The best cheap drones prove that drone flying and drone photography don’t have to be expensive pursuits. While there are plenty of dazzlingly expensive drones out there, they tend to be geared toward pros, or at least pretty serious creators (there are even models specifically for film crews).
For the casual consumer, and for kids and novice users, there are lots of inexpensive budget drones that are easy to fly – and more importantly, are a lot of fun, too.
best drones that can be bought for the right price. I’ve been selective, and only picked drones that I think are worth the money. For the team here, the main goal (unless it’s a pure toy) is a camera. The word ‘cheap’ can mean different things, to different people, so I’ll add that all of these drones offer great features for their price, and and some of these have a low cost of entry!
If this will be your first drone, you should have in mind a few key features. Weight is most important (we’ll come to that), but also flight time/battery. The stated time is usually optimistic but is a useful comparison. If it has GPS it will be able to hover safely, so be easier to fly outdoors. Will it need a phone (if you’re buying for kids, do they have one?)
In most territories, 250g (8.8oz) is the legal maximum weight beyond which a drone needs to be registered (check out our guide to drone rules if you’re unsure), so be aware that getting a heavier drone comes with some paperwork.
While all the drones on this list tend toward the budget-friendly, we’ve stuck to examples that give you good value. If it seems a bit pricey, it’s because it more closely competes with prosumer models.
Adam Juniper
The Complete Guide to Dronesand The Drone Pilot’s Handbook. As a father, he’s also keen to find a few cheap and robust drones!
Top picks
Best cheap drone overall
Ryze Tello
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Best cheap toy drone
Potensic A20
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Best low-cost camera drone
Potensic Atom SE
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Best Family Drone
DJI Mini 2 SE
Read more below
Best cheap FPV drone
BETAFPV Cetus Lite
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Best Follow-me drone
HoverAir X1
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Best cheap drones to buy in 2024
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Best cheap drone overall
(Image credit: Adam Juniper/Digital Camera World)
The cheapest way to own some DJI tech
Specifications
Video resolution: 720p
Stills resolution: 5 megapixel
Range: 100m (Wi-Fi)
Flight time: 13 minutes
GPS: No
Weight: 80g
Dimensions: 98 x 93 x 41mm
Reasons to buy
+
High-end camera features
+
Programmable flights
Reasons to avoid
–
Poor battery life
Buy it if:
✅ You want app control: The drone uses an app and wi-fi for control; handy for phone fans ✅ You want easy landing: Compared to some toys, this drone has better landing sensors.
Don’t buy if:
❌ You want long range: Using phone Wi-Fi is great indoors and in the yard, but thats about it. ❌ You want super-stable video: This is more educational toy than creative tool; you need a gimbal for that.
Despite harking back to 2018, the Tello seems to happily occupy this spot in the budget drones list without any contenders to topple it. The combination of DJI’s tech and an intel processor gives the system a lot of power so the digital stabilization of the video is good for 720P.
The drone has removable propellor protection for safe play, and vision-based downward sensors for perfect hovering and landing (though the flash launch by throwing it into the air is even cooler).
We like that remote isn’t needed – the EZ Shots control app provides a live view and on-screen controls – but you can always add a generic Bluetooth game controller. The stand-out feature, though, has to be compatibility with the education-targeted programming language Scratch making this the best way to teach programming.
Sadly, while it is on this list for now as it’s still a great product, the Tello drone is relatively old and DJI have closed the related education division, I’m not expecting much future support.
Read our full Ryze Tello review for more details
full review of the Potensic A20.
Potensic Atom without SE for gimbal stabilization for even more stable video – it’s still good value. ❌ You want fast battery charging: The battery charge quite slowly, but Potensic sell multipacks
I tested this so and I can tell you it’s a really great drone that can genuinely compete with the biggest brand in the business. There is one big trade-off – the camera does not have a gimbal to stabilize it (although for a bit more its sibling, the Potensic Atom without the ‘SE’ does).
Now, to be fair, a lot of the cheap drones you’ll see employ the same approach – simply dampening the drone’s vibrations as best they can with the drone design. With the Atom SE, Potensic have gone one further and used electronic image stabilization to further improve the picture so, compared to many modestly priced drones this is still a winner, but against DJI’s offerings (and its own pricier sister) it isn’t quite a video master.
I’d say, though, that for a lot of people, it makes a lot of sense. There is fun to be had, and you can absolutely get some sharable content. The controller and software are good quality, too – they don’t feel ‘cheap’ at all.
Read more: reviews of the Potensic Atom and Potensic Atom SE with sample videos
Mavic 3 Pro Cine, but the features available on the Mini 2 SE are not that different; a 3-axis stabilized gimbal produces smooth, rich cinematic-looking 2.7K video and a top-notch radio remote controller which links to your phone via cable so there is no delay (latency) in feedback.
The Mini 2 SE helpfully updated the radio controller, rectifying the one real complaint about the original Mini SE, which was that the radio control range was limited compared to other DJI drones (still exceeding most on this list though). Long radio range really means little chance of control or video dropping out.
The drone sports GPS for automatic hover, and return to home, and some social-friendly ‘Quickshot’ modes (where the drone and camera do the work for you), as well as a landing sensor so it can touch down gently. It’s also just under the registration weight for those who hate paperwork!
