9 Best Drones Under $500
What Are Drones?
A drone is an unmanned aircraft that can be flown and controlled remotely from the ground. Usually equipped with propellers, it can hover and move around in the air.
Drones can have cameras or sensors to take pictures, record videos, or collect data for a variety of uses. They are employed in a variety of fields, including photography, agriculture, surveying, and recreational flight.
Why Are Drones So Popular?
Drones provide a distinct viewpoint that was previously challenging and expensive to obtain. By quickly covering huge regions in place of labor-intensive duties like inspections and monitoring, they also offer efficiency and cost benefits.
Drones are versatile tools with little environmental impact, and they improve safety by entering dangerous situations and gathering crucial data for the study.
Drones are becoming increasingly popular for various reasons, including photography, videography, and just for fun. Buying a drone doesn’t necessarily mean breaking the bank. In this article, we will compare nine of the best drones in this price range.
DJI Mavic Mini
The DJI Mavic Mini is a popular option for those looking for a high-quality drone at an affordable price. The Mavic Mini has a 12-megapixel camera and can shoot video in 2.7K at 30 frames per second. It has a 3-axis gimbal stabilization system that ensures steady footage even in windy conditions.
The drone has a flight time of up to 30 minutes and a range of up to 4 kilometers, which is impressive for a drone of its size. It comes with a remote controller that connects to your smartphone, allowing you to control the drone and view the live feed from the camera.
The DJI Mavic Mini has a beginner mode that makes it easy for first-time flyers to get the hang of flying a drone. It also has QuickShot modes that allow you to capture professional-looking footage with just a few taps on the app. The DJI Mavic Mini is an excellent option for those looking for a high-quality drone that won’t break the bank.
Holy Stone HS720E
The Holy Stone HS720E is another great option that won’t break the bank. It has a 4K UHD camera and can shoot video at 60 frames per second. The HS720E has a flight time of up to 46 minutes and a range of up to 500 meters.
It also comes with a remote controller that has a built-in screen, so you don’t need to use your smartphone to view the live feed from the camera.
The Holy Stone HS720E has a GPS that makes it easy to fly the drone and ensures that it stays stable in the air. It also has a Follow Me mode that allows the drone to follow you wherever you go, making it perfect for capturing footage of outdoor activities such as hiking or biking.
The HS720E is an excellent option for those looking for an easy-to-use drone that can capture high-quality footage.
Potensic ATOM SE
The Potensic ATOM SE is a budget-friendly drone that is perfect for beginners. It has a 4k UHD camera and can shoot video in 4k at 30 frames per second. The ATOM SE weighs less than 249g, meaning you do not need to register it to the FAA.
The ATOM SE has a flight time of up to 30 minutes. It comes with a remote controller that connects to your smartphone, allowing you to control the drone and view the live feed from the camera.
The ATOM SE has a Headless Mode that makes it easy to fly the drone, even if you’re not familiar with how drones work. It also has an Altitude Hold function that keeps the drone stable in the air, making it easier to capture steady footage. The ATOM SE is an excellent option for those looking for a budget-friendly drone that is easy to fly and can capture decent video footage.
Syma X-500
The Syma X500 is another budget-friendly drone that is perfect for beginners. It has a 4k UHD camera and video. The X500 has a flight time of up to 28 minutes and a range of over 300 meters. It comes with a remote controller that connects to your smartphone, allowing you to control the drone and view the live feed from the camera.
The Syma X5UW-D has a Headless Mode that makes it easy to fly the drone, even if you’re not familiar with how drones work. It also has an Altitude Hold function that keeps the drone stable in the air, making it easier to capture steady footage.
The X500 is an excellent option for those looking for a budget-friendly drone that is easy to fly and can capture decent footage.
Holy Stone HS110D
The Holy Stone HS110D is a step down from the HS720E. It has a 1080P HD camera and can shoot video at 30 frames per second. The HS110D has a flight time of up to 10 minutes and a range of up to 100 meters.
