Best Selfie Drone

While drones are often used for filming gorgeous, sweeping landscapes or action scenes in movies at speeds as fast as a jaybird, nowadays they can also be used for taking hands-free selfies. Rather than a bulky and large drone, selfie drones are foldable and compact, making them easy to take with you anywhere and highly popular among avid selfie takers. And in this article, RC Hobby Review compares the best selfie drones available in 2018. Let's be honest flying cameras are a lot cooler than just having a simple selfie camera or selfie stick.

Below, we review 7 devices from the least expensive to the most expensive based on their features, pros, and cons to help you decide which is the top selfie drone for you.

JRC H37 Mini BABY ELFIE Selfie Drone

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As the name suggests, JRC H37 Mini BABY ELFIE Selfie Drone is light and compact, being only 13.5 x 11.3 x 3 cm in dimensions (unfolded), and weighing roughly 2 ounces. This mini-nature makes it fit for all drone users.

The drone features HD 720p camera with FPV (read this to learn more about First Person View). The FPV is transmittable via WIFI, which means that you can connect your drone to the smartphone and experience the world from the drone's perspective.

The good news is that this drone does have integrated gravity sensor technology. This technology allows you to navigate the drone via your smartphone. There is also the RC control, and the previously mentioned gravity navigation. We suggest trying both systems and then opting for the one that fits you the best. This piece of advice holds value for all drones that feature multiple control systems.

JRC H37 Mini BABY ELFIE is foldable, which makes it very easy to transport, store and carry with you wherever you go which is why it was an obvious pick for one of the top quads on this list. Such design broadens the drone's list of potential users. And, being small, light and portable means that the drone won't cause you issues whether you travel by air, land or sea.

Another mode the JRC H37 Elfie features is the altitude hold mode. In essence, when the mode is activated, the drone will hold its position (concerning altitude), but you will still be able to roll the drone, yaw or pitch.

Alas, the headless mode grants you even more control over your drone. Headless mode guarantees that the drone will align to you and your perspective, meaning that it will follow the navigational controls from the user's perspective and the direction you are facing, regardless of the direction the drone is facing.

For instance, let's say that the drone is rotated by 180 degrees. Now, what is a left side for you is the right side for the drone, i.e., your east is drone's west. But, thank's to the headless mode, the drone will still go in the direction you want it to go, i.e., it will align with you.

Who should obtain this drone? Well, it's hard to say. It is inexpensive (the most economical on our list), which makes it fit for beginners and everyone that want's to try a drone. However, professional photographers, journalists, and bloggers should probably look for something a bit more sophisticated than this.

Selfie lovers will probably love the fact that the jjrc elfie features Beauty mode: once activated, the drone automatically adjusts the image and makes it more beautiful. This is one of the cheap drones featured in this buying guide. 

General Specs:

  • Made of ABS (thermoplastic polymer)
  • 6.7 inches wheelbase
  • 2.4 G frequency
  • powered by one 3.7V battery: battery included: charging time takes 40 minutes to 1 hour: flight time is 6 to 7 minutes
  • the remote controller is powered by two 1.5V batteries (which aren't included)/ RC maximum distance is 100m
  • WIFI maximum range is 30 m

Pros:

  • the most inexpensive selfie drone on the list
  • excellent choice for beginners
  • extremely light and compact
  • dual control modes
  • Beauty mode enhances the selfie-taker experience
  • The Headless mode works well with the WIFI controls

Cons:

  • lacks the features of more sophisticated drones
  • lacks camera stability technology


Foldable Selfie Pocket Drone 

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This foldable arm RC drone by Vinciph is small enough to fit in your pocket so that you can enjoy taking a selfie virtually anywhere. You can control the drone through its smartphone app to take aerial videos and photos easily. This makes it one of the best drones for beginners looking for portable drones.

The camera quality is 0.3 MP, which may not be enough megapixels for those looking for a selfie drone that fits today's HD standards. Additionally, you can only fly the drone for about 6-8 minutes on a full battery after charging for about an hour, which doesn't make it very ideal if you're planning to shoot longer videos. The folding arms and low cost make this an affordable selfie camera drone.

The Gravity Sensor mode allows you to control the drone by holding and moving your smartphones accordingly. The altitude hold function is pretty handy since it automatically sets the height of the drone and lets it hover at that height even when you release the throttle stick. This way, you can easily shoot videos or take pictures without having to hold onto the controls.

For a more advanced performance, the aerobatic flight option makes 3D flips and rolls along with 360 degree rotations. The gyroscope makes sure that the drone is in balance mode and is controlled separately during flight. This is an excellent foldable selfie drone.

