9 Best RC Drones by Price – Cheap and Expensive

1. Holy Stone Mini RC Drone HS170 Predator

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Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5

The Holy Stone Mini HS170 Predator is an excellent choice for first-time pilots. Think of it as a training quadcopter. It has some beginner-friendly features bundled into an affordable package.

• Best feature 1: Headless mode
• Best feature 2: 3 different speed modes
• Plus points: Easy to fly, return to home button, colorful LEDs, 6-axis gyro, fast charging
• Minus points: Short flight time, no altitude hold

What We Like About the HS170 Predator

The Predator is an easy little quad to fly for first-timers. It comes equipped with a headless mode security system. That lets new users focus only on the control sticks and not the drone’s orientation. And the 3 different speed modes allow novice users to practice and progress at their pace. The return-to-home button on the controller is invaluable if you need to bring the bird back in a hurry.

Another nice touch is the colorful LEDs for nighttime flying. Beginners can also enjoy 1-button flips & rolls thanks to the 6-axis stabilizing gyro.

The Not So Good

Short flight times are typical with entry-level quads, and the Predator’s no exception. Expect around 6–8 minutes in ideal conditions. Charging time is fast at only 45 minutes, though. There isn’t an altitude hold function, which is a shame. But then this is a low-cost quad, so something has to give.

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2. Best Budget: SNAPTAIN S5C FPV Drone W/ 720P HD Camera

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Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5

My next Best Budget drone goes to the ready to fly (RTF) SNAPTAIN S5C. It’s a feature-packed 720P HD camera quad and a brilliant first drone for anyone over ten years of age.

• Best feature 1: Headless mode
• Best feature 2: 1-key takeoff and landing
• Plus points: Easy to fly, altitude hold, prop guards, gesture control, gravity control
• Minus points: Short flight time, vague manual

What We Like About the SNAPTAIN S5C

SNAPTAIN’s camera drone lets raw novices fly with confidence. It has a headless mode and an emergency stop function. Altitude hold, 1-key takeoff/landing, and low signal warnings are other beginner-friendly features. The included propeller guards help to protect the delicate blades. And the high-quality ABS material adds to the quad’s crash-resistance.

Snaptain Era App

Snaptain’s Era Android/iOS free app offers a plethora of advanced features. They include hand gesture control, voice control, and gravity control. Trajectory Flight is another high-tech feature. You simply draw a flight path on a smartphone screen, and the drone follows. The 3D mode gives pilots the ultimate immersive First Person View (FPV) experience. For that, you need VR glasses (not included).

The Not So Good

Flight time is only 8–9 minutes on a single charge. Charging takes around 90 minutes, so you may want to invest in one or two extra batteries. The main disappointment isn’t with the drone but its guide. It’s scant and can leave a lot of new users guessing. My advice would be to skip the manual and find a video tutorial on YouTube instead.

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3. Potensic D50 1080P Camera Quadcopter

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Editor’s Rating: 4.6/5

The third Best Budget pick is a popular and exceptional GPS FPV Drone called the Potensic D50. Its built-in 1080P F-HD 5G WiFi camera provides seamless live video transmission.

• Best feature 1: 3 Speed modes
• Best feature 2: Altitude Hold
• Plus points: Return to Home (RTH), Follow Me, Draw the Dot, Gravity Sensor Mode
• Minus points: Average battery life, need to calibrate for every flight

What We Like About the Potensic D50

The learning curve is a tad steeper compared to the previous two, but it’s still quite easy to grasp. The three different speed modes let you practice at 11 mph, 14 mph, and 22 mph. The automatic GPS return to home (RTH) is another welcome feature. Auto-RTH kicks in when the drone flies close to its outer range and with low battery levels. That includes the transmitter battery as well.

Feature-Packed Budget Drone

Potensic packs a lot of features into its D50, considering the price. Download the app and control the drone with your smartphone in Gravity Sensor Mode. Other app features are Follow Me, Draw the Dot, and Track the Drone. That last feature is invaluable if the quad comes down and you’re not sure where it is. The D50 also has an impressive 984 ft. (300 m) flight range.

