Our Top Picks For Best Kids Drones

Having reviewed dozens of adult drones, I wanted to try the ones in the burgeoning kid’s drones market. After conducting an in-depth research, I found the DJI Ryze Tech Tello to be the best.

Given the endless options, I’ve chosen the three best (according to me), in case you are on a quest to pick one for your child.

Best Overall Drone

Ryze Tech Tello

Best Runner Up

DJI Mini SE

BestBudget

Holy Stone HS 190

A Quick Overview of The Best Kids Drones:

While I announce the DJI Ryze Tech Tello as the winner in the kid’s drone category, there’s more. I came across two other best drones for kids that would make your child a happy pilot.

Feature	Best Overall Drone	Best Runner Up	BestBudget
Product ➡️ Criteria ⬇️	Ryze Tech Tello	DJI Mini SE	Holy Stone HS 190
Battery	3.5/5	3.5/5	3/5
Camera	3.5/5	4.5/5	NA
Flight Time	4/5	3.5/5	4/5
Flight Range	3.5/5	4.5/5	2.5/5
Speed	4.7/5	4.5/6	4/5
Obstacle Avoidance	NA	NA	NA
Ease of Use	4/5	4/5	4.5/5
Overall Rating	4.5/5	3.6/5	3.7/5

In-Depth Analysis of The Best Kids Drones

Now for a deeper analysis of the reasons I chose these as the top drones for kids:

DJI Ryze Tech Tello: Best Overall

Specifications

Best For: Anyone who wants a safe and feature-rich drone for their kid
Camera Resolution: 5 MP
Flight Time: 8-10 minutes
Flight Range: 100m
Obstacle Avoidance: NA
Weight: 490 g

Photo Credit: store.dji.com

As a drone enthusiast and reviewer, I’ve seen that DJI always figures somewhere in the top 3 of any drone category! And in the kids drones segment their Tech Tello drone is quite impressive and hence the #1.

Body & Design

The Tello is a mini drone with a sleek and compact design. The sensor and propeller guards are a nice safety touch especially when flying indoors.

While it’s ideal for both indoor and outdoor flying, I wouldn’t recommend flying it outdoors if there’s a breeze. What I liked about the design is that nothing protrudes from the body. The protective accessories as well as the camera are well integrated into the drone body.

Battery & Flight Time

8-10 minutes of flight time was what I got from this craft when flying indoors. The battery depletes faster when flying outdoors or in sports mode.

Clearly, battery life is not this drone’s best feature! But compared to the other toy drones, it isn’t too little either. Just be sure to keep spare batteries ready for continued fun. Each battery takes about 1.5 hours to charge.

Camera

Since its launch in 2018, Tello has made a few upgrades to the drone but none to its camera! The camera is still a 5 MP camera with the ability to shoot HD720P videos. This means that the picture quality doesn’t compare well to the prevalent 4K alternatives that we are now used to.

That said, the image stabilization you get with the Tello is unrivaled, considering it doesn’t have a gimbal. Also, kids are more about fun than camera resolutions. And the Tello delivers well on the former.

Another great design functionality is that the camera is integrated into the drone body. This makes it relatively scratch-proof by design, which is great when kids are handling it!

If you want to learn more about how drone camera works and how to improve it with DJI Ryze Tech Tello then read our guide by clicking here.

Flight Range

You can fly the Tello up to 100 m with good control over the drone. The drone even responds to hand gestures which is more than I would expect from a $99 drone!

The drone is very responsive to the Wi-Fi controller. I tried flying close to the 100 m limit and found that there was a slight lag in the signal. Keep it under 90m and you can avoid this problem.

Speed

This mini drone packs quite a surprising punch when it comes to speed. The Tello offers two flying modes that give you slow and fast speeds. Use the slow mode for indoor flying and there are fewer risks of the drone bumping into something and breaking it.

Reserve the fast speed for outdoors because this drone is very zippy! It can fly at a top speed of 17mps which is pretty decent for a kid’s drone. Just be careful to maintain altitude as the drone slows down automatically, regardless of the mode, if you fly below 8 feet.

Obstacle Avoidance

While the Tello lacks the obstacle avoidance sensor, it makes up for it with other features, like the safe landing function that makes the drone land with precaution even if you lose connection. It also has propeller guards that offer fair protection for minor crashes.

