8.1 What Drone should I get?

We get this question enough that we’ve developed a dedicated page for it here: Need to Pick a Drone. Check out this page for recommendations on everything from cheap drones to research drones.

Due to recent regulatory actions, we recommend buying only drones fully manufactured within the US

8.1.1 Drones to Avoid

We like drones, but not all drones are equal. If you’re looking for a drone, check out the Need to Pick a Drone page, but if you’re looking for advice before you start looking, heed these words of wisdom: It’s always worth getting the right tool for the job; get a reputable drone from a reputable manufacturer.

DJI and AUTEL - DJI and Autel produce excellent drones, but recent U.S. legislation targeting Chinese-made technology has raised concerns. Federal funding cannot be used for drones manufactured in China, and both DJI and Autel are banned future FCC licensing - no new models can be sold in the US. While you can still find some of these drones available, we do not recommend purchasing due to the potential lack of future support.

Off-Brand Drones or foreign drones - Most off-brand or no-name drones made overseas, often found in the bargain sections of Amazon or other retailers, tend to underperform and are likely to end support in the coming year due to FCC regulations. While it’s hard to provide a definitive list, the old saying applies: if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.