Best Drones Under 200

What Is the Best Drone Under $200?

Several year ago, the drone’s price started from $800-$1000 but today you can buy it three times cheaper. 200 dollar drones are popular among beginning users and they are an excellent gift for a child.

Believe me, you may find a drone with good flying range and battery life. Moreover, the professional drones’ repair is expensive which is not so good for amateurs. So, check out these 14 best drones under 200 dollars that are recommended for your first flights.

1. MJX Bugs B5W

MJX Bugs B5W is the best camera drone under 200. It has an excellent performance which makes it the number one choice for those who are looking for the quadcopter for outdoor photography. This quadcopter has great stabilization and is quite easy to control. This model is not suitable for beginners. MJX Bugs B5W has 4 brushless motors, which allow the drone to work well even in the windy weather.

• View more about the best drones under 100 if you need cheaper quadcopters for training your flight skills before buying a professional one.

If you are looking for a long flying range, this device will definitely meet your expectations. With 7.4V 1800mAH Battery, you can enjoy the flight time up to 10-13 minutes or 13-18 minutes if you don’t use the camera. It has an excellent low-budget HD Action Camera with a resolution of 1080P at 30fps. The WI-FI distance is up to 300 meters. The camera transmits the information at zero latency to your smartphone.

2. Altair AA818 Plus

This model is one of the best drones for beginners. It has 3 control modes for different levels of piloting skills. This quadcopter includes the Headless mode and the Altitude Hold mode which allow any beginning pilot to relax and enjoy the control. I like that the body is made of durable, tough rubber. Also, there is thick protection of the propellers. All of these safety features will prevent damage from accidental dropping and collisions which may happen anyway.

• Read about recommended beginner drones that are very user-friendly and can help you take awesome birds eye view photography.

There is a wide-angle camera with a resolution of 720p for shooting video and photos. The quality of images is nice. The most impressive thing in this model is the flight time which is 15 minutes per one battery charge. Such flight time is almost impossible to meet in the best drones under 200 dollars, especially if they have a camera and numerous modes and features.

3. Altair Aerial AA108 FPV 720p

This drone under 200 has an excellent HD camera that shoots in resolution up to 720p in FPV mode via the Flyingsee app, which is available for free. This quadcopter has a solid frame that is hard to break or damage. The duration of the flight is about 10 minutes.

• If you’re ready to control expensive gear, read more about the best drones for photography that take high quality photos which can be used for printing in the magazines or advertising.

However, if you use the FPV mode, it will be a little less. The 720p camera works great. Moreover, it is easily connected to a smart device via Wi-Fi. With three skill modes, this quadcopter under 200 is easy to control for both beginners and experts. Also, it has the Altitude Hold function. If you release the sticks on the remote, this drone will keep the current height so you will not need to “catch” it.

4. Force1 U45W Blue Jay

Force1 U45W Blue Jay combines everything that should be in the best quadcopter under 200$ with a camera – an HD camera and FPV flight mode via Wi-Fi. Moreover, there are some additional functions. If we consider only flight characteristics, here I found very cool things. Hold altitude, Custom route mode, one-touch Takeoff / Landing, Headless mode – these are the functions that greatly simplify the work and make it possible to enjoy shooting.

• If you are a passionate traveler, check out these best aerial photography drones which are very mobile and user-friendly for travel videos.

This drone is easy to use for both beginning and experienced pilots. The flight time is 8 minutes which is pretty average in this class. Also, this quadcopter includes 2 MP camera with video resolution up to 1280x720 at 30fps.

5. Force1 UDI 818A HD+

It is very easy to use. I like that the flight time is 9 minutes on a single charge. It can take only an hour to fully charge the battery. The drone has the camera that is capable to shoot in 1280x720 resolution at 30fps. It allows any beginner to receive high-quality and clear videos. It is worth mentioning that the case is made of durable and flexible plastic, which prevents damage from dropping and collisions.

• If you’re a real estate agent or like architecture, I recommend you having one of these drones for real estate photography for taking beautiful property photographs and interior videos.

The remote has an LCD screen which displays all flight information and statistics for full control over the quadcopter. In addition, this model has LED lights for flying in the dark. All these features make Force1 UDI 818A HD+ one of the best drones for beginners.

6. Holy Stone HS110D

HS110D is one of the best drones under 200 with camera that stands out from its competitors and really shows how much up-to-date quadcopters have improved. Even if you are an inexperienced pilot, it will be quite easy for you to control the device. This model has steady hover, maximum control range and is very responsive.

• Read more about drone wedding photography and what equipment you need to take beautiful photos of all guests and romantic aerial photos of the couple.

