Best Quadcopter Under $100

Consumer drones have become extremely popular in the last few years!  There are now dozens of drone manufacturers making technologically advanced drones that are a ton of fun to use.

The most popular configuration for a drone is the quadcopter, which features 4 separate spinning rotors.  This type of drone is highly maneuverable and can reach some blistering speeds!

Most people buy a quadcopter to have some fun, but you can use them for all kinds of activities including real estate photography, farming, landscape photography, sports photography, virtual reality flying, nature videos, hunting, drone racing, and much more.  You can even use a quadcopter to deliver items to your friends or family!

The best part is — quadcopter drones have become incredibly cheap.  You can now buy a great quadcopter for less than $100.  The  key is to choose one that has the right features for your intended use.  This article will provide all of the information you need to choose the best quadcopter under $100!

Here are a few tips to help you choose the perfect quadcopter!

 Consider the flight time of the drone

The flight time refers to the length of time that the drone can remain airborne before it needs to be charged again.  The type of battery that the drone uses and the drone’s weight are the main factors that determine its flight time.  However, the speed, maneuverability and the flying style you use can also play a role — if you are racing the drone or performing many stunts, the flight time will be shorter.

Most drones have less than 20 minutes of flight time, however some cheaper models have as little as 5 minutes.  If you are using the drone to capture nature footage and travel long distances, you might prefer a drone with a longer fight time.  If you are only using it for quick races, a shorter flight time might be acceptable.

Do you need a GPS sensor on your quadcopter?

Some drones have GPS sensors which allow you to track the location of the drone and program your drone to automatically fly to a specific location.  You can even hit a button to make your drone automatically return to you.  Having a GPS sensor can also help you find your drone after it is lost.  If you think you will need these features, spend a bit more your quadcopter.

Speed, acceleration, and weight

If you intend on racing your drone or pulling off high-speed stunts, you should opt for a drone that has a high top speed, fast rate of acceleration, and low weight.

What quality is the camera?

Most quadcopters under $100 come with a digital camera that is connected to the underside of the body.  The quality of cameras can vary greatly on cheaper quadcopters, but it generally ranges from 720p cameras that can capture 60 frames per second through to 540p cameras that can capture 30 frames per second.  If your primary use for the drone is to capture video footage, purchase a drone with the highest resolution camera possible.

Some quadcopter cameras also have a wifi capability, where they can stream footage back to the controls, a virtual reality headset or a smart phone.  If the camera can stream to a VR headset, it is called First Person View (FPV).  If you want to have an immersive birds eye view of the world through a VR headset, make sure you choose a quadcopter with this feature.

Pilot skill level

Quadcopter drones can be challenging to fly because they can move very quickly.  If this is your first quadcopter, avoid buying a very fast racing model — you will probably crash it!  You can also choose a drone that has stabilization technology that makes it easier to fly.

The features on the controller

The controller is the apparatus that you will use to move your drone around.  Some controllers for quadcopter are quite advanced and have some useful features like large LCD screens and real time diagnostics (drone speed, altitude, and battery life).  Make sure you consider the quality and features that the controller has.

Choose a quality manufacturer

It’s always best to opt for a reputable manufacturer when choosing a quadcopter under $100.  Not only will the construction quality be higher, you will have better support from the manufacturer if something goes wrong.

What is the best quadcopter under $100?

Because there are dozens of models to choose from, buying a quadcopter can be a little confusing!  Most quadcopter drones have a few similarities, but vary greatly when it comes to speed, construction material, weight, and maneuverability.  The best quadcopter under $100 for you will largely depend on how you will use it.  To help you decide, here are 5 fantastic quadcopter drones that are well made and packed with features.

Highly recommended for beginners who would like to learn how to fly around a drone, the Tello Quadcopter lets you easily perform tricks thanks to its lightweight frame, as well as shoot decent video and take great shots.

