If your drone weighs less than 250 grams then you don’t need to obtain a registration/certificate to fly it, in most countries around the world. 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 should get one that is up to 249 grams (8.8 oz). I’ve created a list of the best lightweight drones for you.
Best Drone Under 250g (8.8 oz)
1. DJI Mavic Mini
| Specs |
|---|
| Price: 💲💲💲 Weight: 8.8 oz (249 g) Max Flight Time: 40 minutes Control Range: 1312 ft (400 m) Gimbal/ Stabilization: Yes Video: 2.7K HD Registration Required? No |
| What We Like |
|---|
| 3-axis gimbal ensures superior camera stability and ultra-smooth footage, Very long flight time (up to 30 minutes), lightweight and not requiring registration |
See it in your local store:
I used this quadcopter for a month in Scotland and, I have to say, this is the reason why I decided to buy one. Flying DJI Mavic Mini is a bliss – easy, intuitive and satisfying. It’s also a lightweight drone perfect for outdoors because its battery lasts up to 30 minutes so you have plenty of time to find the best shot. Footage also positively surprised me with quality, especially when it comes to photos. The 3-axis gimbal stabilizes the camera so that the videos are very smooth and look professional.
DJI Mavic Mini also excels in control range of around 1300 feet. Then, with the built-in SD card, even when your smartphone loses contact with the drone, the footage continues to be recorded in the highest quality, which you’ll be able to download to your computer later.
Overall, this is the absolute best drone for selfies, if you have a budget for it. The cost is a bit of a drawback as compared to others on this list, hence this is our Premium Choice and Top Pick.
2. Teeggi M71
| Specs |
|---|
| Price: 💲 Weight: 5.2 oz (147 g) Max Flight Time: 12 minutes Control Range: 230 ft (70 m) Gimbal/ Stabilization: No Video: 1080P Registration Required? No |
| What We Like |
|---|
| Lightweight and easy to carry, Camera that captures HD videos in real time, You can control the flying direction by tilting your phone |
See it in your local store:
Teeggi M71 is a great budget drone under 250 grams as it comes with a long-lasting battery, high quality camera, easily foldable, and most importantly, lightweight. It looks and feels very similar to DJI Mavic Mini which costs a few times more. However, Mavic Mini is still significantly better so you should go for Teeggi only if the budget is your concern.
3. Snaptain SP650
| Specs |
|---|
| Price: 💲💲 Weight: 4.4 oz (125 g) Max Flight Time: 12 minutes Control Range: 197 ft (60 m) Gimbal/ Stabilization: No Video: 1080P HD Registration Required? No |
| What We Like |
|---|
| Comes with a spare battery doubling the flight time to 24 minutes total, Drone follows the movements of your smartphone with Gravity Control, Lightweight and affordable |
See it in your local store:
This is another light drone under 250 grams with a camera. Snaptain SP650 can help you capture Full HD videos wherever you go with a light design, easy to use controls, and beginner-friendly functionality. Snaptain SP650 comes with 2 batteries, each enabling you to fly for 12 minutes when fully charged.
4. Attop X-Pack 1
| Specs |
|---|
| Price: 💲 Weight: 5.3 oz (150 g) Max Flight Time: 8 minutes Control Range: 164 ft (50 m) Gimbal/ Stabilization: No Video: 720P HD Registration Required? No |
| What We Like |
|---|
| Very easy to fly, Low price and lightweight, Very durable and great for worry-free flying due to High-quality ABS material |
See it in your local store:
Great toy-grade drone to start flying. While featuring 720P HD camera, the video visuals aren’t that good and there’s no SD card slot so the footage is sent to your phone via WiFi and stored there. Losing connection means losing footage which is is the biggest downside to this drone. Other than that, it’s great for selfies, and to fly and play with.
