Looking to purchase a drone for under $200? A few years back, buying a good drone under $200 would have been hard to find. However, the rapid rise in the popularity of drones has led to more companies entering the drone market and looking to get a slice of this billion-dollar industry.
Of course, this bodes well for us consumers, as not only does it mean drone companies will need to innovate better drones to stay relevant, but more competition will also lower prices!!
There are a lot of good drones that have some fantastic features that you can buy for $200 or less. However, with so many drones to choose from it can get a little exhausting to choose one that suits your needs.
That is why I have put together this list, which has been updated regularly, as there are always new drones being released. On a personal note, my favourite drone under this price range is the DJI Tello, which I believe is one of the best drones for beginners and kids, it’s small, fun to fly, weighs less than 250 grams and you can learn to code with it.
Drones under $200 are very popular, and hence the reason there are new ones being released every month or so. I will try and update this article as much as possible if I believe a drone deserves to be on this list; however, I do advise you to do your own research and see what other drones are available that I may have missed.
Best Drones Under $200
1. Ryzetech Tello
My no.1 pick for drones in this price range is the DJI Tello drone, this fantastic little beast is the best drone under $200, which I believe to be a bargain.DJI is not known to make drones in this price range but after dominating the mid-high price range bracket, they decided it was time to develop a drone that is suitable for kids and beginners. It has an automatic take-off and landing feature and it returns to its flight of origin should you ever lose connection. Flight time is around 10-13 minutes and its video transmission range is around 100m. It’s a great drone for beginners and makes a great gift for any occasion.
Key Features
- Records videos in 720p
- Captures 5MP still images
- Acrobatic manoeuvres
- 13 minutes of flight time
- Electronic image stabilisation
- EZ Shots for quick video creation
- Code your flight modes with Scratch
2. Syma X500
The Syma X500 costs a little over $200 and that is because it comes with an extra battery. This is a nice looking drone with a foldable design and has two LED lights on the front and at the end of each rotor arm. This is a GPS enabled drone that has a good flight time and a decent range and comes with autonomous flight modes. The camera can record videos and images in HD and has a video transmission range of around 300 meters for FPV. The drone also has an optical flow sensor and automatic return to home.
Key Features
- HD camera with 120° FOV
- Records videos in 1080P
- Captures images in 4k
- GPS Automatic return to home
- Autonomous flight modes
- 18 minutes of flight time
3. Contixo F31
The Contixo F31 is a small, lightweight foldable drone that does not require registration with the FAA. This impressive little flying robot comes with an HD camera that captures stunning 4k images and can record 4k videos at 25fps. This GPS-assisted drone has intelligent flight modes such as follow me, circle and waypoint. It also comes with an automatic return-to-home feature which is triggered whenever the battery gets low on charge. The drone has a flight time of 25 minutes and an image transmission range of 300 meters.
Key Features
- HD camera with 90° FOV
- Records 4k video footage (requires SD card)
- Captures HD images
- Dual GNSS receiver
- Intelligent flight modes
- Automatic return to home
- 25 minutes of flight time
- 300-meter FPV range
4. Contixo F22
The Contixo F22 has a nice overall design, it’s a foldable drone that comes with GPS technology and advanced automated flight modes. The drone is equipped with an HD camera that can be remote adjusted and has a wide-angle view. The drone has several advanced features such as automatic follow mode, gesture control for videos and photos and automatic return home. The flight time is around 15 minutes and the maximum transmission range for videos is around 200 meters.
Key Features
- HD camera with 120° FOV
- Adjustable lens
- Records videos in 1080P
- Captures HD images
- GPS automatic return to home feature
- 15 minutes of flight time
- 200-meter range
5. Holy Stone HS710
A feature-rich drone, the Holy Stone HS710 is a foldable drone that has LED lights at the end of each rotor arm which gives it a stunning look if you fly the drone at night. The drone has a 4k camera with 120° FOV, captures HD images in 4k, and records 1080p videos. The drone has powerful brushless motors for impressive flight stability and multiple speed modes and comes with autonomous flight modes. It is a GPS drone that also has an optical flow sensor that allows users to operate the drone indoors. Overall, this is a fantastic little drone that is suitable for beginners and drone enthusiasts.
Key Features
- HD camera with 120°FOV
- Records videos in 1080P
- Captures 4K images
- GPS automatic return home
- Intelligent flight modes
- 25 minutes of flight time
- 300-meter FPV range
6. Potensic T25
The Potensic T25 comes with a 2K camera that has a 120° FOV wide-angle lens and has FPV capability. It has a few smart flying features like follow me mode and one-button take off and return home function. The drone also has dual GPS for more precise hovering and better flight stability. The drone has a range of around 300m and a flight time of 15 minutes and comes with two batteries.
Key Features
- HD camera with 120° FOV
- Records videos in 2K
- Captures HD images
- Adjustable camera angle
- GPS automatic return to home
- 15 minutes of flight time
- 300-meter range
7. Contixo F18
The Holy Stone HS175D is one of the best beginner-friendly drones; it comes with some exceptional features and is fun to fly. This cheap GPS drone has an excellent folding design that makes it easy to store and transport. The drone’s HD camera can capture crisp 4k images and amazing 1080p video footage. The drone has a flight time of 23 minutes (you get two batteries) and a transmission range of 500 meters.
