Key Points

  • When choosing the best follow-me drone, there are several factors to consider, including price, flight time, and portability, among others. The DJI Mavic 3 was voted the best overall follow-me drone. If budget is a concern, the Potensic T25 may be for you.

Shopping for the best “follow me” drone for your adventures can be daunting. On any day, you’d have to explore different drones and sift through a ton of information before making a decision. Buy the right drone, and you’ll capture those once-in-a-lifetime moments. Get the wrong drone, and your money will go down the drain.

© VY Media/Shutterstock.com

After some weeks of sleuthing, we’ve come up with a list of the best follow-me drones that shoot videos, plus some insight on choosing the best drones. Here are the top models in 2022.

  • Best overall: DJI Mavic 3Best for beginners: DJI Mini 2Best for the pros: Yuneec Typhoon H PlusBest for budget: Potensic T25Best for traveling: Parrot Anafi

Best Overall Follow Me Drone: DJI Mavic 3

DJI Mavic 3is our best overall follow me drone thanks to amazing camera, flight time, and tracking/obstacle avoidance capabilities.

The Mavic 3 breaks the rules with a 46-minute flight time and an impressive transmission range of 9.3 miles. The image quality of this unit is second to none, with a 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad camera and 5.1k video. Omnidirectional object navigation helps you navigate a complex environment. No matter your location, you’re sure to get the best footage possible on your next adventure.

When shopping for the Mavic 3, ensure that you look at all three packages. The standard is a stripped-down kit that gives you the bare minimum to get started. With the Mavic 3 Cine Premium Combo, you’ll have a setup that is fit for the pros. The advanced technology and usability do come with a price, though, adding about $3000 to the standard package.

Best for Beginners: DJI Mini 2

Weighing 249 grams, the DJI Mini 2 has most features a beginner drone pilot and content creator would need and is small enough to fit into your hand.

  • 【PACK LIGHT, FLY FREE】: at less than 249 g, it weighs about as much as an apple and fits in the palm of your hand. compact and convenient, this small drone is your ideal travel companion,…【3-AXIS GIMBAL WITH 4K CAMERA】: a 12mp camera in the sky delivers content guaranteed to impress. along with 4k/30fps video and a 3-axis motorized gimbal, mini 2 ensures stunning image quality that…【OCUSYNC 2.0 VIDEO TRANSMISSION】: mini 2 supports up to 10km of hd video transmission and has excellent anti-interference capabilities, giving you the ability to fly farther and see clearer.【POWERFUL PERFORMANCE】: with a max battery life of 31 minutes, dji mini 2 grants more than enough time to compose the perfect shot. mini 2 can resist level 5 winds and take off at a max altitude…【4X ZOOM】: there’s no need to get so close for your dream shot. 4x digital zoom makes it safer and more convenient when transitioning between shots of varying distance and composition. Operating…

Mini 2 for beginners isn’t just affordable but simple to repair if you do crash. If you’re little unit crashes while learning, you can fix it. However, the Mini 2 does not have obstacle avoidance technology. So, for beginners, it’s going to force you to learn how to fly a drone, which is a good thing.

The DJI Mini 2 has a 4K 30 camera that can capture 12MP photos, 31-minute flight time, and 4X zoom, which is not bad for a drone in this price range. Most pricier models in 2022 have obstacle recognition but do cost a lot more. So, as a newbie, the Mini 2 is a great place to start.

Best Follow Me Drones for Professionals: Yuneec Typhoon H Plus

Yuneec Typhoon H Plus is ideal for drone enthusiasts looking to capture their wild rides, greatest stunts, and memorable trips in HD.

  • Capture 4K Video and 20MP Photos. 360-Degree Image and Video Capture. 3-Axis Sensor-Driven Image StabilizationUp to 1 Mile 2.4/5.8 GHz Wi-Fi Range. Flight Controller with 7" Touch Screen.Up to 30 Minutes of Flight Time.Intel RealSense Collision Avoidance. Intelligent Autonomous Flight Modes.Can Withstand Winds up to 35 mph. 5-Rotor Fail Safe Mode.

Equipped with a C23 4K UHD camera, Yuneec Typhon can produce top-notch video and quality stills. The large aperture 1-inch camera takes 20-megapixel stills and 4K footage at 60fps. Anyone with basic drone experience can use it to shoot amazing pictures and videos.

The Yuneec Typhoon has a flight time of 28 minutes in normal weather conditions and is a stable flight in winds up to 30mph. RealSense Technology minimizes collisions. Two batteries, ST16S smart controller, charging accessories, and a travel backpack are all included in the drone’s package.

Best If You’re on a Tight Budget: Potensic T25

Coming in at under $200, is an affordable and functional drone. It’s the perfect UAV for beginners with cash concerns.

