With the rise of drone technology, it's never been easier to capture breathtaking aerial shots or race through the skies. But before you take the plunge and invest in a high-end drone, remember one thing: start small.
A cheap practice drone might seem like a step down from the latest DJI Mavic or Phantom, but trust us, it's worth it. When it comes to learning how to fly a drone, it's better to crash a $20 toy drone than your $2,200 dream machine. With fewer automated features, you'll have to manually control your cheap practice drone, giving you a chance to hone your flying skills without relying on software to do the work for you.
Even if your new Mavic Mini can fly itself, you want to be prepared in case you need to take control. And the best way to prepare is with a cheap practice drone.
So, if you're looking for an affordable way to take your drone game to the next level, look no further! In this guide, we've rounded up the best cheap practice drones that will challenge you, without breaking the bank. With all options costing less than $100, you can learn to fly like a pro, without sacrificing your savings.
The best choice for beginners: Tello Ryze Drone
The best overall Under 50$: Potensic Upgraded A20 Mini Drone
The second best overall Under 50$: Tomzon Mini Drone
The best cheap drone for Star Wars fans: Propel Star Wars High-Performance Battle Drone
In this guide, we'll be highlighting some best, most affordable practice drones for beginners that cost less than $100. These drones may not have all the bells and whistles of more expensive models, but they will allow you to hone your skills and prepare you for more advanced drones in the future. So, whether you're looking to fly for fun or to start a career in drone photography, these budget-friendly options are a great place to start.
Raze/DJI Tello drone, source: www.ryze.com
The best choice for beginners: Tello Ryze Drone
The Tello is a top choice for beginners looking for a cheap practice drone. Priced at just under $100, it offers high-quality features and can serve as a valuable tool for both learning and advanced use cases. A company called Ryze creates the Tello but it was developed with the input of drone giant DJI and uses DJI parts. This makes it unique among other toy drones on the market.
Unlike other drones in this guide, the Tello has a lifespan that extends beyond just being a training tool for new pilots. It has a decent camera, making it great for capturing group selfies, and it also features a coding system that teaches you how to program your drone to fly, making it a favorite educational tool as well.
Flying the Tello is easy, thanks to its auto takeoff and landing feature and a smart vision positioning system that ensures precise hovering. If you're looking to master precise drone flight, this may not be the best pick for you, but it's a great option for those looking to "graduate" to a DJI drone as the flight experience closely mirrors that of the DJI Phantom or Mavic. Plus, there's even an Iron Man version of the Tello drone available. With a flight time of 13 minutes and a price of $99, it's a great value for any beginner looking to learn how to fly a drone.
Potensic Upgraded A20 Mini Drone, source: www.potensic.com
The best overall Under 50$: Potensic Upgraded A20 Mini Drone
If you're on a tight budget and looking for an affordable practice drone, the Potensic Upgraded A20 Mini Drone is a great option. Priced at just $28, it offers solid value for the price. As a budget pick, it does not have a camera or any extra features, but it is perfect for getting comfortable behind the sticks.
The Potensic Upgraded A20 Mini Drone does offer key features such as one key take-off and landing and an auto-hovering function. Additionally, it allows you to switch between flying in three different speed modes, allowing you to start with low speed and gradually graduate to high speed as you become more comfortable flying. You can also toggle between flight modes like headless/compass mode, similar to more expensive DJI drones, which is a great opportunity to get practice in these modes. With a combined flight time of 15-18 minutes across all three batteries, the Potensic Upgraded A20 Mini Drone is a great option for beginners looking to learn how to fly a drone on a tight budget.
Tomzon Mini Drone, source: www.aliexpress.com
The second best overall Under 50$: Tomzon Mini Drone
Tomzon Mini Drone is a great alternative. While it is slightly more expensive at $49.99, it's still a great value and can often be found on sale or with coupons. Like the Eachine, the Tomzon Mini Drone does not have a camera and is best used as a training drone for practicing flying.
One way that the Tomzon Mini Drone differentiates itself from other similar drones is by featuring LED-enhanced propellers and a cool RGB color-changing effect while in flight, making it more fun to fly. With a flight time of 8 minutes per battery and the inclusion of 2 batteries, for a total of 16 minutes flight time, the Tomzon Mini Drone is a great option for beginners looking to learn how to fly a drone on a budget.
Propel Star Wars High-Performance Battle Drone, source:
The best cheap drone for Star Wars fans: Propel Star Wars High-Performance Battle Drone
The Propel Star Wars High-Performance Battle Drones are a great option for beginners looking for a cheap practice drone that has a lasting appeal. Priced at less than $40, these drones are an inexpensive way to learn how to fly, but they also have a place on your shelf as a collectible. These beautifully hand-painted drones are designed to resemble real Star Wars ships: T-65 X-wing Starfighter, Darth Vader’s TIE Advanced x1, or a 74-Z speeder bike.
These Star Wars drones are great for learning how to fly. With the ability to toggle on or off altitude stabilization, it's a great training tool. Additionally, the training cage helps to prevent damage to the hand painting in case of a crash. With three speed settings, you can set the drone to a level you're comfortable with and advanced pilots can fly at the fastest speed of up to 35 mph.
One of the most unique features of these Star Wars drones is that they can battle and fire eye-safe lasers at other Star Wars drones (if your friend has one!), allowing you to play a battle game with a friend. If you don't have a buddy or only have one drone, you can battle against others via a system that records, combines, and compares your performance against virtual players around the world. Plus, it plays music to enhance the flying experience. With a flight time of 13 minutes, the Propel Star Wars High-Performance Battle Drones
Conclusion
In the end, before you soar high with your low-priced drone, it's crucial to grasp the fundamentals of drone flying. Ensure you know the ins and outs of its controls, safe take-off and landing, and navigating through different terrains.
Don't forget to keep the FAA regulations in mind, especially if your drone weighs less than half a pound. While registration with the Federal Aviation Administration may not be necessary, you still have to abide by other FAA rules, such as only flying in unrestricted airspace and adhering to operating guidelines. Before taking off, always make sure to check local laws and regulations to avoid any unwanted surprises.
To make the most of your cheap practice drone, consider investing in additional batteries and a protective carrying case. That way, you can take your drone anywhere, anytime, and never run out of power. Lastly, take the time to read the manual and understand your drone's features and limitations to make the most out of your flying experience and soar to new heights as a skilled drone pilot.
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