Best Drone Under 50
Whether you use a drone for your business or just recreation, it’s frustrating if you don’t have all the features you want or need, especially when budget is a factor. If you’re looking for the best drone under 50 dollars it’s important to balance features and budget. Hopefully, this list will help you figure out which drone is best for you.
Quick Comparison table of Best Drones under $50
Top 5 Only Listed, scroll down for more details on the rest in the list
1. Syma X5C-1 (Best Drones Under 50)
There is no doubt, this drone has been touted as one of the best drones under 50 dollars and a great beginner drone (if not the best beginner drone). This drone is lightweight and relatively small. Though it’s HD camera isn’t the top of the line, it is good quality and has good basic video capabilities. It’s durable, easy to assemble, and the price-point isn’t bad either. This makes it ideal for beginners and budget-conscious intermediate drone pilots.
As good as it is for those on a budget, there are a couple issues I have with this drone. First off, you’ll only get about 5-7 minutes of fly time, which is a little less than average. However, Combine that with the fact that it takes over an hour and a half to charge and the battery leaves a lot to be desired and you'll want to buy some extra batteries. It also has a bad tendency to burn out its motor.
Pros:
- A great budget drone
- Durable for under $50,
- Fun to fly
- Easy to assemble.
Cons:
- Long charge time.
Good for you if: You want decent video and a fun drone to learn to fly on. You don't mind purchasing extra batteries to make up for short battery time.
Probably not for you if: You are looking to do longer video segments or don't want to purchase extras.
Check out this video of the Syma, our top pick for the best drones under $50
2. TOZO Q4040 Drone RC (Drone for less than $50)
This foldable quadcopter is TINY. When folded it is only 4 inches and weighs just over 3 ounces. It is super portable and, as a result, very agile. It is capable of doing impressive flips and has a high level of control. What’s more, if you lose control of your drone there is an emergency stop function. It has been called the “perfect training drone” in a number of reviews. All of these features easily make it the best quadcopter under 50 dollars.
The video camera is serviceable, but not super high quality. Partially because of its compact size, it does not support additional payload, such as a Gopro for example. It also has about 10 minutes of fly time, which is better than other drones in its category. This little guy definitely deserves a spot on the best drones under 50 list.
Pros:
- Super small drone
- Impressive maneuverability
- Emergency stop.
Cons:
- Not the best camera.
Good for you if: You need a maneuverable and easily portable quadcopter for a low price or you are learning to fly drones.
Probably not for you if: You need HD video quality or want stability in your videos.
Check out this video for more detail on the Tozo.
3. Holy Stone HS150 Bolt (Definitely one of the Best Drones Under 50)
This Holy Stone quad is a fast little drone. With speeds up to 30 mph and impressive maneuverability, it’s just fun to fly. It also has a range of up to 70 meters, which is double the range of some other drones on this list. Though it’s flying time is a pretty normal 5-7 minutes, it comes with 2 batteries which give you up to 14 minutes of flying time. This means that your flying time is also double that of many drones in the same category. This is definitely a racing drone. In fact, it’s arguably the on of the top quads on this list for racing.
The sad part is that, while it has cool headlights it, unfortunately, does not have a camera. This means that if you are looking for a recreational or racing drone, it’s a good fit for you. If you would like anything that takes videos however, this isn’t the way to go. This little guys fun and deserves a place on the best drones for under 50 list.
Pros:
- Small and super fast racing drone
- Really fun to fly
- For Less than $50, you can't beat the speed
Cons:
- No camera.
Good for you if: You are looking for a recreational or racing drone.
Probably not for you if: You need or want a camera incorperated.
Check out the video on our Fastest drone for less than $50, the HS150
4. Rabing Mini Foldable RC Drone FPV VR
This quadcopter is controlled from your phone or tablet and has an HD camera. It has an impressive range of 100 meters and a fly time of about 10 minutes, which is above average for a drone of this type.
Sadly, this drone does not appear to be very high quality. Although the video is HD quality, it can be hard to hold steady which can reduce the video quality simply because of shakiness. The drone itself can have issues charging as well as problems with the controller. While this drone is alright, there are better drones for under 50 dollars.
Pros:
- Fun to control from your phone
- Really long range for the less than $50 price point
Cons:
- Low quality parts
- Difficult to maneuver and control
Good for you if: You want HD videos but are mostly flying it for fun.
Probably not for you if: This is your first drone. It can be difficult to control and is easier for intermediate or experienced drone pilots.
Check out this video on the Rabing Mini drone
5. Hubsan X4 (H107C)
This mini drone is under 3 inches long and surprisingly stable. It’s size makes it extremely portable and, because it is a quadcopter, also flies surprisingly steady given how small it is. That being said, its size also means it’s easily blown off course.
