We can’t seem to see an end in the applications of drones. They seem to be popping up every day so don’t just hype up drone selfies and aerial video and photography. They can get so much more done. From search and rescue to racing, and weekend fun, you have every reason to own a drone.

Buying a drone can seem like such a big deal especially if it is your first time. There’s all the tech jargon that can be very confusing. Some people prefer to build their drones using DIY kits but either way, you will want to own the best drone for the money.3 Best Cheap Drones Under $200

The more popular drones are, the more likely you are to get a good deal. When looking to get one for under $500, you will want to know which features to go without. Here you will not mind going without FPV (First Person View), but you can expect GPS and HD cameras like the DJI Phantom 3.

Features to Consider in Cheap Drones

If you are not a tech nerd, buying a drone can be overwhelming. But there are those features you need to keep an eye out for if you look to enjoy your time with a quadcopter.

Best Cheap Drones Under $100

1. UDI U818A 4CH RC Quadcopter: Great for Beginners

The UDI U818A is an excellent camera with high agility and smooth flying capabilities. It comes with an onboard camera and 6-axis gyros that keep it stable in all flights.

Design and Performance
Whether you want to take great photos or videos of the scenery, it’s super fun to use this drone. It comes with a separate controller, so you don’t have to use a mobile app to operate it. You can get it to perform flips without losing control of it unlike when using a smartphone as a cockpit.

The build quality shows it’s going to last in good condition thanks to the 4-ring design that protects the rotors. We like the quality of the rings not that they are the best but they will not break with the first crash. And the rotors also follow through with ingenious quality that can withstand adverse flying conditions.

Convenient Features
This drone includes two flight modes. This includes the standard mode which applies to beginners. It lets you have a feel of the drone so that you can improve your flying skills and be able to switch to the high-performance mode which is a bit tricky to fly without some basic skills.

Verdict
When you want to get a feel of flying a drone, UDC U818A is an excellent place to start. Its 2.4GHz transmitter is excellent to make the process a lot easier. Two modes help to put a test to your skills so you can have a clear place to start.

2. Hubsan X4 (H107C) RC Quadcopter: Best Indoor Drone

Hubsan X4 107C is a small and lightweight drone that will perform best in controlled indoor conditions. You don’t want to lose control of it when it is windy, but you can still use it when the conditions are right to take awesome pictures.

Design
This drone has a plastic construction, but this doesn’t mean it will break into pieces the first time it crashes. Hubsan has ensured that it has stronger propellers that can withstand a decent level of impact. You will like that instead of the traditional landing gears; it can land it has rubber feet that absorb impact upon landings.

This drone is a 4-channel design that allows flying it in areas where there are other drones like it. It expresses a reasonable level of stability even as small as it is thanks to the 6-axis flight control system. It will maneuver nicely but don’t come with too high expectations when it comes to powerful thrust and the flying farther distances because it will not.

Convenient Features
The drone’s camera can capture videos with at 1280 x 720pixels resolution and 25fps. It is also not the best quality, but for under $100 it is much better than we were expecting. The camera will start recording with the push of a button, and an LED light will tell you that the recording function is on. The SD card comes in handy to make automatic recordings so that you won’t have to connect to an app.

Overall
For an entry-level drone, it is surprising that you can get satisfactory images. The drone is super easy to control thanks to its flexible controller that will boost your confidence. You don’t have to stick to the indoors although that’s where it performs best.

3. DROCON X708W Drone

The DROCON X708W is a mid-sized drone that comes with the most intuitive beginner-friendly features. It is outfitted with an HD camera, and it is Wi-Fi enabled for live streaming.

Design
With the built-in HD camera, you get to take beautiful photos even if you are a novice in aerial photography. The camera is forward facing, and it is built into the nose of the drone. This position makes it much harder to damage if the drone crashes on its belly.

The camera provides broadcasting of the images in real time so you can see what the drone is seeing. It is immersive, and you will enjoy every minute of it.

