Ultimate Guide: 10 Best Drones Under $200

If you’re in a hurry and just want to find out what the best drone under $200 is, then I’d recommend the Holy Stone HS270 as the best one!

Budget drones are a great way to get started without having to worry about crashing or losing an expensive piece of technology. Plus, most of these drones are packed with features that will allow you to get up and flying in no time.

Why Trust Me?

As with all of the Ultimate Guides I create, I have poured countless hours of research into this article to make sure you have all the information you need to make the best decision.

In my opinion, to truly understand what makes a good drone, you need to have used them day in and day out in a variety of different situations.

I’ve been a professional filmmaker and photographer since 2018 and have been lucky enough to work on projects all over the world with brands such as Alaska Airlines, Kayak.com, Prague Tourism, Visa, Airbnb, and many more. If you’re curious to see the full list of companies we’ve worked with, just head over to our Work With Us page.

I have used drones for both filmmaking and photography since I started and I used one to capture all the aerial scenes in my award-winning short film Spirit of Matsu. 

From these experiences working with drones in a variety of different situations, I think I’m in a good position to help you find the perfect one in this price point. 

Most importantly, I’m just a message away. So, if you have any questions, just leave a comment below, email me at [email protected], or send me a DM on Instagram @tom.shu.

P.S. I answer every question that is sent 🙂

Reviews of the 10 Best Drones Under $200

Time to get airborne!

After extensive research, including customer feedback, industry expert opinion, and my own experience and knowledge, here are what I consider to be the best drones under $200.

Notes From The Field: As a heads up, all the drones in this article have a micro SD card slot if you would rather save your videos and images externally than directly to your phone. The maximum SD card capacity of each drone varies, so make sure to double check the product information to make sure you have a compatible memory card. Each drone also has a one touch takeoff and landing button.

1.) Snaptain SP510

The Snaptain SP510 is an easy to use foldable drone that’s great drone for beginners. In addition to its follow-me and RTH features, you can also select Waypoint mode. This enables you to choose multiple locations on your smartphone which the drone then follows automatically. Thus, leaving you free to just enjoy the ride through the FPV.

Additionally, if you’re a complete newbie, you’ll welcome the Intelligent Geofence feature. This selectable option prevents your quad from flying either too high or too far away providing beginners with peace of mind.

For cinema-like movies, the camera delivers 25 FPS and provides an impressive 2.7k high resolution image. And, if you want to search for that perfect photo, you will enjoy the 16 minutes of flight time provided by its 1,500 mAh battery.

Lastly, if you fancy yourself as a drone-wielding Spielberg, you may appreciate the voice-recording feature. This enables you to add narration to your videos in real-time. And, with a range exceeding 1,600 feet, you have an expansive area to explore.

PROS:

• 5G compatible.
• Good build quality with a foldable design for easy transportation.
• Beginner friendly as it has gps functionality which gives you stable altitude hold and auto return home features.
• FPV flight range of 1,000 feet.
• 110-degree field of vision with a 90-degree adjustable camera.
• Three-speed settings.
• Headless mode gives you the flexibility to reorient the drone based on your location making it easier to fly.
• Includes a set of spare propellers.
• Estimated flight time on a single charge is up to 16 minutes.

CONS:

• Price is on the higher end.
• Only includes 1 battery.
• No propeller guards, but that is common with a foldable drone body design.
• Battery recharging time is quite long.

2.) Holy Stone HS270 GPS 2.7K

If you demand crystal-clear images combined with smooth and vivid videos, this may be the best camera drone under $200. The 2.7k HD camera should provide impressive picture quality not only on your final images but also when on FPV mode with the 5 GHz transmission delivering an interference-free live feed.

Being foldable, I’d suggest this would be an ideal quadcopter for those on the move. Furthermore, when you’ve reached your destination, you’ll welcome the 18-minute flying time.

A simple tap of a button on the controller and this drone will return-to-home, which it will also do so when losing battery power or signal.

Also, the auto-hover feature should avoid shaky pictures. Alternatively, it can circle automatically around a fixed point with the area of interest always in the middle of the frame.

PROS:

• Control range of 1,968 feet—FPV video transmission of 1,300 feet.
• Ideal for beginners as it’s a GPS drone. This gives you stable altitude hold and auto return to home ability.
• Headless mode gives you the flexibility to reorient the drone based on your location making it easier to fly.
• 120-degree FOV with a 90-degree downward tilt.
• Folds down to just 7.68 by 4.10 by 3.15 inches.
• Includes a set of spare propellers.
• Estimated flight time on a single charge is up to 18 minutes.
• Holy Stone is known for its customer service in case you have any questions or if anything goes wrong with your drone.

