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This post was last updated on: July 1, 2021
Drones can make great Christmas gifts. However, if you’ve never bought one before, it can be overwhelming to sift through all of the available options.
Drones come in many different sizes and at many different price points. Some are beginner-friendly while others require some previous flight experience. However, don’t let all of this information turn you away from giving someone in your life a great Christmas gift.
We’ve created this list to help you decide which drone will make the best present this Christmas.
Our Top 3 Christmas Drones Deals
- ☑️ 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐓 𝐏𝐎𝐖𝐄𝐑: The Altair Aerial Dagger is compact and ready to go with you on any...
- ☑️ 𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓: Weighing in at under 250g, the Altair Aerial Dagger is one of the best...
- ☑️ 𝐒𝐓𝐔𝐍𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐈𝐌𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐒: With an onboard 4K UHD camera, you'll impress your friends...
1. RUKO U11 - #1 Christmas Drone
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The Ruko U11 quadcopter is small in stature but its performance punches above its weight class!
This drone will surprise you with the range of high-quality features it manages to stack on its tiny frame.
It comes with it all that's needed to make it easy for beginner pilots but also put a smile on the faces of experienced drone fliers.
The best part is that you won’t have to spend a fortune to get it, which makes the Ruko U11 our top choice for the best drone present this Christmas season.
Specifications:
According to the manufacturer, the U11 will stay in the air for 20 minutes, although testing it in real-world conditions reveals that it can only manage 18 minutes.
This is more than you can ask from an under $200 quad and a credit to the 7.4V lithium polymer battery the drone is fitted with.
The upgraded modular battery pack typically lasts longer compared to other standard batteries and only requires 2.5 hours of charging to regain full power.
What will impress you even more about this package is that it comes with an extra battery. This is to say that you get double the flight time for unlimited fun while flying the U11.
The drone can also be controlled to a maximum range of 300m with the help of its dedicated controller. This is compact, basic, and feels ergonomic in your palms.
It is also designed with smartphone mounts that come in handy when you want to fly the drone via FPV view.
With FPV, the control range is reduced to 150m but the experience is pretty immersive for the pilot. There is a GPS-supported Auto-Return function that serves to bring the drone back home every time the signal is interrupted or when the battery is running empty.
Camera:
The U11 impresses with a 4K camera that can record 2K videos and shoot 4K stills. A 90-degree adjustable lens on the camera provides you with different viewing angles while a uniaxial gimbal serves to absorb shock in breezy situations and keep the camera steady for stable and high-quality photography.
Although there are more advanced gimbals in the market, this should do for an entry-level drone.
Furthermore, the Optical Positioning System proves crucial when recording footage.
The drone features a micro SD card slot that can accommodate a 32GB memory card, but you’ll have to buy this separately.
Features:
Multiple GPS-enabled flight functions on the Ruko U11 help to make flying this drone a walk in the park, especially for inexperienced pilots.
The Optical Flow Positioning feature stands out for those who like to take aerial selfies. It keeps the drone hovering precisely in one position for steady and crystal-clear images.
There is also a One-click takeoff/landing button that enables you to get the drone in the air with just a simple tap.
Additionally, the Auto Return is a useful failsafe feature for error-prone rookies while the Follow Me mode allows the drone to stalk your movements and record dramatic footage.
Other features that add to the fun of flying the U11 include Circle Fly, Point of Interest, Tap Fly, as well as GPS Hold.
Considering that you’re getting all these on a drone that will cost you less than $200, it is safe to say that the Ruko U11 offers a great bang for the buck!
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2. Altair Aerial Dagger
The Altair Aerial Dagger comes in a compact and foldable design that will be perfect to take on all kinds of adventures, making for the perfect Christmas present.
It also weighs under 250g, so there is no need to deal with the bureaucracy of registering with the FAA.
Size and weight aside, the Altair Dagger uses an array of high-quality features to enable it to move swiftly in the air and shoot professional-level footage.
Specifications:
The Altair Dagger boats a fair share of decent specs. It can stay in the air for up to 15 minutes, but you can always get an extra battery to extend your playtime.
This is enhanced by the intelligent battery charger the package comes with, which can fully recharge the battery in just 2.5hours, as well as charge two batteries simultaneously.
