Hello drone enthusiasts! Welcome to my review of the best drones under $1000 in 2023.
I understand how difficult it can be to find a high-quality drone that suits your needs and budget due to the variety of high-end drones that flood the market.
But I can assure you that I’ve got you covered. I’ve removed the guesswork from you and compiled a list of the best drones under $1000 that’s tailored to your needs.
These drones are great for beginner, intermediate, and professional drone pilots that simply want to fly a high quality drone for recreational or commercial purposes.
QUICK FACT: The best drone under $500 is the Autel Evo Lite Plus.
Below is a quick summary of all the drones under $1000 I’ve hand-picked for you after my research.
Quick Summary of the Best Drones Under $1000
NOTE: All the drones on this list were below $1000 at the time of writing.
- Quick Summary of the Best Drones Under $1000
- What Are The Best Drones Under $1000?
- 1. DJI Air 2S (Best Obstacle Avoidance Drone Under $1000)
- 2. DJI Mavic Air 2 (Best Low Noise Drone Under $1000)
- 3. DJI FPV Combo (Best FPV Drone Under $1000)
- 4. DJI Mini 3 Pro (Best Drone under $1000 Under 250 Grams)
- 5. Autel Evo Nano Plus (Best Obstacle Avoidance Drone Under $1000)
- 6. Autel EVO Lite Plus (Best Overall Drone Under $1000)
- 7. DJI Mini 3 (Best Foldable Drone Under $1000)
- 1. DJI Air 2S (Best Obstacle Avoidance Drone Under $1000)
- What To Look For in a Drone Under $1000
- Final Thoughts on the Best Drones Under $1000
What Are The Best Drones Under $1000?
Here, I’ll dive into the top 7 best drones under $1000.
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. DJI Air 2S (Best Obstacle Avoidance Drone Under $1000)
The DJI Air 2S boasts of a triple battery to give you triple fun time. Each battery can last up to 30 minutes which gives you a combined flight time of an hour and 30 minutes.
Every time you fly, the DJI Air 2S’s O3 (OcuSync 3.0) picture transmission technology will provide you with a very smooth, crystal-clear, and dependable visual feed.
MasterShots, the next step in the growth of QuickShots, is a sophisticated intelligence function that instantly provides users with the greatest images in every situation.
Up to one billion colors may be captured with the 10-bit Dlog-M color profile while yet preserving all the fine details that make video stand out.
However, the DJI Air 2S doesn’t produce pictures and videos in 8K resolution.
DJI Air 2S Specifications
- Weight: 595 grams
- Dimensions Folded (without propellers): 180×97×77 mm (LxWxH)
- Dimension Unfolded (with propellers): 183×253×77 mm (L×W×H)
- Diagonal Length: 302 mm
- Max Ascent Speed: 6 m/s
- Max Descent Speed: 6 m/s
- Max Horizontal Speed: 16 m/s
- Max Takeoff Altitude: 5000 m
- Max Flight Time: 30 minutes
- Max Hovering Time: 31 minutes
- Max Flight Distance: 18.5 km
- Max Wind Speed Resistance: 10.7 m/s (Level 5)
- Photo Resolution: 5472×3078 (16:9)
- Video Resolution: 5.4K: 5472×3078 @30 fps
- Sensing Type: Downward vision system
- Video Transmission System: DJI O2
- Battery Capacity: 3500 mAh
- Battery Charging Time: 1 hour
- Recommended Charger: DJI 35W USB-C Charger
- File Storage: micro SD card
DJI Air 2S Pros and Cons
My Verdict on the DJI Air 2S
Personally, I’m a sucker for DJI products but the DJI Air 2S is something any drone enthusiasts will enjoy flying. The triple batteries make it easy for you to operate the drone for a long time and it’s very convenient to carry around.
You should check out the button below for more information on the DJI Air 2S
2. DJI Mavic Air 2 (Best Low Noise Drone Under $1000)
I love the DJI Mavic Air 2 for its low-noise propeller. This feature makes the drone ideal for flying indoors without experience the noise generated from the propeller ringing continuously inside your head.
