Looking to buy a drone for yourself or as a gift? There are plenty of places available to you when it comes to choosing where you want to buy your next drone. Whether you’re looking for a budget deal or the top-of-the-range models, there’s a retail option to suit everyone.
Let’s take a quick look at all of the places where you can currently buy a new or used drone.
Which Drone Brands Should I Look For?
Thanks to the massive boom drone use has seen over the last decade or so, drone manufacturers have cropped up by the dozen. That means there are quite a lot of options to choose from, but it also means a bit of homework is required to get a good drone (and at a good price).
Keep in mind that not all drone brands are equally trusted for their quality materials or drone software. Just like with any other high-tech gadget, it’s important to look at reviews of different brands as well as the drone models you’re considering before buying. That last part is especially important, because, although a drone brand may be popular, not all of their drones are necessarily great.
Some of the best drone brands currently on the market are:
- DJI
- Parrot
- Force1
- Autel Robotics
- Yuneec
- SYMA
These brands tend to sell a wide range of models that will cater to different budgets and flying needs. There are also some great niche drone brands that focus on specific areas, like Altair Aerial that sells high-quality toy drones, and Team Black Sheep which focuses on racing drones.
The Best Online Platforms to Buy a Drone (For All Budgets)
Drones are popular enough now to be a staple feature on most popular electronics retailers’ websites.
Drone manufacturers’ websites. For example, DJI sells its drones straight from its own online DJI Store. You’ll likely find better deals here than most anywhere else too because there’s no additional markup from a reseller that’s added their own overhead. The only downside is that they do not ship everywhere.
Online retailers. Amazon, AliExpress and the like do sell a wide variety of drones spanning all popular consumer models and brands. Next to buying directly from the manufacturer (where available) this will probably be your best bet for finding a good deal on a new drone. Be sure to look out for promotions and coupons as this can help bring the price down even more. Price comparison websites could be a big help too for finding the best deal online.
Resellers. It’s entirely possible to find a good deal on a used drone on websites like eBay. Of course, be sure to do due diligence when shopping for a used drone or even a new one from a reseller. You don’t want to fall for any scams, price gouging, or find that the item you bought isn’t exactly as promised. Drones are pretty hardy, but there could be internal damage from a crash and you wouldn’t know it until you start flying.
Physical Retail Stores. Specialty drone stores exist all over. Retailers like Best Buy and hobby stores like Drone Nerds are fantastic options to find good deals on drones of all kinds when shopping in-person.