Pros

  • User friendly for easy flight control
  • Able to fit in your pocket
  • Ideal for those on a tight budget

Cons

  • 0.3 MP drone selfie camera won't make for modern HD videos or photos
  • Can take a while to get used to flying
  • No remote control, so can't be used without smartphone
  •  Can only fly for 6-8 minutes



GoolRC Drone Foldable Selfie Drone


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The GoolRC foldable mini selfie drone has a 720p camera which may be just enough for an amateur videographer or photographer, but it may be just below the standards of modern HD resolutions. Although, thanks to the real-time WiFi transmission FPV system, you can take great selfies and videos with an image transmission range of about 30 meters.

The 2.4G grip controller has G-sensor control and a barometer altitude hold function so that the drone hovers steadily as you shoot photos easily. You can also control the drone by tilting your phone in any direction and start flying it with one-key takeoff/land operation. The GoolRC also comes with a responsive G-sensor remote control meant to be operated with one hand.

The drone's app has a "beauty mode," which allows you to edit and make your photos and videos even more amazing. The drone's compact design folds at the arms for portability so you can take it every you go. It can only fly for about 7 minutes so this may not be for you if you like shooting longer aerial videos, and charging it fully takes about 70 minutes. This is a middle of the road camera drone for getting aerial selfies.

Pros

  • 720p camera with maximum control range of 80 meters
  • Can do 360 flips
  • Compact size makes for great portability

A good alternative to the spark, if you want 4k videos, is the DJI Mavic Pro.



Pocket Selfie Mini Drone (Zerotech Dobby)

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If you're willing to invest in a more advanced foldable mini selfie drone, this drone by Zerotech has a 4K camera that's able to shoot professional quality 13-megapixel selfie photos and videos at 30fps. The camera angle can be adjusted into six different positions by hand, but since it doesn't have a gimbal, it instead uses EIS (electronic image stabilization).


The zerotech dobby selfie drone doesn't come with a controller, but if you have a smartphone, you can easily control it with the free Dobby app. The short video mode lets you point the camera at a specific target, and after you press record, the Dobby drone will fly up and away for about 10 seconds then return to you after it's done.


If you want to time how long you want the drone to record, you have the option for 3-20 second recordings with the Timer Shots option. For a conveniently hands-free experience, the Dobby can be controlled by voice where you can command it to take off, land, and take a photo.


The dobby mini itself weighs no more than an iPhone and is small enough to fit into your pocket. Charging it takes about an hour, but it only flies for 9 minutes straight. If you have WiFi nearby, you can also easily download and share your footage and photos straight to your phone. The Zerotech dobby selfie operating range of about 100 meters. The target tracking will help you get the perfect selfie. 


Cons

  • Limited 9 minute flight time
  • No handheld controller
  • Batteries are rather expensive to replace


If you are looking for a cheaper alternative, check out the Yuneec Breeze!


Wingsland S6 Selfie Pocket Drone

Wingsland S6 Pocket 4K Camera Selfie Drone with 3 Batteries,Extra...
  • The most powerful pocket drone on the market-...
  • "Selfie drone "design concept-you can keep it...
  • A extendes shooting time-now you have to buy...

Last update on 2023-04-28 at 09:38 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Claiming to be the most powerful pocket selfie drone available on the market, the Wingsland S6 sports a 4K HD camera with a 360-degree field of view. It takes 13 megapixel photos and for less shaky videos, the S6 has an integrated 3-axis electronic image stabilization feature.


You can land the drone either through three different options: manual, auto-land, and auto-home. As you take videos, the drone has auto-follow, flips, orbit, and gesture control for a more convenient and hands-free shooting experience. It's fairly small and compact, and it doesn't weight much which means it won't be a chore if you wish to take it with you during your travels. Having a drone that follows you or with follow me modes, helps when using a drone for these purposes.


You'll be able to fly the drone for about 8-10 minutes, although this could be shorter in colder weather. Probably the most useful feature for the drone is the POI function where the drone can identify you as a point of interest while you can still control its height and its POI range. This can be handy for snapping stills or 360 panoramic shots.


Be mindful that that at low battery life, the S6 tends to automatically descend and it will eventually land completely, which won't bode well if it's particularly high up. If you are looking for good selfie quadcopters, this could be a good option.