You can execute big, quick shots thanks to an exceptional flight time of up to 34 minutes. Obstacle detecting in three directions increases safety for your Mavic Air 2 and is especially practical for novices.
Utilize a 1/2-inch CMOS sensor to take stunning 48MP images, and a 3-axis gimbal to capture 4K/60fps video. OcuSync 2.0 can give a livestream in 1080p FHD resolution directly from the drone’s camera and has a video transmission range of up to 6.2 miles (10 kilometers).
The Mavic Air 2’s simple shooting controls make taking airborne photos easier than ever. Spotlight 2.0 allows you to fly freely while keeping the camera fixed on a target. ActiveTrack 3.0 maintains subject focus. Moving objects like people and automobiles are tracked by POI 3.0.
DJI Mini 2 Specifications
- Weight: 570 grams
- Dimensions Folded (without propellers): 180×97×84 mm (L×W×H)
- Dimension Unfolded (with propellers): 183×253×77 mm (L×W×H)
- Diagonal Length: 302 mm
- Max Ascent Speed: 4 m/s
- Max Descent Speed: 3 m/s
- Max Horizontal Speed: 19 m/s
- Max Takeoff Altitude: 5000 m
- Max Flight Time: 34 minutes
- Max Hovering Time: 33 minutes
- Max Flight Distance: 18.5 km
- Max Wind Speed Resistance: 10.5 m/s (Level 5)
- Photo Resolution: 48 MP: 8000 X 6000
- Video Resolution: 4K Ultra HD: 3840×2160 @60 fps
- Sensing Type: Downward vision system
- Video Transmission System: DJI O2
- Battery Capacity: 3500 mAh
- Battery Charging Time: 1 hour
- Recommended Charger: DJI 35W USB-C Charger
- File Storage: micro SD card
DJI Mavic Air 2 Pros and Cons
My Verdict on the DJI Mavic Air 2
Overall, the DJI Mavic Air 2 is one of the best drones on the market in relation to the price point. It has all the basic and special features you want in a drone, and it certainly doesn’t disappoint.
You should check out the button below for more information on the DJI Mavic Air 2.
3. DJI FPV Combo (Best FPV Drone Under $1000)
The DJI FPV provides a unique flight experience for a drone under $1000. You get to feel the thrill of being sucked into the moment that’s provided by the DJI FPV Goggles V2 and DJI FPV’s super-wide 150° FOV, giving you an ultra-smooth, real-time view of your flight.
S mode makes it simple to get the dynamic appearance of FPV film. The flexibility of manual flight is combined with the streamlined controls of earlier DJI drones in this hybrid flight mode.
The DJI FPV aircraft can capture sharp details in 4K/60fps video at up to 120 Mbps, making videos appear as thrilling as the ride.
Even at distances of up to 6.2 miles, the OCUSYNC 3.0 TRANSMISSION SYSTEM enables you to experience crystal-clear real-time and HD Low-Latency Transmission video.
To assist ensure a safe flight, even at high speeds, DJI FPV incorporates an auxiliary bottom light, Smart Return to Home (RTH), Low Battery RTH, forward and downward object detecting, and Low Battery RTH.
DJI FPV Combo Dreamer Specifications
- Weight: 795 grams
- Dimensions Folded (without propellers): 178×232×127 mm (L×W×H)
- Dimension Unfolded (with propellers): 255×312×127 mm (L×W×H)
- Diagonal Length: 245 mm
- Max Ascent Speed: 15 m/s
- Max Descent Speed: 10 m/s
- Max Horizontal Speed: 19 m/s
- Max Takeoff Altitude: 6000 m
- Max Flight Time: 20 minutes
- Max Hovering Time: 16 minutes
- Max Flight Distance: 16.8 km
- Max Wind Speed Resistance: 13.5 m/s (Level 5)
- Photo Resolution: 48 MP: 8000 X 6000
- Video Resolution: 4K Ultra HD: 3840×2160 @60 fps
- Sensing Type: Downward vision system
- Video Transmission System: DJI O2
- Battery Capacity: 2000 mAh
- Battery Charging Time: 1 hour
- Max Charging Power: 90 W
- File Storage: micro SD card (256 GB max)
DJI FPV Combo Pros and Cons
My Verdict on the DJI FPV Combo
The DJI FPV drone is an exciting drone to fly when you know how to maneuver your way in First Person View. It gives you a unique experience of the world around you and will never have a dull moment.
