Close Menu
  • Homepage
  • Blog
    • Drone
    • 3D Printer
    • Projector
    • Software
    • E-commerce
  • Write For Us

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

Subscribe

* indicates required
/* real people should not fill this in and expect good things - do not remove this or risk form bot signups */

Intuit Mailchimp

What's Hot

Top 30 Eye Chart Projector for Precise Visual Acuity Testing – 2024

Best Mini Projector for Gaming – 2024 | Fast-action & Casual Gaming

10 Best Pocket and Mini 4K Projector for All Budget – 2024

Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
ULTRAdviceULTRAdvice
Subscribe
  • Homepage
  • Blog
    1. Drone
    2. 3D Printer
    3. Projector
    4. Software
    5. E-commerce
    6. View All

    How To Find A Lost Drone? – 2024 (Updated) – 9 Tricks That Works

    How Much Weight Can A Drone Lift? – Hobby & Professional – 2024

    7 Best Drones Under $500 For Photographers In 2024

    6 Best Drones under $200 For Beginners In 2024 – Buyer’s Guide

    Is Buying A 3D Printer Worth It? – 3 Things You Must Know In 2024

    3D Printing Organs Pros and Cons in 2024 & Future Implications

    3 Best Hairspray for 3D Printing in 2024 – How To Apply Guide

    11 Best 3D Printer Under $500 – Beginner’s Guide In 2024

    Top 30 Eye Chart Projector for Precise Visual Acuity Testing – 2024

    Best Mini Projector for Gaming – 2024 | Fast-action & Casual Gaming

    10 Best Pocket and Mini 4K Projector for All Budget – 2024

    10 Best 4K Projector for Gaming – [August 2024]

    11 Best Free Task Management Software – Ultimate Guide in 2022

    9 Best FREE Screenwriting Software For Serious & Professional Writers In 2022

    7 Best (FREE & Paid) Photo Organizing Software in 2022

    Best Automated (3D & 360-degree) Product Photography Solutions In 2024

    9 Best Web Hosting Service Providers for Small Business in 2022

    Top 30 Eye Chart Projector for Precise Visual Acuity Testing – 2024

    Best Mini Projector for Gaming – 2024 | Fast-action & Casual Gaming

    10 Best Pocket and Mini 4K Projector for All Budget – 2024

    10 Best 4K Projector for Gaming – [August 2024]

  • Write For Us
ULTRAdviceULTRAdvice
Home»All»7 Best Drones Under $500 For Photographers In 2024

7 Best Drones Under $500 For Photographers In 2024

Rakesh KurhadeBy Rakesh KurhadeUpdated:August 1, 20241 Comment10 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Tumblr Reddit Telegram WhatsApp
Best Drones under 500 - ULTRAdvice.com
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

A best drones under 500 is the best fit for everyone from beginners to expert photographers and drone racers.

Those days are gone when drones at this price used to deliver low performance.

Today, well-known brands like DJI are manufacturing affordable drones with excellent features.

In this article, I have rounded the list of drones under $500 that offers 30-minutes flying time, 1 km transmission range, 4K Camera, 50 mph speed, Gimbal for image stabilization, RTH, FPV, and more

List of Best Drones Under 500

  1. DJI Mavic Mini – Editor’s Choice
  2. Ruko F11 Pro – Best Overall
  3. Holy Stone HS720
  4. Holy Stone HS700D Upgraded – Best Budget-Friendly
  5. DJI Spark
  6. Potensic D88

But before we jump in and start discussing each one of the above drones.

Let me make sure that you are aware of the fundamental concepts associated with drones, which will help you choose the perfect drone for you.

Now let us jump-in to the main discussion without any further ado,

1. DJI Mavic Mini

DJI Mavic Mini - Best Drones under 500 - ULTRAdvice.com

Discussion about the best drones is incomplete without mentioning the brand DJI.

They are popular for manufacturing high-end and professional-grade drones.

The Mavic Mini from DJI has no competition at this price range. It is compact, lightweight, foldable, and made for those on the move.

It weighs 249gm meaning that you don’t need to register it with FAA!

The drone equips 3-Axis Motorized Gimbal for stabilizing a 12MP Camera. The DJI Mavic Mini is capable of capturing 2.7K video at 30fps or 1080p video at 60fps.

