In the new millennium, technological innovations continue to dazzle our imagination, and one of the prime examples of such advances are quadcopters. These miniature flying machines, originally expensive and exotic gadgets, have over time become available to the public. From children’s toys to professional photography tools, drones are now used in a wide variety of applications. Fans of aerial photography, explorers and just tech enthusiasts are looking for optimal models that combine quality and affordable cost. It is for such users that we have prepared this review, which presents the best budget quadcopters of 2024.
1. Xiaomi FIMI A3
Main features
- Camera:
- Resolution: 1080p
- Viewing angle: 80°
- Effective pixels: 8M
- f/2.0 aperture
- Flight Time: Up to 25 minutes, which is good for a budget drone.
- Control range: Up to 1 km thanks to the enhanced signal transmission system.
- Battery: 2000mAh Li-Po, which allows for long flight time.
- 3-axis stabilisation: Ensures smooth and stable shooting, even in windy conditions.
- Remote Display: Built-in 4.3” LCD allows you to view live video and display telemetry information.
- GPS and GLONASS: Provides high positioning accuracy and features such as automatic return home.
- Flight Modes: Features a variety of flight modes including Follow Me, Orbit and many more.
- Dimensions: 285 × 229 × 69 mm, with a weight of approximately 560g.
- Portability: Although it is not foldable, its compact size makes it relatively portable.
Pros
- Quality photography for its price range.
- Extended flight time.
- Reliable and resistant to small falls.
- Affordable price compared to analogues.
Minuses
- Doesn’t have 4K resolution, which can be important for professional shooting.
- Limited video transmission range.
Overall, the Xiaomi FIMI A3 is a great choice for those looking for a budget quadcopter with high-quality filming and stabilisation.
2. Hubsan Zino
Main features
- Camera:
- Resolution: 4K UHD
- Frame rate: 30 frames per second.
- Panoramic viewing angle: 89°
- 3-axis gimbal stabilisation.
- Flight Time: About 23 minutes, making it comparable to other drones in this price range.
- Control range: Up to 1 km, although this may vary depending on conditions.
- Battery: 3100mAh Li-Po.
- GPS: Supports GPS and GLONASS for accurate positioning.
- Flight Modes: Multiple intelligent flight modes including Follow Me, Waypoint and Auto Return Home.
- Dimensions: When folded, the drone is quite compact, making it easy to transport.
- Portability: The foldable design makes it easy to carry the drone.
Pros
- Excellent shooting quality with 4K resolution.
- Gimbal stabilisation improves video quality.
- Intuitive controls, suitable for beginners and experienced pilots alike.
- The foldable design makes it portable and convenient for travelling.
Minuses
- Flight time could have been longer, although this is comparable to peers in this price range.
- Some users have noted problems with the smartphone app.
Overall, the Hubsan Zino is a great choice for those looking for a quality drone with 4K video without wanting to spend a lot of money. This drone combines many features that are usually only available in more expensive models, making it a great choice for aerial photography enthusiasts.
3. Eachine E520S
Main features
- Camera:
- Resolution options: 720p, 1080p and 4K camera models are available.
- Fixed camera angle, but allows the user to take aerial shots and videos with sufficient quality for most needs.
- Flight Time: About 14–16 minutes, which is pretty good for a budget quadcopter.
- Control range: Approximately 200–300 metres under optimum conditions.
- Battery: 1200mAh Li-Po.
- GPS: Built-in GPS module, allowing you to use features such as return home with the touch of a button.
- Flight Modes: Equipped with features such as Follow Me, Orbit mode and route planning via smartphone app.
- Dimensions: Compact and foldable design makes it easy to transport.
- Portability: Yes, thanks to the folding design.
Pros
- Acceptable shooting quality, especially considering its price.
- Built-in GPS.
- A variety of intelligent flight modes.
- Folding design for easy transport.
Minuses
- Relatively short flight time.
- No camera stabilisation, which can affect the quality of shots when moving or windy.
- The control range is shorter than some competitors in this price range.