You should check out the button below for more information on the DJI FPV drone.
4. DJI Mini 3 Pro (Best Drone under $1000 Under 250 Grams)
The DJI Mini 3 Pro saves you from the stress of dealing with FAA registration because it weighs less than 250 grams. You can get the drone shipped to you and start flying right away without any delay.
Additionally, it is simple to transport on any excursion due to its collapsible and small design. Take use of the additional 34 minutes of flying time to explore and record more of your surroundings.
With 4K/60fps video and 48MP images, you can capture your surroundings in astounding detail. The cutting-edge camera technology provides dual native ISO and an f/1.7 aperture for excellent images both during the day and at night.
For portrait photos, the DJI Mini 3 Pro delivers True Vertical Shooting, which is great for social media. So that you don’t have to sacrifice image quality, the gimbal rotates 90 degrees.
A wide variety of sophisticated functions are available on the DJI Mini 3 Pro, including FocusTrack, True Vertical Shooting, MasterShots, Timelapse, QuickTransfer, and others. It also outclasses the previous Mini series with unmatched safety thanks to APAS 4.0 and tri-directional obstacle detection.
DJI Mini 3 Pro Specifications
- Weight: less than 249 grams
- Dimensions Folded (without propellers): 145×90×62 mm (L×W×H)
- Dimension Unfolded (with propellers): 251×362×70 mm (L×W×H)
- Diagonal Length: 247 mm
- Max Ascent Speed: 5 m/s
- Max Descent Speed: 5 m/s
- Max Horizontal Speed: 16 m/s
- Max Takeoff Altitude: 4000 m
- Max Flight Time: 34 minutes
- Max Hovering Time: 30 minutes
- Max Flight Distance: 18 km
- Max Wind Speed Resistance: 10.7 m/s (Level 5)
- Photo Resolution: 48 MP: 8000 X 6000
- Video Resolution: 4K Ultra HD: 3840×2160 @60 fps
- Sensing Type: Downward vision system
- Video Transmission System: DJI O2
- Battery Capacity: 2453 mAh
- Battery Charging Time: 1 hour
- Max Charging Power: 30 W
- File Storage: micro SD card (256 GB max)
DJI Mini 3 Pro Pros and Cons
My Take on DJI Mini 3 Pro
The DJI Mini Pro 3 is a fantastic drone for new drone pilots to learn the fundamentals of flight while shooting gorgeous photographs that come with a respectable number of safety measures. I advise brand-new users to purchase the 2-year Refresh guarantee from DJI, which covers fly-away damage.
You should check out the button below for more information on the DJI Mini 3 Pro.
5. Autel Evo Nano Plus (Best Obstacle Avoidance Drone Under $1000)
What I love most about the Autel Nano Plus is its ability to perceive its environment in four directions which makes it superior in actively avoiding obstacles even at high speed in difficult scenarios.
It is safer to fly with EVO Nano+, especially for rookie pilots, thanks to its front, rear, and down binocular vision sensors, which can sense the environment in real-time, brake to avoid crashes, and maneuver to avoid obstacles in time.
The EVO Nano+ weighs 249g and, when folded, is roughly the size of a phone. Most nations do not require registration for this device. You can carry it anyplace, unfold it, and fly it.
The EVO Nano+ is a fantastic night shooter, restoring the charm and detail of the night to the utmost, thanks to exceptional light sensitivity and noise reduction technology in the image. You may capture the beauty of life at any time thanks to the portable design and potent imaging capabilities.