5. Snaptain A15H
| Specs |
|---|
| Price: 💲 Weight: 6.0 oz (170 g) Max Flight Time: 9 minutes Control Range: 98 ft (30 m) Gimbal/ Stabilization: No Video: 720P HD Registration Required? No |
| What We Like |
|---|
| Intelligent Voice Control for hands-free use, Drone will follow a path drawn in the App, Easy to use – even by kids |
See it in your local store:
Great drone for kids and selfies. Comes with a decent camera and in-app options that makes it very easy to fly and even control by voice. Lightweight design makes it easier carry. The biggest downside is a short control range.
6. Contixo F22
| Specs |
|---|
| Price: 💲💲 Weight: 8.5 oz (242 g) Max Flight Time: 20 minutes Control Range: 750 ft (229 m) Gimbal/ Stabilization: No Video: 1080P HD Registration Required? No |
| What We Like |
|---|
| GPS functionality that let’s you draw a flight path on your smartphone for the drone to follow, High quality camera to record videos in Full HD, Beginner-friendly options for easy learning |
See it in your local store:
A beginner-friendly machine incorporating several options for automatic control. From selfie mode operated with hand gestures, drawing a flight path on your smartphone, to drone following you in real time. The drawback is the lack of stabilization so you’ll have to do it on your computer in post-production if you’re recording in a windy weather.
7. Simrex X300C
| Specs |
|---|
| Price: 💲 Weight: 5.6 oz (159 g) Max Flight Time: 10 minutes Control Range: 148 ft (45 m) Gimbal/ Stabilization: Yes Video: 270P HD Registration Required? No |
| What We Like |
|---|
| Easy to control and ideal for drone flying training, It can be used with VR glasses to experience the speed sense of flying, The low price makes it the best option on a tight budget |
See it in your local store:
Cheap drone option, especially good as the first Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) to learn how to fly and capture aerial footage. Easy to control with built-in safety controls.
While the price is so low it could seem it’s a toy, the footage is still better than most videos you have recorded on your mobile just a few years ago. Still, if you’re thinking of starting a YouTube career, this drone may not be enough for today’s audience.
8. Eachine E58
| Specs |
|---|
| Price: 💲 Weight: 3.5 oz (100 g) Max Flight Time: 25 minutes Control Range: 328 ft (100 m) Gimbal/ Stabilization: No Video: 720P HD Registration Required? No |
| What We Like |
|---|
| Very good quality, Ultra lightweight, Long flight time |
See it in your local store:
Many call this drone, Eachine E58, a Mavic Micro which shows how good the features and the make quality are while maintaining an ultra small size, and price.
9. JJRC H71
| Specs |
|---|
| Price: 💲 Weight: 3.5 oz (100 g) Max Flight Time: 22 minutes Control Range: 328 ft (100 m) Gimbal/ Stabilization: No Video: 1080P HD Registration Required? No |
| What We Like |
|---|
| Ultra light design, Great video quality, Long flight time |
See it in your local store:
After comparing all the features, weight, camera, flight range and duration, cost, and considering the use on remote trails, JJRC H71 we found that this is the best drone for hiking. It’s ultra lightweight, records videos at high quality, has a long battery life and at the same time costs very little for what it offers. At the same time, thanks to its very light weight under 250 grams, it doesn’t require registration.
10. Visuo XS816
| Specs |
|---|
| Price: 💲💲 Weight: 5.6 oz (159 g) Max Flight Time: 20 minutes Control Range: 164 ft (50 m) Gimbal/ Stabilization: No Video: 4K HD Registration Required? No |
| What We Like |
|---|
| Affordable for all the features it provides, 2 cameras; filming front and back at once, Long flight time |
See it in your local store:
Comparable machine to DJI Mavic Mini but at a much lower cost. This is one of the lightest drones on this list making it great for selfies.
One of the most unique features of this model is the dual camera, filming both front and back of the quadcopter at the same time. It also says it’s 4K HD, however, after looking at the actual footage, it doesn’t seem to me it records videos at this quality.
