I've been thinking about getting into drones but I'm completely overwhelmed by all the options out there. What's a good first drone for someone who has never flown one before?

I mainly want something for casual photography and maybe some fun videos. Budget is around $300-500. I keep seeing DJI Mini mentioned everywhere but there are so many versions - Mini 3, Mini 4 Pro, Mini 4K? What's the difference and which one should a complete beginner go with?

Also, do I need to worry about registration and all that legal stuff right away, or can I just buy one and start flying?

For a complete beginner, I'd strongly recommend the DJI Mini 4K. It's lightweight, remarkably simple to control, and capable of producing crisp video footage. It also represents one of DJI's most budget-friendly offerings. The only exception is for recreational flyers with drones that weigh less than 250 grams (.55 lbs). If your drone weighs 250 grams or more, you have to register it. Most DJI Minis are under 250g so no FAA registration needed for recreational use!

I started with a cheap $50 toy drone thinking I'd "learn on it first" and it was the worst decision ever. Those things are impossible to fly and will just frustrate you. You see a cheap, $50 drone online and think, "Perfect, I'll learn on this before I buy a good one!" This is a terrible idea. The Analogy: It's like trying to learn to drive in a car with no power steering, wobbly wheels, and brakes that only work sometimes. You'll spend all your time fighting the machine instead of learning the skills.

To fly drones recreationally, it's a much simpler process. You must go through an easy online course, which takes about 30 minutes to an hour to complete. At the end though, you must pass an online quiz (again though, it's pretty much common sense). The test is officially referred to as TRUST (short for The Recreational Unmanned Aircraft Systems Safety Test), and it can be taken online for free via one of the FAA-approved partner organizations. Do this before your first flight - it's free and only takes 30 minutes!