If you’re searching for the top drones within the $500 price range, your search ends here. This price point is particularly appealing for beginners in the world of drones.

Nobody wants to risk crashing an expensive drone, but compromising on quality is also undesirable. Affordable drone models provide an opportunity to hone your skills without the added stress.

The reviews of these drones will demonstrate that you don’t have to compromise on quality when opting for an affordable option.

DJI Mini 2 SE

Lightweight and Foldable Mini Camera Drone with 2.7K Video, Intelligent Modes, 10km Video Transmission, 31-min Flight Time, Under 249 g, Easy to Use, Photo-Shooting Tour, Street Snap

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About this item

• Lightweight and Portable – The drone is lightweight and compact, weighing less than 249 grams. It’s perfect for taking on hikes, road trips, and other adventures, allowing you to capture stunning aerial moments from above wherever you go.
• Beginner-Friendly – With simplified operations, the drone is easy to learn and master quickly, making it ideal for beginners. It has a Return to Home function for added safety, ensuring a worry-free flying experience.
• Extended Flight Time – Enjoy longer flights with DJI Mini 2 SE, which offers a 31-min max flight time. Combo offers two additional Intelligent Flight Batteries (three in total) for up to 93 minutes of total flight time. Explore and create more.
• Just a Few Taps for Epic Imaging – The DJI Fly app has easy-to-use shooting templates that allow the drone to automatically fly, record, and generate professional-level videos that can be shared directly on social media.
• Advanced Transmission Range – Get a 10km max transmission range to reliably fly farther and capture more. Compared to Wi-Fi, DJI OcuSync is significantly stronger, offering enhanced transmission and stronger anti-interference compatibilities.
• 38kph (Level 5) Wind Resistance – DJI Mini 2 SE flies with reliable stability even in winds up to 38kph, letting you fly and capture content more reliably in more places.
• Note: The DJI RC-N1 cable (lightning connector) is located inside the RC-N1 remote controller.

DJI Mini 2 SE Camera Drone

Quadcopter with RC-N1 Remote Controller, QHD Video, 10km Transmission, Under 249g, Return to Home, Automatic Pro Shots Bundle with Deco Gear Backpack + Accessories

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About this item

• DJI USA Authorized – Includes FULL USA 1 Year DJI Warranty + 1 Year CPS Extended Warranty | DJI Mini 2 SE – Make Your Moments Fly. Lightweight and Foldable Mini Drone with QHD Video, 10km Video Transmission, 31-min Flight Time, Under 249 g, Return to Home, Automatic Pro Shots, Drone with Camera for Beginners.
• Aerial Photography Made Easy – Easy and intuitive for beginners, DJI Mini 2 SE supports one-tap takeoff and landing, Return to Home (RTH), stable hovering, and much more.| Under 249 g – With no need to register in most countries and regions, the palm-sized drone easily fits in any bag for effortless carrying and creation. | Capture stunning content during camping and outdoor adventures & bring your love of the sandy beach to breathtaking uplifting scenes – all with automatic pro shots.
• Intelligent Features – The equipped 1/2.3-inch CMOS camera delivers crisp 2.7K video. Multiple intelligent modes allow you to get impressive QuickShots and Panoramas. | 10km Video Transmission – DJI O2 video transmission supports up to 10 km of HD video transmission and excellent anti-interference capabilities for clear, easy flight.
• 31-Min Max Flight Time – DJI Mini 2 SE provides more than enough time to compose the perfect shot. | 38kph (Level 5) Wind Resistance – Supporting 38kph (Level 5) wind resistance and 4000m max takeoff altitude, Mini 2 SE keeps your footage stable in more flight scenarios.
• BUNDLE INCLUDES: DJI Mini 2 SE Foldable Drone Quadcopter CP.MA.00000573 | RC-N1 Remote Controller | RC Connection Cables | USB-C Data Cable | Intelligent Flight Battery | Pair of Propellers | 6 x Spare Screw | Screwdriver | Gimbal Protector | DJI USA Authorized Warranty | 1 Year CPS Extended Warranty | Deco Gear Drone Photography Backpack Case | Deco Gear Landing Pad 31.5″ Double-Sided Reflective w/ Spokes & Carry Case | Lexar Professional 64GB 1066x MicroSD

DJI Mini 2 SE Fly More Combo, 

Lightweight Drone with QHD Video, 10km Video Transmission, 3 Batteries for Total of 93 Mins Flight Time, Under 249 g, Automatic Pro Shots, Camera Drone for Beginners

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About this item

• Lightweight and Portable – The drone is lightweight and compact, weighing less than 249 grams. It’s perfect for taking on hikes, road trips, and other adventures, allowing you to capture stunning aerial moments from above wherever you go.
• Beginner-Friendly – With simplified operations, the drone is easy to learn and master quickly, making it ideal for beginners. It has a Return to Home function for added safety, ensuring a worry-free flying experience.
• Extended Flight Time – Enjoy longer flights with DJI Mini 2 SE, which offers a 31-min max flight time. Combo offers two additional Intelligent Flight Batteries (three in total) for up to 93 minutes of total flight time. Explore and create more.
• Just a Few Taps for Epic Imaging – The DJI Fly app has easy-to-use shooting templates that allow the drone to automatically fly, record, and generate professional-level videos that can be shared directly on social media.
• Advanced Transmission Range – Get a 10km max transmission range to reliably fly farther and capture more. Compared to Wi-Fi, DJI OcuSync is significantly stronger, offering enhanced transmission and stronger anti-interference compatibilities.
• 38kph (Level 5) Wind Resistance – DJI Mini 2 SE flies with reliable stability even in winds up to 38kph, letting you fly and capture content more reliably in more places.
• Note: The DJI RC-N1 cable (lightning connector) is located inside the RC-N1 remote controller.

