Best Drones Under 100 in 2018

Whether you are a new or experienced drone pilot, flying a drone can be very fun and advantageous. You may be thinking of purchasing a drone that can buzz around indoors or outdoors, or as a gift to a loved one. Here is a list of the best drones under $100 in 2018! These drones on the list are catchy and attention-grabbing, because they exude excellent qualities, making them the best drones under 100 for 2018.

Top Drones Under $100: FAQs

Are drones safe for children?

In today’s generation, it is no longer a surprise if a child shows interest in flying drones. The predicament then circles around the idea of how safe can drone flying be for a child. So, is it safe? Well, it depends on a lot of things. Here are some of the things that parents should consider.

How old is the kid? If your child is at least around 8 years old, he or she can start learning how to fly a drone. Although, the choices for child-friendly drones are quite limited. A model that uses a remote control rather than a smartphone or tablet is preferable for kids.

Another thing to consider is the camera. Unless you’re planning to teach your kid about aerial photography, you might want to tick this off your requirements during your drone shopping. Drones with camera tend to be more expensive too which will also cost you more to repair in case your child crashes it. Not to mention how these cameras can potentially be hacked by anyone, risking your family’s privacy.

Adult supervision is the biggest factor that can determine how safe flying drones can be for kids. Even with the right model, without the parent watching over their kids during the activity, things can easily go wrong.

What are the best drones for under $100?

Naturally, the price range of drones can vary depending on their features. While an expensive one can be packed with impressive specs, not everyone can afford them. Fortunately, there are cheap drones that can also provide decent performance for anyone aiming to be a future drone pilot. So, to answer this question, here is a list of the best drones in the market that are just under $100.

The Best Drones for Under $100

1. Holy Stone F181

If you visit Amazon to find the best drone under 100, you will find out that the Holy Stone F181 is enjoying itself in the spotlight as the website’s current best selling drone. Over two thousand reviews are featured under this specific drone – with most of these reviews being positive. As for its rating, this drone is given an overall rating of 4.5 stars, making it an excellent pick for every drone enthusiast. What are the great things that you can expect from this little fella?

For its features, the Holy Stone F181 boasts a single-key return home, altitude hold, single-key flips, and headless mode. Even though it is not technically a feature, you will be happy to see an extra battery, right out of the box. This is one noteworthy addition to a high quality and affordable drone. As for its specifications, the Holy Stone F181 is highly comparable to all the other competitors on the market today.

This quadcopter can go as far as 100 meters (328 ft) depending on weather conditions and potential interferences. However, most of the time this drone will manage a realistic flight of 80 meters (262 ft). As for its battery life, the Holy Stone F181 can fly up to nine minutes. It’s a decent pick for an affordable and high-quality drone.

Additionally, the drone comes with a built-in camera, employing a sensor that captures images in HD resolution. It is important to note here that this drone is not much of a light-friendly pick because there’s not much light coming into your drone’s lens. A downside which may not be an issue during the day, but at night time, you can just forget about low light or night shots.

2. Tarantula X6

This quadcopter is modified and described by many drone enthusiasts as something neat. This is true to the fact that it comes with a different design which is not common among other drones on the market. It doesn’t have a built-in camera, but you can purchase one separately. The Tarantula X6 has sufficient power to lift certain types of random cameras such as a GoPro. In the year 2015, Tarantula X6 happened to be one of the year’s best-selling drones!

One of the top features of the Tarantula X6 is that you can fix it on your own. For instance, this drone allows you to replace its motors more easily, something that you may not be able to do on other drones today. Replacing the motors is very important for drone users because RC motors are known to burn out and wear out over time.

When motors burn out, you can just order the parts from a trusted drone parts seller and do the replacement procedure yourself. Or, you can watch video tutorials on YouTube to learn the easy and proper ways to replace your quadcopter’s motors. The Tarantula X6 comes with a 7.4V 1200 mAh LiPo battery that lets your drone fly for ten to twelve minutes.

3. Hubsan X4

In terms of price, features, and quality, this particular brand is one of the best drones that you can purchase today. Many people would agree that this is indeed the best inexpensive quadcopter brand. Would you agree? There is one thing that’s for sure though – the Hubsan X4 can be listed as one of the best drones today.

One of the best features of Hubsan X4 is its 100-meter (328 ft) range capability. This makes it comparable to other inexpensive drones of similar size. Another great feature of this drone is its 2MP mountable camera; something that you may not see on other inexpensive drones on the market. While the first two features are simply amazing, it is important to note that the Hubsan X4 comes with a shorter flight time which is only six to eight minutes. However, a matter of importance is that its 3.7V 380mAh battery only takes about thirty minutes to charge.

