Drone reviews - 5 best drones under £500 2023
On 30 November 2019, every owner of a drone weighing 250g or more will have to register it with UK authorities and pass an online safety test.
The DJI Mini 2 SE is an outstanding choice for a sub-£500 drone. DJI's reputation for excellence in the drone market ensures that you're getting a high-quality product at an affordable price. Consider enhancing your experience with the Fly More kit, featuring two extra batteries for extended flight time and a convenient carry case. Even within a £500 budget, you'll have room to acquire essential accessories like a spacious SD card for storing your footage. This superb sub-250g drone boasts an impressive gimbal and exceptional flight capabilities, making it a well-rounded choice. It strikes the perfect balance between price and features, with only minor camera function differences compared to the Mini 2.
The DJI Mini 2 is a compact and foldable drone, similar to its larger Mavic siblings. Weighing under 249g, it doesn't require registration with aviation agencies in the US or UK, but local laws may apply.
DJI Mini 2 SE + Fly more kit
Key Features:
Sensor: 1/2.3-inch CMOS, 12MP
Lens: f/2.8, 24mm equivalent (84-degree FOV)
Weight: 249g
Video: 4K/30p, 1080/60p (100Mbps bit-rate)
Photos: 12MP (JPEG and raw)
Flight time: 31 minutes per charge
Transmission: OcuSync 2.0 transmission
Dimensions (folded): 131x81x58 mm
The standout feature of the Mini 2 is its new controller, emphasizing simplicity and ease of use. The DJI Fly app offers a balanced mix of simplicity and powerful features, catering to both casual and experienced users.
In terms of video quality, the Mini 2 impresses with rock-steady footage even in windy conditions. It offers 4K video recording and 12MP still images. While video processing tends to be cautious and underexposed in overcast scenes, the overall clarity is commendable. Digital zooming is possible up to 2x in 4K and 3x in 1080p.
The Mini 2 boasts excellent battery life, offering around 30 minutes of flight time on a single charge, extendable to 90 minutes with the Fly More Combo. The controller, with a 5,200mAh battery, charges your phone while connected.
The Mini 2's compact design, lightweight build, and impressive video capabilities make it a great choice for both beginners and enthusiasts. It offers advanced features while maintaining ease of use, making it a worthy addition to DJI's drone lineup.
Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5 stars)
DJI Mini 2 SE Drone+ Fly More Kit
The DJI Mavic Mini is an incredibly lightweight and compact drone, weighing just 249g. Despite its size, it boasts a fully stabilized 12-megapixel camera capable of shooting video up to 2.7K in resolution. The package includes a compact remote control with a transmission range of up to 2km, and it offers an impressive flight time of 30 minutes, comparable to larger drones.
The DJI Mavic is a compact and foldable drone, similar to its larger Mavic siblings. Weighing under 249g, it doesn't require registration with aviation agencies in the UK.
Key Features:
Ultra-light and compact design
Stabilized 12MP camera
Video recording up to 2.7K
30-minute flight time
Compact remote control included
DJI Mavic Mini
The DJI Mavic Mini is not just a toy; it's a serious drone with remarkable capabilities. Plus, its weight falls just below the limit set by new UK drone laws, so no registration is required. Despite some missing features like lateral obstacle sensors, it remains an excellent choice for drone enthusiasts.
Design:
Despite its small size, the DJI Mavic Mini impresses with its camera capabilities and flight performance, making it an excellent choice for drone enthusiasts. Its long flight time and compact design set it apart from the competition, making it a valuable addition to DJI's drone lineup.
Rating: ★★★★ (4.5/5 stars)
DJI Mavic Mini Drone
The HS720G drone is a remarkable piece of technology with a lot to offer. Its 2-axis motorized gimbal and 4K EIS Camera ensure that you capture stunning and vivid footage from a bird's-eye view, with exceptional stability and detail. The 5GHz FPV transmission extends your range and delivers smooth image transmission, allowing you to explore even further.
When it comes to outdoor performance, the HS720G shines with its powerful brushless motors and a 26-minute battery life. This combination guarantees a stable flight and ample time to capture those perfect shots. Its foldable design and included carrying case provide convenience and freedom for pilots to take it anywhere they please.
Holy Stone HS720G
This drone weighs more than 250g and you will have to register it with UK authorities.
Key Features:
Flight Time: Up to 26 minutes
Battery Capacity/Voltage: 3400mAh / 7.6V Battery
Charge Time: Approximately 4 hours
Remote Control Range: Up to 1000 meters
Control System: Phone or Remote Control
Number of Axis: 3-Axis Camera: Ultra HD 4K (3840 x 2160p) with a FOV of 110°
Folded Size: 17.3 x 10.4 x 5.6 cm Unfolded Size: 36.6 x 33.5 x 6.1 cm Weight: 478 grams
SD Card Port: Compatible with max 32GB
Built-In Camera: Yes
Live First Person View: Available 5G Transmission: Supported
GPS System: Included
Optical Flow Positioning: Yes
Position & Altitude Hold: Supported
Follow Me Mode: Included Return To Home: Supported
For beginners, the drone offers user-friendly features like Headless Mode, Automatic Take-off, Altitude Hold, and Optical Flow Positioning. The Emergency Stop and Smart Return to Home functions add an extra layer of security, making it an ideal choice for novice pilots.
Thanks to its robust GPS module and Optical Flow Positioning, the HS720G is not only safer but also more reliable, with exceptional anti-interference capabilities. This means you can enjoy flying without worrying about disruptions or distance limitations, making it perfect for outdoor adventures with family and friends.
