Overview
The Tello is made by Ryze Technology and uses flight-control technology from DJI together with an Intel processor. It is a toy-sized drone, but one with real stabilisation, a camera and an app, which is why it has remained a favourite for first-time pilots, families and schools.
Why it suits beginners
- Very low cost: a crash will not break the bank.
- Throw & Go: toss it gently into the air to take off.
- Stable indoors: vision positioning helps it hover in place in calm conditions.
- Fun flight tricks: EZ Shots, bounce mode and 8D flips teach fast reactions.
- Coding: program it with Scratch-style blocks, and with Python or Swift via the Tello SDK. The Tello EDU variant is aimed at classrooms.
Camera and video
A 5 MP camera takes photos and records 720p video with electronic stabilisation. Quality is fine for fun clips, but it is not comparable to the 4K gimbal cameras on the other drones in this list.
Limits to know about
The Tello does not have GPS or return-to-home, and its roughly 13-minute battery life and 100 m Wi-Fi range are short. Its 80 g body is easily pushed around by wind, so it is best flown indoors or outside in calm weather. You control it with a phone app, or a compatible Bluetooth game controller.
Pros
- Very affordable and light
- Great for learning stick control
- Programmable for STEM learning
- Easy indoor flying
Cons
- 720p video and a basic camera
- No GPS or return-to-home
- Short flight time and range
- Poor wind tolerance
- Stock availability varies by retailer
Who should buy it
Buy the Tello to practise, to learn programming or as a low-risk way to find out whether you enjoy flying. If you want good-looking footage outdoors, look at the DJI Mini 4K or DJI Neo.