If you wonder how much is a drone, you should consider its size and purpose first.

While some drones are tiny and are used as toys, others are photography drones that are larger and perform various functions, and so on. 

Drones come in different price ranges – from $50 to $10,000 and over.

In this post, you’ll discover the expected price ranges of different drone categories.

 

Drones Prices


Here are the different drone categories and their respective price ranges:

  1. Drones for First-Time Pilots – $50-$100
  2. Beginner-Friendly Drones – $100-$300
  3. Entry-Level Photography Drones – $300-$500
  4. Mid-Level Drones – $500-$2000
  5. Professional Drones – $2000-$5000
  6. Commercial Drones – $3000 and above

how much is a drone

 

Drones for First-Time Pilots | $50-$100

These drones are for those who are exploring flying a drone for the first time. To start off with drone photography, it’s best to first learn how to operate a drone with a basic, low-cost drone model. It will help to build confidence through frequent practice of piloting such a drone. Besides, you don’t want to practice with a super-expensive drone and end up crashing it!

So, as a first-time pilot, starting off with a $50-$1000 drone is a great idea. Even if such a drone crashes, you won’t need to worry much. Also, even though the drones in this category come cheap, they are great in helping you understand how to operate the controls.

Here are some drones for first-time pilots (under $100) that fall in this price range:

Ryze Tech Tello – Our Top Pick!

Ryze Tech Tello - Mini Drone Quadcopter UAV for Kids Beginners 5MP Camera HD720 Video 13min Flight Time Education Scratch Programming Toy Selfies, powered by DJI, White
  • Equipped with a high-quality image processor, the Tello drone shoots incredible...
  • Camera features 5MP (2592x1936) photos and HD720 videos at a maximum flight time of...
  • Tello has two antennas that make video transmission extra stable and a high-capacity...

Force1 U45W FPV Drone with Camera for Adults 

Force1 U45W FPV Drone with Camera for Adults - VR Ready Quadcopter RTF Remote Control Drone with 720p HD Wide Angle Drone Camera, 6 Axis Gyro, Altitude Hold, Headless Mode, and 2 Drone Batteries
1,648 Reviews
Force1 U45W FPV Drone with Camera for Adults - VR Ready Quadcopter RTF Remote Control Drone with 720p HD Wide Angle Drone Camera, 6 Axis Gyro, Altitude Hold, Headless Mode, and 2 Drone Batteries
  • VR Headset Compatible RC Drone with Camera: Fly with your drone and experience First...
  • User-Friendly Beginner Drone for Adults: Take control of this RTF drone with the...
  • Fly With Your Phone: Use Gravity Mode when you download the FlyingSee app to fly this...

Find the full list of the drones under $100>>>

Do you need some tips on how to fly a drone?

Read this article to find the ultimate guide for the first-time drone pilots.

Beginner-Friendly Drones | $100-$300

While you’re learning how to fly, you may at some point feel the need to have more features like GPS or a better camera, so that you’re able to get to the next level with ease. Enter – the category of beginner-friendly drones, with a plethora of features that will help you learn how to operate a drone and shoot some wonderful aerial shots.

Drones in this category are also faster than the previous one. The price range for such drones is $100-$300. Owing to their advancements, these drones are much more fun to pilot.

Here are some beginner-friendly drones(under $300) that fall in this price range:

Ruko F11 Pro – Stable Drone with Amazing Battery Life

SPECIAL SALE
Ruko F11PRO Drones with Camera for Adults 4K UHD Camera 60 Mins Flight Time with GPS Auto Return Home Brushless Motor, Compliance with FAA Remote ID, Black (with Carrying Case)
7,990 Reviews
Ruko F11PRO Drones with Camera for Adults 4K UHD Camera 60 Mins Flight Time with GPS Auto Return Home Brushless Motor, Compliance with FAA Remote ID, Black (with Carrying Case)
  • 【𝐅𝐀𝐀 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞】The Ruko F11PRO drone...
  • 【6𝟎 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐅𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞】F11PRO 4K drone...
  • 【𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐆𝐢𝐟𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫...

Potensic ATOM SE – Affordable Drone 4K

SPECIAL SALE
Potensic ATOM SE Drones with Camera for Adults 4K EIS, Under 249g, 4KM Long Transmission, Level 5 Wind Resistance, 31 Mins Flight, GPS Auto Return, Portable and Foldable Drone for Beginners
2,549 Reviews
Potensic ATOM SE Drones with Camera for Adults 4K EIS, Under 249g, 4KM Long Transmission, Level 5 Wind Resistance, 31 Mins Flight, GPS Auto Return, Portable and Foldable Drone for Beginners
  • 【𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥,...
  • 【𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫-𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐲,...
  • 【𝟒𝐊 𝐄𝐈𝐒 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐚 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐲...

