Finding a good drone for a great price can be difficult. Understanding which model is better for your goals with so many options available also can be challenging. But I’ve got good news for you! You can find an excellent drone for quite an affordable price. You just need to know what to look for.
Hello, fellow drone enthusiasts! My name is Lavelle and I am a drone pilot and a long-time drone enthusiast. For more than ten years now, I have been flying my drones for recreational and commercial purposes and I’ve come across many quality drones for a budget price.
In this article, I will go over some of the things you might consider when looking for a drone on a budget. Additionally, I will share with you my list of the best drones that I’ve found for under $150. I will also cover a few frequently asked questions.
Contents
Key Takeaways
- Consider drones with good camera systems if photography is a priority for you.
- The Holy Stone HS110D is the best overall drone on my list as it provides the most comprehensive package of affordability and features.
- Intelligent features are often the deciding factor between drones under $150.
Yes, there are many apps to choose from depending on which drone you have. All the drones on this list have available apps to enhance your flying experience.
Do all drones have to be registered with the FAA?
If your drone weighs more than 250 grams, then it must be registered with the FAA. Also, if your drone is used for commercial purposes, regardless of the weight, it must be registered.
Why should I buy a budget drone?
The drones in this budget range offer great features, good camera quality, and some nice advanced modes such as voice control and gesture shooting. For beginning drone users, these drones are easy to operate and fun to use.
What Makes The Best Drone Under $150
Drones have quickly become one of the most popular pastime activities for many people. However, many people don’t realize that you can find a good drone for less than $150. When considering drones in this price range, here are some of the things you should look for.
- Flight Time: Drones in this category can still give you a great flying experience. One of the things that allow you to enjoy your drone the most, is to be able to keep it in the air for a lengthy period. Having a good flight time is one of the key things to look for in a good-budget drone.
- Battery Life: The stronger your battery is, the longer a single charge will last. This directly correlates to your flight time. You want to look for a drone that has excellent battery life so you can spend less time charging batteries and more time having fun!
- Camera Quality: When flying, most users enjoy capturing images and video. Camera and video quality are essential parts of a good drone. Look for drones that have a high-definition resolution or better. In many instances, you can find a good drone for under $150 that houses at least a 4K camera.
- Intelligent Features: Lastly, you want to look for drones that have some nice intelligent features. These features enhance your flying experience and in many cases, they also offer some safety measures to help protect you, your drone, and others.
The 5 Best Drones Under $150
Let’s get to the nitty gritty part of this article! Here is a list of the best drones that I’ve found for less than $150.
1. Holy Stone HS110D Drone (Best Overall)
- Camera: 1080p high-definition resolution
- Video: Live video feed
- Flight Time: 20-minutes
- Intelligent Features: Voice Control, Gesture Control, Altitude Hold, Headless Mode, 3D Flip
The best overall choice on my list is the Holy Stone HS110D drone. This drone offers an excellent HD (1080p) camera that takes great images. The drone is steady in the air and produces great video, and live feeds as well.
It has some notable intelligent features to enhance your flying experience. The voice control, gesture control, altitude hold headless mode, and 3D flip are all great features to enjoy. With all these features, you can focus on your objects without having to worry about the drone’s orientation.
It also has a respectable 20 minutes of flying time which gives you enough time to capture some great images, do some tricks, and go live for a while, all before having to land and replace or recharge the battery.
This drone does not have a GPS mode, which causes me some concern since it is possible to lose connection with the drone, allowing it to fly away.
My Verdict: Holy Stone is an excellent brand and this particular model is a great overall choice for less than $150. It has all the kinds of features that give you a great flying experience and it’s a durable drone.
2. DEERC Camera Drone (Best Versatility)
- Camera: 2K ultra high definition
- Video: Live video feed
- Flight Time: 24-minutes
- Intelligent Features: 120° Wide Angle, Altitude Hold, Headless Mode, Gesture Selfie, Waypoints
The number two choice on my list is the DEERC Camera Drone. This is the most versatile drone on my list. It has a host of nice features and excellent flight time.
The 2K ultra high-definition camera allows you to take some excellent images. The drone is made of quality material and is quite durable. The images come out clear and crisp and the live video feed is also produced in high quality.
