For me, freedom is when I don’t have to ask for permission every time I want to use my quadcopter. If you’re like me, and you’re looking for a new drone, you can get one that is up to 249 grams (8.8 oz / 0.55 pounds).
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What is the Best Drone Under 250 Grams?
We could say that we traveled the world to find for you the Best Drone Under 250 Grams and it’s partially true – we’ve been on the road since 2011 after all.
More importantly, we have done a very thorough research online and have gone through most of the available drones under 0.55 pounds that you can buy today. We read the comments left by people who bought and used these drones under 250 grams.
We also wrote a brief drones under 250 grams Buying Guide and FAQ sections to address most questions you may have.
Without further ado, here’s the list of top 9 drones under 0.55 pounds based on their pricing, specs and ratings by real users.
1. DJI Mini 2 Quadcopter
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.55 pounds (0.25 kg) Max Flight Time: 31 Minutes Control Range: 10 Km Gimbal/ Stabilization: 3-axis SD Card Slot: Micro SD Charging Time: 4 Hours |
DJI is an industry-dominant manufacturer. Mini 2 welcomes you at the entry of lineups. Its boundless rock-steady coverage will blow your mind if you want to capture cinematic shots.
The 12MP camera has 4x zoom, 4K/30fps resolution, 4000-meter max altitude, and OcuSync 2.0’s 10-kilometer range. Coupled with a motorized 3-axis gimbal, it processes panoramic masterpieces with fine details. Fly App can further enhance and share them on the go!
Take a sunny coastline’s bird-view with the crisp sound of seagulls and clear footmarks on the sand! It weighs less than 250g. Meanwhile, you won’t have to register the aircraft in the US. Achieving smooth operation in the level-5 wind (20mph) is surprising with such a petite frame.
Pros
- Lightweight and discreet,
- Strong wind-resistance,
- Long battery life,
- 10Km transmission distance
Cons
- Night shots degrade quality,
- No obstacle avoidance
2. DJI Mini 3 Pro
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.55 pounds (0.25 kg) Max Flight Time: 34 Minutes Control Range: 18 Km Gimbal/ Stabilization: 3-axis SD Card Slot: Micro SD Charging Time: 1 Hours |
Mini 3 Pro brings the wow factor to DJI’s palm-sized drones. It marks the territory of professional content creators. Understandably, its price is a leap from Mini 2. The size of the sensor makes a true difference in quality. Pro has been upgraded with a 1/1.3″ CMOS, stabilized from both ends. It enables 48MP photography. The camera also rotates at a 90⁰ angle to support stills in both landscape and portrait. These verticals go on to adorn the feeds of your Instagram and TikTok followers.
The single charge lasts for 34 minutes. You can buy an Intelligent Flight Battery to expand it. In that case, the drone would weigh over 250g.
Pros
- Hurdle sensing,
- Staggering low-light performance,
- 60fps recording at 4K, Portable and powerful
Cons
- Pricier than the predecessor,
- A slight increase in runtime
3. Potensic Upgraded A20 Mini Drone
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.42 pounds (0.19 kg) Size: 3.5 x 3.1 x 1.3 inches (8.9 x 7.9 x 3.2 cm) Max Flight Time: 6 Minutes SD Card Slot: 0.5 |
The A20 mini drone is another budget-friendly option in the same price range as the NH320 and H823H mini-quadcopters reviewed here. What makes the A20 slightly different is that it is made as a kid’s toy, although it is also an excellent beginner drone for adults. It also does not feature the 3D flip. The A20 remote controller is one of its most outstanding features. It is smaller than most for kids to hold and control easily. The controller features 2.4Ghz, which delivers a stable transmission speed and makes the drone highly responsive. It features a 3-Speed Mode to use in different environments, the headless mode, and altitude hold that make it easy for newbie pilots to fly. Many users have noted that the A20 delivers smooth flying. However, it also requires calibration every time you power it up, which was a nuisance. On the upside, the transmission performance of the controller makes the pairing an easy process. The landing process is equally simple, and interestingly, the drone features a soft landing material to protect it from heavy impact.
Another outstanding feature is the Emergency Stop that allows the quadcopter to land itself if you lose control. Although the drone features a headless mode that allows you to fly it in any orientation, it also comes with an LED headlight and a red tail light for the more experienced users.
