Top 5 Best Drones Under $500

Drone technology can be pretty pricey, with moderately priced drones available for a couple of thousand dollars to high-end drones in the hundreds of thousands of dollars range. For people on a budget, even moderately priced drones may be out of reach.

Thankfully, there are less expensive drones available that most people can afford. Unfortunately, as drones go below the $500 mark, there is a sharp decrease in the quality of the product. I've seen many drones just over $100 that claim to be just as good as $3,000 drones. As you have probably already guessed, that can't be true.

There are a number of clickbait articles out there that list the best drones without having an actual expert in the field select the drones. I suspect that, in most cases, they are just pushing the drone with the highest commissions.

Well, the team here at FLYING doesn't like the idea of people spending their hard-earned money on a drone that isn't worth buying. So, we have selected five drones under $500 that we would recommend to our families and closest friends. If you select any of these drones, you can rest assured you are getting a quality product.

Before getting into our five picks, here are a few tips to help you make your selection. These four criteria should help you make the best decision for your specific situation and help you get the most out of your purchase:

When it comes to your budget, never spend more than you can afford. Drones under $500 are usually designed for fun and not meant to be used by Part 107 pilots looking to earn money with drones. Professional drones cost more because they have advanced cameras and sensors, which less expensive drones do not need. That being said, you can still get decent drones while staying within your budget, even if your limit is $200.

Most drones, even those under $500, are essentially flying cameras. There are two things to look for in a drone camera. First, you'll want to make sure the camera has enough megapixels to cover the type of photos you want to take. Typically, you'll want to see at least 12MP. Next, make sure the camera has a good sensor size. Look for camera sensors that are 1/1.3-inch or better. If you want to take videos, look for 4K, but they should at least be able to capture 1080p.

With drones, battery life and flight times are usually synonymous. Some drones look like they have all kinds of great features, but when you look at the flight time, the battery is dead after just a few minutes. Poor batteries can last five or six minutes and take an hour or more to charge. Look for battery or flight times that provide you with at least ten minutes in the air.

More expensive drones have features that make them easy to fly. Sensors and GPS allow these drones to practically fly themselves. You'll want to look for drones that have as many features as possible to keep them stable and, ideally, pick up GPS signals.

You shouldn't have a problem with any of the drones on our list, but if you decide on a different drone, be careful not to get one that is too difficult to control manually. Regardless of what you choose, take the time to run some basic drone drills in an open area before trying more challenging environments.

Our picks for drones under $500 have a little something for everyone. We have avoided drones under $100 since most are not worth the money you will spend on them. 

The DJI Neo is one of the lightest drones ever launched by drone powerhouse DJI. The drone weighs only 135 grams and is designed for safety with built-in propeller guards, making it a great drone for kids and beginners. The sensor isn't the greatest at a half inch, but the camera can still capture 12MP images and record stabilized 4K video at 30fps. There are several built-in features to help with image stabilization, like RockSteady and HorizonBalancing stabilization technologies, making sure the footage you capture is smooth even as the drone is flying around. 

Unlike most drones, the DJI Neo does not need a remote. It can be controlled using your palm, voice, or the DJI Fly app on your smartphone. The flight time for the Neo is up to 18 minutes, which gives you plenty of time to enjoy the flying experience. 

It's a bit of a jump in price from the $200 DJI Neo, but the Potensic ATOM is a great drone for less than $500. The drone is lightweight, compact, and foldable, making it easy to take with you wherever your adventures find you. The ATOM has a Sony CMOS sensor and captures 12MP images along with 4K 30fps video. If you are looking for longer flight times, the ATOM has got you covered. Flight times on this drone can go up to 31 minutes on a fully charged battery. 

There are several different flight modes, including video (slowest), normal, and sport (fastest). Additional features include GPS-assisted functions like Follow Me, Points of Interest, and Circle Flight, enhancing the creative possibilities for users. The drone can even transmit video up to 4 kilometers away. Beginners will love this drone, but given all the built-in features, so will more experienced pilots.

Holy Stone drones have been around since 2014, which, in the drone world, is a really long time. It has earned a reputation as a quality entry-level drone producer. While the company can't compete with the likes of DJI, its prices and quality are attractive to many drone enthusiasts. The Holy Stone HS900 is great for beginners and intermediate-level pilots. 

It features a 1/2.3-inch 48MP CMOS sensor capable of capturing 4K video at 30fps and 1080p at 60fps. The camera is on a three-axis gimbal for added stability, and the flight time is up to 30 minutes. Advanced features include subject tracking, time-lapse capture, cruise control, and automated flight patterns such as Point of Interest and Tap Fly (waypoints).

Like the DJI Neo, you'll notice the last two drones we recommend are also from DJI. They are the best on the market, and the DJI Mini 3 is a good example of why it is the go-to manufacturer for most drone pilots. The DJI Mini 3 is an ultra-lightweight, foldable drone designed for high-quality aerial photography and video recording. It comes with a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor, which captures 12MP photos and 4K HDR video, delivering crisp and vibrant imagery. It can also shoot vertically by flipping the camera 90 degrees, making it perfect for posting to social media. 

You'll reach flight times of up to 38 minutes on the standard battery, but the Mini 3 also has an extendable battery that can get you up to 51 minutes of flight. It's a powerful yet compact drone perfect for world travelers and content creators.

Our final recommendation is one of the newest DJI drones on the market, the DJI Flip. This drone was specifically designed for content creators like vloggers, but just about everyone will enjoy flying it. The drone is very compact and portable and can fold to fit in your pocket. It comes with a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor, can capture 48MP photos, and records 4K HDR video at up to 60fps with a 3-axis gimbal. 

The Flip has several Intelligent shooting modes, including Dronie, Circle, Rocket, Spotlight, Helix, and Boomerang, allowing users to capture creative shots effortlessly. ​The drone can take off from the palm of your hand and has an advertised flight time of up to 31 minutes per charge.

So there you have it. Five great drones—all under $500. Whatever your budget is, you can feel confident that each of these drones is well worth the cost. I personally recommend DJI drones as the best in this range, but you won't be disappointed in Potensic and Holy Stone if you are looking to spend a little less. Regardless of what drone your purchase, always make sure to understands the basics of drone flying and safety before you take it off the ground.

If you are looking for a higher quality drone at a slightly higher price point, check out these drones for under $1,500.

Are these drones suitable for professional use?

No, drones under $500 are primarily designed for recreational use and not for commercial operations under Part 107. If you are looking for a professional drone, check out these high quality models.

Do I need to register these drones with the FAA?

If a drone weighs 250 grams or more, you must register it with the FAA for recreational use. Lighter drones like the DJI Neo may not require registration.

Can these drones handle windy conditions?

While some, like the DJI Mini 3, have good wind resistance, most budget drones struggle in strong winds due to their lightweight build.