Ready to fly a quadcopter? Here are the best drones for beginners

Last updated 7 years ago

If you're looking to fly a drone for the first time or want to gain more experience before upgrading to an intermediate or advanced quadcopter, this list of top drones for beginners will offer you a variety of options designed to fit any budget. With ready to fly (RTF) models starting at $13.99, plus free shipping and no tax in many states, there's an RC drone for those looking to fly occasionally all the way up to drones equipped with 1080p cameras and a variety of accessories.

Drones under $50

Drones in this budget-friendly category range from small pocket models up to configurations equipped with HD camers. The more sophisticated drones can run between five to eight minutes on a full charge and offer two to three flight modes. Both the UDI UDU818A-1 and Dromida Kodo HD Quadcopter can also do aerial flips with the touch of a button.

UDI RC UDU818A-1 Discovery (720p) for $49.99 ($59 off + no tax outside NY & NJ)

Dromida Kodo HD Quadcopter (1080p) for $46.28 ($13 off + no tax outside NY & NJ)

Hubsan X4 Mini H107C+ (720p) for $30.87 ($59 off + no tax outside NY & NJ)

UDI RC U839 Nano Quadcopter (Orange) for $19.99 ($10 off + no tax outside NY & NJ)

Hubsan H108 SPYDER Quadcopter (Yellow) for $19.99 ($10 off + no tax outside NY & NJ)

TX Juice Pocket Drone (RTF) for $13.99 ($36 off + no tax outside NY & NJ)

Drones under $100

Shoppers looking for drones priced between $50 and $100 will find models equipped with more advanced features, such as longer flight times or the ability to do 360-degree rolls. The Parrot Minidrone Mambo even comes with a grabber accessory to lift lightweight objects weighing less than 0.15 ounces, as well as a 6-ball magazine that can fire a ball every 1.5 seconds.

Hubsan H107D X4 Quadcopter with FPV Camera (Black) for $99.99

($100 off + no tax outside NY & NJ)

Parrot Minidrone Mambo with Cannon and Grabber Accessories for $95.26

($25 off + no tax outside NY & NJ)

UDI RC U842 FALCON Quadcopter with HD Camera (Black) for $79.95

($20 off + no tax outside NY & NJ)

Syma X5C-1 Explorers for $54.98

(Free 1-day shipping for Prime members)

Drones under $250

As price points increase, so do features. A majority of the drones in this category are first-person view (FPV) models with 720p or 1080p cameras. Several also have GPS navigation systems and automatic return home failsafe functions. The Hubsan high-end model (H501S X4) in this tier offers up to 20 minutes of flying time as well.

Hubsan H501S X4 FPV with 1080p Camera for $249.00 ($100 off + no tax outside NY & NJ)

Parrot BeBop Drone with 14MP Flight Camera for $199.00 ($200 off + no tax outside NY & NJ)

Hubsan H502S X4 Desire FPV with 720p HD Camera for $179.99 ($100 off + no tax outside NY & NJ)

Estes Proto-X FPV Quadcopter for $169.99 ($10 off + no tax outside NY & NJ)

UDI U842 Predator WiFi FPV Drone + Bonus Battery for $162.99 ($37 off + free shipping) - Sold out

Drones under $500

The two quadcopters listed below can record UHD 4K video and capture 13MP photos (the Yuneec Breeze 4K can even take selfies) — and both can be folded for easy transport. The Dobby Pocket Drone also responds to gestures and voice commands to wake it from sleep or take off from the palm of your hand.

Yuneec Breeze 4K Quadcopter for $499.99 (Free expedited shipping + no tax outside NY & NJ)

ZeroTech Dobby Pocket Drone for $348.00 ($52 off + no tax outside NY & NJ)

Drones under $1,000

These high-end drones for beginners offer significant upgrades over entry-level models with room to grow. The Amimom Falcore Racing Drone Kit has a top speed of 80 miles per hour, while the Parrot BeBop 2, which is controlled by an iOS or Android smartphone, comes with a CockpitGlasses headset and offers up to 25 minutes of flying time.

Amimon Falcore Racing Drone Kit for $799.00 (Free propeller guard set + no tax outside NY & NJ)

Parrot BeBop 2 Drone with FPV Bundle for $638.43 ($61 off + no tax outside NY & NJ)

Looking to upgrade to a more advanced drone? Stay tuned for our list of the best drones for intermediate and advanced flyers.