From time to time people ask us what is the best drone under $300, and honestly, there aren’t a whole lot of noteworthy options in the $200 to $300 range. If you are willing to spend a little more money, then the DJI Spark is the clear answer. However, if your budget really is $300 we have some solid options for you. If none of these tickle you then there is some good news – there are fantastic drones you can get for less than $200. Learn more about those options in our dedicated article.
The Parrot Bebop 2
The best overall drone for under $300 is the Parrot Bebop 2. It has an impressive 14 MP camera with an impressive wide field of view. It takes stabilized pictures and video thanks to its impressive electronic image stabilization. The 25 minute flight time is quite impressive. The drone is very light and portable and flies via an app on your smartphone. Because it connects to your phone via WiFi, the range is limited. Parrot claims a range of 300 meters, but expect to get a little less depending on nearby interference. This dual GPS drone is incredibly stable. You’ll get flight modes like orbit, waypoints and follow me. The biggest drawback is the Bebop doesn’t come with a physical remote. You can pick one up, but they are expensive. Purchasing the Bebop with a Skycontroller as a bundle is definitely our recommendation, but that pushes it out of the sub-$300 category. Learn more about the Bebop 2 HERE.
| Order the Bebop 2 from Amazon | Order the Bebop 2 with Skycontroller from Amazon |
| Order the Bebop 2 from B &H Photo | Order the Bebop 2 with Skycontroller from B & H Photo |
The Hubsan H501S Professional Version
The Hubsan H501S is an excellent quadcopter with an HD camera. You can even opt for the Professional version with an increased range and better built-in LCD monitor in the remote so you can view the live feed from the camera while you fly. It has impressive GPS stability but lacks some of the high-end flight modes you’ll get with the Bebop. The Hubsan also does not have electronic image stabilization, so you’ll have to fly slow and steady to get good video. The video feed that transmits to the monitor is via a 5.8 GHz signal so there is very little lag. Overall this is a solid machine. Learn more about the Hubsan H501S HERE.
| Order the H502S Pro from Amazon | Check for a Deal on the H501S Pro from B & H Photo |
Yuneec Breeze
The Yuneec Breeze is a small and portable quadcopter and the recent price drop brings it closer to $200 than $300. It can be flown with your smartphone or you can pick up a Bluetooth remote as part of a package deal. It has a 4K camera, but will only stabilize video in 1080p or 720p. It is incredibly stable utilizing its downward sensors and GPS. It is an excellent option, especially if you want to save a few dollars and still have an impressive drone. Learn more about the Breeze HERE.
| Order the Breeze from Amazon |
| Check for Breeze Deals from Walmart |
| Order the Breeze from B & H Photo |
The UPAir One
This U-shaped Phantom style drone is one of the better inexpensive GPS quadcopters out there that you can buy. You can get either a 2.7K version under $300 or spend a little more for the version with a 4K camera. You won’t get all of the advanced flight modes you’ll see in a DJI drone, but again it is a fraction of the cost. It has a very nice built-in monitor so you won’t have to worry about connecting your smartphone to fly. The UpAir One has a range of 500-800 meters and a flight time of 15-18 minutes. It is a capable drone, and one of the best bargains out there. The camera is stabilized by a two-axis gimbal. Typically you can get the 2.7K version under $300 and the 4K version for $30-50 more. Learn more about the UPAir One HERE.
| Check the price of the UPAir One with 2.7K camera |
| Check the price of the UPAir One with the 4K camera |
The Best Option
Sure this is cheating, but the DJI Spark is currently $399 with a remote. It can be found for close to $300 without one, but we highly recommend the remote. It just adds so much in terms of both control and range. It is heads and shoulders better than every other drone on this list. The two-axis mechanical gimbal does a great job of stabilizing video without degrading quality. (This is a feat that electronic stabilization cannot do.) It has more flight modes than any other of the drones on this list and it is backed by the best and most innovative company in the business. Learn more about the DJI Spark HERE.
| Order the Spark directly from DJI | Order the Spark from Amazon |
More Drones…
Every month we update what we believe are the best drones on the market. Check out Best Drones Now. We have also created the one-of-a-kind Half Chrome Drone Cipher™. You answer a few questions and we’ll pair you with the best drone for you.
| Best Drones Now |
Do you want to search by price? Click on your menu above or we can break it down for you. Check out drones under $50, from $50-100, from $100-200, from $200-500 or over $500. Maybe you like a good Top Ten list, we’ve got you covered.
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Learn More…
If you want to learn more about taking great pictures or flying FPV then check out our comprehensive guides on those topics. Also take a look at our articles on how to choose the right drone for great aerial photos or for getting started flying race drones. Learn more about drones and how to get the most out of them in our Drone Academy. In the Academy we also detail some of the advanced testing we do, including our recent addition, drone thrust testing.
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