Hello, drone enthusiasts! Welcome to my review of the best drones under 250 grams in 2023.
Let’s get straight to the point. Nobody likes dealing with the hassle of registering a drone with the FAA because it weighs less than 250 grams. For most of us, we just like the freedom of buying a drone of our choice without asking for permission to fly it.
If you’re one of those freedom lovers, I got you covered. I’ve compiled a list of the best drones under 250 grams you can fly right away without FAA registration.
This article took me about 17 hours of research to ensure you get the best quality for your money’s worth.
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 without any FAA registration.
The best drone under 250 grams is the Autel EVO Nano Plus. It’s a good bet for its weight class and escaping FAA registration thanks to its 4K camera, long battery life, and obstacle avoidance mode, which gives you a fun flight and a good user experience overall.
Here are also my top 3 drones under 250 grams if you want some variety to choose from.
DJI Mini 3 Pro – Best Premium Drone Under 250 Grams.
Autel EVO Nano Plus – Best Overall Drone Under 250 Grams
DJI Mini SE – Best Budget Drone Under 250 Grams.
Below is a quick summary of all the drones under 250 grams I’ve hand-picked for you after my research.
Quick Summary of the Best Drones Under 250 Grams
What Are The Best Drones Under 250 Grams?
Here, I’ll dive into the top 7 best drones under 250 grams in 2023.
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 Mini 3 Pro (Best Premium Drone Under 250 Grams)
The DJI Mini 3 Pro came out on top as the best premium drone under 250 grams. Not only does it have the features and benefits of the Mini 3, but it also comes with advanced features that give other drones in its weight class a run for their money.
The DJI Mini 3 comes equipped with a powerful 48 MP camera and a 1/1.3” CMOS image sensor that can record video in 4K resolution at 60 fps. The camera is stabilized by a 3-axis mechanical gimbal that can rotate at 90 degrees to prevent blurry footage during windy conditions.
Another premium feature I love in the DJI Mini 3 Pro is its obstacle avoidance sensor. This sensor can detect objects in three dimensions and is supported by the Advanced Pilot Assistance System (APAS 4.0), which automatically detects objects around its flight path and avoids them to prevent crashing.
The DJI Min 3 can also withstand wind speeds up to level 5, preventing blurry images from being blown away. It can also stay in the air for a maximum of 34 minutes and a transmission range of 12 km.
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 x 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 Verdict on the DJI Mini 3 Pro
Overall, the DJI Mini 3 Pro is a great drone for a premium price. It has all the special features you want in a drone under 250 grams. However, it’s relatively pricey for a beginner drone pilot.
You should check out the button below for more information on the DJI Mini 3 Pro.
2. Autel Evo Nano Plus (Best Overall Drone Under 250 Grams)
The Autel EVO Nano Plus is my best overall drone under 250 grams. The good thing about the Autel EVO Nano Plus is that it comes with almost all the features of the DJI Mini 3 Pro without the expensive price.
The Autel EVO Nano Plus camera smashes the cameras of the other drones on this list. It can capture pictures in 8K resolution, which is unheard of for other camera drones. It also has an HDR imaging feature that will enhance the colors of the picture after processing it to give you a unique effect.
However, the Autel EVO Nano Plus only records videos at 30 fps, unlike the DJI Mini Pro’s 60 fps.
The plus side to owning the Autel EVO Nano Plus over the DJI Mini 3 Pro is that it comes with some special camera features that can’t be found in the Mini 3 Pro, like the SkyPortrait mode, which lets you choose a group of people to capture while the camera automatically focuses on them.
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 the Autel Evo Nano Plus
Overall, the Autel Evo Nano Plus is one of the best drones under 250 grams. The drone can do everything you want for a drone of its weight class. It has a high-quality camera, is convenient to carry around, and you don’t have to create an account with Autel to fly the drone.
You should check out the button below for more information on the Autel Evo Nano Plus.
3. DJI Mini 2 (Best Camera Drone Under 250 Grams)
A successor to the DJI Mavic Mini and predecessor to the DJI Mini 3 Pro, the DJI Mini 2 definitely packs a punch. It has the basic features you want in a camera drone under 250 grams without the high price.
The DJI Mini 2 has a 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor that can record video footage in 4K at 30 fps with a speed of 100 Mbps. However, you have to makthe a compromise of shooting your video at 2.7K if you want to record at 60 fps. It has an auto-bracketing feature and a 4X zoom to capture images at a distance.