Pros
- Short battery charging time of 30 minutes,
- Affordable and high-quality construction,
- Small-sized remote controller for kids hands,
- Lightweight and durable construction for indoor flying,
- Features a headlight and taillight for orientation
Cons
- It needs calibration every time you power it on,
- Difficult to remove and replace the batteries
4. SANROCK U52 Drone
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| Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.9 pounds (0.41 kg) Max Flight Time: 13 Minutes Control Range: 100 meters SD Card Slot: Micro SD Charging Time: 3.33 Hours |
Sanrock U52 is a great beginners’ drone. Its 1080p output shouldn’t be the sole reason to go for another equally-priced drone.
It takes photos and videos. Furthermore, it supports FPV transmissions. 30-meter is the farthest possible range in the case of real-time shots. The controller starts beeping as you surpass this distance. When flying indoors, it lives up to the advertised battery timing. However, outdoor conditions may have disproportionate effects. And spare batteries are not given! You can guide it through its app, remote, voice commands, or certain gestures. It also follows your phone’s motion and drawings. Gravity sensors are integrated to add more fun.
Pros
- Live transmission,
- Multiple controls,
- A smart alert mechanism,
- Durable ABS construction
Cons
- Only 1080p HD camera,
- Short battery life
5. Altair Falcon AHP Mini Drone
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| Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.32 pounds (0.15 kg) Size: 10.5 x 9.6 x 2.3 inches (26.7 x 24.4 x 5.8 cm) Max Flight Time: 10 Minutes Control Range: 590 SD Card Slot: 2 |
I begin my reviews with my favorite mini drone, the Altair Falcon AHP. The AHP stands for Autonomous Hovering and Positioning System, and it is one of the outstanding features that make this drone one of the easiest to fly in the market. It enables the drone to hover in place without calibration to give you steady flying without too much effort. The quadcopter is also fully assembled right out of the box, and it comes with a simple-to-use remote controller that requires no learning curve to figure it out. The Altair Falcon carries a 720p HD camera that allows for live streaming videos via WiFi and still photos. The remote controller has a smartphone mount for FPV flying and Custom Flight Routing. However, you will need to install their Flying See app to connect your smartphone, and users say it is a quick and easy process. Although the mini-drone has a range of 110M, it is lightweight at 4oz, and a slight wind will make it too unstable for video. However, it has high-quality and durable construction for indoor flying, and it comes with propeller guards that are easily removable once you get used to it. You will also get extra parts like propeller blades and landing gear. The batteries last 10 minutes each, which gives you a total of 20 minutes of action. The instruction booklet indicates a 1-hour charging time for each battery, but users have noted that it takes up to three hours. On the bright side, it is an excellent little quadcopter for newbie drone users and to keep the kids busy.
Pros
- Pre-assembled and ready to fly out of the box, User-friendly features make it easy to pilot,
- Excellent for entry-level drone pilots of all ages,
- Spare parts and an extra battery included,
- Durable construction that will take a beating
Cons
- 3-hour charging time per battery
6. DJI Mini 2 Lightweight Drone
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.55 pounds (0.25 kg) Max Flight Time: 31 Minutes Control Range: 32 800 ft (10 000 m) Gimbal/ Stabilization: Yes SD Card Slot: Yes |
You’ll find DJI Mini 2 almost identical in appearance to its predecessor DJI Mavic Mini, but don’t be fooled by the appearances because the devil is in the detail. DJI Mini 2 is significantly better in performance which is reflected in most of its specs.
While this is still a drone under .55 pounds, hence not requiring a registration, the photo and video quality makes you feel like a Holywood filmmaker. Features like 4k video, 4x zoom, 3-axis Gimbal come together with easy-to-use software that helps capture quick shots that are impressive (easpecially on social media).
Another great improvement on the previous model is the control range, flight time and motor power to help in windy conditions. Thanks to these you’ll be able to fly further and longer, but most importantly safer and less likely to lose the drone by flying out of range.
The obvious downside is the price that is by far highest on this list. DJI Mini 2 is hands-down a Premium buy. Also, I wish it had an active tracker to follow us around, but there’s a chance this will be introduced as a software update at a later date.