Pros

  • Small size makes for great portability
  • 4k photo resolution and 13MP photos
  • Easy to learn flight controls

Cons

  • 8-10 minutes of flight, shorter if used in cold weather
  • Auto-lands at low battery instead of auto-return
  •  Smartphone required to operate controls



Yuneec Breeze

Yuneec Breeze Flying Camera - Compact Smart Drone with Ultra High...
  • 4K STUNNING VIDEO & PICTURES with...
  • EASY TO USE no flying experience necessary to...
  • SAFE TO FLY with built-in Indoor Positioning...

Last update on 2023-04-28 at 09:38 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Its hard to classify Yuneec YUNFCAUS Breeze drone: it is best to say that this is a semi-professional drone. A very easy pick for our top list. Let's go from the hardware to software.

This drone is very compact and lightweight, being 7.7 x 7.7 x 2.6 inches in dimensions an weighing roughly 13 ounces. The good news is that this drone will fit in your backpack, but the bad news is that you'll have to register it at the FAA. The drone is made of plastic, which makes it very light but also very susceptible to damage.

On the upside, the drone is constructed of individual parts, which, in turn, seel individually. This means that, even if you do break a piece or two, you can replace only those parts. Upon purchase, you will also receive a protective carrying case, which ensures the drone's safety during transport.

Camera and software clearly indicated that this is a selfie drone. The 4K camera is limited to 30 FPS, which isn't great for shooting videos but is good for taking photos and selfies. Unfortunately, there's no stabilizing technology implemented in this drone, which reflects on its price.

The drone lacks stabilizing gimbal, which might cause problems for beginners and new "pilots." Lack of gimbal implies that the quality of the video footage depends solely on your flying abilities, steadiness, balance, maneuverability, and control.

However, this is a beginner-friendly drone. It features five automatic flying modes, including Selfie Mode, Orbit Mode, Follow Me Mode, Journey Mode and the Pilot Mode. Moreover, the drone does have integrated digital stabilizing functions, but this functions apply only to 1080p video footage, not on the 4K footage (click here to see the difference between 4K and 1080p).

The drone works best once you pair its app with the compatible device, preferably smartphone because then you'll be able to take fantastic photos despite the lack of stabilizing gimbal. In short, manufacturers used software to compensate for the lack of hardware.

Speaking of software, this drone is controlled via an app, which is aligned with the induced Bluetooth controller. The controller does have a supportive platform upon which you can install your smartphone. Despite having the included controller, this drone is all about automatic flying, which is seen in its flying modes.

We have to commend the Journey mode: the drone would distance from you, take a shot, and slowly move towards you, thus making smooth and slow video footage. The bad news is that the drone can stay up to ten minutes in the air. You do receive two batteries, so if you switch them, you'll extend the drones flying time.

General Specs:

  • Dimensions: 7.7 x 7.7 x 2.5 inches (drone), 4 x 4 x 2.3 inches (controller)
  • 13 MP camera, 4K resolution, 1080p camera
  • Software: Several Automative Flying Modes (Follow Me, Orbit, Journy, Selife and Pilot)
  • Weight: 0.85 lbs (drone), 0.5 lbs (controller)
  • Flying time: up to 10 minutes with a single battery
  • Charging time: 2.5 hours
  • Flying Range: up to 260 feet

Pros:

  • excellent 4K drone for beginners
  • emphasizes automatic flying
  • interesting modes (most notably the Journey mode)
  • value for money 4K drone
  • smart and social (social media sharing, 4K Live, etc)

Cons:

  • not so robust
  • some reviewers complained about not receiving the controller
  • lacks stabilization hardware

Air Selfie Drone

With the Air Selfie drone, you won't have to worry about it breaking easily because of its anodized aeronautical grade case. The Air Selfie drone has a 5MP camera for capturing crisp and clear images, and with the 2.4GHz WiFi feature, you can send your photos directly to your phone in milliseconds.

The four micro brushless motors allows the drone to take captivating aerial shots, which is a big win if you like to take a lot of group photos with a beautiful background. You can take HD quality videos at 1080p at 30fps, and because the drone only weighs around 61 grams, it's fairly easy to take with you anywhere whether you choose to stow it in your backpack or pocket. Although, it might be sensitive to wind because of its lightweight design.


Unlike other selfie drones, it doesn't have any folding parts and is designed as a rectangle with four motors at each corner. You can control the drone for up to 20 meters, although there are some other selfie drones to buy that give you a lot more control distance. It also only has a short three minutes of flight, but an accessory power bank can provide a 50% charge in 10 minutes and a full charge in 40 minutes. This device is a great selfie pocket drone.

