Cheap Drones - Ordered by price
This is going to be a list with the cheapest drones in each category along with links to my top best drones for the money in each price range.
If you're on a low budget or simply want to find how much you're gonna pay for the different types of quadcopters you might want, this is the article you should read.
Click any of the images bellow if you want to check out my top drones for the respective price range.
What to look for in a cheap drone?
Transmitter
The controller is a good indicator of the price of a drone, look for good quality materials, hobby grade sticks and preferably a monitor.
Battery life
Battery life usually increases with the size of the drone and the price.
Range
Cheapest drones can go for 50m, while the more expensive ones can reach 8km.
Camera
Camera quality is an important factor when it comes to price, so make sure you're spending money wisely on what you actually need.
Stabilization
Image stabilization is very important for camera drones. Having a 3 axis stabilized gimbal is going to add at least $100 just for that.
How much Is a drone?
What you should look for in a drone that's well price for its category depends on what specs you're willing to compromise.
There's a few types of drones that might interest you:
- Beginner drones (can even be as cheap as $20) – usually don't have a camera, only used to learn controls
- Camera drones (are usually over $50, at least) – These can be beginner level with a basic 720p camera, up to expensive DJI products a few houndred dollars worth.
- FPV Drones – These usually come with Brushless Motors and are made for people who're in the hobby of flying racing drones, with goggles usually.
What's the cheapest quadcopter?
Eachine E010
Battery Life
5min
Range
50m
Controller
Yes
Recharge Time
30min
Eachine E010 is what I call the simple yet perfect beginner drone. A quadcopter that can be crashed over and over again and can teach you the basics without you having to cry over it.
Its whole canopy is made to protect the propellers and this means it's super safe to pilot inside too.
I would recommend this for kids and beginner pilots. It doesn't come with a camera, so if you really want one, check the other options bellow.
This is simply a reliable drone with a changeable battery and high durability.
This is what I recommend to anyone wanting to start learning how to fly drones.
- Great protection
- You can find spare parts
- great for kids
Cheap drone with camera
DJI Tello
Battery Life
12min
Range
100m
Camera
720p
Stabilization
Eis
When it comes to camera drones, If you're interested in a capable drone that has a good enough camera for taking good quality selfies and landscape photos along with pretty good videos, go for the DJI Tello.
It even Has Electronic Image Stabilization and sensors underneath to keep it flying stable.
Even though the standard range won't be much over 50m, with a good range extender, you can go to 200m and something like that.
You can attach an optional bluetooth controller to you phone to fly easier.
Best Cheap GPS Drone
JJPRO X5
Battery Life
15min
Range
300m
Camera
1080p
Motors
Brushless
This is my top recommendation for a drone under $200, and for a good reason, as it has a pretty good 1080p camera, GPS and amazing battery life.
One of the features that make it my favorite is the camera that can swivel up or down and of course the brushless motors.
Brushless motors are more expensive than brushed ones, but offer more power and way longer life time.
Cheapest FPV Drone
Eachine E013
Battery Life
4min
Range
150m
Controller
Yes
Camera
720p
One of the more complete packages under $100 for a great indoors FPV drone that's quite cheap for what you're getting.
It comes in different package that include FPV goggles and a pretty ok transmitter.
The camera has no lag, as it's 5.8 ghz and it's quite fun to play with inside.
