When you’re searching for the best quadcopter for video, you’re going to want to stick with popular name brand models, and avoid rip-off clones that won’t work properly. Look for the best manufacturers of quadcopters, such as DJI, Walkera, and Parrot.

These three make the best professional video drones, and as long as you spend time learning how to pilot them, they’re going to reward you with professional quality video perfect for your business.

Quick Comparison Table & Our Pick!

The best quadcopter for professional video can be used for a variety of business enterprises, and a few more not even thought up yet. They’re perfect for filming outdoor weddings, events, real estate listings, outdoor recreational and sporting events, and more.

Here are five of the best professional video drones that will film the best video for your entertainment or business enterprise.

DJI Phantom 3

Check Price Of DJI Phantom 3 On Amazon

The DJI Phantom 3 is a professional quadcopter with an HD camera that hangs from the underside, and is the latest release from DJI. This drone has a white finish with gold metallic markings and white propellers. Two tall stands on the underside protect the camera during landing. The camera records UHD video and there is a fully stabilized three axis gimbal to prevent shaking while filming scenes or events.

The Lightbridge digital streaming technology will enable you to watch a live video feed while your quadcopter is soaring through the air. The Lightbridge app will work for either iOS or Android systems. Log in and watch the live action right on your smart phone.

You’ll also have complete camera control from your iPhone, Android, or tablet device. You can even share your live action video directly from the app to your social media accounts, so your friends can see the fun you’re having.

This best quadcopter for video will also record 720 p full resolution video to your SD card so you can download it and use it for later. You can switch out the SD card for another if you wish to record additional video.

The camera on this quadcopter for video will also allow you to digitally zoom in three times, and optically zoom to one times, with a minimum and maximum focal length of 20.

It’s possible to fly your DJI Phantom 3 indoors as well. It has vision positioning that allows for stable indoor flight, so your walls and furniture don’t get wrecked. This technology features optical and ultrasonic sensors that allow for precision indoor flying, without a GPS signal which is used outdoors.

The DJI Phantom has an auto takeoff feature, as well as an auto landing feature. It has a built-in database of no-fly zones so that you won’t accidentally fly your quadcopter over military or airport territories.

The DJI Phantom 3 comes with a long lasting flight battery, and a rechargeable remote controller that does not need wasteful disposable batteries. The DJI Phantom is ready to fly out of the box. You don’t need to put together any complicated kits. There is also a mobile device holder so you won’t have to worry about dropping your phone or tablet during flight.

Walkera QR X350 Pro

Check Price Of Walkera X350 Pro On Amazon

Another great choice for best quadcopter for video is the Walkera QR X350 Pro. It comes in a standard white plastic finish so you can keep an eye on it from a distance, and it has the camera on the underside of its main body to keep it protected from trees, walls, and landings.

This Walkera QR X350 Pro quadcopter has a great hover mode that enables it to remain in one position up in the air, even if it’s a windy day. It’ll hold steady, until you let it continue on its journey.

Another great feature is the return to home function. This feature will bring your Walkera drone back to starting position for you. Its memory will recall its starting position, and navigate back to home. This is a great function to have when you’re getting tired at the end of a flight and just want to go home. No need to carefully steer your quadcopter back with this function.

This quadcopter takes about fifteen minutes to completely assemble out of the box. It’s simple to calibrate, just read the enclosed instruction book. It’s also easy to maintain, and has a solid body. It’s quite durable, and can withstand a few bumpy landings. If flown properly, it should come down nice and soft.

The Walkera can fly extremely fast so if you’re just learning, this may not be the best quadcopter for video for you, as you may lose it or damage it during flight. It’s best to work your way up to this drone, so you may wish to start with a cheaper model. You can fly it with the IOC–Intelligent Orientation Control.

This means that you don’t need to figure out which way is front on your quadcopter. It is smart enough to figure it out on its own. Of course you can turn off this feature if you feel like you’re a flying pro.

This quadcopter weighs about two pounds, making it a lighter choice than the DJI Phantom 3. The iLook video camera and G-2D gimbal are included. Download video to your computer at home. A 5200mAh LiPo battery and charger are also included in the box.

It can take about fourteen hours to charge up your Walkera, so you may wish to buy a faster charger if you plan on taking it out on a lot of flights during the week.

DJI Inspire 1

Check Price Of Parrot Bebop On Amazon

Another great best quadcopter for video is the Parrot BeBop. This fun quadcopter is available in a medium blue and black finish. The camera is actually built into the body of the drone, keeping it better protected.

