Best Drones Under $100

Best Drones Under $100

When it comes to buying a drone, there are various options available for you in the market right now. It’s seen that if you are a beginner, there is no need to invest in a high-end drone that can fuel your excitement. As you are a new pilot, you don’t possess very good flying skills and you don’t have to learn on a professional one. There are many cheap or inexpensive drones that you can get to learn and then invest in a premium drone. In this review, we have compiled a list of some best drones under $100 with all the features and pros and cons along with it.

If you are into aerial photography or just want to participate in drone racing, these drones will be able to perform above average. One thing that you should know the quality that these cameras will provide will be nowhere near the professional drones. The areas which you should look for are the battery, range, and camera quality of the drones.

On the flying time, these drones will offer you a maximum of 10 minutes which can be improved by getting multiple batteries. Also, the maximum resolution that you will get is 720p and the range will be around 300 meters.

10 Best Cheap Drones to Buy Under $100 for Aspiring Pilots

It’s time we dive into the list of handpicked drones for you. These drones will allow you to enhance your flying skills and then, you can invest in premium and professional drones. This review will help you in making the decision. One thing that you should also know is that before getting a drone, you should check if it comes with basic safety features

Best Drones Under $100

Here is a comparison table of the top 10 best drones under $100 that you can purchase:

NameImageRatingPrice
DBPOWER X400W Drone4.6/5
Holy Stone F181C Drone4.3/5
DBPOWER Discovery Drone4.1/5
TopVision X39-1 Drone4.4/5
Holy Stone HS200 Drone4.7/5
HUBSAN H107D X4 Drone4.5/5
Visuo XS809W Drone4.2/5
DROCON X708W Drone4.4/5
GoolRC T47 Drone4.8/5
SIMREX X900 Drone4.3/5

1. DBPOWER X400W Drone

Best Drones under $100

 

Along with the range of features, this drone can be the best one to buy under the price segment of $100. This drone will also be compatible with the VR headset and you will be able to get a much clearer view of what’s getting shot.

Though the drone is strictly in the entry-level segment, you will get 6 gyroscopes installed that will make sure the drone is as stable as it can be.

The drone is also equipped with 4 channels to establish communication and all of them will work on the 2.4 GHz band. The range of this drone is also pretty good considering the specs and price point, it will be around 328 feet and you will also get a good flying time of 8-9 minutes. While connected to the VR set, the app will split into 2 sections, one will show you the data. It will include the altitude at which the drone is flying along with the distance between the drone and the controller.

Another section of the screen will show you the live feed of the camera. DBPOWER X400W drone is one of the top 10 best drones under $100.

Pros
  1. The drone will come with the headless mode and it will allow you to keep the drone moving in the direction of the controller.
  2. The interface provided to you by the company is also pretty easy to understand. It will be the perfect choice for any beginner to start with.
  3. With the features put in perspective, the pricing of this drone is extremely aggressive. Anyone will be able to easily afford it and learn.
  4. The design of this drone is also very modern and you will also get propeller guards to prevent the damage.
  5. The 720p camera will give you a clear output where you will be able to record smooth shots, thanks to the altitude hold feature.
Cons
  1. The range of this drone can be improved. At only 100 meters, it’s very limited.
  2. The weight of the drone is also very light and it can be difficult for you to fly the drone in a stable condition.

 

2. Holy Stone F181C Drone

Best Drones Under $100

 

This drone will also give you a resolution of up to 720p and you will be able to get a clearer output. The video that the camera will record will be saved on a microSD card. You will be able to put the card out and put it into any other device to watch the footage.

The drone will support the card up to 4 gigs of storage. On the features front, the drone will allow you to turn on the headless mode which will be helpful in flying the drone in the direction you are holding the controller.

The drone will also be equipped with the Return-Home feature. It will allow you to bring the drone back to the starting point. The interface will also give you alerts in case the battery is going out.

Along with it, you will also get the flip function, it will allow you to explore creativity. The range offered by this drone is around 50-100 meters. And on a single charge, you will be able to fly it for 7-9 minutes.

