Are You Hunting For a Drone Under $500?
As the market is overflowing with a variety of drones, drones are available for almost all types of age groups, from a kid to adult men, from a beginner to most skilled pilots.
Additionally, to users, drones have vast spread applications in diverse fields, i.e., in news reporting, investigating, entertainment, and now day mostly used for aerial photography and videography by highly professional photographers.
In the ocean of drones, it is a very hard task to search for the best drone under your budget, especially for those who are buying for the first time. So, to make this hunting task easy for you, we come with our guide for the best drones for under $500 to spare your precious time and help you to find out your favorite one.
What Specifications Should Be Consider Before Buying?
So many elements are required to be considered before making a purchase. As different drone companies offer drones at the same price, but they only differ from each other by the presence of some special advanced features, making a prior choice for the buyer.
Which type of drone you prefer to buy solely depends upon the buyer. Either he requires a camera drone to polish his photography skills or a beginner-friendly drone that lets the user practice his hands and become an experienced flier. Apart from distinct specifications, some usual features of the drone must also be considered, which include:
1. Flight Time:
With the advancement, drone batteries’ timings are greatly improved day by day; consequently, drones are able to spend more minutes in the air. Drone with this price range comes with an average flight time of between 15 to 30 minutes, respectively.
2. Flight Range:
It is the most prior feature among others, as pilots want to cover more aerial views. Luckily, the average distance control range is greatly increased up to 1000 meters; now, you can enjoy and capture longer-range views.
3. Performance:
Every buyer prefers a high-performance drone that is efficient and stable, driven in the air, and steadily hovering under strong indy weather without any fliers input. For this, we only choose drones with the utmost flying performance over others with the same cost.
4. Average Specifications:
With each passing day, the world is moving toward more advancement, and new drones are more feature-packed than previous ones.
However, drones under $500 are equipped with various specifications, including automatic takes-odd and landing, high-quality camera, Follow me mode, GPS, inbuilt sensors, flying modes, beginner-friendly modes, flipping, and rolling are the main focus of these drones.
5. Camera:
Most drones under this cost range come with HD or 4K cameras and GoPro, letting you capture good-quality images and recordings with 1080p resolution, not high-quality but good enough to record less professional tasks vlogging, personal film recordings, etc.
I hope everything is clear, so we’re leaning toward our guide list for the best drones under $500.
Best Drones Under $500 in 2024:
Here is the list of Best Drones Under $500 that you can buy in 2024.
- DJI Mavic Mini- CP.MA.00000120.01.
- Holy Stone- HS120D.
- Ruko- F11 Pro.
- Ryze Tech Tello-CP.PT.00000252.01.
- Potensic 4K Dreamer Quadcopter.
- 3DR Solo Quadcopter- SA11A.
- Walkera F210 3D Edition.
- Force1 F100GP GoPro-Compatible Drone.
- Potensic T35-656699993750.
- Parrot Bebop 2 Drone- PF726003.
1- DJI Mavic Mini- CP.MA.00000120.01:
Best Features:
- Weight: 0.73 g
- Battery time: 30 minutes
- Camera: 12 MP 1080p at 30fps
- Maximum flight Speed: 29 mph
- Video resolution: 2.7K FHD
- Flight range: 4000 meters
- Altitude Hold
- Vision Sensors
Are you looking for a portable high-performance drone? If yes, introducing a DJI Mavic Mini- a foldable palm-size drone, don’t confuse its size with its performance. This mini aerial vehicle is full of astonishing features.
One of the most astonishing, its 12MP HD camera with 3-axis motorized gimbaling gives great stability to the camera, capable of giving out smooth images with 1080p resolution and recording footage up to 2.7k HD at 30fp- delivering cinema-quality results.
Moreover, you can enjoy your videos’ live streaming with FPV real-time transmission via their companion DJI Fly app compatible with iOS and Android smartphones.
With DJI Mavic Mini, you can enjoy 30 minutes of flight and cover up to 4000 meters of distance range- quite an exciting future offer by this mini drone, which rarely offered by drones of this size and price range.
Some beginner-friendly modes like Altitude Hold ensure the drone hovers around you at a specific height range. Its Return key lets the drone automatically land in case of an emergency landing or the battery is near to dying- no need to worry about the loss of your drone.
Its downward vision sensors let it be stable and steady, landing on the earth without colliding with any object, increasing the DJI Mavic Mini drone’s durability.
