Lightweight drones are getting more popular day by day. In this article, we’ll be reviewing the best drones under 250 grams.
Owning a drone is no longer the luxury it used to be. Thankfully, with such a wide range of drone companies nowadays, there is a device for every drone enthusiast.
Whether you are looking for a cheap one to get you started or a more advanced camera drone to capture all your adventures, size is a consideration. With this in mind, we are going to look at the best lightweight drones.
In a hurry? Here’s our best tip:
The NEHEME NH530 drone is the best all-rounder. It offers an amazing value for money considering the camera and flight options and will suit most owners’ demands.
If you’re a novice or after a device that is more targeted to youngsters, get the Dwi Dowellin Mini. It is very simple and easy to control.
With the Le-IDEA21 you’ll get the best camera drone. Its 4K camera with ultra-high definition offers outstanding image and video quality.
Table of Contents
- Best drones under 250 grams
- What is a drone?
- Why buy a drone under 250 grams?
- Buying Guide
- Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
- Wrap Up
Best drones under 250 grams
We are going to look at the specifications and features of 8 lightweight drones. We have also made sure to include different drones for all drone pilots. We will discuss flight times and flight modes as well as some pros and cons of each.
In the table below you’ll find different branding and specifications. If you want to know the price of the product, just click on the images and find them on Amazon:
| Best drones under 250 grams | Weight | Flight Time | Flight Range |
|---|---|---|---|
 
Cheerwing Syma X5SW-V3 | 119 grams | 5-7 minutes | Remote control distance of 50m |
 
DJI Mavic Mini Combo | 248.9 grams | 30 minutes per battery | 4km unobstructed |
 
DRONEEYE 4DCR F3 | Less than 250g drone | 25 mins per battery | 500m |
 
| 178 grams | 13 minutes | 97.5m |
  Dwi Dowellin Mini | 51 grams | 7-8 minutes | 79.2m |
 
