Are you planning to get a drone under $200? Do you need help in figuring out the best drone in this price range?
Drones are very popular and in demand today. Due to the competition in the market, you can now find great drones under $200.
If this is what you want, you have come to the right place. I’ll be sharing with you my top pick quadcopters that cost between $100 to $200.
Are you excited? Let’s get started!
Best Drones Under $200
You don’t need to get an expensive drone to enjoy a high-quality and high-performance aircraft. Drones at this price range are already one of the coolest quads in the market. They are packed with powerful features and are durable.
Here are the drones to buy if your budget is under $200.
1. Holy Stone F181W
Specs
Dimensions: 12.6 X 3.3 X 12.6in
Weight: 4.9oz
Video recording modes: 1280 x 720p
Battery of quadcopter: 3.7V 750mAh Lipo Battery
Battery of controller: 4 X 1.5V AA Battery (Not included)
Charging time: about 70-90min
Transmitter operation range: about 50-100m
Playing time: 7-10min
Holy Stone is one of the most popular brands in the drone market. They bring us a good drone under $200 with F181W RC quadcopter with powerful, safe and feature-rich starter quad for beginners.
This FPV drone comes with 720P 120-degree wide-angle HD Wi-Fi camera for high-resolution pictures and videos during flights. Its FPV real-time transmission allows you to see a live video feed on your mobile device by simply installing its app. So, you need a smartphone to get this work.
This quad is beginner friendly because it is designed for safe and fun flying. It has built-in 6-axis flight control system that offers stability. It also allows you to easily implement various flight movements. That’s not all, this can withstand strong winds.
Since this is very stable, the drone can perform 3D flips and rolls with just a press of a button. Even beginners who haven’t experienced flying drones can learn this skill easily.
To avoid confusion, this comes with Headless mode, which eliminates the need to adjust the aircraft’s position before the flight. You also don’t need to check the drone’s orientation when piloting it because backward is always backward and forward is always forward no matter where the drone is facing. Thanks to this feature, it is easier to control the drone.
It has One Key Return Home function, too, that enables the aircraft to fly back to the direction of the transmitter. This drone has several settings and pre-programmed modes that make it so easy to maneuver it. Personally, I think, even complete newbies can manage it.
Beginners and experts won’t get bored with this quad because it has four speed levels – low, medium, high and expert. As you progress with your piloting skills, you can switch to a higher speed to challenge yourself.
I’m a huge fan of Holy Stone F181W Wi-Fi FPV drone. I love everything about it. It has advanced features and is still very affordable considering the features it offers. There is no doubt that this drone is a great value for money.
PROS
- Stylish design
- Stable during in-flights
- Durable and long lasting
- Automatic Altitude Hold function
- Mobile control with a smartphone
- Records clear and steady videos
- Spare parts can easily be obtained
CONS
- Mediocre flight time
- FPV requires smartphone and app
- RC controls can short out
- Pairing and range are spotty
2. Hubsan H501S
Specs
Brand: HUBSAN
Dimensions: 22*22*7 /47.5*31*15cm
Weight:1500g
Main Rotor Diameter: 7.3 inch (185mm)
Drone Battery: 7.4V 2700mAh Li-Po Battery
Remote Control Battery: Rechargeable li-po battery H501S-25
Flight Time: 20min
Charging Time: 150min
Flight distance:100-500m
Frequency: 2.4GHz & 5.8GHz
Hubsan H501S X4 Pro is one of the most popular options if you are looking for a high-quality quadcopter under $200. It has a very cool design. It looks sleek and expensive.
The professional version is almost exactly the same as the standard version. The difference between the two is its Ground controller. H501S X4 Pro uses a LiPO rechargeable battery while Standard uses AA batteries.
LiPO batteries are more expensive, but you’ll save tons of money in the long run because you don’t have to replace them, unlike AA batteries. From time to time, you have to buy a new battery which is not practical but necessary.
This comes with Full HD 1080p resolution camera that gives you more than decent shots and footage. If you want a drone camera for aerial photography or videography but can’t afford a professional one, you can start with this drone.
