So you’re looking to buy a drone, and your budget is less than $500. You don’t want a cheap toy drone — you want a quality camera drone that’s reliable, easy to use, safe, and still has share-worthy image quality. When it comes to drones in that price range, really only one drone maker delivers. That’s DJI.
Of the DJI drones under $500 on the market now, your four options are:
- DJI Neo ($199)
- DJI Mini 4K ($299)
- DJI Mini 3 ($419)
- DJI Flip ($439)
One of them, the DJI Neo, costs less than $200. So can you get away with the DJI Neo as the cheapest DJI drone? Should you spring more money for a drone better-suited to your goals?
Here’s a breakdown of all four DJI drones under $500, and a comparison to help you find the best drone for you:
Affordable DJI drones under $500
What DJI drones under $500 are out there?
DJI has created a handful of drones under $500. Those in production and available new from the factory now are the DJI Neo, DJI Mini 4K, DJI Mini 3 and DJI Flip.
Out-of-production drones: You might find others that have since gone out of production, such as the DJI Mini, Mini 2 or even DJI Mini 2 SE but it’ll likely be either used or from a third-party reseller. There’s also the now out-of-production, and very short-lived DJI Spark, which debuted at just $499.
A DJI-adjacent drone: DJI is also affiliated with another less-than-$160 drone called the Tello, which is made by a partner company called Ryze using DJI parts. Alas, even Tello has been discontinued.
Used drones: And sure, you might also be able to buy one of DJI’s fancier, usually $1,000 drones used for under $500. But, understand the risks of buying used drones.
Drones under 250 grams: All four DJI drones in this guide weigh less than 250 grams. Drones under 250 grams are a big deal because many types of federal drone regulations do not apply to drones of that size. In the U.S., drones under 250 grams do not need to be registered with the FAA for recreational operations. They also do not need to be Remote ID compliant. That makes drone flying more convenient for international travelers who are more likely free to fly in a foreign country, without having to get registered or licensed in a place they might be visiting for just a few days.
Of course, it also means these drones are just small and light, making it far more convenient to take out on a hike or anywhere else where portability is important.
DJI drones under $500, side-by-side
So how do these fourdrones stack up? Let’s put them side by side to better understand their differences:
| DJI Neo | DJI Mini 4K | DJI Mini 3 | DJI Flip | |
| Starting price (price includes lowest-price controller) | $199 | $299 | $419 | $439 |
| Takeoff Weight | 165 grams | < 249 g | < 249 g | < 249 g |
| Max Flight Time | 18 minutes | 31 minutes | 38 minutes (with Intelligent Flight Battery) 51 minutes (with Intelligent Flight Battery Plus*) | 31 minutes |
| Max Takeoff Altitude | 2000 m | 4000m | 4000m (or just 3000m with Intelligent Flight Battery Plus) | 3000m |
| Max Wind Speed Resistance | 8 m/s (Level 4) | 10.7 m/s (Level 5) | 10.7 m/s (Level 5) | 10.7 m/s (Level 5) |
| Image Sensor | 1/2-inch CMOS | 1/2.3-inch CMOS | 1/1.3-inch CMOS | 1/1.3-inch image sensor |
| Effective Pixels | 12 MP | 12 MP | 12 MP | 48 MP |
| Video | 4K/30 fps | 4K/30 fps | 4K HDR | 4K HDR |
| Obstacle sensing | Downward | Downward | Downward | Downward: one visual sensor and an infrared sensor Forward: 3D Infrared Sensing System |
The DJI Flip is the best of the bunch (if you don’t factor in the cost) for two big reasons: the best camera and the best flight. But for folks who prioritize saving money, then it might not necessarily be the best. After all, it’s more than double the price of the DJI Neo.
Deep dive into DJI’s most affordable drones
Here’s a breakdown of Drone Girl’s top picks for the DJI drones under $500 available today, sorted by least to most expensive:
DJI Neo: the cheapest DJI drone you can buy
DJI Neo launched in September 2024 at just $199, offering an impressive 4K camera at an ultra-portable price tag. The drone is a swift departure from most everything else in DJI’s lineup. Alas, this hand-launch drone targets content creators and vloggers.
Though you can opt to pay extra for a controller, Neo is more designed to shoot selfies in pre-programmed flight modes. You launch it from your hand to take a particular type of selfie (say, the drone flying a circle around you). From there, Neo executes the video, and then it flies right back to your palm.
It has some other weaknesses compared to the other drones in your guide (e.g. just 18 minutes of flight time), but it’s tough to beat for the price — particularly if your filming goals are mostly selfies.
It’s closest competitor in this guide is the DJI Mini 4K. Find out the differences between the DJI Neo vs. DJI Mini 4K.
- Pre-order DJI Neo now from Adorama for $199.
- Pre-order DJI Neo now from Amazon for $199.
- Pre-order DJI Neo now from B&H Photo for $199.
