5 Best Drones Under $300 (Updated For 2023)

Are you searching for the best drones under $300? With budget-friendly drones being released regularly, pinpointing the ideal drone that offers both affordability and quality can be a daunting task. But worry not – we’re here to simplify the process for you! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the best 5 drones available for under $300, catering to both novices and seasoned drone enthusiasts alike. We’ll break down their features, specifications, and price points to help you identify the perfect drone that aligns with your budget and requirements.

What Are The Best Drones Under $300?

While updating this article, I noticed a change in the drone landscape. The DJI Mini SE, which was once my top pick for the best drone under $300, has unfortunately seen a price increase, pushing it just above our budget threshold. It’s a pity, as it remains one of DJI’s most budget-friendly and feature-rich offerings. However, the crown for the best drone under $300 now goes to the Potensic Atom SE. Not only does it boast many of the admirable features found in the DJI Mini SE, but it also introduces some notable upgrades. These include a stunning 4K camera and an autonomous flight mode, features that the DJI Mini SE doesn’t offer.

5 Best Drones Under 300 Dollars

1. Potensic Atom SE

The Potensic ATOM SE is a versatile drone suitable for both beginners and experienced users. It’s equipped with a 4K camera that captures high-quality videos and photos, supported by a 2-axis gimbal and electronic image stabilisation for smoother footage. Weighing less than 249g, it’s lightweight for easy transport and does not require registration with the FAA. A notable feature is its 31-minute flight time, which is impressive for its price point.

The drone also supports a 4km FPV transmission range, although regulations will require you to keep the drone in your line of sight. Its intelligent flight modes, such as follow me, orbit, and waypoint, enhance the flying experience. With a top speed of 16m/s and an auto return safety feature, it’s both fun and safe to operate. Overall, the Potensic ATOM SE offers a great combination of camera quality, flight time, FPV capabilities, and user-friendly features, making it a top choice for those seeking a drone under $300.

Key Features

• Flight time : The Potensic Atom SE has a remarkable flight time of up to 31 minutes and comes with an extra battery.
• 4K EIS Camera : Fantastic camera with a wide-angle FOV, captures 12MP still images in RAW and JEPG formats and records 4K videos at 30fps.
• 4km video transmission range : Experience real-time First Person View (FPV) with a transmission distance reaching 4km.
• Auto return to home function : With its auto-return capability, the drone safely navigates back to its launch point at a single command, minimising the risks of misplacement.
• Compact and lightweight : Its foldable architecture, combined with its lightweight nature, ensures hassle-free transportation, eliminating the need for FAA registration.
• Level-5 wind resistance : The Atom SE remains stable even when faced with gusts, courtesy of its Level-5 wind resistance and sophisticated flight mechanisms.
• Dynamic Tracking and Cinematic Modes : Activate the Follow Me feature for the drone to mirror your path, or switch to Circle Mode for sweeping shots centred on a focal point.

Pros & Cons

2. Holy Stone HS700E

The Holy Stone HS720E is one of my favourite drones from Holy Stone and stands out as one of the best drones under $300. Even though it’s been on the market for a few years, it continues to be a top choice for both beginners and drone enthusiasts. Designed with adults and novices in mind, this GPS drone is equipped with a 4K EIS Anti-Shake Camera and integrated GPS technology. Its sleek, foldable design not only gives it a modern aesthetic but also ensures convenience during transportation and storage. Features like Image Stabilisation and One Button Return enhance its user-friendliness and flight stability. The drone can record 4K videos and images, and its EIS technology ensures smooth video footage and crisp photos. Powered by a lipo battery, it has a flight time of approximately 23 minutes. With a control range of up to 1km and a video transmission distance of 500 meters, intelligent flight modes such as follow me, tap fly, and point of interest further elevate the flying experience.

Key Features

• 4K EIS Camera: Captures smooth, high-quality videos and photos, minimising shaky footage with Electronic Image Stabilisation.
• One-Touch Return: Enables the drone to auto-return to its launch point at the push of a button.
• Extended Flight Time: Two batteries provide a combined flight duration of up to 46 minutes.
• Efficient Brushless Motors: Offers longevity and efficiency over traditional brushed motors.
• Intelligent Flight Modes: Features like Follow Me and Smart Return Home enhance the flying experience.
• Video transmission range: Comes with an FPV range of 500 meters.

Pros & Cons

3. Holy Stone 700E

The Holy Stone HS700E Drone stands out as one of the best drones under $300, showcasing a blend of advanced features that make it suitable for beginners. Holy Stone has built a reputation for delivering high-quality drones at an affordable price, and the HS700E is no exception. Its 4K UHD camera, with a 130-degree field of view and electronic image stabilisation, ensures top-notch video and photo captures.

The drone’s integrated GPS system simplifies flying with smart flight modes such as follow me, tap fly and point of interest. Its long-distance control and 5GHz FPV transmission guarantee stable flights, while the brushless motor improves flight operation. With a good flight of 23 minutes and an FPV range of up to 1640 feet, its performance is impressive for its price bracket.