Pros
- Absolute best in its category – drones not requiring a registration to fly,
- Impressive 10 kilometers control range (over 6 miles),
- Stable and clear footage even in very strong winds,
- Much better controller than in DJI Mavic Mini,
- Cinema quality video resolution with 4K video and wide-angle 180° view
Cons
- Sometimes may experience short term difficulties connecting to GPS,
- Doesn’t have active tracker to follow you,
- Soft padded case not as good as previous version so you can consider a drone backpack
7. ATTOP A11 Toy Drone
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.04 pounds (0.02 kg) Max Flight Time: 5 Minutes Control Range: 50 meters SD Card Slot: N/A Charging Time: 0.75 Hours |
A11 is a smart choice for a gift to rattle down your chimney this Christmas. Its four-blade propellers give a spaceship appearance. They have 360⁰ guards so that children don’t get hurt.
Overall, it’s a stable and efficient RC quadcopter. It helps rookies absorb the basic controls and functions. The built-in headless function memorizes the orientation. One-key launch/land also comes in handy. Or you can kick-start by tossing it in the air. Anyways, keep the drone in sight!
A battery connects with a short type-C cable, lasting between 4-6 minutes. You get three of them for lasting enjoyment.
Pros
- 360⁰ rollover,
- Three batteries pack,
- Novice-friendly headless mode,
- Attractive kid’s drone
Cons
- Lack of calibration,
- Suitable for in-house flights
8. Holy Stone HS110G FPV Drone
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.33 pounds (0.15 kg) Max Flight Time: 20 Minutes Control Range: 328 ft (100 m) Gimbal/ Stabilization: No SD Card Slot: Yes |
Holy Stone HS110G is the best cheap drone with a camera. If you cannot spare over a hundred dollars and still want to see where you’re flying in real time, then this model is for you.
While it doesn’t have stabilization, it may actually record a better quality footage than the quadcopters that do but lack SD Card Slot. Recording to SD Card ensures the videos aren’t spotty and make for a much better watching.
A lot of people sing praises of the remote controller and the App for this drone so if you’re new to flying quadcopters, you should have an easy time learning with this one.
One of the biggest advantages are the batteries that hold for long time and are cheap to get, so that you get more air time. However, to charge them, you won’t be able to fly, which is the biggest disadvantage.
Pros
- Great value for money,
- Very good footage quality for a beginned quadcopter,
- Batteries last as long as advertised and are cheap to buy extra,
- Great and easy-to-use remote controller,
- You can record your videos to SD card or directly to your phone,
- Well-developed and beginner-friendly App
Cons
- Doesn’t hold position outdoors and may get tossed around in the wind,
- Batteries can only be charged while in the drone, so can’t fly while charging
9. NEHEME NH320 Mini Drone
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.06 pounds (0.03 kg) Size: 3.7 x 3.5 x 0.8 inches (9.4 x 8.9 x 2 cm) Max Flight Time: 7 Minutes SD Card Slot: 1.5 |
Although Neheme is not a well-known brand, they have made a fantastic effort in producing affordable quadcopters for children and entry-level drone pilots. The NH320 is a scaled-down model compared to the more popular Neheme NH525, and it is also the budget choice drone on my list. It features a protective cage around the propellers that serves two functions. It protects your children from getting injured by the rotating propellers, and it also protects the propellers from getting damaged on impact. Although this is a fantastic design feature, it also makes it harder to clean out the dust bunnies collected in the propellers. The NH320 also comes with some fun features that are attractive to kids, such as the 360-degree tumbling action that users have noted is exciting. Another feature is the 3-speed mode that allows you to change speed according to your skill level and LED lights that make it fun to fly in the dark. On the upside, the remote controller is highly responsive and makes it a nice educational drone for newbies. It allows a one-key lift-off and landing sequence and altitude hold, both of which make it easy to fly. The drone comes with three batteries that may give you up to 21 minutes with a charging time of 90 minutes each. However, the battery compartment is a little tight and makes removing and replacing the batteries a tedious process for some people.
