It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood, and sunny skies and light winds mean it’s time to take a drone out for a spin. These camera-equipped copters are cheaper than ever, and often include lots of cool user-friendly features like automatic return if they escape transmitter range, and automatic stabilization in inclement weather. Whether you’re using your drone for photography, racing it against other pilots or just goofing around in the air, you’ll find a great copter here. We’ve been combing the major retailers for the best drone discounts in April.
Ruko F11PRO Drone
A solid flyer with an extra coupon for more savings
$279.99
at Amazon
$397.99
Save $118.00
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. To get the lowest price possible, check the on-page coupon for another $20 off before you add it to your cart.
If your interest is in aerial photography but you don’t want to go all out, this pocket-sized copter is a really solid piece of kit, with a durable enclosed frame and included 16GB SD card for storage. It connects to any mobile device through a free app and the controls are intuitive and responsive. The Air NEO doesn’t have many of the more advanced flying features you’ll get from higher-priced drones, but if you want a unit that’s extra light, charges quickly and doesn’t require much maintenance this one will hit the spot, especially at $50 off.
Holy Stone HS270G Drone
Foldable FPV RC Quadcopter with brushless motor, 5G WiFi, smart return
$249.99
at Amazon
$299.99
Save $50.00
A great drone for beginner pilots, the Holy Stone HS270G doesn’t skimp on features but has a solid an durable build in case of pilot error. Equipped with a 4K image-stabilized camera mounted on a two-axis gimbal, you can capture footage down to the sharpest detail. The batteries give 26 continuous minutes of flight time between charges while features like Optical Flow and Altitude Hold are designed for newbies still getting their pilots’ licenses. Check the on-page coupon for $50 off.
Vivitar Sky Hawk
1000-foot range and HD video for under a hundred bucks
$93.99
at Best Buy
$109.99
Save $16.00
Vivitar’s Sky Hawk is an excellent hobbyist drone that won’t put a serious hurt on your pocketbook, especially with a $16 discount. It’s lightweight and minimalist, with a simple remote control and equally no-frills phone app that lets you stream video as well as order the copter to follow you as you move. Multiple flight speeds let you get your bearings before kicking it into high gear, and a flight time of 16 minutes is pretty solid for this size of quadcopter.
Recommended by Our Editors
The PowerEgg Explorer has a unique gimmick where you can affix the oblong central unit to the housing and propellers and take to the air to capture 4K video, or remove the flight parts and use it as a stand-alone 4K video camera. It’s easy to control thanks to the unusually large propellers, and reasonably waterproof to withstand tough conditions. Best Buy has it on clearance right now for $180 off.
Locke HR Drone For Kids
Hyper-budget pricing for this capable little quadcopter
$39.99
at Amazon
$49.99
Save $10.00
The Locke HR is a bare-bones drone with simple controls like one-key takeoff and landing. The camera is just 1080p, but for forty bucks you can’t pass up a deal like this. It comes with two batteries, each of which hold 20 minutes of charge.
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FAQ
FAQDo I need a license to fly a drone?If you are piloting a drone for recreational (non-commercial) reasons, you do not need to get a license from the Federal Aviation Administration. That comes with some restrictions, including not being allowed to fly one 400 feet above the ground or near airports. These restrictions vary for commercial operators as well as drones under a certain weight.How do I register my drone?Federal Aviation Administration rules require that any drone over 0.55 pounds be registered with their system 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.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. High-end models are capable of capturing 4K video, but if you’re not interested in the photography 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.
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