The Not So Good

The Potensic D50 has the best flight time of the budget drones here, but it’s still quite short. You will get 10–15 minutes at best, so consider extra batteries. The biggest complaint from users is that you must calibrate the drone for each new flight. It’s not difficult, but it is a hassle.

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1. Holy Stone HS700 RTF FPV 1080p HD Quad

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Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5

The Holy Stone HS700 is a compact, lightweight First Person View (FPV) 1080p camera quad. It comes packed with the features that pilots demand from a drone in this category.

• Best feature 1: Powerful brushless motors
• Best feature 2: GPS Follow Me
• Plus points: Easy to fly, altitude hold, RTH, custom flight path, FPV, GoPro compatible
• Minus points: No prop guards, long charging time

What We Like About the HS700

Holy Stone’s HS700 camera quad is a popular choice for many. It’s quick to launch using 1-key start and easy to fly at the entry-level with its headless mode. The powerful brushless motors are reliable, long-lasting, and quiet for a drone. Quick-release props (no screws) make replacing blades a cinch. The flight time is 20 minutes on a single charge, and the range is an impressive 3280 ft. (1000 m).

Feature highlights include a GPS Follow Me mode, altitude hold, and app-controlled custom flight path. The 3 return-to-home (RTH) features are also welcome. They include a 1-key return and 2 auto-RTH for low-power and signal loss. A modular battery pack makes removal and replacing straightforward.

Camera and Live Streaming

The model comes with a reasonable 5G 1080P detachable camera. It has a wide 110° field of view (FOV) to capture panoramic views. The real-time live video transmission is consistent up to a range of 1300 ft. (396 m). You can save the aerial footage to the 8GB MicroSD card inside the camera. GoPro owners can also attach HERO 2/3/4 cameras to the mount if they prefer.

The Not So Good

There aren’t any prop guards with the HS700. That means you must be extra mindful of the spinning blades. It also makes them more vulnerable to breakage, which is why the drone comes with a spare set. The charging time is insane at 5+ hours, so extra batteries are a necessity.

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2. DJI Spark Camera Quad, Fly More Combo

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Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5

DJI’s Spark is a cute and incredible, high-performing camera drone. It can take stunning 12MP aerial stills and shoot 1080P video to be proud of. It also features DJI’s famous signature technologies.

• Best feature 1: Plethora of DJI flight modes
• Best feature 2: 12MP, 1080p FPV camera
• Plus points: Hand launch, hand gestures, ActiveTrack, TapFly, quick edit & share
• Minus points: 2-axis gimbal, average flight time, costly batteries

What We Like About the DJI Spark

The Spark is a favorite camera quadcopter for folks who like to travel light. It’s tiny enough to go into a large pocket or small bag. Best of all is that you can have it airborne and shooting within seconds. That’s thanks to its palm launch and hand gesture controls (no remote needed). And the popular ActiveTrack feature lets you get on with the action while the spark follows and films.

Smartphone control also gives you a plethora of DJI standard and Intelligent Flight Modes. They include things like TapFly (tap and fly), Quickshot, and many others to explore. The Edit & Share feature in the DJI GO 4 app has a bunch of automatic templates and filters. Edit & Share helps you to upload your Spark videos to social media in seconds.

The Not So Good

The Spark has 2-axis gimbal stabilization that does a great job of steadying the camera while filming. However, it’s not as effective as a 3-axis, which is most noticeable when flying at higher speeds. The footage is perfectly steady at average speeds, though. The flight time for the DJI Spark is low-average at only 16 minutes. Extra batteries are expensive at around 80 dollars apiece at the time of writing.

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3. Best Value: DJI Mavic Air Camera Quad W/ Remote Controller

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Editor’s Rating: 4.8/5

The DJI Mavic Air makes the third slot for Best Value drones. It’s ultra-compact and lightweight like the Spark above, but with the advantage of foldable arms.