These features in this price segment helped it make the list of the best drones under $100

Pros
  1. The video can be recorded right on the drone itself and you will also not need any smartphone to pair it up with.
  2. The LED is present on the drone and you will be able to turn it on/off according to the need. It will be very helpful in flying the drone at night.
  3. The user will also get an alert of a low battery. It can be very helpful in successfully landing it without crashing.
  4. The drone will also be equipped with the altitude-hold function and it will be useful in getting stable shots without any jitter.
  5. The drone will take much lesser time to charge up as it will only take 80 minutes to fully charge.
Cons
  1. The motor will get overheated on longer use. The company should have added the cool-down time before flying after a specific period.
  2. Though the camera resolution is up to 720p, the video quality is not up to the mark

3. DBPOWER Discovery Drone

 

Best Drones Under $100

When it comes to getting a drone for beginners, this one can be the best option for you, and choose one of the best drones under $100. The propeller guards are the one safety feature that you will get on this drone as a standard. However, you will be able to find this one to be on the larger side and you will also get an extra battery in the package.

As on the single charge, you will be able to fly it for 6-9 minutes depending on the settings, by getting the second battery, you can fly it for 12-18 minutes seamlessly.

The drone can be controlled by the app that will be downloaded from the respective app store of your OS or you can also connect the smartphone directly to the provided controller. The drone will also let you record up to the video resolution of 720p. You will be able to save the footage in the smartphone or you can also save it on the included 4 GB SD card.

The drone will also come with the functionality of landing or taking it off just using one button along with the attitude-hold feature.

Pros
  1. The first-person-view function of this drone will allow you to get the perfect shot that you want.
  2. The altitude-hold feature will allow you to get better shots by increasing the stability to a great extent. You will be able to also move the camera in the direction you are holding the controller, thanks to the headless mode.
  3. There will be two-speed modes on which you will be able to fly the drone. You can start at a slower speed and as you progress in learning, you can level it up.
  4. The drone will come included with an extra battery and you will be able to bump up the flying time.
  5. The motor used in this drone will be the one that will not overheat in any case. You won’t get interrupted by replacing the battery and flying it again.
Cons
  1. The range of this drone is actually very low where you will get it up to only 50-60 meters.
  2. The size of the drone is pretty big and it can be a bit troublesome to carry it around.

4. TopVision X39-1 Drone

Best Drones Under $100 

Among the various characteristics, the only one that makes it stand out is its compact design. The arms of the drone can easily be folded into its body. It will become so small that it will easily fit in your pocket. The drone will also be equipped with the altitude-hold feature that you will be able to use for stable shots.

You will also be able to land and take off the drone using a single button. You will be able to connect the smartphone directly to the controller or you can also download the app and then you will not need the controller.

The drone can also be navigated through hand signals if you are using the app and want to take some selfies. The camera installed on the drone will also give you a wider frame at an angle of 120-degrees.

However, the camera will be able to record up to 480p. There will be 2 batteries included in the box and you will be able to double the flight time. With the flying time up to a maximum of 16 minutes, the range is only capped at 90 feet.

Pros
  1. The propeller guards that are installed on this drone that you will find much sturdy and reliable when it comes to fly it safely.
  2. The FPV on this drone also provides you a real-time video on your smartphone. You will be able to see what you are actually shooting.
  3. The drone will also provide you with a flip that will give you a range of options to explore your creativity.
  4. The altitude-hold function will be useful to keep it fixed on height and it will enhance the stability.
  5. You will also be able to draw the route on which you want your drone to go. This will only be available only on the smartphone.
Cons
  1. The motor present on this drone is constructed out of brushed material and it will start wearing off.
  2. The range has a lot of scope for improvement

 

5. Holy Stone HS200 Drone

Best Drones Under $100

 

This one is the priciest of all and you will get a range of features on this drone. These features will be able to provide you with very easy usage. The interface is also very intuitive where you will be able to understand it very easily.

This drone is also equipped with 6 gyroscope sensors that will allow it to be much more stable than other drones. It will also use 4 channels to establish communication where you will need to use a 2.4 GHz band.

The drone will allow you to get it fixed at a particular height. You will also be able to fly it in the headless mode where you will not need to see the direction of the camera. The drone will move according to the position of the controller.

The FPV function of the drone will give you the ability to get the perfect shot. There will be a single button that you will need to press to take off or land the drone. On the camera front, it will be able to capture images at 2 MP whereas the highest resolution for video recording is 720p.