Specification

  1. Flying Time: 30 Minutes
  2. Flying Range: 4000 meters
  3. FPV Transmission Range: 4000 meters
  4. Image Stabilization: 3-Axis Gimbal
  5. RTH: Yes
  6. Battery: 2600mAh

It packs an insane flying range of 4Km! The drone has DJI’s enhanced Wi-Fi technology capable of transferring live video at the resolution of 720p from a distance of 4Km.

The speed of the DJI Mavic Mini will be around 30mph. Additional features include Find My Drone, Altitude Hold, Intelligent Geofence, Waypoint Mode, etc.

Benefits

  • Light-weight and compact
  • Excellent flying time
  • 3-Axis Gimbal
  • Brushless motors
  • FPV compatible
  • 2.7K camera
  • RTH (Return-to-Home)

Drawbacks

  • Charging time is 3-hours
Check it on Amazon

2. Ruko F11 Pro

Ruko F11 Pro - Best Drones under 500 - ULTRAdvice.com

The Ruko F11 Pro offers excellent performance and competes with DJI Mavic Mini (discussed above). It has a robust aluminum body for making it capable of surviving mid-level crashes.

The 2500mAh battery allows this drone to fly for 30 minutes.

This drone has a 4K Camera with a 120° wide-angle lens.

You will be able to capture nice and sharp UHD photos. Ruko F11 Pro can shoot videos with 2.7K resolution.

Specification

  1. Flying Time: 30 Minutes
  2. Flying Range: 1200 meters
  3. FPV Transmission Range: 500 meters
  4. Image Stabilization: Altitude Hold
  5. RTH: Yes
  6. Battery: 2500mAh

This drone is packed with a bunch of additional features like One-key landing/take-off, Headless Mode, Tap to Fly, Follow me Mode, Gesture Control, etc.

Benefits

  • Compact and durable design
  • Easy to use
  • FPV compatible
  • Excellent flying time
  • Brushless motors
  • Comes with an extra battery
  • RTH (Return-to-Home)
  • 4K camera
  • GPS

Drawbacks

  • Long charging time
Check it on Amazon

3. Holy Stone HS720

Holy Stone HS720 - Best Drones under 500 - ULTRAdvice.com

When it comes to budget-friendly drones, the brand Holy Stone is often discussed.

The HS720 offers unbeatable performance at its price. The design of this drone is very similar to DJI Mavic Mini (discussed above)!

The drone comes with the stunning 4K UHD camera mounted on a 2-Axis Gimbal for Image Stabilization. It is capable of recording 2K (2048×1052 resolution) video with 30 fps.

Specification

  1. Flying Time: 26 Minutes
  2. Flying Range: 1600 meters
  3. FPV Transmission Range: 800 meters
  4. Image Stabilization: 2-Axis Gimbal
  5. RTH: Yes
  6. Battery: 2800mAh

Unlike other drones from Holy Stone that equips brushed motors, the HS720 comes with brushless motors. So, they require less maintenance.

Additional features for this drone include Follow Me, Orbit Mode, One-Key landing/take-off, Waypoint Mode, etc.

Benefits

  • Compact design
  • FPV compatible
  • 2-Axis Gimbal
  • Brushless motors
  • Good flying time
  • RTH (Return-to-Home)
  • 4K camera
  • GPS

Drawbacks

  • Long charging time
Check it on Amazon

4. Holy Stone HS700D Upgraded

Holy Stone HS700D - Best Drones under 500 - ULTRAdvice.com

HS700D is another budget-friendly drone from Holy Stone. Recently this drone has been upgraded from being a 2k Camera Drone to a 4K Camera Drone.

The camera is mounted on 1-Axis Gimbal for image stabilization to capture fantastic photos with a resolution of 3840×2160 pixels.

High-quality 1500KV brushless motors ensure agile movements in the air.

Specification

  1. Flying Time: 22 Minutes
  2. Flying Range: 1000 meters
  3. FPV Transmission Range: 800 meters
  4. Image Stabilization: 1-Axis Gimbal
  5. RTH: Yes
  6. Battery: 2800 mAh

Other feature includes One Key Return, Waypoint Mode, Follow Me, Intelligent Geofence, Headless Mode and more.

This drone is our highly recommended budget-friendly Photography Drone that costs only $229.

Benefits

  • FPV compatible
  • RTH (Return-to-Home)
  • Good flying time
  • 1-Axis Gimbal
  • Brushless motors
  • 4K camera
  • GPS

Drawbacks

  • Long charging time
Check it on Amazon

5. DJI Spark

DJI Spark - Best Drones under 500 - ULTRAdvice.com

DJI Spark was launched back in 2018 considering the need for lightweight and compact drones.