Ease Of Use

Kids will find the drone easy to set up and fly. All you need to do is download the app and start flying! The app also supports Scratch making it excellent as educational drones for kids.

Hovering with the drone is easy too thanks to the advanced vision positioning system. And there are some awesome tricks that kids can perform with the drone.

These include the Bounce Mode which allows the drone to fly up and down from your palm. 8D Flips that look complex but work with a swipe. And the Throw & Go which allows you to throw the drone in the air to make it fly.

Verdict:

Overall, I can’t find any fault with the Tech Tello. It’s lightweight, durable, has great camera quality at the price, and works perfectly for children.

What customers are saying-

It is very stable, very maneuverable, has a decent enough camera, can survive crashes even if you don’t put on the propeller guards, does tricks, is programmable, and it’s really easy to fly.

~Kbax from Amazon

Best Runner-Up: DJI Mini SE

Specifications

Best For: Those looking for a versatile drone that caters to kids/young adults
Camera Resolution: 12 MP
Flight Time: 15 minutes
Flight Range: 10 km
Obstacle Avoidance: Only downward sensors
Weight: <249 g

Photo Credit: store.dji.com

Body & Design

The Mini SE is a folding drone that looks and feels premium. It weighs less than 249 g so you don’t have to give your child’s personal details to the FAA to register the drone!

Despite being lightweight, the drone can withstand strong winds as it comes with level 5 wind resistance.

Battery & Flight Time

I’m a bit disappointed with the battery life of this drone. A fully-charged battery will give you around 15 minutes or less of air time, depending on the flying speed and conditions.

Avoid flying in hot and windy weather if you want to get optimal battery performance. The drone works with standard lithium-ion batteries and one is included in the set.

Camera

The Mini’s nose-mounted camera will not leave you wanting. It is 12MP and supports 2.7 Quad HD videos. The Mini 2SE also supports 4K videos which is much needed. The FoV is limited to 83 degrees, which is my only grouse. But will not pose a challenge for kids.

If your child is keen on photography this drone will make them happy. There is lots of space to make customizations if they are learning to hone their skills. Like the 8-bit dynamic range bracketing that gives you access to multiple exposure options.

For those who just want clear photographs and videos, the FLY app makes it easy to generate awesome shots using a variety of Creator Templates.

It also has a 3-axis gimbal along with EIS which ensures stable images and videos when flying at high speeds. I, therefore, find it #1 if you are keen on the best kids’ drones with cameras.

Flight Range

The promised range of the drone is 10km. I haven’t had the chance to test this long range in VLOS but I did fly around 5 km without losing signal.

It’s the advanced Occusync 2.0 system that guarantees this feat. It’s the same system that you find in higher models like the Mavic Pro.

If you are purchasing this for your little one, then the 10km range won’t be tested much. Mostly because it has to be flown in VLOS and I wouldn’t recommend flying that far since the batteries probably won’t support the flight.

Speed

The Mini 2 can reach a top speed of 16m/s in the Sports Mode. Even at these speeds, the maneuverability is seamless although practice is needed before you allow kids to fly at high speeds. Also, expect to lose battery quicker when flying in the Sports mode.

For cinematic shots or learning to pilot a drone, the cinematic and normal modes are helpful.

Obstacle Avoidance

It is pointless to talk about obstacle avoidance in budget drones as this system raises the overall drone cost significantly. But the Mini does have downward sensors which provide a basic level of safety.

And you don’t have to worry about your child losing the drone, thanks to the RTH function which is built in all DJI drones. There is also the DJI Fly Safe which automatically prevents entry into restricted air space.

Ease of Flying

The Mini 2 SE makes everything easy! QuickShots are ideal for beginners to shoot stunning videos. The controls are easy to figure out and the screen displays all important information while flying.

Verdict:

The Mini SE is clearly more feature-rich than the tech Tello. So, why did I keep it second? Because the category I’m reviewing is kid’s drones.

Beginners will crash drones since that’s the only way to learn. And the significant price difference, while still retaining basic features, makes the Tello a better option.

However, given the features that it has, the Mini 2SE will be ideal for young adults (13-16 years) rather than children.

What customers are saying-

“This drone sets a standard that is almost impossible to match. I own many drones with different price ranges and styles (cinewhoop, tiny whoops, toy drones, Syma, Hubsan, HolyStone, DEERC, etc.), but this drone simply beats them all”.