In addition, this is packed with cool features. It has Headless mode that helps you pilot the drone more conveniently. It also comes with Follow Me mode that makes it easier to take selfies and Orbiting which makes taking videos so much fun. Thanks to these features, you can easily make this drone your personal photographer.
This also comes with Altitude Position Hold and Automatic Return Home that makes it easier for beginners to pilot this drone. This also comes with an unmatched brushless motor for a silent flight. It is super fast in high-speed mode and has a stable GPS.
It has a 6-axis flight control system for stability. This also helped in capturing consistent and clear photos and videos. That’s not all, this also supports real-time FPV (first person view).
Overall, I’m very pleased with Hubsan H501S X4 Pro. It has a decent camera, great features, and a nice design. Its performance is also superb for its price. I highly recommend this.
PROS
- Good range
- Great battery life
- Very stable GPS
- Decent quality camera
- Easy and fun to fly
- Great for beginners
- Brushless motors
- Can fly faster in Altitude Hold mode
CONS
- Sudden fall in altitude with increasing speed
3. Holy Stone HS110D FPV RC Drone
Specs
Channel: 4 Channel Video
Dimensions: 12.6 x 12.6 x 4.70 in
Weight: 145g
Recording Modes: 120° FOV 720P
Playing Time: 10min
Charging Time: about 120min
Video Transmission Range: about 60m//196ft
Transmitter Operation Range: about 100m/328ft
App Required Operating Systems: IOS 7.0or later/Android 4.4or later
This quadcopter is another great deal from Holy Stone. At first glance, you will mistake it for DJI Phantom 4 Pro. It has 4 props with prop guards providing decent protection for the propellers.
The drone is made from high-grade plastic and can take beating really well. It can sustain crashes which is very impressive. Of course, we want a durable and reliable drone. This quality is very helpful for beginners who are likely to crash this quadcopter as they learn to fly the drone.
Those who are completely new to flying drones won’t have a hard time learning to fly this aircraft because it has several features to assist beginners.
For instance, it has Headless mode that disregards the orientation of the drone. This mode allows easier control and enables the drone to fly back when it is out of sight. Thanks to this feature, you always have total control of your quad.
In addition, this comes with Altitude Hold mode that allows the quad to suspend mid-air even if are not holding the joystick. Thanks to this feature, you can enjoy hands-free hovering.
For the camera, it takes decent photos and videos. It’s not actually the best drone camera but for its price, I must say that it’s already good enough. In fact, the majority of its users give this drone a thumbs up in the camera department.
Meanwhile, its FPV real-time transmission allows you to see the beautiful and wonderful world out there that would be impossible to see without a drone. To maximize your FPV experience, you can wear VR glasses.
This drone is very fun to maneuver. It is also capable to perform stunts including 360-degree flips. However, I recommend that you ensure your battery is full before doing this because performing stunts when your battery is low may cause the drone to fail and crash. So, make sure that it has enough power to execute your command.
You can operate the drone through an app on your smartphone to activate multiple functions. However, please take note that the app only works with iOS 7.0 and later or Android 4.4 and later.
I’m very impressed with Holy Stone HS110D’s build, design, quality, and performance. For its price, it offers a lot of things that will surely delight you. So, I highly recommend this.
PROS
- Easy to learn
- Simple and stable
- Stylish design
- Built-in camera
- Modularized battery
- Supports FPV
- Emergency stop
- Well-built transmitter
- Return Home function
- Has Micro SD card slot
- Impressive flight performance
CONS
- Short range
- No GPS mode
- Average camera
- Average flight time
- Limited FPV distance
4. Emax Tinyhawk
Specs
Dimensions: 110 x 95 X 39mm
Weight: 29g
Flight time: 4min
Range : 200ft
Camera: 600TVL CMOS
Emax Tinyhawk is one of the newest ready to fly quadcopters from Emax USA. This drone is one of the best quads I have ever flown and I think both experienced and beginner pilots will love this.
TinyHawk is larger and more powerful than almost all of the 1S models from the brand. The company spent time in designing this and you will see it in the drone’s quality. Its frame is durable and almost indestructible.
