Best Cheap Drones For Beginners in 2021
For beginners choosing the best drone can be tricky. Drones have evolved in just a few short years into an exciting and innovative technology. If you’re looking to get started, or are curious about the potential of drones for your photography business, there’s no need to spend thousands on a professional drone! Many beginners-level models can be purchased for as little as $100 — which is still not bad considering how much they’ve changed since their introduction five years ago.
Drones come with many different features that allow them to capture footage from angles never before possible: hyperlapse (time lapse), orbit mode (captures panoramic shots around objects like buildings) among others. These same beginner level machines also provide plenty of opportunities for enthusiasts who want more time playing with these new toys than worrying.
Drones vary in price and features so it’s important to find the right fit before investing any money. The cheaper drone models are great as they offer take offs that are often easier than their more expensive counterparts while also giving 720p-4K footage as well as flight durations up to 30 minutes long so if it’s time that you want more control over your shots rather than high-resolution photos then these might be the cheap drones for you!
The selection below are all great drones for beginners, but their design goals and prices differ. So with everything from a drone that costs the price of a decent camera to one less than what you would pay at your favorite restaurant on date night- here is our rundown of the best cheap drones out there today!
1. DJI Mini 2 — BUY @ $449.00
The best cheap drone for everyone for its size, costs and weight.
The DJI Mini 2 has a lot of features that make it perfect for beginners. It is lightweight, so you don’t have to register with the FAA or CAAC — which saves money and time. The drone also comes equipped with many safety mechanisms such as GPS-based return home system and obstacle avoidance systems if anything should come in contact while flying around an object outdoors like trees or buildings. It can be easily carried anywhere due its small frame but still packs quite a punch when using all those important pilot assists from collision protection right down to takeoff modes; there’s no need for any extra pieces other than spare propellers.
It is also best for those who are already familiar with cameras. It is great indoors, thanks to its downward-facing sonar and visual distance sensing systems, which can help it hover even without GPS. This makes getting images off your phone easy if you don’t want to wait until you get home.
Pros:
👉 Very portable
👉 Long flight time
👉 Exempted from regulations
👉 Beginner-friendly app
👉 Some prosumer features
Cons:
➖Likely to gusts
2. Ryze Tello — BUY @ $99
The best cheap drone overall for beginners by DJI
The DJI and Ryze collaboration on the Tello is a cheap drone for beginners that’s easy to control.
This drone weighs just 2.82 ounces and measures 3.85 inches at its widest point, making it the perfect size to tuck in a jacket pocket! It’s not foldable like the DJI Mavic range but this little craft can also fly outdoors so long as there isn’t too much wind (without GPS on board, it could drift with the breeze)! The camera quality may not be as good, but it will get you up in the air with an easily controlled copter where we can explore aerial photography!
This small drone is perfect for anyone interested in getting started in aerial photography. With its affordable price tag of only $99 USD (or less if purchased through resellers or Amazon), there’s no better way to learn about drones than by diving right into flying one yourself — even though some higher end models are definitely more equipped with a variety of features beyond just taking photos from above ground level.
Pros:
👉 Budget-friendly
👉 User-friendly app interface
👉 Downward sensors for easy landing
👉 Lightweight
👉 VR compatible
Cons:
➖SD Card Unavailable
➖ Struggles against wind
3. Holy Stone HS100 GPS FPV — Buy @ 139.99
The best cheap drone for photography and videography starters
The Holy Stone HS100 GPS FPV is a budget-friendly drone for no frills drones, that is perfect for beginners of videographers and photographers. The drone’s adjustable camera captures both images and videos with the press of one button, so it can be used to capture footage from multiple perspectives thanks to its fixed 1080p Wi-Fi camera that records up to 120 degrees in wide angle mode. It features one press take off and landing, headless mode to make orientation easy on the first timer pilots out there, as well as an FPV (first person view) option for those looking to get more fully immersed in their flying experience.
It introduces not just the experience of flying, but also the basic features and how a serious photography or videography drone works. For example, this one has a GPS positioning system to help control your flight from afar! It’s an amazing way to try out aerial photography without breaking the bank.
Pros:
👉 Great price
👉 1080p HD camera
👉 Adjustable camera pitch
👉 Camera tilt via remote control
👉 Control range of up to 500m
👉 GPS-enabled
Cons:
➖ No camera gimbal
➖ Brushed motors won’t last long
4. EACHINE E520S — Buy @ 109.99
Best cheap drone with 4K camera
The E520S from Shenzhen, China is a mini-version of the DJI Mavic that costs less than $130. The controller has features like the ones in other high quality drones on this list, including GPS and autonomous flight modes — but it only includes these at its lower price point. It is also one of the most technologically advanced drones on the market. It comes with GPS, 5G wifi streaming up to a distance of 250 meters and a USB-charged battery that lasts about 15 minutes. The drone also features an array of automated flight modes including return to home, auto take-off and landing, waypoint follow me mode (follows your hand), orbit around you or any object in proximity for great shots hands free.
The E520S includes features you won’t find on DJI models such as quick shots and longer video transmission distances, but with 4K camera capabilities and extra flight modes. It’s not as light or compact as some more expensive models but if you’re looking for an intermediate model with great features without spending too much money then give this drone a try.
Pros:
👉 4K camera resolution
👉 GPS positioning
👉 Waypoint flight mode
👉 One key lift off and landing
👉 Follow me modes
👉 Stable flight
5. HUBSAN H501S X4 AIR DRONE — Buy @ $150.00
The best cheap drone for stable flight
The H501S is the epitome of innovation. One would never expect such a small machine to be able to fly steadily with an amazing GPS system and 15.9 ounces in weight, but it does! The Hubsan X4 H501S has been updated for today’s market- featuring full GPS which enables steady flight more akin to larger drones than one its size; weighing just over 16 ounces doesn’t seem like much until you consider that this drone can take off from your hand with ease due to its lightweight frame yet still pack some serious punch when compared against other models on the market now or ever before made by any company or individual alike!
Pros:
👉 Ultra-compact drone
👉 Autonomous modes
👉 GPS
👉 Stable Flight
Tips On Buying Cheap Drones
Whether you’re shopping for a new drone in the $100 range or want to spend more, it’s important that you know what features and specs are available. You’ll find plenty of cheap drones under 100$ which can still offer basic features like those found on higher-end models at this price point but there will be some sacrifices to make. The great thing about all these deals is that they allow shoppers the chance to pick out their own specifications so whether your budget isn’t quite as big we always recommend giving yourself an idea of what kind of products might suit your needs first!
Most cheap toy drones are not very fun unless it has the built-in altitude sensor that can gauge its distance from the floor. Sensor-equipped toys like Parrot Mambo hold their position indoors impeccably well and are great models to learn on since their stick control methods are exactly the same as outdoor bigger models.
Buying a kid an indoor toy without some form of positioning sensor isn’t a good idea. If you think your kid is going to be flying their new toy drone for a long time, it’s best to get one that has some sort of positioning sensor built-in. Otherwise they’re likely not going to have as much fun with the cheap indoor toys and will quickly put them away in frustration like last year when we got him the tiny remote controlled helicopter without any sensors on it.
In summary, some of the cheapest outdoor drones use GPS technology to locate their position in the sky and this bit of tech is vitally important, especially if you’re a beginner. Outdoor models have a return-to-home feature that will automatically land your drone.
