You are now subscribed
Your newsletter sign-up was successful
Want to add more newsletters?
Delivered daily
Daily Newsletter
Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!
Once a month
Watch This Space
Sign up to our monthly entertainment newsletter to keep up with all our coverage of the latest sci-fi and space movies, tv shows, games and books.
Once a week
Night Sky This Week
Discover this week's must-see night sky events, moon phases, and stunning astrophotos. Sign up for our skywatching newsletter and explore the universe with us!
Twice a month
Strange New Words
Space.com's Sci-Fi Reader's Club. Read a sci-fi short story every month and join a virtual community of fellow science fiction fans!
Drones have become more accessible than ever before in terms of price and ease of use. Not to mention, as drone technology evolves, there has been a significant trickle-down of features and functionality to less expensive models. This means that the best cheap drones under $500 may have much more to offer than you realize.
For many newbie pilots, spending less on a first drone is a logical step because you have a smaller investment if something goes wrong and you happen to crash. In this guide, we'll be showing you the best cheap drones offering often unique and impressive features, so you can take to the skies without breaking the bank.
The quick list
Take a quick look at our top picks of the best drones under $500. Discover features at a glance or click on the link to find out more about the drones that catch your eye. For even more detailed information, be sure to take a look at our full reviews.
Best cheap camera drone
The DJI Mini 4K is DJI's least expensive Mini drone and can capture videos in 4K as well as photos in both Raw and JPEG formats. Enjoy DJI quality on a budget.
Best multi-purpose drone
The DJI Neo 2 can be controlled in multiple ways, including using just a smartphone. It also offers useful modes, features and is a low-cost upgrade on its predecessor.
Best for vlogging and selfies
The DJI Flip is a camera drone, selfie drone and vlogging drone rolled into one. It also features propeller guards within its unique lightweight design.
Best cheap non-DJI drone
The Potensic Atom is available in a Fly More bundle at a competitive price. Features include 4K video capture, RAW and JPEG photos alongside great build quality.
Best for general use
The Holy Stone Sirius HS900 is the best Holy Stone drone available and offers excellent image quality when capturing photos and videos.
Best selfie drone
The HoverAir X1 is an intelligent pocket-size selfie drone that flies autonomously to track subjects or it can be flown manually using the Hover X1 app.
Best cheap drones we recommend in 2026
Why you can trust Space.com Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test and review products.
Best cheap drone overall
✅ You'd like a great camera drone: Despite being the entry-level Mini model in the DJI Mini line-up, this drone won’t disappoint in terms of image quality and overall performance.
❌ You'd like subject tracking: If the ability to track subjects is important, the DJI Neo and DJI Flip offer advanced autonomous tracking functionality.
🔎 The DJI Mini 4K is a basic drone in many respects but the performance you can enjoy for the low cost is impressive. Image quality is good when capturing both photos and videos, making this drone a compelling option for beginners. ★★★★★
The DJI Mini 4K may be DJI's lowest-cost Mini-series drone, but don’t let that put you off because it's a highly capable performer that can capture 4K 30 FPS video.
Image quality is fantastic considering the price of the drone, and this sits alongside 12MP photo capture in both RAW and JPEG formats with Manual and Automatic camera control available.
The Mini 4K flies well and offers Cine, Normal and Sport flight modes for use in different situations. Wind resistance comes in at level five, which equates to up to 21 mph and the controls allow for smooth and precise flight. We were hugely impressed with the overall performance in our DJI Mini 4K review.
Being a basic camera drone, collision avoidance and subject tracking features are unsurprisingly unavailable, but as a low-cost beginner camera drone it's an attractive option. If you're a beginner on a budget, you certainly won’t be disappointed.
- Read our full DJI Mini 4K review
Best multi-purpose drone
✅ You're on a tight budget: The DJI Neo 2 is one of the least expensive yet high-quality drones available, making it an attractive option for those on a tight budget.
❌ You need more power: The DJI Neo isn’t the most powerful drone, so if you need something faster, a standard camera drone would be a much better choice.