CONS:

• The battery drains rapidly in cold conditions.
• No propeller guards, but that is common with a foldable drone body design.
• Only includes 1 battery.

3.) Holy Stone HS110G

Although this is one of the cheaper drones in this article, it doesn’t skimp on features. It’s the little brother of the Holy Stone HS110D, so if you don’t need 2k video resolution and want to save some money, this drone could be a nice fit.

A 110-degree wide-angle lens delivers images at 1080p. Furthermore, the FPV allows you to be in the pilot seat and control the drone purely through the movements of your smartphone.

A modular battery allows you to remove, recharge, and replace the power pack quickly. Although, bear in mind that its 1,000 mAh capacity will only provide around 13 minutes of flying time.

Beginners may welcome the altitude hold function, which not only provides stability for those crucial shots but also allows you to initially concentrate on direction, not height.

PROS:

• Cheaper than the Holy Stone HS120D but with the same stable flight capability.
• Ideal for beginners as it has gps functionality. This gives you stable altitude hold and auto return to home.
• Headless mode gives you the flexibility to reorient the drone based on your location making it easier to fly.
• Trajectory flight—set a route on the app, and the drone will follow this path.
• Includes 1 extra battery a set of extra propellers.
• Holy Stone is known for its customer service in case you have any questions or if anything goes wrong with your drone.

CONS:

• Estimated flight time on a single charge is up to 13 minutes.
• Not foldable so it’s not the most portable drone.
• Doesn’t include propeller guards.

4.) Holy Stone HS120D

If you’re planning on using your quadcopter to record your extreme adventures, the Holy Stone HS120 may be one of the best drones under $200 for the outdoor enthusiast.

For a feature-packed unit, it’s remarkably lightweight at just 7.8 ounces. Furthermore, the drone arrives complete with a bespoke backpack, allowing you to safely transport the machine until you’re ready to take off.

It comes with two lithium batteries, providing over 36 minutes of flying time—18 minutes per cell.

You can record your experiences with the 1080p HD camera, and switch on the follow-me function to allow for hands-free video creation. Alternatively, with a 984-foot control range, you have more than enough range to explore where you are at.

PROS:

• Ideal for beginners as it has gps functionality. This gives you a stable altitude hold and the ability to automatically return home.
• 120-degree FOV.
• One-key take-off and landing.
• Headless mode gives you the flexibility to reorient the drone based on your location making it easier to fly.
• Weighing less than 250 grams, there’s no requirement for FAA registration.
• Up to 18 minutes of flying time on a single battery.
• Includes 1 extra battery, a set of spare propellers, and a carrying case.
• Holy Stone is known for its customer service in case you have any questions or if anything goes wrong with your drone.

CONS:

• Being lightweight, you may find control in windy conditions demanding.
• Not a foldable design so it’s not the most portable.
• Doesn’t include propeller guards.

5.) Potensic D80 RC Drone

Do you demand a long-range? If so, this might be the budget drone for you.

With a controllable range of 2,624 feet and an FPV of 984 feet, it allows you to complete some extensive exploration, which is impressive for a budget drone. What’s more, the 1,800 mAh battery provides a flying time of 20 minutes reassuring you that you’ll have enough juice to bring this quadcopter home.

If you like something away from the norm, you may welcome the white, curved, and sleek appearance, making this unit stand out against the many black and boxy versions on the market.

And, if you’re a total speed freak, you may like the powerful brushless motors that allow you to cruise at a cool 25 mph. Although, you may need to take things a little slower to appreciate the image quality provided by the 120-degree 1080p HD camera.

PROS:

• Ideal for beginners as it has gps functionality. This gives you stable altitude hold and automatic return to home functionality.
• 5G WiFi transmission system.
• Headless mode gives you the flexibility to reorient the drone based on your location making it easier to fly.
• Brushless motors provide power with low energy consumption.
• Follow-me capability for tracking your running, skiing, and parkour.
• Estimated flight time on a single charge is 16 – 20 minutes which is the longest in this article.
• Programmable custom flight path.

CONS:

• Being white may make it difficult to spot in some weather conditions.
• The drone design doesn’t allow for propeller guards and it’s not foldable.
• Price point is at high end.
• Only includes 1 battery.

6.) Altair 818 Hornet

For me, this is an excellent unit if your kids want to join in the flying fun.

Not only does this drone feature altitude hold and one-button take-off and landing, but it also has three selectable skill levels. In short, an experienced pilot can hand over the controller while the drone is in mid-air, choose a setting with more automated features, and allow less flying-savvy youngsters to continue the flight.

