Top 10 drones you can buy for less than $500

Welcome to another great article in our series of affordable quadcopters! As the drone industry grows, people seek for more powerful UAV’s with more functions and better capabilities (check out our homepage for the list of top 10 quads for sale).

 

Some prices may have changed since publishing this article.

Last update : Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Since this industry has boomed we have come to see many new products and advances in technology. Today I bring you list of top 10 drones under $500. If your budget is not that high, why don’t you take a look at the best  affordable drones or maybe top 10 drones for less than $100. Now it’s time to find out what is the best drone under $500, follow us as we unveil these air machines packed with great advanced features.

TABLE OF BEST DRONES UNDER 500 BUCKS :

Name	Image	Skill required	Camera	Flight time	Control range
XK DETECT X380		Beginner / Intermediate	GoPro ready	25 minutes	1km
WALKERA QR X350		Beginner / Intermediate	iLook	20 minutes	2km
WLTOYS V303		Beginner / Intermediate	GoPro ready	13 minutes	0.5km
BLADE 350		Beginner / Intermediate	GoPro ready	13 minutes	1km
DJI PHANTOM 1		Beginner / Intermediate	GoPro ready	15 minutes	0.8km
XIRO XPLORER		Beginner / Intermediate	custom	18 minutes	1km
PARROT BEBOP 2		Beginner / Intermediate	14 MP	20 minutes	0.3km
WALKERA F210		Beginner / Intermediate	Sony FPV	10 minutes	1km
TRAXXAS 7909 ATON		Beginner / Intermediate	GoPro ready	22 minutes	1km
DJI PHANTOM 3		Beginner / Intermediate	12 MP	20 minutes	3km

10- XK Detect X380

Clicking this image will lead you to product page on Amazon.com

XK Detect X380 is a WLToys product, an upgrade of the 303 Seeker. XK X380 is an advance from the average toy/hobby to a professional drone. Able to carry a SJ4000 or a GoPro 3, great for aerial photography. Among its feature it has one key take off and one key landing, this is done through a GPS that remembers the X380 position. One of its coolest features is the circle hovering, you can set a radius distance and the drone will fly around the fixed point recording a 360 degree panoramic video. Looking for something more expensive? Read top 10 drones for less than $1000.

==>Check price on Amazon <==

Features	Specifications
Gimbal for GoPro 3	Remote frequency : 2.4Ghz
GPS	Control distance : 1000 meters
One key take off	Flight time : 30 minutes
One key landing	Charging time : 2 hours
Return to home	Drone size : 30.5 x 30.5 x 21 cm

 

9- Walkera QR X350 Pro with DEVO F7

Clicking this image will lead you to product page on Amazon.com

You probably have already heard about Walkera and the renowned model QR X350 it is a big success in the drone industry. Its powerful DEVO-M GPS system enables great features such as auto-return to home function and (the coolest of them all) Arducopter Mission Planer. In other words, auto-pilot function. Program Waypoints on the map and QR X350 will fly to them automatically while recording video. Another great thing about this quadcopter is the DEVO F7 transmitter with an integrated LCD screen for FPV (real time video) flights. Also, in case it loses connection, a safe function will automatically activate and X350 will return itself to the position of take-off.

==> Check price on Amazon <==

Features	Specifications
G-2D Gimbal	Remote frequency: 2.4Ghz
GPS	Control distance : 2000 meters
One key take off	Flight time : 25 minutes
One key landing	Charging time : 2 hours
Return to home	Altitude and compass sensor
Compatible with Arducopter mission planner	Drone size : 28.9 x 28.9 x 20.5cm

For a list of top 10 drones for sale, visit our homepage.

 

8- WLToys V303 Seeker

Clicking this image will lead you to product page on Amazon.com

V303 quadcopter is WLToys alternative to DJI Phantom 1. Even though some hobbyists do not yet consider it a professional drone, it does pack some great features. V303 has two flight modes, one enabling the quad to hover perfectly steady over the ground thanks to the enhanced altitude sensors which allow altitude hold, great for aerial video. Other flight mode is manual. But, V303 uses its GPS to allow for autopilot flights, and automatically returning to position of take-off.