Overall, the Eachine E520S is an excellent choice for those who are new to the world of drones and don’t want to invest a lot of money right away.
4. JJRC H37
Main features
- Camera:
- Resolution: 720p.
- Allows you to take photos and videos from the air, especially suitable for selfies.
- Flight time: About 7–8 minutes.
- Control range: 40 to 50 metres.
- Battery: 500mAh Li-Po.
- Controls: Fully controllable via a mobile app on a smartphone, it has altitude hold and one-button take-off and landing functions.
- Dimensions: Very compact and lightweight thanks to its foldable design, making it ideal for travelling.
- Portability: Yes, thanks to its very small and foldable design.
Pros
- Portability: it can be easily placed in your pocket or bag.
- Perfect for quick selfies and video shooting.
- Intuitive control via the app.
- Affordable price.
Minuses
- Relatively short flight time.
- Limited camera quality.
- Does not have inbuilt GPS or other advanced features.
The JJRC H37 is suitable for people looking for a portable and affordable drone for everyday photography or selfies. It offers basic features and usability, but may not meet the needs of those looking for advanced features or high quality photography.
5. Holy Stone HS165
Main features
- Camera:
- Resolution: 1080p Full HD.
- Allows you to shoot clear videos and photos. Features an adjustable angle for better framing.
- Flight time: About 15 minutes on a single charge.
- Control range: Approximately 300 metres.
- Battery: Rechargeable battery with fast charging.
- GPS: The built-in GPS provides automatic return home and objects tracking functions.
- Flight Modes: Equipped with various modes such as Follow Me, Circle Fly and Tap Fly.
- Dimensions: Compact and foldable design makes it easy to carry.
- Portability: Yes, thanks to the folding design.
Pros
- High resolution camera with adjustable angle.
- Built-in GPS with automatic return and follow functions.
- Sturdy construction with good wind resistance.
- Intuitive operation suitable for both beginners and advanced users.
Minuses
- While the flight time is around 15 minutes, this is still less than some other models in this price range.
- The gimbal’s lack of stabilisation can affect shooting quality under some conditions.
The Holy Stone HS165 is ideal for those looking for a reliable and functional budget drone. Its high-resolution camera, built-in GPS and stability features make it a great choice for aerial photography enthusiasts.
6. Syma X5C
Main features
- Camera:
- Resolution: 720p HD.
- The built-in camera allows you to shoot photos and videos. Note that the shooting quality, although acceptable for an entry-level model, cannot be compared to more expensive quadcopters.
- Flight time: 6 to 8 minutes, depending on conditions of use.
- Control range: Up to 50 metres.
- Battery: 500mAh rechargeable lithium polymer battery.
- Control: Controlled by a 2.4 GHz radio transmitter. Easy to learn even for beginners.
- Stabilisation: Equipped with a 6-axis gyroscope for improved flight stabilisation.
- Additional features: Ability to perform acrobatic stunts such as 360 degree flips.
Pros
- Excellent value for money.
- Easy to use – ideal for beginners.
- Rugged construction capable of withstanding minor collisions.
- Ability to modify and replace components.
Minuses
- Relatively short flight time.
- Limited control range.
- Lack of advanced features such as GPS or automatic following.
The Syma X5C has become a classic choice for those who are just starting their drone experiments and are looking for an inexpensive but reliable quadcopter to learn the basics of flying. Its simplicity, durability, and modifiability make it a great starter drone.
7. Potensic D58
Main features
- Camera:
- Resolution: 1080p Full HD.
- Capture clear videos and photos with high detail. The built-in camera also has an adjustable angle for a variety of shooting angles.
- Flight time: About 18 minutes on a single charge.
- Control range: Up to 500 metres.
- Battery: Powerful rechargeable battery for long flight time.
- GPS: Built-in GPS provides automatic return home, altitude hold and point positioning functions.
- Flight Modes: Various modes including Follow Me, Circle Fly and many others.
- Additional features: Low battery alert, inbuilt LED indicators for easy orientation in the air, etc.
Pros
- High quality shooting with a Full HD camera.