Furthermore, the drone comes equipped with intelligent functions like Follow Me, Tap Fly, and Point of Interest, allowing you to capture incredible footage with ease. With the HS720G, your outdoor memories will come to life effortlessly, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced drone pilots alike.
Rating: ★★★★ (4/5 stars)
Holy Stone HS720G Drone
The ZLL SG906 MAX2 GPS Drone is an impressive piece of aerial technology that delivers on multiple fronts. Here's a brief review of its standout features:
Stability and Image Quality: The tri-axis mechanical gimbal is a standout feature, ensuring that the camera remains stable throughout flights. Coupled with the built-in electronic EIS anti-shake chip, it effectively eliminates image shake caused by flying, resulting in remarkably clear and stable recordings. Whether you're a budding filmmaker or just capturing memories, this drone ensures your footage is smooth and professional.
This drone weighs more than 250g and you will have to register it with UK authorities.
ZZL SG906 MAX2
Key Features
Drone weight:651g
Drone size.17.4*8.4*7CM(folded) 28.3*25.3*7CM(unfolded)
Video transmission range: 4000m Maximum
remote control range:4000 m
Camera:EIS+ 3-Axis Gimbal stabilised Camera
Video resolution:SD card: 3840*2160P 30fps; Mobile phone storage: 1920*1080P 30fps
Photo resolution:SD card: 3840*2160P;
Mobile phone storage: 3840*2160P
Battery capacity:7.6V 5000mAh
Maximum flight time:30 Minutes
Charging time:Approx 5-7 hours
Maximum supported TF cards:256GB (not included)
Wireless frequency:2.4Ghz/5.8Ghz
Impressive Range and Battery Life: With a 4KM FPV range, this drone lets you explore vast landscapes with ease. The remote control's repeater technology synchronizes flight and image transmission distances, guaranteeing uninterrupted connectivity. The large 7.6V 5000mAh intelligent battery extends your flight time to up to 30 minutes, allowing for extended aerial adventures and more opportunities to capture stunning visuals.
Safety First with Obstacle Avoidance: The 360° laser obstacle avoidance system provides peace of mind during flights. Navigating through forests and buildings is a breeze, as this drone can actively avoid obstacles in complex scenarios and even during night flights. This feature makes it beginner-friendly, ensuring a stable and safe flying experience.
Feature-Rich App: The drone's app center is a treasure trove of creative possibilities. With a brushless motor, 5-level wind resistance, GPS intelligent return home, orbital flight, route planning, gesture photo/video, headless mode, optical flow mode, and follow mode, there's no shortage of exciting functions to explore. These features cater to both beginners and experienced flyers, making every flight an enjoyable and dynamic experience.
In summary, the ZLL SG906 MAX2 GPS Drone is a versatile and powerful tool for aerial photography and videography enthusiasts. It combines stability, image quality, range, and safety features seamlessly, ensuring an enjoyable and reliable flying experience. Whether you're capturing breathtaking landscapes or simply having fun with its rich set of features, this drone is sure to impress with its performance and capabilities.
Rating: ★★★★ (4/5 stars)
The ZLL SG906 MAX2 GPS Drone
The ATOM SE drone is making waves in the world of aerial photography and videography, boasting an impressive set of features that cater to both beginners and seasoned drone enthusiasts. In this review, we'll dive into the key aspects of the ATOM SE, from its lightweight design to its advanced camera capabilities and flight performance.
One of the standout features of the ATOM SE is its compact and lightweight design. Weighing in at just 249 grams, this drone is easy to carry and store. In fact, it's so portable that it can easily fit in a jacket pocket, making it a convenient choice for those on the go.
Equipped with a 1/3-inch CMOS Sony Sensor, the ATOM SE can capture stunning 12MP photos and shoot 4K@30fps HD video. The camera's 118° FOV and adjustable vertical range from +20° to -90° ensure that you can capture a wide variety of shots with ease. What sets it apart is the exclusive ShakeVanish technology, which results in remarkably stable and smooth images.
Potensic ATOM SE
The SurgeFly flight control system offers beginner-friendly modes like Video, Normal, and Sport, allowing pilots of all skill levels to enjoy a flexible and easy flight control experience. In Sport Mode, the drone can reach a maximum speed of up to 16m/s in just 2.8 seconds, adding excitement to your aerial adventures.
The ATOM SE comes with two intelligent 2500mAh batteries, each offering an impressive 31 minutes of flight time. With a total of 62 minutes of flight time at your disposal, you'll have more freedom to capture creative moments from the sky.
With a control range of up to 4 kilometers (13,123 feet), the ATOM SE ensures you can explore your surroundings without limitations. PixSync 2.0 technology guarantees stable and consistent video transmission even in challenging conditions, with low latency for high-quality digital video.
The ATOM SE prioritizes safety with its GPS auto-return feature, ensuring the drone returns to its take-off point when it loses signal or runs low on power. Additional features like Follow Me, Waypoint Flight, and Circle Flight open up new possibilities for your aerial photography and video projects.
The ATOM SE supports firmware over-the-air (FOTA) updates, allowing you to keep your drone up-to-date with the latest improvements in flight experience and shooting quality.
Whether you're using an iOS or Android device, the ATOM SE has you covered. With adapter cables available for Micro, Type C, and Lightning connections, you can easily connect your smartphone to the remote control.
In conclusion, the ATOM SE drone is a remarkable piece of technology that combines portability, powerful camera capabilities, and user-friendly flight controls. Whether you're a photography enthusiast or simply looking to explore the world from a different perspective, the ATOM SE has the features and performance to deliver stunning aerial results. Stay updated with firmware updates to make the most of this impressive drone.