Looking for the best drone under 200 dollars?
Unfortunately, this is the price range where a lot of crappy drones flood the market, and if you aren't careful, you may get ripped off by an "Ali-Express Special."
Luckily for you, there are some gems hidden in the rough, and this is why we're identifying the top 6 drones under $200 list currently available on the market in 2023.
In the table below, we list the drones that we would recommend to our friends and family, depending on their budget and needs.
Best Under $200 Drones for 2023
Holy Stone HS710
"The Best Camera Drone For $200"
- The Holy Stone HS710 has a UHD 4K Camera that captures incredible details.
- This drone offers a flight time of 25 minutes per battery, which is very solid for a drone in this price range.
- It's a reliable professional drone equipped with a 4K camera lens, high-definition picture quality, GPS intelligent function, and optical flow positioning.
Our #2 Rated
Ruko F11 Pro FHD
“Cheapest Proper 4K Drone”
- The Ruko F11 Pro offers a 4K UHD Camera with an FPV mode.
- The Flight Time goes up to 60 minutes (30 mins per battery), and has a decent flight range.
- It's a great Budget Drone for beginners and youngsters who want to get some experience with aerial photography and videography!
Our #3 Rated
Holy Stone HS510
"Best Beginner Drone"
- This drone is equipped with a 4K Camera that can shoot videos at 16 frames per second.
- With an average flight time of 32 minutes, you’ll successfully capture the beauties of various landscapes.
- With the Smart Return Home mode, you won’t have to worry about losing your drone ever again!
What To Expect From A Drone
In order to get the best bang for your buck, it’s important to be aware of the average specifications and features of the products under such price and category.
Average Flight Time
Nowadays, a drone under $200 should have an average flight time of 15 to 25 minutes. Of course, some brands focus on an increased flight time as a selling factor, while others prioritize other specifications or features. However, most drones on this list already feature a 20+ minutes flight time.
Disclaimer: Smaller drones will have a flight time more towards the lower side of this spectrum, mainly due to the power of the battery. Although large drones can also have low flight time due to a high payload.
Average Control Range
We all love a drone that flies way past eyesight and stuns the crowd with its distance. Nowadays, most drones within this budget already have an amazing control distance of around 200 to 500 meters. There's no need to worry about losing it - most come with a Return to Home Feature.
Average Performance
Drones within this price range already present an amazing performance, providing a very stable and steady hover combined with responsive controls and enough power to fight windy conditions. For this top 6 list, we have only picked the ones which perform above average when compared to others of the same price.
Average Features
Yes, you can expect a neat set of features in nearly all drones on this list. We are talking about everything from common features such as Auto Return, Obstacle Avoidance, Low Battery Alarm, Headless Mode, LED Lights, One Key Auto Takeoff and Landing, Altitude Hold, and 360 Degrees Aerial Stunt.
But that's not all - stuff like Selfie Mode, Orbit Mode, Waypoints Auto-Flight, and Follow Me are all available in nearly all drones listed below!
Average Camera Quality
Most of the best drones under $200 already come with good quality image cameras and Live Video transmission. You'll have the ability to get some aerial footage and photos that you can proudly share online with your family and friends.
On the other hand, most of these drones are powerful enough to carry a GoPro camera, which we strongly advise if you're looking for 4K and HD quality footage and if you're looking for better camera quality, you can head to the top drones under $1000 list on our site!
Top 6 Best Camera Drones Under $200
Lets get to it then, here's our the best drones under $200, tested and reviewed:
1. Holy Stone HS710 Drone - Our Top Pick
Holy Stone have really outdone themselves with the HS710, there is no other drone in this price range that can compare with the HS710.
The feature that really stands out with this drone is the UHD 4K camera, there aren't many drones in the sub-$200 range that have a camera this good.
The HS710 can capture very sharp and detailed footage, and what's more, it comes with a lot of flight modes which will help you capture some amazing footage.
It has a very solid flight time, comes with great GPS functions and is very lightweight and portable.
The Holy Stone HS710 is a no-brainer if you're looking to buy a drone in this price range.
Let's take a more detailed look into what this drone has to offer!
