As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
We are a long way from the days when drones were only intended for military use. For a few years now, companies have started designing drones for the general public. These flying devices, also known as quadcopters, can be stowed away in a jacket pocket, and they can perform sacred feats in flight.
Are you passionate about photography, or are you a budding or professional videographer? Are you looking for the best drone to capture aerial shots? Do you have a GoPro and don’t want to part with it? What if we told you that a drone and GoPro could go hand in hand?
Indeed, there are lots of drone models that are compatible with GoPro cameras. These drones are designed with special pods that allow you to install outdoor cameras, including GoPros, more seamlessly. If you do not know which model to choose, this review aims to list the best drones for GoPro!
Best Drones For GoPro Reviews
GoPro Karma with HERO6
Carefully observed by the drone universe, Karma was believed to be dead and buried, fallen from the sky just before it took off! Determined to make it a centerpiece of its ecosystem built around Hero action cams, GoPro has not, however, let down its drone.
Review
The GoPro Karma provides razor-sharp photos and videos with the included Hero6 action cam. It is a small, compact, and foldable model that is practical for filming and photographing from the sky. With their ease of handling thanks to their remote controls, GoPro drones are very popular.
The Karma series offers top-level performance. Landings and take-offs are automatic. Their speed of 55 km/hour allows them to cut through the air without sacrificing the quality of the shot. This performance is made possible by the 14.8-volt LiPo battery (5,100 mAh) and its 4 very powerful brushless motors. Note that the device has a stabilizer on board to guarantee images of absolute clarity.
The flight time of this device from a single charge is 20 minutes on average. This camera drone has a GPS that allows it to locate itself in its environment, and it comes in a transport case for added security. Its battery fully recharges in just one hour. It weighs only 4.3 pounds, which makes it easily transportable.
Its 5-inch touchscreen is very bright. The supplied Karma controller offers two integrated joysticks that are smooth and easy to learn. It consists of a very pleasant coating and a perfect grip. The range of this remote control is approximately 1.6 miles according to the manufacturer.
Its very limited battery runtime of 20 minutes is a little disappointing. Also, the GoPro Karma does not include 3D tracking, Follow Me, or Tap Fly. That is too bad, but there are compensatory features!
We appreciate the 4K quality of the images from the GoPro action camera and the perfect stabilization offered by the gimbal. The video editing software provided is also easy to learn. The proposed automatic trajectories allow professional images to be taken without having to be a pilot.
Pros
- 4K image quality
- Gimbal offers stabilization
- Easy to use
- Free, easy editing software
Cons
- Few flight modes
- Disappointing Full-HD image quality
Buy It: Force1 F100GP Drone with Camera for Adults
Potensic D85 FPV Drone with 2K Camera
The Potensic D85 drone is a mid-range model offered by Potensic. The company is well-known in the industry for its quality/price ratio. This drone is capable of accommodating a sports action camera, like the GoPro, with a resolution of 1080p. Let’s see that in detail!
Review
The Potensic D85 FPV Drone with 2K Camera is equipped with a GPS and the GLONASS system. This helps to find its way in space and makes it more stable in flight. It has a very good battery life and range for its price.
As said above, the camera is a sports action camera (GoPro type) that allows you to shoot in 1080p (1920 x 1080 pixels). It has a wide-angle of 130°. The camera is connected directly to the drone by a cable and can be operated directly with the remote control.
The quality of the video is great, but you should not expect the same quality as a GoPro. Nevertheless, thanks to the base system dedicated to a camera, it is possible to insert other models to have a better result.
The base, or the gimbal, is made of plastic and does not allow for mechanical stabilization. In other words, there are slight tremors that make the Potensic D85 drone less than perfect for videos. You could prevent this by using a camera with optical stabilization, which would have to be added to the drone.
The battery power and performance is slightly above average. The 2800 mAh battery allows the machine to fly for about 40 minutes. Note that without using the camera in recording mode, the runtime will be longer.
The D85 is, therefore, slightly above average for flight time. On the other hand, to recharge the battery, it takes between 3 and 6 hours for it to be full again, which is very long. Thus, it will be necessary to have at least one additional battery so as not to be frustrated with the waiting time.
When it comes to performance and speed, the Potensic D85 is quite good. Its top speed is 50 km/h. It is provided with good acceleration, and the piloting is quite intuitive and is suitable for beginners.
Pros
- Carrying case with two batteries
- 40-minute long flight time
- 50km/h top speed
- Good for beginners and adults
- 5G real-time transmission
Cons
- Doesn’t include a memory card
- Doesn’t record sound
Buy It: Potensic D85 FPV Drone with 2K Camera
DROCON Bugs 3 Powerful Brushless Motor
DROCON’s Bugs 3 (blue) was released in 2019 with some improvements to the previous model. Let’s start by saying that it is a drone without piloting assistance tools. There will be no altitude hold, “return to home”, and various features implemented using GPS. However, it’s still suitable for hobbyists and adults.
Review
This DROCON drone can carry a maximum load of 0.5 pounds, which is perfect for carrying a GoPro-type sports action camera. The package includes a base in which to place a camera, as well as a battery, a remote control, two packs of propellers, and protection for the equipment.
You will have to control the joysticks to maintain the gas and, therefore, the altitude. Moreover, to pilot this drone, you will only need the remote control (no smartphone needed). If you are a beginner, it will take some time to get fully used to it.
We recommend starting outdoors in an open, empty space to avoid crashes. The Bugs 3 is quite imposing at first glance. It measures about 15 inches on the side and weighs about 3 pounds.
