Regardless of your age, there is no denying that operating drones can be a fun and rewarding experience. This is even more so the case these days thanks to a number of advanced flight and control technologies that are geared toward making everything easier for beginners and children. Furthermore, the price of entry-level drones has significantly gone down, which opened the market for a large segment of the population. In this article, we will review some of the best drone under 50 and we will help you pick the one that is perfectly suited for your needs.
Before deciding on which product to pick, the first thing that you should know is that sub $50 drones are specifically designed for two types of users; beginners who are looking for a cheap training tool, and children who can only operate simple and intuitive devices. With that being said, the factors that are involved in determining the quality of the drone are virtually the same across all price ranges. Below is a brief overview of some of them.
Whether the drone is for a child or a beginner, size is a crucial factor that should not be neglected. The device needs to be small enough so that it can be controlled with relative ease. Small drones are also much more convenient when it comes to storing them and carrying them around.
While high-end batteries are usually found in more expensive drones, you can still find decent options at the entry-level range. With a good battery, you can generally expect around 6 to 10 minutes of flight time and a little under an hour of charge time.
It goes without saying that you shouldn’t expect a lot of modes at this price point. However, if you are buying the drone for a child, you need to make sure that it at least has some basic functions that make control a little easier. The main ones to look out for are adjustable speed, headless mode, and altitude hold.
Every time you opt for a very cheap product, you run the risk of a getting a cheaply-made unit that doesn’t live up to your expectations. To avoid this, stick to established brands that have a proven track record with regard to high-quality products and great customer support
Children and beginners are likely to crash a drone more often than an experienced user. That is why you should always go with models that are not only made from premium materials but also feature additional safety measures such as propeller protection and fan grills.
A critical factor that you should be aware of before making a purchase is the availability of replacement parts. Regardless of how careful you are, you are going to need one somewhere down the line. Make sure that the brand you go with offers an abundance of spare parts at a reasonable rate.
The remote control is another component that needs to be tailored for children. The remote should be light, compact, and it needs to have well-labeled buttons that are very responsive. Conversely, Bulky remotes with confusing controls add an unnecessary learning curve for beginners.
1 – Can I trust the quality of these cheap drones?
A lot of people might be skeptical of the quality considering the low prices of these devices. In reality, there is no cause for concern since all the options that we picked were thoroughly tested. We can safely state that all of them have met our strict quality standards.
2 – Are these drones really children-friendly?
All the options that we picked are perfectly suited for young children. On top of boasting a sleek design that appeal to their preferences, these drones are simple to operate and pose no risk to them. Typically, their features consist of basic flight and control functions that are simple to pick up.
3 – Do I need prop guards?
Having prop guards is highly advisable for novice users. Some of the drones in this review already come with built-in ones. For the rest, consider investing in one if you want to shield your unit from damage. They are usually quite cheap the number of available options on the market is fairly high.
4 – What type of range can I expect at this price range?
Compared to high-end options, the drones that we reviewed are relatively underpowered and their range is comparatively more limited. Don’t expect to get anything farther than 100 meters from the starting point.
This model is one of the best selling drones in the sub $50 range. It is surprisingly well engineered for such an affordable option and it comes with several decent features that are geared toward making the flight as convenient and smooth as possible.
If you are a beginner, you will be glad to know that the HS170 is equipped with a high-end headless security system. This technology orients the device’s flight on the controller, which gives you more control over the flight of the drone. Moreover, the range in which it can operate is fairly decent for the price point and the flight time can exceed 8 minutes in conservative mode.
Some other interesting characteristics of the Holy Stone include the three different speed modes that allow you to customize the speed of the drone and the 6-axis gyro technology that facilitates flipping rolling. When it comes to quality to price ratio, this unit is truly hard to beat.
The pros
The cons
This is a perfect option for kids and novice users. The A20’s capabilities are tailored for users who simply want to have some fun without having to figure out complex features and functions. Moreover, its lightweight and compact dimensions make it easy to store and carry around.
As far as performance is concerned, this small unit does not disappoint. Unlike most entry-level options, the motor of the A20 is capable of delivering steady and smooth flights without emitting a lot of noise or overheating. As for control, it is made practical and simple thanks to two functions; the headless mode that orients the drone, and the altitude hold mode that allows you to maintain a steady height throughout the flight.
On top of the steady flight and easy control, this drone boasts a number of features that are designed to assist a beginner. The main ones that are the out of range alarms that let the user know when the flight range is exceeded and the low battery alarm that signals the depletion of charge.
The pros
The cons
The H823H is another model that is destined for beginners and children. Its frame has an eye-catching design and the remote greatly resembles a video game console controller. More notably, flying this unit is an absolute joy and its plethora of valuable functions makes it a worthy investment for anyone on a small budget.
The most remarkable aspect of the SNAPTAIN is without a doubt its wide range of maneuverability. In fact, this drone is capable of a number of moves that are exclusively seen in high-end models. These impressive flight capabilities are mostly owed to a combination of efficient engineering and several control modes that contribute to facilitating control.
Another thing that sets this drone apart from other similarly priced models is the inclusion of several safety features. This includes the propeller protection that protects the device from collusion, the LED lights that help users identify the direction, and the one key return function that automatically flies the drone back to the take-off point.
The pros
The cons
Don’t let the simplistic design of the Super Joy RC drone fool you. This compact quadcopter is packed with a lot of great features that make it worthy of your consideration. It was conceived with the intention of providing beginners with a convenient training tool that can help them learn in a fast and enjoyable manner.
When discussing this drone, the first thing that should be mentioned is the flight time. At 28 minutes, it is by far the longest in the entry-level price range. This is made possible thanks to its powerful motor and 2000mAh battery. Furthermore, the charge time is very fast, so you won’t have to wait for hours before you can get the drone airborne.
Control wise, the Super Joy RC exceeds all expectations. The 6-axis gyro stabilization system coupled with the headless security feature results in stable flights that are easy to control.
The pros
The cons
Don’t let the low price of these drones scare you off. Every item reviewed here would constitute a tremendous training tool for a complete beginner. The value for money that they offer is simply impressive and their simplicity completely removes the barriers to entry that are associated with operating advanced drones. Now that you are aware of all the moving parts of sub $50 drones, it is up to you to pick the one that you like the most.
Last update on 2024-12-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API