Pros
- Easy to fly with one-key takeoff/ landing,
- Highly responsive 360-degree tumbling action,
- Child-safe construction with full propeller guards,
- 3-Speed mode for different skill levels,
- Great value for your money
Cons
- Tedious battery removal and installation process
Verdict
TLDR: Quick summary of our findings as to what can be considered the Best Drone Under 250 Grams is below:
Overall best drone under 250 grams out there: DJI Mini 2 Quadcopter
Premium Pick if money is not much of an issue: DJI Mini 3 Pro
Budget Choice – there’s no shame in spending prudently: Potensic Upgraded A20 Mini Drone
Our other reviews you may find useful in your research:
What You Should Know Before Buying drones under 250 grams
Range
Range greatly depends on how much you want to spend. The cheapest drones are usually only able to fly up to 15 meters away but the most expensive drones can fly up to 50 kilometers away.
Connectivity
Most drones will have WiFi connectivity built-in but not all of them do. Some cheaper drones may run off of a controller while others come with their own dedicated app for controlling the drone.
Controller
This is the remote control that you will use to fly your drone and it comes in various shapes, sizes, and designs. Most of them come with adjustable controls so that you can customize it for a better flying experience but they all serve the same purpose of controlling the flight modes as well as taking pictures or videos from the air. Many of them also include optional add-ons such as extra battery packs for added flight time or attached cameras so that you can record everything while up in the air.
Extra batteries
Always consider how many extra batteries you want when purchasing any drone especially if it includes long flight times. Many larger drones require 3 or 4 batteries which can take a significant amount of space in your drone backpack.
Follow me
This is a feature that allows you to “tag” an object or person with the drone through GPS tracking like a smart phone app. Now when you move the drone will follow that tagged individual and it can also stop, hover, or go back if you double click on the screen. Think of this as having your own personal cameraman but instead of pointing him at whoever is good looking today he follows only you.
SD Card Slot
A few drones come with a camera attached and have an SD card slot to record video so that you can purchase an SD card separately and use it in your drone for more storage space. This is one of the most important features if you’re planning to record videos with your quadcopter. Drones without SD Card Slot need to transfer the data from the camera to your phone before it can be stored so if there’s any signal interruption, your video will get cut off too.
Questions and Answers About drones under 250 grams
Can you fly a drone under 250 grams anywhere?
In most countries around the world you do not need a registration or special permission to fly a drone under 250 grams. However, you cannot fly it in restricted or no-fly zones. You can use Apps like AirMap for Drones to check these.
What makes drones under 300 different than other drones?
Cheap drones under 300 differ from more expensive drones because they are small. This makes them convenient for children because they are less dangerous and can also easily be hidden. More expensive drones may offer better video quality, providing HD images, and higher flying abilities.The drones with a lower price typically have the most basic features only; this includes the resolution of videos taken. As you increase the price point you get to drones that provide both excellent videos and flight stability.One last factor to note is the warranty on your drone (which will be shorter for cheaper drones) which affects how trustworthy your drone might be if something were to happen while in use or even in storage (such as it being brittle).
How long is the battery life on a cheap drone?
The battery life will last up to ten minutes, even with a cheap drone.
Are cheaper drones really that bad?
This question can be answered both ways. When we say ‘cheap drone’ we mean cheap in price, and not necessarily quality for the purposes of this article – although it is true that if you do not spend a lot on a drone then you will get less features and overall value for your money. However, there are some very good drone brands that offer affordable flying platforms which may lack advanced features such as GPS but still manage to deliver an excellent user experience. The important thing to note here is how much you actually need these extra features and what level of drone piloting experience you have already acquired; because if this is your first time buying a drone or you only intend to use it for casual flying, then a cheaper model will suit your needs just as well.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a drone that can fly on its own and takes aerial footage from an IP camera with little input from yourself but will cost more money; then you might be better off saving some cash than buying a cheap drone.
Do I need to register my drone with the FAA before using it legally in the US?
If you’re running a drone for commercial purposes, aka as a professional or an entrepreneur who generates income through flights and images taken by drones, then the law requires registration with the Federal Aviation Administration before your first flight. If you are not flying for commercial purposes, and only want to drive a drone recreationally around your backyard, no registration is needed, provided you fly a drone under 250 grams (0.55 pounds). More information at: https://www.faa.gov/uas/registration/.
