8 Best Drones Under 250g – Drone news and reviews
Greetings, fellow drone aficionados; since I first penned this article a few years back, the landscape of sub-250g drones has evolved dramatically. These lightweight flying marvels have soared to new heights in popularity and innovation, with an ever-expanding array of options available. After immersing myself in extensive research and personally experiencing the thrill of piloting some of these compact wonders, I’m delighted to present an updated version of my article showcasing the best drones under 250g for 2023. Buckle up and prepare to be amazed!
Why Should You Buy A Drone Under 250g?
Drones under 250g are very popular among casual flyers, drone enthusiasts and even professionals. There are many reasons why drones in the sub-250g category are popular. Some these reasons include the following:
- Regulatory benefits: In many countries, drones weighing more than 250 grams are subject to stricter regulations and registration requirements. By choosing a drone under this weight limit, users can avoid the hassle of registration and additional paperwork while still enjoying the benefits of drone ownership.- Portability: Smaller, lighter drones are much easier to carry around, making them ideal for travellers, adventure enthusiasts, and content creators constantly on the move. Their small, foldable compact design allows for easy storage in backpacks or camera bags without adding significant bulk or weight.
- Ease of use: Drones under 250 grams are often designed with beginners in mind, providing user-friendly features and intuitive controls. This makes them a perfect choice for those new to the world of drones or for casual users who want to capture stunning aerial footage without a steep learning curve.
- Safety: Lightweight drones pose less of a risk, as their reduced mass and smaller size will reduce the risk of any serious injury or damage. This makes them a more attractive option for beginners.
- Affordability: Drones under 250 grams are generally more budget-friendly than their heavier counterparts. Their lower price point makes them accessible to a wider range of users, from hobbyists to professionals looking for a secondary drone for specific tasks.
- Noise reduction: Smaller, lighter drones typically produce less noise during operation, making them less intrusive and more suitable for use in areas where noise pollution is a concern.
- 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor
- 48MP images
- Panorama and AEB photography modes
- Records videos in 4k at 60fps, 2.7k at 60fps & 1080p at 60fps
- HDR videos & images
- Intelligent video recording with Quickshots & Mastershots
- 3-way obstacle avoidance system
- Autonomous flight modes
- 34 minutes of flight time
- 12km transmission range
- Large image sensor for a sub-250g drone
- Good camera performance in low-light conditions
- The d-Cinelike colour profile for HDR videos
- DJI O3 for long-range video transmission
- Active Track, POI and Spotlight autonomous flight modes
- Mastershots and Quickshots for one-tap cinematic videos
- Geared towards professionals.
- It's an expensive drone
- The Mini 3 has a longer flight time of 38 minutes.
- There is no obstacle avoidance system with the Mini 3.
- The Mini 3 lacks autonomous flight modes like Active Track, POI, and Waypoint.
- 1/1.3-inch sensor with f/1.7 aperture and 82.1°
- 48MP still images
- Records 4K videos at 30fps, 2.7k at 60fps
- AEB, Panorama and HDR photography modes
- Quickshots
- Automatic return to home
- 38 minutes of flight time
- 10km video transmission range
- Longest flight time for a sub-250g drone
- Stunning camera captures amazing videos and photos
- HDR Video and images
- Long transmission range
- Cheaper than the Mini 3 Pro
- No obstacle avoidance
- No autonomous flight modes
- 1/1.28- inch CMOS sensor with RYYB filter
- 50MP still images (RAW & JPEG)
- Records videos in 4K@30FPS, 2.7K@60FPS
- HDR Images & Videos
- 16× Digital Zoom
- Intelligent flight modes
- Obstacle avoidance system
- 4 Quick Shots
- 10km Range
- 28 Minutes Of Flight Time
- Powerful camera with a large image sensor with RYYB filter
- Fantastic low-light camera performance
- Autofocus technology
- Intelligent features such as Dynamic Track and SkyPortrait
- Autel SkyApp is user-friendly and comes with some cool features
- Long video transmission range
- Flight time could be better
- Limited obstacle avoidance system
- 1/2.3- inch CMOS sensor
- 12MP still images (RAW & JPEG)
- Records 4K videos at 30FPS, 2.7K at60FPS
- Auto Exposure Bracketing For HDR Images
- 4X Digital Zoom
- 5 Quick Shots
- OcuSync 2.0 Transmission Technology
- 10km Range
- 30 Minutes Of Flight Time
- Long flight time
- Long transmission range
- Fantastic live video feed
- Allows users to capture short videos with the Quickshot feature.
