So you're looking for a good drone under 250g because you really don't want to register it, do you?
You're as bright as they come because the new regulations in the US, Europe, UK and Australia have concluded that drones weighing less than 0.55 pounds (250g) are harmless. This means that they don't need to be registered!
DJI has recently unveiled the DJI Mini 3, their perfected version of an outstanding camera drone under 250g. Big news, considering that DJI is the lead drone manufacturer in the world right now - and has been for a while!
Things point in one clear direction: more people can get a lightweight drone without being concerned about annoying regulations. Add this to the fact that lightweight drones are cheaper, and you get the perfect opportunity for new drone enthusiasts to start their journey!
Another great benefit is that smaller drones also tend to be cheaper!
In this section, we’re jumping straight into my favorite drones and detailing why I chose each to fit a specific role. This means you won’t get confused after reading this list (like other sites usually make you). At the end of the article, there are more details about the legislation and frequently asked questions.
| Mini 3 | Mini 2 | Tinyhawk 2 | JJRC X12 | Tello |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38 min | 31 min | 6 min | 16 min | 12 min |
| 12 km | 10 km | 100 m | 1 km | 100 m |
| 4k | 4k | FPV | 1080p | 720p |
| 3 axis gimbal | 3 axis gimbal | goggles | 2 axis gimble | EIS |
| $$$ | $$$ | $$ | $$ | $ |
| Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
4k 60p
38 min
12km
4x zoom
The DJI Mini 3 is a powerful, lightweight mini drone offering great value for money. It has brushless motors, image stabilization, a great camera and a DJI-level build. The maximum flight time of around 38 minutes on a single charge makes it a solid choice for those who don't want to go for the more expensive DJI Mini 3 Pro. Depending on the flight mode, you can even get to 50 minutes of flight time with the Mini 3.
First, you need to know that in order to keep the Mini 3 below 250g, you need to use the "Ultra Light" batteries.
The camera quality is way better on the Mini 3 than its predecessor, thanks to its larger Type 1/1.3 (10 x 7.5mm) sensor and F1.7 aperture. As a result, you'll get higher-quality shots both during the day and at night.
I also loved the camera's 4X zoom available while shooting video. It's fantastic during the daytime!
However, suppose you're a complete beginner. In that case, you should know that not even this top-level drone has an obstacle avoidance system. If you want to have this feature, you'd have to go a step above and get the Mini 3 Pro instead.
So, if you decide to buy the Mini 3, you might also want to invest in some prop guards.
The camera quality and higher battery life are enough to place this drone on the list. The build quality is also outstanding: there's basically no difference between the Mini 3 and Mini 3 Pro when it comes to this. The drone is sturdy, light and portable.
If you're expecting a premium experience from a lightweight drone, this is the one to go for!
A D V A N T A G E S
D I S A D V A N T A G E S
4k
31 min
10 km
GPS
If you had to choose in the next 5 seconds, but your budget is not quite there for the Mini 3, you'd have to choose the Mini 2. This is the second-best camera drone in this size range and one of the best DJI drones under 250g, and if you're not a pro, you might not even notice the differences between these two.
DJI outdid themselves with this device, releasing a stunning 4k drone under 250g with 3-axis gimbal stabilization, 10km range and 31-minute flight time.
The Mini 2 is an exciting product with plenty of amazing features; it can record 4k videos, is easy to use, and offers excellent value for the money. In addition, it has superior performance capabilities, comes with all the necessary tools and accessories, and is incredibly versatile. Plus, you don't have to register, meaning you can start using it immediately without hassle!
This drone has accommodative flight modes that adjust according to your skill. For instance, Position P is suitable for beginners and helps them make basic maneuvers, Sport S is for extreme flight, and CineSmooth C is for cinematography shots.
I compared the DJi mini 2 with the Mavic Air 2 (which is a high-end drone) and there are really barely any differences.
If you want, you can also check my complete review of it right here.