Pros

  • Built-in 2.4GHz WiFi network for immediate transfer of photos to your phone
  • 5MP camera for HD photos and 1080p video
  • 50% charge in 10 minutes


Cons

  • Short three minutes of flight
  • Lightweight, but susceptible to wind
  •  Can be a bit loud



Hover Camera Passport P000001


Hover Camera Passport Self-Flying Drone, 4k Video & 13MP Photography,...
  • Auto-Follow: Using face and body detection...
  • No FAA Registration Required: Fly confidently...
  • Carbon Fiber Cage: Hover Camera is crafted...

Last update on 2023-04-28 at 09:38 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Hover Camera recognized the trends in the world of drones: their P000001 Passport is portable, light, protected, and designed for taking aerial photos and selfies.

This drone features 13 MP camera and can record short videos in 4K resolution. Hover Camera P000001 Passport features facial recognition system, powered by their quad-core Snapdragon processor. This feature allows the drone to recognize and translate the movement of faces, bodies and so forth. Interestingly, the mentioned feature enables the drone to pertain its mid-air position without the help of a GPS.

Furthermore, this drone also features automotive modes for filming and flying. Thanks to the 360 Panorama technology (this video will help you utilize the 360 panorama function), which helps you take and edit the videos and photos. The mode is activated with just one touch.

Alas, there is also the Beast Mode; once turned activated, the mode turns off the drone's software for monitoring and recognizing objects. In essence, the Beast Mode helps you track the fast moving objects.

Apart from fantastic camera and video footage features, this drone strongest suit is its design. As the name suggests (Passport), once folded, the drone takes little to no space, being only 1.3 inches tall. The drone weighs roughly 240 grams with battery, which is excellent for all US residences (you won't have to register it with the FAA).

This drone is notable for its protective carbon made cage. Most importantly, the cage protects the propellers from hitting the objects. Also, it is very safe to launch; the drone's propellers won't hurt you if you launch it off your hands. This design is fit not only for adults but also for children since the drone is both safe and sturdy.

Hover Camera P000001 Passport is for people who enjoy recording visual content such as photographies and videos. However, if you are seeking high-performance flying drone, Hover Camera P000001 Passport isn't fit for you. It doesn't have a GPS, and its maximum effective range is 20 meters.

This makes sense because the drone was built to act as a flying camera. Even the flying controls reflect that. The drone likes to fly on its own, monitor your movement and follow you. It does have manual controls, navigatable via a virtual joystick, but the manual controls are somewhat limiting.

We feel the drone should be left alone. Aside from the facial recognition software, the drone features Orbit mode, meaning that the drone will fly and circle above you wherever you go. The mode works perfectly with the 360 Panorama technology.

Drone flies roughly 9 minutes in the air, but you do get two batteries, meaning that it can fly up to 18 minutes if you use both batteries. It will take you roughly 50 minutes to recharge the batteries.

General Specs:

  • Size: 10.3 x 10.3 x 4 inches
  • Weight: roughly 2.5 lbs
  • Modes: Beast Mode, 360 Panorama Mode, Orbit Mode, etc.
  • Camera: 13 MP, 4K Resolution, 1080p
  • Max Frame Rate: 30 FPS

Pros:

  • professional "flying camera"
  • design protects the flyer and drone from the impact
  • light and compact, foldable
  • 13 MP camera, 1080p HD
  • self-flying drone, Orbit mode

Cons:

  • poor flying performances
  • lacks stabilization hardware for the camera

DJI Spark

DJI Spark, Fly More Combo, Sky Blue
  • Intelligent Flight Modes Smart, reliable, and...
  • High-Performance Camera Amazing images and...
  • Flight Performance Awesome potential,...

Last update on 2023-04-28 at 09:38 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Although it can be quite the investment, the DJI Spark drone has a quick launch feature with FaceAware which allows it to hover in place seconds after being powered on by recognizing your face. The controls are rather simple since you can take aerial photos and 1080p videos with the 12MP camera using hand specific hand gestures without the use of a remote control or your smartphone.


The intelligent flight modes and controls can give your footage a cinematic aesthetic with just a few taps. After downloading the DJI GO 4 app, you can also automatically edit your videos or photos using automatic templates and a wide range of filters. The app then allows you to share your content straight to social media making for easy usability.


TapFly mode lets you tap your phone screen to fly the drone in the tap's direction to capture your shot. The ActiveTrack mode recognizes a certain object and tracks it according to what it is and how fast it's moving. This makes tracking more reliable and could be ideal for overhead biking or running videos. The gesture control also assist in getting those aerial selfies.