Pros
  1. In the list of best drones under $100, it is the most powerful one yet. The build quality of this drone is exemplary and can be put in a sturdy category.
  2. The photos and videos that are recorded and captured on this drone will be seen only through a smartphone.
  3. As it’s equipped with gyroscope sensors, the smartphone app will be able to control it using the movements. The user will be able to fly the drone by moving the smartphone itself.
  4. The drone can be controlled through the app or you will also be able to connect the smartphone to the provided controller.
  5. The drone is available in two colour options, red and black, and the customer support that Holy Stone offers is also exemplary.
Cons
  1. If you are planning to fly it indoors, it might be bigger in terms of size and space.
  2. The design of this drone is a bit toy-type.

6. HUBSAN H107D X4 Drone

Best Drones Under $100

 

When it comes to getting a drone that you can use to learn flying, it’s wise that you invest in an entry-level one and not in a premium one. The drone will come with a range of features that will allow you to fly it in a better way by keeping all the necessary safety measures and available in the best drones under $100.

With a flight time of 9-10 minutes, the drone also offers a long range of 100 meters.

These specs alone make it an above-average drone instantly and you will be able to crack a sweet deal. However, on the camera front, it lacks a bit and you will only get a 0.3 MP camera that supports a video resolution of up to 480p.

You will also not need to have any smartphone attached to it as the controller will provide an in-built screen.

Pros
  1. The drone comes with a very intuitive interface and you will be able to understand it very easily without any professional help.
  2. The live video option gives this drone extra points as it will be paired with a very high-quality FPV.
  3. The LCD screen present on the controller will give you a clear video output as it’s 4.3-inches diagonally. You will not need to pair it up with a smartphone.
  4. The pricing is kept very aggressive and anyone who is trying to learn piloting skills will be able to afford it very easily.
Cons
  1. The camera quality has a lot of scope for improvement and you will be able to get a very blurry video output very often.
  2. In terms of pricing and compared to other drones way below its price, there aren’t many features provided on this drone.

7. Visuo XS809W Drone

Best Drones Under $100

This drone is manufactured by especially keeping the beginners in mind. The drone can get very compact and it’s a great factor that everyone looks out these days.

It’s because people want to carry it with them so they can get beautiful aerial shots whenever they feel like it.

The drone is equipped with a camera that has to offer a 120-degree field-of-view and the sensor is 2 MP. You will be able to fly the drone very easily, be it indoors or outdoors.

The pricing is also done very aggressively. You will be able to find this drone under various names due to its range of features in this price segment.

Pros
  1. The headless mode will allow you to move the drone in any direction according to your position. It will move according to the position of the controller.
  2. The drone is also equipped with a one-button take-off and landing feature and the foldable design instantly made us add it to the list of best drones under $100.
  3. As the camera is quite light, you will also not need to register it with any authorities, eg, FAA.
  4. The drone is also compatible with the VR headset. You will be able to see the shot in a better way
Cons
  1. The camera present on the drone is a low frame rate one and you will get stutters while recording.
  2. The materials that are used in the construction can be a bit better

8. DROCON X708W Drone

Best Drones Under $100

 

This one is also focused on beginners and you will be able to keep it under control. This is also the one that you will be able to fly indoors and outdoors. This drone can be considered one of the best in terms of looks. You will also be able to understand the interface very easily.

There will be no professional help required to set up or use the drone. The maneuvering is also pretty easy on this drone and you will be able to fly it very easily. There will be 2-speed settings that you can use to fly it according to the skill level. You can level it up according to your learning.

Pros
  1. The lights that are present on this drone will be actually very helpful in maneuvering it at night.
  2. The 360-degree flip that is provided on this drone will be able to provide you the ability to explore creativity.
  3. The live-video feature of this drone is also lag-free and the maximum resolution you can get is 720p.
  4. The drone is also fully compatible with virtual reality devices, however, the VR equipment isn’t included in the box.
Cons
  1. When we compare it to the other drones that are available in the same price segment, there are some features like altitude-hold that are missing on this one

9. GoolRC T32 Drone

Best Drones Under $100

 

When it comes to getting a drone that is affordable and can also have the features necessary to learn flying, this can be one of the best drones under $100 that you can buy. The design of this drone is very modern. You will be able to keep it very easily in a backpack by folding the arms into the body.

There will also be a g-sensor control present on this router where you will be able to control it using a Nintendo Wii remote. It will eliminate the need for a smartphone to pair it up with.

Pros
  1. The camera present on this drone can record up to the resolution of 720p that will give you a pretty clear output.
  2. The drone can be controlled by a remote or you can also download the app from the respective app store of your OS. The remote will be included in the box.
  3. The USP of this drone is its ability to get folded and become even more compact to carry along.
  4. The pricing is also done very aggressively where you will get all features like headless mode, altitude hold, etc.
Cons
  1. The range offered by the drone for the live video transmission is actually pretty low and it will get disconnected very often.