A D V A N T A G E S
D I S A D V A N T A G E S
4k-ish
30 min
1 km
GPS
At an affordable price, the Eachine Ex5 stands out as one of the best camera GPS drones below $100. And, of course, it weighs less than 250g.
Though not a perfect copy of the DJI Mavic Mini 2 (as the producer intended), this foldable drone is definitely worth the price. You won't regret making this purchase - it could be one of your best decisions yet!
One thing they got right is the long battery life (around 30 minutes). So flight time is always a huge advantage, especially with a small drone.
Though the camera is advertised as 4k, its quality does not match the expected resolution. The camera doesn't have a gimbal, but that's normal at this price point.
Overall, the Eachine EX5 is easily one of the best drones in this category, and for a good reason: It is actually good!
A D V A N T A G E S
D I S A D V A N T A G E S
FPV
6 min
100 m
With Goggles
The Tinyhawk 2 is no joke! It's a compact, brushless quadcopter that falls below 250 grams.
It's suited for both beginners as well as more advanced pilots. This foldable drone is well-suited for outdoor use due to its powerful motors and compatibility with both 1s and 2s batteries. It can also be used indoors, making it a great all-around choice.
Tinyhawk 2 comes in a complete package that includes the FPV Goggles, controller, spare batteries and other accessories like a multi-charger and extra props.
The drone itself weighs 32g without the battery, so it's well under that flight limit for registration.
A D V A N T A G E S
D I S A D V A N T A G E S
1080p
25 min
1 km
3-axis gimbal
If you're looking for an affordable drone that can do it all, then the Eachine EX4 might hit the spot!
This is a sub-250 drone that features a 3-axis gimbal stabilization system and 1080p HD camera, allowing you to easily capture stunning footage.
With its 1km range (tested by me in this youtube review) and zoom lens, you can explore your surroundings from new heights. Plus, brushless motors allow for powerful performance. All this is packed into a foldable and portable design.
It's hard to find a better drone at this price!
A D V A N T A G E S
D I S A D V A N T A G E S
720p
12 min
100 m
IMG stabilization
The DJI Tello is a lightweight drone for which you need no registration, and it works both as an indoor and outdoor drone.
This drone is perfect for those brand-new to the world of drones - and you won't believe how affordable it is, given all its fantastic features. So get ready to get snap-happy with a selfie-taking wonder with all the bells and whistles of more expensive models!
Unrivaled image quality at an unbeatable price? Check. Twelve-minute battery life and bottom-facing sensors for improved stability? Check.
Can you control the drone remotely via your phone or with a Bluetooth controller? Double check!
This drone is designed just for you, the upgraded rookie, and it has all the features you need to explore the world from a new perspective. So what are you waiting for - let's get flying!
A D V A N T A G E S
D I S A D V A N T A G E S
4k-ish
16 min
300 m
GPS
The Holy Stone HS510 is a tiny foldable camera drone weighing just under 0.55 pounds. You can buy it for around $200, but the specs are solid for this price range.
You're getting 2 batteries in the package, each flying for 16 minutes in total.
This drone has features to take your flying experience to the next level, including two batteries for increased flight time, brushless motors for improved thrust and stability, a telemetry-enabled controller and a robust GPS system.
And, of course, let's not forget the "Follow me" feature, which is still a great gimmick even though the camera isn't stabilized.
A D V A N T A G E S
D I S A D V A N T A G E S
Optional
8 min
100 m
Bottom Sensors
The Mambo is a very high-quality toy drone made by Parrot, the biggest drone manufacturer in the US.
While weighing less than 250 grams, it also specs some exciting features. First, it's a very stable flyer thanks to the bottom-facing sensors, so you can pretty much remove your hands from the controller at any time, and it will hover in place.
But the neatest trick it can do is mount a few cool and fun accessories on top (like on a lego). Some include a grabbing claw and a small cannon that shoots plastic balls. Neat, huh? It's more than impressive for a drone of this size.
I don't think you need me to tell you how much fun shooting things with a drone (safely) can be.
