The popularity of cheap drones has, ahem, taken off, over the last few years as the tech that powers these previously expensive devices is now more affordable. That means more opportunities for hobbyists to take to the skies and try it out for themselves without needing to invest in pricey hardware. And now you can fly among them for less, too, thanks to the vast number of drone deals that pop up throughout the year.
The world's top drone brands have taken advantage of the increased popularity and manufactured budget lines to bring quality devices to the mainstream as well. Take DJI, which features several times on this roundup of the best cheap drone deals, with several devices at prices we thought were impossible just a few years ago.
These cheaper drones usually offer easy take-off and landing controls, 720p - 4K photography, GPS-enabled flight modes like Follow Me, and flight times of anywhere between seven minutes to half an hour. However, each model offers a slightly different suite of specs, features, and control styles so finding the perfect cheap drone for you requires some digging.
Thankfully, we've done all that for you, with our roundup of all the best cheap drone deals right here so you can find the features you need at the lowest price possible. Our picks include some featured in our roundup of the best drones currently available. Or, for more information on the best pick to get started, check out the best beginner drones on the market.
And, if you need something a bit closer to the ground, our guide to today's best action camera deals is where to look.
The best cheap drone deals
The DJI Mavic Mini is a little older, but it can be a great place to start if you're looking to dive straight into more professional quality drone photography without forking out for the latest and greatest. You're getting an incredibly lightweight copter here considering the excellent features on offer. Plus, that low weight can leave you free to fly in more locations, exempting you from regulations in some countries.
Footage is recorded in 1080p at 60fps or 2.7K at 30fps which makes for a nice compromise down from the most expensive 4K Mini 2 and can still net you some fantastic shots, especially with the in-built Helix, Circle, Dronie and Rocket quick shot features. These presets automatically guide your drone in a smooth motion to make for an easy but incredibly effective sweeping shot.
Flying is simplified through the popular DJI app, but there's a 360-degree propeller guard and boosted sensors in here to keep everything protected if you're still learning or run into some trouble in the air as well.
If you don't want to spend the $400 / £400 asking price of the DJI Mini 2, however, you will find a more budget-friendly 4K option in the Eachine E520S. You're dropping quite a few features to pack Ultra-HD resolution into this price tag, but if you're after resolution over all else it's an excellent option to keep those costs low.
That's not to say you're skimping on those extra features, however. You'll still find plenty of extra functionality under the hood here to go with the wallet-friendly price. GPS positioning and Follow Me modes allow a more hands-off approach to capturing that perfect shot and Altitude Hold will ensure your footage remains consistent as well.
The Waypoint Flight mode in here is a unique and handy feature that allows you to draw a route on your smartphone for your drone to follow. That's perfect for those who want a smooth shot but haven't yet got to grips with more complex control patterns. If you are still learning there's also one key take off, landing, and return home baked in here.
All in all, this is an excellent cheap drone for the money. You might be losing out on some DJI-specific features like quick shots and long video transmission distances, but with a 4K camera at the helm and a range of extra flight modes there's plenty to dig into here.
If you're looking for a cheap drone to get started in the world of aerial photography, DJI and Ryze's collaboration on the Tello is the best place to start. The camera quality won't compete against some of the more expensive models, but the Ryze is primarily interested in getting you up and running with an easily controlled and safe copter.
Rotor guards and stability sensors play a big role here, not only ensuring your drone is safe and secure but keeping your surroundings out of harm's way as well. This means you can safely get some indoors practice in before moving onto bigger shots outside.
You might want to check the weather before you do head outside, though, as the Tello is a little unstable in windier conditions. Calmer weather, however, makes for an incredibly easy and fun flight experience - made all the simpler by a pared down user interface on the accompanying app.
The forward facing camera means this is geared more towards selfie shots or smaller frames than big sweeping landscapes, though downward sensors maintain extra stability in the air and can allow the drone to hover steady as well .Those sensors can also be used for a neat little trick in which the Tello lands in your palm.
- Find the best deals on Tello drones with our Tello promo codes.
If you're on a strict budget, or need a copter you won't want to worry about too much while flying, the Holy Stone HS160 Shadow is an incredibly cheap drone. You're picking up a much sparser experience than pricier models here, and the real-time image transmission can struggle a little. However, all the basics are covered here with one press take off and landing, headless mode for orienting your drone's direction easily, and even a mode for use with first person view as well.
The camera isn't going to be winning you many photography awards, and there are more sturdy builds out there but if you're just looking for a cheap drone to dabble in weekend flights you can't go wrong with this price tag.
If you're going to be handing the controls over to the kids there are plenty of reasons to shop for a cheaper drone than some of the more feature rich models. However, this Snaptain copter incorporates a number of ease of use and safety features into its design that makes it our top pick for little hands.
Controls are simple and easy to pick up, and those protective guards will keep your copter safe in kids hands as well. Plus, voice control functionality means kids can get in on the action even if they haven't quite mastered often fiddly smartphone controls.
Headless mode also solves a big headache when it comes to teaching kids how to fly a drone. It alters controls to ensure that the drone is moving in relation to your own positioning. Whereas in regular flight the drone would move forwards according to its own 'front', here those directions are mapped in relation to the pilot instead. It makes for a far easier control scheme and one that kids can pick up a lot faster as well.
Windier conditions can give this model a little trouble, so we'd recommend checking out the weather before flying, especially considering there's little stabilization tech inside.
However, with GPS and follow mode, a 90 metre range of video connection, and altitude hold features, you're still picking up a good set of basic features here. Footage is also captured directly onto an SD card whereas cheap drones usually save direct to your smartphone. That makes for a better video quality overall and if you're flying regularly will save space on your phone as well.
Where to find more cheap drone sales
US:
- Amazon: super cheap brands available but be sure to read reviews
- Walmart: DJI and Holy Stone regularly on sale plus cheap toy drones available
- Best Buy: bundles available with extra gear included
- Newegg: stocks a wide range of Holy Stone devices with regular sales
- B&H Photo: excellent range on offer though more for professional use devices
- Adorama: regular discounts and bundles on premium drones
- DJI: all the latest devices and discount codes
UK:
- Amazon: massive range of cheap copters available
- Drones Direct: excellent range spanning all price brackets
- Park Cameras: mainly premium models but plenty of accessories on sale
- DJI: browse the latest and greatest models with the odd discount
- Currys: more limited range but regular discounts
- Very: predominantly DJI stock but some cheap toy drones available
- Argos: DJI, Parrot, and Revell drones in stock with regular discounts
What to look for in a cheap drone
The features and specs you should be on the lookout for when shopping for a cheap drone do depend on your budget. You'll find plenty of cheap drones under $100 / £100 that can still offer the basic features of more premium models, but there are some sacrifices to be made to reach that price point.
The breadth of drone deals available these days does allow you to pick and choose your features to find the right price for you, but it does also pay to know what you should be getting for your money along the way as well.
