7 Cheap Drones With Obstacle Avoidance

The world of drones has seen rapid advancements in recent years, particularly in the realm of safety features. Obstacle avoidance technology has emerged as a key component for ensuring smooth and secure flights, minimising the risk of crashes and damage, and allowing pilots to execute more complex manoeuvres with ease. As drone technology becomes more widespread and competition among manufacturers increases, drones with obstacle avoidance features are becoming cheaper. This blog post aims to guide readers on the best cheap drones with obstacle avoidance capabilities currently available on the market.

What To Look For In a Cheap Drone With Obstacle Avoidance.

When searching for a cheap drone with obstacle avoidance, it’s important to set a budget that considers the balance between price and the features you desire. Keep in mind that although drones with obstacle avoidance have become more accessible, they still carry a higher price tag compared to entry-level drones without these features.

Flight performance is a crucial factor when choosing a drone. Pay attention to the drone’s stability, speed, flight time and wind resistance to ensure it meets your requirements.

Camera quality is another key consideration for many drone enthusiasts, particularly for those interested in aerial photography or videography. All the drones on this list come equipped with high-end cameras that are suitable for professional photography. Consider the resolution, frame rate, and image stabilisation capabilities of the drone’s camera when making your decision.

Are There Cheap Drones With Obstacle Avoidance?

At present, drones with obstacle avoidance features are still relatively expensive compared to entry-level models. However, as technology advances and competition among manufacturers continues to grow, prices are expected to decrease over time.

It’s important to note that the term “cheap” in this context is relative. The most affordable drones with obstacle avoidance technology currently range from $600 to $1000. While this may not be considered “cheap” by some, these models offer the best value for those seeking drones with obstacle avoidance capabilities at a lower price point.

As the drone industry evolves and technology becomes more accessible, it’s likely that the cost of drones with obstacle avoidance features will decrease in the future. This will open up more opportunities for enthusiasts and professionals alike to experience the benefits of this advanced technology without breaking the bank.

7 Cheap Drones With Obstacle Avoidance

1. DJI Air 2s

The DJI Air 2S takes the crown as the No. 1 cheap drone with advanced obstacle avoidance, making it a dream come true for aerial photography and videography enthusiasts. Packed with professional-level features in a compact and portable design, this drone is an impressive upgrade from its predecessor, the DJI Mavic Air 2.

With the Air 2S, you can capture stunning 20MP photos and 5.4K videos at 30fps, thanks to its 1-inch CMOS sensor. The camera also handles 4K videos at 60fps and slow-motion 1080p videos at 120fps. Plus, the 3-axis gimbal ensures your footage is smooth and stable, while the 10-bit Dlog-M colour profile gives you plenty of creative freedom during editing. The Air 2 has a flight time of up to 31 minutes; you’ll have loads of time to get those perfect shots.

What sets the Air 2S apart is its impressive APAS (Advanced Pilot Assistance Systems) 4.0 obstacle avoidance system. With sensors that help the drone detect and avoid obstacles in real time, it offers forward, backwards, upward, and downward protection, keeping your drone safe in the sky. The Air 2S also boasts intelligent flight modes like ActiveTrack 4.0, Spotlight 2.0, and Point of Interest 3.0, making it a breeze to capture fantastic footage.

The Air 2S also has DJI’s O3 (OcuSync 3.0) technology for a reliable video transmission range of up to 12 km (7.45 miles) and a 1080p live view. It’s designed to withstand strong winds, with a wind resistance of up to 10.5 m/s (Level 5 on the Beaufort scale). Also, its compact design makes it easy to take with you on all your travels.

In a nutshell, the DJI Air 2S is a fantastic choice for experienced drone pilots who are looking for a cheap drone with advanced obstacle avoidance.

Key Features

• 1-inch CMOS sensor
• 20MP images
• Panorama and AEB photography modes
• SmartPhoto Mode
• Records videos in 5.4k at 30fps, 4k at 60fps & 1080p at 60fps
• HDR videos & images
• Intelligent video recording with Quickshots & Mastershots
• 4-way obstacle avoidance system
• ActiveTrack 4.0, POI 3.0 & Spotlight 2.0
• 31 minutes of flight time
• 12km transmission range

2. DJI Mini 3 Pro

Imagine having a fantastic little drone that offers an unparalleled experience for both hobbyists and pros. The DJI Mini 3 Pro is just that. This mini drone, weighing less than a block of butter, is loaded with features that make capturing beautiful photos and 4K HDR videos a breeze. Thanks to its large image sensor, wide aperture and high ISO range, It even excels in low-light environments and can take stunning 48MP RAW images.