The structure of the drone is made of reinforced plastic. To the touch, you can feel that it is of high quality. This quadcopter is powered by 4 1800 kV brushless motors – which means they are independently quieter and have a longer lifespan.
The camera is not supplied with the drone (not at this price), but the Bugs 3 has a base that screws onto the underside of the drone. The mount has a fixed size, which corresponds to the size of the GoPro Hero 3 or 4. Thus, it will be suitable for all sports cameras with these dimensions.
The picture can be perfect if you use a good quality camera. Once in the air, the videos are rather stable. You’re going to notice a few slight tremors, but it is much better than the low-cost drones with cameras filming in 720p.
On the nose of the device, there is an adjustable light. You can place a 360° camera for panoramas or a Wi-Fi camera to make live videos and see the rendering on your smartphone.
It has two speed styles, which are interchangeable via a button (left trigger) on the remote control. The first is the “slow” mode, which is very practical and offers better control. The second is the full speed mode. The Bugs 3 has a huge 1800mAh lithium-ion battery. Recharging it takes approximately 6 hours, so it is strongly recommended to have extra batteries.
Pros
- Wind-resistant
- Possibility to choose your camera
- Very responsive and fast
- Offers a great distance range
- Made of solid materials
Cons
- No GPS functionality
- Long battery recharge time
Buy It: DROCON Bugs 3 Powerful Brushless Motor
Force1 F100GP Drone with Camera for Adults
The F100GP is a fantastic quadcopter/drone from a company called Force1. The Force1 F100 Ghost has actually been out for quite a while, and in fact, this is like a rebrand of the MJX Bugs 3, which is another great drone.
Review
The Force1 F100GP is a remote-controlled drone that is compatible with GoPro. It has a 1080p high-definition drone camera. In the box, the F100GP drone comes with quite a bit of equipment, so that’s one significant difference between it and the Bugs 3.
The drone comes with two 7.4-volt lithium polymer batteries. However, a few things are missing here. There are no blade guards. It does come with an action camera and landing gear. However, using that is optional. You do not have to put it on. When you use the landing gear, though, it’s a little simpler to fly the drone around.
The Force1 F100GP is a diagonal motor-to-motor device, the structure of which is made of plastic, which seems quite resistant. The motors are brushless, and the propellers are self-tightening. Just turn them in the opposite direction of their rotation for them to be installed. Screwing them on is not very easy by hand, though.
Under the motors are preinstalled feet. The battery hatch is placed under the device. The battery is enclosed in a plastic case. It is equipped with an increasingly widespread XT30 plug and a balancing plug. You can use the charger provided in the box or a more efficient charger for better balancing of the two cells.
The 2.4 GHz radio antenna is on the outside of the device, clipped to a support. Unclipping it undoubtedly provides a better range, but then it dangles.
A support for placing a GoPro camera is provided in the box. It is to be clipped under the battery door and secured with a lug nut. If this support is in place, longer legs must be added. They are provided in the box, as well. Just install them with the help of two screws each. You can also add propeller guards. They are also in the box, and connecting them is quick.
The F100 Ghost does not have altitude hold, so that means you’re going to be manually keeping it up in the air.
Pros
- 1080p HD camera
- Brushless
- 30-minute flight time
- Can perform 360° flips
Cons
- Does not have altitude hold
- Does not have a Wi-Fi FPV/app
Buy It: Force1 F100GP Drone with Camera for Adults
Altair Aerial Blackhawk Drone with Camera Mount
While most drones without a camera can be a bit expensive, the Altair Aerial Blackhawk Drone is more on the lower end of the price spectrum. It is suitable for beginners and intermediate pilots. Moreover, some of the controls are easier to learn. With the press of a button, the GoPro drone will take off, land, or maintain its position in the air.
Review
The Altair Aerial Blackhawk long-range drone has a mount for your GoPro camera. It works with both the GoPro Hero 3 and 4. The drone is made of heavy-duty metal material and offers easy handling while working at an extreme speed.
Since the drone comes without a camera, you can install your own. It is easily connected with an HDMI cable. With the basic features expected of a GoPro-compatible drone model, you are sure to get the best aerial photos and videos.
Also, its remote control is intuitive thanks to its design, which is similar to that of a video game controller.
The Altair Aerial Blackhawk Drone features an auto-lock protection feature. This helps the drone prevent burnouts during a deadlock. This protection will give the motors extra security and make it more long-lasting, keeping you from having to replace them too soon.
Finally, the drone has a range of transmission of up to half a mile. It has an average runtime of 17 minutes when fully charged, thanks to an exceptional lithium battery. With a GoPro attached, you can’t have more than 12 minutes of flight time, though.
Pros
- Easy to handle
- Heavy-duty metal construction
- Features brushless motor
- Smooth flying experience
Cons
- No Follow Me, headless mode, or altitude control
- Low battery run-time
Buy It: Altair Aerial Blackhawk Drone with Camera Mount
Conclusion
If you already have a GoPro, there’s no need to purchase a drone with a camera. Alternately, GoPro-ready drones will save you a lot while offering starters, intermediate users, and advanced videographers the best filming experience.
The GoPro Karma with HERO6 is the best on our list thanks to its cutting edge features, such as the 4K image quality and stabilizing gimbal. The runner-up is the Potensic D85 FPV Drone. This model includes a 2K Camera and a 2800 mAh battery that allows the machine to fly for about 40 minutes.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates.
