Are you ready to fly to the most unusual corners of the sky? You’re in the right place! Here you’ll find the most complete guide to buying a drone that will help you understand the basic functions, features, and differences, so you can choose the right one for your needs.

Also see our guide to the best drones on the market!

What are the different types of drones?

Based on shape and number of rotors

The most common type of drone operates with rotors. The rotors can range from 1 (Single Rotor) like a helicopter, to more (Multirotor). The most popular ones have 4 rotors, which are the ones we will focus on more in this guide, but it's worth mentioning the others briefly.

Fixed Wing (with wings): They resemble airplanes, fly higher, and have the longest duration. They require a runway for takeoff and landing and are not as common for the average user.

Hybrid: They combine wings and rotors, resulting in offering the advantages of both. As a result, they have the ability of vertical (hovering) flight, thanks to the rotors. They are quite expensive and are aimed at advanced users and professionals.

The rotor drones, depending on their shape and number of rotors, are characterized by a Latin letter followed by a number. Specifically, one of the most common shapes is the X4, which means it has 4 diagonal rotors.

Similarly, the Y3 refers to 2 front propellers and one rear, totaling 3.

Based on assembly

Depending on what the package includes and how much work is needed to make it functional, drones are divided into 4 types:

• RTF (Ready-To-Fly): Apart from a small assembly requirement, such as installing the battery, the drone comes with all the components (transmitter and controller) needed to fly. This type is recommended for beginners, as it is ready to use, but it has a higher cost compared to the others.

• BNF (Bind-n-Fly): The package does not include a controller, with the assumption that you will use it with a controller you already have, saving you money. This process is called binding and essentially connects the drone's receiver to the transmitter of the controller. However, make sure that the controller is compatible with the drone you want to purchase.

• PNP (Plug-n-Play): Neither a controller nor a transmitter is provided, so you can match it with a set you already have and suits you. It is quite economical and is aimed at more advanced users.

• ARF (Almost-Ready-To-Fly): If you are looking to buy your first drone, just stay away from this category. It is exclusively for experienced users, as you need to assemble the drone yourself, giving you the ability to make custom modifications to the device, which is preferred by those who participate in drone races.

What should you pay attention to before buying?

• Flight duration: This means how long the drone can stay in the air. The general rule is that the larger the device, the bigger its battery will be, resulting in longer flight time. The average drone flies for 20-30 minutes, while smaller kids' drones, which we will see below, have a flight duration of about 5-10 minutes. #SkroutzTip: Always have an extra battery with you so you don’t need to recharge when you’re outside.

• Range: Quite simply, how far the drone can fly while you still maintain control. If photographing mountains and landscapes is something that interests you, then it’s best to look for something with a fairly large range (flight range), with the maximum exceeding 10 kilometers. You should remember that according to current legislation, you need to keep visual contact with your drone throughout the flight, so there’s no need to overdo it.

• Camera: Most drones can support or already have an installed camera, so you can record videos of the landscapes you fly over. Depending on the price, the camera resolution varies, but most now support 4K resolution at low prices, such as €35. At the same time, the ability for stable video recording while moving, which is possible through a mechanism called a gimbal, differs depending on the model and price, with drones oriented towards professional photography standing out. Essentially, the gimbal moves the camera in the opposite direction of the drone’s movement, so that movement is not noticeable during filming.

• Size: If you want to start with something simple and easy to use, nano or kids' drones are an excellent choice. Generally, they have simpler controls and can also be used indoors due to their extremely small size, making them ideal for practicing drone handling before you decide to invest more in a larger one. If you want something more specialized, such as a photography drone, you will need to look for something larger and more expensive, but in return, it will offer more features and longer flight time.

• Spare parts: A cost that is not obvious at first is the price and availability of spare parts for the model you choose. It’s almost expected that there will be some accidents and possible maintenance changes, so do some research on the available spare parts before making your decision.

What other useful flight features should you know about?

Besides battery life, size, and camera quality, there are other features that are particularly useful:

• GPS: Allows you to know your drone’s location at any given time and enables the drone to hover over a specific coordinate.

• Return to Home: Allows the drone to automatically return to its base, which is especially useful in cases where the connection between the controller and the drone is lost for an extended period.

• Headless Mode: Particularly important for new pilots, as it allows you to “lock” the direction the drone will follow with each stick movement, regardless of which way your drone is facing. Specifically, you don’t have to worry about confusing the front with the back of the device while it’s in the air and accidentally making it move in the opposite direction from what you want. This way, the chances of an accident during your first flights are reduced.

• Follow Me Mode: Just like it sounds. You can set your drone to follow you while you walk or ride a bike, so you don’t have to worry about its position or carrying it around.

• First Person View Flight (FPV Flight): This feature allows you to see the world from your drone’s camera, giving you the feeling that you’re flying with it. It’s a unique experience that goes to another level with a pair of FPV Goggles, but you can also view it simply on your phone or tablet. Usually, it’s used by drone racing/show pilots to have complete control of the device, but also by many hobbyists who want to experience flight.

Our suggestions

If you don't want to spend too much time searching, you can check out the best drone suggestions for every use & budget!

Legislation for drone users

Finally, as a responsible pilot, before you take off with your drone, you need to be aware of the legislation and the flight rules established by the EU for the safety of those around you.