You won’t have to worry about hitting your camera on something and having it pop off the bottom, as it’s built in. There are two blue propellers, and two black, so you can easily find your forward orientation while flying. There are four O shaped feet that you quadcopter will be able to safely land on.

The Parrot’s video camera is fourteen megapixels and full HD resolution at 1080 p. It has a fisheye camera for great video and shots of scenery.

The camera is on a three axis image stabilization system, preventing shaky video. You can record videos and pictures with your Parrot BeBop drone. The image range is on a one hundred and eighty degree field of view. You’ll be surprised at the exceptional resolution that the BeBop records.

The Parrot BeBop has some special features to enhance your flying experience. The return home function will get your drone back home if you’ve lost sight of it, or are getting tired at the end of your flying day.

Other controls include a high altitude function, great for flying over tall trees and around hills and mountains.

Combined with the Freeflight 3 app, you can watch live streaming video on your smart device, and use the intuitive application controls. This free application is available on iOS, Android, and Windows 8.1 devices.

There are two lithium ion batteries in the box, to double your flying time. The Parrot BeBop weighs around three pounds. It can also safely be flown indoors.

DJI Phantom 2

Check Price Of DJI Phantom 2 On Amazon

The DJI Phantom 2 is the predecessor to the Phantom 3, and is another of the best quadcopter for video drones. The Phantom 2 comes in a white finish with red stripes. The camera fits below the body and is protected by two rectangular shaped legs.

It comes with a built in gimbal, the Zenmuse H3-3D three axis gimbal, which allows for camera stability, and perfect video recording that is free from shakes, bumps, or blurring. You’ll have to purchase your own video camera as the DJI Phantom 2 does not come with one.

If you plan on using this best quadcopter for video, you’ll need to install the gimbal. If not, you can leave it in the box. Instructions are included, and it can take up to thirty minutes to install. But once it’s on, it’ll be sturdy and support whichever type of video camera you wish.

Your three axis gimbal will handle the three main dimensions of flight: yaw, pitch, and roll. You can attach three different types of video cameras to the Phantom 2 gimbal: GoPro Hero 3, Hero 3+, and Hero 4. You may wish to check the specs to see if other cameras are compatible for installation.

A gimbal control dial on the controller will enable you to make minute adjustments to the camera, while it’s in flight. The gimbal will provide power for the video camera from a mini USB port.

The Phantom 2 has some built-in safety features to prevent damage to your professional video drone. An anti-static compass shell will protect your best quadcopter for video from electrical damage and blackouts.

There is also a return to home function that can be activated when you wish to bring it back to its starting position. If for any reason the DJI Phantom 2 loses its connection to the radio controller, a failsafe will activate and it will automatically start flying back to home. It will land automatically.

Special features on this quadcopter include an altitude flight mode and a GPS flight mode. You can charge up your Phantom 2 and it can run for twenty to twenty-five minutes of drone flight time, enabling you to fly it out further than other drones.

The lithium ion battery is removable so you can switch it out for a fully charged one, and increase your flying time. The battery contains the latest circuitry, and there is even a charge remaining indicator so you know if you should be flying it over a body of water, or replacing the battery with a fully charged one.

The Phantom 2 has an easy control layout, so soon you’ll be mastering the flight of your drone, and taking great video too. Without a camera attached, your flying drone will weigh around nine pounds. The remote control transmitter has a rechargeable battery pack, so you won’t need to worry about carrying around a bunch of disposable batteries in your bag. 

Something like a conclusion

When choosing the best quadcopter for video, you’re going to be overwhelmed with choices. Carefully read through features for each quadcopter to see whether their features will work with your intended quadcopter usage.

If you’re just buying the best quadcopter for video for fun, then any of these five choices are perfect for you – let decides your pocket. But if you want great video to film weddings, or scenery that will be used for commercial purposes, you may want to ensure your expectations meet with the quadcopter’s specs.

After you have purchased your first flying drone be sure to read through the instructions a few times before getting started. If it’s your first drone, you may wish to enlist the help of an experienced friend.

You can also join a flying drone club where people can offer advice and assistance. Since you’ve made a significant investment, you’ll want to learn slowly, so you don’t wreck your drone before it has a chance to make money for you.

Once you’re an expert pilot, you’re going to love flying your best quadcopter for video around the neighborhood, or for your professional video needs. You may even wish to try two or more, and build up your flying drone collection.

In any case, enjoy your drone and produce awesome video!

