People want to know what the best drone under $400 might be. Really the answer is pretty simple. It is the DJI Spark. We have some other options, but really it is hard to beat the DJI Spark when it comes to portability and functionality when you are limited to a budget of $400. Let’s take a closer look.
The DJI Spark
This is one of the best drones you can buy for your money right now. The Spark is a compact drone that is capable of taking excellent video for a fraction of the price of some of the bigger DJI drones. The Spark has GPS stability and a variety of video modes to help make getting the perfect shots even easier. Its 1080p camera is stabilized by a mechanical two-axis gimbal that helps you get smooth picture and video. You’ll get a live feed on your smartphone via the DJI GO4 app. You can fly the Spark using only gestures or with your smartphone, but we highly recommend you get the optional remote control. It extends the range of the Spark to 1000 meter and gives you even better control and precision. The biggest drawback to the Spark is its limited 16 minute flight time. It is an excellent drone and one we fly on a regular basis. Learn more about the DJI Spark HERE.
| Order a Spark directly from DJI |
| Order a Spark from Amazon |
The Parrot Bebop 2
The Parrot Bebop 2 is an excellent drone and fun in its own right. It uses a super wide field of view camera to capture pictures and video and then stabilizes the image using electronic image stabilization software. Like the Spark, you can fly the Bebop with just your smartphone, but we recommend picking up the optional remote for better control and range. The Bebop is lighter than the Spark and has some interesting safety features as well. The Bebop will give you an impressive 25 minute flight time. If you can get a good deal on a Bebop 2 then it is definitely worth looking into. Learn more about the Parrot Bebop 2 drone HERE.
| Order a Parrot Bebop 2 from Amazon |
| Order a Parrot Bebop 2 Bundle from Amazon |
The Xiaomi Mi Drone
Xiaomi is an innovative Chinese company and when they released the Mi drone their hope was to take the DJI Phantom Series on head-to-head. Unfortunately for them, DJI had already established a loyal customer base and the Mi drone never really took off. (pun intended) But that doesn’t mean it isn’t a good drone. With a 4K camera mounted on a 3-axis gimbal, the Xiaomi Mi is a very capable quadcopter. The Mi boasts a 27 minute flight time and a range of 2000 meters. Typically this drone is more expensive on Amazon, but often you can get a good deal from Banggood. Learn more about the Mi Drone HERE.
| Order a Xiaomi Mi Drone from Amazon |
| Order a Xiaomi Mi Drone from Banggood |
The UPAir One
The 4K version of the UPAir one is a deal for under $350. This U-shaped Phantom style drone is one of the better inexpensive GPS quadcopters out there that you can buy. You can get either a 2.7K version for $299 or opt for the better 4K camera for another $30-50. You won’t get all of the advanced flight modes you’ll see in a DJI drone, but again it is a fraction of the cost. It has a very nice built-in monitor so you won’t have to worry about connecting your smartphone to fly. The UpAir One has a range of 500-800 meters and a flight time of 15-18 minutes. It is a capable drone, and on of the best bargains out there. The camera is stabilized by a two-axis gimbal. Typically you can get the 2.7K version under $300 and the 4K version for $30-50 more. Learn more about the UPAir One HERE.
| Check the price of the UPAir One with 2.7K camera |
| Check the price of the UPAir One with the 4K camera |
Other Options
You could always look into purchasing a used Phantom. However, buying a used drone can be a tricky situation. Unless you know the person you are dealing with or you get some kind of warranty we wouldn’t recommend it. The offerings under $400 are pretty limited, unfortunately. If you are willing to stretch your budget we’d recommend looking into the DJI Mavic Air. It is a small and compact drone with impressive video capabilities. Learn more about the DJI Mavic Air HERE.
More Drones…
Every month we update what we believe are the best drones on the market. Check out Best Drones Now. We have also created the one-of-a-kind Half Chrome Drone Cipher™. You answer a few questions and we’ll pair you with the best drone for you.
| Best Drones Now |
Do you want to search by price? Click on your menu above or we can break it down for you. Check out drones under $50, from $50-100, from $100-200, from $200-500 or over $500. Maybe you like a good Top Ten list, we’ve got you covered.
| Drones by Price |
Learn More…
If you want to learn more about taking great pictures or flying FPV then check out our comprehensive guides on those topics. Also take a look at our articles on how to choose the right drone for great aerial photos or for getting started flying race drones. Learn more about drones and how to get the most out of them in our Drone Academy. In the Academy we also detail some of the advanced testing we do, including our recent addition, drone thrust testing.
| Drone Academy |
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| Half Chrome YouTube Channel |
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