Seeing the world from the skies was a gift previously only given to birds, bats, and astronauts, but a camera-equipped quadcopter lets anybody fly. If you’re thinking about picking up a drone for the first time, or want a new one to play with, PCMag has the scoop. We’ve got offers on copters from all of the major brands. A worthwhile drone will have solid battery life, good handling, quality cameras, and intuitive controls, and we extensively test drones from many different companies. With that information, we can then let you know which drones are tricks and which are treats.
Best Deals on Drones Right Now
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So if you’re ready to try a new hobby, or pick up a more advanced drone to test your skills, these flyers are more attainable than ever. Throw in retailer discounts and you’re ready for takeoff. We’ve paged through all the major retailers to find offers on drones for beginners and pros alike. Here are the best drone deals we’ve found from the leading quadcopter brands in October.
DJI Neo Drone Deal
DJI Neo Mini Drone
4K/30fps video, 12MP camera, 18 minutes flight time.
$159.00
at Amazon
$199.00
Save $40.00
For a lightweight option, the DJI Neo is a top pick. We gave it a very positive review, with praise for its featherweight build that lets you take off and land from the palm of your hand, as well as the impressive automated flight modes. The 4K camera is a solid performer, mounted on the nose with 30fps video at 4K,and 30, 50, or 60fps at 1080p. It does lack camera modes and more advanced processing, so if you’re a serious shutterbug you might want something a little bigger. If size is an issue, though, the Neo stands apart, especially for $40 off.
Holy Stone Drone Deal
Holy Stone HS600D Drone
4K/30fps video, 8K camera, 80 minutes flight time.
$469.99
at Amazon
$499.99
Save $30.00
Amazon has a $30 coupon right now for the Holy Stone HS600D, a fun and feature-packed drone that is larger and more powerful than most of its beginner competition. With an 8K camera mounted on a three-axis gimbal, it captures high-quality photos and videos, and the bigger battery gives you 40 minutes of flight time in between charges, which is very impressive. This bundle comes with a controller, two batteries and a carrying case as well, making it a solid bargain.
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Potensic Drone Deal
Potensic Atom SE GPS Drone
4K/30fps video, 4K camera, 62 minutes flight time.
$248.99
at Amazon
$299.99
Save $51.00
Potensic is a reliable name in mid-priced quadcopters, with solid construction, light weights and decent controls. The Atom SE is a beginner-targeted machine that weighs in at under 249 grams, so you don’t need to register it with the Federal Aviation Administration. It’s simple to launch and has both beginner controls and three dedicated flight modes: one for capturing video, one for speed and performance, and one in the middle. Each battery gets you 31 minutes of flight time, and a control range of over 13,000 feet will let you push that to the max. Fun little machine at 7% off, plus a $20 on-page coupon.
Bwine Drone Deal
Bwine F7MINI SE GPS Drone
4K/30fps video, 4K camera, 70 minutes flight time.
$126.78
at Amazon
$249.98
Save $123.20
This isn’t a top-brand quadcopter, but with a 37% discount and a $30 on-page coupon it’s certainly worth your notice. Weighing in at 238 grams means you don’t have to register it with the FAA before you fly, and the 4K camera is surprisingly decent, although you might want to pick up an SD card to improve the machine’s onboard storage. GPS functionality lets you command the copter to return when the battery is low, when the signal from the controller is lost, or with the touch of a button. With a maximum distance of 9,842 feet and a pair of batteries, you can have a jolly old time with this drone.
Recommended by Our Editors
Ruko Drone Deal
Ruko F11PRO Drone
4K/30fps video, 4K camera, 30 minutes flight time.
$239.99
at Amazon
$299.99
Save $60.00
This midrange drone doesn’t excel in any individual category but is a good all-rounder, with 30 minutes of battery life per battery charge, a flight range just under 4,000 feet and efficient brushless motors. The controls are simple to use and versatile, and video quality is solid. GPS functionality allows for control even when you can’t see the copter. Right now, Amazon just saw a permanent price drop and added an additional $50 coupon, but we don’t expect it to last long.
Snaptain Drone Deal
Snaptain E10 1080p Drone
1080p/30fps video, 1080p camera, 18 minutes flight time.
$129.99
at Best Buy
$159.99
Save $30.00
On a tight budget this year? You can still take to the skies with a modestly priced copter at a nice discount. Snaptain is one of the better-trusted brands in the entry-level drone space, and the E10 definitely has its limitations—lack of GPS functionality and a flight range of just 500 feet the most notable—but still feels fun to zip around, captures adequate 1080p stills and video, and is easy to pack up and cart around. This bundle comes with a carrying case and two batteries as well, so for $130 it’s a heck of a deal.
More Drone Deals For 2025
*Deals are selected by our commerce team
FAQ
Do I Need a License to Fly a Drone?
