10 Best Drones in the Philippines | Best of Tech 2023

For many people, drones are simply toys that they like flying around, which is a totally sensible reason to get one. It’s a fantastic hobby to pursue, so don’t let anyone tell you it’s a waste of money. The good news is that certain drones can now take HD video and images using a high-quality camera, which is useful for more than just personal uses, as many businesses and content creators are starting to embrace drones for their photography skills. With an extensive brand of drones in the market, which then is the best in the Philippines? In our Best of Tech series, we introduce the 10 Best Drones in the Philippines, providing quality recommendations based on your budget and needs. 

This article was last updated on 11 January 2023.

10 Best Drones in the Philippines

1. DJI Mavic 3

Best overall

DJI’s product line includes a diverse range of drones, but the Mavic series marks the start of a new age for DJI drones.  The latest DJI Mavic 3 takes the top spot in our best drone rankings because it’s the first compact and foldable drone built for professional use, with features that push the boundary of battery length, sensor size, safety, and other factors. It’s a little pricey, but with a four-thirds camera sensor, obstacle avoidance, and a long flight time, we think it’s well worth your money.  So, when it comes to the design and performance of drones, this model is really on another level.

Exceptional cameras for taking the best shots

Now, let’s go on to the cameras. DJI worked with Hasselblad to design the primary camera, which means the 4/3 CMOS lens can efficiently reduce noise in low-light circumstances while providing higher resolution and dynamic range. Aside from the ability to take breathtakingly clear images in bright sunlight, one of the most striking qualities of this new camera is its capacity to shoot in extremely low-light conditions with minimal image distortion. In general, it can perform well across the color spectrum, whether you’re filming in cities, along coasts, or in the countryside—at any time of day!

Seamless and steady flights with intelligent safety features

In terms of safety features, this drone has all the bells and whistles, like an upgraded O3+ transmission system for smooth and steady flights. Another one is the Mavic 3’s obstacle omnidirectional detection technology, which comprises sensors with a 200-meter range for spotting obstacles in all directions and calculating a safe flight path even in complex scenarios! With these fantastic intelligent features, we think the Mavic 3 is unquestionably DJI’s easiest drone to fly and control.

Overall, this drone is a no-brainer if you can pay the extra asking price. The quality of the video footage and still images produced by the incredible Hasselblad camera is about as good as it will ever get. It’s a fantastic mix of features that make it simple to capture images and films with a drone designed for pros!

Why buy this:

• Incredible image quality
• Solid obstacle avoidance
• Very long battery life (up to 46 minutes)
• Extremely stable

2. DJI Air 2S

If you want a less costly compact drone that flies flawlessly and produces superb video and pin-sharp stills, we don’t think you’ll find a better model than the DJI Air 2S, which, we believe closely follows the Mavic 3.  This small drone has arms that fold in, so it’ll fit better in your camera bag.  It’s also light enough to pick up and carry with only one hand!

Sensational camera and smart features at a lower price

The DJI Air 2S drone is loaded with so much modern technology that we’re not sure where to begin, so we’ll concentrate on its core aspects. For starters, it has a 1-inch image sensor and large 2.4m pixels, which means this drone can capture every amazing detail. With a 5.4K video, the DJI Air 2S also provides rich clarity and accurate color tones in every frame for stunning footage. The best part is that, like the Mavic 3, it boasts obstacle sensing technology and an O3 image transmission system, which makes flying safer, smarter, and smoother.

Ultimately, the DJI Air 2S is a real game-changer, excelling in portability and features while allowing you to shoot high-resolution video and stills like a true pro—all for a lower price!

Why buy this:

• A sensational camera that shoots in 5.4K
• Features four-sided obstacle avoidance technology
• Light and compact to carry

3. DJI Mini 2

Best for beginners and on-the-go creators

The DJI Mini 2 topped our expectations for a drone of this size, with capabilities like 10 kilometers of HD video transmission, 4x digital zoom, level 5 wind resistance for stability, and even a camera that offers 4K/30fps video. And, while the camera is significantly inferior to those of DJI’s larger drones, it is still a very good camera. This drone, however, lacks obstacle avoidance sensors, so you’ll have to be careful how you fly it. But despite the lack of sensors, we think the Mini would be more daring because it is so tiny that it can easily go through tighter gaps!

For obvious reasons, the Mini 2 isn’t DJI’s flashiest drone, but we have to say that this one hit a near-perfect balance between affordability, mobility, and image quality. So, if you’re looking for a high-quality beginner drone that won’t break the bank, this is the one for you.

