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10 Best Drones Under 500 2025 in the United States
#1
Winner
DJI Mini 3 Fly More Combo (DJI RC), Drones with Camera for Adults 4K, 3 Batteries for 114-min Flight Time, Vertical Shooting, 32800ft (10km) Video Transmission, Lightweight Mini Drone for Beginners
The DJI Mini 3 Fly More Combo drone is a solid choice for those seeking a feature-packed drone under $500. With its 4K UHD camera, you can capture stunning aerial shots and videos that stand out for their clarity and detail, even in low light conditions. The drone's vertical shooting mode is great for social media enthusiasts who want to share tall landmarks directly to platforms like Instagram or TikTok.
Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,418
Camera Quality
Flight Time
Range
Most important from
4829 reviews
#2
DJI Mini 4K, Drone with 4K UHD Camera for Adults, Under 249 g, 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilization, 10km Video Transmission, Auto Return, Wind Resistance, 1 Battery for 31-Min Max Flight Time, Intelligent Flight
The DJI Mini 4K is an excellent choice for beginners looking to explore the world of drones without the need for FAA registration, thanks to its lightweight design under 249 grams. One of the standout features of this drone is its 4K UHD camera paired with a 3-axis gimbal, which ensures smooth and stable footage, making it perfect for capturing stunning landscapes or events in high resolution. With a maximum flight time of 31 minutes and a range of up to 10 kilometers, it offers plenty of opportunity for exploration and creativity.
Rating
9.8
Camera Quality
Flight Time
Range
Most important from
17651 reviews
#3
DJI Mini 4 Pro (DJI RC 2), Drones with Camera for Adults 4K, Under 0.549 lbs/249 g, 34 Mins Flight Time, 20km Max Video Transmission Distance, Omnidirectional Vision Sensing, Mini Drone for Beginners
The DJI Mini 4 Pro is a standout choice for those seeking a lightweight drone (under 250g) that doesn’t require registration for most casual uses, making it very convenient for beginners and travelers. Its camera quality is impressive for the price, offering 4K video at 60fps with HDR and a 48MP photo resolution, which means you can capture sharp and vibrant aerial footage without much need for editing. Flight time is strong at around 34 minutes per battery charge, allowing for extended flying sessions. The maximum video transmission range of 20 kilometers is excellent, giving you a wide scope to explore and capture distant scenes.
Rating
9.6
Camera Quality
Flight Time
Range
Most important from
5937 reviews
Top 10 Best Drones Under 500 2025 in the United States
#1
Winner
DJI Mini 3 Fly More Combo (DJI RC), Drones with Camera for Adults 4K, 3 Batteries for 114-min Flight Time, Vertical Shooting, 32800ft (10km) Video Transmission, Lightweight Mini Drone for Beginners
DJI Mini 3 Fly More Combo (DJI RC), Drones with Camera for Adults 4K, 3 Batteries for 114-min Flight Time, Vertical Shooting, 32800ft (10km) Video Transmission, Lightweight Mini Drone for Beginners
Camera Quality: 48 MP, 4K UHD
Flight Time: 114 min, 51 min per battery
Range: 10 km
Stability and GPS: 3-axis gimbal, wind resistance, GPS
Ease of Use: auto takeoff/landing, precise hovering
Build Quality and Durability: decent, less durable in crashes
Chosen by 1418 this week
DJI Mini 4K, Drone with 4K UHD Camera for Adults, Under 249 g, 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilization, 10km Video Transmission, Auto Return, Wind Resistance, 1 Battery for 31-Min Max Flight Time, Intelligent Flight
DJI Mini 4K, Drone with 4K UHD Camera for Adults, Under 249 g, 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilization, 10km Video Transmission, Auto Return, Wind Resistance, 1 Battery for 31-Min Max Flight Time, Intelligent Flight
Camera Quality: 4K UHD, 12 MP
Flight Time: 31 minutes
Range: 10 kilometers
Stability and GPS: Level 5 wind resistance, 3-axis gimbal
Ease of Use: QuickShots, Auto-Landing, Auto Return
Build Quality and Durability: Lightweight composite, under 249 grams
DJI Mini 4 Pro (DJI RC 2), Drones with Camera for Adults 4K, Under 0.549 lbs/249 g, 34 Mins Flight Time, 20km Max Video Transmission Distance, Omnidirectional Vision Sensing, Mini Drone for Beginners
