5 Low-Cost Drones with Cameras That Won’t Drain Your Wallet
If you’ve been thinking about getting a drone but are still worried about the high cost, don’t worry. You can definitely find decent camera drones at prices that won’t make you cry when you hit “buy now.” You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get something great. Whether you want to try your hand at photography or just want to try flying on the weekends, don’t worry; there are some great options that may fit your budget. In this post, we’ll take a look at five budget camera drones that offer solid performance for a fraction of the cost.
Plus, I’ll provide some helpful tips and FAQs to help you get started. Let’s dive in!
Are cheap drones worth it?
Cheap drones are a good choice for beginners or casual use. They’re affordable, easy to fly, and great for learning. However, they have limitations like short battery life, lower camera quality, and limited range. For serious aerial photography or long-range flights, investing in a mid-range or high-end model is better.
How fast is a cheap drone?
Cheap drones, typically in the $50–$200 range, usually fly at speeds between 15 to 30 mph (24 to 48 km/h). These drones are often built with beginner-friendly features, making them stable and easy to control rather than speedy. Mini-drones, in particular, are on the lower end, usually maxing out around 15–20 mph (24–32 km/h), which is ideal for indoor use or close-range outdoor flights.
In contrast, high-performance racing drones can exceed 60 mph (97 km/h) or more, but they are much more expensive and designed specifically for speed rather than stability or ease of control.
1. Ryze Tello: The Perfect Beginner Drone
Price: Around $99
If you’re new to the drone game, the Ryze Tello is where you want to start. It’s small, lightweight, and surprisingly feature-packed. Powered by DJI (yes, the same brand that makes high-quality professional drones), the Tello gives you a powerful 5MP camera that shoots 720p video. It’s not 4K, of course, but for the price, it’s more than enough to capture some great aerial footage. It’s made of plastic and weighs just 80g, enough to not register with authorities in most countries around the world.
Ryze Tello Dimensions 3.8 * 3.6 * 1.6 inches
One of the best things about the Tello is how easy it is to fly. It has a range of automatic flight modes and is very stable in the air, so even if you’ve never flown a drone before, you won’t feel like you’re crashing every two seconds.
Features
- 720p HD Camera: Captures quality images and videos.
- Intel Processor: Smooth flight performance and stability.
- Easy to Fly: User-friendly controls for beginners.
You can also control it via an app on your phone and what makes it great is that it’s affordable, easy to use and comes with a ton of features like auto takeoff and landing. Plus, it’s small enough to fly indoors, which is great when you’re stuck inside on a rainy day.
Panoramic Ryze Tello product images
2. Snaptain S5C: Fun, Affordable, and Great for Beginners
Price: Around $70
Next up is the Snaptain S5C, another great option for anyone looking for a budget drone. It has a 720p HD camera, you can control it with your voice, it weighs 137g, it has a control range of 80m and a FPV range of 40m.
The Snaptain S5C has some great features like altitude hold (which helps keep it steady in the air), one-key return (so you won’t lose it if it starts flying too far), and even a 360-degree flip feature, which is a lot of fun.
Snaptain S5C Dimensions 13.9 * 9.7 * 3.3 inches
I’d recommend this drone if you want something easy to fly and full of fun tricks. At around 7-10 minutes of flight time, you get a decent amount of flight time for the price.
Features
- 720p Camera: Decent video quality.
- Voice Control: Hands-free operation.
- One-Key Launch: Easy takeoff/landing.
Why it’s great: The voice control and flips feature make you feel like you’re getting more for your money. It’s also one of those drones that can take a beating, so it’s perfect for learning.
Panoramic Snaptain S5C product images
3. Holy Stone HS110D: Step Up Your Video Quality
Price: Around $90
If you want to start getting more serious about aerial photography or videography, the Holy Stone HS110D is a great next step. It has a 1080p camera, so your videos and photos will be noticeably sharper than you’d get with cheaper 720p drones, and it weighs just 149g, which is pretty good for its size.