It's in no way dangerous for kids since the shooting part isn't very powerful, but it has a lot of potential for creative stuff, even using the claw to deliver notes or small objects. The drone is also big enough to be taken outside, which makes it even better.
A D V A N T A G E S
D I S A D V A N T A G E S
No cam
6 min
60 m
Durable
For those on a budget looking for an indoor and outdoor drone, the Cheerson CX10 is an excellent choice. This nano drone weighs in at well under 250g and comes in various bright colors - perfect for kids or anyone looking to have fun!
The CX10 can do flips to impress your friends and is surprisingly durable despite its small size. However, you'll need to remember that the battery cannot be removed, so you'll have to recharge before each use. All things considered, the Cheerson CX10 is a fun, small drone that really impressed my mates and me.
A D V A N T A G E S
D I S A D V A N T A G E S
No cam
6 min
60 m
Durable
This made it on my list of the best beginner drones simply because it effectively teaches you the basics while being cheap and comes in a great package. Besides, you can use it both indoors and outdoors.
You'll get 2 or 3 batteries in the package, giving you a total flight time of almost 20 minutes. That makes the Potensic A20 suitable for beginners - the flight time is enough for you to practice until you become a master!
On top of all this, the drone is durable and comes with prop guards, so you can safely hit it on the walls with no serious consequences. And, of course, it's well under 250 grams.
A D V A N T A G E S
D I S A D V A N T A G E S
In this section, we're looking at the main points you should focus on before making a purchase.
Size and Weight - Weight is a pretty obvious one because a drone under 0.55 pounds (250g) allows you to skip registration in most countries, But what about the size? Well, the smaller the drone, the less wind resistance it usually has. This also applies to battery life - smaller drones have shorter flight times.
Flying a small quadcopter indoors can be fun; however, if you take it outdoors and the wind picks up, you could quickly lose control. So be sure to consider your environment before flying (and buying).
Cost - How good can a drone get, in fact? Short answer: as good as the price allows. If you're looking for a drone with 4K cameras, stabilization, GPS and brushless motors but can't afford to break the bank, there are certainly a few trade-offs that come with it.
However, keep in mind that some overpriced drones out there (quite a lot, actually) will trick people who don't know what they should look for in a drone specifically.
Spare Parts and Popularity - Yes, popularity is essential in some way because it will allow you to find spare parts easier, new or used. You can also buy the drone second-hand directly if it's popular enough, saving you some money.
Brushless Motors - Brushed motors can be found on cheaper toy drones that work as beginner learners but are inferior to their brushless counterparts. The brushless motor is indeed more expensive but much more durable and powerful. That's why these are used in larger drones or more premium ones (usually beyond the $100 price point).
GPS and flight modes - with drones this small, you usually don't get very advanced GPS flight modes, but you can certainly get good GPS and, like in the case of the DJI Mini 2, even other satellite systems like GLONASS and GALILEO.
Camera - I advise you not to get a camera drone if it's under $100 because the footage you get out of it is usually pretty crap. The drones on my list have decent cameras, but usually, it's best to wait until you have at least $200 to invest in a drone so you can get a higher-quality rig and maybe even image stabilization.
There's obviously the advantage of not registering your drone if it's under a certain weight, but are there still other limitations?
No matter the size, all drones must abide by the same flying regulations. This means you are still not permitted to fly close to an airport or military base, even if your drone is under 250g. Most of the time, you can find these areas marked on a map like this.
Having said that, there are also limitations on how far you can fly away from crowds, property and such; this all depends on the specific country's regulation.
If you're looking for the cheapest 4K drone, that would be the Eachine Ex5. At the same time, the camera quality on this drone doesn't feel as advertised. So, the cheapest actual 4K drone remains the DJI Mini 2.
The lightest drone is the Cheerson CX10, a tiny quadcopter that weighs around 12g. This drone can fit in the palm of your hand, but it's quick, fun and excellent for indoor flight.
Although buying a drone under 250g means you don't have to register it, you still need to be careful of your surroundings and where you fly it.
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