Hello there, drone enthusiasts! Welcome to my review of the best drones under $100 in 2023.
I understand how difficult it can be to find a high-quality drone that suits your budget due to the popularity of high-end drones that flood the market.
But I can assure you that I’ve got you covered. I’ve compiled a list of the best drones under $100 that’s tailored to your budget without giving up on quality after 7 hours of research and testing.
These drones are great for gifting your child or simply flying for recreational purposes without drilling a fat hole inside your wallet.
QUICK FACT: The best drone under $100 is the Tizzy Toy Drone.
Below is a quick summary of all the drones under $100 I’ve hand-picked for you after my research.
Quick Summary of the Best Drones Under $50
| Product | Features | Price |
Holy Stone HS110D (Best Drone Under $100 For Long Flight Time) | ||
Tizzy Toy Drone (Best Overall Drone Under ($100) | ||
DJI Ryze Tech Tello (Best Beginner Drone Under $100) | ||
Cheerwing Syma X5SW-V3 (Best Budget Friendly Drone) | ||
Holy Stone HS440 (Best Foldable Drone Under $50) | ||
DEERC D10 (Best Camera Drone Under $100) | ||
Tomzon A31 Drone (Best Drone Under $100 For Kids) |
NOTE: All the drones on this list were below $100 at the time of writing.
- Quick Summary of the Best Drones Under $50
- How To Choose The Best Drone Under $50
- What Are The Best Drones Under $100?
- 1. Tizzy Toy Drone (Best Overall Drone Under $100)
- 2. Holy Stone HS110D (Best Drone Under $100 For Long Flight Time)
- 3. DJI Ryze Tech Tello (Best Beginner Drone Under $100)
- 4. Cheerwing Syma X5SW-V3 (Best Budget Friendly Drone Under $100)
- 5. Holy Stone HS440 (Best Foldable Drone Under $100)
- 6. DEERC D10 (Best Camera Drone Under $100)
- 7. Tomzon A31 (Best Drone Under $100 For Kids)
- 1. Tizzy Toy Drone (Best Overall Drone Under $100)
- Final Thoughts on The Best Drones Under $100
How To Choose The Best Drone Under $50
You’ll have to make a compromise when shopping for the best drones under $100. You can still get a high-quality drone with some cool features under that price tag. But don’t expect it to have a ton of special features that can only be found in high-end drones.
I read lots of posts on Reddit, Quora, and other drone forums to cut through the noise and pick the best drones under $100 for you. I also watched lots of YouTube videos and read through hundreds of product reviews on Amazon to come up with this list.
In a nutshell, these are the factors I looked at when shopping for a drone under $100:
Flight Time
Drones under $100 will rarely exceed a flight time of 15 minutes and will require more than thirty minutes to recharge the battery from zero to 100 percent. I selected drones that had an average flight time of 10 minutes to give you a good amount of fun in the air.
Stability
Most cheap drones under $100 are lightweight and can’t remain steady for a long time during windy conditions. Most of the drones I picked have “Altitude Hold,” which analyzes and works with air pressure to keep your drone stable in one position during flight.
Availability of Spare Batteries
Most drones on this list have spare batteries, so you can spend more time flying them when recharging the extra batteries. More often than not, drones with this price tag tend to come with extra batteries.
Also Read: 7 Best Drones Under $50
Dual Means of Control
Most of the drones on this list come with both remote control and app control options. Having dual control options is great for drone pilots because it gives them different modes of control.
You can switch to app control if you simply want to carry a foldable drone with you to a function without the inconvenience of a bulky remote control. Simply fold the drone in your pocket, take it out whenever you want, and fly it with your smartphone. Easy, Peasy!
Ease of Use
Drones that are relatively easy to fly make the flying experience easy and less stressful. The drones on this list come with one-push autonomous features that let the drone take off, land, or return to base with the push of a button.
These features are very important for beginners to have a quality flying experience. Ease of use prevents them from crashing their drones into surrounding objects, buildings, and trees.