4. UDI U845

If you take a closer look at this drone, you will notice that it boasts some excellent characteristics.  The UDI U845 looks unique and distinctive when compared to all the other drones on this list. When you see this drone for the first time, you might want to think of it as a UFO. Even though you may imagine it as an alien craft, the UFO-like design is essential to the incorporation of its six propellers. Thus, this would make you think that this drone is not a quadcopter but a hexacopter.

Surrounded by a durable frame, the UDI U845 carries a 720p HD 2MP camera that comes with FPV support. This is indeed a great extra, especially for those people who want to bring their drone flying and piloting to the next level. This particular drone employs a battery that allows it to fly for about eight minutes. When the battery is drained, you need to let it rest for two hours before you can recharge.

As for the features, the UDI U845 sports a single key that allows 360 flips, an FPV, and a headless mode. Giving it additional points is its LCD controller. The only downside to this drone is the wait time between charges; easily solved by purchasing additional battery packs.

5. JXD 509W

Earning the fifth spot on our list for the best drone under $100 is the JXD 509W. This drone is the WiFi version of the very popular and widely used 509G drone. Constructed with very durable ABS plastic, this drone comes with propellers that are highly flexible. These propellers can bend about 90 degrees without breaking, which helps to ensure longevity if it hits an object or crashes.

Due to the JXD 509W’s durable construction, this drone can withstand many learning flights, hits, bumps, and crashes. Moreover, this machine sports a very professional appearance and provides a good number of features with highly competent specifications. You can have all of those features for a price tag that’s simply attractive and affordable. Some useful features of this drone include single-key home return, automatic landing, headless mode, 2MP camera, and altitude holder. With the JXD 509W, you can have all your drone-flying needs covered without spending too much.

6. UDI U818 HD+

This particular drone placed itself at the top of the list due to its cool features and amazing qualities. It proves itself to be something that’s very easy to pilot and highly reliable. As it is also extremely durable, you can be confident that it will last for a more extended period compared to other less expensive drones on the market today. The UDI U818 HD+ comes with prop guards that help make this drone resistant to crashes.

As for the features, the UDI U818 HD+ Drone has a headless flight mode and a single-key 360 flips for a fantastic watching experience. This drone also comes with an alarm that will tell you when the drone’s battery is running low on power. The LED lights on the UDI U818 HD+ drone make it much easier to spot. These features are well rounded with a built-in HD camera that’s more than solid.

The camera of the UDI U818 HD+ drone captures and records 720p HD at thirty frames per second. It is definitely the best camera for a drone that you can buy for less than $100. In summary, the UDI U818 HD+ drone is a fantastic entry-level drone that’s capable of providing tons and tons of fun for everyone who flies it.

7. Blade Nano

As suggested by its name, the Blade Nano is a miniature type of drone in the entry-level category.  Small as you can see, this particular type of drone is of a sleek design that also features two colors and yellow/white schemes. With such an appearance, this little drone is pleasant for everyone’s eyes.

One of the best features of the Blade Nano is its SAFE technology which is patented by Blade. SAFE stands for a technology that has to do with Sensor Assisted Flight Envelope. This particular technology helps and supports the drone’s overall stability and agility, assuring you that it is safe to fly in both outdoor and indoor scenarios.

As for its flight time, the Blade Nano can fly and hover in the air for a maximum of seven minutes. Its battery life may sound a little short to those who expect more flight time, however, take into consideration that this drone is miniature. On the brighter side, it has a recharge time of less than half an hour, which is an impressive advantage.

One big downside of the Blade Nano is the fact that it does not come with a controller on some models. If you make use of a BNF drone, you need to acquire yourself a controller or transmitter and bind it to your drone beforehand. But for those who already have controllers or transmitters, opting for the Blade Nano can be an excellent option. Flying this drone can be insanely fun, especially when you pair it up with goggles (FPV), which gives you massive immersion boost.

8. Syma X5UW

When it comes to physical looks, the Syma X5UW happens to be a good option when choosing from the list of the best drones for under $100. This particular drone is also known to be one of the newest on the list. Offering modern and advanced features, the Syma X5UW boasts an FPV, mobile app control, and altitude hold. While it may not be tagged as the most stable of drones, you will be surprised to see its fast-flying ability. During high-speed flights, the drone’s motors are expected to be a little noisy.

