As we’re getting closer to the gift giving season I was thinking about what a reasonable amount to pay is to get a quality drone suitable for beginners. Generally, the more you pay, the higher quality you get and more features but it’s around the $300 that you start to see drones go from toy-like models to having some decent functionality.
All Round Best Drone Under $300
Holy Stone HS720E
PROS
- Best camera :
- 4k stills
- 4k video at 30 or 60 fps
- Widest FOV of 130 degrees
- Level 7 wind resistance: up to 60km/hr wind speeds
CONS
- No gimbal
- Needs to be registered (495g)
- Lower flight time (23 minutes per battery)
When weighing up which drone had the best features across the board, the Holy Stone HS720E kept coming up on top.
I’ve also done a comparison of the HS720E to the Roku F11 Pro drone and full review of the Holy Stone HS720E to weigh up the pros and cons because it’s one of the most affordable 4K drones available at the moment.
HS720E Camera
I’m really impressed at the quality of the camera the Holy Stone is able to produce at this price. The HS720E has both 4k photos and video, with the option of 30 or 60 frames per second. The field of view is 130 degrees which is much wider than DJI offers for there SE model which is in this price range.
However, take note that this drone doesn’t actually have a gimbal, it uses electronic image stabilization.
HS720E Wind Resistance
Thanks to being a bigger drone with a bit more weight behind it, this drone has very good wind resistance. It can withstand winds up to 60km/h which gives a level 7 wind resistance rating.
Some drone enthusiasts might consider the heavier weight and bigger build a downside if they don’t want the bother of needing to register the drone with the FAA.
Best Drone Under $300: Longest Flight Time
Ruko F11 Mini
PROS
- Good flight time (30 minutes per battery)
- 4K Photos
- Doesn’t require FAA registration
CONS
- Only 2 axis gimbal (3 is better)
- 2k Video
The price of the Roku F11 Mini varies a bit online but if you use the link above, this retailer usually has this model at a discount bringing the price under $300.
Ruko F11 Mini Camera Quality
Overall the Ruko F11 Mini has decent camera, it only has 2K video but can capture 4K images. It has a 2 axial gimbal for image stabilization, which is middle of the road (3 axial gimbals are always preferred). Ruko has included 4k photos AND video in their F11 Gim drone.
The field of view is 120 degrees, slightly narrower than the HS720E (130 degrees).
The camera rotates 90 degrees in the vertical direction to change from forward looking vision to underneath the drone.
Ruko F11 Mini Wind Resistance
The Ruko F11 Mini has moderate wind resistance, it can withstand wind speeds up to 25.2km/hr (level 4 wind resistance).
For more on Ruko’s drone range, I’ve also written reviews on the Ruko F11, F11 Pro and GIM.
Best Drone Under $300: Longest Range
DJI Mini SE
PROS
- Longest range from transmitter (4km)
- 3 Axis gimbal for image stabilization
CONS
- Narrow FOV (83 degrees)
- Average camera resolution
The DJI Mini SE has a far greater transmission range than other drones under $300. The Roku F11 Mini and Holy Stone 720E both have a range of 1640ft ( 500m).
The DJI Mini SE is the cheapest model in DJI’s Mini series followed by the Mini 2 and the Mini Pro 3. I’ve done a full breakdown of the DJI Mini SE compared to the Mini 2 and overall the Mini SE packs some really good quality into this budget version of the Mini series.
What level wind resistance is the DJI Mini SE?
The Mini SE can handle wind speeds up to 37.8km/hr which is Level 5 wind resistance. This is better than the Ruko F11 Mini which has level 4 wind resistance.
Is the camera in the DJI Mini SE any good?
It’s average…For most hobbyists the Mini SE camera will be perfectly fine but many people are now looking for 4k resolution which is the next step up.
The camera in the Mini SE has a 12MP camera with 1 / 2.3” sensor which gives decent photos for sharing on social media and viewing online (2.7k resolution). It basically has the same camera as the version up (Mini 2). The Mini 3 Pro has an improved camera capable of 4k resolution photography.
Even though the resolution of the camera on this drone is lower than the other drones reviewed here, the DJI Mini SE has the benefit of a 3 axial gimbal for image stabilisation so it may we worth compromising on resolution to get a clearer shot if you don’t need UHD photos and video.
Smart Features : Can the DJI Mini SE follow me?
The DJI Mini SE can perform smart features like follow me by using third party apps like Litchi.
Follow mode makes the drone fly at a set distance regardless of whether the drone can actually see you. This is handy when the line of site might be intercepted by trees or if you go through a tunnel.
The drone maintains the distance to the controller – not a visual object which give a reliable feed that doesn’t drop out. Another nice option in the Litchi app is having the option to change altitude on the go.
Can DJI Mini SE Fly without a phone?
Yes, the Mini SE can be flown with the DJI controller only, the phone doesn’t need to be connected. The Mini 2 and Mini 3 Pro both have the option to be flown with the original basic controller or the smart controller which has a built in LCD screen so you have live stream without using your phone.
Unfortunately the Mini SE isn’t compatible with DJI’s smart controller.
Wrap Up on the Best Drones Under $300
These are 3 solid performers when it comes to quality for money. The one that’s best for you will depend on what you use your drone for.
If max air time is most important, both the Mini SE and Roku Mini have 30 minutes max flight time per battery giving about an hour in the air. Some drone enthusiasts prefer not to have to register there drone with FAA so these would also be a good choice as both of these mini drones are under the weight limit.
If you want the widest field of view and UHD photo and video quality then the Holy Stone HS720E is definitely the best drone available under $300.
However, if your a beginner you may want to think about the benefit of having the 3 axis gimbal in the DJI Mini SE as this will give better image stabilisation. The HS720E does have electronic image stabilisation though.
Overall, I chose the HS720E as the overall best drone under $300 because it has the highest resolution camera and video quality, the widest field of view and the best wind resistance by far.