Key Features

• 4K Camera: The drone features an HD camera with a 130°FOV. It can record videos in 4K resolution onto a microSD card and 1080p on a mobile device.
• EIS: The camera has electronic image stabilisation that reduces distortion in images and videos
• Flight Time: The drone offers a flight time of 23 minutes, which is pretty good.
• Transmission range: The First Person View (FPV) range is 500m, allowing you to see live footage from the drone’s camera at a considerable distance.
• Intelligent flight modes: The Holy Stone HS700E comes with intelligent flight modes such as follow me, circle flight and tap fly that will make the flying experience more enjoyable.
• GPS Return to Home: The GPS-assisted return to home function will minimise the risk of losing the drone.

Pros & Cons

4. Ryze Tech Tello Drone

One of my all-time favourite drones, the Ryze Tech Tello drone, remains one of the best budget-friendly drones on the market.

Developed with beginners in mind, this compact drone has a 5MP camera that can shoot 720p HD videos. The electronic image stabilisation ensures that users can capture clear, blur-free aerial footage. On a full charge, the Tello offers a decent flight time of up to 13 minutes and has a transmission range of approximately 100 meters. DJI’s renowned flight technology is embedded within the Tello, ensuring remarkable stability, which is particularly beneficial for those new to drone piloting. Features like auto takeoff/landing and failsafe protection further enhance its user-friendly nature.

To truly get the full potential of the Tello drone, users are advised to opt for the third-party Tello FPV app over the official Tello app. This third-party application is known for its stability and offers many advanced features. These include intelligent flight modes, enhanced flight data, panorama photography, and advanced video options, making the flying experience fun and more immersive.

The Tello offers more than just flight capabilities; it’s a gateway to learning. Thanks to its integration with Scratch, an intuitive programming language developed by MIT, users can dive into the basics of coding. This hands-on approach allows beginners to understand coding principles and program their drone’s flight patterns and behaviours, making learning both engaging and practical.

Key Features

• Camera: Equipped with a 5MP camera that can shoot 720p HD videos and has electronic image stabilisation, ensuring clear aerial footage.
• Flight Time: Offers up to 13 minutes of flight on a full charge.
• Range: Has a transmission distance of approximately 100 meters.
• Stability: Integrated with DJI’s flight technology for enhanced stability, especially beneficial for beginners.
• User-Friendly Controls: Features like auto takeoff/landing and failsafe protection simplify the flying experience.
• Educational Value: Compatible with Scratch, an MIT visual programming language, allows users to learn coding basics and program the drone’s flight patterns.
• Third-Party App Compatibility: This can be paired with the Tello FPV app for advanced flight modes, panorama photography, and enhanced flight data.

Below is some footage from the Tello drone that was captured using the Tello FPV App.

Pros & Cons

5. Ruko F11 Pro

The Ruko F11 is a drone that, despite being on the market for a few years, continues to hold its own as one of the best value options in its price bracket. Its compact, foldable nature ensures ease of transportation, but it does come with a bulkier design—a feature I’m not particularly fond of. Nonetheless, its robust features and performance might just outweigh any aesthetic reservations for many users.

Beyond its design, the Ruko F11 Pro shines in performance. It comes with an impressive flight time of 30 minutes, ensuring users have ample time to capture their desired shots or simply enjoy the flying experience.

As for the camera, while it may not be as impressive as the other cameras on this list, users can still capture some decent quality 4K photos and record HD videos in 2.9k. However, it must be noted that it does not come with a gimbal or electronic image stabilisation, so that quality will be affected, especially in windy conditions. Like the other drones on this list, the Ruko F11 Pro is equipped with intelligent flight modes, enhancing its usability.

These include follow me, tap fly and point of interest; the drone also comes with a fun feature that allows users to capture videos and photos through hand gestures. It also has a return-to-home function that is activated automatically whenever the drone loses connection or when the battery level is low.

Overall, the Ruko F11 Pro is a decent drone in its price range, but there are better options available.

Key Features

• 4K UHD Camera: Captures high-resolution 4K photos and 2.9k videos.
• Long Flight Time: The drone battery provides 30 minutes of flight time
• GPS Auto Return: Returns to takeoff point if the signal is lost or the battery gets low.
• Brushless Motors: Offers efficient, durable, and smooth operation.
• Multiple speed adjustment: Customisable for both beginners and experts.
• Intelligent features: One-button return, auto-landing, and autonomous flight modes.
• Video transmission range: 500 meters

Pros & Cons

Do You Need To Register These Drones?

Drones that weigh over 250g are required to be registered with the FAA. However, it’s not just about the weight of the drone. All new drone pilots, even those flying for recreational purposes, are now required to pass The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST). This test can be taken online and is administered by an FAA-approved third-party organisation. Successfully passing the TRUST exam demonstrates that the pilot understands the fundamental safety guidelines and regulatory information related to drone operation.

Do These Drones Have Remote ID?

From September 16, 2023, the FAA will implement Remote ID requirements for drones, which would provide identification information of drones in flight as well as the location of their control stations or takeoff points. To see which drones on this list comply with remote ID requirements, click here.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, while the aforementioned drones are not an exhaustive list of options available under $300, they represent some of the best in this price range. Among them, the Potensic Atom SE stands out as the definitive best drone under $300. Its features and performance offer exceptional value, making it a top choice for both beginners and seasoned drone enthusiasts.