Most countries around the world don’t require a registration/certificate to fly a drone under 250 grams. So if your drone is under 0.55 pounds, you will be free to fly anywhere at any time.
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’s the Best Drone Under 250 Grams In 2021?
I found that lightweigh drone doesn’t have to stop me from recording in good quality and counting on advanced features. So, after flying a few models, going through hundreds of models and thousands of real user reviews online, I’ve created a list of the best lightweight drones for you.
1. DJI Mavic Mini Light Foldable Drone
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲💲 Weight: 0.5 lb (0.2 kg) Max Flight Time: 30 Minutes Control Range: 1312 ft (400 m) Gimbal/ Stabilization: Yes SD Card Slot: Yes |
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 and perfect for outdoors because its battery lasts up to 30 minutes so you have plenty of time to find the best shot, making it the best hiking drone out there.
Footage also positively surprised me with good quality, especially when it comes to photos. The 3-axis gimbal stabilizes the camera so that the videos are very smooth and look professional, even in strong wind.
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 best drone under 250 grams. The cost is a bit of a drawback as compared to others on this list but this is still my Top Pick.
If you have even bigger budget, you can go for the newest version, DJI Mini 2, which is a Premium Choice here.
Pros
- 3-axis gimbal ensures superior camera stability and ultra-smooth footage,
- Very long flight time (up to 30 minutes),
- lightweight and not requiring FAA registration,
- Crisp video footage in all weather conditions,
- Extremely easy to use even for those who never flew a drone before,
- Very reliable with a long control range,
- Fly More Combo is a great value add
Cons
- Price is a limiting factor for most users,
- No smart controller support
2. DJI Mini 2 Lightweight Drone
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲💲 Weight: 0.5 lb (0.2 kg) Max Flight Time: 31 Minutes Control Range: 32 800 ft (10 000 m) Gimbal/ Stabilization: Yes SD Card Slot: Yes |
See it in your local store:
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
3. Holy Stone HS110D FPV Drone
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲 Weight: 0.3 lb (0.1 kg) Max Flight Time: 20 Minutes Control Range: 328 ft (100 m) Gimbal/ Stabilization: No SD Card Slot: Yes |
See it in your local store:
Holy Stone HS110D 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
4. Holy Stone HS120D GPS Drone with Camera
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲 Weight: 0.5 lb (0.2 kg) Max Flight Time: 36 Minutes Control Range: 985 ft (300 m) Gimbal/ Stabilization: Yes SD Card Slot: Yes |
See it in your local store:
At almost double the price of Holy Stone HS110D, this model HS120D comes with GPS, seperate battery charger, improved stability and several new options for video making. It’s really a big level up fromt he previous version and most users are very happy with the improvements.
What some complain about is the camera quality as a bit better images would be expected at this price range.
Holy Stone HS110D is still one of the best drones on this list.
Pros
- GPS assisted flight helps keep the quadcopter in position and return to safe location,
- 2 batteries are included together with a charger,
- Comes with a very good drone bag,
- Works well as a selfie drone thanks to built-in “follow me”, object trace and custom path modes
Cons
- Not a great camera for this price range
5. Snaptain SP650 Quadcopter
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲 Weight: 0.3 lb (0.1 kg) Max Flight Time: 12 Minutes Control Range: 197 ft (60 m) Gimbal/ Stabilization: No SD Card Slot: Yes |
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.
Biggest drawback would be the lack of GPS so pressing the “return home” button will make it fly back but not necessirily to the same spot where it started.
Pros
- 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,
- Gesture and voice control for ease of use (and very good for selfies)
Cons
- Doesn’t have GPS so won’t be able to accurately get back to the starting location
6. Snaptain A15H Foldable Drone
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲 Weight: 0.4 lb (0.2 kg) Max Flight Time: 9 Minutes Control Range: 98 ft (30 m) Gimbal/ Stabilization: No SD Card Slot: No |
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 are the short control range and the lack of SD Card Slot. Whenever the signal between the drone and your smartphone is interrupted, so is your video recording.
Pros
- Intelligent Voice Control for hands-free use,
- Drone will follow a path drawn in the App,
- Easy to use – even by kids
Cons
- Short control range,
- Doesn’t have SD Card Slot so video recordings can be interupted whenever there’s a problem with the connection between the drone and your phone
7. Contixo F22 Camera Drone
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲 Weight: 0.5 lb (0.2 kg) Max Flight Time: 20 Minutes Control Range: 750 ft (229 m) Gimbal/ Stabilization: No SD Card Slot: Yes |
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 drawbacks are the poor stabilization so you’ll have to do it on your computer in post-production if you’re recording in a windy weather, and the Return Home that doesn’t always work well resulting in crashes.
Pros
- 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
Cons
- Not very good stabilization,
- Return Home function often doesn’t work properly and may result in the drone crashing
8. Neheme NH525 Foldable Drone
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲 Weight: 0.3 lb (0.1 kg) Max Flight Time: 22 Minutes Control Range: 328 ft (100 m) Gimbal/ Stabilization: No SD Card Slot: No |
See it in your local store:
NH 525 is a fun little drone from Neheme that works best as a training quadcopter. While not very powerful against wind, it is a good model for learning to fly your drone for the first time.
While the design is similar to DJI Mavic Mini, it comes at a much lower price so that you can practice tricks in the air without worrying as much about demaging it. Very good as a gift for kids.
Pros
- Good training drone for beginners,
- Sturdy construction with extra removable propeller protection,
- Apart from capturing videos, you’ll be able to practice tricks in the air
Cons
- Tends to drift on its own, even indoors, and not very good in windy conditions,
- Lack of SD Card Slot making you lose video footage whenever you lose connection between the drone and your phone
9. JJRC H71 Beginner Drone
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲 Weight: 0.2 lb (0.1 kg) Max Flight Time: 22 Minutes Control Range: 328 ft (100 m) Gimbal/ Stabilization: No SD Card Slot: No |
See it in your local store:
JJRC H71 is a cheap drone with quite decent specs. It will work very well as your first drone and thanks to its very light weight under 250 grams, it doesn’t require registration.
Works best as a training for beginners or as a toy drone for kids.
Pros
- Ultra light design,
- Long flight time,
- Very cheap quadcopter,
- Durable and good at surviving crashes
Cons
- No SD Card Slot so video is recorded only when the connection is good,
- Short control range
10. Eachine E58 Quadcopter
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲 Weight: 0.2 lb (0.1 kg) Max Flight Time: 25 Minutes Control Range: 328 ft (100 m) Gimbal/ Stabilization: No SD Card Slot: No |
See it in your local store:
Many call this drone, Eachine E58, a Mavic Micro which shows how good some of the features are, while maintaining an ultra small size and price.
For it’s price point, the video quality is very high! The downside, though, is that there’s no SD Card Slot so your footage will get interrupted whenever the connection is lost, which unfortunately happens too frequently.
While it’s really good for learning, it’s not as exciting as other drones in this category because it’s rather slow.
Pros
- Great video quality for this price range,
- Ultra lightweight drone,
- Long flight time,
- Accurate and responsive controls
Cons
- Very slow even if it’s not windy,
- No SD Card Slot so video is recorded only when the connection is good,
- Short control range
DJI Mavic Mini is the best drone I ever used and it’s well worth its price. Very high quality and stable video recording straight to your phone and SD card allows you to get aerial shots of yourself, landscapes and your friends that look like shot by a professional. All this in a drone under 250 grams which doesn’t require any registration or certificates to fly.
Its newer version DJI Mini 2 is even better but comes at a premium price so do go for it if you have a bigger budget.
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 Drone to check these.