This drone is designed to be a “whoop” style quad that you can fly indoors and outdoors. Although there are tons of brushless whoops in the market, this is a lot better.
Also, this comes with a camera and excellent flight modes, so you won’t get bored with it. Its three different modes include Level mode, Horizon mode and Full Acrobatic mode for full control.
This is available in two versions. You can purchase the all-in-one package (RTF) which includes the drone, battery, goggles, Frsky remote and case. If you want to use your remote, then you can get the BNF version.
Its carrying case is very decent which makes storing and transporting Tinyhawk very simple, easy and convenient.
Perhaps, the only downside with this is its short flight time. A single battery can only last up to 4 minutes. However, considering its price and size, you won’t really expect this to last up in the air for 15 minutes or so.
Despite its limitations, TinyHawk remains a great drone under $200 because it delivers power, stability and durability. I am very happy and satisfied with this quadcopter.
PROS
- Stable and durable
- Easy to set up
- Very fun to fly
- Small but incredible
- Available in RTF and BNF versions
- Flies well in both indoors and outdoors
CONS
- Short flight time
- Batteries hard to find
- Acro performance is limited by the power
5. Force1 F100 Ghost
Specs
Dimensions: 16x13x6in
Weight: 15.7oz
Flight time: 15min
Charge time: 120min
Range: 500m
Camera: 1080P HD
Battery: 2×1800 mAh LiPo
For those who want a great drone camera under $200, Force1 F100 Ghost will be a great option for you. With this drone, you can capture awesome aerial photos and videos at a fraction of the cost of the expensive drone cameras in the market.
Just attach your F100 action camera to the camera mount and start taking photos or recording videos. This is GoPro compatible, so if you already own one, then you can use your action camera and spend less in the process.
This drone is extra stable. It also comes with brushless motors technology that enables you to fly your drone with less noise which is very helpful when you are filming. A noisy drone can be distracting in your videos. Also, it has less vibration and audio distortion.
For beginners who wish to buy this, no problem because this drone is beginner-friendly. It has easy-to-learn controls, so even those who have no flying experience won’t have a hard time flying this. This particular feature is a must-have for beginners.
This is also capable of performing 360-degree flips. It can perform aerobic stunts sharply as if you
Force1 F100 Ghost also comes with high and low-speed mode for super-smooth response. One of the things that really impressed me is its flight time.
This can last up to 15 minutes and it comes with a bonus battery to double the flight time and double the fun in the process.
Overall, I’m very happy with this drone because it files well, it is powerful and responsive, too. More importantly, it has an impressive flight time.
PROS
- Very easy to fly
- Very quiet
- Easy to set up
- Responsive controls
- Great value for money
- Includes spare propellers
- Have extra battery
- Can perform 360-degree rolls
- Compatible with many action camera
CONS
- No FPV
- Hard to get replacement parts
- Not compatible with all GoPro models
What to Expect in Drones Under $200
When buying drones under $200, you can expect them to be better than drones under $100 in terms of the features they offer. Here is a short overview of what to expect from drones in this price range.
Range
Usually, drones under $200 can fly up to 100 to 150 meters. However, the advanced ones can go beyond this. For instance, Force 1 F100 Ghost and Hubsan H501S X4 Pro can reach up to 500 meters.
Flight time
Average flight time for drones at this price point is 10 minutes. But some can fly up in the sky for up to 15 minutes. The good thing is that there are brands that offer spare batteries to extend the flight time.
Camera
A $200 drone may come with a built-in camera giving you the opportunity to take amazing photos and videos in angles you won’t otherwise reach without a drone. However, do not expect professional footage and pictures because while the outputs are decent, you cannot compare it to the shots taken using a drone with a high-end camera.
Conclusion
Drones under $200 are already equipped with great features like camera, FPV, Headless mode, Altitude Hold and more. They are easy to pilot and work well for both beginners and experts. Some have different speed modes to make flying even more challenging.
Also, they have a cool design and impressive performance. If you find the best drone in this price range, you’ll understand that you do not need to shed $500 or more just to get a quad that can satisfy you.
What’s your favorite drone under $200? Share your experience with us and help other readers decide what’s the best aircraft to buy for their budget.