5 best drones to boost your photography game in the UAE, 2025

Looking to soar above the skies and capture stunning aerial views in the UAE? The best drones of 2025 are here to elevate your photography, videography, and flying experience to new heights. Whether you're a seasoned drone enthusiast or a beginner ready to explore the world from above, this year’s top picks offer an exciting mix of cutting-edge technology, seamless controls, and superior camera capabilities. From high-performance models with 4K video recording to compact drones designed for easy portability, the options are endless. Whether you’re chasing adventure in the desert or capturing the vibrant cityscape of Dubai, these drones ensure smooth flights, enhanced safety features, and breathtaking footage. In this guide, we’ll take you through the best drones for 2025, offering insights into their standout features, pros, and the perfect drone for your aerial needs. Ready to take your content creation to the skies? Let’s dive in! For our list, we scoured through Amazon's top-rated products and read reviews, too.

Pick the one that best suits your requirements and budget and get it as early as tomorrow with Amazon Prime.

1) Best Overall: DJI Mini 4 Pro Fly More Combo Plus

It's a favourite, going by the reviews. The DJI Mini 4 Pro gets almost everything right, offering a perfect balance of portability and performance. Its compact foldable design makes for easy storage, and its lightweight build helps it avoid registration hassles in most regions. Equipped with an impressive Quad Bayer camera, it effortlessly switches between widescreen and vertical video modes, making it perfect for content creators across platforms. With 360-degree obstacle avoidance sensors and HDR video capabilities, the Mini 4 Pro outshines its predecessor, the Mini 3 Pro, ensuring more dynamic and versatile footage. The drone also features advanced obstacle sensing, intelligent flight modes like ActiveTrack 360, and an upgraded controller for smoother connectivity, ensuring both safety and seamless operation. The nose-mounted camera with 24mm F1.7 optics delivers vibrant, sharp video in any lighting, while the integrated three-axis gimbal guarantees smooth footage, even during acrobatic maneuvers. With 60 degrees of upward tilt and the ability to capture in both wide-screen (16:9) and vertical (9:16) formats, it's tailored for YouTube and TikTok content. The Fly More Combo Plus offers extra batteries, propellers, a charging hub, and a carrying bag, providing all you need for extended shooting sessions. Whether you're an experienced aerial photographer or a beginner, the DJI Mini 4 Pro elevates your content creation with its blend of portability, user-friendly features, and powerful performance.

Bonus: Buy with zero per cent installments and pay Dh331.17 for 12 months with select banks.

Warranty: Amazon offers a year-long warranty of Dh227 and two-year long extended warranty of Dh375.

2) Best for Travel Photographers: DJI Air 3S Fly More Combo 

The DJI Air 3S Fly More Combo is a travel photographer’s dream, offering 5.4K video and sharp, vibrant photos thanks to its powerful 1-inch sensor. With advanced obstacle sensors and smart flight modes, it ensures smooth, cinematic shots even in tricky environments. The 46-minute flight time and extra accessories in the Fly More Combo, like additional batteries and propellers, make it perfect for extended adventures. However, while it’s compact and foldable, it’s still a bit heavier than some other drones, which could impact portability on long treks. Additionally, its price point may be a stretch for casual photographers, making it more suited for serious content creators looking for professional-grade results. Despite these cons, the Air 3S’s performance and versatility make it a top choice for those serious about capturing stunning travel shots.

Bonus: Buy with zero per cent installments and pay Dh466.58 for 12 months with select banks.

Warranty: Amazon offers year-long warranty of Dh341 and two-year long warranty of Dh563.

3) Best Compact Drone: Autel Robotics EVO Lite

The Autel Robotics EVO Lite is a compact powerhouse designed for capturing stunning aerial shots on your adventures. Featuring a 50MP camera and 4K video capabilities, this drone delivers crystal-clear footage with vibrant colors and sharp details, whether you're soaring over dramatic landscapes or urban vistas. With its advanced obstacle avoidance sensors and intelligent flight modes, the EVO Lite ensures smooth, safe, and hassle-free operation. Boasting an impressive 40-minute flight time, you can capture more without the need to swap batteries frequently. Plus, its foldable design makes it easy to slip into a backpack or carry-on for travel.

Equipped with integrated GPS and downward-facing visual sensors, the EVO Lite keeps its position steady when you take your hands off the controls. The return-to-home feature adds an extra layer of safety, automatically bringing the drone back to its takeoff point if it loses connection with the remote. The EVO Lite+ model further enhances safety with forward, rear, and downward-facing sensors that detect obstacles and stop the drone if it encounters anything in its path. Unlike some DJI models or the Skydio 2+, it doesn't navigate around obstacles automatically, and it lacks upward- and side-facing sensors, limiting its coverage. For smooth subject tracking in 4K or lower resolutions, you'll want to fly in clear areas to avoid obstructions.

What truly sets the EVO Lite+ apart from its predecessors is its 1-inch sensor, the same type found in premium compact cameras. This, combined with recording options for 6K resolution at 24, 25, or 30fps, or 4K/2.7K at up to 60fps, delivers exceptional video quality. The 120fps option at 1080p allows for smooth slow-motion shots, while videos are saved in 8-bit quality at a 120Mbps bitrate in your choice of H.264 or H.265/HEVC formats. A 3-axis gimbal stabilizes your footage, offering a pan range that tilts 90 degrees for dynamic overhead shots.