Specifications:
The Holy Stone HS710 comes equipped with 2 7.7V 1820mAh Lithium Polymer batteries, which will give you a total of 50 minutes of flight time!
The batteries aren't exactly cutting edge, but for a drone in this price range they are as good as they come, and lets not forget that lithium batteries are very sturdy and last for about 5/6 years, or 3000 charging cycles!
It takes around 5-7 hours for the battery to recharge once you deplete it, which can be a pretty long wait, but you can always get one more battery to switch out while the others charge if you want to keep flying the drone.
The HS710 is extremely beginner friendly, equipped with great flight modes which will allow you to use the drones amazing camera to it's fullest potential with little to no drone experience!
And of course we need to mention the sleek looking controller that comes with this drone.
They very intuitively placed all of the information you need about the drone on the LCD screen. Just makes sure that the drone isn't more than 600 meters away from you!
And as with all drones, make sure you're flying it in open, obstacle-free spaces to get the optimal range.
Camera:
This is where the HS710 really shines!
The UHD 4K camera allows you to take very detailed, extremely professional-looking images and videos. There aren't many drones that can capture footage at this level.
The 120° wide angle lens and remote-controlled 90° adjustable lens allows you to capture stellar images, and the 5GHz FPV technology guarantees fast and smooth image transmission.
And with GPS flight modes such as: Follow Me, Waypoint Flight, Tap Fly, and Point of Interest flight plan, you will be amazed at the footage you'll be able to take!
Features:
- Follow Me
- Waypoint Flight
- Point of Interest flight plan
- Optical Flow Positioning
- Smart Return Home
PROS
CONS
2. Ruko F11 4k Drone - Great Upgrade Drone
When you’re looking for a good quality drone for a decent price, it can easily become frustrating - especially if you’re a first-time buyer. Finding that ideal drone to add to the cart can become tough if you’re looking for some top-tier performance.
Then again, the Ruko F11 proves that some drones fly well beyond their price range.
We have to admit, something, though:
With this entry, we're cheating a little bit. How?
Well, at the time of putting together this round-up, this drone costs a tad bit more than 200 dollars. Still, we had to find a spot for this Ruko drone on our list, given that the F11’s general capabilities are closely related to other drones featured here.
As you'll soon discover, it offers the same things - only on a better level.
Specifications:
Why should you even consider this drone if it’s slightly above your price range?
Well, whenever we discuss the qualities and performance of a drone, the first thing that pops into everyone’s heads is its battery life and flight time.
But even though this is arguably the most important aspect of a drone, at the end of the day, most manufacturers can't brag about the flight time of their models - especially not at this price range.
Yet, with the Ruko F11, the manufacturers didn't slack when it comes to the flight time of this drone.
The F11 promises up to 30 minutes of flight in calm conditions - which is insane. That alone blew the competition of the “under $200” drones.
This unit sits firmly at the top of the list as the best camera drone. You’re getting half an hour straight to record something - and if that doesn’t impress you, we don’t know what will.
Even if 30 minutes is somehow not enough for you, you'll have the second 2500mAh Lithium Polymer battery at your disposal.
So, when you add up the extra time, you can have up to an hour of stable flight with this unit!
Keep in mind that it usually takes around three hours to charge the battery, though. It’s not ideal, but we’ll take it.
What about the control range of this drone? We're glad to inform you that the Ruko F11 offers a 1200-meter (3937-foot) max control range.
Again, beyond impressive.
Go ahead, compare that to the other drones on this list. These numbers are something that most other drones can only dream of accomplishing - and this one offers it without difficulty.
With a simple, easy-to-use controller included in the package, you shouldn’t have any trouble maneuvering this drone, regardless of your experience.
Just keep in mind that exceeding the control range limit might shut the connection between the drone and the controller; don’t get too carried away.
Camera:
Okay, here’s a piece of advice. When you’re drone-shopping, it's important to remember that a good camera goes a long way.
You may not expect a lot from a budget-friendly drone like this one, and yet, once again, the Ruko F11 manages to exceed all your expectations with the camera quality it brings to the table.
