Here’s a handpicked compilation of the best drones under 300 selected from a growing list of drone models available today.
Besides the price range, the criteria for selecting the best drones are the features on offer, user reviews and popular aka reliable brands. If you are looking for more options in a higher price range, you can head over to our listing of the best drones under 500.
Read on for unbiased reviews of the top drones with cameras under 300, and make your choice!
Our Top Picks
BEST OVERALL PICK
Potensic D88 Foldable Drone
BEST VALUE PICK
Holy Stone HS720
BEST PREMIUM PICK
Ruko F11 Pro Drone
Best Drones Under 300 – Reviews
1. DEERC D15 GPS Drone with 4K UHD EIS
WEIGHT: 1.2 lbs | RANGE: 1000m | FLIGHT TIME: 20 mts | CAMERA: 4K UHD EIS
The DEERC D15 is a high-performance camera drone with a 4K UHD EIS camera, capable of capturing sharp, stable video and clear photos in any environment. The D15 is easy to fly and has a built-in GPS that allows for one-touch take-offs and landings. In addition, the drone’s lightweight design makes it highly portable and perfect for traveling enthusiasts.
This camera drone is perfect for beginners looking for a reliable device that will get them the best shots. At the same time, seasoned pros will appreciate its responsive controls and sharp video quality. Whether you’re looking to capture your next vacation or take stunning aerial footage of your favorite sporting event, the DEERC D15 is the one to go for.
Brand: DEERC
Features
- Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS)
- Sony sensor
- 5G FPV live video
- 130° wide-angle, 90° adjustable lens
- Brushless Motor
- Max speed 40 kmph
- GPS auto return home
- Waypoint flying
- Optical flow and Altitude hold
- Three flight modes – Follow Me, Tap-Fly, Point of interest
- Level 4 wind resistance
Pros
- Reliable image stabilization
- Captures high-quality images and video
- Stable and easy to fly
- Ideal for kids and beginners
- Good customer support
- Value for money
Cons
- Short battery life at times
2. Potensic T35 GPS Drone
WEIGHT: 3 lbs | RANGE: 500m | FLIGHT TIME: 15 mts | CAMERA: 1080p HD
The T35 GPS drone is an excellent choice for kids due to its easy-to-learn controls. For beginners, this drone has essential features like headless mode, altitude hold and one key take-off and landing to play around with, so they’ll have fun learning how to control it. The T35’s impressive 9-axis gyro system helps make flying more stable and easier to learn, even in windy areas. Furthermore, the built-in camera, which produces HD photographs and videos, will keep them returning for more. This drone is ideal for children of all ages, whether you’re looking for a Christmas or birthday present for your children.
Brand: Potensic
Features
- 1080p HD camera FPV
- 90° adjustable camera angle
- 9-axis Gyro
- Live video
- GPS + GLONASS positioning
- Return Home
- Follow me
- Altitude hold
- Three 2500 mAh batteries
- Flight path function
Pros
- Easy for kids to fly
- Nice videos and pictures
- Durable build
- Solid beginner drone
Cons
- Battery life could be improved
3. Ruko F11 Pro Drone
WEIGHT: 1.12 lbs | RANGE: 1200m | FLIGHT TIME: 30 mts | CAMERA: 4K UHD
The Ruko F11 Pro stands out among drones in this price range thanks to its 4K camera, simple controls, and longer battery life. This Ruko model is made of high-quality materials and has an easy-to-use design, making it great for both beginners and experts. The 4K camera takes ultra-high definition photographs and videos, and it can fly for up to 30 minutes on a single battery charge. No matter where you go, this folding drone will keep you entertained for hours. If you’re looking for a high-performance drone that’s simple to fly and pleasing to the eye, the Ruko F11 Pro is the one for you.
Brand: Ruko
Features
- Foldable
- Live video (500m range)
- 90°Adjustable 120°FOV Camera
- GPS Return Home
- GPS Hold and one key take-off and landing
- Follow Me mode, TapFly, Point of interest, Hand gesture shots
- Brushless motor
- Extra battery and a carrying case included
Pros
- Longer flight time
- High-resolution videos and photos
- Well-built and stable flight
- Worth every penny
- An excellent all-around drone for beginners
Cons
- Videos can be shaky
4. Contixo F24 Pro 4K UHD
WEIGHT: 1.1 lbs | RANGE: 1200m | FLIGHT TIME: 30 mts | CAMERA: 4K UHD
Contixo’s F24 Pro 4K drone delivers everything it promises and more. With a weight of under 1.1 pounds and the ability to fly for 30 minutes on a single charge, this drone is excellent for both novice and experienced pilots. It has a high-definition camera with an actual 4K UHD video recording capacity, a dependable gimbal to keep the footage stable, and an auto-return home function that makes it simple to fly out of any troublesome location. The F24 Pro’s ability to be readily packed in a backpack makes it ideal for the traveler, camper, or someone who wants to explore their neighborhood with a new perspective. With its video quality and portability, it offers incredible value at its price point.
