With the help of drones, it is now possible to captures shots that are previously impossible for the traditional camera setups. You can quickly tilt and while with the help of 360 degrees of motion. At the output, you get wonderful aerial photos and videos. However, if you are not aware of the things that make a drone worth the price, here are some factors that you must check about the drone before buying:
Video Resolution: Generally, drones are extensively used for videography. Therefore, the video resolution is of high significance when you want to capture sharp quality footage. In the drones under a 300$ budget, the Full HD 1080p resolution is commonly found. If you can spend a little more money, you can get a 4K capable drone. Flying Range & Battery Life: The battery life matters a lot because most small-sized drones have a smaller battery, which results in less flying time. However, for a budget of $300, you can easily find a drone that flying distance up to 40 meters for almost 15 to 30 minutes without any battery replacement. Warranty: No matter how sturdy your drone is, it can get damaged if not flown properly. Hence, the warranty seems to be an essential factor. Most brands offer a warranty period of around 3 months, while some brands do offer.
If you have decided to get a drone for yourself around a budget of $300, there is no need to waste time searching for the best one. Because we have already done the research and shortlisted some of the best drones under $300. Also, don’t forget to go through the detailed “Buying Guide”, which will help you to make a smart decision while purchasing a drone.
Best Drones Under $300
7 Best Drones Under 300 Dollars: Reviews
1. Holy Stone HS720 Foldable GPS Drone with 2K FHD Camera
Best drone under $50 Best drones under $200 Best drones under $500 Best drone kits
Holy Stone is one of the best drone brands because it offers exceptional build quality along with top-notch specifications in all their products. We have put the HS720 Foldable GPS Drone in 1st position in our article as it fits right into the list and offers premium quality specifications for the price. The camera quality is absolutely crisp as it offers 2K video capturing with 2048 x 1152 resolution. Along with that, the camera housing has dedicated shock absorbers for delivering great image stabilization with super smooth transitions. Moreover, the 90 degrees tilting camera and 5GHz FPV transmission, it becomes easier to see the world from various angles. Its sturdy build and foldable design make it more suitable to carry and withstand shocks and drops. The controller can keep you connected with the drone even if it’s 3000ft away because of the 2.4 GHz transmitter. In addition, it is equipped with lots of useful features like Optical Flow Positioning, which makes it hover on a specific place smoothly. Apart from that, the Custom Flight feature lets you set a trajectory for the drone to fly, or you can just record yourself while moving using the Follow Me mode. You can enjoy all those features for a long time as the in-built battery can keep the drone flying effortlessly for almost 26 minutes. In case the battery gets low, or the drone starts to lose the signal, it comes right back to you automatically with the GPS Return Home Feature. Best Features:
Brushless Motor Good Battery Life One Key Return Home feature Follow Me mode Foldable design 2K HD camera Image Stabilization 5G Wi-Fi
Components:
HS720 Drone Carrying Backpack Transmitter USB Battery Charger User Manual
2. Ruko F11 Pro Drone 4K Quadcopter UHD Live Vedio GPS Drone
The Ruko brand is popular for manufacturing durable drones. When you pick any drone from this brand, you are benefitted with long-lasting use and great stability. The Ruko F11 Pro Drone is an excellent choice when it comes to reaching long distances and great heights. This drone is capable to transmit video signals up to 300-500 meters. Moreover, it supports image transmission up to 500 meters distance. Through powerful GPS positioning, the F11 PRO can fly steadily to capture clear quality images. In its configuration, the 4K Ultra HD camera lets you experience stunning 4K Ultra HD picture quality as well as 2.9K video for exceptional clarity. The output images represent deep contrast and bright colors. You will experience the amazing beauty in ultra-high definition. With the help of a 120° FOV lens, you get a wide view of the moment. The key specialty of this Ruko drone is its flight time. It comes with a maximum flight time of 60 minutes. This is made possible by its built-in 2500mAh battery. This battery delivers up to 30 minutes of flight time. An extra battery is included in the pack. It prolongs your flight time to 60 minutes. With the help of a stable and efficient GPS signal, this drone effectively monitors any place. The included functions make this drone a beginner-friendly device. These functions are FPV, Auto Return, Headless Tap Fly, Mode, and One Key Take Off/Landing. By the simple press, even any kid can control this drone. Best Features:
Strong power brushless motor Quiet operation Great stability Beginner-friendly functions Exceptional clarity in images and videos Large flight time of 60 minutes Easy to control Wide view of the moment
Components:
Ruko F11 Pro Drone Two 11.1V 2500mAH Batteries (one in the drone and one in the case) Carrying Shell Case Transmitter User Manual USB Cable Screwdriver Four Extra Propeller Blades
3. DEERC D20 Mini Drone for Kids
If you are looking for beginner-level mini drone for fun photography or for your kids, then DEERC D20 is the right product to invest in. This drone is equipped 720HP camera which is capable of taking ariel videos and photos. Because of the FPV transmission, you can check out the live feed through smartphone App. It features a low power alarm and emergency stop features which ensure a safe flight. It is equipped with 2 rechargeable batteries which give out 20 minutes of run time. It comes with voice control option so you can just provide commands like landing or take off to the drone. With gesture selfie feature, you can just show your palm at the camera, and it will take the photo automatically. This drone is also equipped with waypoints fly which means, you can set a flight course on your phone and it will fly according to it. This drone also has altitude height which can maintain the drone at particular height. This can easily maintain the control and record high-quality footage. It just needs 80 minutes of duration to complete the charging. Best Features:
HD1280 x 720P resolution Equipped with emergency stop Powerful and safe Start/landing button 3D flips and waypoints Voice control Gesture control
Components:
D20 RC Drone Transmitter USB charging cable 500mAh batteries Propeller guards Extra propellers Manual Screwdriver
4. Ruko 60Mins GPS Drones with Camera
Well, if you liked the previous drone from Ruko, the F11 Pro, but didn’t want to spend that much, choosing the F11 over the F11 pro while saving some bucks is not a bad decision either. It has all the necessary features that make it a great alternative to its own Pro version. You will be amazed to see the drone’s performance and build quality. The flexible and strong design is complemented with Level 7 Wind Resistance. Apart from that, its camera is capable of capturing 4K quality images and 1080p Full HD videos effortlessly while all the maneuvering control stays in your hand. It can go higher up to 4000ft while still staying connected because of the amazing signal band. On the other hand, you can enjoy the 5G FPV transmission up to a range of 1600ft quite easily. You get a total flying time of 60 minutes if you consider using both of the 11.1V 2500mAH Batteries batteries one after another. In addition, the beginner-friendly features like the GPS Hold, 3 Speed Modes, Gesture Control, One Key Takeoff/Landing, Headless Mode, Point of Interest makes the experience more enjoyable. Apart from that, the TapFly feature comes in handy while shooting professional-quality videos as you can set up to 16 points on the map that the drone would automatically follow while shooting videos. Apart from that, if you want the drone to follow you, it has the dedicated Follow Me mode, and it can go as fast as 43.2km/h, so following your car on the most beautiful roads is not an issue for this drone. Best Features:
60 minutes of flying time 1640FT Max HD Video Transmission 3937FT Max Control range 4K Photo 1080P Video Stable GPS Hold Function Level 7 wind resistance Follow Me Mode Headless Mode
Components:
Ruko F11 Drone 2 11.1V 2500mAH Batteries（1 in the drone and 1 in the case） Carrying Case Transmitter User Manual USB Battery Charger Screwdriver 4 Extra Propeller Blades
5. Holy Stone HS700D FPV Drone with 2K FHD Camera
As Holy Stone is quite popular for making a wide range of drones, the HS700D FPV Drone is more focussed on videography and has some quality specs for such purposes. The HS700D fits the budget pretty well and offers top-notch video quality with its 2K FHD 90°Adjustable Camera covering almost every angle for you with its 110° FOV. Apart from that, the fast and accurate 5GHz Live Video transmission is a handy feature to see from the drone’s perspective. Unlike most drones, this drone comes with a battery of 2800mAh capacity, which delivers a flying time of almost 22 minutes on a single charge. For the next flight, you will need to charge it again, for which it takes up to 5-7 hours. However, the control range of 3280ft and transmission range of 1640-2600ft is amazing for a drone in this price range. Not just that, it has pretty decent features as well, which helps the user to control it more efficiently. It does not require much skill to handle this drone as it is capable of doing pretty much everything on its own. You can lock down its altitude with just one click of a button. Moreover, if you want to record yourself while doing any activity like running, the Follow Me feature will come handy for you. However, if the drone gets lost from your sight, you can press the return button, and its auto-return feature will make it come back to you automatically. The 1500KV long-lasting brushless motor works well and delivers a quiet and smooth flight experience. Apart from that, it also has the custom flight feature, which lets you decide the trajectory path for it. Best Features:
2K video recording Custom Flight Follow Me mode GPS Auto Return Brushless Motor 22 Minutes Flight Time
Components:
HS700D Drone Transmitter Drone Battery USB Charging Cable Dual Balance Charger 8 Propellers with Propellers Spanner 2 Landing Gear Screwdriver