While the EVO Lite+ offers outstanding performance, its app interface might pose a challenge for beginners to navigate. Additionally, its price point may be an investment for those just getting started in drone photography. However, for those seeking a high-quality, portable drone that excels in camera performance and flight time, the Autel EVO Lite+ is an impressive choice. Its professional-grade features and user-friendly design make it ideal for both seasoned pilots and adventurous content creators.

Bonus: Buy with zero per cent installments and pay Dh530.83 for 12 months with select banks.

Warranty: Amazon offers one-year warranty of Dh369 and two-year extended warranty of Dh610.

4) Best Budget: Holy Stone GPS Drone with 4K Camera

The Holy Stone GPS Drone with 4K Camera is a budget-friendly game changer for those looking to dive into aerial photography without breaking the bank. This drone packs a punch with a 4K camera that captures stunningly clear and sharp footage, whether you're filming breathtaking landscapes or scenic city shots. Its built-in GPS ensures precision navigation, while the advanced altitude hold feature lets the drone hover steadily in the air, making it perfect for beginners and pros alike. With a maximum flight time of 20 minutes per battery and a range of up to 1,000 meters, the Holy Stone drone gives you plenty of freedom to explore. It also boasts a 5G WiFi transmission system, providing real-time video streaming so you can see exactly what the camera is capturing, no matter how far the drone flies. The one-key return function makes it super easy to bring the drone back home, ensuring added peace of mind.

The intelligent flight modes, like follow-me and circle flight, offer fun and creative ways to capture dynamic shots. However, while it’s great for entry-level drone enthusiasts, it doesn't have the advanced obstacle sensors you’ll find in pricier models, so it’s important to fly with caution in more crowded or complex environments. Still, for an affordable option with solid performance, the Holy Stone GPS Drone with 4K Camera offers exceptional value, delivering professional-looking footage and plenty of features to get you started in the world of aerial photography.

Bonus: Buy with zero per cent installments and pay Dh80.75 for 12 months with select banks.

Warranty: Amazon offers year-long warranty of Dh57 and two-year long warranty of Dh94.

5) Best for Videography: DJI Avata 2 Fly More Combo

The DJI Avata 2 Fly More Combo is a cutting-edge drone that blends premium features, performance, and an immersive flying experience into a compact design. Designed for both seasoned drone pilots and newcomers to the world of FPV (first-person view) flying, this drone is packed with features that make it perfect for capturing stunning aerial footage. The 4K camera, with a 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor, captures vibrant and sharp video at 4K/60fps and supports a 155-degree field of view (FOV), ensuring wide, cinematic shots from the sky. Whether you're flying through dense forests or capturing panoramic cityscapes, the DJI Avata 2’s advanced 3-axis gimbal ensures ultra-smooth, stable footage even during rapid movements or sharp turns.

The drone's immersive capabilities are taken to the next level with the included DJI Goggles 2, which allow you to experience the flight from the drone's perspective. With real-time, low-latency video streaming, these goggles offer an exhilarating, cockpit-like feeling for an engaging FPV flying experience. For safety, the Avata 2 features front, bottom, and top obstacle sensors, helping you avoid collisions while flying in tight spaces. However, it lacks rear sensors, so it’s important to fly with caution when moving backward. The return-to-home feature is another valuable safety addition, ensuring the drone automatically returns to its takeoff point if it loses signal or if the battery runs low.

As reviews suggest, with a flight time of up to 18 minutes and a range of up to 10 km (6.2 miles) with DJI O3+ transmission, the Avata 2 gives you ample time to explore and capture breathtaking shots. Its portability and foldable design make it easy to pack into your backpack or travel gear, perfect for capturing adventures on the go.

Despite its impressive capabilities, the Avata 2 does have some drawbacks. The price is on the higher end, especially for beginners or those looking for a budget-friendly drone. The flight time of 18 minutes is also relatively short compared to some other drones in the same category, especially for long shooting sessions. Additionally, the drone’s lack of full 360-degree obstacle avoidance (no rear sensors) means you’ll need to be more mindful of your surroundings when flying in complex environments.

Bonus: Buy with zero per cent installments and pay Dh372.50 for 12 months with select banks.

Warranty: Amazon offers year-long warranty of Dh256 and two-year long warranty of Dh422.

The guidelines to follow before flying a drone in the UAE

If you’re planning to fly a drone in the UAE—whether for photography, recreation, or other activities—you’ll need to complete training and register as a drone operator. As of January 7, the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has lifted its conditional ban on individual drone use. However, it’s important to familiarise yourself with the essential operational guidelines before taking to the skies. Here’s everything you need to know:

To fly a drone, you must register via the UAE Drones app (available on both Apple and Android) or through the official website at drones.gov.ae.

Read our full story on registering for drone use here:

To complete your registration, ensure you meet the following requirements:

Obtaining a drone training certificate

Operating a drone legally in the UAE requires a GCAA-accredited training certificate. This certification is necessary for registration through the UAE Drone app or website.

Once you've met the requirements, you have to follow a couple of guidelines before flying your drone:

Our recommendations are independently chosen by Gulf News editors. If you decide to shop through links on our website, we may earn an affiliate commission, as we are part of Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.