Autel Evo Nano Plus Specifications
- Weight: 249 grams
- Dimensions Folded (without propellers): 140×90×50 mm (L×W×H)
- Dimension Unfolded (with propellers): 264×310×50 mm (L×W×H)
- Diagonal Length: 231 mm
- Max Ascent Speed: 6 m/s
- Max Descent Speed: 4 m/s
- Max Horizontal Speed: 15 m/s
- Max Takeoff Altitude: 4000 m
- Max Flight Time: 28 minutes
- Max Hovering Time: 26 minutes
- Max Flight Distance: 16.8 m
- Max Wind Speed Resistance: 10.7 m/s (Level 5)
- Photo Resolution: 50M：8192×6144
- Video Resolution: 4K Ultra HD: 3840×2160 @60 fps
- Max Bit Rate: 100 MBPS
- Wi-Fi Transfer: 20 MB/s
- Battery Capacity: 3930 mAh
- Battery Charging Time: 90 minutes.
- Max Charging Power: 30 W
- File Storage: micro SD card (256 GB max)
Autel Evo Nano Plus Pros and Cons
My Verdict on Autel Evo Nano Plus
Overall, the Autel Evo Nano Plus is one of the best drones under $1000. The drone can do everything you want for a drone of that price tag. It has a high quality camera, it’s convenient to carry around, and it also lightweight so you don’t have to register it with the FAA.
You should check out the button below for more information on the Autel Evo Nano Plus.
6. Autel EVO Lite Plus (Best Overall Drone Under $1000)
The Autel Evo Lite is the best overall drone under $1000. Nothing comes close to the beast in terms of the features and benefits it offers to its users. It can be used for both recreational and commercial flying.
The EVO Lite gives you 30% more flying time than the competition because it is the only drone of its size to provide an endurance of 40 minutes. Because of the industry-best battery life, you can take more pictures and do more exploring of your surroundings.
With Autel’s new super wide angle obstacle avoidance cameras, you can fly more safely, and quickly than ever before. The 150 degree front field of vision provided by the sensors allows the EVO Lite to reduce the number of cameras required while removing more blind spots than conventional systems.
A supersensitive 50MP camera with a 1/1.28-inch CMOS sensor allows you to experience a new level of image quality. In order to capture natural landscape in all its grandeur, the camera uses a RYYB color filter array, which absorbs 40% more light than conventional RGGB arrays.
Autel EVO Lite Plus Specifications
- Weight: 820 grams
- Dimensions Folded (without propellers): 210×104×85 mm (L×W×H)
- Dimension Unfolded (with propellers): 430×517×85 mm (L×W×H)
- Diagonal Length: 368 mm
- Max Ascent Speed: 8 m/s
- Max Descent Speed: 4 m/s
- Max Horizontal Speed: 19 m/s
- Max Takeoff Altitude: 5000 m
- Max Flight Time: 40 minutes
- Max Hovering Time: 38 minutes
- Max Flight Distance: 24 m
- Max Wind Speed Resistance: Level 7
- Photo Resolution: 50M：8192×6144
- Video Resolution: 4K Ultra HD: 3840×2160 @60 fps
- Max Bit Rate: 120 MBPS
- Wi-Fi Transfer: 20 MB/s
- Battery Capacity: 6175 mAh
- Battery Charging Time: 90 minutes.
- Max Charging Power: 78 W
- File Storage: micro SD card (256 GB max)
Autel EVO Lite Plus Pros and Cons
My Verdict on the Autel EVO Lite Plus
The Autel Evo Lite is a dream come true for any drone pilots. It night mode is superb and its battery last longer than any drone! I don’t think any drone under $1000 comes close to the level of this drone.
You should check out the button below for more information on the Autel EVO Lite Plus.
7. DJI Mini 3 (Best Foldable Drone Under $1000)
The DJI Mini 3 is my best foldable drone under $1000. I love how it fit into a pocket when not in use. It’s great for convenience and moving from one place to another without bothering with cumbersome load.