The powerful propulsion can withstand winds up to 31mph and you can fly up to 16 minutes with a fully charged battery, which is a significant amount of time compared to most other selfie drones. This means longer videos and less battery charging, and with its slick and lightweight build, it can be taken anywhere and get great selfie shots. The Spark is definitely one of the best affordable selfie drones to buy because of its selfie modes, follow me modes and other advanced features.

Pros

  • Light yet durable design
  • 16 minutes of flight time
  • Gimbal for stabilization

Cons

  • Not a stealthy device, can be noisy
  • Remote is responsive but sensitive


DJI Mavic Pro Drone


DJI Mavic Pro Platinum
  • Fly for miles. From your pocket.Inside the...
  • The DJI Mavic Pro folds down as small as a...
  • Fly at up to 40mph (64kmh) or for as long as...

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DJI is arguably the most notable commercial drone manufacturer, known for designing and making durable, sophisticated and stylish drones. The Mavic Pro was their first foldable drone and is still a popular choice for many drones enthusiastic.

At the time of its construction, Mavic Pro was the most compact DJI's drone, being only 11.4 x 7.1 x 9.4 inches big and weighing 1.6 lbs. It is by far the most advanced and the most sophisticated drone on our list (together with the Mavic AIr, which we'll review next), but is also the most expensive on the list.

The drone works in two ways concerning camera: on long range, it operates on 760p, and on short-range it captures 1080p. This is possible thanks to the OcuSync technology, which allows you to switch between the two (760 and 1080) via the controller. Btw, the controller's range is 7 km. If FAA and FCC compliant, the streaming is unobstructed and free of any interference.

Furthermore, the Flight Autonomy feature allows the Mavic Pro to locate any obstacles with its path, up to 15 meters in the air. This helps reduce the number of incidences and prolong the drone's durability.

This drone features both forward and downward sensors, granting it amazing visibility, allowing it to sense storing objects and operate in the areas without the GPS (indoors too). Drone's motors are both powerful and conservative, allowing to stay in the air up to 27 minutes. The drone's maximum distance is 8 miles (13 km), which is quite impressive.

Apart from being high performance flying machine, Mavic Pro is also an amazing recorder. It carries a three-axis camera, allowing you to capture every detail of the surrounding environment. It features 4K video capturing and streaming at 30 FPS.

Thanks to the DJI's custom-made gimbal, there is no need for software stabilization, meaning that the camera works as it is, without outside interference in quality and "improvements." The camera performs well even at fast flying, ensuring smooth, high-quality recording.

The software is highly sophisticated. For instance, the drone features Gesture Mode: with a simple gesture, you signal the drone to take a selfie. There is also the Tripod Mode, which slows down the drone's flying, adjusting it to indoor use. Moreover, Tripod mode is fit if you are lining up for a selfie.

And as if this wasn't enough, the Mavic Pro features Level Headed technology, which means that it will keep the determined distance (level height) off the ground regardless of whether you are climbing up or down.

The controller is impressive, featuring TapFly technology, thus allowing the beginner pilots to tap on the screen and therefore order the drone to fly to the desired location. There is so much more to be said regarding Mavic Pro, but the things we mentioned are the most important features surrounding this amazing and advanced drone. Lets now have a look at the key specifications and advanced features of this folding drone.

General Specs:

  • Software: sophisticated, feature several flying modes (Gesture Mode, Level Headed technology, TapFly technology, Sports Mode, etc.)
  • Camera: 13 MP, Full HD 4K, 1080p at close range and 760p at long range
  • Flying: 27 minutes in the air, up to 8 miles/ chargers up to 70 minutes
  • GPS: compatible with US GPS and Russian GLONASS
  • Two sets of optical sensors

Pros:

  • highly sophisticated and advanced software
  • excellent video and image quality, switches between 1080p and 760p
  • fantastic remote controller, TapFly for beginners
  • fit for multiple activities, professionals, and amateurs alike
  • Level Headed technology
  • sensors help avoid obstacles

Cons:

  • most expensive drone on the list
  • batteries are costly (if you want to order extra batteries)


DJI Mavic Air

DJI Mavic Air, Fly More Combo, Onyx Black
  • SmartCapture
  • 21-Minute Flight Time
  • Advanced Pilot Assistance System

Last update on 2023-04-28 at 09:38 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

DJI Mavic Air is the DJI's most portable drone, which, unlike the Mavic Pro, does fit in your backpack, which makes it even more attractive for those who seek small, advanced and light drones.

DJI Mavic Air is for adventurers, seekers, and explorers, featuring enhanced flight performance and virtually limitless flying possibilities. It too uses the three-axis camera gimbal, which helps reduce the vibration and turbulence in the air, helping stabilize the drone as you are taking selfies, landscape photos or recording/streaming videos.

