Top 5 Drones with Autonomous Flight [Updated 2020]- Reviews and FAQ

Updated: April 5, 2020

Table of Contents

1. FAQ About Autonomous Drones
2. Yuneec Typhoon H Pro
3. Outlaw SE – Best Budget Autonomous Drone
4. Altair AA300
5. DJI Inspire 2
6. Parrot Bebop 2
7. AirDog Drone
8. 3DR Solo
9. Top Drones With Autonomous Flight

A lot of people are intimidated by drones because they feel that they are complicated to fly. This is true in a number of models, but, as you are about to find out, that’s not always the case! Autonomous drones where made for those who want all of the fun without having to much manual work on their end.

BEST AUTONOMOUS FLIGHT DRONES

Best Overall

Yuneec Typhoon H

• Camera:4K Wide Angle
• Range:1 KM
• Time:25 Min

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#1 Budget

Outlaw SE

• Camera:1080p
• Range:600+ Meters
• Time:18-20 Min

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#2 Budget

Altair AA300

• Camera:1080p
• Range:600+ Meters
• Time:18-20 Min

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Most Powerful

DJI Inspire 2

• Camera:4K – 5.2K
• Range:5 KM
• Time:27 Min

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Most Portable

Parrot Bebop 2

• Camera:4K – 5.2K
• Range:2 KM
• Time:25 Min

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Autonomous drones for sale are practically everywhere these days, so we’ve decided to bring you the absolute best of the best. Surprisingly, a lot of them won’t cost you an arm and a leg as an investment cost either!

In short, think of an autonomous drone as a regular drone, but one that constantly has Custom Route Mode going. They literally do all of the work so you can sit back, relax, and have a good time.

Top Autonomous Drones

Now that we’ve covered all of the basics on autonomous drones, let’s get to the fun part of our review – the drones themselves!

Yuneec Typhoon H Pro

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The Typhoon H Pro by Yuneec will run you about $1000, but we assure you, it’s definitely worth its weight in gold. It has some incredible specs that make it a worthy competitor in our review.

Listed below are the specs and features:

– Uses Intel RealSense technology that creates a 3D map for the purpose of providing positional data when GPS is minimal and aiding in overall obstacle avoidance

– Includes the CGO3+ gimbal-stabilized camera that supports 4K video and 12MP still photos

– Uses retractable landing gear when in flight and retractable arms to ensure minimal damage in the case of a crash or a collision

– Comes with the ST16 Personal Ground Station controller with a built-in transmitter and receiver to ensure that it’s an all-in-one device with a 7” display screen

– Uses 2.4 GHz transmission for joystick operation and 5.8 GHz transmission for the livelink video

The biggest pro that the Typhoon H Pro by Yuneec has to offer is no doubt the Intel RealSense technology. It makes flying as easy as possible with minimal work to avoid obstacles and crashes, thanks to the 3D map of the world that it builds all by itself.

The biggest con, however, is that it’s not for newbies. Even intermediate users will have some difficulty. If you are a newbie, though, be prepared to sit with it for hours, maybe even days, until you can figure it all out thoroughly.

Affordable Autonomous Drones

Outlaw SE – Best Budget Autonomous Drone

See the best price on Amazon.com or get Fast & Free Shipping from their Website at Altairaerial.com
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Costing less than $300, you get some amazing features with the Outlaw SE including a 1080p HD camera and multiple flight modes.

Here are the features and specs:

A major pro of the Outlaw SE is it’s multiple flight modes including Headless mode, Altitude hold, and one-touch takeoff and landing. These features help you stay in control of the drone at all times, making it a great choice for beginners.

One con, however, is that the Outlaw SE does not have as long of flight time or flight range as some of the other drones on our list, but for an autonomous drone under $300 we still highly recommend the Outlaw SE.

Altair AA300

See the best price on Amazon.com or get Fast & Free Shipping from their Website at Altairaerial.com

Another affordable drone, the AA300 is less than $200 and is the smallest drone on our list. With that being said, it still comes with awesome autonomous features and is perfect for the beginner pilot.

