Drones offer a plethora of options, often overwhelming newcomers. Major brands such as DJI and Parrot dominate the market, but their prices can deter beginners. For those seeking an entry-level drone at an affordable price point, consider these top 8 options under $100:
1. Parrot Mambo
Arguably one of the top drones under $100, the Parrot Mambo isn’t your typical camera or racing drone. It’s all about fun. Equipped with a cannon, grabber, and 50 cannon balls, the Parrot Mambo offers versatile entertainment options.
The Mambo features an autopilot that engages when control from your smartphone or remote is halted. Additionally, in a crash scenario, the motors halt automatically to minimize damage to both the drone and rotor blades. With a full charge of its 3.7V 550 mAh battery, the Mambo boasts a flight time of approximately 8-9 minutes. Despite a listed price of $119.99, it’s currently available on Amazon for the discounted price of $99.49.
2. Dromida Vista UAV
The Dromida Vista UAV is the sole performance drone featured here. While many performance drones exceed $100 in price, the Vista UAV offers exceptional value. It boasts a 3-axis gyroscope and accelerometer for optimal flight stability, ideal for novice pilots. Additionally, with the press of a button, you can execute impressive aerial flips effortlessly. How’s that for a neat feature?
The Dromida Vista UAV’s remote communicates with the drone using a 2.4GHz signal. It utilizes Secure Link Technology to establish a secure connection between the drone and the remote, preventing interference issues, which is beneficial for flying multiple Dromida Vista drones simultaneously. The Dromida Vista UAV offers four flight modes: Easy, Normal, Advanced, and Experienced. Beginners can start with Easy mode and progress to higher modes as they gain proficiency. It is equipped with an 850 mAh battery providing up to 12 minutes of flight time after a 30-minute charge.
3. DBPOWER MJX X400W
The DBPOWER MJX X400W is an excellent camera drone equipped with a 2 MP camera, capable of shooting 720p videos. It also supports Headless Mode, meaning its flying direction aligns with the transmitter’s direction, simplifying orientation, especially for beginners. Another standout feature is the one-tap button for impressive rolls and flips, sure to impress your friends. With a battery providing 8 to 9 minutes of flight time on a 120-minute charge, this drone ensures ample flying enjoyment.
The most intriguing aspect of this drone lies in its FPV support. FPV, or First Person View, enables you to utilize your VR headset to view through the drone’s camera, providing an immersive aerial experience. The FPV transmission boasts minimal latency, ensuring a near real-time viewing experience.
4. Syma X5C-1
The Syma X5C-1 is an excellent camera drone ideal for learning flight skills. It features a 6-axis gyroscope for stable flight, making it beginner-friendly. Equipped with a 2MP camera, it can record 720p videos within a 30-meter range. While this range may seem limited, it’s sufficient for learning purposes. Additionally, LED lights aid in identifying the drone’s front side and ensuring visibility during night flights.
The Syma X5C-1’s remote control features an LCD display to keep you informed about your drone’s status while flying. This allows easy monitoring of elevation and battery status. Being beginner-friendly, it includes blade protectors for safe crashes. The Syma X5C-1 is competitively priced, making it an excellent entry-level drone.
5. UDI U818A-HD
The UDI U818A-HD drone is ideal for beginners, equipped with a 2MP camera capable of shooting 720p videos. Despite the modest resolution, experiencing your initial aerial footage in HD is remarkable. The drone supports TF cards for video storage, compatible with a maximum 32 GB capacity. Notably, it includes Headless Mode support. Additionally, the controller features an LCD display for real-time flight data.
The UDI U818A-HD boasts a flight time of 6 to 9 minutes after a 120-minute charge. If you plan to capture extensive aerial footage, consider purchasing extra batteries. The drone features a high/low speed setting for personalized flying speeds. With a range of 80 meters, the UDI U818A-HD is ideal for beginners and makes a great drone gift.
6. Blade Inductrix
For indoor drone training and practice, consider the Blade Inductrix. This compact drone features Sensor Assisted Flight Envelope (SAFE) for stable flying in any space, and its durable construction ensures resilience even in crashes against walls. With blade protectors, the risk of injury from rotor blades is minimized.
The Blade Inductrix packs a 3.7V, 150 mAh battery, which charges fully in about 30 minutes, providing nearly 6 minutes of flight time. Unfortunately, it lacks Headless Mode, requiring constant orientation tracking. However, this omission can serve as training for piloting higher-grade drones, if desired. The Blade Inductrix incorporates LED lights for orientation assistance, serving as cue lights when needed.
7. Syma X8C Venture
The Syma X8C Venture, another sub-$100 drone, features a 2 MP camera capable of shooting 720p videos, suitable for beginners. With Headless Mode, beginners need not worry about drone orientation. Equipped with a 6-axis gyroscope for improved flight stability and control, along with blade protectors to mitigate minor crashes during the learning process.
The Syma X8C features a 2000 mAh battery, taking nearly 200 minutes to fully charge. However, its flight time is only about 7 minutes due to the drone’s size, measuring 50cm by 50cm and standing 19cm tall. Despite its substantial dimensions, it offers flight duration typical of drones in its price range.
8. Hubsan X4
Hubsan X4, the sole camera drone listed, serves indoor and outdoor purposes. It includes a 2 MP bottom shooter for 720p aerial videos, standard in $100 camera drones. A microSD card can store footage, sold separately. Hubsan, renowned for quality drones, offers the X4 suitable for both professionals and beginners.
Interested in performing acrobatic stunts like flips and rolls? The Hubsan X4 is perfect, capable of 360 rolls and flips. Impress your friends with ease. The drone features an 830 mAh Li-polymer battery, offering a 7-minute flight after just 30 minutes of charging. For added safety indoors or outdoors, consider purchasing blade protectors separately to ensure everyone’s safety.
9. TDR Robin 5.8G FPV Drone
The TDR Robin, a compact camera drone, boasts a powerful 2MP camera capable of 720p recording. Its remote control features a built-in screen and sunshade for optimal visibility, even in sunlight. Equipped with “Headless Mode,” it’s ideal for novice pilots, while the “Auto Return” button ensures the drone returns via the shortest path, eliminating concerns about loss.
The TDR Robin boasts a trick button, enabling effortless execution of impressive aerial stunts. It comes equipped with a modular 380 mAh battery at 3.7V, offering approximately 5 to 6 minutes of flight time per 150-minute charge—an aspect I find unfavorable.
10. Holy Stone HS170 Predator
The Holy Stone HS170 Predator, not the USAF model, is an indoor drone featuring Headless Mode, ideal for beginners. It includes a 6-axis gyroscope for smooth flights and proper leveling, typically required on advanced drones. Its range is limited to 30-50 meters, subject to obstacles and signal interference.
This drone operates on a 3.7V 350mAh battery, providing 6-8 minutes of flight time with a 60-minute charging cycle. For extended flight sessions, additional battery packs are advisable.
Explore Affordable Drones Below $100
These drones under $100 are the best for learning how to fly or as a hobby. Unless you’re a professional, in which case you should only consider DJI Phantom Series, Parrot drones, or the GoPro Karma, these affordable drones are the best option. Make sure to check local air laws before flying, as there are many restricted zones.
We’d like to hear your thoughts about drones, the laws surrounding them, and the best drones you’ve used. If you know of any other drones under $100 that should be on this list, let us know in the comments below, along with any unforgettable experiences you’ve had with drones.
Pritam Chopra is a seasoned IT professional and a passionate blogger hailing from the dynamic realm of technology. With an insatiable curiosity for all things tech-related, Pritam has dedicated himself to exploring and unraveling the intricacies of the digital world.
