June 2023 saw me take myself to new height as I hiked my most challenging hike yet – the Tour du Mont Blanc!
Encompassing three different European countries, this 110-mile circular hike through the Alps, over cols and valleys and looking up at the grand old Mont Blanc itself (France’s highest peak) made for the most spectacular of views that I’ve witnessed so far.
With me, all I had was my smartphone. However, my walking buddy Mark had all the kit – including a drone! The drone tracked us as we hiked through over the peaks, across glaciers and don’t the hillsides into the valleys and flower-adorned villages.
The footage was simply out of this world. It really captured what our eyes did (as well as what they did not) and was so much better than my three-year old mobile.
Since then, I’ve been on a mission to find the best drones for hiking!
And, since you’re here reading all about it, I’ll share my findings with you all too!
Best Drones for Hiking
Explore the top choices of drones for hiking, categorized as budget-friendly, premium, and ideal for beginners.
Best Budget
RADCLO
Best Premium
DJI Mini 2 SE
Best for Beginners
ATTOP 2K
If you have the time, we invite you to delve deeper into our extensive guide to gain a more in-depth understanding of these exceptional options.
1. Best Budget Drone for Hiking – RADCLO Mini Drone
If money’s a bit tight, look no further than this one – our budget buy! The RADCLO Mini Drone is an absolute steal! It has a 1080P HD 90° manually adjustable lens, giving you a wide field of view to capture all the amazing sights on your hike. The app installed on your phone means you can also enjoy real-time views and easily share them on social media.
This drone is easy to use with a one-key take-off and landing button. There’s a powerful little engine in there too with stable hover technology and an altitude holder function!
It comes with a carrying case that is great for outdoor travel, keeping it all safely packed away in your backpack when not in use. It really is an awesome drone for the price!
Pros
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2. Best Premium Pick Drone for Hiking – DJI Mini 2 SE
With over 5,300 reviews and an average of 4.6 stars on Amazon, this beauty of a drone wins hands down as our best premium drone for hiking choice. The DJI Mini 2 SE Fly More Combo has it all. It’s lightweight, portable and compact. Indeed, it weights under 249 grams, making it the best drone companion on all your hikes and treks.
Not only that, it’s simple to use, so even little old beginner drone-user me can easily get to grips with it. The return to home function is there for added safety, meaning you can fly it worry free! Whilst each battery has a 31-minute flight time, this model comes with an extra two batteries, meaning the total flight is an excellent 93 minutes!
This drone also has an advanced transmission range of up to 10 kilometers! This means you can fly further and have a little peak over the next valley to see what you’re going to encounter! Thankfully, it has level 5 wind resistance (38kph), so you know it’ll be reliable even in windy weather.
If you’re wanting a super-duper drone flying experience on your hikes, the DJI Mini is the place it’s at.
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3. Best Top-Rated Beginner’s Drone for Hikers – ATTOP 2K
Whilst this one’s entitled for beginners, it isn’t really! It’s good enough for even the most experienced of drone enthusiasts! It’s just simple and easy to use too. This one is five-star rated product and, for the price, that’s pretty impressive. The ATTOP 2K drone is a dream to use.
This drone has 120° wide-angle photography in 2K, providing breathtaking footage of your hikes. With its own ATTOP CLUB app, you’ll be able to view the footage in real time and share it easily on your socials should you so desire.
This one has plenty of functions for you to play with. You can draw a route on the app for it to follow, speak to it to control the directions or show a V gesture to let the drone automatically recognize and take pictures. Its one-key return means it’ll easily find its way back to you. The three-speed functionality means you can master it easily.
This one’s so super cool that it is even compatible with VR glasses for an even more breathtaking experience when you’re no longer on the trails and are wishing you could go back.
For beginner drone users – this one’s perfect!
