Are you looking for cheap and good drones? And you don’t want to spend over $1000 on premium models like the DJI Air or Mavic series. Then you are at the right place because we have picked some budget-friendly drones that will give you a similar experience like a premium drone.
If you want a drone for less than $200, then I won’t suggest it because you will find lots of Chinese-made drones in this price range, but none of them are good for capturing videos or just for learning. These are purely used for fun purposes; you will not get anything other than a toy.
In this article, I will be talking about some drones under $500. Trust me, these drones will not let you down. You will find the same premium feel with a budget drone. These are suitable for beginners as well. I have tested almost every drone, and I will guide you throughout this article so that you can make an informed decision on which drone to buy.
01. DJI Mini 4K
DJI Mini 4K is a fantastic budget friendly drone. Currently, it is priced at $299 (standard) and $449 (Fly More Combo). We all know DJI is the king of the drone industry. Their drones are much more reliable than any other drones in the market. Therefore, you can have the Mini 4K, which will give you a premium feel in a budget segment.
The Mini 4K is a small and portable drone weighing under 249g. You don’t have to register it. The 12MP camera can capture 4K videos up to 30fps, same as Atom 2. It also has a 3-axis mechanical gimbal for stable footage.
The flight time of the Mini 4K is 31 minutes, but in real-world conditions, you will get a little bit less. The drone features four different modes: Cine, Normal, Sport, and QuickShots. In Sport mode, the maximum speed of the drone is 35.79 mph (57.6 km/h). The DJI Mini 4K also has level 5 wind resistance with a 10km video transmission range.
02. Potensic Atom 2
Potensic has done a great job with their Atom 2 drone in the sub-249g consumer drone market. They have created an exceptional drone in this category. I have included it in my list of “cheap and good drones” because the Atom 2 is priced at $359 (standard package) and $479 (Fly More Combo). At this price point, you won’t find many good alternatives.
The Atom 2 weighs less than 249g, so you don’t need to register it with the FAA. Its 48MP camera can capture videos up to 4K at 30fps. The Atom 2 primarily features two modes: Normal and Sport. The max speed in sport mode is 16 m/s or 35.8 mph. It has level 5 wind resistance and also features six Intelligent Flight Modes.
Read More: Potensic Atom 2 Review
The flight time of the drone is 32 minutes (as claimed by the company), but we found it to be around 22-25 minutes on a single charge. It also has a 3-axis mechanical gimbal for taking smooth shots in the air.
The controller is also impressive. It feels premium, and I love the design more than the DJI N3 controller. We have a detailed review of the drone on our website. This drone is great in terms of price and features
Read More: Potensic Atom 2 vs DJI Mini 4k
03. DJI FLIP
Flip is the new drone released by DJI, and its design is unique. Some people have called it a “wheelchair drone.” Personally, I love the design. It is super portable and fits into your pocket very easily. The Flip is priced at $439 (standard) and $779 (Fly More Combo). It is higher than the Atom 2 and Mini 4k.
The Flip is also in the sub-249g category, which means you won’t have to worry about registration. The camera of the drone is not bad. It can shoot up to 4K at 60fps with its 1/1.3-inch Quad Bayer sensor. You also get a 3-axis mechanical gimbal for stabilization, which works very well. Finally, it supports 10-bit D-Log M for post-production grading.
The flight time of the DJI Flip is around 22-28 minutes, depending on the conditions, but the company claims it can last 31 minutes. The maximum cruising speed of the drone is approximately 43.2 km/h or 26.8 mph. The Flip features six intelligent shooting modes.
Read More; DJI FLIP Review
Everything seems impressive, but when I tested the drone, I found that due to its unique design, it cannot handle wind gusts well, and it even struggles to fly at higher altitudes. So, as a beginner pilot, I wouldn’t recommend this drone.
Since it’s priced under $500, I’ve included it in my “cheap and good drones” list. If you’re sure you can handle it or don’t mind the jerkiness, then you can go for it, because the camera is better than the Atom 2 and Mini 4k.
04. GEPRC Vapor D6 (O4 Pro)
If you want to begin with FPV, the GEPRC Vapor D6 is an affordable cinematic FPV drone that offers great stability and reliability. The FPV price starts at $429.99. It provides good value with features like a dead cat frame, which removes prop visibility. This makes it ideal for cinematic shots. It also has a built-in GPS for safety, so the drone can return home if needed.
Get GEPRC Vapor D6 at $429 on Amazon
Weighing 465g, the Vapor D6 is powered by the DJI O4 Air Unit and Crossfire setup, providing excellent range, clarity, and control. The drone’s flight time ranges from 13 to 16 minutes, depending on the battery used, and it excels in handling both high-altitude flights and challenging terrain.
Read More: GEPRC Vapor D6 Review
With a solid design, stable flight performance, and GPS rescue functionality, the Vapor D6 stands out as one of the best cheap and good drones for cinematic FPV flying, offering an excellent blend of performance and affordability for both beginners and experienced pilots alike.
05. GEPRC MOZ7 V2 (O4 Pro)
For long-range FPV, you can check out the GEPRC Moz7 V2. It is one of the best cheap and good drones for long-range FPV shots. The price starts around $674.99. It offers stability, endurance, and high-quality footage, making it a great choice for beginners.
Get GEPRC MOZ7 V2 at $674.99 on Amazon
It weighs around 750g and features a solid carbon fiber frame. It comes in two versions: one is the regular version, which is cheaper, and the other, which we are talking about, comes with the DJI O4 Air Unit. The O4 Air Unit provides 1080p video transmission and 4K at 120fps.
The Moz7 V2 flies for around 11-12 minutes with a 4000mAh battery and can fly for up to 25 minutes with an 8000mAh battery. The range of the drone is up to 3km. It is also equipped with GPS rescue.
For those looking for a cheap and good drone with impressive range, flight time, and cinematic capabilities, the Moz7 V2 is an excellent option.
Read More: GEPRC Moz7 V2: The Ultimate Long-Range Cinematic FPV Drone?
06. DJI Mini 5 Pro
Finally, this is the last drone on my list. I know this drone is a little bit pricey and doesn’t come cheap, but I’ve still included it on my cheap and good drones list because I think if you can stretch your budget to buy this, you won’t regret it. The DJI Mini 5 Pro is one of the most popular drones in DJI’s lineup. It can do pretty much everything a professional-grade drone can do.
Get DJI Mini 5 Pro at $429 on Amazon
Priced around $1,699, the DJI Mini 5 Pro is a compact drone with a 50MP camera, 1-inch sensor, and improved low-light performance. It offers up to 36 minutes of flight time (52 with the extended battery) and handles winds up to 12 m/s.
Key features include better obstacle avoidance, vertical shooting, and advanced tracking with Active Track. While there are some minor issues, like the ND filter and tracking speed, it’s a top choice for its class, offering great value for hobbyists and content creators.
Read More: DJI Mini 5 Pro Review