- Advanced control features including GPS and automatic return home.
- Long flight time compared to other models in this price range.
- User-friendly and intuitive operation.
Minuses
- Although the camera has Full HD resolution, the lack of a gimbal can affect shooting stability in some conditions.
- Requires some time to learn all the features for new users.
The Potensic D58 is a great choice for those looking for a quality budget drone with advanced features. Its long flight time, powerful features and a variety of flight modes make it appealing to a wide range of users.
8. Ryze Tech Tello (with DJI support)
Main features
- Camera:
- Resolution: 720p HD.
- The camera captures bright and clear videos and photos. Electronic stabilisation helps to make shooting smoother.
- Flight time: About 13 minutes.
- Control range: Up to 100 metres.
- Battery: Built-in 1100mAh rechargeable battery.
- Programming: Integration with Scratch, allowing even younger users to program and customise the drone’s behaviour.
- Flight modes: 8D flips, Bounce mode, etc.
- Flight Technology: Thanks to its integration with DJI, Tello is equipped with advanced flight stabilisation algorithms.
Pros
- Lightweight and portable design.
- Advanced flight technology from DJI.
- Programming opportunities for learning and fun.
- A quality camera for its size and price range.
- Electronic image stabilisation.
Minuses
- No GPS support.
- Limited flight time compared to larger drones.
- It does not have a slot for additional memory, which limits the amount of stored videos and photos.
The Ryze Tech Tello is a great choice for beginners and young users due to its simplicity, programmability, and quality flight characteristics. The cooperation with DJI guarantees high quality and stability in flight, making it one of the best quadcopters in its price range.
9. SNAPTAIN S5C
- Camera:
- Resolution: 720p HD.
- Allows you to shoot videos and photos with pretty good quality for its price range.
- Flight time: About 10 minutes on a single charge.
- Control range: Up to 80 metres.
- Battery: Interchangeable batteries are available, allowing you to extend your flight time with additional batteries.
- Control: It can be operated either with the supplied remote control or via a specialised smartphone app with gesture control.
- Flight Modes: Modes such as altitude hold, automatic takeoff/landing, gravity mode (control by smartphone movements), etc.
- Additional features: Ability to perform aerial stunts such as 360-degree flips, and collision protection thanks to protective guards around the propellers.
Pros
- Intuitive operation, ideal for beginners.
- Possibility to control via smartphone app with additional functions.
- Replaceable batteries to extend flight time.
- Safety guards for added safety during flight.
Minuses
- Relatively short flight time on a single charge.
- Lack of advanced features such as GPS or automatic following.
SNAPTAIN S5C is a great starter quadcopter for those who are just starting their introduction to the world of drones. Its ease of use combined with an affordable price and a set of unique features makes it one of the best choices in this market segment.
10. Cheerson CX-10
Main features
- Size: it’s smaller than most smartphones, making it ideal for flying indoors.
- Flight Time: About 4–8 minutes on a single charge, depending on the intensity of use.
- Control range: About 20–50 metres.
- Battery: Built-in rechargeable battery which is charged via USB.
- Controls: Compact remote control, easy to use.
- Flight Modes: Ability to perform aerial stunts such as 360 degree flips.
- LED lighting: Built-in LEDs for better visibility at night or when flying indoors.
Pros
- Very compact and portable design.
- Easy to operate, ideal for beginners.
- Built-in LEDs make it visible even in the dark.
- Excellent value for money.
Minuses
- Limited flight time due to small battery.
- Not intended for flying outdoors in high winds.
- Lack of camera or advanced features.
The Cheerson CX-10 is a great choice for those looking for an affordable and easy-to-use mini quadcopter. Its compact size and simplicity make it ideal for indoor flying and fun for people of all ages.
Conclusion
Budget quadcopters in 2024 offer a wide range of choices for hobbyists and professionals. Despite their affordable cost, many of them offer features and capabilities that were previously only found in expensive models. Choose based on your needs and budget, and the air will open up before you in all its glory!
Experience the joy of saving money with reBITme.com when buying a quadcopter. Enjoy your choice!