  • 2K, 120 FOV, 75 ADJUSTABLE WIDE ANGLE: Wider vision and fluent transmission help to capture clear photos and stable videos. WiFi connection provides fast and vivid FPV image.GPS ASSIST FLY: Follow Me Mode and dual GPS free your hands while GPS drone automatically follow you, simultaneously capturing all the videos & photos. Beside, Potensic T25 drone will fly as you want…CONVENIENT AND EASY FOR BEGINNERS: Headless Mode, Altitude Mode and One Key to Take-off / Land functions make access to kids or beginners easier.SAFE AUTO RETURN: Equipped with Dual GPS, the drone can hover in air for easy control. It also can automatically return home once you press RTH button, which is effective measures to prevent loss of…2 BATTERIES: 2*Modular 1000 mAh batteries can support up to 300m control range. You can go farther and see broader. Great drones for adults.

Potensic T25 is equipped with a high-res Wifi camera for live videos. For better shots, you can adjust the camera in flight. This camera has a follow-me capability, auto home return, two batteries, and a carrying case for travel.

Be aware that at this price, the Potensic T25 has a flight time of only 10 minutes. The Customized Flight Path feature allows the pilot to enter a predetermined path for the drone with their smartphone. This feature can help you avoid obstacles and get the exact footage you want.

Best Follow Me Drone for Travel: Parrot Anafi

  • This drone with a camera equipped with f/2.4 wide angle ASPH lens, HDR, and up to 2.8 times digital zoom captures spectacular 4K videos, Full HD or 2.7K videos (2704x1520), and 21 MP photos without…The ANAFI Parrot Drone can have up to 25 minutes of filmed flight time thanks to an intelligent Li-Po battery that optimizes its life and charges 60% faster using the Power Delivery USB Type C…With its ultra-compact and lightweight carbon frame (320 g), this quadcopter drone unfolds in less than 3 seconds, reaches a speed of 55 km/h in sport mode and withstands bullets up to 50 km/hEquipped with a Parrot Skycontroller 3 folding remote control, the ANAFI Parrot Drone can be located at any time thanks to the activation of your smartphone’s vibrator when attention or immediate…Software updates can make changes to existing features, further enhance ANAFI’s reliability and performance, or offer new experiences. It is therefore important to have an updated FreeFlight 6…

Anafi foldable drone has a 21-megapixel camera and comes with three package options: Base, Extended, and FPV. Its kit has a ton of extras, including FPV Cockpitglasses 3, to put you in the pilot’s spot for an immersive experience. Once it goes airborne, you can stream live in 4K Full HD for an entire 25-minute flight time.

Regardless of the package, you’ll get the same benefits of this small drone for travel. When folded for transport, the Anafi measures 9.6 by 2.6 by 2.5 inches. It’s also lightweight, coming in at just over 11 ounces. And, with USB charging, there is no need to carry a clunky extra battery charger.

We appreciate its extra small travel size, but the camera positioning is the real star of the show. A 3-axis gimbal gives allows you to move the camera up or down to get footage from extra vantage points.

How to Pick the Best Follow Me Drone

When shopping for a drone, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. Let’s look at five key things to key consider so you can get a perfect match.

Price

The first step is to decide how much you’re willing or have to spend. With a huge range of prices from under $200 to $5000, this should be your natural first priority.

Flight Time

Think about what you intend to use your drone for. This goes hand in hand with price. Spending less money on a cheaper drone with a shorter flight time means less enjoyment and adventure.

Obstacle Avoidance

Some of the drones on our list have obstacle avoidance, and some don’t. Evaluate the types of environments you’ll be operating and decide on the right drone. For mostly open areas, this is not a huge concern. If your videography involves a lot of trees, canyons, tunnels, and the like, then this can be a major feature to consider.

Portability

Are you going to be close to home most of the time, or do your adventures take you all over the globe? If it’s the latter, then definitely consider one of the smaller, foldable models made for travel.

Upgrade Costs

Always make sure you double-check the accessories that come with each drone package. When you start adding all the extras not included in the specs, the price can go up dramatically.

What to Know Before Buying a Follow Me Drone

Much like anything else, find out what is actually available on the market. This may seem like an easy task, but it’s complicated when you get caught up in the marketing hype. One important thing to keep in mind about drones is they are not toys. A drone can be dangerous if used improperly. Learn to operate them safely first before you go out.

©VY Media/Shutterstock.com

Obstacle avoidance is also an issue if you’re going to be in areas with lots of obstructions as your drone follows you through the wilderness or city street. Crashing your drones will cost more in the long run than upgrading in the first place.

Using a “Follow Me” Drone: What’s It Like?

Once you buy a drone, you can start your adventures. The right drone will follow you and shoot quality videos and photos that you can share with the world. You also get the benefit of having a record of the exciting things you have done and your outdoor feats.

A good drone also gives you unique views of all your experiences that you wouldn’t normally have with only a subjective point of view. No matter what your hobby or passion is, a good follow-me drone is an awesome partner to take on all your journeys.

Up Next…

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