==> Price and reviews on Amazon <==

Features	Specifications
Camera Mount for GoPro 3	Remote frequency : 2.4Ghz
6-Axis Gyro	Control distance : 500 meters
GPS	Flight time : 13-15 minutes
Autopilot function	Charging time : 2 hours
One key landing	Vertical speed : 10.2m/s
Return to home	Horizontal speed: 4m/s
Failsafe function	Drone size: 30.5 x 30.5 x 21cm

 

7- Blade 350 QX3

Clicking this image will lead you to product page on Amazon.com

Blade 350 QX3 is Horizon Hobby’s first aerial photography quadcopter, able to capture steady and smooth video. QX3 has two flight modes: Smart Mode and Aerial Photography Mode. On the first, QX3 creates a virtual barrier around the pilot, preventing the quad from injuring the pilot. This mode also makes the QX3 fly in whatever direction the control stick is pushed (somewhat like headless mode). The second flight mode is a much more free option that mimics the standard GPS control. Among its features there also are Adjustable flight boundaries and a PC interface, as well as a return to home function.

==> Buy it on Amazon <==

Features	Specifications
16 MP Camera (optional)	Remote frequency : 2.4GHz
GPS Antenna	Control distance : 1000 meters
5.8GHz Wi-Fi	Flight time : 10 – 15 minutes
Advanced SAFE Technology	Charging time : 2 hours
Smart flight mode	Drone size : 46 x 46 x 14 cm
Return to home; AP Flight mode

 

6- Dji Phantom 1

Clicking this image will lead you to product page on Amazon.com

Phantom 1 is Dji’s first quadcopter and one of the first greatest UAV to hit the market. It’s not the average toy quadcopter. It packs great features and excels in its specifications. Comes with a camera mount suitable for a GoPro 3. It has IOC (Intelligent Orientation Control) meaning the drone is able to memorize its position. Compatible with Naza-M software, for autopilot flights. Amazingly agile quadcopter, easy to maneuver, a little bit harder to master, but thanks to its return to home function you won’t be afraid to fly it too far.

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Features	Specifications
Camera mount for GoPro 3	Remote frequency : 2.4GHz
GPS	Control distance: 800 meters
Autopilot function	Vertical speed : 10 m/s
IOC	Horizontal speed : 6m/s
Fail safe	Flight time : 15 minutes
Return to home	Charging time : 60 to 100 minutes
	Drone size : 30 x 30 x 18cm

 

5- XIRO Xplorer Aerial

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Xplorer Aerial may not be one of the most known drones but it sure has awesome features. Such as “Follow Me” Mode, this function allows the drone to follow a selected target automatically. Great for aerial video where you want the camera to be recording the same moving object. Other cool features are “Circle Around Me”, meaning the drone will circle around a pre-determined point, Return to Base function, among many others. Xplorer Aerial also has vibration alerts on the controller to warn you when battery is running low. The 5,200-mAh lithium polymer battery is built-in and not removable.

==> Available on Amazon – SEE PRICE <==

Features	Specifications
Easy upgradeable to camera version	Remote frequency: 2.4GHz
Follow me function	Control distance: 1000 meters
Circle around me function	Flight time : 18 minutes
Return to base	Charging time : 2 hours
Vibration alerts	Vertical speed : 6m/s  Horizontal speed : 15m/s
	Drone size: 37 x 35 x 16cm

 

4- Parrot Bebop 2

Bebop 2 : Amazon.com

Parrot Bebop 2 is one of the best looking quadcopters. But it’s not just design that stands out, Bebop is loaded with awesome features. Made of ABS Plastic, heat-resistant, lightweight and impact resistant, to ensure great resistance it is reinforced with glass fiber. Bebop is a high performance quad, using four brushless motors, able to fly 13 meters per second horizontally. The 14MP camera is built-in and has a recording angle of 180º. It is controlled only by smartphone or tablet, allowing FPV (real time video) directly to your device’s screen. If you opt to buy Skycontroller Remote from Parrot manufacture, Bebop flight range will increase among other extra features. Parrot Bebop also took its place on our list of best drones for sale.

