Finding the best cheap drone - one that offers a satisfying flying experience despite its low price - is a balancing act. First of all, you should be aware that drone technology has advanced a lot in recent years, and that means cheap drones are no longer synonymous with 30 seconds of haphazard aerobatics until they hit a wall and die forever. If you make the right choice, today's cheap drones are much more user-friendly and come with features like smart flight controls, camera stabilization, GPS lock, and even 4K video.
They offer an ideal way to learn all the basics like flying techniques and controls while discovering how to capture video and photos before moving up to a bigger and better model. This guide focuses on drones that offer a lot of performance for little money and is one of the few guides we have on T3 to help you find the right model for your needs.
If you're a beginner who feels redundant, you can find beginner-friendly models at higher prices in our guide to the best beginner drones. If you want an overall list that ranges from basic to advanced, our general guide to the best drones is for you. And if you're looking for a toy drone, check out our guide to the best kids' drones.
The Best Cheap Drones To Buy Right Now
The new DJI Air 2S (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is our first choice. It offers the best balance between size, weight, image quality, smart features, and price. The camera isn't quite as good as the Mavic 2 Pro (see below), which has a variable aperture for more flexible shooting in sunny conditions, but adding neutral density filters to the Air 2S can make up for the lack of aperture control.
The Air 2S is light enough (1.3 pounds) to take on a hike, yet powerful enough to fly in light winds and can stay airborne for half an hour. It has an improved collision avoidance system that shouldn't get you in trouble, even near trees. And the new 1-inch 20-megapixel sensor captures the beauty of the scene in stunning 5K videos or 20-megapixel photos.
DJI Mini 2
The Mavic Air 2S has great collision avoidance technology, but it's expensive. Even the new Mini 3 Pro costs $750. A more affordable option is DJI's Mini 2 (8/10, WIRED Recommends). It flies almost as well as its larger siblings, though gusts of wind that wouldn't upset larger drones like the Mavic 2 Pro keep the Mini grounded. The lack of collision avoidance sensors makes it a better choice for more experienced pilots.
Despite these caveats, the Mini 2 is a great entry-level drone. It's fun to fly, records 4K video, and packs down smaller than many smartphones. That last point is crucial because the best drone is the one you actually take with you. At just 249 grams, you can take the Mini 2 anywhere, and you don't have to register it with the Federal Aviation Administration.
DJI Mavic 3
DJI's Mavic 3 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is in a class of its own. It's the best drone you can buy right now. Image and video quality is amazing thanks to the new 20-megapixel FourThirds sensor, and the ability to track objects at 45 miles per hour means you won't miss a shot.
Omni-directional Obstacle avoidance keeps the drone out of the trees, and the flight time is 45 minutes. It is expensive, but in this case, you get what you pay for. If that's not enough, there's also a Cine model ($4,999) that additionally supports ProRes video and has a 1-terabyte drive to store the videos.
Best Star Wars Drone
The X-Wing combat drone from Propel is ideal for Star Wars fans. There are actually several drones in this series: the X-Wing and the Tie X1 ($75). The best part is that all of the drones have a "battle mode" where you can fly against friends and try to shoot them down. If you get hit three times with the IR beam, your drone will land automatically.
Unfortunately, flying these drones takes a bit of getting used to - a little tap on the control stick is all it takes - and my drone had a habit of taking off at a certain angle right after takeoff. Holding a position is also a futile endeavor, but once you master the delicate controls, it's fun to fly (and fight). Prices vary widely, especially on Amazon, where the price hovers around $100 or more; don't pay more than $60 for the X-Wing.
Skydio 2+ Drone
The Skydio 2+ (8/10, WIRED Recommends) has the best collision avoidance and navigation system of any drone in this guide. If you're looking for a drone that can follow your mountain bike through the trees or weave around canyon walls without your frantic guidance, this is the drone for you. With a flight time of 27 minutes and a range of 6 miles, it can't quite keep up with our top choices, but it'll do for most people.
The main reason it's not our top pick is the camera. The 1/2.3-inch sensor is capable of shooting 4K at 60 frames per second, but it's not quite as good as the 1-inch sensor in the Air 2S and Evo Lite+. Video professionals should also note that there is no D-Log support. However, if you can do without D-Log and don't mind the slower sensor, this drone can fly in situations where other drones can't. For some use cases, this might be better than a larger sensor.
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