Drones have become more and more popular nowadays, mainly because they’re cool to use. However, whether you’ll use it for professional or personal purposes, it requires practice and enough knowledge to be able to fly them properly. They also tend to cost a lot. That’s why, for beginners like you, entry-level and cheaper drones are the most suitable. You can practice a lot with them!
Since there are a lot of options on the market, we’ve taken the initiative to compile all the best drones for you. We’ve compiled a list of the most budget-friendly options that are suitable for beginners so you can narrow down your choices for the best affordable drone.
5 Best Budget-Friendly Drones for Beginners
We look for drones that aren’t just affordable but also those that are ideal for beginners. Since you don’t have much knowledge about drones, especially how to operate them properly, below are the best options for you, in no particular order:
1. DJI Ryze Tech Tello
As a beginner, this is one of the most ideal choices for you. After all, the Ryze Tech Tello is designed for an easy user experience so you won’t have any issues setting it up and using it. Although it’s budget-friendly and lightweight, it’s packed with impressive features that make it easy to use and practice with.
It can stay in the air for up to 13 minutes and you can control it using the Tello app you can install on your phone. Moreover, it has a pretty good camera you can use whether indoors or outdoors so if you like a little bit of photography or filming, it’s a good starting point.
Here are more of its key features and specifications:
- Weight: 80 g
- Max Altitude: 30 m
- Max Speed: 18 mph
- Max Flying Time: 13 min
- Video Resolution: 720p
- GPS: No
For more information, here are its pros and cons:
Pros
- Easy to set up and fly
- Comes with a Tello app for usage
- Designed by DJI
- Lightweight and durable
- Programmable
- Compatible with VR headset
Cons
- Camera is only 5MP
2. Potensic Upgraded A20 Mini
If you want a more compact and beginner-friendly drone, this is a good option. Since it’s small, it’s easy to use and its features make it more fun to fly even if you’re just new with drone technology. Also, because of its size, it’s convenient to take it with you and even let your kids use it.
It has user-friendly controls that are responsive and intuitive. With an app or remote control, you can easily control and maneuver the drone. Moreover, if it’s out of battery, you’ll be easily notified with its low battery alarm. The only drawback is that this doesn’t have a camera so filming wouldn’t be possible with this drone.
Here are more of its key features and specifications:
- Weight: 190 g
- Max Altitude: 15 m
- Max Speed: 3 adjustable speeds
- Max Flying Time: 15-18 min
- Video Resolution: N/A
- GPS: No
For more information, here are its pros and cons:
Pros
- Easy to set up and fly
- Suitable for kids as well
- Compact and portable
- Long flying time
Cons
- No camera
3. DJI Mini 2 SE
This is also one of the best and most affordable DJI drones for complete beginners. Although it’s more pricey than most non-DJI drones, it does come with a lot of amazing features, like longer flight times and an amazing camera. It even has an RTH function that will make the drone automatically return to you if you happen to lose sight of it.
Here are more of its key features and specifications:
- Weight: 249 g
- Max Altitude: 4 km
- Max Speed: 36 mph
- Max Flying Time: 31 min
- Video Resolution: 2.7K 30 FPS
- GPS: Yes
For more information, here are its pros and cons:
Pros
- Doesn’t require FAA registration
- Compact design
- Good camera for taking pictures and videos
- Long flying time
- USB-C charging
Cons
- Can be pricey
- No hyperlapse and obstacle detection features
4. Holy Stone HS175D
Do you plan to use the drone for shooting content but don’t have the budget for a professional drone? This is a great alternative for you!
Holy Stone’s HS175D has an advanced feature where it automatically tracks and follows the user. Also, thanks to its GPS auto-return, the drone will automatically return to you if it’s out of range or is low in power. Aside from these, it offers a long flight time of about an hour.
Here are more of its key features and specifications:
- Weight: 214 g
- Max Altitude: 300 m
- Max Speed: 100 mph
- Max Flying Time: up to 46 min
- Video/Image Resolution: 4096*3072P
- GPS: Yes
For more information, here are its pros and cons:
Pros
- Different flight modes
- Instruction manual is easy to follow
- Quality camera
- Long flying time
- Auto-return function
Cons
- Recorded video doesn’t have audio
5. Eachine E58 FPV
This is a budget drone that comes with loads of features for its price. Eachine’s E58 Pro is made of plastic, making it lightweight and robust. It also comes with a pretty good camera with good image depth and color saturation, which are good qualities if you want a drone for filming or aerial photography.
Although it’s cheap, you can still plan and plot a route on your phone that the drone will follow. This is possible because it has a “headless” mode which allows it to respond to the direction of the inputs from the controller. However, its battery life is on the shorter side so it has shorter flying time as well.
Here are more of its key features and specifications:
For more information, here are its pros and cons:
Pros
- Different flight modes
- Wide-angle HD camera
- Headless mode
- Folding with interchangeable arms
Cons
- Short battery life and flight time
Conclusion
Spending on a professional and expensive drone without enough experience and knowledge isn’t worth it. That’s why, as a beginner, it’s best to buy entry-level and affordable drones. Hopefully, you can find the best affordable drone for you from the list above.
But, if you want more options, you can always check out our massive drone collection. We also offer quality and essential drone kits and accessories to make your flying experience more fun even if it’s your first time!
