Ultimate Drone Buying Guide for Total Beginners 2022

Best Drones for beginners that still shoot pro quality video and photos compared.
DJI Mini 2 vs. DJI Mini 3 Pro vs. Air 2S vs. Autel Evo Nano Plus vs. Mavic 3 vs. Mavic 2 Pro vs. Autel Evo II Pro K vs. DJI Inspire 2 with X5S

Link to the Editing & Cinematography drone course, includes the drone business/marketing course now too so they are just one thing.
$100 Off because I love you I guess:

If you're on a mega-budget, You can STILL get awesome footage. A mini 2 is still a really good drone and DJI told me they don't want the Mini 3 Pro and Mini 2 to compete. It isn't a replacement its just a more VIP option but the same size.
Mini 2 Pro still gets RAW format photography, 4k footage stabilized, awesome connection on the newer remote, it still kicks man.

It is a 1/2.3" sensor and shoots 12 megapixel photos but it is PLENTY to grow with. Just find it used on Craigslist, Ebay, Facebook Marketplace, Offerup for like $250 or lower.

Mini SE - $250 New
(used to be called Mavic Mini)
2.7k and JPEG photos only but can live in your pocket

Mini 2 - $450
4K, RAW photos, Great connection, really impressive for the size, convenience and ease

Mini 3 Pro - $750/$900
Get the $900 one, it is REALLY worth having a dedicated smart remote especially for this little extra.
1/1.3 inch sensor, 4K footage, vertical filming, 12 megapixel RAW photos, quietest drone so far, looks like a bug flying. Such a crazy fun experience, incredible data. They've made the footage look like it came from a bigger drone. Activetrack to follow you around if you care about that.
I've got a review on this drone already.
LOVE this thing.

Air 2S - $1000
Pay more for the Fly More kit though, you want the batteries and ND filters:
5.4K footage, 1 inch sensor and REALLY bang for your buck at $1000, such a good deal. 60fps if you care (I don't) and competes with the mavic 2 pro image. Most people in the Mini 3 Pro crowd who care a little more about quality (professionals) choose this drone.

Mavic 2 Pro - $1000 Used
King of drones up until last year. 1 inch sensor, 20 megapixel RAW photos. The holy grail, still worth it.

Autel Evo II 6K - $1100 Used
6K 1 inch sensor, 20 megapixel photos. Flies funny, default picture is weird. Have to tweak it in editing but then it is great.
I'd pick a mavic 2 pro used anyday

Mavic 3 - $2150/$2850
Get the normal version not the $5000 Cine version if you don't know what Prores format is.
There is no going back after having this drone. Unbelievable dynamic range. UNREAL stability, color, control. When it launched it was janky, but they fixed everything with firmware updates. A 7x zoom lens as a second option. Everything I have filmed has looked much better than i was anticipating while shooting.
This is for professional who want to knock anything out of the park, no limits honestly.

DJI Mini 4 - No, don't even start asking.

Inspire 2 + X5S camera - $8000+ Used
Shoots 6K RAW Video (literally filming in RAW photos)
5.2K 422 Prores and 4K Proress 4444 incase you know what that all means. Its an insanely high quality image that is mega flexible for color grading and so enjoyable just to watch ungraded b-roll with it, but man is it a pain in the butt to get out, lug around, deal with the attention and the noise it has. It's more like a once in a while, Ace in the hole to blow something out the water or shoot Stock Footage and practice cinematography. Interchangeable lenses are really nice too.

I have other videos on making money, go watch those if you need.
If you want the fastest way to get better footage, watch the Cinematography one, trust me it is very necessary.

:35 Buying a cheap drone
1:00 They are all easy
2:15 Drones Compared
3:25 Drone Quality comparison
4:12 DJI Drones
4:55 Smart Drones
5:35 Mini 2 cheapest
6:20 Evo Nano plus
8:00 Noise Test
9:05 Mavic 3 Best Drone
9:45 Sensor chart comparison
11:48 Avoid salesy words
12:34 Make a Decision
13:05 Mini 3 Pro vs Air 2S
14:30 Best experience
14:45 Fastest Way to Improve

[jorgeruz]

In my 7 years of experience with drones I've never heard somebody giving such a clear explanation of advanced concepts about the things professionals look for in a drone, and giving this info in a way that's perfectly understandable for beginners as context for the decision on which drone to get and what should be their expectations. Interesting as a pro, much more interesting, I bet, to a newcomer. Expertly done!