Convenient Features
Flying this drone has been made so effortless that you will learn by yourself to be in control at all times. The headless mode allows flying the drone forward no matter where the nose is facing. You will get a good feel of the controls as you master your flying skill.

The one-key control feature also comes in handy to make the drone return to you when it is in headless mode. You just need to press the return home button, and the drone will find you. Nevertheless, it still needs to have a good charge level so that it will return before the battery gets depleted.

Verdict
For anyone looking to learn how to fly a drone and don’t want to invest too much money, you will like working with DROCON X708W. it is Wi-Fi-enabled, comes with headless and return home modes, and the controls have impeccable actuation. The only thing you won’t be enjoying is a long flight time.

Best Cheap Drones Under $200

1. 3DR Solo Quadcopter without a Gimbal

The 3DR Solo quadcopter offers the most natural way of controlling it. It is comfortable on the hands, and you will experience the convenience of pushbutton commands that allow fast and easy flying of this drone.

Design
This drone does not come with a gimbal, but you can buy one to use with it. Including a gimbal will increase its price significantly but it will also get you clearer images. 3DR Solo carries a GoPro video camera. It is one of the most sought when it comes to capturing live action and sharing it with your friends.

Because of the four rotors, this quadcopter is exceptionally agile. You can use it for a variety of purposes including aerial surveying and search and rescue. It has accelerometers and gyros that send information to two (1GHz) computers that keep in the air with less hassle. This means you don’t need to know a thing to start flying this drone like a pro.

Convenient Features
3DR Solo provides effortless control using a companion app that is compatible with iOS and Android devices. With the app, you can get a live feed of what your drone is seeing straight from the GoPro camera. It is incredible seeing that the camera can offer live streaming up to half a mile. It is not something you get to see every day on a cheap drone.

Go hands-free with the follow me mode and see your drone follow you around like a pet. It also has an orbit mode that can get a wraparound shot. Not to mention the cable cam and selfie modes for an exhilarating experience.

Verdict
3DR Solo expresses quality and convenience by being powered by two powerful computers. It showcases some of the most sought features like smart shot technology and thoughtful shooting modes. Complemented by a full-featured Android and iOS app, you get a drone that delivers full confidence when flying.

2. Holy Stone HS 230 RC Drone

It is so much fun flying a drone, but your adrenaline shoots up once you get into high-speed competitions. You will want to get the most capable drone especially if you are going at it on a budget. Holy Stone HS230 will not disappoint when you want to go farther and faster.

Design
Get a live transmission on the 5.8HZ open ISM frequency. It is less crowded which means more stability and better range. You will still need to pick your battles, but at speeds of up to 45km/h, it is not exactly an entry-level drone.

Its maneuverability is over the top and a good pick when training to fly and race a drone. It does not have an auto-hovering function, so you be controlling the throttle at all times. When you want to be a pro, you cannot rely on the auto-hover function to keep the drone in place.

But you will have the headless mode which keeps the drone flying forward. You also get three-speed modes that you can use to train yourself from the time you are a beginner until the time you can take it to its limit at 45km/h

Convenient Features
This is a racing drone, but that doesn’t mean leaving out epic pictures to keep memories of your excursions. With an HD 720p camera, you will be able to bring home beautiful videos of yourself and your other racing friends. It can also capture high-resolution 12MP pictures that are social-media ready.

Overall
Holy Stone HS230 goes beyond our expectations in an entry-level drone. This drone uses advanced flying technology that includes FPV and high wind resistance. Its clean, streamlined body is a nice touch to help keep it in the air for longer. You get to experience superfast speeds with no auto-hovering.

3. Force 1 Drone: Best Mini Drone

If you are looking for an immersive remote-controlled quadcopter, you can’t go wrong with the Force 1 drone. It is a feature-rich quadcopter that comes with an HD camera and supports FPV.