Editor Notes:

Even though a quadcopter drone's choice depends on your purpose, we highly recommend drones with the highest video resolution for clear images.  The video capture resolution for DJI Phantom 3 Professional is 4k, which is four times clearer than the 1080p units on our list. It is perfect for long-range flying, which takes about 23 minutes before the next battery charge.

The DJI Pilot app's advanced features allow you to share the real-time video as you fly the drone. Additionally, the built-in safety database of no-fly zones feature means your drone will not take off to the restricted areas, thus preventing you from federal agencies fines.

Because of these advanced features, the DJI Phantom 3 Professional price is slightly higher, but you get the best video overall.

Quick Comparison Table & Our Pick

The Best Drones With GoPro In The Market For The Money

Continuing in the DJI series is their new release – the DJI Mavic Air. This is yet another remarkable quadcopter from the labs at DJI and became the first major invention in the drone industry in 2018.

The new Mavic Air is equipped with various high-end features to ensure high performance. If you are looking for a highly portable and foldable drone for your next adventure, then the Mavic Air is the best option for you. Read on to find out more about this drone in this updated DJI Mavic Air review for 2018. 

DJI Mavic Air:

The Design  

The Mavic Air has a foldable, compact design that is even smaller than Mavic Pro’s. The DJI Mavic Air is actually half the size of other models in the DJI stable, which makes it the most portable model in the DJI series yet. Although it may not fit in your pants pockets, it can comfortably fit in your jacket pockets. 

DJI has also added Air vents to its new model in order to make it more streamlined. Weighing just 430 grams, the Mavic Air will hardly be a burden during your next adventure. 

What’s more, the remote controller has detachable sticks that can be easily attached to the controller for enhanced portability.

Apart from the folding design, the Mavic Air also takes the 4K camera from DJI’s previous models. There are 7 cameras altogether to help the drone keep track of any obstacles and the surrounding environment. DJI asserts that its great capabilities and optimal algorithms will help create a superior 3D map of the surroundings, as well as more accurate hovering and better flight performance. 

The unit also features object detection at the back and on the front, which has been enhanced to around 20MP. So expect to have far much fewer accidents. 

The new Mavic Air has recently created APAS (Advanced Piloting Assistance Systems) for better object evasion, changing its flight path to aggressively fly around or over objects instead of simply coming to an abrupt stop. 

Key Features of the Mavic Air Fly More Combo

• Foldable design for enhanced portability
• Easy to control through controller or the DJI GO 4 app. 
• Ability to take panoramic photos at 32MP 
• Flight autonomy to enhance accident avoidance and superior stability. 
• Offers six QuickShot options to choose from 
• Either charging pad or USBN options 
• 2 minute flight time 
• Capture 32 MP Panoramic Images 

Get the Mavic Air flying and you will agree that it is truly worth it. Equipped with a 4K camera and 3D sensors, the new Mavic Air captures excellent images and is easy and safe to get airborne.  

In approximately 8 seconds, the drone can easily capture 25 images to create a 32MP image clear panorama to match 180 degrees, Vertical and Horizontal Panoramas. 

Quality Video Modes 

Without doubt, common with any modern photography drone is the performance of the video modes and gimbals’ ability to serve its purpose of preventing the anomalous movement. The previous DJI models have shown great performance in this area and the Mavic Air definitely lives up to the expectations in this category.  The Air offers various recording resolutions, including 1080p @ 120fps, 2.7K @ 60fps and 4K @ 30fps. 

It is important to note that there is an increase on the 1080p and 2.7 K resolutions, but the rate on the 4K resolution has not been changed. Although many people would most likely choose to capture in 4k as much as possible, the quality has been greatly enhanced. 

Practical Good Looks

The new DJI model combines elegant design elements with the great performance you would expect from this leading manufacturer. The seven integrated cameras are enhanced by magnesium brackets. The gimbal camera is recessed for enhanced protection while the rear vents prevent the buildup of heat inside. All these features  of the Mavic Air ensure a great and portable drone that will suit your exact needs. 

3DR IRIS+

The 3DR IRIS + is made by the 3D Robotics company. It has a steep price of $600, and doesn’t include a mount or a camera, so it doesn’t qualify as a cheap Drone for GoPro, but it certainly can have that functionality added if you wish. The Iris has a black oval body and two black and two blue arms, which will aid with navigation. There are four black propellers, and 2 blue and 2 black ladder-shaped landing feet.