This cute-looking drone is available in five different colors (white, red, green, blue, and yellow).

The drone equips 2-Axis Motorized Gimbal to stabilize the 12MP Camera. It can shoot beautiful videos with 1080 pixel resolution at 30 fps.

Impressive flying and FPV experience make DJI Spark popular amongst drone enthusiasts.

Specification

  1. Flying Time: 16 Minutes
  2. Flying Range: 2000 meters
  3. FPV Transmission Range: 2000 meters
  4. Image Stabilization: 2-Axis Gimbal
  5. RTH: Yes
  6. Battery: 1480 mAh

Additional features include Tap-to-Fly, Gesture Control, Follow Me, Orbit Mode, One-Key landing/take-off, Waypoint Mode, etc.

The cost of both Mavic Mini and Spark is the same; $399. Our preference is Mavic Mini but if you wish to gift a cute-looking little flying machine to someone, then you can go for Spark.

Benefits

  • Light-weight and compact
  • Excellent FPV experience
  • 2-Axis Gimbal
  • Brushless Motors
  • RTH (Return-to-Home)
  • 1080p camera
  • GPS

Drawbacks

  • Long charging time
  • Average flying time
Check it on Amazon

6. Potensic D88

Potensic D88 - Best Drones under 500 - ULTRAdvice.com

This is a value for money deal by Potensic. It costs $299 only.

The Potensic D88 offers live video (FPV) transmission up to 300 meters which is quite disappointing at this price because we are expecting at least 1000 meters FPV range.

This drone has a 4K FHD Camera with a 110° wide-angle lens. It is mounted on 1-Axis Gimbal for image stabilization. So, you will be able to capture good-looking, nice and sharp images.

Specification

  1. Flying Time: 20 Minutes
  2. Flying Range: 1500 meters
  3. FPV Transmission Range: 300 meters
  4. Image Stabilization: 1-Axis Gimbal
  5. RTH: Yes
  6. Battery: 3400 mAh

It is shipped with an extra battery to double (40 minutes) the flying time. The Potensic D88 is compact and foldable for people on the go.

Additional Features include Follow Me, Orbit Mode, Waypoint Mode, Headless Mode etc.

Benefits

  • Compact and foldable
  • FPV compatible
  • 1-Axis Gimbal
  • Comes with extra battery
  • Brushless motors
  • Good flying time
  • 4K camera
  • GPS

Drawbacks

  • Long charging time
Check it on Amazon

Things to know before buying a Drone

  1. FAA Regulations
  2. Flying Time
  3. Flying Range
  4. Image Stabilization
  5. Camera Quality
  6. FPV (First-Person-View)
  7. RTH (Return-to-Home)
  8. Extra Features (Gesture Control, Follow-me, One-key handling, etc.)

Let’s discuss them briefly,

#1 – FAA Regulations

The FAA stands for Federal Aviation Administrations. It is responsible for the regulation and implementation of aviation aspects.

You can’t fly your drone anywhere without the permission from US Government. Yes! You heard it right!

In the case of drones weighing more than 55 pounds (250 gm), registration with FAA is compulsory.

Few areas are drone-restricted. This B4UFLY app by FAA will help you identify those areas.

For detailed information about FAA Regulations, check this website.

#2 – Flying Time – is the key

The total time for which a drone stays in the air is known as Flying Time.

At this price range, drones have a flying time of 30 minutes.

It depends on the battery capacity of the drone. Generally, people purchase an extra battery to double the flying time.

#3 – Flying Range

Flying Range is the maximum distance up to which a drone can safely fly (without getting lost).

The fact is, the further it goes, the more fun you will experience!

The drone flying range at this price is going to be 1500 to 4000 meters.

Note that the communication between a drone’s transmitter and receiver is based on radio waves. So, sometimes due to the interference, drones will fail to travel the distance specified by the manufacturer.

Ex. This can happen in the case of a drone flying near a cell phone tower.

#4 – Image Stabilization

This feature is particularly useful for people planning to capture aerial photos and videos.

Excellent stabilization is a must for drones to capture sharp and clear images. Your drone camera should hover with superb stabilization regardless of the motion and tilt of the drone.

The image stabilization feature avoids shakiness and jello effect in photos.

