Shopping
The 3 Best Drones Under $100, According To Reviewers
We only recommend products we love and that we think you will, too. We may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was written by our Commerce team.
Whether you’ve always dreamed of becoming a pilot or are simply looking to get into aerial photography, the best drones under $100 will rival pricier options with impressive features like an HD camera, flight planning options, and control features that make it easy to fly. They also have Wi-Fi capabilities, so you can easily share your shots with friends.
First off, you’ll want to consider your skill level. All of these models are fairly easy to operate, thanks to features like one-key takeoff and landing buttons as well as flight pattern planning. But if you’re new to high-tech toys or are shopping for a kid, you might prefer a beginner-friendly drone with simple controls and a sturdy build with well-protected propellers in case of crashes.
And for those interested in taking stunning aerial shots, you’ll want to look for a drone with an HD camera and a first person viewing (FVP) mode so you can see your aerial shot from your phone. All of the picks on this list feature an HD camera with 720p resolution.
Quick reminder: Before taking flight, check to see if you have to register your drone with the Federal Aviation Administration. All good? Scroll on for some of the best budget drones on Amazon that are top-rated, too.
1The Fan-Favorite Drone Under $100
- Also available on Walmart, $120
Flying is tons of fun with this popular Holy Stone drone, which boasts an impressive 17,000-plus ratings on Amazon. It can be voice controlled via an app on your phone with commands like “fly,” “left,” and “forward.” The app also features a gravity sensor mode — simply move your smartphone and the drone will follow suit — and a flight path feature. Of course, if you don’t want to use your phone, you can also navigate the drone via the remote control.
This pick operates on five speed settings, features one-key takeoff and landing, and can perform 360-degree flips for a mini aerial show. The first person viewing (FPV) mode gives you a bird’s eye view while you fly, and since it’s Wi-Fi enabled, you can snap photos and videos on the adjustable, wide-angle 1080p HD camera and share quickly. This drone has a foldable design to make it easy to carry in your backpack, bag, or pocket, but each of the two batteries only lasts up to 10 minutes.
According to one drone pilot: “The Holy Stone HS110D is a great drone with an amazing camera. The drone is affordable yet high quality. Instructions are clear and the drone is easy to learn. As a beginner, I had a lot of fun flying this drone. It also has great features such as headless mode and altitude hold. The drone can even do flips in the air. The 1080P camera quality is great and the app works well. Best of all, the customer service is above extraordinary.”
2The Drone With The Longest Flight Time
Providing a flying time of up to 20 minutes per battery — more than twice as much as the other picks — this SYMA drone will give you plenty of time to find the perfect vista before taking a photo or video on the 1080p HD camera. And once those 20 minutes run out, you can simply swap in the extra battery for an additional 20 minutes, for a grand total of up to 40 minutes, which is even more impressive.
While the camera is stationary, it offers a 110-degree viewing angle, and the “optical flow positioning” feature makes for steady recording, while FPV lets you get an aerial view from your smartphone while you fly. When connected to Wi-Fi, you can instantly share photos and videos with friends via the app.
Navigation is a breeze on the handheld remote, with one-key start and land, two speed settings, and a 360-degree flip trick function. You can also create flight paths on the phone app and use your phone to direct the drone.
According to one drone pilot: “Great entry-level drone to learn navigation and filming skills. Assembly was simple and straight-forward, with or without instructions. Paired easily with accessories and came with an extra battery for extended use. Camera quality better than expected considering the price point. Great for beginners and younger users! Very lightweight so consider wind when flying outside.”
3The Budget-Friendly Drone That’s Great For All Ages
At around $60, this is one of the best drones for beginners of all ages, thanks to the simple controls and sturdy design with circular propeller guards to protect it against rough landings. The Wi-Fi-enabled drone offers a one-key takeoff and landing, emergency stop feature, and altitude hold mode so that you can take steady aerial shots with the angle-adjustable 720p HD camera. FPV lets you view live footage when you connect your drone to your smartphone via its app. You can also enable gravity sensor mode and set the flight path on your phone before takeoff. The flight time for this drone is up to about 8 minutes on a charge.
According to a drone pilot: “We got this for our younger kids and they’ve loved it! It’s easy to setup and to fly. I love the guards around the blades. Battery life has been good and I love that it comes with 2 batteries.”
This article was originally published on