The 90-degree angle camera boasts 4K resolution and will capture photos with exceptional clarity. Even the smallest details won't escape this powerful camera. As for the videos this drone can record, they are in 2K resolution.
The uniaxial gimbal with shock absorbers is the cherry on top, offering concrete stability - even in challenging weather conditions.
Features:
PROS
CONS
3. Holy Stone HS510 Drone - Best Beginner Drone
The name Holy Stone has become synonymous with "quality at a reasonable price" in the drone market. You've probably heard about at least one Holy Stone drone before you came here.
With that in mind, the Holy Stone HS510 is the go-to model for people that want to learn how to fly a drone - and wish to accomplish that without spending too much money.
Still, the question remains:
Does Holy Stone make drones as good as everyone makes them out to be, or is it nothing but a passing hype?
While there's no denying that Holy Stone offers some advanced, feature-rich drones at affordable prices, I try my best to avoid generalizations.
Instead, let's look at it one drone at a time – like in this Holy Stone HS510 review. Here's an in-depth analysis of its specs, features, and everything else that makes it stand out in the highly competitive market.
Specifications:
The Holy Stone HS510 comes fitted with a 7.6V Li-Po 1500 mAh battery, which should be enough for a maximum flight time of 16 minutes on a single charge.
The battery performance isn't exactly industry-leading, but it sure blows some of the competing beginner-friendly quadcopters out of the water.
Plus, I'd say that the flight time is long enough for beginners to get the hang of piloting a drone!
Even if you end up pushing your drone to its absolute limits, you'll be glad to hear that it features not one but two rechargeable batteries.
How is that beneficial?
One, the addition of the second battery ups the drone's flight time to 32 minutes total. And two, you don't have to wait for the battery to recharge before you can continue your adventure.
It takes around 150 minutes for the battery to recharge once it runs out of juice, which can be a pretty long wait when all you want is to keep on flying. Then again, spare batteries are available – and getting the third one is always an option.
It’s easy to fly - which makes it ideal for beginners - and offers a hard-to-beat experience of capturing the beauty of the surrounding landscape.
The HS510 gets bonus points for the compact-but-stylish design of the remote controller. The LCD screen displays vital in-flight information, including the battery status, and the drone's distance and altitude.
The relatively compact remote controller, which relies on low-latency 2.4 GHz frequency, can maintain the drone's connection within a range of up to 600 to 800 meters. Switching to FPV real-time video transmission cuts the field down to 200 to 300 meters, though.
As with any other drone, you should fly it in open, obstacle-free spaces to get the best possible range.
The controller unit is powered by two AA batteries, which can be considered an advantage because you don't have to wait for it to recharge. On the flip side, disposable batteries aren't exactly eco-friendly; this isn't necessarily a downside, merely something to keep in mind.
Camera:
The HS510 is a camera-equipped quadcopter, featuring a 4K Ultra HD camera with a 120-degree wide field of view.
It's capable of taking crystal-clear aerial photography, and can shoot 4K videos at 16 frames per second or 2.7K videos at 25 frames per second, depending on the storage you're using.
The camera has single-axis gimbal stabilization, which isn't as effective as a three-axis gimbal. So, the videos will likely come out a bit shakier than you'd prefer. You get to adjust the camera angle by up to 90 degrees – but only manually. Once the HS510 is in the air, there's not much you can do.
Oh, and one more thing:
The HS510 allows you to see the world from the bird's eye perspective – and in real-time, too – with low-latency 5G-enabled FPV video transmission. You'll see everything your quadcopter sees at distances of up to 200 to 300 meters.
Features:
PROS
CONS
4. Holy Stone HS440 Drone - Best Beginner-Friendly Drone
If you don't want anything fancy and a drone with a 1080p HD camera is more than enough to meet your needs, you've come to the right spot. Allow us to introduce you to the Holy Stone HS440 - one of those beginner-friendly units that still have a few cards up their sleeve.
With a price tag of just over a hundred dollars, we were pretty surprised by the general characteristics of this drone and everything it offers to its users. Why?
Well, most of them are things that are only usually found on drones that are, at the very least, $50 more expensive than this one right here.