It can be achieved through,

  1. Gimbal
  2. Altitude Hold
  3. Digital Stabilization

Gimbal offers maximum image stabilization.

If you are a pilot and not a photographer then you may need not emphasize this feature. But for a drone photographer, it is a must!

#5 – Camera Quality

Drones at this price range will have a camera of 1080p, 2.7k, or 4k resolution.

Along with the resolution, you need to look at the frame rate, FOV (Field of View), shutter speed, and aperture of the camera.

If you plan to mount an external camera to the drone, consider the effect of additional weight on flying time.

#6 – FPV – First Person View

FPV is one of the vital drone features.

Using a set of VR Goggles, you can view real-time footage captured by the drone camera and start feeling like sitting in the aeroplane’s cockpit and flying like a superhero.

Yup! It exactly feels as it sounds.

#7 – RTH – Return-to-Home

This feature allows your drone to return to the Start Point when it senses low battery or signal loss.

Due to our beginner-level flying skills, we have lost two drones after exceeding the maximum flying range during the initial days of drone-ing!

Sometimes people fail to notice that the drone’s battery is running out of charge.

In such a case, if there wouldn’t be an RTH function, then the drone might fly away forever.

Almost every drone on this list has an RTH feature.

#8 – Additional Features

Even at the price of $500, a drone is packed with a variety of features. It depends upon the brand.

  • Intelligent Geofence: With this feature, you can define the area within which your drone should fly. This avoids too high or too far traveling of the drone.
  • Follow Me: It allows drones to follow you by tracking a smartphone or remote controller in your hands.
  • Waypoint Mode: It will let you point to a location on your smartphone where the drone will travel by itself.
  • One-key Take-off and Landing: This feature would prevent you from destroying your drone due to your beginner-level landing.

Okay! So that was all about the drone basics.

Conclusion

The clear winner on this list of best drones under 500 dollars is DJI Mavic Mini that offers a bunch of awesome features and excellent performance. It cannot be compared with others at this price.

Ruko F11 Pro with relatively less price competes very closely with DJI Mavic Mini.

If you are looking to gift a Drone Camera to kids, then the compact and cute-looking DJI Spark is good to go.

Read more of our articles

  • 6 Best Drones under $200
  • How To Find A Lost Drone? 
Affordable Drone Camera Best Drone under 500 Cheap Drone Camera
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Rakesh Kurhade
  • Website

Rakesh is tech-savvy. An engineer by education. He is a tech blogger at ULTRAdvice who shares his experience with various home automation products. Playing and experimenting with gadgets is his favorite hobby. Apart from breaking and making of gadgets, he loves gaming, watching movies and partying. His SEO skills are excellent and he was Digital Marketing Head at Robu.in. Contact him on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter.

Related Posts

10 Best Cheap (Starting At $100) Modem Router Combo In 2024

13 Best Industrial and Commercial Projector for Large Screen – 2024

9 Best Budget-Friendly Cheap Outdoor Projector – Movies & Gaming 2024

View 1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. Faradic Store on February 1, 2024 6:31 am

    Great roundup! These budget-friendly drones offer impressive features for photographers. Excited to explore new aerial perspectives without breaking the bank. Thanks for the recommendations!

    Reply

Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Editors Picks

How To Find A Lost Drone? – 2024 (Updated) – 9 Tricks That Works

By Rakesh KurhadeUpdated:July 19, 2024
Top Reviews

10 Best Cheap (Starting At $100) Modem Router Combo In 2024

By Rakesh KurhadeUpdated:July 19, 2024
Table of ContentsToggle Table of ContentToggle
  • List of Best Drones Under 500
  • 1. DJI Mavic Mini
  • 2. Ruko F11 Pro
  • 3. Holy Stone HS720
  • 4. Holy Stone HS700D Upgraded
  • 5. DJI Spark
  • 6. Potensic D88
  • Things to know before buying a Drone
  • Conclusion
Advertisement
Demo

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Stay Updated with our latest technology news.

Committed to sharing the trending and best-in-class gadgets, software, and business applications with you.

Twitter Facebook-f Instagram Linkedin

Top Categories

  • Projector
  • Drones
  • 3D Printers
  • E-commerce
  • Wordpress
  • Software
  • Home Essentials

Our Company

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Quick Links

  • Write for us
  • Collaboration
  • SEO Services
  • Content Writing Services

© 2024 MANCIDI Alliance Pvt. Ltd. — All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage Consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
Go to mobile version