So, if you’re looking for the best follow-me drone to track you while biking, skateboarding, skiing, or snowboarding, you’re in luck! Follow-me drones are the best tool for action sports photography.
Drones under $1,000 can set flight paths and track subjects without any human intervention during flight. So you can focus on your sport while the drone captures all the action, whether you’re skating at the park or mountain biking down a trail.
You’d think there would be limited options for follow-me drones that can keep up with you as you go fast. When choosing the right drone, two things to consider are Your Budget and Camera Quality.
We’ll get into the best follow-me drones in more detail later, but here’s a quick list of some top picks that are the best camera drones out there:
DJI Mavic 3
DJI Mavic 3 Classic
DJI Mini 4 Pro
DJI Air 3
Autel Evo 2 Pro
Skydio 2+
All of these drones use vision sensors, recognition technology, and complex algorithms to track you—no additional GPS tracker is needed, which is a big plus.
Before we discuss the best follow-me drones, let’s consider why drones that use vision sensors are better than those that only use GPS trackers. Vision-based tracking is more precise and responsive and provides smoother and more reliable footage, especially in dynamic environments.
A Brief History of Follow-Me Drones
Before advanced sensor recognition technology was available in drones, the best follow-me drones used GPS devices, like the Yuneec Wizard, which synced with the drone. If I had asked you this question in 2017, I would have recommended something like the AirDog ADII, which required you to wear a waterproof “AirLeash” tracking device that looked like a large watch.
Other drones had customizable flight paths so that they could fly along a pre-programmed route. The AirDog II was particularly innovative as it could fly in hybrid mode, follow pre-programmed flight paths, and keep the user framed in the shot.
But everything changed when the DJI Phantom 4 was released in March 2016, which was a game-changer in drone technology. This drone had a sensor that could detect obstacles and would stall its flight to avoid collisions. The DJI ActiveTrack feature also debuted with the Phantom 4 and made it easier to get cinematic shots while flying. When enabled, ActiveTrack could follow a subject—whether they were walking on a trail, driving a car, or even swimming in the ocean—and keep them in the frame throughout the shot.
However, the original DJI Phantom 4 had only one sensor at the front. That was good, but not good enough for all situations. Since then, drone manufacturers have been working hard to add more sensors to make their drones smarter and more capable.
Today, the best follow-me drones have omnidirectional obstacle avoidance sensors. These sensors allow them to fly through complex environments like forests or under bridges by sensing obstacles nearby and finding a way around them.
Note that some of the drones above may have obstacle avoidance sensors on some sides but not all, so they can’t be considered omnidirectional. If you’re looking for a consumer drone and want to make sure it won’t crash, make sure it has this omnidirectional obstacle avoidance. This will give you peace of mind while you’re capturing your action-packed adventures!
Best Follow-Me Drone: DJI Mavic 3 Pro
For consumer-grade camera drones, the DJI Mavic 3 Pro is the best to follow you during your adventures.
Advanced Sensors
This drone has multiple vision sensors, six fisheye vision sensors, and two wide-angle sensors. These sensors have a longer sensing range and can detect obstacles in all directions. But it’s not just the sensors that make this drone special; it also has some impressive specs.
High-Definition Camera System
The DJI Mavic 3 Pro is not only the best follow-me drone but also has a high-definition camera system that combines the best of its predecessors, the DJI Mavic 3, Mavic 2 Pro, and Mavic 2 Zoom. It claims to be the world’s first three-optical-camera drone with:
A Hasselblad wide-angle camera (24mm)
A medium telephoto camera (70mm)
A telephoto camera (166mm)
Tracking Features
While camera quality is important, the actual tracking features are what matters most for action sports enthusiasts. The DJI Mavic 3 Pro has a software system called FocusTrack, which includes ActiveTrack 5.0, Spotlight, and Point of Interest. These features give you stable and dynamic tracking shots to capture all the action seamlessly. ActiveTrack 5.0 can track subjects in 8 directions using multiple vision sensors that can recognize a subject and differentiate it from other objects. This allows the drone to lock the subject in the frame and give you smooth and consistent footage.
Real-World Test
A great test by DM Productions showed the drone in action, following cars and e-bikes in the desert and capturing epic shots.
Long Battery Life
Plus, the DJI Mavic 3 Pro has a long battery life, which is a must for action sports. Its 43-minute battery life means you won’t miss out on the action because you need to fly back to replace the battery. It can fly up to 30km per battery charge, so you can cover more ground without interruptions.
Buy DJI Mavic 3 Pro from Amazon
Buy DJI Mavic 3 Pro from B&H Photo
Best Follow-Me Drone on a Budget: DJI Mini 4 Pro
If you want a budget option without compromising on features, the DJI Mini 4 Pro is the way to go. You may not get the high-tech camera quality of the Mavic 3 Pro, but the Mini 4 Pro offers big savings, starting at $759.