FPV gives your children the ability to fly through the air like their favorite superheroes. Although, keep a watchful eye as it lacks an RTH feature, so you’ll need to bring the quadcopter home manually.

Being primarily for younger users, the camera is functional, yet basic delivering a 720p resolution. But, with two batteries, each providing 15 minutes of flying time, the little ones will be able to enjoy extensive ‘play’ time.

PROS:

• Designed for stability in the wind—even in the hands of newbie users.
• Headless mode gives you the flexibility to reorient the drone based on your location making it easier to fly.
• Three ability level settings.
• Uncomplicated and robust controller.
• The propeller guards are built into the drone design and includes a set of spare propellers.
• USA-based company.
• 120-degree wide-angle lens.
• Includes 1 extra battery.

CONS:

• Not suitable for users wanting high-quality images.
• Estimated flight time of up to 15 minutes is slightly below average.
• Short flying range of 492 feet—196 feet for FPV.
• Doesn’t have GPS functionality.
• Not a foldable design.

7.) Altair Aerial AA300

If you like the kid-friendly and easy to fly aspects of the Altair 818 but demand increased functionality and camera quality then this could be a better fit.

The Altair AA300 still includes the three skill level settings to allow younger users to fly straight-out-of-the-box, yet also gives the reassurance of RTH. And, with a follow-me mode, both you and your little ones can record your activities hands-free.

What’s more, these saved images and videos will be crisp and clear. The drone includes a 1080p HD camera—providing both memories and an exhilarating FPV experience.

Also, control is enhanced by the GPS satellite stability feature, ensuring that your quadcopter remains balanced and upright in flight.

You may want to consider purchasing an extra power pack, though. Unlike its more basic cousin, this unit only includes one battery. This will provide 15 minutes of air-time with a range of 492 feet.

PROS:

• Ideal for beginners as it has gps functionality. This gives you stable altitude hold and automatic return to home functionality.
• Barometer altitude hold for elevated stability.
• One-touch take-off and landing.
• Follow-me function.
• Snap-on battery for easy replacement and recharge.

CONS:

• Restricted range.
• Doesn’t have headless mode.
• Lack of image stabilization can make videos shaky in windy conditions.
• Estimated flight time of up to 15 minutes is slightly below average.
• Doesn’t include guards for the propeller.
• Only includes 1 battery.
• Not a foldable design.

8.) Snaptain S5C

If you’re a serious technophile, this may be your drone.

Whether you’re an Android aficionado or an iPhone fanatic, simply head over to the relevant app store to allow for smartphone FPV control. Furthermore, if you love gaming, you should welcome the familiar hand controller, which makes piloting this quadcopter second-nature.

Bold styling combined with bright red and blue illumination provides this drone with an Alienware aesthetic. One-button touch delivers 360-degree rolls and flips giving others the impression you’re a flying-ace even with little experience.

This machine provides versatility, allowing you to switch to gesture or phone-motion control. However, a range of 328 feet and a flight time of up to 10 minutes is a bummer even though it comes with 2 batteries.

PROS:

• Voice, gesture, and gravity control modes.
• Headless mode gives you the flexibility to reorient the drone based on your location making it easier to fly.
• Trajectory flight and return to home functions.
• One-touch 360 degree flips (3D flips) function which can be fun to use..
• Futuristic styling.
• Includes an additional battery and guards for the propeller.

CONS:

• Lacks 1080p camera—surprising on this feature-packed unit.
• 60-degree FOV may be insufficient for many users.
• Estimated flight time of up to 10 minutes is one of the worst in this article.
• Not a foldable design.
• Doesn’t have GPS functionality.

9.) Snaptain SP650 Pro

If you’re looking for another drone choice that is under the 250g limit, this might be the one for you. Weighing just 125 grams, you’re not required to register with the FAA.

Although lacking heft, it doesn’t fall short in features. For instance, the 120-degree 2.7k camera should give you pretty good image quality. Furthermore, in video mode, the 25 FPS will provide some seriously YouTube-worthy movies.

Two batteries (included) will allow you to fly for 24 minutes in total—the only downside being that your range is just 240 feet (180 feet for live FPV). That said, should you push the drone beyond its controllable distance, or it runs out of battery, the return to home feature means you haven’t lost your quadcopter.

PROS:

• 2.7k resolution camera
• Headless mode gives you the flexibility to reorient the drone based on your location making it easier to fly.
• 90-degree downward camera tilt.
• High-speed rotation and circle-fly features.
• 360-degree flip mode.
• Programmable custom flight paths.
• Gesture control to activate the camera or video.
• Voice control.
• Includes 1 extra battery.
• Includes propeller guards which act as shock absorbers in case of crashes and a set of spare propellers.