Camera Quality
It’s difficult to get a drone with a premium 4K camera, as most drones that come with a 4K camera command a high price tag. You’re better off going for a drone under $300, or a drone under $500 if a premium camera is what you’re looking for.
Most drones under $100 tend to have a camera quality of 720p or 1080p. Plus, the camera won’t be mounted on a gimbal, which can give you shaky footage.
Most of the drones on the list come with a 1080p camera, which is okay for your basic needs, provided you’re not using it for professional drone photography.
Durability
Durability is also a huge factor when looking for drones under the $100 price tag. You’ll experience lots of crashes when flying a drone, especially if you’re a beginner. You want your drone to withstand a few crashes without getting damaged.
However, a drone under this price tag won’t be as durable as a high-end drone, but I still consider that factor when choosing the products in this list. Most of the drones on this list have propeller guards to prevent your propellers from getting damaged easily after impacts.
Warranty
Warranty is an important factor when selecting the best drones to purchase. Your drone needs to be covered by a warranty so you can get it repaired or replaced when something goes wrong with it within the time limits of the warranty.
Availability of Replacement Parts
Your drone should come with easy access to other parts and accessories that need to be replaced after damage. The best drones often have an abundance of spare parts that are easily accessible at a moment’s notice to the drone pilots if something goes wrong.
What Are The Best Drones Under $100?
Here, I’ll dive into the top 7 best drones under $100. Each review will contain the features and benefits of the products, the pros and cons, the specifications, and my final verdict on the product.
The aim of this section is to help you make a smooth and easy decision about which drones suit your needs and your budget.
1. Tizzy Toy Drone (Best Overall Drone Under $100)
The Tizzy Toy Drone is the best overall drone that stuck out for me during my research. It’s great for everything. It comes with a 4K camera, it’s foldable, has FPV, is easy to use; and has a ton of other cool features that provide a better user experience than most drones under $100.
The 4K camera captures all your important memories in HD and has a 50X zoom that brings small features into the light. The flat-layer camera underneath the drone produces a bird’s-eye view for capturing beautiful landscapes.
Take the drone wherever you want, as it folds easily to fit inside your pocket like a mobile phone. It also has a flight time of 15 minutes, which is more than enough for a drone at this price.
The drone is easy to operate and has a “one-click takeoff and landing.” I also ordered this drone when I was doing my research because it has everything you need for a drone under $100.
Tizzy Toy Drone Specifications
- Video Capture Resolution: 4K HD
- Skill Level: Beginner
- Mirror Adjustment: Remote Control
- Wireless Communication Technology: Wi-Fi
- Are Batteries Included: Yes
- Remote Control Included? Yes
- Product Dimensions: 12.99″L x 12.59″W x 2.44
- Item Weight: 1.19 pounds
Tizzy Toy Drone Pros and Cons
My Verdict on Tizzy Toy Drone
The Tizzy toy drone is for anyone who wants a drone under $100 that performs multiple functions. I liked the drone when I flew it in my yard. However, the drone gets shaky in windy conditions.
2. Holy Stone HS110D (Best Drone Under $100 For Long Flight Time)
The Holy Stone HS 110D offers long flight time. It’s great for many things with its 1080p FPV camera. It’s easy to use, and offers a better user experience than most drones.
Create memories that will last a lifetime with the 1080p FPV HD camera and view the image in real time. You can share those memories with folks on social media from the app with a click of a button.
Have a stable flight experience by activating the “Altitude Hold” mode. This mode suspends your drone in mid-air while you take pictures or record those important moments from afar.
It comes with a double battery for double flight time. Each battery can last up to an average of 15 minutes, which gives you a total of 30 minutes to explore the sky from the comfort of your home.
Holy Stone HS110D Specifications
- Quadcopter Weight: 145g
- Dimensions: 12.6 X 12.6 X 4.70 inches
- Recording Modes: 120° FOV 1080P
- Playing Time: 15 minutes per battery (2 Batteries)
- Charging Time: about 120 minutes
- Video Transmission Range: about 60m//196ft
- Transmitter Operation Range: about 100m/328ft
- App Required Operating Systems: IOS 7.0or later/Android 4.4or late
Holy Stone HS110D Pros and Cons
My Verdict on Holy Stone HS110D
In my opinion, the Holy Stone HS 110D is one of the best drones under $100. Double batteries, altitude mode, 1080p HD FPV cameras, and other cool features make it the best.