Find the full list of the drones under $300>>>

Entry-Level Photography Drones | $300-$500

These drones are meant for entry-level drone photographers who are looking to capture some high-quality aerial shots. The camera of such drones is significantly more advanced, with great stabilization owing to the presence of a gimbal. This helps eliminate unpleasant shakes and jitters while you’re shooting from above so you get pleasing shots.

Drones in this category come in the price range of $300-$500. They have a video resolution of 1080p to 2.7K and a 12-MP sensor.

Here are some entry-level photography drones that fall in this price range:

DJI Spark – Superb Entry-level Drone by DJI

SPECIAL SALE
DJI Spark with Remote Control Combo (White)
441 Reviews
DJI Spark with Remote Control Combo (White)
  • DJI spark remote control Combo includes remote controller and standard spark...
  • 2-Axis Stabilized Gimbal Camera 12MP Still Photos/ 1080P/30 Video gesture and Tap Fly...
  • Flight autonomy with obstacle detection subject tracking from various angles GPS- &...

DJI Mavic Mini – Compact yet Powerful Camera Drone

DJI Mavic Mini - Drone FlyCam Quadcopter UAV with 2.7K Camera 3-Axis Gimbal GPS 30min Flight Time, less than 0.55lbs, Gray
  • The compact yet powerful Mavic Mini camera drone is the perfect creative companion,...
  • Weighing less than 0.55lbs by 250 grams, Mavic Mini is almost as light as the average...
  • Mavic Mini supports 12MP aerial photos and 2.7K HD videos. A 3-axis motorized gimbal...

DJI Mini 2 – Best Portable & Lightweight Drone for Entry-Level Photography

DJI Mini 2 – Ultralight and Foldable Drone Quadcopter, 3-Axis Gimbal with 4K Camera, 12MP Photo, 31 Mins Flight Time, OcuSync 2.0 10km HD Video Transmission, QuickShots Gray
4,120 Reviews
DJI Mini 2 – Ultralight and Foldable Drone Quadcopter, 3-Axis Gimbal with 4K Camera, 12MP Photo, 31 Mins Flight Time, OcuSync 2.0 10km HD Video Transmission, QuickShots Gray
  • 【PACK LIGHT, FLY FREE】: at less than 249 g, it weighs about as much as an apple...
  • 【3-AXIS GIMBAL WITH 4K CAMERA】: a 12mp camera in the sky delivers content...
  • 【OCUSYNC 2.0 VIDEO TRANSMISSION】: mini 2 supports up to 10km of hd video...

Find the full list of the drones under $500>>>

Mid-Level Drones | $500-$2000

If you’re a trained aerial photographer who wants to seriously upgrade the quality of your drone shots, then the mid-level drones will unleash a world of possibilities and dramatic improvements. Drones in this category feature a 3-axis gimbal, 4K camera resolution, and a 48-MP sensor.

Furthermore, drones in this category have higher-quality computing ability and higher-end software for better image processing. This helps you get HDR captures with significantly better white-balanced shots. Apart from the advanced camera, these drones also offer improved flight safety. Such drones come in the $500-$2000 range.

Here are some mid-level drones that fall in this price range:

DJI Mavic Pro – Drone with Sophisticated Camera

DJI Mavic Pro 4K Quadcopter with Remote Controller, 2 Batteries, with 1-Year Warranty - Gray
226 Reviews
DJI Mavic Pro 4K Quadcopter with Remote Controller, 2 Batteries, with 1-Year Warranty - Gray
  • Mavic Pro + 1 Extra New Battery
  • Offers up to 4.3 miles (7km) of transmission range - Fly at up to 40mph (64kmh) or...
  • Gimbal-Stabilized 12MP / 4K Camera

DJI Air 2S – Lightweight Consumer Camera Drone

SPECIAL SALE
DJI Air 2S, Drone Quadcopter UAV with 3-Axis Gimbal Camera, 5.4K Video, 1-Inch CMOS Sensor, 4 Directions of Obstacle Sensing, 31 Mins Flight Time, 12km 1080p Video Transmission, MasterShots, Gray
2,832 Reviews
DJI Air 2S, Drone Quadcopter UAV with 3-Axis Gimbal Camera, 5.4K Video, 1-Inch CMOS Sensor, 4 Directions of Obstacle Sensing, 31 Mins Flight Time, 12km 1080p Video Transmission, MasterShots, Gray
  • 【1-INCH IMAGE SENSOR】Equipped with a 1-inch image sensor and large 2.4μm pixels,...
  • 【MASTERSHOTS】The next evolution of QuickShots, MasterShots is an advanced...
  • 【THE CENTER OF ATTENTION】FocusTrack features Spotlight 2.0, ActiveTrack 4.0, and...