We love that DJI is always thinking like photographers – adding functions like RAW and exposure bracketing – as well as taking advantage of the aerial location with assorted panoramas. The 2.7K video is excellent but if you need a true 4K check out the DJI Mini 3.
Read more: DJI Mini 2 SE review
FPV drone bundles offers a relatively user-friendly way into the unique experience of flying a drone as if you were inside it. Gaining your FPV chops is aspirational amongst kids of all ages – there are plenty of experienced drone users who still long to try this more fun, immersive means of flying. I, myself, was much more adept with ‘normal’ drones before hesitantly trying FPV.
The design of the Cetus is all about minimizing risk (and cost); the whoop-style airframe completely encases the propellors in a single plastic mold which also houses and shields the camera. This is a smart move because when you crash – and you will, a lot – it absorbs and dampens the impact. Oh, and it’s not just me saying you’ll crash, though I did a fair bit – any FPV pilot will tell you it’s about taking risks and having fun.
A sensor allows stable hovering at a set distance from the floor, making this an ideal indoor toy, while the VTX (video transmitter) includes basic on-screen display data for the pilot. Enthusiasts can also use the controller with FPV simulators while the batteries charge, and a charge tester is in the bundle.
See our full BETAFPV Cetus Lite FPV review
HoverAir X1 as an “angel on your shoulder,” and it can keep up with cyclists and runners while the blades are always safely in the folding cage design. Brilliant and different.
See our full HoverAir X1 review
DJI Mini 4 Pro) if you want collision sensors). ❌ You want telephoto: You need to look further up the DJI range to the Air 3 for that.
The Mini 2 SE is now available in most markets, but DJI’s next cheapest option is the Mini 3. This is a trimmed-down version of the Mini 3 Pro which debuted 7 months before but the sacrifices are not too many. That, in turn, has essentially been replaced by the Mini 4 Pro – yes, these things move fast. The crucial difference, though, hasn’t changed.
This drone manages up to 10km range with DJI’s relatively new radios (it uses O2 tech) but compared to those with ‘Pro’ at the end of the name it drops the smart collision sensors and some subject tracking features. It also drops 4K 60fps mode, but can still capture 4K 30fps which is more than enough for most. Importantly for social influencers – or those who just mostly post for phone users – it retains the ability to rotate the main camera to portrait mode for shooting for TikTok etc. friendly video without too much cropping.
For many content creators, this is a great way to trim about $200 from the price of a high-end, low-weight drone. It remains pricey but noticeably cheaper than its siblings. Since most of the time you don’t really try to fly into the wall (well, I don’t) you might argue that collision sensors aren’t all that useful and on the Mini 3 Pro that was especially true as they weren’t even all-round sensors – only front and back. By that logic, this drone remains a bit of a bargain, by DJI’s standards at least!
Read our full DJI Mini 3 review for more details
(Image credit: Adam Juniper / Digital Camera World)
A fold out GPS drone that can fly fast and shoot 2.7K
The Holy Stone HS175D is an upgrade to the HS175, which we already liked, but the manufacturers have gone on to add brushless motors and a 2.7K sensor (not 4K, as it falsely boasts). It’s clear from the design of the HS175D that Holy Stone has taken a few cues from the DJI Mavic Air 2, which we feel is pretty reasonable. If you’re going to crib, do it from the best.
Comfortably under the weight limit for registration, the Holy Stone HS175D also packs in plenty of useful features, like GPS, return to home, altitude hold, one-key take-off/landing, follow-me, and more.
The camera can tilt vertically in flight, and having a Micro SD slot is really handy for recording high-quality footage (though you also have the option to record directly to the app for quick sharing. There’s also electronic stabilization for the 4K footage – it’s not cinema quality, but it does well.
Control can be done with the fold-out remote, powered by two AA batteries. It’s easy to use, and while there’s a little latency, it functions well if you stay comfortably within the 500m range.
See our full Holy Stone HS175D review for more details
beginner drone with a decent camera might be the only drone you’ll ever need and – with GPS, a gimbal stabilized camera, and good software – it’ll still be cheaper in the long run.
We’d say think of the very cheap as toys, and then think more about what you want. Getting to grips with the controls is more about self-restraint and caution, which you might have.
Of course, some expensive drones also have collision avoidance tech – something else which one feels might be more helpful for beginners!
How we test drones
How do you test drones?
Adam Juniper) am, our ‘drone expert’ and a qualified drone pilot, and I try to review as many of the drones myself, or work with reviewers I know and trust. The goal is to be consistent but also to test each drone appropriately to its design and purpose – there is no sense in trying to get movie-quality footage from a toy drone, for example.
We also think the user experience is important – cheap doesn’t mean life should be difficult, so we always make sure we set up a new drone and make sure the process is straightforward and well explained by any documentation in the box.
Read more:
The best camera drones Best indoor drones Best drones for kids Best accessories for your drone The best DJI drones The best camera backpacks
George Barham, an accomplished journalist and avid gambling enthusiast, serves as the esteemed Editor-in-Chief at fly-to-australia.com, Australia’s leading source for comprehensive gambling news and insights. With an unwavering passion for both the written word and the ever-evolving world of betting and gaming, George brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the helm of our editorial team.
Best cheap drone overall
Best cheap toy drone
Best low-cost camera drone
Best Family Drone
Best cheap FPV drone
Best Follow-me drone
(Image credit: Adam Juniper / Digital Camera World)