Check out the button below for more information on the product.
3. DJI Ryze Tech Tello (Best Beginner Drone Under $100)
The DJI Ryze Tech Tello came out as the best drone for beginners after my research. The drone is easy to operate, the batteries are easy to install, and the manuals are also easy to understand.
Beginners can enjoy an average flight time of 13 minutes when operating the drone. Plus, it also comes with a double antenna to make the video transmission very stable.
DJI Ryze Tello comes with a high-quality image processor that shoots photos and videos in 720P. With a single click of a button on your smartphone, you can easily share the media you created on social media.
Beginners can also perform awesome tricks with this drone that make you look cool among your peers.
DJI Ryze Tech Tello Specifications
- Quadcopter Weight: 2.82 Ounces
- Dimensions: 3.86 x 3.66 x 1.61 inches
- Recording Modes: 720P
- Flight Time: 15 Minutes
- Charging Time: Over 30 minutes
- Connectivity Technology: Wireless
- App Required Operating Systems: IOS 7.0or later/Android 4.4or late
DJI Ryze Tech Tello Pros and Cons
My Verdict on DJI Ryze Tech Tello
The DJI Ryze Tech Tello is great for beginners of all levels. This drone is for you if you want something to practice with before you move on to high-end consumer drones.
You can check the button below if you want more information on the DJI Ryze Tech Tello.
4. Cheerwing Syma X5SW-V3 (Best Budget Friendly Drone Under $100)
The Cheerwing Syma X5SW-V3 came out as the best drone under $100 for folks on a budget. It gives you the basic features of the average drone under that price tag without breaking the bank.
Although the Cheerwing Syma X5SW-V3 doesn’t come with a 1080p camera, The 720p camera is great for taking aerial photos and videos with FPV to enjoy your flight in real time.
It comes equipped with a high-quality propeller guard to prevent those blades from being damaged. It also comes with “Altitude Hold,” which holds the drone in a stable position. This prevents blurry photos when recording in windy conditions.
The drone can be controlled via the APP without a remote control. You can also fly the drone without touching your drone, all thanks to the built-in gravity sensor.
Cheerwing Syma X5SW-V3 Specifications
- Special Feature: Fpv-capable, integrated-camera
- Camera Resolution: 720P
- Skill Level: Intermediate
- Battery Capacity: 500 Milliamp Hours
- Media Type: Mini DVD
- Wireless Communication Technology: Wi-Fi
- Battery Cell Composition: Lithium Polymer
- Remote Control Included? No
- Optical Sensor Technology: CCD
- Drone Size: 31.5 x 31.5 x 10.5 cm (12.4 x 12.4 x 4.13 inches)
- Drone Weight: 119 g / 0.26 lbs (no need to register with FAA)
- Drone battery: 3.7V 500 mAh battery (in the Battery Compartment)
- Controller battery: 4*1.5V AA Battery (not included)
- Charging time: about 90 – 120 minutes (USB Charging)
- Flying time: about 5-7 minutes
- Control distance: About 50 meters
Cheerwing Syma X5SW-V3 Pros and Cons
My Take on Cheerwing Syma X5SW-V3
The Cheerwing Syma X5SW-V3 is for you if you want a drone that would perform the basic features without breaking the bank. This drone isn’t for you if you want a long-range drone.
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5. Holy Stone HS440 (Best Foldable Drone Under $100)
The Holy Stone HS440 was my favorite pick for the best foldable drone under $100. It also comes with a carrying case that gives you the freedom to move from one place to another with ease.
The Holy Stone HS440 gives a good user experience, thanks to its intelligent features like automatic takeoff and precise hovering, which provide endless opportunities to explore with your drone.
It also comes with a battery that gives you a flight time of over 10 minutes and a wide angle camera that can capture those beautiful moments from a bird’s-eye perspective.