6. Contixo F24 Pro Drone
Contixo is one of the famous brands when it comes to the reliability and efficiency of drones. In all its products, it offers top-notch specifications. Discussing the Contixo F24 Pro foldable drone, it offers premium quality specifications for the price. The key component of this drone is its 4K Ultra HD camera. It is actually a 90° vertical adjustable camera equipped with a 120° FOV lens. This camera allows you to capture stunning pictures in 4K Ultra HD quality. Also, it lets you record 2.7K video for exceptional clarity, vivid colors and deep contrast. What makes this GPS drone unique in the market is it comes with a maximum flight time of 30 minutes. The built-in 2500mAh battery offers up to 30 minutes of flying time. The LED lights present on the battery depict the remaining power. On the side, a micro USB charging port is available. With the help of a steady and powerful GPS signal, this drone can support the transmission of image and live video up to 1,700 feet. The powerful GPS positioning makes sure the F24 Pro can fly steadily to catch clear quality images. The built-in brushless motors guarantee a smooth and efficient flight. Since this drone is easily foldable, it facilitates compact storage without any need for uninstalling propellers after the use. When this drone is used in 3D View Mode, you get a wonderful visual fidelity and great 3D experience. Best Features:
4K Ultra HD Camera Clear quality images and videos Efficient battery life Powerful GPS signal Brushless motor Easy to fold Compact storage 3D experience
Components:
Pre-assembled Contixo F24 PRO RC Quadcopter Foldable Drone 4K 5GHz WiFi Camera 7.4V 2500 mAh Li-Po Battery Transmitter Extra Set of Spare Propellers Smartphone Holder Screwdriver Tool Set USB Cable and Balance Charger User Manual
7. Sanrock U52 1080P HD Camera FPV Drone
Sanrock is a prominent brand that specializes in developing drones and quadcopters with advanced features for adults, kids, beginners, and professionals. The brand also sells relevant accessories and replacement parts. Sanrock’s U52 drone comes with all the standard features for a safe and exciting flying experience. The drone can perform 360-degree flips and follow a preset flying route. It has a gravity sensor to fly the drone by moving your smartphone up and down. Plus, the drone has auto hovering mode and headless mode. The one key start/landing button and the one key return allows for easy operation of the drone. It has two speed modes to suit the requirements of beginners and experienced pilots. The drone has a range of 100 metres. When it crosses that, the transmitter will sound an alarm to alert you. The drone is equipped with a built-in 1080 HD camera to deliver the most realistic footage. Using the FPV real-time transmission, you can enjoy real-time first person view on the smart app. The camera can be adjusted up to 90 degrees to take photos from desired angles. The photos and video clips are automatically saved to the micro SD card. The drone is made of high quality ABS material that can withstand drops and shocks. The propeller guards on the sides ensure your safety when flying in close quarters. The drone lasts for up to 10 to 13 minutes on a single charge. Best Features
1080 HD camera with FPV real-time transmission 360-degree flips Auto hovering mode and headless mode One key start/landing button and the one key return Gravity sensor 100 mattress transmission Up to 13 minutes flight time
Components
U52 Drone Transmitter (with Phone Holder) 3.7V 1500 mAh Drone Battery Protection frames Extra Propellers Charging Cable Screwdriver User Manual
How To Choose The Best Drone Under $300?
In addition to being fun to fly, the drones can capture stunning photos and videos. Apart from the advanced sensors and technology, drones can fly themselves. Moreover, they can stay stable in the air. However, the challenging aspect is to keep them stable during harsh weather conditions. Simultaneously, consumer drones have turned out efficient at capturing aerial photos and videos. In addition to having upgraded features, they have advanced software. Therefore, such drones can now easily track objects and people. They help you record lifelike cinematic scenes. Due to the affordable price, it suits the budget of most customers.
Drones and The Law
If you have decided to get a drone, there are some necessary laws related to them that you should be aware of. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has introduced some laws that you need to strictly follow. Firstly, the law says that if your drone weighs more than 250 grams, or say more than 8.8 ounces, it needs to be registered with the FAA. Otherwise, it would not be eligible to fly. Also, after the registration, the assigned number should always be mentioned on the drone in case verification is needed. Secondly, there are certain areas where it is not allowed to fly drones and take videos. In a radius of 5 miles around any Airport, flying drones is not allowed as it can interfere with the signals and might cause accidents. Moreover, drones are not allowed in restricted airspace, over emergency areas, national parks, and state parks, and over wildlife areas as well.