🔎 The DJI Neo 2 is an incredibly well-priced drone with improved camera functionality as well as all-round performance. Omnidirectional obstacle avoidance is effective, and the drone is a lot of fun. ★★★★1/2
The DJI Neo 2 is a lightweight drone that can be flown manually or autonomously. This can be drone-only, with the DJI Fly app, using the DJI RC-N3 Controller or it can be flown as an FPV drone when connected to DJI's FPV controllers and goggles.
The camera is fairly simple but it can capture video at 4K up to 60 FPS and 1080p up to 60 FPS. Image Stabilization is provided by the two-axis gimbal alongside Rocksteady and HorizonBalancing electronic stabilization.
12MP photos can also be captured in JPEG format, but RAW photo capture is unfortunately not available.
The Neo is designed for fun and simplicity, and the intelligent features and modes work well, as we discovered in our Neo 2 review. There's 49GB of onboard storage, which DJI says equates to up to 105 minutes of 4K/60fps video, up to 175 minutes of 4K/30fps video or 241 minutes of 1080p/60fps video.
- Read our full DJI Neo 2 review
Best for vlogging
✅ You want a vlogging drone: With Intelligent subject tracking modes and noise cancelation for voice recording, you can use this drone for vlogging shots with a difference.
❌ You'd like superior image quality: Image quality is good, but it's not as good as many dedicated camera drones so the main draw of the drone is for its flight modes.
🔎 The DJI Flip is a unique drone in terms of design and functionality. It can be used in different ways which opens up its usefulness, while its subject tracking and vlogging capabilities are impressive and, indeed, effective. ★★★★
The DJI Flip is something of a jack of all trades in that it can be flown independently without an app or controller, with the DJI Fly app or one of two controllers that are available in the kits. We found the versatility of the drone was a breath of fresh air in our DJI Flip full review.
Intelligent flight modes allow for precise subject tracking while the camera can capture up to 4K 60 FPS video, alongside slow motion and vertical video in both Normal and D-Log M color profiles. Photos can be captured in JPEG and RAW formats.
The four propellers are encased in lightweight propeller guards for safer flights when tracking you, which is incredibly useful. For vlogging, you can combine intelligent subject tracking with audio recording.
This is achieved via the DJI Fly app when enabled, so you can record your voice while capturing video, or with the DJI Mic connected to your smartphone. Propeller noise is remarkably filtered out.
- Read our full DJI Flip review
Best cheap non-DJI drone
✅ You'd like a great sub-250 g drone: Potensic produces some of the best DJI alternatives available with impressive cameras and functionality that meet the needs of beginners.
❌ You want to fly close to subjects: The Potensic Atom offers subject tracking, but the drone doesn’t have propeller guards to make it safer to fly close to the subject being tracked.
🔎 The Potensic Atom is an impressive drone that provides excellent overall performance alongside being one of the best DJI alternatives available. The cost of the drone has also been reduced recently, so it's also available at a competitive price. ★★★★
The Potensic Atom is an impressive sub-250 g mini drone offering up to level five wind resistance, which is up to 24 mph. There's no collision avoidance, which is common for less expensive beginner to enthusiast models, but the Atom does offer impressive subject-tracking functionality.
The drone also offers automated flight patterns that allow you to capture cinematic video at the touch of a button, including Pull-away, Rocket, Circle, Spiral and Boomerang.
The camera itself is supported by a 3-axis gimbal for Image Stabilization, with both automatic and manual control over camera settings. Image quality is also respectable across photos and videos.
Video can be captured at up to 4K 30 FPS, while photos can be captured in RAW and JPEG formats. We found the Atom to be one of the best DJI alternatives available in our full review, thanks to great flight performance, features and camera functionality.
- Read our full Potensic Atom review
Best for general use
✅ You'd like impressive performance: The Holy Stone HS900 is an impressive all-round performer that can comfortably hold its own against most mid-range sub-250 g drones.
❌ You're on a tight budget: The Holy Stone HS900 is slightly more expensive than both the DJI Mini 4K and the Potensic Atom which are direct competitors.