Selfie lovers will also enjoy the 32 spheric Panorama function, which allows the drone to bind the 25 photographs in one single 32 MP panoramas, in just 8 seconds. To witness it, you will have to carry the DJI Goggles, which you can obtain additionally.

Drone records 4K videos in 30 FPS. The videos are of high quality, being recorded in 100 Mbps, ensuring the Ultra High Definition content. Furthermore, Mavic Air allows slow motion recording, taking 120 FPS in 1080p, allowing you to record your most extreme and tense moments.

DJI Mavic Air utilizes most advanced algorithms, which helps adjust to the lighting. HDR algorithms intelligently and automatically set up the light settings, granting more natural recording, strongly pointing out shadows and highlights. If interested, you can watch this video to learn more about the HDR technology.

For Mavic Air, everything comes down to precision. The design features geometrical, surgical precision: the drone's arms flex against the main frame (chassis), the alloy brackets (magnesium) help support the camera which helps with stable and smooth recording. The rear vent is almost unnoticeable, carefully designed to exhaust the hot air, and the gimbal helps reduce vibrations.

Even the remote controller is foldable, featuring ergonomic design and brackets that support your smartphone, allowing more comfortable navigating. When it comes to the modes, the first thing we noticed was the Active Track feature, which allows the drone to monitor and track up to 16 different bodies.

There is also the Quick Shot feature with six different QuickShot options: Dronie, Helix, Boomerang, Rocket, Circle, and Asteroid. In short, these modes of operation differ in their velocity and trajectory, meaning that the drone will take footage and record from different angles, with different speed and course. Moreover, you can share this data with your friends instantly, using the DJI app.


Furthermore, the drone features Smart Capture technology, allowing you to control it via hand gestures. It is highly responsive, smart and intuitive way of taking the shots. DJI Mavic Air is a flying beast, utilizing the new 2.0 Flight Autonomy. It features dual vision sensors, infrared downward sensors, group of computer cores that process the data and several other components.

Thanks to the Flight Autonomy, the drone minds its surroundings, collects the data in all directions, carefully avoids any obstacles and still has enough computing power to follow your commands. The Advanced Pilot Assistance System allows the drone to avoid and evade barriers on its way and is as such fit for inexperienced pilots.

Concerning flight, Mavic Air can fly up to 21 minutes, which is more than enough to record your adventures. It is hard not to recommend this drone to everyone seeking sophisticated, advanced and durable drone. Lets have a look at the key specifications this bird has to offer.

General Specs:

  • Camera: 12 MP photos, 4K video recording
  • Flying: max speed 43 mph, max duration 21 minutes, Advanced Pilot Assistance Systems helps avoid obstacles
  • Dimensions: 6.5 x 1.6 x 3.2 inches, weighing 3.7 lbs
  • Uses GPS and sensor positioning (outdoor and indoor use)

Pros:

  • super easy to navigate, fit for inexperienced pilots
  • 4K recording, high quality
  • HDR technology
  • Gesture controls grant comfortable selfie-taking
  • QuickShots options

Cons:

  • somewhat expensive
  • some customers didn't receive remote controller


Other things to consider about Selfie Drones


Is a Gimble Necessary for Selfie Drones?


Gimbles are often essential when it comes to filming or taking photos on a drone. It stabilizes the camera so that your videos don't look shaky or jerky and your photos aren't blurry because of an unstable camera. Most selfie drones have 3-axis gimbles, but if they don't, you may have a hard time getting smooth footage.


Are things like altitude hold and position hold important for your selfie drone?


Altitude hold will "hold" your drone at the same distance from the ground when you let off the controls. Position hold will not only keep the same altitude but will keep the drone from drifting from front to back or side to side.

While you certainly don't need these extra features to get a good selfie, it sure does make things a lot easier. If you plan on taking a lot of selfies look for drones with these features.

Selfie Drone Tips


  1. Learn how to fully control your drone. Sweeping it in and out in figure eights lets you get used to how it flies, and once you can do this smoothly and steadily, you should be ready to take selfies or videos.
  2. Test out your angles. You'll most likely not get a perfect shot every time, especially if you're new to drones, so it's best to keep shooting and take lots of photos at different angles. Odds are you'll find a picture worth keeping and sharing.
  3. Try establishing a point of view early on during your videos. Giving your viewers a different perspective and then grounding the drone can give your videos a cinematic feel.
  4. Don't take selfies or videos in bad weather. Even if your drone claims that it's highly durable and can withstand wind, it's best to practice to not try and get selfies in high wind or your drone may end up crashing or up in a tree.