The max flight distance is 100 meters so HS110D will be suitable for children and beginners. However, this distance might not be enough for enthusiasts. The camera has zero latency without the “jello effect”. It has a resolution of 720p and 120-degree wide-angle lens, so the image quality is above average. With all these awesome features, HS110D deserves to be on my best drones under 200 list.

7. Potensic Drone with FPV Goggles

This is the best FPV drone under 200 that has great performance compared to the other quadcopters on my list. This model features accurate control and very stable hover, so it will be great for any skill level. The flight time is from 8 to 10 minutes; the flight distance is from 80 to 100 meters.

• Read my guide to real estate aerial photography about everything you need to know for taking professional drone photography and video footage.

I like the in-built HD camera which has a resolution of 720p at 30fps. You can enjoy live video transmission directly to the monitor and FPV Goggles which are included in the box. This drone under 200 also has a Sharing Monitor feature which allows placing the monitor on the goggles. In addition, Potensic has a really interesting set of functions such as Headless Mode, Altitude Hold function, One-Key Takeoff / Landing and Gravity Sensor Control.

8. Hubsan H502S Desire

Hubsan H502S pleased me with a built-in GPS, HD resolution camera, an intelligent flight controller, and FPV video transmission to a 4-inch monitor. Just based on this, it’s safe to say that presented drone has no parallel on the market and significantly outperforms its forerunners.

Also, the drone uses the option of following you or returning home automatically at any time. What I liked is that a built-in GPS allows reducing the risk of drone loss almost to zero. The flight range reaches 200 meters, which is twice as big as what competitors have. I personally purchased this quadcopter for my son. During the entire period of using just one blade broke, which was easy to change but quite difficult to break.

9. Holy Stone F181C

In my opinion, this quadcopter would be perfect both for beginners and professionals as it combines all the necessary capabilities and characteristics. Besides, it has a high-quality HD camera capable of shooting in 1280x720p resolution. I want to point out that this quadcopter with camera has four speed limits.

I like its One Key Return function which allows bringing the drone back to the launch site using one button. It supports 360 degrees’ rotation. The drone can roll over in four directions performing a spectacular flip. It is one of the best drones under 200 with camera since launching and landing is carried out with just one functional button. I also would like to mention that I love controlled lighting – light-emitting diodes can help you find the drone in the nighttime.

10. Syma X8g

This drone can function in two video modes: 720p and 1080p. Shooting quality is average but I like it. I expected much worse for this price. All footage is stored on a memory card. In total, it’s not a bad option for the first attempt. I must admit that the camera with a suspension approaches Syma X8W/X8C quadcopters with no issues. GoPro and similar cameras are easily attached into the suspension as well.

• Read more about the best GoPro alternatives you can buy to take beautiful drone photos and videos.

As practice has shown, the maximum flight time with the camera off is 10 minutes, on – 8 minutes. The battery charging time – 3.5 hours. Also, this quadcopter with camera is equipped with a classic 4-channel transmitter, running at a frequency of 2.4 GHz. In the undisturbed zone, it provides confident control within 200 meters.

In addition to that, it lifts GoPro cameras with 2-axis mechanic suspension without flight performance loss. This model among best drones under 200 does flips without failures and performs return to equipment function without complaint.

11. Altair Aerial Blackhawk

This quadcopter is a wonderful fast one capable to stay in the air for 15-17 minutes and fly a distance of 300-500 meters. Among its strong features, I can point out reinforced strong construction and feel of a racing drone during a flight. Furthermore, this type of drones has brushless motors for smooth and accurate control, which are significantly quieter than others. For pilots of any level, High and Low Speed modes will be very important factors.

With this flying wonder, I advise using GoPro Hero 3 and Hero 4 as it supports represented action cameras use. Moreover, it’s perfect for night flights due to blue and white lights under the drone and white light on the front panel.

12. Parrot AR.Drone 2.0

Ability to control drones using iOS devices is what many enthusiasts should pay attention to. Even with remote control, the majority of them aren’t equipped with a screen. Thus, controlling with a smartphone only is a great way to reduce the drone price. Also, this model is distinguished by high motor power able to lift the camera into the air.

• Don’t know what is the best action camera for your drone? Read more about the best action cameras under 100 that you can use without worrying about safety.

All the quadcopter details are freely accessible and you can buy them separately for a small price. You don’t need experience and skills in piloting to perform beautiful flights. My 9-year old son is proof of this. Based on my practice, I can tell that this model performs flight stabilization, opposition to the wind and confident maneuvering at a decent level.

13. MJX Bugs 6

This FPV drone under 200 flies rather confident and stable. The control range is 500m. Fully charged battery guarantees 12 minutes of continuous flight in active mode. I like that this model reacts sensitively to commands. However, sometimes motors lack dynamics due to the low output voltage of a battery.