Brand: Contixo
Features
- Foldable RC quadcopter
- 120° FOV lens
- 90° vertical adjustable camera
- 2.7K video
- 500m video transmission range
- Follow me, Orbit mode, and Gesture control
- Point of Interest, Tap to Fly features
- Flight path using up to 16 Waypoints
- Brushless motors
- Carrying case included
Pros
- Tough construction
- Long flight time
- Solid range and stability
- Excellent camera quality
- Easy to use
- Good starter drone
Cons
- Poor customer support
5. Holy Stone HS700D FPV Drone
WEIGHT: 4.55 lbs | RANGE: 1000m | FLIGHT TIME: 20 mts | CAMERA: 2K |MOTOR: BRUSHLESS
Next on our list is the Holy Stone HS700D FPV model, which comes with a 90-degree adjustable camera accompanied by 5G transmission. The upgraded camera lens offers reliable image quality, good for panoramic views and recording all the unforgettable memories of the users. The next noteworthy feature of this drone is GPS-assisted flight, due to which the drone flies stably and returns home before the battery is worn out and the signal is lost.
The battery provides 20 mins flight time and has a low-power alert that warns the user to plug in the charger. Thanks to the brushless motor, the drone is quiet and powerful.
This model is ideal for beginners with little or no experience.
Brand: Holy Stone
Features
- 4K FHD Camera
- Live Video and GPS Return Home
- Brushless Motor
- Follow Me
- 5G WiFi Transmission
- 90°Adjustable Camera
Pros
- Comes in a well-packaged box that requires minimum assembling of parts
- Light-weight but doesn’t give the cheap feel
- The remote control is ergonomic
- Gives a secure look and feel
Cons
- Takes longer to charge
If you are interested, we have an exhaustive drone buying guide for beginners, along with posts on best underwater drones and best drones for GoPro for your easy reference. And a simple and quick guide on how do drones work.
6. Potensic D80 GPS FPV RC Drone
WEIGHT: 3.0 lbs | RANGE: 800m | FLIGHT TIME: Up to 16 mts | CAMERA: 2K HD |MOTOR: BRUSHLESS
The cool thing about the Potensic GPS FPV RC drone is that it uses four advanced brushless motors to ensure the flight is stable and carries on for a long distance making it best for outdoor use. With its 2K camera with 5G Wifi design, it can capture cinematic, smooth HD video, and this makes it a favorite among videographers.
Thanks to its efficient brushless motors, this drone flies at high speed (40km/hr) with a flight range of 800m, making it perfect for skating and other high-speed sports.
This drone combines dual GPS to ensure accurate positioning details of the device. It returns when the battery signal falls weak. It is a suitable choice for beginners who want to pursue drones as a hobby.
Brand: Potensic
Features
- GPS Drone
- 2K FHD Camera
- Brushless Motor
- Auto Return Home
- Follow Me
- 25 mph max speed
- Aluminum carrying case
Pros
- Good for beginners, both young and adult
- Controller gives various alerts with beep sounds
- Upgraded technology with automatic return feature
Cons
- Written instructions are confusing
- Poor obstacle identification capability
7. Potensic D85 FPV GPS Drone
WEIGHT: 3.55 lbs | RANGE: 1400m | FLIGHT TIME: Up to 20 mts | CAMERA: 2K HD |MOTOR: BRUSHLESS
The Potensic D85 FPV drone, with its 130-degree wide-angle lens, offers a larger view with a short focal length to capture wide scenery within a short shooting distance. Its brushless motor drone of 1500KV offers a powerful and quieter flying performance. Its lithium battery is of 2800mAh, and when fully charged, it offers you 20 minutes of flying time, indoors or outdoors.
This drone has low power and a lost signal automatic return feature. When the LED flashes red light and the LCD screen reads ‘low battery’, the aircraft will automatically fly back.
The Potensic D85 GPS drone seems to be ideal for a professional videographer.