DJI Mini 4 Pro (DJI RC 2), Drones with Camera for Adults 4K, Under 0.549 lbs/249 g, 34 Mins Flight Time, 20km Max Video Transmission Distance, Omnidirectional Vision Sensing, Mini Drone for Beginners
Camera Quality: 4K 60fps HDR video, 48MP photos
Flight Time: 34 minutes
Range: 20 kilometers
Stability and GPS: Omnidirectional obstacle sensing
Ease of Use: DJI RC 2 remote, bright screen
Build Quality and Durability: Solid and compact
DJI Flip With RC 2 Screen Remote Controller, Follow Me Drone With 4K UHD Camera for Adults, Under 249 g, 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilization, 44000ft/13km Video Transmission, Palm Takeoff, 31-Min Flight Time
DJI Flip With RC 2 Screen Remote Controller, Follow Me Drone With 4K UHD Camera for Adults, Under 249 g, 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilization, 44000ft/13km Video Transmission, Palm Takeoff, 31-Min Flight Time
Camera Quality: 4K UHD, 1/1.3-inch sensor, 48 MP
Flight Time: Up to 31 minutes
Range: Up to 13 km (8 miles)
Stability and GPS: 3-axis gimbal, AI tracking, Follow Me
Ease of Use: RC 2 remote, built-in screen, auto modes
Build Quality and Durability: Carbon fiber guards, portable folding design
DJI Neo, Mini Drone with 4K UHD Camera for Adults, 135g Self Flying Drone that Follows You, Palm Takeoff, Subject Tracking, QuickShots, Stabilized Video, Built-In Propeller Guard (Controller-Free)
DJI Neo, Mini Drone with 4K UHD Camera for Adults, 135g Self Flying Drone that Follows You, Palm Takeoff, Subject Tracking, QuickShots, Stabilized Video, Built-In Propeller Guard (Controller-Free)
Camera Quality: 4K UHD, 12 MP
Range: 10 Kilometers
Stability and GPS: 4K Ultra-Stabilized Video
Ease of Use: Palm Takeoff, App Control, Voice Control
Build Quality and Durability: Lightweight, Propeller Guards
Related Products
Up to 27% off
Potensic Atom 2 Drone with Camera for Adults 4K HDR Video, 8K Photo, Under 249g, 3-Axis Gimbal, 10KM Transmission, AI Track, Vertical Shooting, AI Night Shot, QuickShots, Standard Kit (32-Min Flight)
Potensic Atom 2 Drone with Camera for Adults 4K HDR Video, 8K Photo, Under 249g, 3-Axis Gimbal, 10KM Transmission, AI Track, Vertical Shooting, AI Night Shot, QuickShots, Standard Kit (32-Min Flight)
Camera Quality: 48MP Sony sensor, 4K HDR video
Flight Time: up to 32 minutes
Range: 10 kilometers
Stability and GPS: GPS, GNSS, auto takeoff/landing
Ease of Use: under 249g, no registration, 1080p feed
Build Quality and Durability: compact, lightweight, decent for price
DJI Air 3S (RC-N3), Drone with Camera 4K, Dual-Camera Drone with 1" CMOS Wide-Angle Camera, 4K/60fps HDR Video & 14 Stops of Dynamic Range, 45-Min Max Flight Time, 20km Transmission Range
DJI Air 3S (RC-N3), Drone with Camera 4K, Dual-Camera Drone with 1" CMOS Wide-Angle Camera, 4K/60fps HDR Video & 14 Stops of Dynamic Range, 45-Min Max Flight Time, 20km Transmission Range
Camera Quality: 1" CMOS, 48MP, 4K/60fps HDR
Flight Time: 45 minutes
Range: 20 km
Stability and GPS: Obstacle sensing, LiDAR, smart return
Ease of Use: DJI RC-N3, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
Build Quality and Durability: Solid, lightweight, 724 grams
Holy Stone GPS Drone with 4K UHD Camera for Adults Beginner; HS360S 249g Foldable FPV RC Quadcopter with 10000 Feet Control Range, Brushless Motor, Follow Me, Smart Return Home, 5G Transmission
Holy Stone GPS Drone with 4K UHD Camera for Adults Beginner; HS360S 249g Foldable FPV RC Quadcopter with 10000 Feet Control Range, Brushless Motor, Follow Me, Smart Return Home, 5G Transmission
Camera Quality: 4K UHD
Flight Time: 20 minutes
Range: 10,000 feet
Stability and GPS: GPS, smart return home
Ease of Use: Intelligent flight modes
Build Quality and Durability: Plastic materials
DJI Avata 2 (Drone Only), FPV Drone with Camera 4K, Immersive Flight Experience, Built-in Propeller Guard, Easy Flip/Roll, Super-Wide 155° FOV, Compatible with RC Motion 3, FAA Remote ID Compliant
DJI Avata 2 (Drone Only), FPV Drone with Camera 4K, Immersive Flight Experience, Built-in Propeller Guard, Easy Flip/Roll, Super-Wide 155° FOV, Compatible with RC Motion 3, FAA Remote ID Compliant
Camera Quality: 4K, 12 MP, 1/1.3-inch sensor, 155° FOV
Stability and GPS: RockSteady, HorizonSteady stabilization
Ease of Use: intuitive motion control
Build Quality and Durability: built-in propeller guards, robust build
#10