Advanced Sensing
The Mini 4 Pro’s first feature is omnidirectional sensing, the first in the Mini line. This means the drone has no blind spots and can navigate safely. With APAS 5.0, the drone can avoid obstacles and generate new routes to bypass them smoothly, making it a reliable companion for your outdoor adventures.
Portability and Weight
The Mini 4 Pro is not only safe but also super portable. At 249g, it’s the lightest and smallest drone on this list. It’s great for those who want to travel light without compromising on performance.
Camera
The 1/1.3-inch CMOS camera sensor is good enough for most users, especially if you just want to share the image on social media. It’s not as good as the Mavic 3 Pro, but it’s still great for casual photography and videography.
Flight Features
If you want a reliable and safe follow-me drone, the DJI Mini 4 Pro delivers. It has 34 minutes of flight time, so you can capture more footage without interruptions. It also has an O4 transmission system for a stable connection.
Buy from Amazon
Buy from B&H Photo
Buy from Drone Nerds
Best Follow-Me Drone Made in America (If You Can Find It): Skydio 2+
If you want a follow-me drone made in America, the Skydio 2+ is the way to go. Based in California, Skydio is one of the few American drone companies, so this drone is a big deal for those who want to support domestic manufacturing.
Advanced Camera
6 x 200-degree color cameras, the Skydio 2+ can see everything in every direction, so it can avoid crashes as it follows you. This advanced camera system can lock onto you and see everything around you so it can navigate obstacles. Whether you’re skiing down a mountain or biking through a tunnel, the Skydio 2+ can calculate how to get around obstacles and keep you in frame.
Availability and Production Status
Note: This recommendation comes with a warning. In August 2023, Skydio announced they were discontinuing their consumer drone business, so the Skydio 2+ is no longer in production. I still recommend it because there are limited options for high-quality camera drones made in America. If you can find a used Skydio 2+, it could be a great addition to your drone collection.
Originally $1,099, this drone’s scarcity has driven up its price in the resale market. Also, consider investing in the controller and Beacon, which are must-have accessories to enhance your flying experience.
Tracking Features
Unlike most follow-me drones that require a device on you, the Skydio 2+ uses its cameras to track you and see everything around it to avoid collisions. This is a more seamless and reliable tracking experience for action sports.
Specs
Weight (with battery): 775g
Flight Time: 27 minutes
Wind resistance: 25mph
3D World Model Update Rate: > 1 million points per second
Camera Sensor Type: Sony 1/2.3” 12.3MP CMOS
Lens: f/2.8, 20 mm (at 35 mm equivalent)
Communication Range to Phone: 200m
Communication Range to Beacon: 3 km
Communication Range to Controller: 3.5 km
Budget Pick If You Want Dual Cameras: DJI Air 3 Drone
If you want a budget drone that’s great for dual cameras, the DJI Air 3 is the way to go. This is the first drone in the Air Series to have omnidirectional obstacle sensing, which is a must-have for action sports follow-me drones.
Obstacle Sensing
The DJI Air 3 has fisheye lenses on both the front and back to see obstacles in all directions. It has standard sensing for forward, backward, left, right, and upward movements. The bottom of the drone has binocular lenses and a 3D TOF (Time of Flight) sensor, which gives it full omnidirectional obstacle sensing. APAS 5.0 also helps to smooth out the flying experience in complex environments.
Comparison to Mavic 3 Classic
The closest to the DJI Air 3 is the Mavic 3 Classic, which is slightly more expensive at $1,599 compared to the Air 3’s $1,099. The Mavic 3 Classic has a better Hasselblad camera, but the Air 3 has two cameras: a wide-angle and a 3x medium telephoto. This dual camera setup is great if you need zoom, which is perfect for filming from a distance, like over an athletic field, while still having the versatility of a drone.
Best Action Camera If You Don’t Actually Need a Drone: DJI Osmo Action 4
I love drones, and you may have come here looking for one, but there are times when drones aren’t the best option for filming. For example, if you’re filming a bike ride, you’ll find yourself too busy managing the drone instead of enjoying the ride itself. Or, if you want a drone-like perspective in areas where drones are not allowed, like national parks, an action camera is a better choice.
Performance
The DJI Osmo Action 4 is a high-quality, durable, and compact camera. 1/1.3″ sensor provides high video quality, so your footage looks great whether you’re biking, hiking, or doing other action sports.
Stabilization
One of the best features of the Osmo Action 4 is its stabilization algorithm. This ensures that even on a bumpy ride, your footage will be smooth and professional. This is perfect for dynamic activities where movement is inevitable, so you can focus on the action instead of worrying about shaky footage.