The HS110D also comes with a feature called altitude hold, which is basically a lifesaver when you’re trying to get steady footage. You can hover in place without constantly adjusting the controls, making it much easier to get nice, smooth video.
Holy Stone HS110D Dimensions 12.6 * 12.6 * 4.70 inches
The controls are still beginner-friendly, and it even has a headless mode, which means the drone flies based on which direction you push the joystick, regardless of where the “front” of the drone is facing. That way, you won’t accidentally fly it into a tree because you turned.
Features
- 1080p Camera: Clearer HD footage.
- FPV Transmission: Real-time video streaming.
- Altitude Hold: Stable hovering.
Best for: People who want a little better camera quality and more control without jumping into pro-level prices. Also good for teens learning.
Panoramic Holy Stone HS110D product images
4. Potensic A20W: Perfect for Indoor Fun
Price: Around $60
The Potensic A20W is one of the cheapest drones on this list, but don’t let the price tag fool you – it’s still fun to fly, especially indoors. It has a 720p camera with live video and a really intuitive control system, so it’s perfect for beginners. With one-key take-off and landing, it’s easy to fly indoors and out, and it also has Wi-Fi remote control. At around 190 grams, it’s a bit hefty compared to the drones we’ve mentioned above.
Potensic A20W Dimensions 6.46 * 5.31 * 4.09 inches
While the A20W is small and doesn’t offer the most advanced features, it’s great for casual flyers or younger drone enthusiasts. It even has FPV (first-person view), so you can see exactly what your drone is seeing in real time on your phone.
Features
- 720p Camera: Good quality aerial photos/videos.
- Wi-Fi FPV: Live video streaming to your phone.
- One-Key Control: Easy takeoff and landing
Who it’s for: Teens over 14 or if you just want a drone that’s fun and easy to fly and won’t make you sweat from crashing, this is it. It won’t win any awards for camera quality, but for the price, it’s hard to beat.
Panoramic Potensic A20W product images
Eachine E520S: A Budget Drone with a 4K Camera
Price: Around $120
The Eachine E520S is a bit of a cheat at just over $100, but I had to include it because it’s an absolute bargain for what you get. This drone comes with a 4K camera. Yes, you read that right. A 4K camera on a drone costs a fraction of what higher-end drones cost.
On top of that, it’s foldable, so it’s easy to carry, and it comes with GPS, something you usually only see on more expensive models. The GPS feature helps it stay steady in the air and automatically return to you if it starts to lose connection or the battery runs low.
Eachine E520S Dimensions 11.5 * 3.5 * 7.5 inches
You’ll also get a longer flight time of about 16 minutes per charge, which is good for the price range.
Features
- 4K HD Camera: High-resolution photos and videos.
- GPS Assisted Flight: Enhanced stability and positioning.
- Foldable Design: Portable and easy to carry.
Why you’ll love it: The camera quality is great for the price, and the GPS features make it feel like a much more expensive drone. If you’re a photography enthusiast but aren’t ready to shell out a lot of money, this drone is a great option.
Panoramic Eachine E520S product images
do you looking for a budget-friendly drone? Check out this foldable quadcopter for just $22! It’s perfect for both kids and adults. With a 1080p FPV camera, you can capture amazing aerial photos and videos. It’s super easy to fly with features like one-key start, altitude hold, and headless mode. Plus, it does 3D flips! You’ll get two batteries for longer flights and a handy carrying case for outdoor fun. This compact drone promises endless entertainment!
FAQS
Are these drones hard to fly?
Nope! They’re beginner-friendly and easy to control.How good is the camera quality?
Mostly 720p or 1080p, with one 4K option (Eachine E520S).Can I fly them indoors?
Yes, especially the smaller ones like Ryze Tello and Potensic A20W.How long do they fly?
Typically 7-16 minutes per charge.Are spare batteries worth it?
Absolutely! They extend your flying time.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.