Best Drone Under $200
Sorting through the myriad of drones available, we uncovered the best drone under $200—the Altair Aerial AA818. Dive into our comprehensive review to understand why this drone stands out in its price range and gain valuable insights for an informed purchase.
Best Drone Under $200: Altair Aerial 818
- 720p HD Camera for amazing aerial photos...
- Easy to fly for all ages! Multiple Skill...
- Flight Modes like Altitude Hole, One...
- Smartphone Ready but Not Required!
- Durably Built for Stable Flights!
The Altair Aerial AA818 is a beautiful beginner-friendly drone that is well priced for the features it offers. With a 720p camera, headless mode and extra batteries, you can’t help but have tons of fun with the AA108. The controls are also fairly easy to use and it has 3 different modes to choose from: takeoff/landing, headless and altitude hold. Not only is the drone budget-friendly, it also makes a great UAV for both newbies and experts alike.
Best Value Drone Under $200: Altair Aerial 108
The Altair Aerial 108 is a beginner-friendly drone with a 720p camera, headless mode and extra batteries, you can’t help but have tons of fun with the AA108. The controls are also fairly easy to use and it has 3 different modes to choose from: takeoff/landing, headless and altitude hold. Even if you are an experienced drone pilot, using the camera to maneuver is stable and responsive. Not only is the drone quite budget-friendly, it also makes a great UAV for both newbies and experts alike.
Best Drone Under $200 for Photography: Syma X8G
- HD CAMERA X8G The New Drone !!!
- 7 AXIS GYRO Equipped with the latest...
- HEADLESS MODE, The operator has no need...
- BAROMETER SET HEIGHT, The aircraft will...
- 361 Degree EVERSION, A key 360 degree...
You would think the Syma X8G would cost a fortune based on its design, but it is actually way below $200. The X8G is the best option to use for photography if you ever cannot afford a DJI drone. Its camera is 8MP with the capability to take 1080p shots, both still images and videos. Stability is quite decent too thanks to its strong design. You can even fly it to a total distance of 100 meters, but be mindful of the 8 minute battery life (excluding the provided spare battery). If you prefer flying casually, the X8G also includes a headless mode for the inexperienced and 4 different flying modes..
Best Racing Drone Under $200: Sky Viper V2400
You don’t need to spend $300 on a drone in order to get a fast drone. If you plan on joining drone circuits without breaking your budget, the Sky Viper V2400 is what you need. It may be small, but its FPV camera has a wide field of view and it is extremely fast. The V2400 even includes a headset and a controller for your phone when you purchase it. The best part about the Sky Viper drone is that you can adjust the sensitivity as well as including different flying modes so you don’t need to constantly put your hands on the controller.
Best Budget Drone Under $200: Holy Stone F181
- Equipped with One Key Return & Headless...
- Altitude Hold Function: Powerful air...
- One Key 360° 4-Ways Flip...
- Come With Two Batteries (BONUS BATTERY)...
- Range: About 50-100 Meters. Battery...
The Holy Stone F181 goes way under $200. And if you need the right drone while on a budget, the F181 is your answer. It is quite impressive especially as an entry-level quadcopter. The drone includes an altitude hold, a headless mode and a 1-key return home. This way, a beginner will find the F181 a very welcoming miniature aircraft. It even includes 4 different speeds from the slowest to the fastest - which are also great for testing out the waters. It may only fly for up to 7.9 to 8 minutes, but it can go as far as 100 m.
What Drone Would I Buy Under $200?
Surely, I would buy all of them if I had the money, but if I only have one choice for the best drone under $200, it is definitely the Altair Aerial AA818 for its great controls, easy maneuverability and sturdy design. Should you wish to go for a cheaper yet valuable approach, buy the Altair Aerial AA108. If you prefer photography without spending on a DJI, do yourself a favor and buy a Syma X8G. Love racing? Then I recommend the Sky Viper V2400. And lastly, if you are on a strict budget yet you need a drone with enough juice, the Holy Stone F181 is a must-buy.
Buying Guide for Drones Under $200
Travel Distance
Buying any drone that is worth more or less than $200 can be quite a big decision to do (unless you have more than enough money to splurge on many choices). Usually, the most ideal buy is the drone that can travel with a range from at least 50 to 100 m and up. Anything lesser than that would feel like the drone is less valuable for its price. Within the $200 range are some of the already well-known drone brands such as Holy Stone and Altair, so it’s definitely wise to buy something that can travel very far yet still within your line of sight.
Battery Life
If you are planning to buy a drone within the $200 price tag, look for 5 minutes+ drone flight time.
Brand
Well-known brands such as Holy Stone and Syma are some of the best-sellers in the industry, however not a lot of people can afford them. Brand wouldn’t matter if it’s around the $200 range as long as you follow the reviews from other people and unbiased critics.
Camera or None
This really depends on what you want. Some camera drones are just built for capturing beautiful images while others are meant for navigation. There are also some drones without cameras so they’re better drones to use for beginners thanks to the headless mode.
Drones Under $200 FAQ:
Yes, of course. Some may ask you to spend more in order to experience the best drones but there are so many good choices that cost $200 or less - especially if you are okay with low-range UAVs. Take the listed drones in this article for example; they’re all good choices without costing you a fortune.
Some FPV drones already include goggles in the package. However, if you happen to have a modern VR headset that can work with a drone, you may choose to buy only the drone without the goggles or drone controller. Major brands always carry a headset plus controller package for each of their drones.
Racing drones are only worth it if you are planning to compete in the world of drone racing. Otherwise, you should just buy 3D stunt drones since they’re cheaper and easier to use mostly because of the headless mode they carry.
For somewhere under $200, they do. It’s called the DJI Tello and it costs $100, but the drones I listed above are arguably better. I could recommend it to you if you were to find a drone that is less than $100 but for $200, an Altair drone can do so much better.