Listed here are the features and specs:

The one drawback of the AA300 is that it has the shortest flight range and flight time of any drone on this list, so that is something to take into consideration when purchasing a drone.

However, some of the pros of the AA300 include it’s multiple flight modes for all kinds of pilots and its return to home functions that will allow you to stay in control of your drone and you don’t have to worry about losing it or damaging it. Altair also has some very helpful step-by-step videos available on their site (altairaerial.com) that walk you through all of the different modes available on this drone.

Plus, being less than $200 you really can’t go wrong with this drone.

DJI Inspire 2

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This Inspire 2 by DJI comes with the Zenmuse X4S and will run you up to $3600. Unfortunately, this price may be too high for some just looking at it, but we know once you know the kind of punch this drone bundle packs, you’ll be itching to get your hands on it!

Listed below are the specs and features:

– Features Advanced Obstacle Sensing, CineCore 2.0 image processing, Auto Return to Home, and Follow Me

– Uses a dual battery design onboard to extend your flight time to the maximum

– Supports recording in both CinemaDNG and Apple ProRes

– Fully compatible with 5.2K gimbal cameras

– Total flight time of up to 27 minutes

– Able to hit 50 mph within 4 seconds and reach a maximum speed of up to 67 mph

– Capable of capturing cinema-type footage through recording in H.264, H.265, and other high bit rates

– Comes with an FPV camera stabilized using a 2-axis system

The biggest pro that the Inspire 2 by DJI has to offer in the case of this bundle, is the fact that you’re getting an advanced autonomous drone with a lot of extras, too! Even though a 16GB MicroSD card is included, you also get a Sandisk Ultra 64GB MicroSD card, and SPC cleaning kit, and a microfiber cleaning cloth on top of it all.

The biggest con, however, is that it can be a very complicated setup for beginners or those who have never had a “big rig” before. If you’re completely new, or even relatively new, to more advanced drones, we don’t recommend this package deal.

Parrot Bebop 2

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The Bebop 2 by Parrot comes in at around $500, has some wicked specs, and even has FPV capabilities. The Base FPV Bundle is an incredible deal that we’re excited about, so let’s dig into the good part!

Listed below are the specs and features:

– Comes with the Parrot Cockpit glasses for a fully immersive FPV flight experience

– Shoots footage in full 1080p HD for videos with 14MP photos in DNG, JPEG, and RAW using the built-in wide-angle camera

– Total flight time of up to 25 minutes

– Uses a 2700mAh LiPo high capacity battery

– Has a transmission range of up to 1.2 miles

– Uses a 3-axis digital stabilization system

– Features Auto Takeoff, Auto Landing, Waypoints, Autonomous Flight Plan, and more

– Weighs 1.1 pounds with a total size of 15”x3.5”x12.9”

The biggest pro that the Bebop 2 by Parrot has to offer is the FreeFlight Pro app that is used for the majority of Parrot’s drones, including both Bebop 1 and 2 and the Disco line. It’s designed to work with their FPV goggles, saves your aerial photography footage, flight data, and gives you access to a number of useful and awesome features, including Autonomous Flight Plan.

The biggest con, however, is that, unfortunately, you have to purchase some of the features in the app to be able to use them, which can be a downer for some.

AirDog Autonomous Action Drone

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AirDog is an awesome autonomous drone that has flown under a lot of people’s radars, but we thought it’s time to show some love and recognition. At this time of writing, there are only two sellers. One has it priced at $630, the other at $1300, but we’re hoping more pricing will be available in the near future!