While it does not have an HD camera, the camera it does have isn’t half bad. If you want to record video or photos, however, you will need to purchase a micro SD card. While the SD card is required for video recording, it unfortunately does not come standard. Despite the lack of an SD card, this is still one of the best affordable drones on the market, especially if you’re looking for a mini drone.
Pros:
- Small size drone
- Steady Flyer
- Good camera
Cons:
- It does not come with the required SD card
Good for you if: You want a mini drone that takes decent video.
Probably not for you if: You want HD video or fly it outdoors a lot.
6. EACHINE E010
This is a really good drone for kids and it’s a safe drone to fly indoors. It’s small and affordable with an automatic return feature that brings it back to the remote with the press of a button. It’s a good cheap drone if you’re looking for fun.
Sadly, the standard model doesn't come with a camera but you can “upgrade” it to include an SD camera. Really though, this drone was designed for fun and not video.
Pros:
- Small design
- Fun to play with
Cons:
- No camera.
Good for you if: You are purchasing this for your kid, wanting to fly indoors, or are looking for a really inexpensive drone.
Probably not for you if: You want video or a racing drone.
Check out this video for more info on the Eachine
7. DROCON Cyclone X708
One of the largest drones on this list, this quadcopter is easy to control and is perfect for beginners. It’s large enough that it won’t be easily blown off course but small enough to be easily transported. It’s 8 minute fly time is pretty normal for this type of drone, as is it’s 80 meter range. It’s steady and has variable speeds which makes it relatively easy to learn to fly. It also includes and one key return and automatic flips. It’s just a fun drone. Sadly, it does not have a camera.
Pros:
- Easy to control
- Good basic drone for beginners
Cons:
- No camera
Good for you if: You are looking into getting your first drone and want to learn how to fly them.
Probably not for you if: You are experienced with drones and/or want a camera.
Watch this clip for more info on the Drocon.
8. RCtown Elf II HW Mini WIFI
This is a really amazing drone given its price. Not only does it have a one key take off and land, it also will automatically hold its position if you let go of the throttle. This makes it ideal for taking HD video. It also has an auto return feature and headless flying, which means wherever the operator is facing is forward.
It’s a nice little machine and you get an amazing deal for the price. It also has excellent reviews on Amazon. If I were buying a drone off this list, I would highly consider this one.
It has a very average fly time of 7 minutes and a short range of 50 meters, but I think the video quality and ease of use makes up for that and more.
Pros:
- Best bang for your buck if you want an HD camera.
- One key take off and land
- Automatically holds it's position
Cons:
- At over 6 inches long, it is larger than the other mini drones we’ve reviewed
- Short flight time and range
Good for you if: You want high video quality and easy maneuverability or are a beginner.
Probably not for you if: You want a truly mini drone or long drone flight time.
9. Sky Viper e1700 Stunt Drone Builder
This Sky Viper drone is all assembly required and is definitely for the tech enthusiast. With step by step instructions and video animation, those who aren't so handy can put this drone together, though it is a little intimidating. Once assembled, it offers auto flight as well as auto launch and land. There is no camera included but it looks like at the end of the day you’ll have a pretty decent stunt drone. Besides, in this case, putting it together is half the fun.
Pros:
- Auto flight
- Auto launch and land
- Good maneuverability
Cons:
- Put ALL of it together yourself
Good for you if: You want to build your own drone.
Probably not for you if: You aren’t particularly techy or good at putting things together. If you have issues with IKEA furniture, this is not the drone for you.
10. Hubsan X4 Hornet
This little drone has an amazing 11 minutes of fly time. It’s a really good stunt drone for under 50 bucks and has auto hover and headless modes. While it does not have a camera, this drone is perfect for doing tricks and stunts. It has two speed modes, allowing you to learn how to fly it before you really take off. It has a decent 50 meter range and is really a nice deal considering how cheap it is.
Pros:
- Inexpensive stunt drone
- 2 speed modes
Cons:
- You get what you pay for, which can include issues right off the bat
- No camera
Good for you if: You want a cheap drone to have fun with and do stunts with.
Probably not for you if: You need video or want something that’s going to last you a while.
Check out this video from Jay Drone on the Hubsan X4
Buying Guide for a Drone Under $50
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a good drone. Many good products can be accessed at less than 50 dollars. Granted, you will not get the best quality drone on the market. Certain premium features are not accessible at higher prices.
In this section of the post, we will help you choose the drone under that's suitable for you. Here are some aspects and features you should consider when shopping for a drone:
Headless Flying Mode
Some drones are designed with the headless mode which makes it easier to operate the quadcopter. This feature allows you to fly the drone with no regard to the head of the device. Instead, the drone will move with respect to the direction of the remote controller. The headless flying mode is particularly important to beginners since they don’t have enough experience flying such devices.