We know that HS440 sounds too good to be true. So, let's dive into the specs of this budget-friendly yet phenomenal drone:
Specifications:
Most people will be quick to assume that a drone with a price tag this low won't have a flight time - let alone other flight features - good enough to make it worth buying. And most people will be wrong.
Prepare to be impressed:
This little guy packs up to 20 minutes of flight time per charge.
And that’s not even the best part. Since the HS440 comes with two Lithium Polymer batteries, you'll have the ability to stay in the air for up to 40 minutes. That sounds like lots of fun, to be honest.
What’s not so fun is that you’re in for a three-hour charge time after each and every adventure.
But here’s some good news about these batteries:
You can find them almost everywhere, and they are relatively cheap. Consider buying an extra one to up the total flight time to an hour!
When talking about HS440, the thing that most people tend to talk about is the Gesture Control mode integrated into this drone.
Whenever you find yourself wanting to take a picture but don't wish to hold the remote controller in your hands, you can simply turn on the Gesture Control mode.
To put it simply:
Raise your hand and make a simple gesture directly at the drone’s camera. The camera will pick it up and immediately start recording everything - you, your friends, and the landscape surrounding you.
And if you wish to stop filming, perform the same hand gesture, and the device will stop recording after a few seconds.
It’s that simple.
Another thing that most people love about this drone is the Tap Fly mode.
What this mode does is allows you to set your drone to fly along a specific, previously set path, traveling back and forth within a fixed distance.
You can capture stunning shots and document mesmerizing sceneries using the drone’s wide-angle full HD camera. Just remember that you're limited to the 328-foot max range between you and the drone.
We’d like to mention a few more notable modes before moving onto the camera. The HS440 drone features Altitude Hold, Headless Mode, and Return to Home, making it super-easy to fly.
Camera:
As we previously mentioned, the HS440 features a decent 1080p HD auto-adjustable camera with a 140-degree wide-angle lens capable of capturing high-resolution pictures and videos.
The 90-degree adjustable lens can be set via the remote control and will give you the ability to see the world from a different angle - especially when you throw FPV transmission into the mix.
Features:
PROS
CONS
5. Contixo F22 Camera Drone
If you already have some experience flying drones, then the next logical step is getting yourself a model that comes with a camera. In the past, getting a drone with a 4k camera would set you back for a couple of thousands of dollars.
Thankfully, the manufacturing process has been refined and the cost have plummeted in the past decade. Today, you can quite a few quadcopters that come with a decent camera and are decently priced.
One such drone is the Contixio F22. This affordable drone comes with a wide angle 4K camera, GPS assisted flight, and a carrying case.
Let’s take a closer look at what the F22 has to offer.
Specifications:
As we mentioned before, one of the most important specs of any drone is the flight time. Contixion F22 is capable of flaying for around 15 minutes on a full charge. While this is far from the longest flight time, it’s pretty decent for a low-end drone.
Thankfully, the F22 comes with an extra battery so you effectively get around half an hour of flight time. The recharge time is around 120 minutes which means you’ll have to wait for a while before you can start flying again.
The range on the F22 is also pretty surprising for a budget drone. The F22 has a control range of around 1800 feet. With this much range, you’ll have no problem taking incredible aerial shots. Unfortunately, there’s no video stabilization but you can expect that from a budget drone.
The F22 comes with a whole slew of useful features. For starters, this comes with gesture control. If you make a “yeah” gesture, the drone will start taking photos and if you make a “palm” gesture, the drone will start video recording.
The most useful feature is definitely the custom flight path. In the Contixio drone app, you can plot a route by simply adding points on the map. The app supports up to 16 points which is more than enough for taking aerial footage.
Another cool feature is the follow mode. You can set the F22 to follow you while you’re riding a bike, skate, or doing any other activity. This is perfect if you’re an outdoorsy type that likes capturing every moment.
You can also set this drone to orbit around a preset point. You can use this mode to create dynamic videos and capture action in 360 degrees.
When it comes to safety, the F22 comes with an auto ‘return home’ feature. This feature will fly the drone back to you with just one press of a button. The drone will also automatically fly back to you if it gets out of range.