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4. Best 4K Drone for Hiking – TizzyToy
When it comes to the best drone footage, 4K’s where it’s at! The TizzyToy 4K drone not only has that, but it also has 4.8/5-star reviews on Amazon based on almost 2,700 users! This pick really is the best in terms of shots and footage and at around $90, it’s a real bargain buy.
It has a 4K 120° adjustable lens as well as a 110° wide angle lens, providing a breathtaking field of view. You really can capture every moment of your hike! You can enjoy the footage in real-time via the app and share it instantly with your followers on social media.
The drone has brushless motors meaning the fan blades can achieve higher speeds. There’s also a built-in altitude system that holds the drone at a stable height. It has strong wind resistance thanks to ground detection through optical flow.
It comes with extra fan blades, a carrying case and two 1600mAh batteries. The flight time is an impressive 40 minutes and there are three speeds, gesture control, one button take-off and landing and other useful features such as a low battery warning and emergency stop. It’s suitable for beginners too.
What’s more, with 24-hour customer service and detailed tutorials, you’ll always have the support you need when using your drone on your hikes.
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Buyer’s Guide on Best Drones for Hiking
When choosing a drone for hiking, I’ve learned there are several things that you need to factor in to ensure that it not only performs well in outdoor environments, but also that it is portable enough for you to carry in your backpack on a long hike.
Here are the key elements you need to consider:
- Portability and Size: Opt for a compact and lightweight drone that won’t add too much weight to your hiking gear. Foldable drones are a great choice as they can fit into your backpack more easily.
- Battery Life: This is crucial. The last thing you want to happen is your drone running out of charge at the worse possible moment. What’s more, if you’re doing a long hike like we did, you may not know where the next charging point is likely to be! Mountain huts and wild camping often means there are no electrical outlets available.
- Range: Consider the drone’s maximum operating range. It should have a range sufficient to capture the shots or footage you desire without straying too far from your location.
- Camera Quality: The camera quality is crucial for capturing stunning aerial photos and videos. Look for drones with at least 4K resolution and a stable gimbal for smooth footage.
- GPS & Navigation: GPS and other positioning systems are essential for stable and safe flight. They also help with features like return to home and tracking.
- Obstacle Avoidance: Drones with obstacle avoidance sensors can help prevent collisions with trees and other obstacles during flight, making them safer for hiking environments.
- Flight Modes and Features: Look for intelligent flight modes like Follow Me, Waypoints and Point of Interest, which can enhance your creative possibilities for capturing unique shots.
- Controller and Connectivity: Consider the quality of the controller and how it connects to your smartphone or tablet for live view and control. A reliable and easy-to-use controller is important.
- Durability and Weather Resistance: Since you’ll be using the drone outdoors, choose a model that is built to withstand various weather conditions. Some drones are designed to be water-resistant, or weather sealed.
- Price and Budget: Drones come in a wide range of prices, so consider your budget and choose a model that offers the features you need without breaking the bank.
- Legal and Regulatory Considerations: Familiarize yourself with local drone regulations and ensure that your chosen drone complies with them. This may include registering your drone or obtaining permits.
- Weight Restrictions: Be aware of weight restrictions for drones in your hiking destination, as some places have limits on the maximum weight of drones that can be flown.
- Noise Level: If you want to be less intrusive in natural environments, consider a drone that produces less noise during flight.
- Spare Parts and Accessories: Check if spare parts and accessories are readily available for the drone you choose, as accidents can happen during hiking trips.
- Battery Compatibility: If you plan on being out for an extended period, having extra batteries or the ability to charge them with portable power sources is important.
Before purchasing a drone for hiking, it’s a good idea to read reviews, compare models and, if possible, test them out to see which one best suits your specific needs and preferences.
But, if you’re unable to do that, read on! We’ve done all the hard work for you!
Final Thoughts on the Best Drones for Hiking
If, like me, you want to dabble in the world of taking drone footage whilst out hiking, our recommendations certainly hit the spot. What’s more, you don’t have to spend a lot either to get a great quality drone! So, which will you choose? I might just have to add them all to my collection!
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