Brand: Potensic
Features
- FPV GPS Drone
- WiFi Live Video
- Auto Return Home
- Altitude Hold
- Follow Me
- Custom Flight Path
- 2 Batteries
Pros
- Ideal for videography
- Easy to fly and offers a smooth flight
- Incredible camera for aerial photography, and the GPS flight functions
- Drone flies to a height that is impossible to see even on a clear day
- The 20-minute lifespan of each battery gives enough flexibility to the images
Cons
- Nighttime pictures lack of clarity is a downside
- The battery starts to lose capacity after 15 minutes of flying
8. Holy Stone HS700 FPV Drone
WEIGHT: 1.3 lbs | RANGE: 900m | FLIGHT TIME: 16-20 mts | CAMERA: 1080 HD |MOTOR: BRUSHLESS
The Holy Stone HS700 FPV Drone has got an interesting feature in its app where you can draw a route on the screen of the app and the drone will fly along the drawn path. And it sends back landscape details in real-time to you. This camera drone can return to the point of take-off according to the instruction as and when it runs out of power or loses signal. This feature prevents unnecessary crashes.
The drone follows you with the camera pointing toward you. You can click videos by freeing your hands. It is perfect for someone who loves to take selfies.
Thanks to the 1500KV brushless motor, you get a powerful and soundless flight. Holy Stone seems to be ideal for the not-so-experienced drone flyers.
Brand: Holy Stone
Features
- 2K Full HD Camera
- Live Video
- GPS Return Home
- Brushless Motor
- Follow Me
- 5G WiFi Transmission
Pros
- Powerful, good for selfies
- A reasonable price point and premium quality drone
- Dedicated customer care service
Cons
- The battery sometimes drains off before 20 minutes
9. Potensic D88 Foldable Drone
WEIGHT: 5.43 lbs | RANGE: 490ft | FLIGHT TIME: Up to 20 mts | CAMERA: 2k HD |MOTOR: BRUSHLESS
Potensic D88 is probably the best GPS drone under 300. With this drone, you can plan the route of flight by drawing on the screen of the app (same as the Holy Stone HS700) and record the entire scene through the route. And the GPS mode gives you real-time location details. Point of Interest is another noteworthy feature: choose a specific location on the app’s screen, and the drone will then fly in a clockwise direction around that point, offering you an extensive detailed image of that location.
This camera drone has a no-delay and rapid 5G Wifi real-time transmission giving you a quality first-person view experience. It comes with a one-axis gimbal camera that adjusts itself during the flight to shoot better images and videos.
Brand: Potensic
Features
- 5G Foldable Camera Drone
- GPS Return Home
- Ultrasonic Altitude Setting
- Optical Flow Positioning
- 2 Batteries
Pros
- Suitable for beginners
- Easily portable with a foldable fuselage and a powerful brushless motor.
- Single button return, altitude hold, follow-me mode, orbit flight, LED screen.
- The intelligent battery offers a 20-minute flight.
- Stable and safe flight due to optical positioning.
Cons
- The build feels a bit cheap
10. Holy Stone HS720 Foldable GPS Drone
WEIGHT: 1.01 lbs | RANGE: 800m | FLIGHT TIME: Up to 26 mts | CAMERA: 2K FHD |MOTOR: BRUSHLESS
The Holy Stone HS720 GPS Drone is a popular drone that is reliable and comes with all the bells and whistles. Its 2K camera has shock absorption features that let you view the world right before your eyes. The military-grade battery offers you a flight time of up to 26 minutes. The pack includes a dual balance charger which eliminates all your charging worries.
The user can easily control the drone and make it fly in landscapes or wherever you go via the app on your mobile device. As you return home, you can share your video recording through the app.
The HS720 has got a follow-me feature that keeps you covered and lets you take professional images.
Brand: Holy Stone
Features
- Brushless Motor
- Auto Return Home
- Follow Me
- Long Control Range
- Includes Carrying Bag
Pros
- Good Follow Me feature
- Optical flow positioning
- Brushless motor and powerful performance
- Foldable design with a carrying bag
- Strong battery back-up
Cons
- Not very sturdy in breezy weather conditions
11. Potensic D60 Drone, Brushless GPS FPV RC Drone
WEIGHT: 2.8 lbs | RANGE: Upto 500m | FLIGHT TIME: Up to 20 mts | CAMERA: 1080p HD |MOTOR: BRUSHLESS
The D60 GPS drone has brushless motors to ensure the flight is stable at high speeds with low consumption. It incorporates the latest technology with dual GPS that keeps accurate positioning of the drone. The drone returns to home when the battery is weak or out of flight range with the return-to-home feature. The user can forget the worries of the drone getting lost.
This model comes with an in-built 1080 high-quality camera that captures cinematic HD video. The user can capture smooth and clear images of the surroundings. The takeoff and landing, altitude hold, headless mode, follow-me, and GPS auto-return features can be initiated by a single button making the controls simple for the user.
This is an ideal drone for adults.
