5 Best Drones Under $500

You might think that drones fall into two categories: cheap, toylike versions with limited flight time or expensive, high-tech drones with the most advanced capabilities. However, some of the best drones under $500 offer cool features, such as a stable GPS, a two-axis gimbal and nice cameras.

Discover 5 of the Best Drones Under $500

A few years ago, many people believed that the military or governments used drones, also called uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs). However, businesses and consumers increasingly use drones for various purposes. Using a drone provides users with outstanding aerial views, enables surveillance and even helps public safety professionals do their jobs.

Finding the right drone for your needs might be challenging. If you’re in the market for a drone, you might want to avoid overspending.

1. Potensic T25 – $149.99

Potensic’s T25 model is a beginner-level drone under $500. It includes batteries, a handy carrying case and a convenient smartphone app for remote controls. Another cool feature is “follow me” mode, which, as its name suggests, enables the drone 2K camera to follow you and capture every move.

The Potensic T25 can remain in the air for around 14 to 18 minutes and reaches a maximum height of 980 feet. If you find it challenging to find the drone, you can easily hit the return button, so the drone enters GPS mode and automatically returns to its takeoff point. This could be especially useful for industrial applications, such as agricultural uses. For example, farmers leverage drones to gather real-time data about their fields, which would be extremely time-consuming if performed manually.

2. DEERC DE22 – $271.99

Over 370,000 U.S. customers chose Deerc drones, which started in 2016. One feature that sets the Deerc DE22 apart from competitor drones is its flight time — the drone can remain in the air and capture stunning videos and images for 52 minutes. 

The DE22 also has a 4K camera and 5x zoom capabilities so that you can capture even the smallest details. It’s stable, easy to use and uses 5G technology to provide FPV (first-person view) transmission. 

3. Holy Stone HS720 – $299.99

Holy Stone emerged in 2014 and quickly became a leader in the drone industry, with over five million customers. The company’s main mission is to create high-tech, fun-to-fly drones at an affordable price. 

One of the company’s drone models, the Holy Stone HS720, has three key features: a 4K, 90-degree adjustable camera, real-time wifi transmission and optimal flow for stable hovering. Keep in mind that the average flight time for the HS720 is 26 minutes. It’s always recommended to follow drone registration requirements from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). 

4. DJI Mini SE – $299.00

The DJI Mini SE is extremely lightweight, coming in at less than a pound, almost as light as the average smartphone. It seamlessly connects to the DJI Fly app on your smartphone to generate entertaining videos in just a few minutes. 

The Mini SE has an average flight time of 30 minutes, a 2.7K camera and level-five wind resistance. Of the drone’s 2,837 global Amazon ratings, 81% of customers gave it five stars.

5. Ruko F11 GIM2 – $459.99

Ruko’s F11 GIM2 comes with a 4K camera, a three-axis gimbal (two standard and one EIS anti-shake gimbal) and a low-noise, brushless motor for quiet operation. The drone is a high-quality, intelligent, stable drone that can travel far distances. According to its product description, its video transmission can extend up to 9,800 feet.

Consider Buying One of the Best Drones Under $500

Many tech-savvy consumers enjoy using drones as a hobby or business or simply to create visually appealing content. No matter the reason, a drone shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg. Avoid overspending and consider buying one of the best drones under $500 on the list above. Happy flying!