It also comes with a remote controller that connects to your smartphone, allowing you to control the drone and view the live feed from the camera.
The Holy Stone HS110D has a Headless Mode that makes it easy to fly the drone, even if you’re not familiar with how drones work. It also has an Altitude Hold function that keeps the drone stable in the air, making it easier to capture steady footage.
The HS110D is a cheap option for those looking for a drone that can easily fly at an affordable price.
SNAPTAIN A15H
The SNAPTAIN A15H is another budget-friendly drone that is perfect for beginners. It has a 720P HD camera and can shoot video at 30 frames per second. The A15H has a flight time of up to 7 minutes and a range of up to 80 meters.
It comes with a remote controller that connects to your smartphone, allowing you to control the drone and view the live feed from the camera.
The SNAPTAIN A15H has a Headless Mode that makes it easy to fly the drone, even if you’re not familiar with how drones work. It also has an Altitude Hold function that keeps the drone stable in the air, making it easier to capture steady footage.
The A15H is an excellent option for those looking for a budget-friendly drone that is easy to fly and can capture decent footage.
SIMREX X300C
The SIMREX X300C is a budget-friendly drone that is perfect for beginners. It has a 720P HD camera and can shoot video at 30 frames per second. The X300C has a flight time of up to 10 minutes and a range of up to 80 meters.
It comes with a remote controller that connects to your smartphone, allowing you to control the drone and view the live feed from the camera.
The SIMREX X300C has a Headless Mode that makes it easy to fly the drone, even if you’re not familiar with how drones work. It also has an Altitude Hold function that keeps the drone stable in the air, making it easier to capture steady footage.
The X300C is an excellent option for those looking for a budget-friendly drone that is easy to fly and can capture decent footage.
JJRC H68
The JJRC H68 is another budget-friendly drone that is perfect for beginners. It has a 720P HD camera and can shoot video at 30 frames per second. The H68 has a flight time of up to 20 minutes and a range of up to 100 meters.
It comes with a remote controller that connects to your smartphone, allowing you to control the drone and view the live feed from the camera.
The JJRC H68 has a Headless Mode that makes it easy to fly the drone, even if you’re not familiar with how drones work. It also has an Altitude Hold function that keeps the drone stable in the air, making it easier to capture steady footage.
The H68 is an excellent option for those looking for a budget-friendly drone that is easy to fly and can capture decent footage.
Potensic T25
The Potensic T25 is a step up from the T18. It has a 2k HD camera and can shoot video at 30 frames per second. The D58 has a flight time of up to 16 minutes and a range of up to 500 meters. It comes with a remote controller that connects to your smartphone, allowing you to control the drone and view the live feed from the camera.
The Potensic D58 has a GPS that makes it easy to fly the drone and ensures that it stays stable in the air. It also has a Follow Me mode that allows the drone to follow you wherever you go, making it perfect for capturing footage of outdoor activities such as hiking or biking.
The D58 is an excellent option for those looking for a drone that is easy to fly and can capture high-quality footage.
Summary
Overall there are many great drones available for under $500 and you can’t go wrong with any of these options. Mostly it comes down to how much you are willing to spend.
If you plan on using your drone a lot then I would recommend the DJI Mavic Mini since it is the best build quality. Although it is more expensive, I have crashed mine multiple times and it always worked after.
The Holy Stone HS720E, Potensic ATOM SE, Syma X500, Holy Stone HS110D, SNAPTAIN A15H, SIMREX X300C, JJRC H68, and Potensic T25 are just a few of the cheaper options available. I would recommend any of these drones if you are still unsure on how you will use your drone.
When choosing a drone, consider your needs and budget to find the best option for you. If you’re just starting out, choosing a drone that is cheap and won’t break the bank.
As you become more experienced, you can upgrade to a more expensive and advanced drone with more features.