Key features
- HD camera with 110° FOV
- Records videos in 2K
- Captures HD images
- FPV capability
- 23 minutes of flight time
- 500-meter control range
- Intelligent flight modes
8. MJX Bugs B20 EIS
The MJX B20 EIS has the best camera for a drone under $200, this drone actually comes with a camera that can record video footage in 4K at 30fps and capture HD still images in 8MP. The camera is supported by a 1-axis gimbal, this will reduce shakiness and jello effect and make your videos and photos look much better. You can live stream video footage in 720p resolution from a maximum distance of 600 meters. The drone also comes with a GPS module that will allow you to track the drone on your smartphone and fly it hands-free with its autonomous flight modes. The drone comes with autonomous flight modes and has an automatic return home feature.
Key features
- HD camera with 130° FOV
- Records 4K video footage (micro SD card required)
- Captures 4K images
- 1-axis gimbal for stabilisation
- Electronic image stabilisation
- 22 minutes of flight time
- 600-meter range
- GPS automatic return to home
9. ZLL SG906 Pro 2
This is a nice foldable drone that comes with some advanced features. The ZLRC SG906 Pro 2 comes with an HD camera that can record in 2K at 25fps and capture images in HD 4K resolution. The camera is supported by a 3-axis gimbal, the only drone on this list to come with this feature and it also comes with dual GPS modules for a safer and more stable flying experience. Its GPS system allows for the drone to fly in several autonomous flight modes and also comes with an automatic return to home feature. It has one of the best flight times for a drone that costs less than $200 and is compatible with VR headsets for a more immersive flying experience.
Key features
- HD camera with 110° FOV
- Records videos in 2K
- Captures images in 4K
- 3-axis gimbal for stabilisation
- 24 minutes of flight time
- Intelligent flight modes
- Automatic return to home
- 800-meter range
10. Potensic D58
The Potensic D58 is a lightweight drone that comes with some impressive features. The drone is equipped with an HD camera that can record and capture some nice videos and photos. The camera angle can be adjusted for better viewing angles and it has FPV capability. The drone also comes with GPS assisted autonomous flight modes and automatic return to home function. It has a flight time of 16 minutes and has a range of around 100 meters.
Key features
- HD camera with 120° FOV
- Adjustable lens
- Records videos in HD
- Captures 2K images
- GPS return to home
- Intelligent flight modes
- 16 minutes of flight time
What Is The Best Drone Under $200 For Photography?
If you are looking to capture aerial photography for commercial reasons, there is no drone under $200 that is good enough for this purpose. To capture good images, a drone camera needs to come with a decent-sized image sensor and a 3-axis gimbal, drones under $200 are classed as toy-grade drones, and although many do come with advanced features, they are mostly used to play around with. However, the cheapest drones that you could use for professional photography are the DJI Mini SE, which costs under $300 and the DJI Mini 2, which costs under $400.
Best Drone Under $200 With A Gimbal
There are a few drones on this list that come with a gimbal for camera stabilisation; however, there is only one that comes with a 3-axis gimbal, and that is ZZL SG906 Pro 2 drone. It’s a good drone with some good features but it is only available on Banggood, so it could take a while to be delivered if you love the USA, UK or Canada. Plus these low-cost drones sometimes have issues that are not quickly resolved because the customer service isn’t always the best. However, if you want a good cheap drone with a 3-axis gimbal and a good camera, the best option is the DJI Mini SE.
FAA Rules & Regulations For Recreational Use
In the United States, the FAA has established rules for recreational drone use. Here are some general guidelines for recreational drone pilots:
Register your drone: Drones weighing between 0.55 lbs (250 grams) and 55 lbs (25 kg) must be registered with the FAA. Upon registration, you will receive a unique identification number that must be displayed on your drone.
Fly below 400 feet: Recreational drones are generally restricted to flying below 400 feet above ground level (AGL).
Keep your drone within line of sight: You must always maintain a visual line-of-sight with your drone to ensure safe operation.
Avoid restricted airspace: Do not fly in controlled airspace without proper authorization. Use tools like the FAA’s B4UFLY app to check the airspace in your area.
Do not fly near airports.
Yield to manned aircraft: Always give way to manned aircraft and avoid interfering with their operations.
You cannot fly over people or moving vehicles: Avoid flying your drone over people, moving vehicles, or private property without permission.
Avoid flying in hazardous conditions: Do not fly in bad weather or high winds that could impair your control over the drone.
Follow local laws and regulations: Some states or municipalities may have additional rules and restrictions for drone use. Make sure to familiarize yourself with these before flying.
Do not fly under the influence: Just like driving, do not operate a drone while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
These rules are subject to change, so it’s essential to stay updated on the latest regulations by checking the FAA’s website or your country’s aviation authority.
If you are completely new to drones, you will need to pass the new TRUST exam with the FAA, this is a new rule that will test your knowledge of important safety rules with regards to operating drones. Click here for more details on the USA drone laws.