Le-IDEA21 GPS | 237 grams | 15 minutes | 200m |
 
NEHEME NH530 | 60 grams | 8-9 minutes per battery | 800-100m |
Cheerwing Syma X5SW-V3
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Key features
- 0.3MP/ 640 x 480P camera
- FPV drone
- 6-axis gimbal
- Unbelievable value for money
We start the list with an incredibly lightweight drone with just 119 grams. It is compact at 12.4 x 14.4 x 4.13 inches and comes in white. It’s nice that you have flashing colored lights to make nighttime drone flight safer.
You can use the included remote control or the Syma App to fly the drone. It comes with a phone clip to attach your smartphone to the remote control and watch real-time video transmission.
It doesn’t offer an HD camera, but for this price, you wouldn’t expect it. However, you can take photos and record with the camera. If you are using one of the Syma apps, you can use it as an FPV drone with 2.4GHz Wi-Fi.
It comes with a headless mode, making it a good choice for beginner drone users. But you can also do 360º flips for some interesting aerial photography.
The battery life is a little short at 5 to 7 minutes. It’s a good idea to buy some additional batteries. It also comes with a USB cable for charging, propeller guards, and an extra set of propellers, and the necessary screwdriver. Even without a spare battery, this cheap drone is an excellent starter machine for all ages.
Pros:
- Extra parts for this small drone are cheap
- Durable in case of bumps and knocks
- You can choose between low flight mode and high flight mode for different speeds
Cons:
- As it’s not a GPS drone or Auto Return Home, you need to be careful not to lose it
DJ Mavic Mini Combo
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Key features
- 12MP camera with 2.7K videos
- 3-axis motorized gimbal
- Foldable drone
- Maximum flight speeds of 29mph
The DJI Mavic drones are some of the best on the market for all-around quality. The DJI Mavic Mini comes in just under the 250g drone limit at 248.9g. When folded, it measures just 5.2 x 3.2 x 2.2 inches. This is a GPS drone with an intelligent flight mode for greater stability.
It also comes with Sport Mode for faster flight times and CineSmooth Mode for clearer shots. This DJI Mavic drone will automatically return home when the GPS signal is weak, the remote-control signal is lost for more than 11 seconds, or when the battery is low.
The camera on the DJI Mavic Mini is excellent for a mini drone. It has a 1.2/3″ CMOS sensor for enhanced digital images. The camera takes 12MP shots and high-definition videos at 2.7K. These videos can be streamed to your phone using the DJI Fly App.
Although not as fast as a racing drone, you can still enjoy speeds of up to 29 mph. Without obstructions, your DJI Mavic drone can fly a maximum of up to 4km.
Granted, it is a more expensive drone but that is because it is the combo set. With 30 minutes of flight time on one battery, imagine the aerial photography you can get with three spare batteries.
This DJI Mavic comes with various propeller sets and screws, a propeller guard, a gimbal guard, all of the different charging equipment, and a quality case to carry it all in.
Pros:
- It’s a very stable aircraft with good altitude hold, even in winds
- The app has some great flying drone tutorials
- Excellent camera quality for the price range
Cons:
- There are no obstacle sensors
DRONEEYE 4DCR F3
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Key features
- 4K camera with 5GHz transmission
- Dual camera, front, and bottom
- Foldable drone arms and propellers
- GPS altitude hold for greater stability
Although the exact weight isn’t listed, the manufacturer has confirmed that it comes under the 250g drone restriction and doesn’t require drone registration.
It fits the size of mini drones at 14.2 x 11.8 x 2.8 inches when unfolded. This device ticks all the boxes for most drone enthusiasts. It is well priced, has multiple flight modes, and it is an outstanding camera drone.
The 4k camera lets you take crystal clear images and videos that you can upload straight to social media websites via the app. There are 2 cameras for different angles, and it functions as an FPV drone.
To take the best selfies, you can use hand gestures to activate the camera and it has facial recognition. For beginner users, it has to Follow Me mode, GPS Return to Home, Circle Fly, and Way-point Flight to map your route. This has a great altitude hold thanks to the GPS Hold Function.
This camera drone comes with two batteries. Each one has a flight time of up to 25 minutes. Video can be transmitted at up to 300m but the remote control range is up to 500m.
It comes with 2 spare propeller sets, propeller guards, and 3 USB charging cables (one each for the batteries and one for the remote control. All can be stored in the carry case.
Pros:
- Wind resistant up to level 7 to fly safely
- It can survive a few crashes
- Great range of flight modes for its price range
Cons:
- There is a slight learning curve to fly this drone
SANROCK U52
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Key features
- 1080P HD camera
- Features for starter drone pilots and experts
- FPV drone and compatible with VR goggles
- Stuck protection
The SANROCK UVA is well below the 250g drone limit but should still be incredibly stable with gravity sensors and altitude hold. It measures 12.6 x 11.2 x 3.3 inches and weighs 178g. It is white and dark gray with handy green front lights and red rear lights.
This device comes with a 1080p camera that can be used with your smartphone and you can take pictures with one button on the remote control. You can see real-time FPV video transmission and with VR goggles (not included) you can enjoy a 3D experience.
There are some amazing flight modes. You can fly the UVA with one key take-off and landing. There are two flight speeds, low for beginners and high for more experienced drone pilots. You can use headless mode, design your own flight path, and perform 360º flips and rolls.
There is an alarm if the battery is low, or the drone goes out of range. If you hear the alarm, you just need to press the return home key and the drone will fly back to you.
We especially liked the stuck protection. If the propellers get stuck, you can activate stuck protection, and the motor stops. Once the propellers become unstuck, the motor will start again.
With Wi-Fi, you can transmit the video feed up to 29m and the maximum range is 97.5m. The UVA has a decent battery time of 13 minutes. This is another cheap drone so we can accept buying additional batteries. The included remote control has a phone holder. There is also a charging cable, 4 extra propellers, and 4 protection frames.
Pros:
- Very decent picture quality from the HD camera
- It’s very easy to fly with a responsive remote control
- A great all-round, fun drone for all users
Cons:
- There is a little bit of drift with this mini drone
Dwi Dowellin Mini
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Key features
- Full protective, crash-proof drone
- One key take-off and landing
- 3-speed modes
- Fun LED lights
This is quite a different drone from the others. The first thing you will notice with this lighter drone is that there is no camera. Without the camera, this is more of a starter drone to practice flying drones without damaging the aircraft or yourself.
It happens because the drone is crash-proof with high-quality protective guards. This is the perfect aircraft for children. As well as the LED colors, you can choose from a blue, green, or red body. It is well under the 250g drone limit at 51 grams.
