There was a time when drones with GPS technology were quite expensive; however, with the rapid popularity of drones, they have become cheaper over the past few years. Drones with GPS offer many benefits, including improved flight stability, accurate positioning, and advanced safety features. In this article, we will explore the best cheap GPS drones that are currently available in the market.

Benefits of GPS Technology

Drones equipped with GPS technology offer numerous benefits to users. Firstly, GPS-enabled drones offer improved flight stability, allowing them to hover in place and fly more precisely. GPS also provides accurate positioning and navigation capabilities, which is especially useful when conducting aerial photography or surveying areas. Additionally, GPS drones can be equipped with advanced safety features such as return-to-home and geofencing, which automatically prevent the drone from flying beyond a certain distance or height. Overall, drones with GPS are a fantastic feature for beginners and professional drone pilots.

Do These Drones Need To Be Registered?

Whether these drones need to be registered depends on where you live. For example, if you live in the USA, many of the drones on this list must be registered with the FAA as they weigh over 250 grams. However, if they weigh less than 250 grams, there is no need to register the drone.

If you are completely new to flying drones, you must complete the Recreational UAS Safety Test. This is a free online test that FAA-approved third-party organisations administer.

If you reside in the UK, you will be required to register any of these drones with the CAA. Registering involves obtaining an Operator ID, and if the drone weighs more than 250 grams, you will also be required to get a Flyer ID.

It’s essential that you check the rules and regulations to make sure that you comply with the law wherever you may live.

On a side note, many of the drones listed below have cameras that can record 4k video footage. It should be noted that the videos are not in true 4k but interpolated from a lower resolution. This is to be expected as these drones are cheap; however, the videos are still good and stable for their price.

Best Cheap GPS Drones

1. DJI Mini SE

Editors Choice
1. DJI Mini SE

This is one of my favourite drones; it's cheap and packed with excellent features.

The DJI Mini SE is a compact, lightweight drone perfect for beginners. It features a 3-axis motorised gimbal for smooth and stable footage, a 12MP camera capable of shooting 2.7K video, and a transmission range of up to 4km. The drone has a flight time of 30 minutes and a top speed of 29 mph.The drone weighs only 249 grams, so it does not require FAA registration. Additionally, the DJI Mini SE features advanced safety features such as geofencing and return-to-home.

Key Features

  • HD camera 1/2.3-inch sensor
  • Captures 12MP images
  • Records video footage in 2.7k at 30fps
  • 3-axis gimbal stabilisation
  • Quickshots intelligent video recording
  • 31 minutes of flight time
  • Transmission range of 4km

2. Potensic Atom SE

Best Budget 4K Drone
2. Potensic Atom SE

DJI has always had copycats, and with the Atom SE, Potensic does not even try to hide that fact. Look at the Atom SE and Mini SE, and you'll come to the same conclusion.

Having said that, the Atom SE is one of the best cheap GPS drones you can purchase, and the drone actually comes with features that are not available on the Mini SE.

The Potensic Atom SE is an affordable drone with an HD camera and a range of superb features. The camera can record 4k videos at 30fps and capture 12MP images. It has an electronic image stabilisation feature that minimises shake and reduces distortion, and it has a flight time of 31 minutes. The Atom SE also boasts GPS-assisted autonomous flight modes such as follow me, point of interest and orbit mode.

Key Features

  • HD camera with a 1/1.3-inch sensor
  • 12MP images (RAW & JPEG)
  • Records video footage in 4k at 30fps
  • ShakeVanish™Electronic image stabilisation
  • Intelligent flight modes
  • 31 minutes of flight time
  • Transmission range of 4km

3. Holy Stone HS720G

3. Holy Stone HS720G

The Holy Stone HS720G is very similar in design to the HS720E; it's a lightweight, compact drone that is easy to carry. The drone has a sleek, foldable design with LED lights on each arm and powerful brushless motors. It comes with an HD camera that can record high-resolution videos and images and has an electronic image stabilisation feature. The drone has a flight time of 26 minutes and can transmit live video footage to your smartphone from 500 meters. It should be noted that the drone only works with smartphones that are compatible with 5G technology.