Speed and Range
For all types of drones, the range is an important factor to consider. Whether you use racing drones or videography drones or any other drones, the range is important to focus at. But, the speed factor is especially used for the racing ones. Generally, the racing drones are prepared from carbon fiber or some lightweight materials. Hence, these types of drones can easily attain a maximum speed of up to 35 miles/hour. When it comes to range, the more is usually the better. It is found that the range is very product-specific. This is because the beginner quadcopters come with a limited controlling range of approximately 50-100 meters. The professional drones can offer a range in which the distance is usually in the thousands.
Video Resolution
The video resolution is solely responsible for the video quality that you get from a drone shot. In case you have your own YouTube channel, drones that offer around 1080p Full HD video recording can just be fine for you. On the other hand, you might have always wondered how someone managed to take video from great heights, well it is because drones are widely used in the filmmaking industry as well. There are a few high-quality drones that even offer much higher resolutions like 2K and even 2.9K video recording. However, as you push the resolution, it has a direct effect on your drones flying time as both the drone and the camera have the same power source.
Remote Control
The majority of drones make use of a remote control along with two joysticks such as a PlayStation or Xbox controller. A stick controls the attitude of the quadcopter, roll, and pitch. It can control roll by tilting horizontally and it can control pitch by tilting vertically. The other stick regulates throttle and the revolution of the quadcopter. With the use of a decent remote control, it feels comfortable in hands. The sticks would rest comfortably beneath your thumbs and offer the smooth feeling. So, you can easily guide the quadcopter by a simple touch. Few drone models do not come with the remote control, or they provide it as an extra-cost feature. As an alternative, they use a smartphone connected through Wi-Fi and a built-in flying app. Such apps present a live video view directly from the quadcopter camera. It is important to keep in mind that such apps do not enable the precision of real controllers. Your thumbs may slip off.
Battery Life
Generally, the flying time of a drone relies on its battery capacity. For the budget under $300, you can effortlessly get a drone which can last for approx. 20-30 minutes. Because a single battery possesses the drone and the camera, the battery life may last longer if you are just learning how to fly and do not record videos. But if you are recording the flight, the camera may eat up a huge chunk of battery. Few advanced drones are equipped with an in-built battery. Also, few brands provide the option of disposable batteries. Considering this aspect, you would also get a spare battery in the pack. This way, you get nearly twice the flying time.
Drone Safety
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) drone regulations are known as the directing principle behind secure unmanned aircraft trips. Though flying drones can be a great hobby, they should be flown with care and responsibility. A tiny toy drone can injure somebody and the fingers can get injured due to the rotor blades. For solving this problem, few drones come with shields to defend the rotors. However, these are not foolproof. With proper care, you can fly any type and size of the drone. Below are the 5 quick tips for drone safety:
Be familiar with the drone. Prior to the first flight, you have to take the time to go through the instruction manual. After that, you can be familiar with the controls. Make sure you check the drone prior to the flight. Inspect for any damage to the rotors or motors that can fail in the air. Do not fly around humans or animals. Make sure you fly with caution, especially while using it for the first time or taking a new drone for a spin. Before the battery drains out, make sure you land it. The drones can produce noise and may get annoying. Also, they may get frightening to people near their flight path. Be polite to somebody who asks you to stop flying.
Construction and Repair
It happens that drones may crash. A decent quality good drone will adopt an accidental decline and crash in stride but it does not damage the frame. Such drones come with shields to defend the rotors and other electronic items from damage. For racing drones, the included parts may break up. A decent model will provide a complete supply of parts like struts and rotors to replace the broken parts. Also, it makes it simple ay to exchange these parts when needed. This holds for batteries.
Conclusion
You have the complete freedom to choose the drone of your choice, but we would be glad if you pick one from our recommendations:
The Holy Stone HS720 Foldable GPS Drone offers the best build quality along with a 2K HD camera with an image stabilization feature. On the other hand, Contixo F24 Pro Drone offers 4K picture quality and 2.9K video resolution at a moderate price. From the list, the DEERC D20 Mini Drone for Kids is the one you need if you are a beginner and had no experience on any of the drones.
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