Best Drones Under $100

Drones have been a major part of the recent craze in technology. They have become an essential addition to the modern day. From a commercial perspective, to a recreational one, drones have been used for a lot of things. From delivering packages to kids, to following wildlife, drone technology has been used in a variety of ways. Drones can be used in search and rescue operations, for overhead imaging, for filming and for more. If you want to make the most out of this drone craze, it is important to know your drone.

Whether you’re a professional or recreational drone enthusiast, there’s a drone for you. There’s a drone for every budget and for every skill level. Drones come in all shapes, sizes and colors. Best of all, there are drones for every occasion! They are a fun and popular toy. Drones are also a great tool for photography or finding lost items.

What to expect with a drone under $100?

Drones are quadcopters that are usually controlled using a smartphone or a radio/ remote control. Concentrates of technology that often prove to be expensive, such as the  DJI Mavic 2 (sold from $849) or the  Parrot Anafi  ($699). Some prices even go way beyond that. However, all those who want to taste this flying pleasure do not necessarily want to invest such budgets in these devices, and not with cinematographic ambition or are not in search of technological excellence.

If we limit our budget to $100, we see that the choice remains a plethora of e-merchants. There are a lot of toys, but finding more advanced models is possible. Here are a few things to look out for before purchasing a drone:

The controls: Most high-end drones can be flown from your smartphone. But products sold for less than 100 euros could be compatible with simple remote control. And at this price, it very often looks like a toy.

Video quality: As you can imagine, below $100, no 4K. Ideally, you will have a 720p camera that can shoot at 30fps. if the drone is equipped with a camera. The quality can range from very poor to honorable.

Stability: While high-end drones benefit from numerous technological assistants to ensure their stability. Products less than 100 dollars do not benefit as much but remain perfectly usable. We must not forget that many are designed for children.

The altitude: A priori, you will not have a problem with civil aviation, these drones do not fly more than a few meters above the ground. This does not exempt you from a minimum of good citizenship and respect for the privacy of your neighbors (In the event of a violation of privacy, you risk up to 1 year of imprisonment and a fine of $45,000). They are toys, but they remain subject to the regulations in force in the public space.

Autonomy:  Unfortunately, these devices, often small in size, are far from enjoying great autonomy. It is even quite the opposite. One charge will often allow you to play with your device for a few minutes in general. It is therefore better to provide backup batteries, if possible.

Top 11 Drones Under $100 – Comparison 

1# Syma X5C X5C-1 2.4G 6 Axis Helicopter: Best Drones Under $100

Product Description

One of the best drones for its value for money. By quickly learning the controls of the device, it’s easy handling, and its stability in flight, the Syma is one of the best drones in its category.

Its mobile camera which allows image capture at a 360°angle and the technologies with which it is equipped gives it undeniable advantages over the competition. However, we regret its autonomy of only about 13 minutes for a range limited to 100 meters.

2# Dragon Touch DF01: Quadcopter Drone with Camera Live Video

Product Description

Dragon Touch DF01 is a WiFi-type quadcopter that costs less than $100. Very close to the DJI Mavic for its compact design, it resists shocks quite well. It is also equipped with an HD camera and a MicroSD port to allow image recordings.

Easy to fly the Dragon Touch DF01 is a fairly stable drone when in the air. Its controls are flexible and the pilot will be able to appreciate the different acrobatics that the drone is capable of doing. Its big downside is its battery which is proprietary (therefore available only from the manufacturer) and whose autonomy is quite limited.

3# SIMREX X300C Child Helicopter Drone

Product Description

A small drone designed for children and beginners. We will greatly appreciate the fact that it has different flight modes such as Headless, Altitude Hold, Flip 360°, or even take off/landing via a button that really allows you to learn the basics of dronautics.

Moreover, its design is ideal for beginners because it resists shocks quite well. In addition, it is quite stable in flight, it is readily recommended for children. However, we regret the fact that it is mainly intended for indoor flight.

4# Tello Quadcopter Drone: Best Drone under 100 with Longest Flight Time

Product Description

Among the mini drones, the Tello is really lightweight. Equipped with advanced technology, this drone is very stable in the air which allows obtaining a very good image and video quality. It is also equipped with standard functions such as an automatic alarm if the drone leaves the scope of the control, Headless or Altitude Hold mode.

We will appreciate the HD quality of its camera which allows you to do FPV in real-time. As well as the ratio of usage time to battery charging time, which is quite good. Its weak point is that it is a bit light to resist strong winds.

5# Cheerwing U12S Mini RC Helicopter: Drone with Camera

Product Description

For its price, the Cheerwing U12S is really a steal. Equipped with the best technologies, this drone has standard functions such as Headless, Altitude Hold, Takeoff/Landing via a button.

The big advantage is also its wide-angle 720P HD camera which allows you to take pretty pictures and also to pilot in FPV via a VR headset. We regret on the other hand a limited range spoils the pleasure of piloting a little.