GPS Drone with Camera 4K, Under 249g, 45 Mins Flight, Brushless Motor, Light, Auto Follow, Tap Fly & Circle Fly, One Key Start, Foldable Drone for Adults Beginners
GPS Drone with Camera 4K, Under 249g, 45 Mins Flight, Brushless Motor, Light, Auto Follow, Tap Fly & Circle Fly, One Key Start, Foldable Drone for Adults Beginners
Camera Quality: 4K, anti-shake, wide-angle, max 2048x1088P
Flight Time: 45 minutes
Range: 5G WiFi 1000ft, control 1640ft
Stability and GPS: GPS, auto return, follow-me, brushless motors
Ease of Use: Beginner-friendly, smart GPS, lightweight, foldable
Build Quality and Durability: Solid build, not rugged, needs care
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Buying Guide for the Best Drones Under 500
When choosing a drone under $500, it's important to consider what you plan to use it for. Whether you're interested in aerial photography, racing, or just casual flying, understanding the key specifications will help you make an informed decision. Here are some key specs to consider and how to navigate them to find the best fit for your needs.Camera QualityCamera quality is crucial if you plan to use your drone for photography or videography. It determines the resolution and clarity of the images and videos you capture. Camera quality is often measured in megapixels (MP) for photos and resolution (e.g., 1080p, 4K) for videos. For casual use, a camera with 1080p resolution and around 12MP is sufficient. If you want higher quality images and videos, look for drones with 4K resolution and 20MP or higher. Your choice should depend on how important image quality is for your intended use.
Flight TimeFlight time refers to how long the drone can stay in the air on a single battery charge. This is important because it affects how much you can do in one flight session. Flight times for drones under $500 typically range from 10 to 30 minutes. If you plan to use the drone for extended photography sessions or exploring larger areas, look for a drone with a longer flight time, ideally closer to 30 minutes. For casual flying or short bursts of activity, a shorter flight time may be acceptable.
RangeRange is the maximum distance the drone can travel from the controller while maintaining a stable connection. This is important for both safety and functionality, especially if you plan to fly the drone over large areas. Drones under $500 usually have a range between 100 meters to 1 kilometer. If you need to cover more ground or fly in open spaces, opt for a drone with a longer range. For backyard flying or close-range activities, a shorter range will suffice.
Stability and GPSStability and GPS features help keep the drone steady and allow for precise navigation. Stability is often enhanced by features like altitude hold, which maintains the drone's height, and GPS, which provides accurate positioning and can enable features like return-to-home. These features are particularly important for photography and videography, as they help in capturing smooth and stable footage. If you are a beginner or plan to use the drone for professional purposes, prioritize drones with good stability and GPS capabilities. For casual flying, these features are less critical but still beneficial.
Ease of UseEase of use encompasses how user-friendly the drone is, including the complexity of its controls and the availability of features like one-key takeoff/landing, headless mode, and obstacle avoidance. These features make it easier for beginners to operate the drone without extensive training. If you are new to flying drones, look for models that emphasize ease of use with intuitive controls and beginner-friendly features. Experienced users might prioritize more advanced features and manual control options.
Build Quality and DurabilityBuild quality and durability refer to how well the drone is constructed and its ability to withstand crashes and rough handling. This is important for the longevity of the drone, especially if you are a beginner who might experience more crashes. Drones made with high-quality materials and robust construction are more likely to survive impacts. If you plan to use the drone frequently or in challenging environments, prioritize models known for their durability. For occasional use in controlled environments, build quality might be less of a concern.