Are you looking for the best drone for night video?
Getting great at night photos and video has never been more accessible with drones, but finding one with the necessary advanced features and specs to accomplish your goals is essential.
In this blog post, we’ll review the best drones for night video so you can explore new creative possibilities best drones in no time.
From long-lasting battery life and sensitive sensors to sophisticated stabilization features, these are some of our top picks for finding a reliable drone that shoots amazing videos after sunset.
Read on to learn more.
Can drones video at night?
Yes, drones can indeed fly drones in night mode and drones capture video at night. However, not all drones are equipped with this capability.
If you intend to capture high-quality night footage, choosing a drone with powerful LED lights, night vision, and infrared sensors is crucial.
These features help illuminate the surroundings and avoid obstacles in low-light conditions.
It’s also worth noting that flying a drone at night may be subject to regulations and restrictions in certain areas, so always ensure you comply with local laws and guidelines.
1. Autel Evo II
When it comes to capturing exquisite night footage, the Autel Evo II stands out.
Equipped with a powerful 48MP camera, it allows you to record breathtaking 8K video, a feature that not many drones offer.
But it’s not just about the pixels.
The Evo II presents a staggering and excellent low light performance in-light performance thanks to its large sensor size and high ISO range.
The Autel Evo II also comes with an impressive LED lighting system.
The bright, adjustable lights efficiently illuminate the surrounding environment, making capturing clear footage in the dark easier.
Furthermore, the drone is equipped with advanced infrared sensors, significantly reducing the risk of collision in low-light conditions.
One of the most significant selling points of the Evo II is its battery life.
Offering up to 40 minutes of flight time gives you an ample window to capture the perfect at night sky shots without worrying about frequent recharging.
In terms of usability, the Evo II shines with its sophisticated stabilization technology, ensuring smooth, jitter-free footage, even in windy conditions.
Its intuitive control system allows users of all levels to easily navigate the drone, making it a top choice for beginners and professionals.
However, respect local laws when operating the Autel Evo II at night.
It’s essential to understand the rules and regulations of your area before taking to the skies.
Overall, the Autel Evo II undoubtedly earns its place as one of the best drones for night video, delivering the best possible image quality, versatility, and convenience in one compact package.
The DJI Mavic 2 Pro is a formidable contender in the drone market, particularly for night video recording.
It is encapsulated with a robust Hasselblad L1D-20c camera, renowned for its superb image quality.
The camera has a 20MP 1-inch CMOS sensor, allowing for stunning video capture even in low-light conditions.
The Mavic 2 Pro also possesses an adjustable aperture (f/2.8-f/11) that provides greater control over the exposure, making it ideal for nighttime videography.
Its ISO range is equally impressive, offering the capability of shooting from 100 to 3200 in video mode, crucial for capturing clear footage in the dark.
One of the standout features of the DJI Mavic 2 Pro is its hyper-lapse mode.
This feature allows you to create professional-looking time-lapse videos with minimal effort, adding depth and creativity to your night shots.
Flight time is another area where the Mavic 2 Pro excels.
With a flight of up to 31 minutes, you have plenty of time to explore and capture stunning nighttime footage.
The Mavic 2 Pro also boasts advanced obstacle detection and avoidance camera technology.
Its omnidirectional sensors make flying in low-light conditions safer and more comfortable.
One potential drawback of the Mavic 2 Pro is its relatively high price tag.
However, the high-end features it offers, combined with the quality of its footage, make it excellent value for money.
3. Skydio 2
The Skydio 2 is a highly autonomous, drone camera that holds its own regarding nighttime video recording.
Its primary camera system boasts a Sony IMX577 1/2.3” 12.3MP CMOS sensor, providing detailed, clear footage even in low-light situations.
This allows the drone to navigate easily through complex environments in low light conditions, making it one of the safest drones to fly anywhere at night.
The Skydio 2 also shines in terms of flight time.
With up to 23 minutes of flight on a single charge, you’ll have ample opportunity to capture all the drones and nighttime footage you need.
Plus, the option to purchase additional batteries allows for extended flight times.
Another point of attraction is its Beacon remote control.
This handheld device lets the user control shutter speed of the drone without needing a smartphone.
The Beacon also enhances the Skydio 2’s tracking capabilities, making it a perfect tool for dynamic shots.
However, the Skydio 2 is not without its drawbacks.
While its built-in memory of 64 GB is relatively ample, it doesn’t support SD cards.
This means you cannot expand it if you run out of storage mid-flight
The Hasselblad camera thermal camera makes it an indispensable drone. And only professional drones can match up in terms of quality.
4. DJI Air 2S
The DJI Air 2S is another compelling contender in the drone market, distinguished by its exceptional capabilities for nighttime video recording.
With a 20MP 1-inch CMOS sensor, this drone can deliver high-resolution 5.4K video, ensuring your night shots are captured with utmost clarity.
The DJI Air 2S has an adjustable aperture, ranging from f/2.8 to f/11, granting you significant control over shutter speed, variable aperture, and the exposure—a crucial factor for both night photography and videography.
The ISO range is commendable, ranging from 100 to 3200 in video mode, thus ensuring clear, well-lit footage in low-light scenarios.
One feature that distinguishes the DJI Air 2S is its MasterShots.
The pilot and camera operator is in complete control of everything.
This intelligent feature takes multiple shots, applies post-processing, and produces a professional-grade video—giving a unique touch to the quality photos your nighttime footage.
Despite its compact size, the DJI Air 2S does not compromise flight time.
It boasts up to 31 minutes of flight time on a single charge, enough to explore and to capture images of the beauty of night landscapes.