🔎 The Holy Stone HS900 Sirius is Holy Stone's most impressive drone and delivers mid-range performance at an attractive price. Flight controls are smooth and responsive, while the features available will suit beginners and intermediate pilots. ★★★★
Holy Stone has quite a fanbase, and the Holy Stone HS900 Sirius will undoubtedly pique the attention of pilots looking for a sub-250 g camera drone. In terms of flight performance, features and image quality, the HS900 is one of the best models available in this category.
The drone offers level five wind resistance, which covers wind speeds up to 24 mph. Then there are three flight modes which include Stable, Normal and Sport, with flight speeds of up to 11 mph, 22 mph and 31 mph respectively. Features include GPS positioning, downward vision sensors and Return to Home functionality, among others.
Automated flight patterns include Point of Interest, Spiral up, Tap Fly (waypoints), Gesture Selfie, One-key Ascension and Catapult. There's also a time-lapse feature, subject tracking and cruise control. Video can be captured up to 4K 30 FPS, while photos can be captured in RAW and JPEG formats.
- Read our full Holy Stone HS900 Sirius review
Best selfie drone
✅ You'd like excellent subject tracking: The HoverAir X1 is an impressive performer and can track moving subjects effectively, even in complex environments.
❌ You need camera drone functionality: The HoverAir X1 is undoubtedly a fantastic selfie drone, but as a camera drone it cannot compete with dedicated camera drones.
🔎 If capturing your adventures is a priority, the HoverAir X1 could be the perfect drone for you. Its intelligent tracking modes are fantastic, and the drone is small, lightweight and incredibly easy to use. ★★★★
The HoverAir X1 is an autonomous selfie drone that uses intelligent tracking algorithms to track moving and static subjects. Its capabilities are impressive, and this small and lightweight folding drone, just 4.4 oz / 125 g, is pocket-sized when folded and offers flight times of up to 11 minutes.
The HoverAir X1 impressed us in our full review because it can also be flown manually to capture photos and videos using the Hover X1 app and on-screen controls. It's not the best in this situation, but this functionality does further extend the capabilities of the drone. The X1 can capture photos in JPEG format and video up to 2.7K at 30 FPS.
The drone can be used with the app or without for quick and easy autonomous flights. Intelligent tracking modes include Orbit, Follow, Reveal, Overhead, Hover and Dolly Track. Overall, the X1 is incredibly easy to use, and its subject tracking capabilities are impressive.
- Read our full HoverAir X1 review
Best cheap drones frequently asked questions
The most frequently asked questions on the best cheap drones under $500 answered by our contributing expert, astronomer James Abbott.
What is the best cheap drone under $500?
If you're on a tight budget, the DJI Mini 4K may not be the most feature-packed drone available, but for the low cost, its overall performance and image quality are outstanding. It's also regulator-friendly with a sub-250 g weight.
What is the best camera drone?
The Holy Stone HS900 Sirius offers features, functionality and image quality more commonly associated with mid-range mini drones. The Potensic Atom is similar in this respect and it's safe to say that both of these drones offer great value for money.
What is the best beginner drone?
If you're an absolute beginner, the DJI Neo could be a fantastic drone for you because it's small, lightweight and can be controlled in multiple ways. It's also incredibly affordable so you can enjoy DJI performance at a great price.
What is the best drone for selfies?
The best drone for selfies is the HoverAir X1, which is easy to use and is a highly effective autonomous drone. The DJI Flip can perform similarly, but can be used for vlogging and also be flown as a camera drone.
How we test the best cheap drones
Drones are tested in the same way to ensure consistency across the many models we review. Flight performance, features and camera performance are all put through their paces.
Most drone models are standard camera drones, although some models have more specific uses such as selfie drones and FPV drones, so these are always tested according to their specific features.
To test camera performance, which is often the main reason for flying drones, video footage is captured alongside photos. All camera features are tested where available, while image quality is assessed on a computer rather than a mobile device to provide the most effective viewing experience possible.
