for sale. Phantom 3 Professional is a further standout in this group with its advanced features in aerial imaging. With a professional lens to eliminate the distortion that often occurs with wide aerial shooting, stable footage with 3-axis gimbal stabilization system, 4K video at up to 30 frames per second and 12 megapixel photo, paired with DJI’s powerful app and remote controls, you have an amazing package of the best drone with camera for aerial photographing and videographing.

[easyazon_link identifier=”B00VSITBJO” locale=”US” tag=”whizkidsrob06-20″]DJI Phantom 3 Professional[/easyazon_link] Features at a Glance

Best Small Drone for Sales

The verdict: our pick of the best small quadcopter drone for sale is [easyazon_link identifier=”B00KXZC762″ locale=”US” tag=”whizkidsrob06-20″]Cheerson CX-10[/easyazon_link].

[easyazon_image align=”right” height=”500″ identifier=”B00KXZ7VKY” locale=”US” src=”https://www.whizkidsrobotics.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/41M7hFDWIcL.jpg” tag=”whizkidsrob06-20″ width=”500″]Small drones are great for indoor flying and for beginners to practice. The cute tiny [easyazon_link identifier=”B00KXZC762″ locale=”US” tag=”whizkidsrob06-20″]Cheerson CX-10[/easyazon_link], probably the smallest drone in the world, is extremely popular. Although it is so tiny that it fits in your palm, it has all the major features of other bigger quadcopters. It is also durable and easy to fly. Giving its price can be as low as $15, you can get couple to do some exciting quadcopter racing. Cheerson CX-10 comes with several pleasant and bright colors. When they are circling under your ceiling, the scene is candy to the eyes.

[easyazon_link identifier=”B00KXZC762″ locale=”US” tag=”whizkidsrob06-20″]Cheerson CX-10[/easyazon_link] Features at a Glance

Things You Need to Know Before You fly a Drone

Drones are not toys. Irresponsible flying may cause damage to properties or people, violate people’s privacy or interfere with large aircraft. There has been some negative reports about consumer drone flying.  Before ending this best drones for sale – quadcopter reviews, we would like to bring some important matters to your attention.

The New Drone Regulation Law

Here is the new Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) law on drones flying.

Starting December 21, 2015, anyone who owns a small drone weighing more than 0.55 pounds and less than 55 pounds are required to register with FAA’s Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) registry before flying outdoors. Drones that will be used for commercial purposes or those that are heavier than 55 pounds need special FAA approvals. The deadline to register for previous owners is February 19th, 2016. Drone flyers who fail to register will face civil and criminal penalties.

Other Rules You Should Know

If you fly outdoors, don’t fly the drone above 400 feet (the height of a 30 to 40 story building), never let it out of your eyesight, and don’t fly it near airports or populated areas like stadiums. You may also want to talk to your neighbors if you are going to fly your drone around their property.

Other than that, have a blast flying your new RC quadcopter drone!