One thing I love about the DJI Mini 2 is its foldability and portability, which fit right into your hand like a smartphone. It also has dual batteries that can each give you an uninterrupted flight time of 31 minutes.
To add more fun to your shots, DJI has equipped the Mini 2 drone with intelligent features like one-tap quick shots, Mavic Mini, dronie, circle and boomerang in addition to the default 4K hyper lapse and panorama modes
The DJI Mini 2 has other intelligent features that make flying fun, like one-tap quick shots, circles, and boomerangs. However, it doesn’t come with an intelligent flight mode, much to my dismay.
DJI Mini 2 Dreamer Specifications
- Weight: less than 249 grams
- Dimensions Folded (without propellers): 138×81×58 mm (L×W×H)
- Dimension Unfolded (with propellers): 245×289×56 mm (L×W×H)
- Diagonal Length: 213 mm
- 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: 31 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
- Max. Video Bit Rate: 100 MBPS
- Video Transmission System: DJI O2
- Battery Capacity: 2250 mAh
- Battery Charging Time: 1 hour
- Max Charging Power: 29 Watt
- File Storage: micro SD card
DJI Mini 2 Dreamer Pros and Cons
My Verdict on the DJI Mini 2
In summary, the DJI Mini 2 is the right drone if you simply want a 4K camera drone under 250 grams that produces high quality pictures and videos without splashing money on a high-end drone.
You should check out the button below for more information on the DJI Mini 2.
4. DJI Mini SE (Best Budget Drone Under 250 Grams)
The DJI Mini SE is another advanced drone that’s perfect for both beginners and professionals and can be used for recreational and commercial purposes without splashing money on a premium-priced drone.
The DJI Mini SE was launched in mid-2021 as the cheapest drone so far produced by DJI.
The DJI Mini SE was created by combining the internal components of the DJI Mavic Mini and the external look of the DJI Mini 2 to give you the basic quality of a high-end drone without the huge price tag.
The DJI Mini SE camera shares the same features as the camera of the Mavic Mini, except that it has a 1/2.3” image sensor that can capture video at 2.7K at 30 fps.
It has a 2K camera, unlike the DJI Mini 2, but it has a 3-way mechanical gimbal to stabilize the camera and prevent blurry images or shaky video.
However, the DJI Mini SE doesn’t come with some advanced features that can be found in the DJI Mavic Mini and the DJI Mini 2, like HDR, digital zoom, and AEB modes, and cannot capture photos in RAW mode.
It doesn’t have intelligent flight modes that make it suitable for some professional use.
DJI Mini SE Specifications
- Weight: Less than 249 grams
- Dimensions Folded (without propellers): 138×81×58 mm (L×W×H)
- Dimension Unfolded (with propellers): 245×289×56 mm (L×W×H)
- Diagonal Length: 213 mm
- Max Ascent Speed: 4 m/s
- Max Descent Speed: 3 m/s
- Max Horizontal Speed: 13 m/s
- Max Takeoff Altitude: 3000 m
- Max Flight Time: 30 minutes
- Max Hovering Time: 30 minutes
- Max Flight Distance: 18 km
- Max Wind Speed Resistance: 10.7 m/s (Level 5)
- Photo Resolution: 4000 X 3000
- Video Resolution: 2.7K: 2720 X 1530 @30 fps
- Max Video Bit Rate: 40 MBPS
- Battery Capacity: 2250 mAh
- Battery Charging Time: 1 Hour
- Max Charging Power: 29 W
- File Storage: micro SD card
DJI Mini SE Pros and Cons
My Take on DJI Mini SE
The DJI Mini SE is the best budget drone under 250 grams out there that you can purchase to get your money’s worth. This drone is also great for beginners and drone pilots who just want something basic without the extravagant price that comes with premium drones.
You should check out the button below for more information on the DJI Mini SE.
5. Holy Stone HS710 (Best Beginner Drone Under 250 Grams)
The Holy Stone HS170 is the best beginner drone under 250 grams. It has all the basic features you want in a drone; it doesn’t have a high price tag; and you also don’t need to register it with the FAA.
It’s perfect for flying outdoors thanks to its powerful brushless motors, which keep its position stable even in windy conditions.
The batteries can last up to 25 minutes in the air, and you can also take it anywhere without any inconveniences because it’s foldable and fits right into your pocket or bag.
The 4K camera is another thing beginners will love. It can capture your favorite moment with its 120-degree wide-angle lens, which gives a smooth image transmission thanks to the 5GHz FPV technology.