What Else to Know About Follow-Me Drones?
Do I Need a License to Use a Follow-Me Drone?
The answer is yes and no. Under the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Part 107, if you’re flying for commercial purposes, you need to get a drone pilot license. This license used to be called a “remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating” and is obtained by passing an in-person written exam commonly known as the “Part 107 test.” Many aspiring drone pilots take online courses to prepare for this test.
On the other hand, if you’re flying follow-me drones for recreational purposes, meaning you’re not making money from your flights, then you don’t need a license. However, there are still some requirements to keep in mind. You must pass the TRUST test (The Recreational UAS Safety Test) for recreational pilots, which is easy. You also need to register your drone and make sure it complies with Remote ID regulations.
Can Follow-Me Drones Track Animals?
One of the main use cases for follow-me technology is using drones to track animals, such as in dog sports. However, the effectiveness of drones in tracking animals (and even smaller objects like kids) is hit or miss.
Tracking
DJI ActiveTrack 4.0 and 5.0 can technically track pets, but the precision of the tracking varies depending on several conditions. ActiveTrack performs better when tracking a single subject at a time. For example, if you’re trying to track a herd of animals that look the same, the drone will struggle to focus and can easily get confused.
When tracking a person, the drone can better distinguish features like clothing, hair color, and other identifiable traits, making it easier for the drone to lock onto the subject. This is important when multiple similar-looking subjects are present, as the drone’s tracking algorithm may not be able to differentiate between them.
What’s the Best Follow-Me Drone for Mountain Biking?
When it comes to mountain biking, some drones are better than others. While many of the best follow-me drones can track you as you ride, there are some specific considerations to keep in mind to make your filming experience better.
Mountain Biking Drone Considerations
Tracking Precision: Look for drones with advanced tracking features like ActiveTrack 5.0 that can follow you through rough terrain.
Obstacle Avoidance: Drones with omnidirectional obstacle sensing are perfect for mountain biking. They can detect and avoid obstacles in real-time, allowing riders to ride safely.
Camera: High-quality cameras with stabilization are must-haves for smooth and cinematic footage, especially on rough trails.
Battery Life: Long flight times are important for mountain biking as you want to capture as much action as possible without having to change batteries frequently.
Portability: A light and compact drone is easier to bring on biking trips, so it’s more convenient to bring along on your rides.
How Far Can DJI Mavic 3 See?
The DJI Mavic 3 has advanced tech and impressive sensing capabilities. This drone can see far ahead of its flight path, allowing it to fly safely and efficiently.
Maximum Forward Sensing Distance
The DJI Mavic 3 Series has a maximum forward sensing distance of 200 meters in Return to Home (RTH) mode, 20 times more than the previous Mavic series’ maximum sensing distance of 20 meters.
With this increased forward sensing, the Mavic 3 can detect and avoid obstacles better, making it safer for both recreational and professional pilots. Users can have a more reliable flying experience, especially in complex environments.
What’s the Difference Between Follow Me and Active Track?
Follow Me and Active Track are often used interchangeably, but they refer to different tracking features in drones. Knowing the difference will help you choose the right drone for you.
Follow Me
Follow Me is a basic tracking feature that allows a drone to follow a subject, usually using GPS or a simple tracking algorithm. In this mode, the drone will maintain a set distance from the subject and follow them as they move. However, this method can be limited in its ability to adapt to changing environments or multiple subjects and may struggle in complex scenarios with obstacles.
Active Track
Active Track is a more advanced version of Follow Me. This system allows users to mark and track multiple moving objects directly on the controller’s screen without the need for an external tracking device. DJI’s Active Track uses both GPS and vision recognition technology to enhance its tracking capabilities.
With Active Track, the drone can intelligently recognize and distinguish between multiple subjects and follow a specific person or object while avoiding obstacles in real-time. This is perfect for dynamic activities like sports or outdoor adventures where the environment changes fast.
What is P-Mode?
P-Mode or Positioning Mode is a feature exclusive to DJI drones that allows the drone to navigate and track subjects better. This mode is required to use advanced tracking features like DJI ActiveTrack.
P-Mode Functionality
When flying in P-Mode, the drone uses both its GPS signal strength and visual recognition system. This dual functionality allows the drone to hold its position while tracking moving subjects. The visual recognition system helps the drone to identify and distinguish between different objects and obstacles in the environment for a more reliable tracking experience.
In S-Mode (or Sport Mode), the drone only uses GPS. While S-Mode allows for faster speeds and more agile movements, it doesn’t use the visual recognition capabilities of P-Mode. So, S-Mode is not suitable for tracking subjects or navigating complex environments where obstacle avoidance is critical.
