Drones are not cheap! In fact, you could spend up to $300 on a toy drone. But if you want a really good one, it’s going to cost more. You can get a quality quadcopter for under $200 but there are plenty of options with even higher prices. This article breaks down the costs of drones and what you should expect when shopping around for your next hobby or business venture.
How Much do Full Feature Professional Drones Cost?
If you’re looking for a top-of-the-line professional drone, be prepared to spend some serious cash.
Professional Drones like the DJI Inspire, Phantom, and Mavic(3) series, cost $2000 upwards for basic features, while ultra-premium drones like the Freefly Alta cost around $20,000. If you want all of the bells and whistles like an obstacle avoidance system or retractable landing gear, you’ll pay even more.
Here are the Best Rated Professional Drones and their prices:
| Drone | Cost |
|---|---|
| DJI Inspire 2 | $3,189.00 |
| DJI Phantom 4 Pro | $2000 |
| DJI Mavic 3 Cine | $5000 |
| Freefly Alta 8 Pro | $17,590 |
Professional drones are usually used by businesses or hobbyists with a lot of experience. They require more training and are often difficult to fly. These are the drones that filmmakers use to capture amazing aerial footage.
They offer extraordinary features like extended flight times, 360-degree obstacle avoidance, smart navigation systems, and powerful cameras.
How Much Does a Vlog/Youtube Video Drone Cost?
If you’re just starting out in the world of aerial videography, you don’t need to break the bank on a professional drone.
Top-of-the-line drones with 4K resolution cameras for Youtube and Vlogging cost between $700-$1500 for the DJI Mavic series, while a decent full-featured mid-range drone like the DJI Mini costs between $500-$750. Budget beginner drones that can help you get started with Youtube/Vlogging, like the DJI Spark and the Ruko F11 cost about $350.
Here are the Best Rated Drones for Youtube Vlogging and their prices:
Top of the line (premium Youtube Vlogging Drones)
| Drone | Cost |
|---|---|
| DJI Mavic Air 2 | $750 |
| DJI Inspire 2 | $2600 |
| DJI Mavic 2 Pro | $3000 |
| DJI Mavic Pro | $1500 |
| DJI Mavic 3 | $2200 |
Mid-Range Youtube Vlogging Drone Prices:
DJI Mini 2 costs $550
Budget Beginner Youtube Vlogging Drone Prices:
| Drone | Cost |
|---|---|
| DJI Mavic Mini | $450 |
| DJI Spark | $400 |
| Ruko F11 | $250 |
| Holy Stone HS100 | $100 |
Most of these drones come with a built-in camera, stabilization system, and app that allow you to control the drone and capture footage or photos.
Look for features like 4K video resolution, a good photo resolution, a good flight time of at least 20 minutes, and a good control range when buying a new drone.
How Much Do Beginner Hobby Drones Cost?
A beginner hobby drone is a great option for beginners or those who just want to fly for fun. The drones in this category are typically less expensive and easier to fly than professional drones.
Beginner Hobby drones typically cost between $50-$500, with the most popular Mavic Mini series, Parrot Anafi models falling in the $200-$500 price band. Indoor Beginner Drones suitable for kids such as the Ryze Tech Tello and the Potensic T25 will cost you under $150.
Here are some of the Best Rated Hobby Drones and their Prices:
| Drone | Cost |
|---|---|
| DJI Mavic Mini | $450 |
| DJI Mini 2 | $600 |
| DJI Mini SE | $300 |
| Ryze Tello | $100 |
| Parrot Anafi | $400 |
| Potensic Dreamer 4K | $280 |
| Potensic T25 | $160 |
Hobby drones typically don’t have as many features as professional drones and are not meant for business or filmmaking purposes. They’re perfect for flying around your backyard or taking aerial photos and videos for fun.
Look for features such as HD video resolution, a good photo resolution, and an easy-to-use controller when buying a beginner hobby drone.
How Much Do Racing Drones and FPV Goggles Cost?
Racing drones are built for speed and agility. They typically have a lightweight frame, high-performance motors, and cameras designed for capturing fast action.
Most popular Racing drones from Walkera, Fat Shark, Emax, and Arris cost between $200-$400, while popular FPV goggles from Fat Shark and Walkera which you need to race drones, cost an additional $200 depending on the quality of the goggles.
Here are some of the Best Rated Racing Drones and their Prices:
| Drone | Cost |
|---|---|
| Walkera F210 3D | $360 |
| Emax HAWK 5 | $250 |
| Arris X-Speed 250B | $350 |
| Walkera FURIOUS 215 | $200 |
| Fat Shark 101 | $250 |
Look for a small form factor, high speed, durable, agile, and easy to repair drones when purchasing a Racing drone. The best way to learn more about them is to join your nearest FPV racing club or watch some of the popular FPV racing channels on Youtube.
Features to Look For in a Beginner Drone
It is easy to get overwhelmed by the number of drones on the market, especially if you are a beginner. But don’t worry, we are here to help.
When looking for your first drone, there are a few key features that you should look for:
A good camera resolution
Look for drones that offer at least 720p HD video resolution. This will give you a good quality video that you can use for your Youtube or Vlogging channel.
A long battery life
Look for drones that offer a flight time of 20 minutes or more. This will give you plenty of time to get the shots and videos that you want.
A stable camera
A drone with a stabilizing camera will help you to capture smooth, clear footage even when the drone is moving.
A good control range
Look for a drone that has a control range of at least 500 meters. This will give you plenty of room to fly and explore.
Ease of use
Choose a drone that is easy to operate with a controller that is easy to understand. This will help you to avoid frustration and get the most out of your drone.
Some drones also offer additional features such as 360-degree obstacle avoidance, smart navigation systems that allow the drone to follow you around, and powerful cameras that can capture in Ultra HD or even RAW.
Best Beginner drones with all necessary features for beginners and costing around $200-$350 are:
- DJI Mavic Mini
- DJI Spark
- Ruko F11
- Holy Stone HS100
Most of these drones come with a built-in camera, stabilization system, and app that allow you to control the drone and capture photos and videos with ease.
Price is not always the best indicator of quality, so it’s important to do your research before buying a beginner drone. Make sure to read reviews and watch videos of the drones you’re interested in to get a better idea of what they offer.