I also like bright lighting which allows to perform night flights but is greatly visible in daylight. You can install an FPV high-resolution camera on it. Camera resolution is 720p, the lens structure is six-lens, а FOV is 120 degrees. Maximum drone speed when flying is 45km/h. Live video transmission distance is 500m. Picture quality is satisfactory.

14. Parrot Mambo

I like that you can control this drone in 3 different ways – smartphone (via “FreeFlight Mini” app), control equipment Parrot Flypad (purchased separately), Parrot Flypad + smartphone (via “FreeFlight Mini” app). I want to note that the difference in convenience and distance is up to 20 meters with a smartphone and up to 100 meters together with Parrot Flypad remote control.

When controlling only with Parrot Flypad, some functions of this camera drone under 200 will be unavailable. Also, I liked “Auto takeoff” and “Autoland” functions.

Top 14 Best Drones under $200

Image	Camera	Features
	MJX Bugs B5W OUR CHOICE	1080p 10-18 minutes User-friendly	Check PRICE →
	Altair AA818 Plus FOR BEGINNERS	720p 15 minutes Route mode	Check PRICE →
	Holy Stone HS110D CHEAPEST	720p 10 minutes Zero latency	Check PRICE →
	Potensic Drone with FPV Goggles BEST FPV DRONE	720р 8-10 minutes Real-time video	Check PRICE →
	Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 Drone FOR KIDS	720р 12 minutes Nice design	Check PRICE →
	Altair Aerial AA108 FPV 720p	720p 10 minutes Fast take-off	Check PRICE →
	Force1 U45W Blue Jay	720p 8 minutes VR Compatible	Check PRICE →
	Force1 UDI 818A HD+	720p 9 minutes 360º camera	Check PRICE →
	Hubsan H502S Desire	720р 10-12 minutes Good controller	Check PRICE →
	Holy Stone F181C	720р 7-10 minutes Awesome design	Check PRICE →
	Syma X8g	720p/1080p 10-12 minutes LED backlights	Check PRICE →
	Altair Aerial Blackhawk	300-500 meters 15-17 minutes For GoPro	Check PRICE →
	MJX Bugs 6	720р 12 minutes 40km/h speed	Check PRICE →
	Parrot Mambo	720р 8-10 minutes Auto takeoff	Check PRICE →

Drone Photography Kits for Beginners

If you want to try aerial photography but don’t know what equipment you need to buy, I advise you to check out the following bundles that I’ve selected.

DJI Tello Iron Man Edition Quadcopter Drone Bundles

A great bundle for beginners with cheap but qualitative DJI Tello drone Iron Man styled. The bundle includes quadcopter with 720p camera resolution and 3 batteries. I also liked that this bundle contains 4 Pairs of Propellers, Propeller Guards, Micro USB Cable + 64gb microSD Card Card, and high-quality rigid bag for storing and transporting the bundle that will prevent the drone from damage. The bundle includes a set of devices for cleaning the camera itself.

Wenjuan RC Quadcopter with Dual GPS

A cheap bundle with a quadcopter with 1080P HD camera, two batteries and a stylish capacious backpack for drone transporting.

DJI Tello Quadcopter Beginner Drone with VR Goggles and Skin Pack

One of the best inexpensive drones with remote control, removable attachments for changing the look, extra propellers, batteries and VR goggles. The drone camera shoots in 720p HD resolution and the flight lasts 13 minutes.

How to choose the Best Drone Under $200?

Camera Quality. Look for drones with at least 1080p resolution for decent aerial photography and video recording. Some models even offer adjustable camera angles for better shots.

Flight Time. Longer flight time ensures more enjoyable flying experiences. Aim for drones that offer around 15 minutes of flight time, although some might exceed this in the under $200 range.

Features. Search for drones with essential features like altitude hold, headless mode, and one-key return for easier navigation. GPS-enabled drones offer better stability and accuracy.

Durability. Opt for drones constructed from durable materials that can withstand minor crashes. Some drones include propeller guards to protect against accidental collisions.

Ann Young

Author and Retouching Specialist

Ann Young is an expert photographer, retoucher, and writer with over 9+ years of working at FixThePhoto. Her career in digital community began after earning her degree from New York University, where her passion for both the creative and technical aspects of photography took root. Since then, she tried her skills in taking event photoshoots, freelance retouching, and content creation, ultimately becoming an integral part of the FixThePhoto team.

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Tetiana Kostylieva

Head Editor

Tetiana Kostylieva is the Head Editor and Content Creator of all FixThePhoto blog articles, bringing years of creativity and expertise to the team. Her career started in 2013 as a caricature artist at events in New York, where she honed her eye for detail and her ability to connect with people. Now, she leads our editorial team, testing new ideas and ensuring every piece of content is both helpful and engaging.

Read Tetiana's full bio