Best Drone 2016: Gift Ideas For DJI Phantom 4, Parrot BeBop Drone And More

It’s a bird, it’s a plane… or it’s likely someone’s future holiday gift. Since the small UAVs were released for commercial use, drones have been a popular gift amongst tech enthusiasts, photographers, videographers and teens alike. Retailers from Best Buy to B&H have become completely saturated with a variety of drone makes and brands, making the selection process not so simple for those who are looking for the ideal model for someone on their shopping list.

Whether you’re shopping for a first-time drone user or looking for the best-ranked model of 2016, there is a selection of drones to search for by category for the holiday season.

Best Drones Under $200: While these models likely won’t be as durable as, say a Phantom 4, moderately priced drones are great for someone who is just starting out with a drone or for someone who enjoys flying them for fun. The U45 Blue Jay WiFi FPV Quadcopter Drone received good reviews on Amazon as easy-to-use and good in-flight for its price. The model has been upgraded with Wifi FPV (first person view) and is compatible with VR headsets. It has been lauded for its lightweight design and easy-to-assemble body, as well.

Another popular model for under $200 was the Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 Elite Quadcopter, which is now available at Best Buy for $169.99. This model also features an FPV capability that’s compatible with Android and iOS tablets and smartphones. This model is also easy-to-fly and boasts decent camera quality for the price.

Best Drones For First-Time Users: For someone who is interested in receiving their first drone, there are a variety of models that can be purchased purely for fun. The Protocol TerraCopter is the ultimate toy. This car-turned-drone can drive and fly -- forwards, backward, right and left. It comes with an LCD screen and a 2.4 gig remote and is available for $149.99.

Parrot is another leading brand for drones. Its BeBop Drone Quadcopter with 14-megapixel flight camera comes with a Linux-based flight computer and can capture 1080p video and 14MP photos. For its price and make, B&H reviews stated that it was durable, easy to control and the camera stability was good.

Best Drones For Video: For more experienced users, or for those who are looking for one of the most consistently top-rated models, the models from DJI are among the best. The DJI Phantom 3 Advanced Quadcopter was ranked one of the top gifts from B&H, which specializes in camera and photo gear. This model comes with a stabilized 2.7k camera that can take 12 MP still photos and a three axis gimbal that allows users more control when it comes to tilt and pan.

The Best of 2016: The DJI Phantom 4 models continue to outperform other models and was ranked the best “all-around consumer drone” by CNet. Its Obstacle Sensing System keeps will keep collisions at a minimum and the product has been deemed “uncomplicated.” Shoppers note: The price is pretty hefty and typically runs over $1,000.