The 5-megapixel camera records JPEG photos and 720p MP4 video, and the Tello flies up to 10m vertically and up to 100m away. One battery charge can ensure a 13-minute flight. And while that might sound like a short amount of time, rest assured – it will feel like much longer. Or, you can simply pick up an extra battery to keep handy for when you’re not quite ready for all the fun to end.

While this drone is on the more expensive side, the built is worth the investment. The product packs a flight controller powered by DJI and a high-quality image processor. It’s also durable but not too heavy, which makes it easy to maneuver. You’ll learn how to master it in no time, especially given that you can start flying by simply tossing Tello into the air.

We wouldn’t recommend the drone for professionals, but if you’d like to take on this hobby without breaking the bank, the Tello Quadcoper will ensure a smooth start.

Pros: 

• VR headset compatibility
• Easy to fly and perform tricks
• Quality photos and videos

Cons: 

• Very lightweight so doesn’t perform well in bad weather

This would have to be one of the coolest-looking drones on the market!  The YANNI U845 Voyager is shaped like a classic 1950’s UFO, which is guaranteed to give your neighbors a bit of a shock and a few laughs!

Not only does it look cool, this quadcopter is packed with features including a 720p camera capable of shooting up to 30 frames per second, first person-view with VR mode, and a headless mode.  This quadcopter has the ability to perform 360 degree flips and rolls with the press of a single button on the controller.

Pros: 

• Excellent 720p camera capable of filming at 30 frames per second.
• The design of those drone is fantastic
• One-button stuns are a lot of fun!
• Compatible with iOS and Android smartphone apps
• Comes with 2 batteries

Cons: 

• Only has a max flight time of between 6 to 8 minutes

This is another great product from Holy Stone.  It is a slightly cheaper than the Holy Stone U818A but still has some fantastic features including a 720p camera that records up to 30 frames per second.  The camera also comes with a 4GB micro SD card and card reader.

The Holy Stone HS170C Predator 2 has been designed so it is easy to fly, making it perfect for beginners.  It has a 6-axis gyro stabilization system that is capable of performing 3D flips.  The HS170C Predator 2 also has a headless mode and a drone return mode.

Pros: 

• An outstanding camera with excellent image quality
• Comes with everything you need to get started!
• A great choice for beginners because it is so easy to fly
• Charges in 45-60 minutes (faster than many other drones)
• Designed to minimize wind resistance

Cons: 

• Only has a flight time of between 6-8 minutes

This is the most affordable quadcopter we are reviewing here.  Despite being affordable, the Voomall MJX X300C still has some excellent features including a 0.3 megapixel camera that has an FPV mode capable of working with your smart phone.

This drone also comes with a headless mode and drone return button, which automatically brings your quadcopter back to your remote location.  It has a similar 6 axis gyro control system to the other quadcopters reviewed here, which is impressive given the affordability of this drone.  This one is definitely a bargain!

Pros: 

• Incredibly cheap!
• The FPV function is great fun
• A respectable 8 minutes of flight time
• A very long 100 meters remote distance (25-50 meters more than other cheap quadcopters)

Cons: 

• The camera resolution is lower than that of other drones
• Does not include controller batteries

This drone transmits high-quality first person view footage via it’s 720p HD camera at 30 fps.  The transmitter has a screen on it, which allows the pilot to immediately view what the drone is seeing.

It features a 6-axis flight control system with adjustable gyro sensitivity and a very lightweight frame.  This combination makes it a highly agile quadcopter than can rapidly increase its speed.  The frame also has four night LED lights and rubber feet for a smooth landing.

The USB charging cable means you can charge it via a power pack or through a computer.  It uses a 500mAh flight battery and UA5 handheld transmitter.

Pros: 

• The display on the controller is excellent and the FPV functionality works out to 100 meters
• Very fast charge speed of 30 minutes and 7 minutes of flight time

Cons: 

• More expensive

Best bargain
The Holy Stone HS170C Predator 2 is very cheap consider the features it has.  If you are on a tight budget, it is definitely a great choice!

We hope you enjoyed reading Best Quadcopter Under $100.  The 5 quadcopter drones above are all excellent choices and will provide you with countless hours of fun!