Design
Force 1 is a fantastic option for drone fans especially if you like going at it on weekends. With a 720HD drone camera, it can deliver crisp photos and videos that will awe your friends and your eyes too. It has a headless mode and an altitude hold so it can hover in place.

It will soar smoothly with a signal distance of up to 320ft. The 6-axis flight control provides altitude stabilization so that it can compensate for any uncommanded movement. This makes it stay in the air longer even when you have no idea your next course of movement.

Convenient Features
Force 1 includes a remote control that feels good to the hands. It does not feel any bigger than you would when flying with the Parrot Bebop 2, so you can expect controlled flights at your fingertips. The drone provides FPV footage in HD. It is an incredible experience that gives you more flight confidence.

You get more flying time with the three extra batteries. It is a thoughtful addition that puts it among the top picks.

Overall
If you want a compact and portable drone that you can take to all your excursions, this model is certainly a huge consideration. A 12MP 720P HD camera gives you superior quality photos and videos that you can store directly on the SD card. It is a good option for short distance flights. It is not a serious aircraft though so if you want one for photography you are better with the DJI Phantom 3 Standard.

Best Cheap Drones Under $500

1. DJI Phantom 3 Standard Quadcopter Drone: Great for Photography

DJI sets the standards of drone technology in this industry. The Phantom Series is their most popular line with the Phantom 3 standard right at the center of budget drones. This quadcopter is here to give you powerful flights and top quality photos and videos.

Design
With a 2.7K camera, this drone will deliver HD videos at 1920 x 1080 pixels and 12MP photos. It is such a pleasing model to have if especially if you spend life in the outdoors and would like to take home the most memorable moments.

With the 3-axis gimbal, it is pretty evident that your photos and videos will not be affected by any vibrations coming from the motor. It gets you crisp, clear images that you can share and store your favorite memories.

The automatic flight assistant is the most intuitive since the drone will record its takeoff point with the help of its GPS module. If it loses your remote’s signal, Phantom will return to your position instead of crashing.

Controlling it is with a flick of a finger as it only needs you to know where you want it to go. The quadcopter hovers after takeoff waiting for direction commands. It will also hold its altitude when you pause it or stop giving instructions.

Convenient Features
Flying the DJI Phantom 3 Standard is a breeze. You can get live quality video using the DJI Go app. The app allows you to see the live image from up to ½ a mile away. This means you can fly it for longer distances. It is a must-have when you are into serious photography and looking to get comprehensive coverage of an event.

The battery running time is perhaps the longest you will get with a drone in this class. It gives you 25 minutes thanks to the intelligent battery. Better still, Phantom will return home once it senses a low battery.

Verdict
The DJI Phantom 3 standard has excellent photography and videography capabilities. It is a top pick for both professionals and hobbyists owing to its unequalled flight power. The flight and control is excellent if not the best from the takeoff and landing. It is what you are looking for when you want a quality quadcopter.

2. Holy Stone HS100 FPV GPS RC Drone: Great FPV Drone

The Holy Stone HS100 drone sheds some weight and some pixels on its camera but other than that, it has entered the midrange market with a bang. Not many drones can give you the specs of Holy Stone at the price.

Design
First, this quadcopter has an adjustable wide-angle camera that will capture videos in HD 720p and 12MP photos. You can adjust the camera to suit your aerial view to enable capturing of images from the best possible angle.

You can bring this drone to adventures like the beach or a pool party and take photos and videos that you would never do with a selfie stick.

View your flight in real time with the help of the FPV mode using the mobile app. It transforms your smartphone into a flight cockpit and a camera since you can still take the photos that you want in the FPV mode. Real-time streaming is only 150 meters, but you can still control it for up to 500 meters.

When you want hands-free selfies, just turn on the follow me mode, and you can pose better and have more videos to share with friends and family.

Convenient Features
Only one button is needed to launch and land this drone. It makes it easy for novice users to fly the drone safely. This drone comes with a 2500MAh battery that has 15 minutes running time. We can call it a good bargain as it is one of the few with a flight time that’s capable of taking meaningful videos and not only pic shots.