- Decent wind resistance
- Compatible with third-party apps like Litchi and Drone Link
- No Active Track, orbit or waypoint flight modes
- No obstacle avoidance
- 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor
- 12MP images (RAW & JPEG)
- Records videos in 2.7k at 30fps
- 4x digital zoom
- 5 Quickshots
- 3-axis gimbal
- 31 minutes of flight time
- 10km video transmission range
- Long flight time
- Long transmission range
- Fantastic live video feed
- Allows users to capture short videos with the Quickshot feature.
- Decent wind resistance
- No Active Track, orbit or waypoint flight modes
- No obstacle avoidance
- Currently not compatible with any third-party flight apps
- 1/2.3-inch sensor
- 12MP images
- Records videos in 2.7k at 30fps
- 3-axis gimbal
- 5 Quickshots
- Automatic return to home
- 30 minutes of flight time
- 4km transmission range
- Excellent entry-level drone for photography
- The 2.7k videos are very good quality
- 3-axis gimbal for image and video stabilisation
- One of the cheapest GPS drones from DJI
- Easy to operate
- No follow-me mode
- No obstacle avoidance
- 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor
- 12MP still images (JPEG)
- Records videos in 2.7K at 30fps,1080p at 60fps
- 720p Live video feed
- Enhanced WiFi Transmission Technology
- 4km Range
- 30-minute Of Flight Time
- 4 Quick Shots
- Very good camera quality
- Captures crisp still images
- 3-axis gimbal
- Stable flight in mildly windy conditions
- One of the shortest video transmission range for a DJI drone
- No intelligent flight modes
- No obstacle avoidance sensors
- 1/1.3-inch Sony image sensor
- 12MP images
- Records video footage in 4k at 30fps
- Electronic image stabilisation
- Follow me, orbit and waypoint intelligent flight modes
- 31 minutes of flight time
- 4km video transmission range
- HD 4K camera captures amazing videos and photos
- ShakeVanish image stabilisation
- Cheapest 4K camera drone
- Long flight time
- Good video transmission range
- No 3-axis gimbal
No obstacle avoidance
Not stable in windy conditions
What is the best DJI Drone Under 250 grams?
As you will have noticed, this list is dominated by DJI; this is because when the rules for sub-250g drones were set in 2015 by the FAA, DJI made a commitment to manufacturing more drones in this category as drones under this weight were deemed safer and did not require registration. The best DJI drone in the sub-250g category is the DJI Mini 3 Pro.
Rules For Drones Under 250 Grams
In the United States, the FAA has established specific regulations for drones weighing less than 250g. These lightweight drones are exempt from registration requirements and have fewer restrictions when it comes to flying for recreational purposes. If you are a beginner, you will need to pass the FAA TRUST exam; this is a new test developed by the FAA specifically for recreational pilots and is free to take online However, if you plan on flying for commercial reasons, you will need to obtain the Part 107 certificate and register the drone.
In the UK, the CAA requires anyone who flies a drone that has a camera to obtain a Flyer and Operator ID. As all the drones on this list meet this criteria, you will need to get these IDs if you live in the UK.
Drone regulations vary significantly from country to country. When travelling abroad with your drone, it is essential to research the specific rules and requirements of your destination to avoid fines or confiscation of your equipment. Some countries may require registration, while others may have strict no-fly zones or limitations on drone usage.
Final Thoughts
In this blog post, we have explored the best drones under 250g, highlighting their features, advantages, and disadvantages. These lightweight drones offer a range of capabilities, making them suitable for various users, from beginners to experienced pilots. By considering factors such as flight time, camera quality, range, stability, price, and safety features, you can make an informed decision on the best drone in this weight category for your needs.
FAQsDo you need to register a drone under 250g?
In the United States, according to the FAA regulations, drones weighing less 250 grams do not need to be registered, and operators do not need a license to fly them for recreational purposes. However, if you plan to use your drone for commercial purposes, you will need to obtain a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, regardless of the drone’s weight.
In the UK, you will need to obtain a Flyer and Operator ID from the CAA, the Flyer ID will require you to pass an online test that consists of 40 multiple-choice questions. It’s easy to pass as you are allowed to reference the Drone Code (the official guide for drone pilots in the UK) while taking the test.
Can you fly drones under 250 grams anywhere?
No, the rules for where you can operate drones apply to all drones, including drones under 250g. So, you must follow the rules and regulations of your local aviation authority.
Is remote ID required for drones under 250 grams?
If you have a drone that weighs under 250g and only fly it for recreational purposes, remote ID for this drone is not required because it does not need to be registered. However, if you use it for commercial purposes or make money with it some other way, you will need to register the drone, and it will require a remote ID.
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