CONS:

• Although featuring altitude hold for stability, the lightweight may make control challenging in windy conditions.
• Estimated flight time of up to 12 minutes is below average.
• Doesn’t have GPS functionality.
• Not a foldable design.

10.) Simrex X900 Drone

If you’re concerned your flying skills are too basic to take images without the wobbles, this may be the answer. The proprietary Optical Flow Positioning, combined with ultrasonic altitude determination, keep the drone stable and safe.

It has a 110-degree 1080p HD camera so you can enjoy shake-free real-time FPV and high-res images and videos.

If you fly beyond its 393 feet range limit, the return to home feature will spring into life, and the 15-minute flight time should allow enough juice to bring your quadcopter safely back to base.

Additionally, this is a drone that will grow with you. As a beginner, I’d say you’ll enjoy the one-touch landing, novice pilot mode, and gravity sensor steering. When you gain experience, you can switch to one of the more advanced settings—reducing automated flying and giving you more freedom.

PROS:

• Headless mode to reorientate the drone.
• Steer with the joystick, gravity tilt, or smartphone.
• Foldable.
• Compatible with VR glasses.
• Includes four spare propellers and guards which is nice considering it’s a folding drone.

CONS:

• It’s easy to accidentally press the emergency shut-down button—leading to crashes.
• The smartphone app isn’t as user-friendly as other models.
• Estimated flight time of up to 12 – 15 minutes is below average.
• Doesn’t have GPS.
• Only includes 1 battery.

The Winner – Holy Stone HS270

Drones are the ultimate machine and can give you a new perspective wherever you are. Sure, you can spend a lot more for a higher end drone. But, for those on budget, or just testing the water (or air) for the first time, they can be very expensive.

Naturally, the answer is budget drones, but a budget drone is obviously not as good as its high-end counterpart.

It’s tough to find a bargain quadcopter sufficiently stacked with features. Between machines, you’re often making a trade-off—the range at the cost of battery power, and HD images at the expense of stability.

The Holy Stone HS270, for me, is the best drone under $200 on the market.

It does fall just short of the range of the Potensic D80 and doesn’t come with additional batteries like the Altair 818 or Snaptain S5C.

However, for all-round versatility and user-friendliness, it’s a winner.

Videographers will appreciate the 2.7k camera which provides good video quality, especially for a budget drone. And, with GPS enabled altitude hold, stability isn’t going to be an issue. Plus, if you want to show the world your adventures, you can go hands-free with the follow-me mode.

All this, combined with 18 minutes of flight, and you have an impressive quadcopter.

What to Look for When Buying a Budget Drone Under $200?

I know exactly how you’re feeling.

You just want to have the drone in your hands, fire it up and get outside for some extreme aeronautical acrobatics.

I was exactly the same with my shiny new quadcopter.

Take a few minutes to look through the following essential considerations. This will ensure you’re both prepared for drone-flying and that you purchase a unit that has all the features you need.

Important Drone Features

• FAA regulations.
• Image stabilization.
• FPV—first-person view.
• RTH—return to home.
• Battery life.
• Drone range.
• Camera quality.
• Additional features.

Know the FAA Regulations

I don’t want to start with a downer, but you need to know the facts from the beginning.

Unfortunately, you can’t fly your drone anywhere you wish. The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) places restrictions on where you can release your quadcopter and provides rules on safe flying.

Perhaps the first aspect you need to consider is whether you can take your machine airborne in your local area. The FAA has released an app, B4UFLY, that visually illustrates through maps and smartphone location where you’re allowed to let your drone loose.

Furthermore, it provides regulations on flying, the main points include:

1. You need to register your drone (here), label it with your ID number, and carry proof of this registration on your person whenever you fly.
2. Keep your quadcopter below 400 feet from the ground when in uncontrolled airspace (known as Class G airspace).
3. Gain permission before flying in restricted airspace—classes B, C, D, and E. You can do this at LAANC and DroneZone.
4. Always keep your machine in your line of sight.
5. Never fly your drone while intoxicated.

Ensure you check out the FAA guidelines and the regulations of your state—or country, if outside the USA—as some areas have particular laws regarding drone use.

There is, however, a significant exemption.

Drones that weigh less than 250 grams don’t require registration!

Image Stabilization

We’ve all taken blurry images or shaky videos.

It’s tough to keep your camera or smartphone stable in your hand while photographing your cat. If you mount a camera on a drone, the problem exacerbates.