Tips for choosing the best selfie drones


Drones are an advanced innovation for taking perfect pictures and interesting videos. With this, travel enthusiasts and fashion influencers are able to take selfies without using a stick or setting up a complex photography gear. This has come at a time when social media has become a thing as everyone tries to up his/her game in such of more followers or improving their portfolio.


Besides the multiple features that drones have to offer for quality images, some models come with autonomous settings. This will allow you to use the camera hands free as you focus on the posing thrill. The obsession with selfies across the globe has attracted a number of manufacturers who have introduced pocket selfie drones in the market awaiting your selection.


For this reason, it is important that you identify the factors to look out for and know what makes a great selfie drone. We know that picture quality is the main attraction on social media and the demand for unique equipment that will satisfy this need is in the rise. The size, camera, and flight time of the selfie drone should be the top features to consider when shopping.

Finding a drone that meets your selfie needs can be a bit challenging, but you are bound to succeed with our help. In this article, we will review some of the tips for choosing the best selfie drones. Afterwards, we will go through some of the frequently asked questions about selfie drones. Stay with us!

Common Features on the Best Selfie Drones

Although the price range of the drone should not limit you to specific drones, it says a lot about the model. This is because, like most other products in the market, the more you invest in your drone, the more quality features you will enjoy. This does not necessarily mean that the expensive drones are best suited for professionals because beginners can also use them. In fact, some sophisticated functions are integrated in the high-end selfie drones to make it easier for beginners to operate them!

Usually, a pricy drone will have a longer flight time and flight range. It will also give more quality images and featured bells and whistles. Nonetheless, you need to analyze the specifications of each drone to make a sound decision. Some of the features to consider include:


• Battery life
Taking selfies may force you to go into the woods or somewhere you cannot easily access charge. It is essential that you consider the battery life of the drone to know whether you need an extra battery or two. The best drones last about 30 minutes before their batteries run out of charge. The amount of time you presume to take during your selfie sessions will influence the number of spare batteries you bring along. You don't want to cut short your selfie moment just when it's heating up!
On the same point, be sure to include the cost of the extra batteries as an additional cost on your expenditure.

• Flight time
The battery life of the drone and flight time go hand in hand. When shopping for a good selfie drone, you should avoid any model that can last for only 15 minutes or less. As mentioned above, the greatest drone brands can go for up to 30 minutes without needing a recharge (http://www.dronesglobe.com/guide/selfie/).

• Motor
The performance of the drone will be based upon the type of motor featured. You will come across drones with brushless and others with brush motors. The brushless motor types are the best since they do not consume much energy. This gives the drones a longer flight time. In addition, the brushless motors are built for longevity and a quieter, smooth operation. However, these advantages come at a higher cost than the brush motors.

• Camera
If you are looking for the top quad with a camera, the availability of a quality camera is of paramount importance. Some drones come with an integrated camera while others require you to get and attach one. With every option, you should look out for the cam specs such as resolution and lens.

The best cameras are those that will allow you to take high-res selfies. We all know that when it comes to posting on social media, the quality of your footage is priority. The current digital cameras feature a sharp focus alongside an optical zoom.

We would recommend that you choose drones that have a built-in camera to save your shopping time. You should go for digital drones with cameras that can shoot 4K photos and have Image Stabilization.


• Headless mode
When buying a drone, you should consider your level of experience for ease of use. You don't want a drone with setting that are difficult to operate. Intrinsically, drones with a headless mode are the best option for the beginners. This function allows you to push the controller stick and the drone will move in the direction that you are instead of relative to the stick of the drone.

• Integrated GPS
Most drone models feature an integrated GPS function that enhance their navigation ability as well as stability. You want a drone that can take selfies efficiently while at the same time return-to-home without getting lost (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=45Xum0Fxxfc).

When your drone is flown away by the wind or crashes into something, you want to be able to recover it with ease. One way of doing this is tracking it using the integrated GPS to locate its precise location with respect to the longitude and latitude readings (https://uavcoach.com/find-lost-drone-3-awesome-gps-drone-trackers/).

If the drone does not come with a GPS-tracker, there are various types that you could have installed to help in navigating it more successfully.

• Obstacle Avoidance
When drones are in the air, they are exposed to crashes against trees, tall buildings, helicopters, and other obstacles. You want to get a drone that will be able to avoid these barriers without even a slight damage. You should however know that drones with obstacle avoidance come at a higher price than those without. To know whether the function works in the drones of your choice, we suggest that you go through the customer reviews. The best drones are those that can easily avoid bumping into obstacles without your control.

