At the risk of dating myself, the first drone I ever flew was a tiny toy camera version from Radio Shack. If I remember correctly, it cost around $30, had a camera with no more than a couple of megapixels, a battery that lasted around three minutes, and crashed in a blaze of glory on its first flight.
The quality of drones has improved significantly since then, with prices ranging from under $100 to many thousands of dollars. Drone technology is more than just a fad. There are numerous proven use cases for UAVs across a range of applications and industries.
Drones are here to stay.
One issue I hear from people who are interested in getting their first drone is that they are too expensive. Drones can be pricey.
For example, if you are a commercial drone pilot looking to earn money flying drones, you’ll need to spend at least $1,500 to get an entry-level model. If you are looking to do specialized work, your drone and associated accessories and payloads can easily cost tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.
- READ MORE: Best Drones Under $500
That’s a lot of cash to lay down, especially if you are just starting.
An excellent option for those looking to just have a little fun or test the waters with drones is to start with something that won’t break the bank. The problem is that very inexpensive drones are often of low quality.
In this article, FLYING shares some food for thought when buying a drone under $100 and gives our recommendation for the top 5 drones worth considering for less than a C-note.
What to Expect From a Drone Under $100
If you spend $50,000 on a car, you’re going to get a whole lot more car than if you spend $500 on one. The same is true for drones.
When shopping for a drone in this price range, don’t expect to find a UAV that will land your dream job of filming the next blockbuster movie or earning hundreds of dollars an hour inspecting oil and gas lines. At this cost, you are looking for reliable handling and a halfway-decent camera.
The core features of drones under $100 to look for include the following:
- 720p or 1080p cameras
- Ability to take stills and video
- Steady hovering
- Safety features
- Decent flight times
It’s essential to have realistic expectations at this price point. You won’t find drones with high-powered cameras, three-axis gimbals, strong wind resistance, or flight times exceeding 30 minutes.
Thankfully, there are some good brands out there like Holy Stone, Deerc, and Force1. In addition to offering pretty good drones at this level, they have solid customer service, which is a massive plus for drones under $100.
Top 5 Drones Under $100
FLYING’s list has something for everyone. There are many sites to purchase drones, but at this price point, we recommend Amazon for its customer service.
All five recommendations will include links to the site, so you can read more about them and make the best choice for your specific needs. Our list consists of the following drones:
Holy Stone HS210T: Best Overall Trainer for New Pilots
Coming in at only $48.99, the Holy Stone HS210T is an excellent drone for new pilots.
The drone can operate in both land and air modes, allowing pilots to build confidence at their own speed before taking to the skies. You can operate the drone using the included remote control or launch it manually from your hand.
There are several preprogrammed flight modes like circle fly and 3D flips, making it easy for even first-time flyers to look like aerial aces.
The drone’s batteries come with overcharge protection and offer flight times of up to 16 minutes. Additional safety features include built-in propeller guards and a durable frame.
On the downside, the drone does not have a camera, but if your focus is to learn how to fly for under $50, this is the drone for you.
Hasakee Q9s: Best Budget Drone
With easy-to-use controls and a cool design, the Hasakee Q9s is the perfect drone for those on a budget.
The drone is normally under $50 but is currently on sale for just $39.98. There are cheaper drones out there, but none that come with the suite of features in the Q9s. The drone features blue-green LED lights that wrap around the built-in propeller guards for added visibility and a futuristic look.
The drone has three adjustable speeds and comes equipped with headless mode, altitude hold, and one-button takeoff/landing, which eliminates a lot of the complexity seen in similar drones of this size. The Hasakee Q9s can also perform flips and circular flight patterns.
Like the Holy Stone HS210T, it does not have a camera, but for less than $40, just about everyone can own this drone.
Force1 Scoot: Best No-Controller Drone
You can argue whether the Force1 Scoot is more of a game than a drone, but regardless of how you see it, this drone is a great way to introduce kids to drone technology.
There is no remote control for this drone. Instead, the drone responds to hand movements. For example, as you move your hand close to the drone, you can push it sideways or up and down. There is also an electronic laser gun you can purchase for $10 that allows you to play a shooting game with the drone.
The Force1 Scoot is compact, has altitude hold for stability, and 360-degree motion sensors. A webbed shell surrounds the rotor, making it safe for kids and adults learning to move around drones. This design also makes it ideal for indoor flying. The drone is only $17.99.
Deerc D20: Best Under $100 Camera Trainer
As our first drone on the list with a camera, the Deerc D20 is perfect for those looking to learn how to fly and to start exploring the basics of aerial photography.
The drone features a 720p HD camera that streams live video directly to your smartphone via Wi-Fi. The drone is also compact, folding to fit just about anywhere while still delivering flight times of up to 20 minutes when you use both batteries (10 minutes per flight).
The drone’s preprogrammed modes include 3D flips, the ability to draw waypoints, and can be operated using voice or gesture commands, for takeoffs, landings, and capturing selfies. This drone is extremely lightweight for a camera drone and easy to operate. It’s the perfect stress-free camera drone for beginners. The D20 is $49.99.
Nehme NH760: Best Camera Drone in This Price Range
Our final recommendation is the Neheme NH760, the best option for a camera drone under $100.
This drone blends ease of control with unmatched features compared to its peers. The foldable design and weight of only 181 grams make it highly portable. With simplified one-key takeoff/landing, altitude hold, headless mode, and three selectable speed settings, it helps beginners learn at a comfortable pace.
The real star of the show on the NH760 is the camera. Coming in at only $59.99, the drone has an impressive 1080p HD camera and a wide-angle lens with adjustable tilt. The kit comes with two rechargeable batteries, each providing around 10-12 minutes of flight time. That’s plenty of time to capture some amazing shots and begin building your portfolio.
Breaking into the world of drones can be an expensive venture, but it doesn’t have to be. You can explore UAV technology for less than $100 and build a strong foundation in basic flying and aerial photography.
While drones at this level aren’t going to have all the bells and whistles of their more expensive counterparts, they will offer you a chance to learn how to fly, build a comfort level around the technology, and begin learning camera basics that can be applied to a lifelong love of aerial photography.
FAQ
Do I need an FAA license to fly drones under $100?
No, as long as you fly recreationally and under 250 grams, you don’t need a license.
How long do the batteries typically take to recharge?
Most mini drone batteries take about 45-60 minutes to fully charge.
Can these drones be flown outdoors in windy conditions?
They can, but only in very light winds.
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