• Best feature 1: Ultra-compact, foldable design
• Best feature 2: 3-axis gimbal 12MP 4K camera
• Plus points: Foldable controller, 8GB storage, Sphere Panoramas, obstacle avoidance
• Minus points: Average flight time, MicroSD slot awkward to access, noisy

What We Like About the DJI Mavic Air

DJI’s Mavic Air shares some similarities with the Spark only it has better everything. There’s the 3-axis gimbal, 4K camera, and unique foldable design. Even the remote control is foldable. Folding parts also help to protect the equipment during transit. The Mavic Air is an easy bird to pilot and lots of fun too. Control options include hand gestures, smartphone/tablet, and dedicated controller.

Filming with the Mavic Air

DJI’s little quad shoots 4K video at 30fps (frames per second). The UHD footage is of exceptional quality. And the onboard camera takes tack-sharp 12MP photos. This little drone can stitch 25 images together in 8 seconds. The result of that is the most amazing, jaw-dropping 32MP Sphere panoramas. There’s plenty of storage options too with a MicroSD card slot and 8GB of internal storage.

The slow-motion video is a loved feature by those who film high-speed activities. And the front, rear, and bottom sensors prevent the Mavic Air hitting obstacles as it flies. That means you can concentrate on filming and less on flying. DJI has packed all its usual Intelligent and Standard Flight modes into this little bird. It’s not the cheapest small 4K camera drone around, but it does offer excellent value.

The Not So Good

The Mavic Air has a max flight time of 21 minutes. That’s an improvement on the Spark, but it’s still only average. Extra batteries are expensive and add considerably to the cost. The MicroSD card slot is welcome, but it can be awkward to access. The final gripe is the noise this quad makes. It’s no louder than the Spark or Mavic Pro, but it has an annoying high-pitched whine to it.

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1. Autel Robotics EVO Folding 4K Camera Quad

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Editor’s Rating: 4.6/5

First on the list of high-end drones is the Autel Robotics EVO. It’s a beautiful looking 4K camera quadcopter with a compact, folding design. This quad supports DCI and UHD formats.

• Best feature 1: Portable, foldable design
• Best feature 2: 3-axis stabilized 12MP 4K camera
• Plus points: Unique OLED controller, long flight time, long range, OA, RTH, cinematic-quality
• Minus points: Few safety restrictions, awkward card door, no internal memory

What We Like About Autel Robotics’ EVO

You can fly the Autel Robotics’ EVO with or without a smartphone. The included controller is unique with its built-in 3.3” OLED color screen. You can use the screen to view telemetry data, remaining battery life, and the camera’s live feed. The quad can fly for up to 30 minutes on a single charge and boasts an incredible 4.3 miles (6.9 km) control range.

Dual GPS and GLONASS satellites ensure flights are safe and free from crashes. The effective obstacle avoidance (OA) protection is forward, rear, and bottom. This quad has the usual failsafe features you’d expect of a drone in its class. There’s a manual return to home (RTH) and two auto RTH for low battery and weak or lost signal. The free app unleashes all the EVO’s exciting features.

Free Autel Explorer App

Pilots can download the Autel Explorer app to any modern Android and iOS smartphone. You can then attach the device to the included controller. That gives you access to all the advanced settings and autonomous flight features. They include things like Viewpoint, Dynamic Track, Waypoints, first person view (FPV), and more.

Filming with the EVO

EVO’s has a powerful 4K 3-axis gimbal stabilized camera that boasts 60fps (frames per second). You can expect cinematic-quality video that’s buttery smooth and highly professional. The 12MP photos display crystal-clear details and vivid colors. The EVO has a card slot and comes with a 32GB MicroSD card to store the footage. That’s enough space to record 4K video for about 1 hour.

The Not So Good

Not all experienced pilots appreciate the flight restrictions forced upon them by DJI drones. Some are sure to welcome the absence of these with the EVO. You can fly as high as the quad takes you. There aren’t any enforced no-fly zones either. But these things can be dangerous in the hands of less educated pilots. A lesser con is that the memory card door is overly tight and thus awkward to open.

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2. Top Pick: DJI Mavic 2 Zoom Camera Quad 2-Battery Bundle

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Editor’s Rating: 4.9/5

Almost every drone enthusiasts like the DJI Mavic 2 Zoom camera quadcopter. It sports a high-quality build, has incredible filming capabilities, and a compact, foldable design.