Much like the HS110D, this drone offers a nice intelligent feature package. The 120-degree wide-angle lens allows you to capture nice shots, while the altitude hold, headless mode, gesture mode, and waypoints mode allow you to have confidence in the drone.
The 24 minutes of flight time is excellent, offering the longest single battery charge of all the drones on this list.
Much like the previous drone, the DEERC does not have a GPS mode which may allow the drone to fly away if it loses connection with the controller.
My Verdict: This is a solid number two choice. The drone is a good product. It is durable and stable in the air. I am a little concerned that some of the reviews indicate that the battery life may not last as long as it is listed to do.
3. Tomzon D25 Drone (Best Value)
- Camera: 4K ultra high-definition resolution
- Video: Live video feed
- Flight Time: 24-minutes
- Intelligent Features: Optical Flow Positioning, Headless Mode, Hand Gesture Photographing, 3D Flips
Next on my list is the Tomzon D25. This drone is another good value and offers an excellent camera system. With a 4K resolution and the live video feed option, this is one of the best cameras you will find on a drone for less than $150.
The intelligent feature package on this drone is also notable. This is the only drone on my list with Optical Flow Positioning, which is noteworthy. The headless mode, gesture mode, photography mode, and 3D flip mode are all comparable to the other drones.
Flight time is impressive with this drone as well, as it ties the DEERC Camera Drone for the longest air time.
The main concern is that, according to user reviews, its battery does not last as long as it is supposed to. The 24-minute listed battery life is not long, to begin with, and if it doesn’t last that long, then that raises questions about the drone’s overall productivity.
My Verdict: For the price, this drone gives you quite a bit to enjoy. The camera system alone makes it stand out from the others. My biggest concern is that some user feedback indicates that the drone may not withstand winds too well.
4. DEERC D20 Mini Drone (Best Mini)
- Camera: 720p high-definition resolution
- Video: Live video feed
- Flight Time: 20-minutes
- Intelligent Features: Altitude Hold, Headless Mode, One Key Start Speed Adjustment, 3D Flips
When it comes to mini drones under the $150 mark, the DEERC D20 is a great buy. It offers a decent high-definition camera and comes with a live video feature. It also has intelligent features that rival the others on the list with the addition of the one-key launch mode.
The flight time is decent as well. The 20 minutes of flight time is enough to enjoy some time in the air.
This mini drone has a few impressive features that include an onboard microphone and the ability to answer phone calls with the drone. It also allows you to stream FM radio using the onboard Bluetooth.
The only drawback with this drone is that there is no remote controller and no available flight apps. While it is easy to operate, it is somewhat limited without these options.
My Verdict: For a mini drone in this price range, this is a good drone. Beginners and kids find this drone to be very easy to operate. I’m not a big fan of the 720p camera resolution, however, it is usable.
5. Holy Stone HS440 Drone (Best Video)
- Camera: 1080p high-definition resolution
- Video: Live video feed
- Flight Time: 20-minutes
- Intelligent Features: Gyroscopic stabilization, Emergency Stop, Headless Mode, and Altitude Hold
The last choice on my list is the Holy Stone HS440. This drone has a nice high-definition camera system and like the others, it has a live video feed option.
The thing that stands out about this drone is the stabilization feature. The gyroscopic stabilization feature makes this drone extremely stable in the air, allowing you to take exceptionally clear video. The other intelligent features include the ability to stop in an emergency, the headless mode, and the altitude hold mode.
It also has a respectable 20-minute flight time which is comparable to the others on this list. Overall, video stabilization is the best feature of this drone.
My biggest concern is that there are no propeller guards with this drone. Since it is geared toward kids or beginner users, the propeller guards would be a nice safety feature.
My Verdict: This is a good drone. It is, in many ways, similar to the other drones on this list, and the addition of the stability factor makes it a nice choice. There are some feedback reports of the drone not holding its position in the air.
Final Thoughts
There are many good options for drones under $150. If you’re looking to enter the drone hobby field and you don’t want to break the bank, these are some nice drones to consider. When deciding on what to buy, give some priority to the camera, intelligent features, and flight time.
If photography or videography is a priority for you, the camera systems on the drones on this list offer some good value.
Would you like to share your thoughts on these drones? I’d love to hear from you! If you have questions, leave them here as well and I’ll respond as soon as I can.
Until next time, enjoy flying and be safe!