Listed below are the specs and features:

– Automatically uses an autonomous flight feature that follows you around without having to use a controller through the use of motion prediction technology

– Comes with the AirLeash, which is a wearable tracking device that is 100% waterproof that allows you to make adjustments while it’s in flight

– Able to fly through winds reaching up to 28 knots

– Features automatic autonomous flight, multiple flight modes already included and additional modes that are to be released soon, LiDAR, Wakeboard, Surf, Auto Takeoff, Auto Land, Return to Home, and more

– Has a foldable design that makes traveling with it as easy as possible

– Compatible with GoPro Hero 3, 3+, Silver, White, Black, Hero 4 Black, Silver, and the adapter for GoPro Hero 5

– Total flight time of up to 15 minutes

– Able to detect a collision with the ground and avoid it using LiDAR

– Weighs 4.1 pounds with a total size of 24.7”x24.7”x5.4”

The biggest pro that the AirDog has to offer is quite obvious. For those who want a fully autonomous drone that requires almost nothing on your end, this is your best bet. It predicts and tracks your movements using motion prediction technology, something you’ll rarely, if ever, find anywhere else.

The biggest con, however, is that some customers have received some faulty batteries. Although, customers have reported that they have received replacement batteries from the manufacturer at no cost, which is always a great gesture.

3DR Solo

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Who wasn’t excited to hear about the release of the Solo by 3DR? Fortunately for all of us, it’s currently priced at around $230, making it an absolute steal and one of the best autonomous drones for sale that won’t drain your wallet entirely.

Listed below are the specs and features:

– Features Auto Takeoff, Auto Land, One-Key Photos and Recordings, One-Key Flight Pause, Smart Shots, Orbit, Cable Cam, Follow Me, Selfie, and more

– Includes a high-quality HDMI input port in the controller for a quick connection to any screen of your choice, be it your laptop, smartphone, tablet, etc

– Offers wireless HD video streaming from a connected GoPro straight to your smartphone or other mobile device

– Has a transmission range of up to half a mile

– Uses LiDAR technology to ensure that indoor flight is both safe and fully possible

– Total flight time of between 15 to 20 minutes depending on whether or not you use the gimbal and a GoPro

– Compatible with GoPro models Hero 3+ and Hero 4

– Weighs 3.3 pounds with a total size of 18”x18”x10”

The biggest pro that the Solo by 3DR has to offer would definitely be the price and what you’re receiving. It’s a fantastic autonomous drone that comes at a surprising, reasonable price.

The biggest con, however, is that it does not come with a gimbal. If you want to have one with the drone, you will need to purchase one separately. This is most likely the case because it does not come with a camera, which you will also need to supply on your own.

FAQ About Autonomous Drones

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If you don’t see your question listed below in our FAQ section, get in touch with us and we’ll help you out!

What is an autonomous drone?

An autonomous drone is a category of drones that do all the work. Have you ever heard the phrase, “a car that drives itself”? An autonomous drone is practically the same concept. All of the drone, very little manual work on your part.

What are autonomous drones used for?

Autonomous drones can be used for virtually anything. Mapping and agricultural work, for example, benefit from and use autonomous drones the most. They are perfect for surveying areas and recording data without the user having to do very much.

Which features should I look for in an autonomous drone?

There a handful of features that you should definitely keep an eye out for when choosing the best autonomous drone for sale.

– Follow Me
– Return to Home
– Cable Cam
– Return to Home
– Selfie
– Waypoints

These are all features that any good autonomous drone should have, so take note of them when you make your selection!

Top Drones With Autonomous Flight

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Autonomous drones are awesome, whether you’re a beginner who’s a bit intimidated by drones and want a helping hand, or an adventurer who want to utilize these features for your next activity, we can all agree that these types of drones are incredibly beneficial for everyone.

Kennedy Martinez

kennedy@dronethusiast.com

Kennedy Martinez is a resident writer who joined Dronethusiast at the beginning of 2019. She has years of experience reviewing drones and other tech products. When it comes to flying drones, Kennedy loves the ability to create artistic videos from a unique point of view. Kennedy enjoys researching new drones and other exciting products that are available to consumers which is why she is committed to creating the best buyer's guides for our readers.