Key Features

  • HD camera 
  • Captures 4K images
  • Records 4k videos at 30fps
  • 2-axis gimbal stabilisation
  • Follow me and orbit intelligent flight modes
  • 26 minutes of flight time
  • Transmission range of 500-meters

4. Ruko F11 Pro

Cheap GPS DronesThe Ruko F11 Pro is a powerful, beginner-friendly drone that comes packed with some fantastic features. The drone has a foldable design and an HD camera that can record videos in 2.9k and captures 4k images. The drone is powered by an intelligent battery that provides 30 minutes of flight time, and you get an additional battery as a bonus. The drone also comes with several intelligent flight modes, such as follow me, waypoint and orbit and also allows you to capture images through hand gestures. The Ruko F11 Pro is a feature-rich drone that is enjoyable to fly and suitable for beginners.

5. Holy Stone HS720E

Cheap GPS DronesThe Holy Stone HS720E is one of the most beginner-friendly popular GPS drones on the market. Holy Stone are well-known for their cheap but well-designed and fun drones, and the HS720E is probably the best out of the lot. It has a 4k camera with EIS image stabilisation for clear video and images. The drone comes with an optical flow sensor on the bottom that helps with flight stabilisation in areas with a weak GPS signal, and the drone also comes with intelligent flight modes such as follow me and automatic return to home. It has a flight time of 23 minutes and a transmission range of 500 meters.

6. Holy Stone HS700E

Cheap GPS DronesAnother popular beginner-friendly drone, the Holy Stone HS700E, is a well-built, robust, and easy to operate. The drone has a 4k camera that can capture HD video footage and images. The camera has a wide-angle FOV and an EIS feature to reduce shake and distortion in your images. Additionally, the drone comes with autonomous flight modes and GPS-assisted automatic return-to-home function. The video transmission range is around 500 meters, and the drone has a flight time of 23 minutes; as a bonus, you get an extra battery with the drone.

7. Holy Stone HS175D

Cheap GPS DronesThe Holy Stone HS175D is a beginner-friendly drone weighing less than 250 grams and comes with an HD camera capable of recording 4k video footage. It has various intelligent features, including follow me, orbit and an automatic return to home function. The drone has a flight time of 20 minutes, and you get an extra battery with the drone package that allows you to extend the flight time without having to recharge. Overall, it’s an excellent GPS-enabled drone that has some cool features and enjoyable to fly.

8. Holy Stone HS510

Cheap GPS DronesThis is a fun little drone that comes with some exceptional features and an impressive camera. It’s one of the smallest drones on this list, making it easy to store and carry around. The drone has a 4k camera that can capture amazing videos and images. It has brushless motors and an optical flow sensor for better flight stability. Flight time is around 15 minutes, and it has a transmission range of 300 meters.

9. Holy Stone HS510

Cheap GPS DronesThe Holy Stone HS710 is a small, lightweight drone that comes with an HD camera, optical flow sensor and smart flight modes. The camera is decent; it can record HD video footage, and the images are good quality. The controller has one-button take-off and landing, making it easier to operate, and the drone comes with an automatic low-battery return-to-home feature. It’s a fun little drone that comes with around 25 minutes of flight time.

10. Holy Stone HS110G

Cheap GPS DronesThe Holy Stone HS110G is a budget-friendly drone with a 1080p HD camera and a transmission range of up to 150 meters. It has a headless mode for easy operation and a one-key take-off and landing for beginners. Additionally, the drone features follow-me mode and automatic return to home. It comes with two batteries, each providing around 13 minutes of flight time.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, drones with GPS capabilities offer numerous benefits and are highly versatile. The ten drones we have listed in this article offer a range of features and capabilities at an affordable price point. For beginner drone pilots, there is a drone on this list that will suit your needs. However, it is important to follow all FAA guidelines and regulations to ensure safe and responsible drone usage. Happy flying!