6# DBPOWER Drone: Best Drone Under $100 with HD Camera

 

Product Description

The U818A model is a particular drone in particular by its design. Indeed one has the impression that there are only the propellers and their protection, so the central “cabin” is reduced. This gives it the advantage of being particularly light and therefore fast and easy to maneuver while remaining stable once in flight.

The camera is of good quality but we regret the absence of live feedback on his Smartphone. Similarly, the battery life is limited to 7 minutes of flight for a recharge time of one and a half hours.

7# Ryze Tello Drone: Best Drones for beginners

Product Description

A real toy with which you will take great pleasure in making it fly. Its advantages are above all its small size, it fits in your hand, but also its stability in flight. Finally, its HD camera allows good video feedback on the smartphone despite a fairly low quality.

The possibility of programming els flight plans is a plus with its low price. Too bad its range is quite limited and the model does not have more flight modes or options.

8# AKASO A31 Drone: Drones Under $100

Description

An ideal drone for beginners. Solid in design, it is easy and fun to ride. Very stable in the air, it will still be necessary to be wary of the winds which can easily carry it because of its lightweight.

The controller is easy to handle and the photos and videos you can take with it are of good quality. However, we regret a certain fragility in the wings where the axis of the engines can come out of their housing.

9# Cheerwing Syma 20: Cheap Drones for Kids

Product Description

6-Axis gyro quad-rotorcraft plane, strong stability, easier to control .; 4CH (4-channel) RC digital proportional system.

This little drone is a real gift for drone lovers. Developed to fly both indoors and outdoors, it has technologies allowing it to take off by being launched by hand. In addition, it is very stable, resistant to the wind, and learning its controls is done quickly.

Finally, its 2 Mpxls HD camera will allow you to take very good quality photos. Only with its low range and low autonomy we can not consider this drone as ideal only for beginners.

10# Hubsan X4: Cheap Drones Amazon

Description

With 720 camera, you can take more clear and delicate photo and video in the sky.

The Hubsan is a very good quality drone compared to the range to which it belongs. Its HD camera is pretty good, both for the photo and the video. The FPV mode is pleasant to use, especially thanks to the stabilizer.

Its 12-minute battery life and range of nearly 200 meters are really the strengths of this model. Its fault, if it is one, is that it is not very noisy. Flights with it will be rather quiet.

11# Parrot-MiniDrone Quadcopter/Airplane Pack

Description

Simple to control and operate, very robust design; Simple to control and operate, very robust design

The drone with a design that comes from elsewhere. Equipped with four polystyrene wings, the Swing is truly an exception on the market. Only this somewhat imposing design prevents the drone from being stable outdoors against the winds. In an ideal condition, however, it remains fairly stable in flight.

In addition, the joystick follows the shape of the hands and allows you to perform figures quite easily. This will compensate for the low autonomy of the drone (especially for the more daredevil pilots) and its limited range, even if the drone remains intended to be piloted indoors or outdoors if the conditions are suitable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: WHERE CAN I FLY MY DRONE?

You should fly it over your private land. The surrounding areas are limited to certain altitudes ranging from 50 to 150 meters. In all cases, it is forbidden to exceed 150 meters in altitude.

Q2: WHAT ARE THE OTHER DRONE PILOTING BANS?

There are some practices you need to follow, such as avoid flying at night, respect the neighborhood’s privacy, keep a safe distance, and prohibit flying over people.

Now that you are comfortable with the legislation in place, you will be able to choose a drone according to your needs and your budget. If this is your first drone, do not hesitate to try a beginner’s model to understand the basics of piloting and then invest in a more efficient drone.

Q3: WHAT DOES THE LAW SAY ABOUT THE USE OF DRONES?

Answer: The European Commission adopted new rules last summer to better regulate the use of drones and prevent abuses. For example, the registration of aircraft over 25 kg is compulsory.

Q4: WHAT ARE THE BASIC RULES TO FOLLOW?

Answer: The pilot should not fly it more than 150 meters, at night and over public space. Moreover, it should be kept away from aerodromes and sensitive sites.

Q5: Are children allowed to use drones?

Answer: The law introduced a training obligation for users of aircraft weighing 800 grams or more. It remains nevertheless recommended for all insofar as it allows us to become familiar with the basic rules. You can follow it via the AlphaTango platform. You must always carry a copy of this certificate with you, which is only valid for 5 years. Please note: remote pilots must be over 14 years old in order to be able to fly these drones.

Q6: Where can I use my drone?

Answer: The law authorizes the use of recreational drones in private spaces, in model aircraft sites as well as in certain public spaces. Theft is strictly prohibited over sensitive or protected sites such as nuclear power stations, military grounds, or even airports. For more information, you can consult the interactive map of the government Geoportal.