• Follow-me mode
This might just be the most sophisticated feature that the advanced drone models could have. The follow-me mode allows the drone to follow you wherever you go while taking pictures or videos. This way, you will only focus on your performance and not in operating the drone. This function is particularly beneficial to the bikers or kite surfers whose performance is determined by their concentration. Some drones are better performers at this mode while others simply lag and require upgrading. As a result, it is important that you consider the reviews of the users to know how the performance of the follow-me mode is for the drone when in use.

• Range
Before buying any pocket selfie drone, you should consider its flight range (how far away from you it can fly). According to our research, the more expensive the selfie drone is, the longer its flight range. Although you want a drone that you can control at a further point, drone experts recommend that you fly it up to where it is still visible to you.


• Gimbal
Most advanced selfie drone models are designed with a gimbal ability. This function will allow you take perfect pictures and videos even when the weather is windy. The camera remains steady even if the drone is flown under elevated altitudes.
You should not expect the toy drones to come with such a feature because they are built for indoor or low altitude flying.

• Size
You want a drone that you can tag along as you go out because selfies are never planned. Although most selfie drones are foldable, it is essential that you consider their size when folded and unfolded. The most amazing selfie drone is one that fits in your backpack or pulse for portability.


Frequently Asked Questions About Selfie Drones


• Do selfie drones come with complicated functions that limit usability?
No. Selfie drones are one of the simplest drone type for all user levels. Although the greatest models should come with all the above discussed features, they are not complicated; they are simply advanced. If you are a beginner looking to operate a drone, you should probably go with a selfie drone before opting for the other types.

• Should my selfie drone come with a 3-axis gimbal stabilization function?
The 3-axis gimbal stabilization function is not a must-have for selfie drones because the 2-axis types also work great. Gimbal function is however highly recommended for aerial pictures and videos because it helps stabilizing the camera for quality footage.

• Why should I get a selfie drone with a GPS tracker?
Before we proceed on answering this question, it should be noted that buying a selfie drone with a GPS is not a "must". It is however highly advised. You want a drone that will take the perfect selfies for your social media posts or portfolio. You also want to be able to track the drone in case it is blown away by wind or crashes into something and gets lost.

• How can I download the videos and pictures I take with my drone?
For the less sophisticated selfie drones, you will get a micro SD card slot where you can insert the storage card to be able to save your content. For the more advanced selfie drones, you will enjoy their ability to save the content directly on your smartphone. If this is not enough, why don't you go for the selfie drones that are app controlled?

• Will I find selfie drones with facial recognition?
The computer/electronic world is undergoing tremendous positive changes especially when it comes to features. Facial Recognition Software has become a popular thing with cameras and selfie drones are not left behind. However, if you want to enjoy this feature, you should be willing to pay a higher price.

• Will I get selfie drones that are waterproof?
Well, this is a consideration that drone manufacturers should consider as they innovatively upgrade their models every other day. This tells you that you will not find a waterproof drone anywhere across the globe.
However, if you are looking to take those wet selfies, you can opt for a waterproof controller. Only limited manufacturers have featured this function though.

• Can I fly my drone in a public place?
We all do not want to go about breaking the law as there are consequences for that. When it comes to drones, you are advised to fly them away from crowded places. You should fly your selfie drone 20-30 meters away from the public. Therefore, most drone users go to parks early or late in the evening.

• Are all selfie drones autonomous?
If you are looking to get yourself an autonomous selfie drone, then you should be ready to pay for it. This is because the expensive selfie drones are the models that come with automated functions. This will also make your selfie moments more thrilling and productive.

• How will I know when whatever I want on the selfie is fully included on the frame?
Most selfie drones come with a first-person view (FPV) which allows you to see what the camera views. This way, you can align the image so that your selfie can come out right.
You need to avoid the selfie drones with LOS limited selfie drones. This is because they don't give you a chance of knowing when you are in the frame or making any adjustments.

Final Thoughts


Selfies have sparked in popularity which led on to selfie sticks, but for those who want an upgrade, selfie drones are now on the market. The drones mentioned above have different features and price ranges depending on how professional you want your photos and videos to look.

The top selfie drone in terms of price and function would probably have to be the DJI Spark considering its HD video and photo resolution, stabilization, easy controls, and several different shooting modes. It can be used by amateurs and professionals alike for taking selfies or filming yourself in breathtaking landscapes during your travels.