DJI Mavic 2 Zoom – Drone Camera with Two-Times Optical Zoom

DJI Mavic 2 Zoom
39 Reviews
DJI Mavic 2 Zoom
  • Product Type:Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
  • Item Package Weight:2.5 Kilograms
  • Item Package Dimension:11.0 cm L X28.0 cm W X28.4 cm H

 

Professional Drones | $2000-$5000

Professional drones have truly revolutionized aerial photography. These drones are increasingly being used today, whether it is for pro-level filmmaking or photography. They are large in size and costly. Their large size is owing to the fact that they can carry advanced cameras that are big and heavy. These drones can even tow all the remote controls.

Drones in this category are usually priced between $2000-$5000.

Here are some professional drones that fall in this price range:

DJI Inspire 2 – Premium Drone for Filmmakers

DJI Inspire 2 Drone
  • Efficient workflow
  • Sense and avoid
  • Spotlight Pro; Compatible with 5.2K Gimbal Cameras

DJI Mavic 2 Pro – Equipped with a Hasselblad Camera

DJI Mavic 2 Pro - Drone Quadcopter UAV with Hasselblad Camera 3-Axis Gimbal HDR 4K Video Adjustable Aperture 20MP 1' CMOS Sensor, up to 48mph, Gray
570 Reviews
DJI Mavic 2 Pro - Drone Quadcopter UAV with Hasselblad Camera 3-Axis Gimbal HDR 4K Video Adjustable Aperture 20MP 1" CMOS Sensor, up to 48mph, Gray
  • Equipped with a Hasselblad L1D-20c camera with a 20MP 1” CMOS Sensor, the Mavic 2...
  • Up to 31 minutes flight time, 44 mph max speed, 907G takeoff weight, 3-axis gimbal...
  • Functions include ActiveTrack 2.0, Omnidirectional Obstacle Sensing, Hyperlapse,...

DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise – Features High-quality attachments

DJI Mavic 3 Classic (Drone Only), Drone with 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad Camera, 5.1K HD Video, 46-Min Flight Time, Omnidirectional Obstacle Sensing, Remote Controller Sold Separately, FAA Remote ID Compliant
  • 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad Camera - The legendary Swedish brand Hasselblad customized the...
  • FAA Remote ID Compliant - DJI Mavic 3 Classic complies with the FAA Remote ID rule....
  • 46-Min Max Flight Time - Compatible with Mavic 3-Series batteries for up to 40...

Find the full list of the professional drones>>>

 

Commercial Drones | $3000 & Above

There’s a slight difference between professional and commercial drones. While professional drones are usually meant for pro-level drone pilots who want to do filmmaking and photography as a profession, commercial drones are specifically meant for special functions like mapping, inspection, passenger flight, and even package delivery.

Most commercial drones feature an infrared camera that produces practical thermal imaging in location search, surveying, and rescue tasks. Commercial drones carry the required payloads and safety kits, such as more lights and parachutes. These drones are expensive and are usually priced above $3000.

Here is the best commercial drone that fall in this price range:

DJI Matrice 300 – Highly Adjustable

DJI Mavic 3 Pro with DJI RC, Flagship Triple-Camera Drone with 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad Camera, 43-Min Flight Time, with 128 GB Micro SD Card, 3.0 USB Card Reader, Landing Pad, Waterproof Backpack and More
  • Massive Bundle for the Pros, see description for items included
  • Hasselblad Main Camera - Mavic 3 Pro has a 4/3 CMOS sensor, 24mm format equivalent,...
  • Medium Tele Camera - Mavic 3 Pro camera drone has a 1/1.3-inch CMOS, 70mm equivalent,...

 

 

Thanks for reading!

I hope this guide helped you find out all about the expected price ranges of different drone categories 🙂

 

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