Tello Drone: A Full Review for 2026

The Tello drone, created by Ryze Robotics in partnership with DJI and Intel, is a miniature quadcopter that has gained attention across Australia and globally for its ease of use, programmability, and affordability. It’s long been hailed as an excellent choice for beginners and classrooms. But with shifting availability and newer options emerging in 2025, many prospective buyers are asking: is the Tello drone still worth buying? Are Tello drones being discontinued? This detailed Tello drone review answers all your questions and explores key features, limitations, and alternatives.

Overview: Is the Tello Drone Still Worth Buying?

Despite being released in early 2018, the Tello drone remains one of the most intuitive and affordable entry-level drones available. With a typical price range of AUD $150–$250 depending on accessories and availability, it continues to appeal to beginners, educators, and hobbyists. It’s equipped with a 720p HD camera, supports 5MP still photography, and can be controlled via the Tello drone app or a third-party Bluetooth Tello drone controller.
The drone’s key advantage lies in its balance of affordability and features: it offers stability during flight, simple app-based control, and a short learning curve. For those just starting out in the world of drones, or looking to teach basic flight and coding, it still holds value.

The Tello drone battery delivers around 13 minutes of flight time under optimal conditions, although many users report closer to 10–12 minutes with real-world usage. It is light- just 80g – and thus best suited for indoor flying or outdoor use on calm days. You can fly the Tello outside, but strong wind will affect its performance due to its low weight and lack of GPS stability.

Product History and Ownership

The Tello drone was officially launched in 2018 as a collaboration between three companies: Ryze Robotics, DJI, and Intel. Ryze designed and manufactured the drone, DJI provided flight control stabilisation software, and Intel contributed processing power. This partnership helped create a product that felt like a DJI drone at a fraction of the cost – ideal for newcomers and younger users.
While Ryze Robotics is the official manufacturer, the Tello drone is frequently referred to as a DJI product, though DJI does not own Tello.

When did the Tello drone come out? That would be early 2018. Since then, it’s maintained popularity due to its educational focus and excellent support ecosystem, including compatibility with Scratch programming and tools like DroneBlocks. This makes Tello drone programming an especially attractive feature for educators and STEM classrooms across Australia.

Support and Discontinuation

So, are Tello drones being discontinued? The answer is yes. DJI has discontinued direct sales of the Tello drone globally, and Ryze’s education product line is winding down. However, existing users are still supported through firmware updates and service assistance, and accessories like the Tello drone battery and spare parts are still available from third-party retailers and marketplaces like Tello drone Amazon listings.

While production has ceased, the second-hand market remains active, and classroom institutions are still purchasing bulk lots before they disappear from retailers altogether. For now, the Tello drone manual, app support, and online community forums still ensure a strong user experience.

Flight Performance, Battery Life, and Range

The flight performance of the Tello drone is one of its most impressive traits considering the price point. Stability is excellent for a device that doesn’t include GPS. The onboard vision positioning system enables the drone to hover with surprising accuracy, making it ideal for indoor use or still video shots.

As for distance: how far can a Tello drone fly? Officially, the range is about 100 metres under ideal, interference-free conditions. Realistically, users can expect 30 to 50 metres of reliable connectivity depending on environmental factors.

How long is the flight time for the Tello drone? You’re looking at 10 to 13 minutes per full charge. Spare batteries are widely available and highly recommended. Charging takes roughly 90 minutes via USB. The compact and lightweight design means batteries are easy to transport, and you can pack multiple batteries to extend your flight sessions.

Controller and App Experience

The Tello drone is primarily controlled via the dedicated Tello drone app, which is compatible with iOS and Android devices. The app offers an intuitive flight interface, live video feed, and quick access to automated flight tricks like flips and throw-and-go launches. For users seeking better control, Bluetooth gamepads can be synced for a more tactile flying experience.

Although the Tello does not ship with a dedicated controller, compatible options are available online. The app also facilitates firmware updates, allowing users to keep the drone up to date.
How to update Tello drone? It’s simple: connect your drone to the app, and if a new firmware version is available, follow the on-screen prompts. Ensure your drone is fully charged before proceeding with the update.

Limitations and Missing Features

There’s no sugar-coating the limitations: the Tello drone lacks GPS, does not include a gimbal for stabilising footage, and the camera, while functional, is limited to 720p with no onboard storage. It relies on your phone’s connection to save images and video. This leads to the common question: Can Tello drone follow me? Unfortunately, no. It lacks any sort of subject tracking or smart shooting modes.

These limitations make it unsuitable for serious content creators or outdoor explorers. However, it’s not meant to compete with the DJI Mini or Air series – it fills a niche of beginner-friendly, classroom-safe, indoor-capable drones with educational value.

What Are the Best Alternatives to Tello?

With discontinuation and ageing hardware, many users are now asking: What is the best alternative to Tello drones? In Australia, two categories stand out: mini drones for casual users and programmable drones for STEM use.

• For beginners: The Potensic A20 or Holy Stone HS210 are reliable toy-class options for casual flyers, though less polished than the Tello.
• For educators: The DJI RoboMaster TT (Tello Talent) offers advanced programming options and builds on Tello’s educational roots, but can be more expensive.
• For content creators: The DJI Mini 2 SE is more capable, with 2.7K video, GPS stabilisation, and 30-minute flight time, but it comes at a higher cost (over AUD $500).

If you’re looking to teach basic drone flight and programming to students, and you can still find a Tello drone in stock, it remains a fantastic choice. But if you want subject tracking, longer battery life, or high-res video, an upgrade may be in order.

Conclusion: Is the Tello Drone Still a Smart Buy?

The Tello drone continues to offer great value in 2025 for newcomers and educators. It’s easy to fly, integrates seamlessly with classroom coding platforms, and is supported by a simple but effective app ecosystem. Its low weight makes it safe for indoor flying, and its pricing keeps it accessible to schools, parents, and curious hobbyists.

For those asking, “Is a Tello drone worth buying?” The answer is yes, if your goals are aligned with its strengths. It’s not for long-range missions, cinematic footage, or windy conditions, but it wasn’t designed to be. It was built to be a fun, approachable and educational drone, and it still delivers in all of those areas.

At Flying Glass, we specialise in professional aerial cinematography for film, TV, and commercials, but we always keep an eye on accessible, innovative technology like the Tello drone that opens up the world of flight to everyone. Whether you’re launching into your first drone experience or teaching the next generation, the Tello remains a strong and inspiring starting point.