Many drones come with cameras already installed on them, but we wanted to find out which is the best drone for GoPro cameras and what technology they use. Many fans of GoPro cameras swear by them for everything from extreme sports photography to taking videos from high altitude drone flights.
It’s hard to narrow down the list to only ten entries since the market is quickly becoming flooded with many decent GoPro-compatible quadcopters. Exotic drones featuring GoPro mounts are getting more popular as well, so we figured it would be best to narrow things down by looking at the price range, build quality, features and user reviews to get you a list of products competing to be the best drone for GoPro equipment.
5 Best Drones for GoPro
| Drone Name | Camera Type | Video Resolution | Number of Rotors | Flight Time | Remote Control Type | Amazon Rating | Our Rating |
| 1. GoPro Karma | HERO 5 Black | 1080×120 | 4 | 18 min. | Karma Game-style Controller | 3.5 stars | 5 stars |
| 2. Bugs3 Independent ESC Drone | GoPro HERO (Not Included) | Up to 4K30 | 4 | 18 min. | 2.4GHz Remote | 4 stars | 4.5 stars |
| 3. 3DR Solo Drone | GoPro HERO 4 | Up to 4K30 | 4 | 16 min. | Pushbutton | 4 stars | 4 stars |
| 4. Force1 F100 Ghost | GoPro HERO 3 or HERO 4 | Up to 4K30 | 4 | 23 min. | Twin-Stick | 4.5 stars | 4 stars |
| 5. DJI Phantom Aerial UAV | GoPro HERO 2, HERO 3 or HERO 3+ | Up to 1440p30 | 4 | 15 min. | Dual Stick | 4 stars | 3.5 stars |
10. MJX X102H RC Quadcopter
With an affordable price tag, the MJX quadcopter is certainly one of the least expensive quadcopters that can mount an official GoPro camera. It’s unique design and attractive colors make it easy to spot, so you won’t lose your investment in an excellent camera.
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Dual flight speed control
- Strong magnet motor
Cons:
- Anemic battery life cuts flights to around 11 minutes
- Some early units were defective
9. Dayan Anser High-Speed Copter
While the Dayan Anser high-speed copter can actually mount several different types of cameras, it’s designed with the GoPro series in mind. The drone is certainly strong enough to hold some of the heavier GoPro models. It’s essentially a stripped-down version of the full Independent ESC drones that made it higher on this list.
Pros:
- 19 minutes of battery life
- Mounted smart transmitter system
Cons:
- Instructions are poorly translated
- Relatively short flight distance
8. DJI Phantom 2
DJI’s Phantom 2 is an excellent 3-axis quadcopter drone that comes with an intelligent charger. You won’t have to worry about overcharging your drone since it takes care of this itself with sophisticated electronics.
Pros:
- GPS flight mode
- Long 25 minute flight time
Cons:
- Nearly $600 Cost
- Some gimbal assembly is required
7. DAS X4 Venom
You can use HERO, HERO+ and HERO2-4 GoPro cameras with the Venom’s mount, though it also comes with an additional lower resolution 720p camera. It fully supports headless mode, which makes it easier for beginners to fly.
Pros:
- The drone can be found for less than $100
- It is of a rather small size
Cons:
- Includes extra camera you may not need
- Fragile landing legs
6. Ei-Hi S900R Drone
You can have the Ei-Hi S900R for less than $150, which puts it right in the middle of the pack as far as price tags go. It features a decent battery life as well as a fully functioning headless mode, which should keep you focused on taking photos rather than worrying about your drone’s vitals.
Pros:
- Features 3D lock system
- Includes 6-axis Gyro
Cons:
- Stabilizers are sometimes faulty
- Some assembly required
5. DJI Phantom Aerial UAV
DJI has one of the better names in the field of drone manufacturing, and their GoPro offering can fly upwards of 15 minutes before you have to recharge it. Its symmetrical design keeps the drone stable so you can take good photos in the wind. This trait deems it fit for our best drone for GoPro list.
Pros:
- Naza-M autopilot system takes over most controls
- Fast 22mph speed
Cons:
- Costs around $400
- DJI makes several different kits, all of which have different components
4. Force1 F100 Ghost
Force1 drones have an extremely long battery life, even when they’re carrying a full-sized GoPro camera. It’s somewhere between a beginner’s drone and a professional’s UAV, which makes it ideal for those trying to move up to something that will let them take great photos but might not be able to fly heavy vehicles yet.
Pros:
- Costs under $200
- Features brushless motors, which reduce how much maintenance is necessary
Cons:
- Altitude hold may not work right
- Doesn’t support all GoPro cameras
3. 3DR Solo Drone
With a price tag that hovers somewhere around $300, the 3DR Solo Drone does it’s best to deliver a great GoPro experience to those who pick one up. It’s one of the few drones in its class that allows pilots to adjust the camera angle during a flight, and so we think it fit for our best drone for GoPro number 3 spot.
Pros:
- HDMI port connectivity
- Full App for iOS and Android devices
Cons:
- Only flies around 16 min.
- Strange Pushbutton controls
2. Bugs3 Independent ESC Drone
While you might expect drones that cost under $150 to have very little power, the Bugs3 Independent ESC can lift a great deal due to its brushless motor assemblies. These motors also help cut down on the amount of heat the drone generates, which can expand its lifespan quite a bit.
Pros:
- Four brushless motors
- Low friction during flights
Cons:
- No spare batteries available
- Thin plastic blades
1. GoPro Karma
Though it can cost over $1,000, the GoPro Karma does what few other GoPro-compatible drones do by carrying GoPro’s official stamp of approval. This drone was specifically designed to work with all of the latest GoPro HERO cameras, which means it can take stunning giant 1440×180 or 1080×120 frames without any lines. It even folds up so you can carry it with you if you happen to be out on the trails. This makes it the best drone for GoPro cameras.
Pros:
- Karma Stabilizer offers shake-free video
- Entire drone folds up to fit in case
Cons:
- Some units won’t seat batteries well
- No service from GoPro outside the United States
Bottom Line
Unlike other drones, the GoPro Karma actually has an official endorsement from GoPro itself, which makes it the best drone for GoPro cameras. The drone is remarkably lightweight even when you mount your camera on it, and this makes it particularly easy to fly compared to other drones from third party developers. Of course, there are offers for those who love shooting videos up in the sky. So make sure to check these drones for video shooting.
Your opinion is important to us. So leave your impressions, suggestions or just let us know you like what we do in the comments section below!
