‘ZDNet Recommends’: What exactly does that mean?

ZDNet’s recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.

When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNet nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.

ZDNet's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.

Refurbished products with a grade "A" rating like this folding camera drone make for excellent bargains.

StackCommerce offers deals on training, certifications, and a variety of products and services.

With travel finally returning to normal, you might be looking at new gadgets to bring on your trips, whether it's earbuds, a Bluetooth speaker, or a camera. But if you want to take your vacation photos and videos to new heights, you'll need a drone. 

Drone technology has improved in recent years, and many of them sport decent cameras for stunning aerial shots. The challenging part is finding a quality drone that's both lightweight and affordable. One example is this Vivitar VTA Phoenix. It has all the features a drone user may ask for, and if you buy refurbished, you can get it at a much-reduced price.

Refurbished products can be excellent bargains, especially if they have a grade "A" rating like the Phoenix. This indicates the drone is in near-mint condition with little to no cosmetic blemishes. And, of course, the features are perfectly functional. 

The Phoenix boasts a camera that records at 2,048 x 1,152p, and the sensor provides an articulated, 180-degree view for wide, breathtaking shots. The kit includes an extra battery to give you 32 minutes of flight time in total. With a 2,000-foot flight range and three speed choices, you should have no problem capturing the action from a new perspective. Plus, you can transmit your footage via WiFi in real-time.

Additionally, the Phoenix offers drone essentials such as automatic return, take-off, and landing functions. The built-in GPS allows you to lock the Phoenix's location, while the altitude hover mode lets you capture stable shots. Finally, the Follow-Me function makes for unique, third-person recordings.

Not only does the Phoenix fold up for travel, but it also comes with its own hard-sided carrying case to keep all its pieces neatly organized. Now you can easily capture exquisite photos and videos from iconic destinations. Get a Vivitar VTI Phoenix Foldable Drone - Grey (Certified Refurbished) for only $159, down from $249.

Save up to $2,000 on airfare with an $89 Dollar Flight Club subscription

Protect your privacy with a Scout Hidden Camera Detector for just $60

Invoxia is adding Real-Time Boost to its GPS Tracker

Get a lifetime of maximum protection with 9 VPN services in one for just $60

This pocket-sized speaker delivers epic surround sound for just $50

The Nix Mini Color Sensor V2 can match colors on any surface to paints from the leading brands

Jabra Enhance Plus review: Compact earbuds for people with mild hearing loss

Marshall Motif ANC review: Wireless earbuds that rock...until they stop

Drop + Grell TWS1X wireless IEM review: Exceptional sound in a frustrating package

Please review our terms of service to complete your newsletter subscription.

You agree to receive updates, promotions, and alerts from ZDNet.com. You may unsubscribe at any time. By joining ZDNet, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

You agree to receive updates, promotions, and alerts from ZDNet.com. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to receive the selected newsletter(s) which you may unsubscribe from at any time. You also agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge the data collection and usage practices outlined in our Privacy Policy.

© 2022 ZDNET, A RED VENTURES COMPANY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Privacy Policy | Cookie Settings | Advertise | Terms of Use