Holy Stone HS440 Specifications
- Video Capture Resolution: FHD 1080p
- Skill Level: Beginner
- Item Weight: 166 Grams
- Control Type: Remote Control
- Media Type: SD
- Wireless Communication Technology: Wi-Fi
- Battery Cell Composition: Lithium Polymer
- Are Batteries Included: Yes
- Video Output Resolution: 1920×1080 pixels
- Remote Control Included? Yes
- Product Dimensions: 8.4″L x 8.1″W x 3.3″H
- Item Weight: 5.9 ounces
Holy Stone HS440 Pros and Cons
My Verdict on Holy Stone HS440
Overall, if you’re looking for a drone that will fit neatly inside your pocket or bag, the Holy Stone HS440 is for all levels of drone pilots.
You can check out the button below for more information on the product.
6. DEERC D10 (Best Camera Drone Under $100)
DEERC D10 comes equipped with a 2K HD camera that provides smooth FPV transmission within a range of up to 80 m. The DEERC app makes it simple to share the footage you capture on social media.
With features like One Key Start or Landing, Altitude Hold, Headless Mode, and Speed Adjustment, the DEERC D10 is incredibly user-friendly and adjusts to all skill levels, even those of children and novices. The 3D Flips function also makes flying appealing to drone newcomers.
The DEERC D10 drone folds up into a small, portable package that fits neatly into a backpack, making it ideal for travel. Two modular batteries that may provide up to 15 minutes of playtime are included. Four propeller guards provide complete propeller protection and increase flight safety.
DEERC D10 Drone Specifications
- Video Capture Resolution: FHD 1080p
- Skill Level: Beginner
- Item Weight: 164 Grams
- Battery Capacity: 3.7 Amp Hours
- Control Type: Remote Control
- Media Type: SD
- Maximum Range: 80 Meters
- Material: Plastic
- Wireless Communication Technology: Wi-Fi
- Battery Cell Composition: Lithium Polymer
- Are Batteries Included: Yes
- Video Output Resolution: 1920×1080 pixels
- Remote Control Included? Yes
- Product Dimensions: 13.39″L x 13.39″W x 2.56″H
DEERC D10 Pros and Cons
My Verdict on DEERC D10
In summary, the DEERC D10 is one of the best camera drones under $10. The drone is for you if you’re looking for something simple to capture important moments.
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7. Tomzon A31 (Best Drone Under $100 For Kids)
The Tomzon A31 drone has 7 color and 4 mode LED lights that would amuse your child when flying indoors at night. It can switch between multiple colors and light effects automatically.
The remote control quadcopter is capable of 360° rotation, hovering in the sky, and comes with a one-key landing and taking-off that would put a smile on the faces of your kids, friends, and families.
It comes with an average flight time of 16-18 minutes. Your kids can play for extended periods of time and practice flying larger professional GPS drones in the future.
It also comes with outer safety guards that protect the propellers. The propeller guards protect your kids from harm and the drone from damage upon hitting an obstacle.
Tomzon A31 Specifications
- Skill Level: Novice
- Item Weight: 150 Grams
- Control Type: Remote Control
- Media Type: SD
- Wireless Communication Technology: Wi-Fi
- Battery Cell Composition: Lithium Ion
- Are Batteries Included: Yes
- Remote Control Included? Yes
- Rechargeable Battery Included: Yes
- Product Dimensions: 6.22″L x 5″W x 1.65″H
Tomzon A31 Pros and Cons
My Verdict on the Force 1 UFO 4000 Mini Drone
The Tomzon A31 is perfect for kids of all ages. The multiple LED lights will hold their gaze when flying at night and are something that would put a smile on their face.
You can check out the button below for more information on the Tomzon A31.
Final Thoughts on The Best Drones Under $100
Personally, the Tizzy Toy Drone is the best drone under $100.
It comes with a 4K camera that would capture those scenes and important memories. It also fits right into your pocket and bag thanks to its foldable propellers.
Flying a drone doesn’t have to be an expensive hobby. You can still have fun with a drone under a small budget, though it won’t have some features that can be found in high-priced drones.