- Pre-order DJI Neo now from Drone Nerds for $199.
Check out my full DJI Neo review.
DJI Mini 4K: the best price relative to what you get
At just $20 more than the DJI Mini 2 SE, you might as well opt for the DJI Mini 4K. Unless you’re super pinching pennies (or never shoot video), there’s basically no reason to go for the $279 DJI Mini 2 SE. After all, you can pay just $20 more (that’s $279) for superior video quality.
The DJI Mini 4K launched in April 2024 with basically every good thing you want in a drone. It’s got the ability to shoot 4K video and a sub-250 gram weight. It’s easy to fly, and the price point is unbelievably good.
It doesn’t have as powerful a sensor as what you’d find in the DJI Mini 3, which is a huge draw for people seeking the best camera drone. If you’re primarily posting on social media, the video quality differences shouldn’t matter. Though, someone sharing videos on a bigger screen should consider an upgrade to the DJI Mini 3 at least (or perhaps even a better camera drone).
The battery life is also much less relative to the Mini 3. With this, you’re looking at 31 minutes. That’s down from 38 minutes on the Mini 3 (and potentially 51 minutes with the Intelligent Flight Battery).
But if image quality or battery life at the utmost best are specs you don’t really care about, then the DJI Mini 4K is easily the best DJI drone under $600. It’s certainly an incredible value for the price.
Buy the DJI Mini 4K now from Amazon for just $299.
DJI Mini 3: the best if you prioritize battery life
Thanks to the release of the DJI Mini 4 Pro, the Mini 3 has entered the below-$500 drone category. It’s everything you want in a drone. It’s got excellent image quality, it’s incredibly small and light, and it’s super simple to set up and get in the air. Best of all, it’s safe and stress-free to fly.
With a 1/1.3-inch CMOS and 12 MP of effective pixels, this has a high-quality camera of the bunch. There’s also a downward vision system and the DJI O2 transmission system. That’s not as good as the Mini 3’s big sibling, the Mini 3 Pro. That one offers a forward, backward, and downward vision system alongside DJI O3 transmission), but it’s pretty impressive for the price point.
The Flip does beat out the DJI Mini 3 on practically every level save for one big one: battery life. The DJI Mini 3 offers 38 minutes using the Intelligent Flight Battery, beating out the Flip’s 31 minutes. But then there’s an option to extend even more, and that’s if you purchase the Intelligent Flight Battery Plus. When you do, you’ll get 51 minutes of flying time on a single battery. That’s great if you’re flying far out, or need to document something for a long period of time and can’t land in between to swap batteries.
Read more: DJI Mini 3 vs. Mini 3 Pro: which drone is better?
Purchase the DJI Mini 3 starting at just $419 (no controller) now from:
DJI Flip: best overall
Sure, the DJI Flip is the most expensive of this bunch, but it’s still cheap. After all, this is a guide to the best drones under $500!
The DJI Flip is the best drone under $500 because it delivers an impressive mix of high-quality features at an unbeatable price. For $439, it includes a 48MP camera capable of capturing stunning 4K/60fps HDR videos, foldable propeller guards for enhanced safety and advanced intelligent shooting modes typically found in pricier drones. Its lightweight design and portability make it ideal for travelers, while its ease of use appeals to beginners.
Few drones in this price range offer such a comprehensive set of features, making the DJI Flip the ultimate budget-friendly option for aerial photography and videography.
Find out why the Flip is worth upgrading for over the more affordable Neo in my guide to the DJI Flip vs. Neo.
- Order the DJI Flip drone from Amazon, starting at $439
- Order the DJI Flip drone from B&H Photo, starting at $439.
- Order the DJI Flip drone from Drone Nerds, starting at $439.
One last note: if you’re still hankering for more — say you want the obstacle avoidance in the DJI Mini 4 Pro, you’ll have to increase your budget above $500 — but not by much. Find out why it may be worth upgrading from the Flip to the DJI Mini 4 Pro.
How to pick from all the DJI drones under $500
If you’re a videographer, it’s definitely worth going for at least DJI Mini 3 over the Neo. The Neo’s sensor isn’t as large, and its frame rate is lower. But then again, the DJI Mini 4K offers an incredible happy medium. It has a price point quite close to the Neo, but a camera much closer to the DJI Mini 3.
If you can afford it, go for the DJI Flip. There, you’ll find the highest image quality of this bunch.
But if you’re simply looking for the cheapest possible drone, then the DJI Neo can work for you. The DJI Neo is good if you fit into one of the following molds:
- You’re brand new to drones and don’t want to commit to something you’re not certain about.
- You’re flying in very simple environments over relatively short distances (well within your line of sight).
- You’re filming for small phone screens, rather than large TV screens, where top-tier image quality isn’t the top priority.
Which DJI drone under $500 do you recommend? Are there other factors folks should consider when choosing an entry-level DJI drone? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!