The Mini 3 Pro is one of the top cheap drones with obstacle avoidance. It’s designed to give you the confidence to fly in complex environments, thanks to its 3-way obstacle avoidance systems. With sensors that detect objects in real-time from three directions—forward, backwards, and downward—this little drone minimises the risk of accidents. It’s also equipped with APAS 4.0, an upgraded system that helps it navigate around obstacles smoothly. All of these features make the DJI Mini 3 Pro the one safest mini drone out there.

But that’s not all; the DJI Mini 3 Pro boasts an impressive flight time of up to 34 minutes, thanks to its powerful Intelligent Flight Battery. Pilots can also purchase the intelligent plus battery that extends the flight time to an astonishing 47 minutes.

The drone uses DJI’s latest video transmission technology, DJI O3, which ensures a clear and reliable live feed even from 12km. Whether you’re exploring urban landscapes or capturing your outdoor adventures, this drone has got your back. It even comes with two controller options for added flexibility, both offering high-quality video transmission with minimal latency.

You can purchase this drone with the standard DJI RC-N1 controller; this is the cheapest option. However, many people opt for the DJI RC controller that comes with an integrated 5.5-inch HD screen. It’s a little more expensive, but it saves you from having to use your smartphone.

Key Features

• 1/1.3-inch sensor with f/1.7 aperture and 82.1°
• 48MP (RAW & JPEG)
• Records 4K videos at 60fps, 2.7k at 60fps
• AEB, Panorama and HDR photography modes
• Quickshots
• Intelligent flight modes (ActiveTrack, POI)
• 34 minutes of flight time
• 12km video transmission range

3. DJI Mavic Air 2

Let’s talk about the DJI Air 2, also known as the DJI Mavic Air 2. This fantastic drone is perfect for aerial photography and videography enthusiasts. It’s got a lot of improvements compared to the DJI Mavic Air, especially in performance, camera quality, and flight time.

The DJI Air 2 is equipped with a 1/2-inch Quad Bayer CMOS sensor, which means you can capture beautiful 48MP still images and 4K video at 60fps. Plus, you can get some cool slow-motion footage in 1080p at 240fps. The camera is stabilised by a 3-axis gimbal, so you’ll always have smooth and stable shots.

One of the things I love about this drone is its impressive flight time – up to 34 minutes! That gives you plenty of time to explore and capture stunning aerial shots. It also has an excellent obstacle avoidance system called APAS 3.0, which helps the drone detect and avoid obstacles in real-time. This means safer flights and less chance of accidents. The DJI Air 2 has some cool, intelligent flight modes, like ActiveTrack 3.0 for tracking subjects, Point of Interest 3.0 for circling around a subject, and Spotlight 2.0 for keeping the camera focused while you control the drone’s movement. With DJI’s OcuSync 2.0 technology, you’ll get a reliable video transmission range of up to 6.2 miles with a 1080p live view.

This drone is designed to handle strong winds, and its foldable, compact design makes it easy to carry around – perfect for travellers and outdoor enthusiasts.

It also has advanced features like HDR photography and video, as well as a Hyperlapse mode for creating stunning time-lapse videos.

Overall, the DJI Air 2 is an excellent drone with an attractive combination of performance, camera quality, and flight time.

Key Features

• 1/2-inch CMOS sensor
• 48MP still images (RAW & JPEG)
• SmartPhoto mode
• Records videos in 4K  UHD at 60FPS, 2.7K@60FPS
• HDR Images & Videos
• D-Cinelike colour profile
• Intelligent flight modes
• Obstacle avoidance system
• 10km Range
• 34 Minutes Of Flight Time

4. Exo Blackhawk 2 Pro

The Exo Blackhawk 2 Pro is an awesome high-performance drone and is one of the cheapest drones with obstacle avoidance. This drone has some really advanced features, powerful performance, and is super durable, making it a popular choice for everyone, from enthusiasts to pros.

The camera on the Exo Blackhawk 2 Pro is seriously impressive. It can capture 4K videos at 30fps and 48MP still images. Plus, it’s mounted on a 3-axis gimbal, so your footage will be smooth and stable no matter the conditions. The drone also supports cool shooting modes like HDR, Hyperlapse, and Slow Motion, so you’ll have loads of creative options for your aerial projects.

One of the best features of this drone is its flight time – up to 35 minutes! That gives you plenty of time to get those amazing shots and explore the skies. And to make sure your flights are safe, the Exo Blackhawk 2 Pro has a good obstacle avoidance system that uses sensors on its front, rear and bottom to detect and avoid obstacles in its way.

