ok so i've been watching youtube videos about drones for like the past month and i still have no idea what to actually buy. every video just recommends whatever they're sponsored by so its hard to tell whats actually good. my budget is somewhere around 300 maybe 400 if something is really worth it. i dont want to spend a ton and then crash it on my first flight and lose everything. i mostly want to take some video of my backyard and maybe take it to the park or whatever. nothing crazy professional. do i need to register it? do i need a license? i literally dont know anything so any help is good

honestly for that budget the DJI Mini 2 SE is probably where id point you. its under 250 grams which means you dont have to register it in the US (assuming thats where you are) and it actually shoots decent 2.7k video. the controller range is way more than youll ever need for a backyard. i started with something cheaper and regretted it because the cheap ones have terrible stabilization and youre basically fighting the drone the whole time instead of just flying. the mini 2 se goes on sale sometimes and fits right in that budget. just download the DJI fly app and watch like one tutorial before your first flight, it does most of the work for you honestly

the license question depends where you are but in the us you dont need a part 107 cert for recreational flying, you just need to follow the rules like staying under 400ft and away from airports. theres an online safety test through TRUST that takes like 20 minutes. pretty painless. as for what to buy i second the mini suggestion but also dont overlook the holy stone stuff if youre really not sure you'll stick with it, like maybe fly something cheap first to see if you even enjoy it before dropping 300