[ericjensen]

I've probably watched over 70+ videos on drone photography by now and all I needed was this. Simple explanation, realistic expectations, no "Buzz words". Liked and Subscribed. Awesome content dude!

[howardthompson]

This is the best review of anything i have watched for years.
I wish all reviewers watched and learned from this. No waffle, facts with experienced advice. Beautifully edited. A huge help in my drone knowledge. Thanks that man.

[tjfromnz]

This video was so incredibly helpful! I came close to spending $2k on a FPV drone and it's not what we need at all for our family videos/photos. Thank you so much for explaining all of this simply & clearly! ❤️

[evanwindom]

This is SUCH good content. No fluff, no talking to hear himself talk. Just solid, honest information from someone with no agenda other than to help people get started. He doesn't so much tell people what to buy as help match products to people's goals. Mega kudos, man! Well done.

[curiousart]

I don't even need or want another drone. I just love how this man presents. I'll watch later after my nap. Thanks for the great content.

[MrAntonioTech]

These are the BEST 17 minutes of my time in the last year! I've been also dealing with photography and have my eyes on the DJI Mini 3 Pro RC with the Screen.

Thank you for being honest about the pros and cons of the different drones and also for explaining the most important features in dealing with drones. As with photography, so is with the drones - it's not always the most expensive "toy" and its features which will bring you the best shot but what you need to know about it and how to utilize it best.

Great job!

[dougiemiller]

This review is possibly one of, if not the best, reviews of anything I've ever watched on YouTube! Just superb. Very informative, clear & concise.

[TheoWerewolf]

Dude, seriously, I have to be the crankiest YT viewer on the planet. Most drone advice or news videos p*ss me off royally because either they're SO padded with junk to fill runtime, or are 100% focused on commercial US or UK 250g+ drone use (see: snoody)...
But your videos are just freaking brilliant!
Fast. To the point. FUNNY. And totally relatable. Your advice for the beginner drone op (basically, chill man, the FAA are not coming to take away your stuff and the birds are not out to kill your drone - mostly) literally hit every single anxiety I have even after flying for almost two years. I could tell you knew what it's like.
Simply.. bravo, sir. Magnificent stuff. I wish the other YT videobloggers were half as professional and had their act together as well as you.
Thank you for taking the time to make these videos.

[kylelimeback]

I love the "no intro"

jumps right into it 👌👌

[benjaminbenavidez]

Spent so many hours looking up so many reviews and so much information on the right drones and this man painted the perfect picture in less than 17 minutes! Thank you! 🤙🏽
Tuned in for a quick review and stayed for his product knowledge

[nomdeplume]

"You show your wife, she really doesn't care" did it for me. Awesome video, learned more in 16 minutes here than weeks of research. Thank you.

[QuickAssTutorials]

His name is Mango the lovebird, he got hit by a bus on my road so he is with me until he's confident enough to fly again and go be with his colony. Kind of just does his own thing and explores

[JamesOKeefe-US]

Such an amazing presentation. I laughed out loud multiple times with the dry humor. The low key review of the mic was brilliant 🤣Hysterical but also so much knowledge and experience. Really enjoyed watching this!

[theOmarSayyed]

Holy cow. This the most straightforward and concise product advice I’ve ever watched. I wish everyone reviewed products in their respective fields in this very format.

[jyzzzy]

This was probably one the best YouTube videos. Well explained, easy to understand. No stupid nonsense and hype. WELL DONE and thank you!

[brianaarroyo]

I love it when people get to the point!

Concise, clear, simplified, perfect! Thank you so much for taking the time to educating us 💕.

[brianharrisonlightscape]

Your perspective on this industry and the tools used for it is spot on. You give honest practical advice with a dose of humor, thank you. I have taken your photo and video courses and my life is forever changed, my office is now a golf cart or RV and I'm making more $ than when I lived a life of stressful workaholism. If your ever in DC I would love to buy you a beer. Cheers.

[stevedawson]

The best summary of how to chose a drone I have ever seen based on goals, limits & expectations. Thank you for expressing a real opinion.

[shaunmckinley]

Amazing content, well packaged, and answered questions I never even knew I had. Thank you for making my first amateur drone purchasing plan so much easier. You obviously know exactly what you're talking about