Pros:
- Foldable.
- High-quality images and videos.
- Travel-friendly.
- High flight time.
- Longer control range.
Cons:
- No spare batteries.
- The app is compatible with a small range of phones.
2- Holy Stone- HS120D:
Best Features:
- Weight: 221 g
- Battery time: 18 minutes
- Camera: 1080p HD
- Flight range: 300 meters
- Altitude Hold
- Headless mode
- 2k HD video with FPV live transmission
- GPS
- Customize flight path
Are you hunting for the first drone? If yes, then Holy Stone- HS120D best suits the list; its high performance compels us to put it in our guide list.
First and foremost is its impressive design; a second attractive feature of this drone is its HD 1080p camera with a 120-degree wide lens covering wide views and produces high-quality pictures and live stream of videos on your smartphone screen, you simply need to download the app, and you are all set to enjoy real-time transmission via FPV and instantly share your shoots in our social circle with the push of ‘share’ key.
Now the question arises how much one can fly a drone and how much range it can travel? You can fly Holy Stone-HS120D for up to 18 minutes and enjoy fast and clear live aerial views up to 300 meters away from the pilot.
What’s next? Its GPS enables the follow-me mode in which the drone automatically starts to follow your moves, free your hands, and lets you take aerial selfies and have fun.
Are you a new flier, feeling hesitant to fly a drone? No need to worry about the loss of the drone, its altitude hold keeps the drone at a specific height, and headless mode enables the drone to remember its takes-off orientation. Finally, you can draw a customized path on your smartphone, and the drone starts following it automatically, with one-key take-off and landing, it helps the pilot control the flight safely and stably.
Pros:
- Ideal for novice pilots.
- Good battery life.
- Gives high-quality images.
- Ironic design.
Cons:
- Prolong charging time.
- The drone’s motor fails sometimes.
- Takes a long time to connect to GPS.
3- Ruko- F11 Pro:
Best Features:
- Weight: 517g
- Camera: 4K HD
- 2.7K video with FPV
- Battery time: 30 minutes
- Control range: 1200-meters
- Custom flight path
- One key take-off/landing
- Follow me mode
- Auto return home
- GPS positioning
- 3-speed modes
Ruko F11 Pro is a remarkably updated version of the F11 equipped with more advanced features. It’s durable built and average size and lets it in the air for up to half an hour, thanks to Ruko, which comes with a spare battery and ultimately increases flight time by up to 1 hour.
The camera of F11 Pro is 4K Ultra HD with a 120-degree lens with a 90-degree angle rotation that captures wide areas stably and 5GHz Wifi FPV real-time transmission lets you enjoy live 2.7K videos via a Ruko app that is compatible with your Android or iOS smartphone and goes up to 1200 meters of control range.
Apart from its flight proficiencies, some advanced specifications like Auto return, One-Key takes-off/ landing, Follow Me, and Custom flight path let beginner and skilled pilots handle the drone more stably, and safely.
With Ruko F11 Pro, you no longer need to worry about losing or hard to find your loss drone. In case of strong windy conditions or if the pilot loses control of the drone, the last position will be recorded and displayed on the App’s map to let you easily track the drone.
Pros:
- Can design flight path.
- Stable flight with a brushless motor.
- Easy to control.
- Smooth clear images.
Cons:
- Need registration in FAA.
- Noisy flight.
- No 3-axis motorized gimbal.
4- Ryze Tech Tello-CP.PT.00000252.01:
Best Features:
- Weight: 230 g
- Maximum flight time: 13 minutes
- Control range: 100 meter
- Camera: 5MP HD 720p
- 2.4 GHz FPV real-time transmission
- 8D flip
- Maximum flight speed: 17mph
Ryze-Tello is one of the most high-performance drones among other DJI drones under $500. With EZ-Shoots, it can capture amazingly clear pictures with its 5MP camera and effectively record 720p videos with 360-degree flip & roll, moving up, and away.
With 2.4GHz FPV real-time transmission up to 100 meters of control range on Android or iOS Smartphones, all you need to do is connect your smartphone with the DJI app, and you are all set to go.
How long does its battery last? On a single battery, you can enjoy a flight for up to 13 minutes with 17 mph of speed- this battery life is better under this cost.
Moreover, DJI Tello allows the pilots to have some adventurous stunts; it is capable of flipping at 8-Dimensions by simply sliding the smartphone’s screen, an ideal feature for hobbyist pilots.
