Tello drone discontinued? Here’s what we know about the DJI-affiliated STEM drone

The Tello drone is a favorite at The Drone Girl. Priced at $99, it qualifies for (and steadily wins) the title of best drones under $100. With safety features that simultaneously make the drone easy to fly, it’s the best drone for kids, plus the best indoor drone. And with accompanying tools like simple educational coding software, it’s also the best STEM drone. But lately, the drone community has been wondering: was the Tello drone discontinued?

Tello drone discontinued: what availability looks like now

Over on the DJI shop, the $99 Tello drone, as well as the $149 Tello Boost Combo are now both listed as sold out. Luckily, you have plenty of options besides shopping directly through DJI.

The best way to buy a Tello drone today

As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase.

You can still purchase the Tello drone from some third-parties, but even there quantities are limited. On camera retailer Adorama, the Tello is sold out entirely. On Amazon, stock is painfully limited to largely used versions only.

Right now, eBay offers the best place to find an unopened Tello drone. At publication time, there are dozens of Tello drones on eBay, still in their factory-sealed packaging, mostly hovering at just over $100.

Will DJI sell more Tello drones again?

We reached out to DJI to find out if this is simply a matter of demand outpacing the pace of production — or if production has ceased completely.

“Currently, the Tello series is still being sold in the United States, and we will continue to provide technical and after-sales support to the customers,” a DJI spokesperson told The Drone Girl. “We have been working hard to provide global users with drone products that meet different needs. We will continue to launch new products that are accessible, easier to use and meet entry-level or educational needs, so stay tuned.”

So what does that actually mean in human speak? It’s hard to say for sure, but the fact that DJI has said it’s being sold but not actually in production doesn’t exactly bode well for more units being in production.

Consider that DJI instead has been turning out different (but also cheap) drones like the $199 DJI Neo — but has made no mention of a new Tello — things are not looking up.

Why people love the DJI Tello drone

The DJI Tello drone first launched in 2018 — and it’s still held up incredibly well as a relevant drone more than five years later. It’s managed to strike the perfect balance of simplicity with high-tech — particularly astounding since so many other drones have rapidly iterated over a similar period (we’re on the 4th edition of both the DJI Mini and DJI Mavic, for example).

The Tello isn’t quite a DJI product, though it’s closely tied to DJI. It’s actually made by another Shenzhen-based tech company called Ryze Technology. With that, Tello combines DJI flight technology with an Intel processor to create a budget camera drone. And it’s not just that. It also can be used to teach newbies the basics of programming.

Among its key specs:

• Weighs just 80 grams
• Flies for 13 minutes
• Takes 5 megapixel photos

Read my full Tello drone review here.

What to do if you can’t get your hands on the Tello drone

If there’s a chance you’d want the Tello drone, move fast. They’re already sold out from major retailers like Adorama and DJI itself, and there are very few left for sale on other big retailers like Amazon or resellers like eBay.

If you’ve missed the boat on getting one from a standard retailer, here are your next steps:

First off, consider buying a used drone. Buying a used drone has many benefits (beyond the obvious of acquiring something that’s otherwise sold out). It can often be cheaper, and you get the benefit of helping the environment by buying something that is otherwise collecting dust in someone else’s closet besides demanding another unit be produced. Just beware of the risks of buying used drones.

The best Tello drone alternatives

But if you truly can’t find any actual Tello drones, then it’s time to look into Tello drone alternatives. There are many drones that are quite similar to the Tello — and at a similar price point. Here are some of the best:

DJI Neo

The DJI Neo is the best alternative to the Tello drone.

Sure, the Tello is known for its affordability and beginner-friendly features, but the DJI Neo elevates the experience. With it comes even more enhanced flight capabilities and advanced features.

The Neo offers superior stability and control. That’s thanks to its advanced flight algorithms and sensors, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and intermediate pilots. It also boasts a higher-quality camera, which is perfect for those looking to improve their aerial photography and videography skills. Additionally, the DJI Neo integrates seamlessly with the DJI ecosystem, offering better app support, smarter flight modes, and greater connectivity. All that means a smoother and more immersive drone experience.

Even if the Tello is gone, and the Neo is twice the price, it’s absolutely worth it.

Check out the DJI Neo for $199.

DroneBlocks Crazyflie Nano Drone

Especially if you’re seeking a great educational drones for a STEM program, consider the $399 Crazyflie Nano drone. It’s made by DroneBlocks.

At just 27 grams, it’s tiny enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Like Tello, they’re actually better indoors than outdoors, as even slight wind can make them tough to control.

And like Tello, the Crazyflie Nano has a strong, educational component, which entails an accompanying set of drone lesson plans. Students can use this drone to learn block-coding. More advanced students might do their own Python programming to send this drone on its own autonomous drone missions.

Check out the Crazyflie Nano drone for $399.

And if all else fails and you’re desperate to have a DJI (or at least DJI-affiliated) drone for around $100 that’s great for beginners or kids, then perhaps your best bet is to be patient. As DJI told The Drone Girl, the company says it still is on a mission to launch new products for entry-level and educational needs. Given that, you might just have to wait for what 2025 has in store.