Brand: Potensic
Features
- 1080P HD FPV
- 110° FOV Quadcopter
- 5G WiFi
- Follow Me
- Altitude Hold
- Auto Return Home
- Brushless Motor
Pros
- Optical flow image acquisition system
- The drone locks location and height and hovers stably
- Orbit mode makes everything that you capture look exciting and fun
- Draw a route in the app, and the drone flies accordingly
- Robust enough to survive crash landings
Cons
- 1080P content needs a 16/32 GB SD card which is not in the box
12. Tello Drone Quadcopter Boost Combo
WEIGHT: 1.25 lbs | RANGE: NA | FLIGHT TIME: 10 mts | CAMERA: 720p
The Tello Drone Combo comes with a lightweight and durable drone that’s perfect for beginners looking for an affordable way to learn to fly. It includes spare propellers, a lens care kit to keep your drone’s camera lens clean, and three extra batteries so you can fly for an extended period. Additionally, this drone features an automatic take-off mode, making it ideal for beginners. It’s an excellent indoor flyer, and its small size allows it to be carried almost anyplace. In a tiny size, the Tello Drone contains everything you need to take to the skies. Just charge it up, download the app, and let your imagination soar.
Brand: DJI
Features
- Combo pack with 3 batteries
- Charging hub
- Surmik drone care kit
- 4 pairs of propellers
- 1 set of propeller guards
- Micro USB cable
- Propeller removal tool
Pros
- A fun, little drone
- Excellent indoor flyer
- Suitable for young kids
- Comes with spares
- Extra batteries included
Cons
- Short flight time
- Low camera quality
- Missing features like Follow Me mode
Best Drones Under $300 – Buying Guide
Here are a few essential features to consider to help you make an informed decision when buying a drone,
Note: This is extracted from our longer drone buying guide for beginners
Battery life
If you choose the best models, the maximum flight time in between charges rarely exceeds 30 minutes. While you can always carry extra batteries, don’t forget to factor in the cost of spare batteries when calculating the total cost.
Range of flight
The flight range usually varies from 30 meters/100 feet to one kilometer. The quadcopters that are meant for beginners usually come with a short range, and it perfectly suits the novices who just wish to use it inside an apartment or an enclosed place.
Flight Time
The majority of the models come with a flight time that ranges between 10-15 minutes, post which you require either replacing your batteries or recharging them.
The costlier models usually have a longer flight time of 15 minutes. In case of increased shoot time, try to buy a costlier model and buy a spare battery.
Speed
In the features of a quadcopter, it is most unlikely that you’ll get the maximum speed of flight but in case you can settle with light-weight models that don’t have too many accessories.
And they can accelerate more smoothly than heavier ones.
Camera
All drones don’t come with a camera. If you want to purchase a drone as a flying machine, you won’t need a camera.
But if you intend to use it for videography or shooting photographs, a quality 1080 HD camera is a minimum requirement.
Brushless motors
Though the brushless motors are slightly more expensive than the brushed ones yet they offer a longer lifespan which means the owner doesn’t require replacing the motors too often.
Headless mode
For beginners, it might be tricky to fly a drone initially. Therefore few models offer the headless mode.
In this mode, as you press the controller stick in a definite direction, the drone will fly in that direction and not in the direction where the joystick points.
Integrated GPS
When you choose from the premium drones, you’ll come across models with integrated that allow the machines to stay informed about the geographical location of the drone.
Thanks to this, your drone will find its way home and hence this feature is named RTH (return-to-home).
Follow-me mode
Few GPS-enabled drones offer the follow-me-mode that allows the owner to track the device across the ocean or ground.
So, if you’re off to a trek or mountain biking, you can let your drone fly above you and record some of the best videos of your adventure.
Gimbal
A gimbal ensures your drone can remain steady while flying through high altitudes and high winds. This is a must for drones for outdoor flying.
Obstacle avoidance
Although this feature can add to the cost of the device but it’s worth the cost as it can prevent the device from crashing into a tree.
However, ensure this works reliably as advertised by the drone manufacturer before buying.
Spare part availability
Drones can break and hence you have to check whether or not you will have access to its spare parts either through a neighborhood store or an online store.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, drones are becoming increasingly popular among hobbyists and professionals alike. They offer several advantages over traditional aerial photography methods, including their portability and ease of use. However, they aren’t cheap, so you’ll want to know exactly what you’re buying before you spend your hard-earned cash.
That said, we’ve done our homework and compiled a list of 12 of the very best drones available today. We’ve included models from reputable manufacturers like DJI, Holy Stone and Ruko, along with budget options. So whether you’re looking for a drone under 300 for beginners or a high-end model for professional photographers, you’ll find something here that fits your needs perfectly.