We have an extensive guide to everything you need to know about drone operation, but here’s the quick version. If you’re piloting a drone for recreational (non-commercial) reasons, you do not need to get a license from the Federal Aviation Administration, but you do need to take and pass the free online Trust test. You can’t just fly anywhere; however, you’ll need to avoid restricted airspace—so you can’t fly in Washington D.C., national parks, or above major sporting events, plus keep your drone away from major airports and under 400 feet altitude (above ground level). These restrictions vary for commercial operators as well as drones under a certain weight. For example, recreational pilots must register with the FAA to fly any drone that weighs 0.55 pounds (249g) or more, but can otherwise skip that step. On the other hand, commercial pilots have to register every drone they fly, even ultra-light models.
How Do I Register My Drone?
FAA rules require registering any drone over 0.55 pounds at the FAA DroneZone website. That registration costs $5 and is valid for three years. You will need to be over the age of 13 to register a drone and provide personal information, including address, phone number and the model number and serial number of your drone. Learn more in our complete guide to drone flying.
What Kind of Camera Do I Need for My Drone?
As you’d expect, the nicer the camera, the more you can expect to pay for a drone. Many drones support 4K resolution, and you should make sure to seek one out with a three-axis gimbal for stabilization to enjoy smooth, stable video. Higher-end models may not push any more pixels but improve upon video quality with higher-quality compression and 10-bit color sampling. Still, if you’re not interested in the video angle and just want to fly, there’s no reason to shell out extra money for a fancier camera when a 1080p one will be fine. Racing drones cut down on the camera equipment for lighter weight and more powerful propellers, making them a good option in that case. We rated the DJI Mavic Pro 3 as the best option on the market for image and video quality, but it’s overkill for beginners. The DJI Mini 3 and Mini 4 Pro both provide killer picture and video quality in a smaller package; the latter includes optical avoidance, too.
Which Drone Is Best for Being on a Budget?
It’s easy to spend a ton of cash on a drone, but not necessary. Many of the leading manufacturers make affordable options. In our rundown of the best drones on the market, we said that the DJI Mini 3 was the best drone for creators on a budget. When we reviewed that model, we said that it was “a strong option for fewer dollars than the Pro edition and a good fit for pilots who don’t need obstacle detection but want a better-than-basic camera.” With a solid camera and easy controls, it’ll do everything you need it to.
Are Cheap Drones Harder to Fly?
It depends on how cheap you’re talking. In our extensive guide on how to fly a drone, we go deep into the various control options and automated piloting assistants that quadcopters come with. Most reputable manufacturers are going to include at least some of those in their budget models, and there is a 15-minute knowledge test you need to pass before you take off. The only drones that might be less stable or controllable are the ultra-cheap models that you can find at Amazon and Walmart, which often suffer from inferior build quality.
Which Drone Is Best for Beginners?
Starting from scratch in your aerial journey? We’ve got a whole guide on the best drones for beginners, but we’ll summarize it here. A beginner drone should be relatively affordable, easy to assemble and launch, and ideally offer user-friendly navigation features like GPS that allow it to return to you if you lose track of it. Our top pick was the DJI Mini Pro 4. In our review, we said that it “does nearly everything right,” praising its lightweight, easy storage, and 360-degree obstacle avoidance sensors. If you can’t afford the Mini 4 Pro, the Mini 3 is very similar (minus obstacle avoidance), and the Mini 2 4K or Mini 2 SE are the best true budget options.
How Much Should You Spend on a Good Drone?
Even with the deals and discounts we bring you, drone prices can occupy a wide range. Obviously, you want to hit the sweet spot where you get the most features for the lowest price, but exactly where is that? You can check out our rundown of the top drones to see a general overview, but to get more specific, anything under $200 will probably not be good for anything but learning the ropes and goofing around, but won’t provide professional-grade video or the safety features beginners should have. Intermediate drones typically range up to $600 and are built to last, with better cameras and useful features. Above that, you’re in the “prosumer” market, which is probably not where you want to be as a hobbyist. The DJI Mini 2 SE ($279) is the best cheap drone we’ve tested and is also available with an upgraded camera in the form of the Mini 2 4K ($299).
Where Can I Find the Lowest Prices on Drones?
DJI drones tend to sell for the same price at every retailer like Amazon. Like many camera companies, DJI works with authorized resellers who enforce minimum advertised pricing, which means that it’s up to DJI, not the resellers, as to when to put drones on sale.
Are There Bundle Deals That Include Drone Accessories?
Yes, drones are frequently available in bundles that usually include a carrying case, additional flight batteries, and a few sets of replacement propellers. DJI calls its bundles Fly More Combos, and Autel refers to them as Premium. Getting a drone with an accessory bundle is typically a good deal and saves money versus buying extra batteries separately.
Do Drones Go on Sale During Amazon Prime Days or Black Friday?
Yes! Like most things tech, you’re going to see your biggest price drops during the biggest “shopping holidays” of the year. But in the meantime, you can always check out PCMag’s Deals coverage for the lowest prices of the moment.
About Our Expert
K. Thor Jensen
Contributing Writer
Experience
K. Thor Jensen is a writer and cartoonist living in the Pacific Northwest. He has contributed to dozens of prestigious outlets, including PCMag, Tested, Clickhole, and Newsweek. His second graphic novel, Cloud Stories, was released in 2017.
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