The overall look of the Iris + is like a squished narrow design. This may be more suitable for flying in areas where there are a lot of trees, as the drone will easily be able to slip through them, and there will be fewer chances for the drone to catch on a branch.

The blue color of the drone on its two arms will also aid with orientation while in the air. The pilot will know that when the drone has its blue arms facing him, that the drone will be flying away. This just aids in the flyability of the Drone for GoPro. The arms also have an interesting, jagged kind of design. It may have been to make it lighter and more aerodynamic, but it adds to the design as well.

The Iris is fully compatible with the GoPro HD Hero series of cameras. You’ll first need to add a camera mount, such as the Zenmuse, and compatible camera. You can also use other third party camera mounts if you don’t wish to use the GoPro camera. You’ll have to see what works for you. If you wish for your camera to shoot a series of shots while the drone slowly rotates around, you can do this through choosing a ROI waypoint.

The 3DR IRIS + also comes with a radio controller, for those people who don’t like to control drones through a smart device. There is the option to hook it up to your computer though, and to be able to pre-program a flight path in. This is handy if you wish to film something specific, such as a lake or mountains, but would rather let the Iris take over so you can just have fun. You can hook it up to either a Mac, PC, or an Android device.

There is also a tool kit included and an operation manual in the box. A flight checklist will ensure you’ve performed all steps needed, prior to flight.

The Iris is quite sturdy and weighs about nine pounds. It should prove to be a great addition to the professional drone pilot who needs a GoPro quadcopter.

Pros

• Decent flight time
• Integrated LEDs on arms for easier guidance around trees
• On-screen telemetry for instant data as you fly
• Ready to fly out of the box
• Affordable price
• Decent design

Cons

• Isn't very ideal for beginners

Check Price Of 3DR IRIS+ On Amazon

Walkera Rodeo 150 Racing Quadcopter with Camera

Another ideal option for a professional drone pilot who is most likely looking for a racing drone at this point is the Walkera Rodeo 150.

It's a racing quadcopter which comes with a mini camera pre-installed into this drone, but surely - it's able to capture much more than the eye can see.

If you knew Walkera, their unusual drone design isn't something that would surprise you. But it's true. Walkera Rodeo 150 comes with a pretty unusual drone design, mostly because of two antenna sticks which stand out.

However, even though we can see a smart and unique frame design, you will still find 4 propellers to be placed accordingly to any other drone you can find on the market. But if you're worried about those antennas getting in the way - you shouldn't worry.

This design might be unique, but it's smart and it has far many ergonomic benefits than other drones available on the market.

600Tvl camera is very small but its compactness goes really well with the smart design of this drone. You might now even notice the camera at first, but surely - it's there to record some amazing aerial videos and photos.

But what's more interesting is the Devo 7 remote controller which comes included. If you don't know Devo, we can only say good things about it. It's the most mainstream controller which is made for racing. It allows users to adjust many parameters as needed, so the best experience is guaranteed.

Therefore, this drone and remote controller might have a steep learning curve if you're a total beginner, but once you get a hang of it - it's the best of the best you can get.

What you might know by now is that this drone is made for racing, but we were surprised by the fact that it's suitable for both indoor and outdoor racing.

This drone is totally adjustable to parameters, just like its remote controller - which is ideal for people who are looking to get the most out of their drone.

Of course, you will also be able to just enjoy the aerial photos and videos this drone can achieve, if you aren't feeling in the mood for a race.

Pros

• Unique and smart design
• Devo 7 remote controller is included
• 600Tvl mini camera
• Suitable for both indoors and outdoors racing
• Includes a lot of accessories

Cons

• The frame is a bit too fragile for crashes

Snaptain S5C Drone with 720P HD Camera

Even though you might not have the largest pocket - that doesn't mean you can't find a very decent drone that comes with even a better camera.

Whether you're a beginner or advanced drone flyer, it won't take long to adapt to Snaptain S5C drone which comes with a user-friendly interface.

It's ready to fly straight out of the box and with a simple press of a button, you will be able to take off and take it for a spin.

What we have also noticed is that brushless motor offers a bigger flight distance, which in this case allows Force1 drone to fly up to 500 meters of distance.

Such serious distance is also backed up with 2 rechargeable batteries that allow you to fly longer. Together, these batteries combine about 30 minutes of flying which is ideal for GoPro cameras. You will be able to capture some amazing aerial photos and videos.