Its safety features are not to be overlooked either.
The DJI Air 2S is equipped with Advanced Pilot Assistance Systems (APAS) 4.0, enabling the drone pilot to avoid obstacles even in complex scenarios autonomously.
However, it’s worth noting that the DJI Air 2S, while impressive, does come with a higher price tag.
And while it does offer a great deal of value for that cost, it might not be the best choice for those on a tight budget.
5. Parrot Anafi USA
The Parrot Anafi USA is a strong player in the drone photography arena, especially when it comes to nighttime video recording.
Equipped with a 21MP 1/2.4″ CMOS sensor, the drone camera can capture clear, detailed footage capture videos even in low light captured full-light conditions.
This drone supports 4K HDR video at 30fps, ensuring sharp, high-quality video capture for your nighttime adventures.
One of the most prominent features of the Anafi USA is the 32x digital zoom, providing a considerable range for capturing objects far into the distance.
This is a unique tool for nighttime videography, allowing you to explore spaces from a safe distance and capture stunning footage without physically moving closer.
When it comes to flight time, the Anafi USA does not disappoint.
The maximum photo resolution is 4K and it has a feature DJI drones don’t have.
With a flight time of up to 32 minutes on a single charge, you have ample time to capture the nighttime footage you desire.
The drone also offers USB-C quick charging, a convenient feature for long shooting nights.
The Anafi USA stands out for its robust design.
The drone is built with carbon fiber and high-resistance plastic, ensuring durability and longevity.
It is also water and dust resistant, making it a reliable choice for night flights in various weather conditions.
However, the Anafi USA also has its downsides.
Although it has a solid camera and robust build, its lack of obstacle avoidance may be an issue for some users, particularly those inexperienced or fly in complex environments.
Additionally, the drone carries a high price tag, which could deter budget-conscious consumers.
6. Autel Evo Nano Plus
The Autel Evo Nano Plus is a remarkable addition to the world of professional drones, particularly notable for its mastery of nighttime video recording.
Its high-quality 48MP 1/2-inch CMOS sensor captures every little detail, even in low-light conditions.
The drone supports 4K video at 30fps, promising a detailed, high-resolution video capture for your nocturnal adventures.
One highlighted feature of the Evo Nano Plus is its compact and lightweight design.
Despite its small stature, this drone’s camera also does not compromise performance.
It boasts an impressive flight time of up to 28 minutes on a single charge, providing ample opportunities to capture the perfect drone for night-time footage.
The drone also flourishes in terms of its altitude control system.
With its innovative controller, you can control the drone without needing a smartphone, enhancing the user’s comfort and overall flying experience.
Moreover, the Evo Nano Plus has obstacle avoidance sensors, adding a layer of safety and ensuring a smoother flight experience, particularly in unfamiliar or complex environments.
Despite its numerous advantages, the Evo Nano Plus does have its shortcomings.
The lack of support for SD cards may limit users who require extra storage for longer flight times.
Furthermore, while the drone offers a range of advanced features, and high-quality camera specs, it comes with a relatively high price tag, which may not suit all budgets.
7. Ruko F11 GIM2
The Ruko F11 GIM2 is a dependable entry in the serious drone camera market, particularly well-suited for both night photography and video recording.
Equipped with a 4K UHD camera and a shock absorption holder, it guarantees stable images and precise footage, even in challenging lighting conditions.
Thanks to its two intelligent batteries, the drone offers an impressive 60-minute flight time.
This extended flight time allows for prolonged night sky or night mode for landscape capture, making it an ideal for night photography mode of choice for night-time videographers.
One of the standout features of the Ruko F11 GIM2 is its powerful brushless motor, which ensures quiet operation and longevity.
This feature, combined with the drone’s excellent wind resistance, makes the F11 GIM2 a reliable companion for outdoor adventures, regardless of the weather conditions.
The Ruko F11 GIM2 also boasts many intelligent features to enhance the user experience, including GPS auto return, follow-me mode, and waypoint intelligent flight modes, allowing easy navigation and control, even for beginners.
However, like all drones, the Ruko F11 GIM2 does have its drawbacks.
The drone requires calibrating before each flight, which may be tiresome for some users.
Also, its size and weight make it less portable compared to other drones in its category.
Are night-vision drones legal?
Night-vision drones are legal, but their use is subject to specific regulations and guidelines set out by aviation authorities worldwide.
In the United States, for instance, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stipulates that drone flights must occur during daylight hours or civil twilight (30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset, local time) unless the drone is equipped with anti-collision lighting that can be seen for 3 statute miles.
The FAA also requires that pilots must always maintain a visual line of sight with camera operator and their drone.
Drone operators must familiarize themselves with these regulations to ensure legal and safe operation.
As laws vary by region and country, check local regulations before operating night-vision drones.
Conclusion – best drone for night video
Choosing the best drone for your night photos and video recording balances critical features such as camera and video quality,, flight time, and additional functionalities to enhance the user experience.
The Parrot Anafi USA makes a strong case with its high-resolution 4K HDR video, excellent flight time, and durability.
However, the lack of obstacle avoidance and higher price point might deter some users.
On the other hand, the Autel Evo Nano Plus offers the advantage of a compact and lightweight design, paired with an innovative controller and obstacle avoidance sensors, but it lacks SD card support.
The Ruko F11 GIM2, with its extended flight time and a range of intelligent features, offers excellent value, despite requiring calibration before each flight.
In conclusion, the three best drones for night drone for night video would depend on the individual user’s requirements and budget.
It’s crucial to consider all these factors to ensure you select a drone that delivers excellent night and video quality and aligns with your specific needs and budget.