How to Pick the Right Drone in 2025: A Guide by Black Magic Drone Studios
- thomaswillson6
- Jun 1
- 4 min read
Choosing your first or next drone can feel like stepping into another world. From sleek FPV racers to cinematic camera drones and even DIY kits you can build from scratch, the sky’s the limit (literally). At Black Magic Drone Studios, we’ve flown, filmed, and fiddled with all kinds of drones and now, we’re giving you the inside scoop. Whether you're a weekend hobbyist or an aspiring aerial filmmaker, here’s our expert breakdown of the best drones you can buy in 2025.
Drones we're looking at:
FPV (First-Person View) Drone:
DJI Avata 2 Fly More Combo
Overview:
If you're looking to experience flight like never before, the DJI Avata 2 is your ticket to the cockpit. Designed for immersive FPV (first-person view) flying, it puts you right in the pilot’s seat zipping, twisting, and diving through the air with unrivalled control. Paired with DJI Goggles and Motion Controller, this drone transforms your surroundings into an aerial playground. And thanks to built-in propeller guards and improved obstacle sensing, it's more forgiving for new FPV pilots too. With buttery-smooth 4K footage and a wide 155° field of view, this is the drone that makes your footage feel like a film and your flying feel like freedom.
Key Features:
4K video recording at 60fps
Improved obstacle avoidance
Extended flight time
Enhanced transmission range
Ratings:
Cost: ★★★☆☆
User-Friendliness: ★★★★☆
Features: ★★★★★
Durability: ★★★★☆
Price: £1049.99
Ideal For: Pilots seeking an immersive FPV experience with top-tier features
Prosumer Drone:
DJI Air 3S
Overview:
For drone pilots ready to level up, the DJI Air 3S strikes the perfect balance between cinematic power and smart simplicity. This is the workhorse of semi-pro creators: dual lenses, 4K HDR video, extended flight time, and intelligent tracking features that do the heavy lifting for you. It’s compact enough to take anywhere, but powerful enough to rival much bulkier kits. Whether you're shooting a wedding, creating client content, or just capturing stunning landscapes, this drone delivers smooth, sharp, and dynamic results every single time. It’s the drone we trust when quality counts but budgets still matter.
Key Features:
Dual-camera system with wide and telephoto lenses
4K video at 100fps
Advanced obstacle sensing
Extended flight time
Ratings:
Cost: ★★★☆☆
User-Friendliness: ★★★★☆
Features: ★★★★★
Portability: ★★★★☆
Price: £1,099.00
Ideal For: Enthusiasts and semi-professionals seeking high-quality aerial footage.
Consumer Drone:
DJI Mini 4K
Overview:
Not every drone needs to be big to be brilliant. The DJI Mini 4K proves that powerful things come in very small packages. Weighing under 249 grams, this ultra-light flyer dodges most aviation regulations while still packing a punch when it comes to capturing stunning footage. It’s a dream for beginners: simple to set up, easy to fly, and a joy to take on adventures. Whether you’re filming your holiday, creating content for socials, or exploring the world from a new angle, the Mini 4K lets you get creative without complexity. Don’t let its size fool you, this is a serious piece of kit for under £300.
Key Features:
4K video recording
Lightweight design under 250g
Simplified controls
GPS-assisted flight
Ratings:
Cost: ★★★★☆
User-Friendliness: ★★★★★
Features: ★★★☆☆
Portability: ★★★★★
Price: £269.00
Ideal For: Beginners and hobbyists looking for an affordable, easy-to-use drone.
Budget Drone:
DJI Neo Drone
Overview:
If you’re drone-curious but not ready to drop a grand, the DJI Neo makes a brilliant starting point. It’s small, smart, and surprisingly capable, offering 4K recording, auto-tracking, and gesture control at a budget-friendly price. Its lightweight build makes it easy to carry and legally simpler to fly, and with features like palm take-off and AI flight modes, it’s tailor-made for stress-free fun. Perfect for teens, creators, or curious flyers who want quality without overthinking it. This is your no-fuss entry into the world of aerial filming and it delivers far more than you’d expect for the price.
Key Features:
HD video recording
Simplified controls
Durable design
Beginner-friendly features
Ratings:
Cost: ★★★★★
User-Friendliness: ★★★★★
Features: ★★★☆☆
Durability: ★★★★☆
Price: £169.00
Ideal For: First-time pilots seeking an affordable entry into drone flying.
DIY Drone Kit:
HAWK’S WORK F450 Drone Kit
Overview:
Want to go beyond just flying drones and actually build one? The HAWK’S WORK F450 Kit is where the real tinkerers thrive. This DIY drone comes with all the essentials: frame, motors, controller, GPS module and invites you to assemble your quadcopter from the ground up. It’s not just a drone; it’s a hands-on engineering project. If you’ve got a technical mindset or you're looking to introduce STEM learning in schools or clubs, this is a powerful learning tool. Bonus: once it’s built, you can customise and upgrade it as you go. Think of it as the Meccano set for the modern aerial age.
Key Features:
Complete quadcopter frame
Includes Pixhawk flight controller
GPS module
Brushless motors and ESCs
Ratings:
Cost: ★★★☆☆
User-Friendliness: ★★☆☆☆
Features: ★★★★☆
Customizability: ★★★★★
Price: £266.00
Ideal For: Tech enthusiasts and hobbyists interested in building and customizing their own drones.
Final Thoughts
The perfect drone doesn’t exist but the right one for you absolutely does. Whether you're filming for clients, capturing family adventures, or learning to build from scratch, there’s a model that matches your goals, your budget, and your level of skill.
At Black Magic Drone Studios, we use these drones every day so if you’re unsure where to start, reach out or follow our content for real-world insights.
Want a hand picking your next drone? Get in touch or DM us on Instagram and let’s chat.
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