Some beginner-friendly features present in the DJI Tello drone include a low battery indication, range finder system, vision system, and auto one-key take-off & landing specification that lets the novice pilot safely and gently control and handle the drone.
Pros:
- Durable.
- Easy to control.
- EZ-shoot.
- Videos feed automatically on the phone.
Cons:
- Can’t withstand strong air.
- The app is not compatible with all phones.
5- Potensic 4K Dreamer Quadcopter:
Best Features:
- 4K Camera
- GPS mode
- Maximum flight time: 31 minutes
- Intelligent flight mode
- Telescopic remote control
- Weight: 765 g
- Maximum control range: 800 meters
If you are looking for a camera drone for under $500, then the Potensic 4K Quadcopter fits best in the list. Its 4K camera with automatic exposure mode allows you to capture high-quality images with a Sony sensor giving images and videos cool color fidelity and photosensitivity.
Apart from its 4k high-quality camera, Follow Me mode lets your drone follow the same direction where you are moving. Circle Flight lets the drone do some stunting fun.
Additionally, the GPS mode reduces the chances of drone loss due to environmental conditions or by pilot’s loss of control over the drone, but how can the last drop place appear on the smartphone’s screen? All these operations work with their compatible PotensicPro app.
How much time can you fly a Potensic drone in the air? A single rechargeable 4S battery lets you fly this aircraft for up to 31 minutes and 800 meters of control range via a telescopic remote control. Drones’ battery life is more with overcharge; overvoltage flow protection ensures safer than ever before.
Pros:
- Easy to fly.
- Prolong flight time.
- The fly app is easy to use.
Cons:
- No onboard storage.
- Calibration problems.
6- 3DR Solo Quadcopter- SA11A:
Best Features:
- Weight: 1497 g
- Maximum flight time: 20 to 25 minutes
- Maximum control range: 2000 meters
- Go-Pro Camera
- Autonomous flight mode
- Follow me mode
- Smart shoot technology
3DR Solo counts in most old but high-performance drones in the guide list. An ideal drone for beginners who want to improve their aerial photography with a GO-Pro camera, which you need to buy separately, this drone is a prior choice for GO-Pro camera lovers due to its accurate and reliable performance.
Its 1 GHz remote control is very efficient in response. It ensures stable flight operation, moreover, their app is compatible with Android and iOS smartphones putting the drone’s control at your fingertips with follow-me mode. Free software update lets the app grow with the latest technologies.
Custom flight paths and GPS don’t let your drone be a loss, you can draw your customized flight path on your smartphone, and the drone starts that path on its own, and you can easily track your drone as the last drop location appears automatically on your phone.
If we talk about its flight time and control range, then the 3DR Solo drone can fly in the air for up to 20 minutes with a camera and 25 minutes without carrying a camera with 2000 meters of flight control range, much more control range than other drones under $500 respectively.
Pros:
- Great control range.
- Film-level camera quality.
Cons:
- Not integrated camera.
- No stable gimbal.
7- Walkera F210 3D Edition:
Best Features:
- Weight: 368.5 g
- Battery timing: 8 to 9 minutes
- Control range: 400 meters
- FPV real-time transmission
- F3 flight controller
- Camera: 700 TVL
- Maximum flight speed: 64 kph
- Night vision camera
Walkera counts as the most famous drone-making company, and F210 is one of their milestone drones fully equipped with FPV racing. It is the ideal drone for those pilots who want to learn about racing flights.
It is compact and super light in weight and durable carbon fiber built keeping in mind its sole purpose of “racing” to efficiently withstand crashes and collisions.
Apart from its durability, the F210 shows up with amazing stunting flips & rolls and, racetrack moves, and easy-to-handle adventurous flight with a brushless motor.
However, its battery life is not up on the list, and it can only manage to be in the sky for about 8 to 9 minutes with 400 meters of distance control range, quite a disappointment for racer pilots who want to prolong flight timing.
Sony 700TVL camera gives out standard quality live streaming of aerial views with an FPV monitor on your smartphone.
Its F3 flight controller, brushless motor, DEVO 7 transmitter, low battery indicator, and signal alarm function make the F210 the best drone under $500.
Pros:
- FPV live streaming.
- East to fly.
- DEVO 7 transmitter.
- Easy to assemble.
- Durable.