Camera:
Contixio F22 comes with a wide-angle 4K camera. The camera can record video in 2K FHD resolution and take stills in 4K. The only thing we don’t like about the camera is that there is no stabilization - it doesn’t come with a gimbal.
But, when you factor in that this is a drone that’s under $200, you get more than you paid for.
Features:
- 4K camera
- Gesture control
- GPS flight path
- Auto return home
- Follow mode
- Up to 40 minutes of flight time
PROS
CONS
6. DJI Tello - Best Budget Drone
What if I told you that the DJI is currently offering a drone, the Tello, which is a feature-rich, compact, and extremely capable sub-100 dollar drone.
That's right; a DJI endorsed drone for under $100?! We thought they would stick to drones in the 1000 dollar price range.
One of the first things that stood out about the Tello drone is that they've made it simple to fly. Feel safe with the Tello; even if you've never flown a drone before, we're certain that you'll pick it up quickly.
For experienced and more confident pilots, there are enough bells and whistles that'll keep you entertained.
Specifications:
We've come to expect a flight period of 5 to 7 minutes. Fortunately, you can find a whole lot more, and you'll enjoy a flight time of 13 minutes with the Tello. That compares with drones such as the DJI Spark and others in the $500 price range.
Further specifications are:
- Range: 100 meters
- Battery: 3.8V 1100 mAh
- Size: 9.80 x 9.25 x 4.10 cm (3.86 x 3.64 x 1.61 inches)
- Weight: 80 grams, including battery
Camera:
The camera is also good for a drone in this budget. The Tello includes a 5MP camera with an 82.6-degree field of view and shoots 720p video at 30 frames per second.
The Tello also has digital image stabilization (EIS) for significantly less blur and enhanced footage on the go. The Intel processor ensures excellent footage.
The Tello drone has EZ Shots to make the camera much more accurate. That makes shooting easier and more enjoyable. The drone streams to a tablet/smartphone or a VR headset.
Features:
The list of features is extensive, here goes:
- Pressure Sensor Altitude Hold
- One-Touch Take-Off and Landing
- Twist and Go - Throw It, It Goes
- DJI Tello Tricks - 8D Flips
- Bounce Mode - The Tello bounces up and down from your hand (or any other surface) at heights between 1.6 ft and 3.9 ft.
- Vision positioning system
I think we haven't forgotten any! It's that overwhelming. Truly a feature-rich quadcopter, no other cheap drone under $100 can compare to this.
PROS
CONS
Conclusion
Okay, guys, we've reached the end of the road. But, before we depart, let us know in the comments below which drone you are buying!
It's in our interest to guide you on how to invest money when buying a drone, as making one wrong move might lead you to purchase a bad drone for your overall needs.
If you didn't find a drone that interests you, then we suggest that you check out our drones under $300 review.
Share us with your drone enthusiast friends on Facebook and tell them what you have learned here today!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Are drones under this budget ideal for learning?
If you're just getting started with drones, it's best to opt for a low-cost model. Many of the options in this budget range are remarkably lightweight and safe; perfect for first time pilots who might be working out their flight kinks! We'll highlight which models offer optimal beginner performance so that novice flyers can ensure they have all the resources they need to jumpstart learning.
Can I fly indoors and outdoor?
It depends. There are drones that can be flown both indoor and outdoor, while others are specific to one type of flying only. For indoor drones, we recommend you use propeller protectors, take a look at some of the options below.
Are these drones safe for children?
Most drones within the under $100 category are great for children because they are lightweight and don't have much power. A great drone for a kid must have a protective frame around the propellers and the motor, a steady hover, responsive control, and a plastic frame. We will point out the ones which are best for kids.
Do I have to register my drone with FAA?
If you live in the US, FAA registration is required to any unmanned aircraft for recreational and commercial use if it weighs more than 0.55lbs (250 grams).
Are drones difficult to fly?
Is Flying a Drone Hard? Flying a drone takes practice, but it doesn't have to be difficult. Some drones are simpler to use than others, so until you're a confident drone pilot, it's a good idea to practice on a basic model with simple controls in a wide open environment.
Last update on 2024-04-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API This article contains affiliate links which for which the owner of the site may receive a commision.