One-key return
This feature will make your drone come back to the remote controller with the push of a single button. Some devices in this price range also have a one-key take off feature which flies your drone when you press the given buttons. These features are ideal for inexperienced flyers since the quadcopter can easily get lost when it gets out of sight.
Camera
Most drones in this price range don’t have a high-quality camera. Those with cameras are usually lacking in other features. The camera is more important to people who are interested in aerial photography. When shopping for a drone with a camera, you should also check whether it can transmit live feeds from the quadcopter’s perspective. Others can simply take pictures.
Quadcopters at this price are unlikely to have high-quality cameras, but you still need to check the photo and video resolution of your camera. If you are not exactly interested in aerial photography, you can choose to pick a device with higher performance and simply attach a keychain camera.
360 Degree Flip
Some drones also come with the 360-degree flip feature. This can be entertaining, especially for kids. You simply need to push a button, and the drone will flip.
Altitude Hold Mode
Closely related to the 360-degree flip feature is the altitude hold mode. This feature allows the drone to hover in the air and even ascend or descend, making it even easier to manipulate.
With the altitude hold mode, you will be able to focus more on the elevator controls and aileron since you don’t need to pay attention to the throttle stick. This feature is best used in calm environments since wind can affect the altitude readings of the drone.
Gyro Stabilization
The gyroscope is meant to sense the angular velocity of the drone and, therefore, keep it stable while in motion. Ideally, you should go for a quadcopter with 6-axis gyro. These have two 3-axis gyros and are more resistant to displacement when flying.
If you choose a lighter drone, you should consider flying it indoors since the weather can affect the stability of the device. Manufacturers usually state the strength of the wind that would affect the quadcopter, and these guidelines should be followed strictly. Otherwise, you may end up losing your drone.
The Flight Time
Drones are designed to fly for limited periods. Products within this price range are bound to have short flight times, but you can easily get one that can fly for 10 minutes. The shortest flight time should be five minutes.
You can lengthen the flight time by buying additional batteries. In some cases, the drone will need resting time between flights, so you should read through your manual first. Using the drone in fair weather will allow you to fly it for a longer period since it can turn and make other movements easily.
Charging Time
The batteries can take up to 2 hours to charge fully. You should consider the charging time when shopping for a drone, especially if you don’t plan to get extra batteries. People with multiple batteries can just charge them a day before and enjoy flying the quadcopter for some time the following day.
To enjoy longer flights, you may have to get rid of the camera since it adds weight to the drone. Also, the cameras are normally designed to connect to the copter, and this consumes the battery faster. You can choose to upgrade your battery, although this may eventually make the quadcopter heavier.
Range
The distance you can fly the drone can be anything over 50 meters. Kids and inexperienced flyers will enjoy using a drone with a range of only 50 meters. However, other people might need to get one with a range of at least 100 meters. This is usually the best available range for drones at this price point.
In some places, flying drones beyond your level of sight is limited or even prohibited. If you live in an area with such laws, you shouldn’t concern yourself much with finding a quadcopter with a long range.
Weight
The weight of the drone will affect its speed. If you are looking for a racing drone, be sure to go for a light one. For the best performance, you may have to abandon other features such as the first-person view (FPV) camera.
If your drone is heavier, you may have to register it before flying it for the first time. Lightweight drones are also not suitable for use in harsh weather. Such devices are usually meant to be used indoors.
The Warranty
Drones are covered by warranty agreements, and these can be used to assess the quality of the product. Typically, quadcopters of lower quality will have shorter warranties while those of higher quality will have more extended warranties. It is important to go through the agreement and the user manual since not all types of damages will be covered.
Spare Parts Availability
As a rookie flyer, you will almost certainly crush your quadcopter as you learn how to fly it. That is why manufacturers usually include spare parts in the box. For a drone under 50 dollars, you should look for at least four extra propellers and one mini screwdriver.
The box should also have a charger for your battery. If your drone has a camera attached to it, you should also expect a USB cable to transfer the pictures and videos to your laptop or phone.
The Controller
The controller or transmitter is meant to help you manipulate the quadcopter remotely and wirelessly. If you are looking for a hobby-grade quadcopter, you should find a controller with at least four channels.
Most quadcopters have controllers with 2.4 GHz frequency. If you want longer ranges, you should look for those with lower frequencies. Your controller should also have an ergonomic feel, meaning the keys and buttons should be well positioned. The best way to tell how a transmitter feels in the hand is by referring to user reviews.
Best Drone $50 : Wrap Up
We hope this overview of the top drones under $50 has helped you narrow down your decision. If you ready to move up to a little higher end drone, then check out these drones.