Cons:
- Can’t go up to 1000 meters.
- Below-average battery life.
8- Force1 F100GP GoPro-Compatible Drone:
Best Features:
- Weight: 81.6 g
- Maximum flight time: 15 to 17 minutes
- Total control range: 500 meters
- 1080p HD camera
- Brushless motor
- 360-degree flip & roll
- GO-Pro compatible
- 2.7 GHz controller
- Two-speed modes
If you are looking for a high-quality camera drone, then you came to the right place; Force1 F100GP comes under the list of best drones under $500. This super lightweight drone not only gives out 1080p camera resolution but is also compatible with GO-Pro, giving you an option for high-resolution photography and videography with an affordable drone.
In addition to its camera quality, its brushless motor lets the pilot have a smooth flight experience with 2-speed modes and efficiently keep accurate control over the drone via a 2.7 GHz remote control.
How long can the drone be seen in the air? F100GP has a remarkably long flight time, i.e., 15 to 17 minutes on a single battery, but a spare battery extends this duration up to half an hour, a relatively longer flight time than drones under a similar price range.
F100GP efficiently does 360 degrees of stunt flipping, lets the pilot have some stunts in the air, and captures some wonderful shots up to 500 meters of flight control range.
Pros:
- Easy to fly.
- Portable.
- Compatible with GO-Pro.
- Long flight time.
- LED lights.
Cons:
- Lack of GPS.
- No guard propeller.
- Too fast and hard to control.
9- Potensic T35-656699993750:
Best Features:
- Weight: 1402 g
- Maximum flight time: 12 to 15 minutes
- Control range: 500 meter
- 9-axis gyro sensor
- Customize flight path
- Wifi FPV live transmission
- Camera: 1080p
- Flight altitude: 120 meters
- GPS & GLONASS positioning
Potensic counts among the best drone makers under reasonable cost, and T35 is one of the best drones from their vast collection. We must say the best drone is under $500 for novice pilots.
Its 1080p camera with a 120-degree lens efficiently captures wider aerial views, and its Wifi FPV real-time transmission lets you enjoy what your drone sees, the only thing you need to do is to connect the Potensic G app to the drone from your Android or iOS phone, and everything is set to enjoy wonderful aerial shoots for up to 15 minutes with flight range between 300 to 500 meters simultaneously.
Some beginner-friendly modes in T35 include: Follow me, Auto return, Advanced 9-axis gyro technology, and dual GPS positioning system the easy wind-resistant aerial operation, but it lacks altitude mode, and headless mode results in uneven mechanical stability.
Furthermore, you can draw your flight path on a smartphone, and the T35 drone automatically starts following that path minimizing the chances of drone loss in an unknown location.
Pros:
- Good picture quality.
- Easy to use.
- East to calibrate the GPS.
Cons:
- Not enough stable in wind.
- Lacks mechanical stabilization.
- No onboard memory.
10- Parrot Bebop 2 Drone- PF726003:
Best Features:
- Weight: 503 g
- 14MP 1080p HD camera
- Flight time: 25 minutes
- Control range: 2000 meter
- 3-axis electronic stabilization
- Real-time video transmission
- Sky Vision
Parrot Bebop 2 is an advanced version of its sister drone Bebop 1, it is more compact and light in weight which makes it travel-friendly so, you can enjoy outdoor aerial fun with friends and family.
The most attractive feature of Bebop 2 is its integrated 14MP 1080p HD camera. You can capture your aerial views with a 90-degree wide camera lens without compromising on the photo quality even in less light, and with 180-degree flipping, you can capture images both in landscape and portrait.
However, you can enjoy live streaming of videos on your with FPV glasses and smartphone or tablet can become a handy controller via the Freeflight Pro app with the longest control range of up to 2000 meters, which means that you can fly its compact drone too far or high in the sky for about 25 minutes.
Parrot Bebop 2 has a 3-axis electronic stabilizer that efficiently withstands windy weather and ensures a more stable and high-performance flight- no need to worry about losing the drone.
Pros:
- Good picture quality.
- Easy to use.
- East to calibrate the GPS.
Cons:
- Not enough stable in wind.
- Lacks mechanical stabilization.
- No onboard memory.
Wrap Up:
We have gathered all the best drones under $500, that are suitable for different skill level pilots either novice, intermediate, or professional. If you find your favorite drone from our guide list, we are done with our duty.