This drone has some cool, intelligent flight modes like Follow Me, Orbit, and Waypoint. These make it easier for you to get dynamic and engaging footage because the drone can automatically track subjects, fly in a circular path around a point of interest, or follow a pre-planned route. That way, you can focus on getting the perfect shot.

The Exo Blackhawk 2 Pro uses a reliable, long-range video transmission system that gives you a live video feed with low latency and high resolution.

That means you’ll always have a clear view of what’s going on during your flight. It’s designed to withstand strong winds, so if you are an experienced drone pilot, you can test your piloting skills in windy conditions. And since it’s foldable and compact, it’s easy to carry around and transport – perfect for professionals on the go.

In a nutshell, the Exo Blackhawk 2 Pro is an amazing, feature-packed drone that’s a good alternative to the likes of DJI and Autel drones. Its advanced camera capabilities, obstacle avoidance system, and impressive flight time make it a top choice among cheap drones with obstacle avoidance.

Key Features

• 1/1.3- inch CMOS sensor
• 48MP still images (RAW & JPEG)
• Records 4K videos at 30FPS
• Multiple photography modes
• 6X Digital Zoom
• 5 Quick Shots
• 8km Range
• 35 Minutes Of Flight Time

5. Autel Evo Nano Plus

The Autel Evo Nano Plus is an awesome lightweight camera drone designed with photography enthusiasts in mind. This little drone weighs under 250 grams and packs a punch with its 1/1.28-inch CMOS sensor. You can capture stunning 50 MP images, even in low-light environments, thanks to the large f/1.9 aperture and RYYB colour filter.

This drone is not only great for photography, but it also offers cool autonomous video recording modes and dynamic subject tracking 2.1. Plus, you can fly with confidence, as the Autel Evo Nano Plus comes with an advanced obstacle avoidance system. It uses three-way vision sensors to spot obstacles in front, behind, and below the drone. While it doesn’t navigate around obstacles, it’ll stop a few meters away, giving you a chance to change direction safely.

With a flight time of up to 28 minutes, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to capture amazing shots. And to top it all off, the Autel Evo Nano Plus features the powerful Autel SkyLink transmission system, ensuring a clear video transmission range of up to 10km.

Key Features

• 1/1.28-inch CMOS sensor
• 50MP images
• 4k videos at 30fps
• Autofocus technology
• Intelligent flight modes
• Quickshots
• 3-axis gimbal
• 28minutes of flight time
• 10km video transmission range

6. DJI Mavic Air

The DJI Mavic Air is an amazing compact and foldable drone that was released a few years back but remains one of the best cheap drones with obstacle avoidance. It’s also the cheapest drone on this list and is suitable for beginners. It comes with a 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor that captures 12MP still images and 4K video at 30fps. Plus, you can shoot slow-motion videos at 1080p and 120fps. The 3-axis gimbal keeps your footage smooth and stable, giving you professional-quality results.

You’ll get up to 21 minutes of flight time with the Mavic Air, so there’s plenty of time to capture those stunning aerial shots. And you don’t have to worry about obstacles, as this drone has an advanced system with seven cameras and infrared sensors that detect obstacles in real-time. It provides forward, backwards, and downward obstacle sensing to keep your flights safe.

The Mavic Air has some awesome intelligent flight modes, like ActiveTrack for automatic subject following and QuickShot for capturing cinematic shots with predefined flight patterns. Plus, it uses DJI’s OcuSync technology, giving you a video transmission range of up to 4 km with a 720p live view.

What makes this drone really stand out is its portability. The foldable design and compact size make it super easy to carry and transport, so it’s perfect for travellers and outdoor enthusiasts. It even has gesture control, so you can take selfies or group photos without using the remote controller. And with 8GB of internal storage and a microSD card slot, you can save your photos and videos directly on the drone. So, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly drone with obstacle avoidance, the DJI Mavic Air is definitely worth checking out!

Key Features

• 1/2.3-inch sensor
• 12MP images
• Records videos in 4k at 30fps
• HDR imaging 
• Intelligent flight modes
• 2 Quickshots
• 3-way obstacle avoidance sensors
• Automatic return to home
• 21 minutes of flight time
• 4km transmission range

7. Exo Mini Drone Pro

The Exo Mini Pro is a fantastic compact and portable drone that’s perfect for anyone who loves aerial photography and videography. It’s foldable design and lightweight construction make it super convenient for on-the-go adventures. Plus, it’s packed with advanced features and offers impressive performance, making it a great choice for capturing amazing aerial footage.

