Best Drones Under $500

DJI’s Tello has fast become one of the top drones for under $500 out there. It captures stunning 5-megapixel pictures and 720p videos with the Tellos onboard camera system.

The Tello is relatively easy to control, and can be used  to perform stunts or even to shoot short videos using EZ Shots. With low battery protection, vision positioning system, and auto takeoff/landing, this is an excellent beginner drone.

Key Specs/Features

• Still image resolution: 5 megapixels
• Video resolution: 720p HD
• Max flight time: 13-Minutes
• Max Speed: 17 mph (27 kph)
• Notable attributes: Range Finder, Barometer, LED, Vision System, 2.4 GHz

The Force1 F100GP is a great drone, that comes at a low price point, making it one of the best options under $500 on this list.

It features a GoPro camera mount, so it could be used by professionals just breaking into aerial photography. The Ghost Drone also has its own camera, which is nothing to sneeze at. It’s a detachable 1080p HD camera that could work perfectly for those looking to take high-quality aerial shots without breaking the bank.

The F100GP Ghost Drone comes with an impressively long flight time—at 30 minutes, it beats out several other drones at this price point for one of the longest battery lives out there. It also has brushless motors, which make for a quiet, smooth flight, and also help you maintain more precise control, not to mention extend battery life.

Make sure to register your F100GP drone with Force1 if you do decide to buy it—you’ll get a free extra battery (value of $25) just for registering.

Key Specs/Features

• Camera resolution: 1080p HD
• Max flight time: 30-Minutes
• Max flight speed: Up to 40 mph (64 kph)
• Notable attributes: GoPro compatible, two speeds for stunts, 2.4 GHz Transmitter

The Walkera F210 3D is a smaller, lighter-weight drone that was designed with agility and strength in mind.

Its modern industrial modular carbon fiber frame is ultra-durable and crash-resistant. The flight control system enables stable flight and precise flight maneuvers such as flips, rolls, and racecourse moves. It is also simple to disassemble and reassemble, which means it’s ready to fly as is, or can be customized by the pilot.

All of these elements combine to make the Walkera F210 3D a great FPV drone when reviewing the best drones under $500 on the market.

Key Specs/Features

• Camera resolution: 700TVL HD
• Max flight time: 8-9 Minutes
• Max flight speed: 40+ mph (64 kph)
• Notable attributes: Night vision camera, optimized OSD, optimized receiver, modular design

With its low price and solid list of features the U49WF FPV Camera Drone drone is a great starter option from Force1 RC.

It has a great battery life—it can stay in the air for up to 30 minutes without needing a recharge. That long flight time makes the U49WF a great option for beginner and even intermediate pilots, because more time in the air means more time learning on the sticks.

The U49WF also comes with an FPV screen that provides a live video feed, as well as altitude hold and a solid 720p HD camera.

The free extra battery that is included provides you with an added value, and means you won’t have to wait to recharge to keep flying—you can pop in the extra, and get a full hour of flying at a minimum each time you go out.

Key Specs/Features

• Camera resolution: 720p HD
• Max flight time: 30-Minutes
• Max  flight speed: 3 speeds and 1-key take off
• Notable attributes: 2.4 GHz remote controller, spare batter/motors, multiple flight modes

The Syma X400 FPV Drone is a small, powerful drone that is a favorite among hobbyists.

It comes with a 720p HD camera, that utilizes a wide angle lense for capturing the perfect shot. You can also use the X400 to get proficient with flying as well as getting your feet wet with aerial photography.

If you’re looking for a drone to practice tricks with, this one might be the perfect fit since it offers headless mode, one-button flips, and other autonomous features that make it one of the most fun of all the best drones under $500 out there.

Key Specs and Details

• Camera resolution: 720p HD
• Max flight time: 6 Minutes
• Notable attributes: Lightweight airframe, app control, One key return, low battery alarm

There is no denying that the Holy Stone HS720 4K looks like the DJI Mavic, with a foldable design that makes it compact and great for travel.

It comes with a 4K HD camera, which is hard to find on other drones in this price range. It is mounted on a shock absorber to reduce shakiness in your aerial shots.

The HS720 4K is a little bigger and heavier when compared to other small toy drones, but this is actually a good thing since the it’s stronger and more durable than a lighter-weight drone might be.

The battery life doesn’t seem to be impacted too much by its size. In fact, at 26 minutes the HS720 has one of the longest battery lives you’ll find among all the drones on this list of the best drones under $500.

Key Specs/Features

• Camera resolution: 4K
• Max flight time: 26-Minutes
• Max flight speed: 36 mph (57 kph)
• Notable attributes: Image stabilization, 5G FPV transmission, 90°adjustable lens, GPS Assisted Intelligent Flight, 2.4GHz transmitter

The Mavic Mini is DJI’s lightest and smallest drone to date. It weighs just 249 grams, making it exempt from the FAA’s requirement to register any drone that weighs 250 grams or more.* For its small size (around the size of a smartphone) the Mavic Mini is loaded with advanced features.

The popular foldable design from the Mavic series also shows up in the Mini, making it one of the highest tech portable drones on the market. With a 30- minute flight time, 12-megapixel camera, and a three-axis gimbal it will be difficult to find a comparable aircraft in this size and price range.

Pilots will have the option to choose from four pre-programmed flight maneuvers like Rocket, Circle, Dronie, and Helix. GPS receivers and downward visual positioning sensors make the Mini easy to operate with precise hovering. This drone is a great choice for hobbyists who want DJI technology in a small and relatively affordable package.

See our review of the Mavic Mini here.

*Any drone flown for commercial purposes, regardless of weight, must be registered through the FAA DroneZone.

Key Specs/Features

• Still image resolution: 12 megapixels
• Video resolution: 2.7K
• Max flight time: 30- Minutes
• Max speed: 29 mph (13 m/s in sport mode)
• Notable Attributes: weighs 249 grams, DJI Geofencing, visual positioning system, Return-to-Home, and Aeroscope remote identification

Looking for a drone that looks and performs like a DJI Mavic? Well then the Ruko F11 4K Pro Drone may be perfect for you.

Its compact foldable design makes this drone a great travel companion. At a relatively low price point, it’s surprising to see all of the features packed into the Ruko F11 4K Pro Drone. With gesture control, GPS hold, TapFly, and various other intelligent flight modes, you can capture breathtaking 4K Ultra HD pictures and 2.9k videos for stunning clarity, deep contrast, and vivid colors.

The package comes with an extra battery, extending your flight time to 60-minutes, allowing for even more time to capture those picture-perfect shots.

Key Specs/Features

• Still image resolution: 4K UHD
• Video resolution: 2.7K Video
• Max flight time: 30-Minutes
• Max speed: 27 mph (43 kph)
• Notable Attributes: Intelligent flight modes, adjustable camera, 3-speed modes, GPS.