• Best feature 1: Professional filmmaking drone
• Best feature 2: 4x zoom, including a 2x optical zoom (24–48mm)
• Plus points: 4K video, 12MP stills, long flight time, long range, fast speeds, internal storage
• Minus points: Restricted internal memory, no portrait mode

What We Like About the DJI Mavic 2 Zoom

DJI’s Mavic 2 Zoom and Mavic 2 Pro quads are the new standard that drone manufacturers aspire to. The Zoom version gives aerial photographers opportunities to shoot with new perspectives. The drone is expensive, but anyone who exploits all the features can surely justify its price tag. It has an obstacle avoidance system to protect it from all directions. That includes front, rear, upward, and down.

DJI has packed its Mavic 2 zoom with all the usual flight features and autonomous modes. The fast 45 mph speed in Sport mode gets the quad to its destination and back again in no time. You can expect a little over 30 minutes of flight on a single charge, and a control range of 5 miles (8 km).

Filming with the Mavic 2 Zoom

The 12MP camera with its 1/2.3” CMOS sensor doesn’t disappoint. It supports High-Dynamic-Range (HDR) to provide more details in dark and bright areas. The 4K video is smooth, sharp, and of cinematic quality. But it’s the 4x zoom with 2x optical zoom that makes this quad stand out. The 24mm–48mm focal range gives pilots dynamic perspectives from wide-angle to mid-range.

The Not So Good

The Zoom has an 8GB internal storage capacity that’s welcome but lacking. After all, recording 100Mbps video will fill 8GB in around 15 minutes. You won’t want to leave the home without a MicroSD card in its slot. Another negative—for some—is that there isn’t a portrait mode with the Mavic 2 Zoom.

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3. Cinematic DJI Inspire 2 Camera Quadcopter

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Editor’s Rating: 4.4/5

The DJI Inspire 2 camera quadcopter is a highly-professional filming drone. It’s the tool to have if you shoot fast-moving action that demands Hollywood-quality footage.

• Best feature 1: 5.2K gimbal cameras compatibility
• Best feature 2: Dual battery design
• Plus points: Fast flier, advanced obstacle sensing, propulsion system, DJI flight features
• Minus points: High cost of remote, no side or back sensors, high price tag

What We Like About the DJI Inspire 2

This is the kind of fast-moving quad you’d expect to see on a professional movie set. It comes equipped with DJI’s Intelligent Flight Modes and failsafe features. The Inspire 2 is compatible with high-end 5.2K gimbal cameras. The dual battery design is a reassuring addition to this costly bird. If one battery fails for whatever reason, the second takes over and lets the pilot safely land the quad.

Advanced Obstacle Sensing

DJI’s Inspire 2 has an advanced obstacle sensing system. It functions with all Intelligent Flight Modes, normal flight, and when return-to-home (RTH) is active. The detection system keeps the quad and its expensive cameras safe and protected, whether flying indoors or outside. Here’s how it works:

• Downward/forward vision systems detect obstacles from 98ft. (30m)
• Upward-facing infrared sensors can scan obstacles from 16ft (5m)

The Ultimate Action Drone

The speed of this quad adds further to its appeal as a cinematic-quality filmmaking tool. It has a propulsion system that can thrust it to 58 mph (93 km/h). Descents can travel at 29 ft./sec and ascents at 19 ft./sec. Acceleration goes from 0–50 mph in only 4 seconds. That makes it an action filmmaker’s dream machine.

Standout Flight and Filming Features

I could write an entire eBook about this incredible quadcopter and all that it offers. Unfortunately, a comprehensive assessment is beyond the scope of these mini reviews.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the Inspire 2’s most popular flight and filming features:

• Spotlight Pro (powerful tracking)
• Smart Return to Home (RTH)
• Lightbridge video transmission system
• Broadcast mode
• TapFly
• ActiveTrack
• Long flight time
• Long flight range

The list goes on. Follow the link if you’d like to check out all the features and specs.

The Not So Good

If you can’t afford the remote, then you probably can’t afford the drone. Even so, the dedicated controller is outrageously pricy at over 700 dollars. Another negative is the absence of back or side obstacle sensors. That’s a pity since this is a drone that costs around $3000.

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