~Jack Reader from Amazon

Best Budget: Holy Stone HS 190

If you are looking for something really basic for kids between 6 and 10 years of age, then this is my pick for the best beginner drones for kids on a budget. Rather than choosing a non-branded drone, put in a few bucks extra to get the reliability of a known brand.

Specifications

Best For: Those looking for a reliable budget drone for kids
Camera Resolution: No Camera
Flight Time: 4-5 minutes
Flight Range: 96 feet
Obstacle Avoidance: NA
Weight: 38 g

Photo Credit: store.holystone.com

Design and Build

How much can you expect from a foldable mini nano RC drone? Well, if HolyStone is to be believed then a lot! I flew my niece’s drone and was amazed at the built quality, as compared to the others in the market.

It has full protection guards that will protect against minor bumps. Since it is primarily meant for flying indoors, I wouldn’t worry too much about the drone falling apart if flown with some caution.

Battery & Flight Time

The drone has a built-in battery that takes about 40 minutes to charge. You even have the option of charging it using the controller although I wouldn’t recommend doing that.

The flight time on this little drone is just 4-5 minutes. Considering you will fly it indoors; this flight time is sufficient to watch the cute tricks it can perform!

Speed

You will find three adjustable speeds on this drone. For safety purposes, the default speed is the slowest one. Which is good since the top speed is deceptively quick.

In fact, I found that this drone offers the fastest speed in the kid’s drone market. Young adults (and even grown-ups) will find it fun to test their maneuvering skills at the top speed.

Flight Range

The maximum advertised range is 96 feet. Since the drone is very tiny and practically weightless, I haven’t flown it outside. And inside I didn’t have any trouble with the transmission.

Although I did hear a friend struggle with it, the customer support was quick to respond and replaced the controller.

Obstacle Avoidance

As with all kid’s drones, there is no obstacle avoidance on this one either. You will have to rely on the propeller guards and sturdy built to protect against collisions.

Ease of Use

HolyStone has ensured that the drone can be easily handled by kids. It is tiny, portable, holds altitude, and takes off with just the press of a button. There is also a One Key Return which gets the drone back to the controller with a tap.

Kids will particularly enjoy the cute flips this drone can perform even in limited space. Once you open the box, you’ll need to do some basic assembly.

But hey, that’s another fun activity to involve the kids in! The transmitter has two joysticks and some trimmers that your child can learn quickly.

Verdict:

The economical pricing makes it one of the best drones for kids under 10. It lacks a camera or the advanced tech of the other two contenders but gives you your money’s worth.

What customers are saying-

A cool concept, well executed. Flies well, very zippy and responsive. Very very small, so obviously very light. ~Orris Bane from Amazon

Buying Guide

When buying drones for children keep the following pointers in mind:

Age: Only buy age-appropriate and easy to fly drones for kids. For kids between 6-10 years of age, a small toy drone with easy operability is best. For children above the age of 12, you can buy more advanced drones.
Safety Mechanisms: Buying drones with propeller guards will protect your child and the items the drone is likely to crash into! So, buying safe drones for kids should be a priority.
Remote Control: When buying drones for children, a traditional transmitter is a better choice than a phone app. It helps build coordination and motor skills and is easier to control.

Conclusion

I have chosen the DJI Ryze Tech Tello as the best available kids’ drone as it performs well in all aspects. But you can read my drones for kids reviews above and select the one that fits your needs and pocket!

FAQs

The best drones for young children are from brands like DJI and HolyStone, which offer durability, safety, and reliability.

Drones with propeller guards and easy-to-operate controls are considered safe for kids to use.

Affordable drones for kids under $100 include the Holy Stone HS210, HolyStone HS190, and Snaptain H823H, both of which offer good performance at a low cost.

Yes, drones like the DJI Tello and Mini SE are equipped with cameras and designed for use by kids.

Important features to look for include durability, ease of use, safety features like propeller guards, and possibly an altitude hold function to help stabilize the drone during flight.

Author

Diptesh Das

Diptesh Das is your friendly ‘content maniac’ and drone enthusiastic! Being passionate about content writing. He is a firm believer of the power of words and thereby ended up leveraging them to create an impact by sharing his drone knowledge and experiences.