With a weight of just 249 grams, the DJI Mini 3 is the ideal companion for all of your excursions, including treks, road trips, and beach days. You may carry Mini 3 outside for up to 38 minutes at a time or take long flights without being concerned about running out of battery life.
Take aerial photos in 4K HDR video for the best clarity. Observe details in the light and dark, both during the day and at night. Use QuickShots to select dynamic flight paths, or use Panorama to take a spectacular photo.
DJI Mini 3 Specifications
- Weight: 248 grams
- Dimensions Folded (without propellers): 148×90×62 mm (L×W×H)
- Dimension Unfolded (with propellers): 251×362×72 mm (L×W×H)
- Max Ascent Speed: 5 m/s
- Max Descent Speed: 3.5 m/s
- Max Horizontal Speed: 16 m/s
- Max Takeoff Altitude: 4000 m
- Max Flight Time: 38 minutes
- Max Hovering Time: 33 minutes
- Max Flight Distance: 18 km
- Max Wind Speed Resistance: 10.7 m/s (Level 5)
- Photo Resolution: 4000 X 3000
- Video Resolution: 4K: 3840 X 2160 @30 fps
- Sensing Type: Downward vision system
- Video Transmission System: DJI O2
- Battery Capacity: 2453 mAh
- Battery Charging Time: 1 hour
- Recommended Charger: DJI 30W USB-C Charger
- File Storage: micro SD card
DJI Mini 3 Pros and Cons
My Verdict on the DJI Mini 3
The DJI Mini 3 is a fantastic drone for new drone pilots to learn the fundamentals of flight while shooting gorgeous photographs that come with a respectable number of safety measures. Its sleek design makes it convenient for moving it around without being weighed down by the weight of the drone.
You should check out the button below for more information on the DJI Mini 3.
What To Look For in a Drone Under $1000
You won’t have to make a lot of compromises when shopping for the best drones under $1000. You can get a high-quality drone with a ton of cool features under that price tag that would suit your needs
I read lots of posts on Reddit, Quora, and other drone forums to cut through the noise and pick the best drones under $1000 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 $1000:
Flight Time
Drones under $1000 will have an average flight time of 30 minutes and will require a few hours to recharge the battery from zero to 100 percent. I selected drones that had an average flight time of 30 minutes to give you a good amount of fun in the air.
Check out the best drones for long flight times if you need drones that meet this requirement.
ALSO READ: The Best Drones Under $500 in 2023
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!
Stability
Most drones under $1000 will be mid-weight to heavy weight. Heavy weight drones can 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.
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 and prevent them from crashing their drones into surrounding objects, buildings, and trees.
Camera Quality
Most drones under $1000 come with a 6K camera for capturing high-quality pictures and a 4K camera for recording some high-quality pictures. I took this factor into consideration when choosing the drones.
Camera quality is one of the major things to look out for when shopping for a drone under $1000. You don’t want a drone that takes blurry pictures and videos after spending that kind of amount. The majority of the drones on this list come with a 4K camera.
Check out the best camera drones if you want a drone that will satisfy your photography needs.
Also Read: Best Drones Under $700 in 2023
Durability
Durability is also a huge factor when looking for drones under the $1000 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.
Most of the drones under this price tag tend to be durable and can withstand windy conditions. I took this factor into consideration when choosing the products on 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.
One-Button Launch and Recovery
When you initially start, this practical function makes launching and retrieving your drone easier. Your drone will take off when you press a button.
After that, you may start your flight. Just press the same button once your flight is over to end it. This causes the drone to land back in the area where you launched it.
Final Thoughts on the Best Drones Under $1000
We’ve come to the end of the road on the best drone under $1000 in 2023
The Autel Evo Lite Plus came out as my first choice on this list. It has everything you need for a drone under this price tag. 4K camera, GPS, portability, foldability, long flight time, and many more
You won’t go wrong with it if you choose to go for it.
Can’t seem to find what you’re looking for? Check out my comprehensive list of the best drones for the year. It contains many drones for different categories and purposes.
Don’t forget to share this article with your friends and other drone enthusiasts on social media using the share button below, telling them what you have learned here today!