==> Check price and customer reviews on Amazon <==

Features	Specifications
14MP Built in FPV Camera	Remote frequency : 2.4GHz
Glass fiber material	Control distance:  300 meters (2KM with Skycontroller)
Skycontroller remote compatible	Flight time : 20 to 22 minutes
Autopilot	Charging time : 120 minutes
GPS	Top speed : 38mph
Return to home; Brushless motors

 

3- Walkera F210

Amazon.com

This is not Walkera’s first entry into the drone racing market, they have previously released Runner 250 and Furious 320. F210 is light and fast while still being amazingly strong. F210’s design is based on anti-collision and anti-drop mechanics, a very robust racer. F210 makes use of four powerful WK-WS-28-014A 2500kv brushless motors. It includes a 1 million pixels 700TVL camera with adjustable 120º angle, night vision and FPV. Racers will be looking forward to fly this new racing drone. If you wish to become a drone racer, F210 is a definitely a good start!

==> See latest price on Amazon <==

Features :	Specifications :
800TVL Night Vision Sony Camera	Remote Frequency: 2.4Ghz
Brushless motors	Control Distance: 1000 meters
FPV Antenna	Flight time : 8 to 9 minutes
Night vision	Charging Time: 120 minutes
	Drone Size: 18.2 x 18.2 x 10.3 cm

 

2- Traxxas 7909 Aton

Traxxas Aton : Amazon.com

Now for the number two on our list! The powerful Traxxas 7909 Aton. Traxxas is USA based company that’s famous for their RC cars, trucks. It looks like they’ll became famous for drones too. Aton comes with a 5000mAh 3-cell LiPo battery, it should provide you with 20 to 25 minutes of flight time (with camera). Also, it comes with a 2-Axis gimbal that’s designed to work with GoPro and other action cameras.

Aton is loaded with many features : One key return, GPS, Dual mode GPS, LED lights, air brake etc. It’s important to say that Aton has 3 different flight modes : Film mode, Sport mode and Expert mode. This drone is definitely a great choice for any drone enthusiast wanting to get into more professional quadcopters. Do you agree, is Traxxas 7909 Aton the best drone under $500?

==> Available on Amazon – SEE PRICE HERE <==

Features	Specifications
Gimblar support for GoPro	Remote frequency : 2.4GHz
Autopilot	Control distance: 1000 meters
GPS	Flight time: 25 minutes
Return to home	Charging time : 100 minutes
Led lights	3 flight modes
Air brake

 

1- DJI Phantom 3 Standard

Amazon.com

DJI’s most recent upgrade to Phantom 2. The Phantom 3! We all have been waiting for this and it’s finally here! On this list we are discussing the Standard version, the most affordable of the three (Advanced and Professional). Phantom 3 standard package includes its own 2.7K camera! So expect to obtain great quality video. Phantom 3 is packed with great features, such as GPS (which enables auto-pilot flights), FPV (real time video transmission) in very good quality, Follow Me mode (drone will follow targeted person) Point of Interest (fly around an object), among many others. This is not the average quadcopter, DJI Phantom 3 is a sky monster, capable of almost anything, number one choice to almost any videography and photography events professional. Control distance is an outstanding 3.5 to 5KM depending on amount of interference.

==> See price and reviews <==

Features :	Specifications:
12MP 2.7K Camera	Remote Frequency: 2.4Ghz
GPS	Control Distance: 3.5 to 5 km
Auto-pilot (waypoints)	Flight Time: 25 minutes
Follow Me	Charging Time: 2 hours
Point of Interest; Home Lock
Vision Position System; Flight Live Data

 

Didn’t find what you were looking for? Why don’t you take a look at our list of top 10 drones for less than $1000 instead?

What is your favorite quadcopter on this list? Now that you know the features and specifications of the best drones under $500 currently in the market, it’s time for you to make your choice. Choose wisely, pick the one who best fits your areal needs and be ready to take on the sky!

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