It also has special features such as Altitude Hold, which allows the drone to hover in the air without using the throttle.
Intelligent Homecoming, and Emergency Stop, which allows you to stop worrying about losing the drone; and One Key Take Off and Landing, which makes things simple and quick to learn.
Holy Stone HS710 Specifications
- Item Weight: 240 Grams
- Battery Capacity: 1820 Milliamp Hours
- Control Type: Remote Control
- Media Type: SD
- Wireless Communication Technology: Cellular
- Battery Cell Composition: Lithium Polymer
- Are Batteries Included: Yes
- Remote Control Included? Yes
- Product Dimensions: 11.85″L x 10.55″W x 2.13″H
- Product Dimensions: 5.79 x 3.62 x 2.13 inches
- Flight Time of One Battery: 25 minutes
- Live View Quality: 4K@15fps
- WIFI Distance: 300 m (Outdoor and Unobstructed)
- Transmission Distance: 600 m (Outdoors and Unobstructed)
- Remote Controller Needs: 2 x 1.5V AA Batteries (Not Included)
Holy Stone HS710 Pros and Cons
My Verdict on Holy Stone HS710
Overall, The Holy Stone HS170 is the best drone under 250 grams for beginners that want high quality drone with special features for practicing their aerial skills without the high price tag,
You should check out the button below for more information on the Holy Stone HS170.
What To Look For in a Drone Under 250 Grams
There are some compromises you’ll have to make when shopping for a drone under 250 grams to avoid FAA registration. Your needs and budgets will be the major factors affecting the drone you want.
I read lots of posts on Reddit, Quora, and other drone forums to cut through the noise and pick the best drones under 250 grams 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 250 grams.
Flight Time
Drones under 250 grams will have various flight times according to the price tag. If you require a drone that can operate for 30 minutes or more, you must be willing to spend several hundred dollars.
Check out the best drones for long flight times if you need drones that meet this requirement.
ALSO READ: The Best Drones Under $400 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
Well, most drones under 250 grams won’t be as stable in the air during windy conditions as drones that weigh above 250 grams. Still, drones that come with a 3 axis gimbal will be more stable than drones that don’t come with a 3 axis gimbal.
You should always be on the lookout for drones with 3-axis gimbals to prevent blurry footage.
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
Drones under 250 grams will have varying camera quality that’s directly proportional to their price tag. You have to be willing to spend more if you want a drone with high picture quality.
The drones on this list come with a minimum camera resolution of 1080p. This is more than enough for you to make some fantastic memories with your friends and family that will last a lifetime.
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
Range
The drone’s range is the maximum distance it can go from the remote control before losing signal. Expensive drones have a range of around 2 to 5 kilometers; however, less expensive drones may only have a range of 100 to 200 meters.
Make sure to get a drone with a large range if you want to fly it farther away from you.
Durability
Durability is also a huge factor when looking for drones under 250 grams. 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 multiple crashes. I took this factor into consideration when choosing the products on this list.
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.
FAQs on the Best Drones Under 250 Grams
Why should I own a drone under 250 grams?
Owning a drone that weighs under 250 grams has a number of advantages, such as less restrictive laws in many nations, increased mobility and simplicity of use, reduced costs.
These smaller drones might be an excellent option for beginners or people who are new to the activity because they are frequently easier to use.
Do I need to register my 250-gram drone?
Drones that weigh less than 250 grams don’t need to be registered with the FAA if you’re flying them for recreational purposes. However, you still need to register your drone, even if it weighs less than 250 grams, as long as you’re flying it for commercial purposes.
Can you fly a drone under 250 grams anywhere?
A drone weighing less than 250 grams can be flown without registration or specific authorization in the vast majority of nations worldwide.
You cannot, however, fly it over crowded spaces, hover over private property, military bases, or restricted or no-fly zones. To verify this, use an app like AirMap for Drones.
Do drones under 250 grams need a remote ID?
Recreational drones weighing less than 250 grams are exempt from remote identification (ID) restrictions. Drones weighing more than 250 grams are generally subject to the remote ID requirements.
However, it is crucial for drone operators to become knowledgeable about the local laws and guidelines that apply to drone operation.
Final Thoughts on the Best Drones Under 250 Grams
We’ve come to the end of the road on the best drone under 250 grams in 2023
The Autel EVO Nano Plus came out as my first choice on this list. It has everything you need for a drone in this weight class, with advanced features like a 4K camera, GPS, portability, foldability, a long flight time, and many more that would make flying fun and interesting.
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.
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