The Dagger is fitted with brushless motors that can push the quadcopter to a top speed of 32km/h, which should be a thrill for any budding drone racer.
Its 300m maximum control range is also pretty respectable at this price range.
Another thing to appreciate about this drone is that its lightweight and compact design exempts you from FAA registration.
You can easily tuck it inside your small backpack and take it with you anywhere your Christmas adventures lead you.
Camera:
The Altair Dagger shoots stunning images and videos thanks to its 4K UHD camera.
It features a 1/ 2.7 CMOS image sensor that elevates the quality of footage while its wide-angle 120 degrees lens can be tilted 90 degrees to offer different shooting angles.
Thanks to the Optimal Flow Positioning System, the drone will maintain a stable hover in mid-air to make for steady and clear images.
This provides you with the perfect opportunity to record all your Christmas memories like a pro!
Features:
One of the notable features of the Dagger drone is the efficient brushless motors, which keep the quad agile in the air and allow it to operate stealthily.
You’ll also appreciate the smart Return-to-Home fail-safe features, available in three different homes.
The drone will return home when the signal is lost, when the power is very low, and when you press the return button on the controller.
This helps to give beginner pilots peace of mind when they are flying the Dagger and ensures that their mistakes do not end up being costly.
The Altair Dagger also incorporates various intelligent GPS features to make the most of your flying experience.
Get to enjoy exciting modes like Follow Me mode, Orbit mode, and Waypoints when you download the M RC PRO App on your phone.
Finally, the Optical Flow Stabilization System on the Dagger serves to position the drone accurately for safer flights.
An Optical Flow Lens fitted under the quad acts like a back-up system whenever there is a weak GPS signal.
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If you need a Christmas gift for a serious drone lover in your life, consider the DJI Mavic 2 Pro. This is the best camera drone on the market, and it is well worth its high price tag. Not only does it have a great camera, but it comes with many other professional capabilities. While it may be somewhat difficult for a beginner pilot, the Mavic 2 Pro is perfect for any experienced pilot.
Specifications:
The Mavic 2 Pro provides pilots with an astounding 31 minutes of flight time and can reach speeds of nearly 45 mph while in sport mode. It also has obstacle sensing features to help prevent damage and keep you and others safe.
Camera:
The camera on this drone is extremely high-quality and shoots 10-bit HRD Video. It can take wide-angle shots, timelapse videos, panoramas, and uses HDR technology to capture the best footage. It’s camera capabilities definitely make the Mavic 2 Pro stand out from the rest.
Features:
This drone is all about shooting photos and videos. It also has fail-safe features to help pilots have an easy flight, such as automatic return-to-home. You get many great professional features that make this drone well worth its hefty price tag.
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4. DJI Mavic Mini 2
DJI Have recently launched an upgrade to one of their best and most affordable models, the Mavic Mini.
The Mavic Mini 2 is a new and improved version of the compact, under 250g drone that still requires no FAA registration.
Just how compact this drone is cannot be understated, it's foldable and easy to carry around with you everywhere you go.
The Mavic Mini 2 also brings high quality video resolution and stabilty, as well as class leading flight range and duration from the Mavic series to the under $500 price range.
The Mavic 2 boasts everything you need to truly experience an out of this world performance.
From beginners to experts, the Mini 2 is a wonder in any hands. Even a baby can fly this thing
Specifications:
The Mavic Mini 2 has an incredible control range of just around 10km! It's predeccessor, the Mavic Mini had a range of just 4km in comparison.
The flight time for the Mini 2 is still just as impressive as the Mini's. You get 31 minutes of flight time with this drone per battery charge.
However, one of the more impressive feats of the Mavic Mini 2 is it's ability to keep stability in level 5 winds at an altitude of up to 4000 meters!
Camera:
Located on the front of this drone is it's quite impressive camera. The high-quality camera is supported by a three-axis motorized gimbal, and fitted with a 1/2.3-inch sensor.
The camera is capable of capturing footage at a 4K Quad HD resolution, with a 30fps frame rate, an upgrade from the Mini's 2.7K HD Resolution.
It can also shoot 1080p video at 60fps. Moreover, it’s capable of capturing 12MP images, as well.
The drone of course, can also transmit Live Video in high-quality, real-time with 0 latency, from a stunning range of 10km! The best FPV experience you can get from a drone within this budget.