Factors such as the weather, wind, your beginner-level piloting, and vibrations from the rotors and motor are the perfect recipe for indistinguishable clips and photos.

Luckily, most budget drone manufacturers have come up with solutions.

Types of Image Stabilization

Some drones include features that stabilize your images. Typically, they fall into one of the three following categories.

• Mechanical gimbal: Directed through a combination of accelerometers and gyroscopes, brushless motors adjust the camera position to compensate for the wayward motion of the drone.
• Digital stabilization: Onboard software in the camera shifts the image from frame-to-frame, compensating for movement.
• Altitude hold: This allows the drone to maintain its airborne height, without you having to manually control the unit.

High-end and drones tend to feature a multi axis gimbal, while the best quadcopters under $200 may incorporate image stabilization or altitude hold. And, you can further improve the image by post-processing your video on enhancement software.

First Person View (FPV)

Ever dreamed you could fly like Superman? An FPV feature gives you that ability.

Well, almost. The camera on the drone transmits real-time video to your monitor, FPV goggles, remote control screen, or smartphone—giving you the impression you’re in the drone itself.

This leads to an exhilarating experience, and if you’re making videos, the feeling of being a movie director.

Return to Home Functionality

While budget drones under $200 are excellent value, they’re still expensive, so you’ll want them back after your flight.

When you’re engrossed in your flying, you may fail to notice your battery levels becoming low. Alternatively, if you’re concentrating hard on your FPV screen, you may lose sight of your drone and have no idea how to bring it back to base.

An RTH feature allows the drone to return to its original starting position not necessarily your actual home through GPS, without you having to pilot it back.

Typically, this function kicks-in when:

• You press the ‘home’ function on your controller.
• When you have low battery.
• If the drone flies out of signal range known as a “failsafe RTH.”

Battery Life

The longer the battery life, the more time you’ll enjoy being airborne.

While some drones can fly for a decent amount of time, you’re not going to find the longest duration in these drones. Typically, the highest quality budget machines will have a flying time between 10 and 25 minutes.

If you’re piloting your drone from your back garden, shorter battery life may not be an issue, as you can simply land and recharge.

However, if you’re venturing further when you’re getting some footage on vacation, it might be worth considering a longer-lasting battery or investing in additional batteries.

Notes From The Field: What’s nice is that all of the drones in this article have some sort of low battery alarm which will warn you when the battery starts getting low. This can be a life saver depending on how far away your drone is.

Range of Your Drone

The typical range of a drone under $200 is about 400–1,500 feet.

Naturally, the further your machine can fly, the more versatility you have for exploration and some awesome images and videos.

Bear in mind that the control range is often further than the FPV range. That is, you can still control your quadcopter at maximum distance, but will lose your video feed.

Camera Quality

There’s little point positioning your drone perfectly in the air for a like-worthy Instagram post only to discover that the actual images and videos aren’t as crisp and clear as you deserve.

When choosing one of the best drones with a camera under $200, consider:

• Resolution: The larger, the better although that’s at the cost of file size. For video, consider a camera that has, at a minimum, 1,080 vertical pixels (Full HD). A 2.7k (2,704 horizontal pixels) would deliver the clearest images. For photography, usually the more megapixels you have the better.
• Video frame rate: Typically, drones have an FPS (frames per second) of 24, 25, 30, and 60. An FPS of 24 is what you usually see in Hollywood movies and an FPS of 60 will allow you to slow your footage down slightly in post-processing.
• Field of view/vision (FOV): Lower degrees of FOV are suitable for images of single objects. A larger FOV allows you to take sweeping and panoramic videos and views of landscapes. For the latter, look for a minimum of 120 degrees.

Additional Intelligent Flight Features

Even though they’re budget drones, they often include additional flight modes to maximize your experience. The most useful are:

• Follow me: GPS or recognition tech enables the drone to follow you without you having to pilot the unit. It does this by tracking your smartphone or controller.
• Gesture control: You can pilot and take photos simply by the wave of your hand typically through an accelerometer on your wrist for these budget models.
• Custom Fly: In this mode, you can draw our points on your smart phone screen and the drone will follow this custom flight route.
• Tap fly: Instead of using a remote control to pilot, you just tap on the SmartScreen in the direction you want your drone to fly.
• Orbit mode: this mode is also called Point of Interest mode. When you enter this mode, you’re able to set a point of interest for the drone to orbit around in a circle pattern. Perfect for capturing video footage for social media.
• 3D Flip: Some non-GPS enabled drones have a 3D flip mode that will allow you to perform 360 degree flips with the touch of a button. This can be cool for casual flying and is a nice trade off for not having GPS.