Why buy this:

• Very light and portable
• 4K camera
• Budget-friendly

4. PowerVision PowerEgg X Wizard 

The PowerEgg X, as the name implies, is an egg-shaped device with a detachable bottom cover that neatly conceals and protects the camera. It’s extremely clever, and it clearly shows why PowerVision chose such an innovative and distinctive design—for its waterproofing. That said, the ability to fly and shoot in the rain or land on a pond brings up new creative and operational possibilities not available with other drones. While its 4K camera falls short of the top two drones on this list, we believe the PowerEgg’s waterproof features may be attractive enough to outweigh any reservations you have about the video quality.

Why buy this:

• Can fly in heavy rain or land on water
• Good 4K camera

5. DJI Digital FPV System Racing Drone Combo

Built for an immersive flying experience

The DJI FPV brings to the table a unique combination of speed racing drone and Mavic series features. This drone is unrivaled in terms of first-person view flying. Moreover, it’s built for speed, making it more tempting to thrill-seekers and drone racing enthusiasts than aerial photographers.  And although the FPV Combo isn’t geared for imaging, DJI still put a good camera on board. It can capture video in 4K60 resolution and up to 120 frames per second in 1080p. So, if you’re a daring flier, you’ll love this drone!

Why buy this:

• Solid camera with 4K 60FPS mode and 1080P 120FPS mode
• Much longer battery life than other FPV drones

6. SYMA Philippines X5HC-1 Quadcopter Drone

If you’re new to flying a quadcopter, this is the ideal option for you. Although it’s not as luxurious as the others, it does an excellent job of teaching you how to use one. It has a great performance thanks to its decent quality 2.0 MP camera, 6-axis flight control systems, a colorful flashing light, and 360-degree eversion. Moreover, it has a transmission range of up to 50 meters and excellent stabilizers. The best news is that the entire kit will not set you back a lot, making it ideal if you’re just getting started with droning.

Why buy this:

• Affordable
• Easy to use and control
• Has a decent 2.0MP HD camera

7. SG107 HD Camera Drone

A foldable quadcopter with a 4K HD camera offered at such a low price is uncommon, but the SG107 is one of them. This feature-rich toy-class drone is available for less than P2,000! It has a 4K HD dual-camera system that allows for high-definition aerial photography and 1080P filmmaking at 20 frames per second. While the good camera is one of its selling qualities, it is the fun gesture shooting feature that drew our attention. When you give it the victory sign, it will approach you and begin taking shots. You can also start recording videos by showing the palm sign. It’s a really cool feature that makes it easier for you to take group photos and videos!

Why buy this:

• Affordable
• Has cool features like gesture interaction and dual positioning
• Good camera quality

8. EWA Philippines E58 Quadcopter Drone

Premium-looking drone at a budget price

The E58 is a drone with a look of luxury, yet it’s definitely a budget drone best suited for new pilots. The camera is one of its better features, which is surprising for a drone that costs less than most of the others on our list. It’s not as amazing as the camera that comes with the DJI Mavic, but it’s still good enough to produce films and photos that will wow your family and friends. Furthermore, the camera has FPV functionality, which means you can stream live video footage to your mobile device, making it, in our opinion, one of the coolest features of this drone. Overall, we feel this drone delivers great value for money when considering its functionality and pricing.

Why buy this:

• Affordable
• Good camera quality
• Compact design
• With Wi-Fi FPV support

9. KK8 Philippines Mini Drone

The KK8 is one of the smallest drones we’ve seen, so if you want one that can fit in your pockets or light travel bags, this may be the one for you. But don’t worry, because its tiny size does not prevent it from having outstanding features like the other drones on our list. It has a 1080P wide-angle camera, an innovative 6-axis Gyro system, way-point flight, 360° flip, one key to take off/land, and gesture photo and video! With such fascinating features at such a small size and low price, it’s no surprise that this drone has received wonderful ratings on Shopee.

Why buy this:

• Small and lightweight
• Affordable

10. JY018 Philippines Foldable Pocket Mini Drone

There’s nothing wrong with getting a drone with the express aim of having fun. But for this reason, we recommend going with the least expensive option—the JY018 Pocket Drone. It’s not a perfect drone for filming because the camera quality is just average at most, but it works well enough and has a sturdy design that can endure several crashes. This makes it the ideal drone as a gift for youngsters; it is safe, sturdy, incredibly easy to operate with the smartphone app, and quite inexpensive!

Why buy this:

• Affordable
• Foldable, compact design
• Easy to use with smartphone app control

We hope that our guide on the 10 Best Drones in the Philippines has helped you pick the best drone for your droning sessions. Please share this with your family and friends if you have found it useful!

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