Durability is not a question for this kind of drone. Syma X5UW features an extremely durable frame that can survive and withstand multiple crashes. It comes with phantom-like batteries that can provide you with a flying time of six to ten minutes. It can also fly to as far as 80 meters (262 ft), which is a flight capability comparable to other drones within the similar price range.

9. Syma X5C1

The Syma X5C1 is known as the leveled-up version of the famous Syma X5C, a model which brought great success to Syma. People who are highly enthusiastic about drones have coined the Syma X5C as the best budget-friendly and affordable drone. Once you take it out of the box, you can fly it immediately if you so choose. This one is also known as one of the best selling drones on the market now.

Syma X5C1’s four strong motors allow the drone to lift and transport light objects, especially if the camera is removed. The 2MP camera is easy to mount, and if you are not using the camera expect the drone to increase its flight time from five to six minutes. Its 3.7V 500mAh battery powers both the camera and the quadcopter itself. This specific drone is an excellent pick for both indoor and outdoor flying.

10. Syma X8C

You might have noticed that this list comprised of the best drones under 100 features three that bear the name “Syma.” This is not a surprising fact since the Syma brand is well-known when it comes to quality affordable drones or quadcopters. Many of Syma’s products have become truly successful on the market, and one of the best products is the Syma X8C, basically resembling the famous DJI Phantom.

Weighing 601 grams, or 1.3lbs (with the camera and battery installed), this aircraft is somewhat heavy. To manage its weight, the drone employs large propellers and makes use of a big 2000mAh battery to power up its brushed motors. The battery allows the drone to fly up to 50 meters of distance for about 8 minutes. Since it is a larger drone, it is highly stable, resistant to wind, and durable. Without its 2MP low-performance camera, the Syma X8C can fly much better. If you want a better camera, you should try a Mobius or 808-type camera.

11. HS170 Predator

The HS170 Predator is an awesome drone that can provide you with endless fun and great flying experience. Apart from the flight experience this drone offers, its price point is also a nice treat since you can purchase this drone for just below $100. With its easy-to-use controllers, you can pull off moves and stunts like 3D flips and barrel rolls.

HS170 Predator features a headless mode, as well as LED lights. It can fly for a period of six to eight minutes. This drone is not rechargeable, so every time you wish to fly it, it is important to bring along extra batteries. You will also be surprised to see that this drone flies steadily, and is very resistant to wind. From your location, you will be able to fly this drone as far as thirty-five to fifty meters (115 ft to 164 ft). The HS170 Predator is also highly durable as it can survive multiple crashes, thanks to its high-quality construction.

Best Drones under $100: For Specific Needs

Here’s a bonus list of drones under $100 based on different categories.

Best Drones for Beginners under $100

Quadcopters are generally the easiest ones to operate, so they are an excellent choice for beginners. A quadcopter drone can also be equipped with some basic autonomous-flying modes and even a low-quality camera. Here’s are some models you should consider. In fact, we have included some of them in this review.

• Hubsan X4
• Syma X5C
• Parrot Swing
• Horizon Hobby Blade Nano QX

Best Drones with Camera under $100: Selfie Drones

Sure, any drone with a camera can easily be a good selfie drone. However, not all of them have a price tag of below $100. So, for those on a budget, here are some of the best alternatives for you. Although, you might need to stretch your expectations a little in terms of image quality. After all, these are under $100.

• Ryze Tello
• Syma X5
• Force1 UDI U818A HD+
• Force1 U28W WiFi FPV Drone

Best Real-Time Video Drones under $100

Drones capable of providing its pilot with a real-time video is probably the most coveted ones. They used to be very expensive too. Fortunately, there are now a few ones out there that offer a decent first-person view at a lesser price.

• Holy Stone F181
• UDI U845
• Force1 U28W WiFi FPV Drone
• Syma X5UW

Best Stunt Drones Under $100

Drone racing is easily the most exciting thing you can do with this device. But, for those who are still learning, it won’t be practical to invest in expensive models right away. The good news is, there are drones under $100 that can also pull off some stunts. Check out a few of them below.

• HS170 Predator
• Holy Stone F181
• U45 Raven
• U28W Peregrine

Final Thoughts on the Best Drone Under $100

With rapid technology growth, all drones have significantly come down in price. With even a small budget of just $100, you can purchase a high-quality drone that can be used for training, photography and/or sheer fun. We hope our comprehensive list has helped you pick your next drone.

Don’t forget to see our in-depth Xiaomi Mi Drone 4K review.