Potensic ATOM SE 

GPS Drone with 4K EIS Camera, Under 249g, 62 Mins Flight, 4KM FPV Transmission, Brushless Motor, Max Speed 16m/s, Auto Return, Lightweight and Foldable Drone for Adults

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About this item

• 【 – 】ATOM SE drone weighs , & Remote ID Registration. The fold-up design packs up small enough to fit in a jacket pocket. Built-in makes the drone – and fly stably.
• 【 】The drone is equippied with a /’’ . It can shoot photos and @ HD video. The exclusive ShakeVanish tech helps to take more stable and smoother images within 118° FOV and a vertical +20° to -90° camera.
• 【 , 】SurgeFly flight control system provides and 3 flight modes – , , – allowing you to challenge your skills as you become an advanced pilot with flexible and easy flight control experience. In Sport Mode, the max speed can be up to 16m/s in 2.8s.
• 【 】The ATOM SE 4K drone comes with 2 intelligent 2500mAh batteries, each Battery running up to 31 minutes, for a total of . Fly more, charging less. Give you more freedom to record the creative moments around you.
• 【 ., 】The control range is up to /,. The PixSync 2.0 technology ensures stable, consistent video in most shooting conditions and enables low latency for HD digital video.
• 【 , – 】The ATOM SE GPS drone will – to the take-off point when it’s lost signal or is in low power. Easy to control for all levels. You can have even more fun with features like Follow Me, Waypoint Flight, and Circle Flight of the drone. Dive into more flying possibilities.
• 【 】 All firmware supports FOTA, we recommend keeping up to date with the latest firmware to enjoy the ever-improving flight experience and shooting quality. (Note: Please make sure the micro SD card is inserted when updating the camera-related firmware, and the SD card is not included.)
• 【 】 ATOM SE is compatible with IOS 11 and Android 7.0 or above, and we offer 3 types of adapter cables (Micro/Type C/Lightning) to connect your phone and the remote control, you can choose the one you need.

Holy Stone HS100G

GPS Drone with 1080P HD Camera FPV Live Video for Adults and Kids, Quadcopter HS110G Upgraded Version with 3 Batteries

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About this item

• GPS Auto Return: Equipped with GPS Location, the drone can memorize the “HOME” point and return automatically whenever the drone lose signal or lose power or whenever you press down auto return button.
• Intelligent Features: You may set a Customer Flight Path at your will or instruct the drone to Follow You automatically.
• Upgraded Configuration: Detachable propeller makes the drone easy to carry; 2 Modular Batteries prolong flight time to 26 Minutes; Control Range is up to 984ft.
• 1080P HD FPV Camera: The HS110G drone with 1080P HD camera can record images and voice at the same time. And you may share them on the social media immediately through the App.
• Easy for Beginners: The latest Altitude Control System enable stable flight. There are considerate icon on the Controller and App to help users grasp flying skills sooner.

Walkera F210 Professional Racer

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The Walker F210 Racer drone prioritizes agility with its lightweight construction. Its crash-resistant carbon-fiber frame ensures durability. Designed specifically for racing, this drone allows for precise flight maneuvers such as flips, rolls, and racing moves. For added versatility, it can be disassembled and customized according to your preferences.

Although the flight time of the Walker F210 is limited to 8-9 minutes, it boasts an impressive maximum flight speed of over 40 mph (64 km/h). Additionally, it comes equipped with a night-vision camera, enabling you to fly at any time of the day. It’s worth noting that this model requires registration with the FAA, even if you plan to use it solely for recreational purposes.

Is $500 enough for a good drone?

Yes, a budget of $500 is sufficient to acquire a good drone. With this budget, you can obtain a decent drone setup that can withstand a few crashes. It’s important to note that drones within this price range are considered entry-level, designed for beginners, and reflect an entry-level price point. If you require a drone with top-of-the-line camera capabilities, you may need to spend more as the best camera drones tend to be more expensive.

It’s worth mentioning that drone technology is continuously evolving. Many features found in drones within the $500 range today were not available at this price point just a few years ago. By adhering to this budget range, you can expect to witness advanced features gradually making their way into future budget-priced drones. These features may include enhanced camera technology, improved ease of flying, or even obstacle avoidance systems.

Do I need a license to fly a drone?

Apologies for the confusion. You are correct. Certain compact and lightweight drone models, including some mentioned on this list, can be flown without the need for FAA notification or approval. However, for other drones, even when used for recreational purposes, hobby pilots are required to obtain a TRUST certificate¹. Any drone operations conducted for commercial purposes must be carried out by Part 107 Certified pilots¹ within the United States. It’s essential to adhere to the appropriate regulations and certifications when operating drones to ensure safety and compliance with local laws. Thank you for highlighting this important information.