The return home feature is incredible to have. The drone has a failsafe auto return to prevent losing your drone. It will also come back when the battery is low or in the event of signal loss.

Verdict
Holy Stone HS100 lets you experience and share life at the same time. From the live feed to the follow me mode, it will give you a reason to enjoy your days. It does not have the best videography, but we can say it justifies the price tag. It supports use by beginners by having a headless mode, one-key return, emergency stops, and adjustable speed.

3. DJI Spark Fly More Combo

DJI’s Spark does not fit in with an entry-level drone. That is why you will find it in the hands of experts. It has incredible image quality thanks to the 3-axis gimbal that captures every moment of the action.

Design
We start with the camera that has stabilization features because of its UltraSmooth technology. Everyone will be wowed by the quality of your pictures. You might even be asked to reveal your secrets. But it’s not really a secret since the camera has a f/2.6 wide-angle lens and a 25mm focal length.

It delivers greatly contrasted images since it can record color as it should. It will capture the sunset as it is and bring out the colors of an evening sun with precision. Its different shooting modes make it all the more versatile to help in the shooting of different sceneries.

This drone is lightweight, yet powerful to fly in most outdoor conditions. It is GPS-assisted, and it comes with lots of flight safety features. This includes enhanced awareness from the dual-band GPS, vision positioning system (VPS), accurate inertial measurement, and 3D sensing system.
These features keep it flying safely as it can detect obstacles and land safely.

Convenient Features
DJI Spark allows intuitive gesture controls. Yes, you can use your fingers to control this drone. Vision technology allows tapping on the screen of your phone, and the drone will go to where you want while still avoiding obstacles. It also allows you to take selfies with the motion of your hands.

This drone maintains powerful propulsion with speeds of up to 31mph. It has increased stability that allows it to fly in windy conditions. With the real-time video, you can fly up to 1.2miles with the help of live video transmission.

Overall
DJI Spark is super fun to use. The HD camera makes it all so real when capturing the best images since you will be in for a good time. You can share your pictures in real time. From tracking to taking professional, quick shots, and even exploring the various shooting modes. We are sure you can’t really exhaust what Spark has to offer.

4. Parrot Bebop 2 Adventurer

Parrot Bebop 2 Adventurer is a lightweight drone that will be a great companion in the outdoors. It comes with the carry bag to provide simple carriage. It is extremely simple to operate this drone so you can count on it to give you a smooth time.

Design
Flying this drone is a thrilling experience. It comes with the cockpit glasses to give you a new and immersive way of operating the drone so that you can feel you are inside the action. It provides real-time videos of what the drone is seeing which make it more exciting and fun.

It has a flight range of 1.2miles in FPV and a battery life of 25 minutes. The drone maintains a secure Wi-Fi connection so you can receive video feedback without interruptions. The large-capacity battery speaks of a clear upgrade from the original Bebop, so Parrot has been doing a good job doing some nice changes,

The camera on this drone records in full HD. With the 3-axis digital stabilization system, all images and video will be clear and accurate as it eliminates choppy images. All your excursions will remain vivid as you get to capture videos with a sense of freedom.

Convenient Features
Although this drone has powerful rotors on the arms, the pictures remain surprisingly stable thanks to the 3-axis gimbal. We like that you don’t need to be a pro as it can maneuver smoothly, thanks to the Parrot controller 2 that masters the tactile controls and accelerometers for you.

Parrot Bebop 2 Adventurer has a Follow Me mode which is always a welcome feature on a drone. This is because it will come in handy when you want hands-free operation like recording yourself when running or rock climbing.

Verdict
The compact design of the Parrot Bebop 2 Adventurer is what makes it suitable for the outdoors. It has a slim profile that allows it to maneuver safely around trees. With the cockpit glasses, you can have an exciting experience that is replete with all the beautiful aspects of owning a drone.