10. SIMREX X900 Drone

Best Drones Under $100

 

This one is recently launched and it can easily fly indoors, as well as outdoors. The drone comes with a range of security features and you don’t need to worry about your kid’s safety as well. However, there are no propeller guards and you will need to fly more carefully to not hit something and damage the drone.

The compact size of the drone makes it ideal for carrying it around with you. It can easily fit in any bag. The smartphone can be connected to the controller and you will be able to maneuver it easily.

Pros
  1. The drone will come with 3-speed settings that you can set according to the level of your learning.
  2. The drone is equipped with a very capable battery and can fly up to 15 minutes. It will be a huge factor for beginners who never flew a drone and need more time to learn.
  3. The drone comes with very easy take-off and landing functionality. It will also give you the ability to hold an altitude and you can then be creative.
  4. The drone is also equipped with LEDs that will help a lot while flying at night. You will also get an emergency stop feature to prevent damage.
  5. The camera comes with a 1080p camera that will give you crystal clear video and image output.
Cons
  1. The drone is very fragile and you will not make it last very long if you are not taking any proper care

Handy Tips for Buying the Best!

Now that you have gone through the list of best drones under $100, it’s time for you to make a decision and get a drone that perfectly fits your requirement. While you are in the market or even searching online to find the perfect drone, one thing you should keep in mind is that there is no ‘best drone’ that you can find.

You will need to find the one by going through the following key factors and then choose the one that fits your needs.

Pricing

The most important factor is pricing and you will find these inexpensive drones at an average price of $79. You must not invest a premium amount if you are getting the first drone. You will need to learn a lot and if you crash the premium drone, it will be a lot to get it repaired.

Flying time

The flying time that you will get on a maximum of these drones is around 7-10 minutes. If your top priority is to get the maximum flying time, you should search based on this criterion. It will help you in staying focused on the feature that you need the most. You will also be able to increase the flying time by getting multiple batteries as they aren’t very pricey at all.

Batteries

As I said in the above point that you can increase the flying time by getting multiple batteries, you should also cross-check if the drone needs any cool-down period to fly again. It will restrict the flying time even if you have multiple batteries. This is done to keep the less-powered motor from burning due to the overheating issue.

Easy controls

While buying any drone, be it from this list of the best drones under $100 or any premium one, you must check the ease of use. There are various features that are made available on these drones that will significantly assist you while flying. You will be able to get some very stable and good quality shots.

Safety

The drones should also be equipped with safety measures, for example, the propeller guards are a must. In case of a crash/collision, these guards will be there to lessen the damage. It will keep the propellers from getting broken and another important security feature will be the LEDs that will help you fly in the dark. You will also get the low-power alert while flying. It will get you to bring it to the starting point.

VR support

Some of these drones come with VR support and it will give you a better perspective while flying. You will be able to keep the frame as you want as it will be a first-person view. However, you will need to buy the VR equipment separately.

Still, Confused? – Our Suggestion

When it comes to getting the best drone for you, there are various things that you need to look at. As you have gone through the list of best drones under $100, it can be the case that you are still confused and can’t decide which one to buy.

You should narrow down the search according to your needs and it will allow you to easily find the one. However, to further ease it out for you, we are recommending you 2 best ones that can serve all the purposes.

The first one is the DROCON X708W drone of the best drones under $100. The reason for recommending is that along with the features, it will be controlled by the smartphone. The footage can also be saved on a microSD card. You will get a clear output of the resolution up to 720p.

The other one we would like to recommend is DBPOWER X400W. It is considered the best when it comes to getting the drone that has the ultimate FPV. With a range of good 328 meters, this drone will work on a 2.4 GHz connection. It will also be VR compatible and you will be able to get much better aerial shots. You can trust these drones without any worry and under the $100 price segment, you won’t be able to find any better option.

Some FAQs answered to help you clear confusion…

What is the altitude hold feature?

In many of these drones, you will get this feature where you will be able to set the altitude of the drone and it will help you in getting stable shots.

How to enhance the flying time on these entry-level drones?

The only way you can increase the flying time is by getting multiple batteries and keeping them all charged up.

Why is there a cool-down time on some of the drones?

The entry-level drones come with a cool-down period that will allow their motor to stay away from overheating as the motors aren’t very powerful.

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