8 Best Surveillance Drones – the Perfect Models for Users of Any Level (Spring 2024)

We consider the DJI Mavic Air 2S the best surveillance drone of all tested as it boasts a very long battery life of 31 minutes and impressive range of 7.5. miles. It comes with a high-quality 20 MP camera that captures very vivid shots, and it can record videos of 4K/60fps or 1080p/120fps. The  OcuSync 3.0 image transmission technology and MasterShots fuction ensure the drone can automatically track subjects and take as detailed videos and photos as possible.

The DJI Mini 2 and Mavic 2 Pro, the previous models of our editor’s choice, are very similar in design with a signature light-grey color but differ significantly in size and weight. The ‘mini’ version is only about 8.8 ounces and has a smaller range of only 2.5 miles but still has the same flight time as the DJI Air 2S. As for the Mavic, this is the largest and heaviest model with a higher speed that would be more suitable for professionals.

There are many reason why we chose the DJI FPV to be our Premium Pick. First of all, it comes with superior 48MP camera and upgraded image transmission that allows to transmit a live 4K/60 fps video preview. This way, flying and framing shots is as easy as pie. Second reason why the DJI FPV takes the second place on our list is its two-directional obstacle avoidance. It can sense forward and downward obstacles, thus making sure the drone will not crash into anything and get damaged.

Along with the DJI Air 2S, the FPV model features the same third version of OcuSync technology. As for the remote controller in our Premium Choice, it is similar to the Mavic series but without the phone holder, replaced by DJI FPV goggles. Also, the DJI FPV drone’s flight batteries of 200 mAh can provide up to 20 minutes of flight time, while the DJI Mavic Air 2S has a battery with a higher capacity of 3500 mAh, giving it an additional 11 minutes of flight.

The Mavic 3 is another impressive drone from the famous DJI brand, which no doubt is the leader on the current market. The drone is equipped with a high-quality 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad Camera. Hasselblad is a superior camera manufacturer, so you can be sure of its excellent performance. We were also stunned by its dynamic range and 4K 120 fps video capabilities. Be sure that you will get all the details in the highlights and even shadows of your video surveillance footage in post-production. With this drone, you will easily get the smoothest high-resolution slow-motion video.

The DJI Mavic 3 is an upgrade to the DJI Mavic 2 Pro in several areas. For one, it has a longer flight time, with the Mavic 2 Pro maxing out at 31 minutes while its counterpart can go for an extra 15 minutes. This coincides with the extra video transmission capacity where the Mavic 3 can transmit from up to 15,000 meters away. In comparison, the 2 Pro should be unable to transmit past the 10,000-meter mark. Furthermore, the Mavic three comes standard with Apple ProRes 422 HQ to help in post-production. Lastly, the 3 has a more advanced obstacle-sensing system.

This is а top-of-the-notch surveillance drone with a decent flight capability. In addition to the autonomous flight, it comes with a CGO3 Gimbal slow-motion camera. It has a nice image stabilization and shoots smooth, clear 1080p videos at 120fps. Since it has a 1312-foot range, you won’t need to fly it close to the areas where it will be difficult to retrieve it. What’s more, it boasts a 25-minute battery life, so you don’t need to worry about running out of battery fast.

Yuneec offers a wide range of Typhoon drones with varying specifications that can satisfy your basic aerial surveillance needs, need for commercial inspections, and more. The most popular models are the H and H Pro Rs, which offer six propellers that allow for higher speeds compared to four of the Q500. However, we have tested that the last one wins in a maximum flight time, which can be a decisive factor when choosing the best drone surveillance.

The best thing about the DeeRC D15 drone is its Electronic Image Stabilization technology that works great for maintaining a stable image during flight. The camera is able to shoot 4K/30fps and 1080p/60fps videos, which you can later view on a smart device or a TV screen. What is more, its this UAV comes with a 130°-angle lens and you can control it from your smart device. Having run a few tests we found out that the DeeRC D15 has a 22-minute battery life, which is quite good for a standard quadcopter.

At first glance, the DeeRC D15 drone looks similar to another popular and flagship quadcopter drone made by Holy Stone – the HS700D. However, the Deer CD15 is distinguished by a blocky design and longer flight time with a bigger remote control distance. Today the DeeRC drones mainly compete with Holy Stone 110D and 700D. The list of competitors is obviously much wider, but the specularities, flight modes, functionality, and price of these models are the closest.

This is the best drone for surveillance for the money. Considering its camera capabilities and decent flight time, this drone is far more superior to the most drones of the same price range. The drone also features a GPS Auto Return function, which is very helpful to beginners. The HS175D is equipped with a 4K camera that can take high-quality photos and videos, and a 110°wide-angle that comes in handy if you want to capture more in a frame.

When it came to Holy Stone drones, the first models we compared were the HS175D and HS165. The last one is a previous version of our Best Value nominee, which is in many ways inferior to it. First, the Holy Stone HS175D features 7 minutes longer flight time and 420mAh more battery power. Second, the HS165 drone has twice less external memory supported that is a con for keeping high-resolution videos. Finally, the HS175D is better for aerial surveillance purposes due to its wider field of view (110° vs. 90°).

The Ryze Tech Tello is another affordable and unique drone on our list. Weighing only 2.82 oz., it is tiny and can easily fit in your pocket. Nevertheless, it come with nice features such as HD video recording and FPV function with the controller. Its 1.6-inch height and 3.9-inch width allow you to use this drone indoors and rid you of the fear of it crashing.

The Potensic Elfin is the drone to challenge the Tello with a similar design and price tag. They are both made of robust plastic and have taken some hits without damage. However, there are significant differences between these UAVs. The Elfin’s camera can be adjusted, while the Tello’s one is not able to move around. Yet, the Ryze Tech Tello does a good job of hovering when indoors and in zero wind thanks to its infrared sensor that defeats the Elfin model in terms of efficiency.

Having tested the Parrot Disco FPV fixed-wing drone, we’ve ensured that this drone is your best bet at surveilling large properties. It boasts the longest flight time among all the drones we reviewed and can fly autonomously. This way you can direct it from a far longer distance. We were also happy to see that in addition to the drone you get FPV goggles in the package. The goggles are designed for use with 4.7 to 5.2-inch screen-size smartphones, so you can enjoy an exciting adventure at the fullest.

The Disco FPV can be compared to another fixed-wing model – the Parrot Swing. Both ‘Parrots’ are fixed-wing drones but are designed for significantly different purposes. While the Swing is very compact-sized and commonly used for fun by drone enthusiasts, its upgraded version, the Parrot Disco FPV, is best for aerial surveillance and precision agriculture.