The drone comes with a high-quality camera that can capture 4K video at 30fps and 48MP still images. Thanks to its 3-axis gimbal, your footage will be smooth and stable in all kinds of shooting conditions. Plus, you can get creative with intelligent shooting modes like HDR, Panorama, and Time-lapse, giving you even more options for your aerial projects. With a flight time of up to 40 minutes, it’s one of the mini-best drones with the longest flight times.

One of the best things about the Exo Mini Pro is its basic obstacle avoidance system. It uses front and downward-facing sensors to detect and avoid obstacles, making your flights safer and helping to prevent accidents. The drone also has some cool, intelligent flight modes like Follow Me, Orbit, and Waypoint, which lets you automatically track subjects, circle around points of interest or follow a pre-planned route. This frees you up to focus on getting the perfect shot.

The Exo Mini Pro has a reliable video transmission system that provides a clear live video feed during flight, so you can see what your drone sees. And because it’s designed for portability, the drone’s foldable and compact size makes it easy to carry and transport. It’s an ideal choice for travellers and outdoor enthusiasts who need a powerful aerial platform that’s also easy to take with them.

In a nutshell, the Exo Mini Pro is an awesome drone for anyone looking for a budget-friendly option with obstacle avoidance. With its advanced camera capabilities, basic obstacle avoidance, and impressive flight time, you’ll be able to capture incredible aerial footage without breaking the bank.

Key Features

• 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor
• 48MP still images 
• Records videos in 4K at 30fps, 2.7k at 60fps
• 3-way obstacle avoidance
• 3 Hyperlapse video recording mode
• Follow me, orbit & Waypoint intelligent flight modes
• 10km video transmission range
• 40-minute Of Flight Time
• 4 Quick Shots

How Does Obstacle Avoidance On A Drone Work?

Obstacle avoidance on a drone is achieved through a combination of sensors, data processing, decision-making, control systems, and feedback loops. Sensors, such as ultrasonic, infrared, LIDAR, and cameras, collect data about the environment, which is then processed by the drone’s onboard computer to identify and determine the position, distance, and size of obstacles. Advanced systems employ machine learning and computer vision algorithms to enhance the accuracy of this process.

The drone’s control system uses the processed data to decide how to avoid obstacles by adjusting its flight path, speed, or altitude or by stopping and hovering in place. Commands are sent to the drone’s motors and other actuators to execute the necessary manoeuvres. A continuous feedback loop allows the drone to dynamically adapt to its environment and maintain safe flight. Manufacturers like DJI, Autel Robotics and Skydio have developed sophisticated obstacle avoidance systems, and as drone technology continues to progress, these systems are expected to become even more advanced and reliable.

Are These Drones Suitable For Beginners?

Yes, drones with obstacle avoidance technology are suitable for beginners, as these features can significantly enhance safety and ease of use. The obstacle avoidance systems can help prevent crashes and damage, allowing new pilots to focus on learning the basics of drone flight without worrying as much about potential accidents. This can boost confidence and make the learning process smoother and more enjoyable.

However, it’s important to consider the price of these drones, as they can be expensive for someone who is just starting their drone journey. If you are a total beginner to flying drones, it might be a good idea to first explore more affordable options, like the Tello drone. The Tello drone is not only budget-friendly but also offers user-friendly controls and an easy-to-use interface, making it a great option for new drone pilots. It provides a stable flight experience and the opportunity to learn fundamental flying skills before upgrading to a more advanced and expensive drone with obstacle avoidance features.

As you gain experience with flying drones, you can then invest in a more advanced model with obstacle avoidance technology.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, we’ve highlighted the importance of obstacle avoidance technology in drones and its increasing affordability. While the current most affordable drones with this feature range between $600 and $1000, we hope future price reductions will make them more accessible. Remember to consider factors like price range, flight performance, and camera quality when choosing a drone. Keep exploring different options, and ultimately, select the one that best fits your needs and budget, ensuring a safe and enjoyable flying experience.

FAQs

Is obstacle avoidance worth it on a drone?

Obstacle avoidance is worth having on a drone as it enhances safety, eases the learning process for beginners, improves footage quality, boosts pilot confidence, and lowers repair costs by preventing collisions. However, pilots should not solely rely on obstacle avoidance systems and must always fly responsibly, maintaining a visual line of sight.

What is the cheapest drone with obstacle avoidance?

The cheapest drone with obstacle avoidance is the DJI Mavic Air; although it is no longer in production, you can still find them on Amazon and eBay for just over $500.