One thing you won't have to worry about is the design quality. You will be able to fly this drone as high and as far as the capabilities offer without having to worry about crashing the drone. In case of an accident, still, the drone stays protected with a ghost shell and extra blades that come included.

We were surprised by the number of accessories that come included as well. Not only it includes extra pair of blades and two batteries, but it also includes two complete body shells.

Pros

• Compatible with GoPro cameras
• Brushless motor
• Powerful yet very easy to control
• Can fly up to 30 minutes with two batteries
• Includes a lot of accessories
• Can cover some serious distance
• Provides a lot of value for the cost

Cons

• Instructions aren't very clear so it might take some time to learn the commands

Check Force1 Brushless Price On Amazon

Walkera F210 FPV Racing Drone

The latest Walkera drone which is F210 is another FPV drone which takes racing to another level. Its design might seem a bit bulky at first (and even unique), but if you don't know Walkera - this might be a surprise to you.

Regarding the bulky design, this drone is still very lightweight and is capable of covering some serious distance, including some serious height as well.

The Usual Suspects ( Still Going Strong!)

DJI Phantom

The DJI Phantom was the first in a long line of drones made by Phantom. As far as DJI Phantom drones go, it’s reasonably priced at around $480, but you’ll need to add your own GoPro camera. It does come with a GoPro mount, so you can leave it off until you find a great camera, and then turn it into a drone with GoPro.

This drone is made from a white plastic body and has the clean smooth lines that you expect from the Phantom company. There are the two distinctive red stripes on each of the arms. Each of its four rotors is white. There are two D shaped long landing legs on either side, which will protect the GoPro camera and mount, when installed.

YesterYear Drones (Gone But Not Forgotten)

Walkera Voyager 3 GoPro

Another great option for the pro who needs the best quadcopter GoPro setup is the Walkera Voyager 3 Gopro. This drone has a more unusual design, which shows that it’s meant for pros and not for use as a toy.

Its body has a white casing in front, with a squashed nose. In back it has a black body casing. This is one of the few drones that have a special moving landing legs feature. There are two black T shaped arms on either side, and two black arms in back. At the ends of the arms are red plastic highlights, with the blades rotating above.

Blade 350 QX RTF

The Blade 350 QX3 provides a safe and reliable way to fly a quadcopter around at home, but can also be fun to take on the road too. It’s white and red casing may trick you into believing it may be from a premium line of Drones for GoPro, but its price is affordable.

There are two red and two black rotors, with two tall landing legs. You can see a long white antenna on its roof, to enable it to stay into contact with the radio transmitter. Between these legs is a hanging camera gimbal.

You’ll have to purchase a separate camera as one is not included in the box, but Blade does have their own version on offer. It’s recommended you purchase the Blade CG02 GB three axis stabilized HD camera.

Ionic Stratus 

The Ionic Stratus has a silvery grey body with four long arms. There are two red stripes to differentiate forward direction, and two black in the black. Two forward blades are white, with two in the back that are black. Each of the blades is protected by curved blade guards.

While these blade guards look familiar, the rest of the drone is certainly unique. There are two black landing gears in a D shape so that your camera and mount will be protected when landing.

Editor Notes:

All the VR headsets above are reliable, and you will not go wrong if you purchase one of them. They make it in our list of best VR headsets as they come with incredible features that help you enjoy your VR experience. 

However, we also recommend you go for the Valve Index VR headsets. The Valve Index VR headsets are famous for being the next-generation headset. It offers you an ultra-crisp display that runs well on all GPUs, including the old one. 

The headset also offers you a higher refresh rate for smooth transitioning of images and a wider field of view. The knuckle controllers also make it possible to track the movement of all fingers. 

Although the headset can be expensive and challenging to set up, it offers you features that won’t make you regret your purchase. It runs smoother than most of the other headsets you can find in the market.   

Editor Notes:

Our best pick is the DJI Mavic Air drone that comes packed with advanced tech features to improve your drone's overall performance. Even though the drone is expensive, you get the value for money from the best shots, and improved camera tricks you perform with the drone. The drone features air vents that streamline the body for easy movement. 

Most importantly, the DJI Mavic takes shots in HD resolution but can still shoot in other resolutions depending on your needs. The seven cameras on the drone with 3D sensors ensure you have the best images and safe flying.

You can also take the photos from different angles and capture 25 images to create a 32MP image quality within eight seconds, which is super fast compared to the rest. While recording, the Air  drone is better than the rest on our list and delivers 1080p @ 120fps, 2.7K @ 60fps and 4K @ 30fps resolutions.