Features:
Just like the original Mavic Mini, this long-range, long flight time drone measures in under 250 g. This means you will not have to register this drone with the FAA! That's kind of a big deal for us, and a big reason why we are so excited about this done.
It also comes with the same, but improved, safety-oriented features:
For instance, the integrated altitude limit prevents you from getting carried away, all the while being able to resist Level 5 winds at a whopping altitude of 4km!
A return home function kicks in automatically when the battery gets critically low – and ensures that your drone comes home safely.
I had my doubts about its mid-air performance, considering its lightweight frame. However, I couldn’t have been more wrong:
It felt stable and precise at all times, partially due to the downward vision sensors that allow it to detect the ground for safer landings, as well as more stable flights and hovering.
Are there any downsides, though?
The one trade-off that I should mention is that it doesn’t come with object tracking. I wouldn’t be too surprised to see this feature added as a part of a future update, though.
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5. BOMPOW Mini Drone
Toy drones make great Christmas gifts for kids and are often cheaper and easy to use. The BOMPOW mini drone is hand-controlled and provides a unique flight experience for kids. While less expensive and quite small, there are still some great features that pilots will enjoy and if you are shopping for more than one child, consider buying a couple of these so they can play together.
Specifications:
You only get about 8 minutes in the air with this toy drone, which is expected for a toy of this size and price. It also only takes about 40 minutes to charge which isn’t that long compared to other toy drones so you can get in the air quicker.
Camera:
Because of its size and price point, there is no camera included with the BOMPOW Mini Drone.
Features:
Despite the lack of camera, there are still some great features packed into this tiny toy drone. It has two speed modes so you can start off slow before moving into the faster speed. It also has an auto sensor to prevent it from running into walls and other obstacles. It’s so easy to use and makes a great gift for kids.
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6. Betheaces Induction Helicopter Drone
This is a unique toy drone that flies with a light up crystal ball. It’s great for kids who are flying toy drones for the first time, and it doesn’t require a complicated remote control. You can control this helicopter drone with your hands. The light up crystal ball is exciting to watch fly around the room or the yard.
Specifications:
Kids can enjoy flying this toy helicopter drone for about 10 minutes. This is the kind of battery life you’d expect from a drone at this price.It’s light-weight and uses motion-sensors to fly. Plus, it only takes 30 minutes to fully charge.
Camera:
This helicopter drone does not include a camera.
Features:
This drone costs less than $10 making it a great gift for any kid who may have a budding interest in drones. It’s easy to control and is quite durable for it’s small size. It’s exciting to watch this drone light up and fly.
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7. HASAKEE RC Quadcopter
This drone is bright yellow and black and resembles a bumble bee making it an exciting Christmas gift. It’s affordable yet still comes with some nice flight features that are often seen in more expensive drones. This includes a camera and multiple speed modes that make this drone easy to fly depending on the pilot’s skill level.
Specifications:
This is a tiny toy drone that will give you about 8 minutes of flight time. The manufacturer does offer extra batteries for kids and users who are wanting to fly for longer.
Camera:
The camera is not the highest quality which you can expect from a drone that costs less than $50. However, it does have FPV flying capabilities for you to stream live video or take photos.
Features:
This toy Quadcopter has three different speed modes ranging from slow, intermediate, and fast so pilots can fly the drone depending on their preferred speed and skill level. It also has altitude hold to keep it stable in the air and a one-key landing function. These are all great features for a drone of this price.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy drones?
Drones can be bought online from stores such as Amazon or manufacturer’s websites. You can also shop in store at places like Best Buy and other tech retailers.
Are there any deals on drones around Christmas time?
You can often find deals and discounts on drones starting around Black Friday that often times will run up until Christmas.
Which drones make the best Christmas gifts?
It depends on who you’re buying for, but a mid-range consumer drone with beginner-friendly features is usually a good route to take if you’re unsure. This list can also help you decide!
About the Author: Ruan Nelio
When I'm not geeking out over the newest drones, I'm busy flying my DJI Mavic 2 Pro all over Oslo. The coolest part about this job is I get to keep some of the drones I review, which happens to be how I got my Mavic 2!
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Last update on 2021-07-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API