Even though it isn’t a camera drone, it still comes with lots of features to fly. There are three-speed modes, depending on your skills in flying drones.
Headless mode means you can fly the drone without worrying about what direction you are facing, handy for when you can’t see this small drone. For ease of use, you can take off and land with one button. Plus, you have an altitude hold to prepare yourself for 3D flipping and rolling.
For a children’s drone/ starter drone, you get a good range of up to 79.5 meters. It comes with 2 batteries, with a total drone flight time of around 15 minutes.
The remote control runs on 3 AAA batteries that aren’t included. You also get 2 extra propellers, a charging cable, and a screwdriver. Not only is this a cheap drone, but it’s also the cheapest lightweight drone on our list.
Pros:
- A fun and easy drone for younger children to fly
- Good for indoor and outdoor use
Cons:
- The instructions could be clearer
- The drone flight time is short but meets expectations
Le-IDEA21
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Key features
- 4K camera with ultra-high definition
- Contactless delivery
- GPS Switch for indoor use
- Anti-interference for a more stable signal
We have another drone that is packed with features for beginner drone users. At 237 grams, it doesn’t need drone registration but is sturdy. With a 4K camera that takes UHD photos and videos, more advanced users can also get some amazing aerial photography.
The camera has a 120º field of view and an adjustable angle of 80º. It is a 5GHz FPV drone that wirelessly streams live video to your phone.
The mini drone has one key take-off and landing, Follow Me, Way Point, and Surround Mode. Other useful flight modes for starter drone users include altitude hold and auto return home when the battery is low, or the signal is lost.
A fun thing about this drone is that you can deliver things that weigh less than 80g to friends. GPS signal is weak indoors and may cause accidents.
For this, the GPS Switch means GPS is turned on when outdoors. You can use the special indoor mode to fly the drone indoors. On top of all that, this small drone is compatible with VR goggles.
The remote control and Wi-Fi have a range of 200m. It comes with one battery that has a flight time of 15 minutes. It’s another one of those drones that are such good value for money, we can handle buying an extra battery of two. There is a USB cable, 4 extra propellers, a screwdriver, and a carry case.
Pros:
- Brilliant camera and video quality
- You can get good flight speeds
- Great customer support
Cons:
- Some people have had issues with the app
NEHEME NH530
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Key features
- 720P HD camera, FPV drone
- Micro drone size
- Hand gestures and voice control
- LED lights to indicate the front and rear of the drone
The NEHEME NH530 is an adult drone for drone owners of all levels. It’s just 60g and 6.9 x 6.9 x1.6 inches. It is black with green front lights and red rear lights.
There is a 720P HD camera for aerial photography and videos. It has real-time Wi-Fi FPV transmission. The camera can be controlled with hand gestures for great selfies.
This mini drone has ample features including altitude hold, headless mode, and circle flight. You can create your own planned routes with trajectory flight. Once you get the hang of the drone, you can perform 3D flips and rolls.
There is also speed adjustment for starters to experienced drone pilots. When using the Neheme Honor app, you can use G-Sensor control, a gravity sensor that lets you control the drone by moving your mobile device. What’s more, the drone works with voice activation.
The maximum range for the remote control and Wi-Fi is 200m. You get everything you need to start the drone flight straight away. There is an extra battery for a total flight time of up to 18 minutes. There are 4 spare propellers, 4 propeller guards, 2 extra screws, and a screwdriver.
Pros:
- It will fly at high speeds and rotate well
- Suits the needs of most drone owners
- Amazing value for money for the camera and flight options
Cons:
- You need to master the controls before you fly it out of sight
What is a drone?
A drone is a small flying aircraft, often equipped with GPS and Wi-Fi for accurate positioning and real-time video feed. Today, they offer different intelligent flight modes for ease of use.
You can buy racing drones, HD camera drones, and foldable drones. A drone under 250 grams is also known as a micro drone or lightweight drone.
Why buy a drone under 250 grams?
The most significant reason to buy a drone under 250 grams is that you don’t need drone registration with the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration).
This means that aside from the small fee, drone owners are not restricted to certain fly zones. Many micro drones are also cheaper than their heavier drone versions. Plus, you can still do all of the amazing things you can with other drones.
Buying Guide
There are three things to consider when buying a less than 250g drone, the use, your experience, and your budget. The camera quality of the drone is going to make all the difference if you are interested in aerial photography, or if you want to capture some amazing videos. We would recommend at least an HD camera.
The intelligent flight modes are going to really help beginner drone users. The auto return home is important so that you don’t lose the device. Headless mode is becoming more popular because it doesn’t matter what direction you’re facing.
Things like planning your route in advance and follow me require little to no interaction from the drone pilot. If the aircraft has altitude hold, there is additional stability for taking clearer shots.
As a starter drone, propeller guards will help protect the drone. But this is also where you should consider your budget. It’s a better idea to buy a cheap drone to fly, learn the controls, and practice with speeds and flips than risking this on a more expensive drone.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
Is the DJI Mavic Mini the only DJI drone under the 250g limit?
The Mavic Airs all need drone registration. There is another DJI Mini, the DJI Mini Mavic 2. It also comes just under the 250g drone limit at 249g.
It’s a little more expensive but has an upgraded 4k camera. The camera also has some additional features like 4x zoom and quick shots. This DJI mini comes with the combo pack too.
What are the drone laws for less than 250g devices?
Although you don’t need drone registration, you still have to follow all other drone laws. These include never flying near emergency response activities, near other aircraft, or over groups of people.
You can’t fly the drone above 400 feet. If you fly the drone in controlled airspace, you need authorization from LAANC. It’s worth checking your state drone laws before any drone flight.
Why can’t I get the app to connect to the drone?
Always check that your smartphone is compatible with the drone you want to buy. You should also check your smartphone’s Wi-Fi specs. If your drone is a 5GHz device, it won’t connect to a mobile that isn’t 5GHz.
The battery doesn’t last as long as the drone manufacturer said, why not?
There are a couple of possible reasons. First, always make sure the batteries are fully charged before use. The speed you fly the drone at will have an impact on battery life and so will the levels of wind.
Wrap Up
Choosing a lighter drone over a heavier one doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice quality or flight modes. The list of the 8 best drones under 250 grams shows that you can still have an awesome camera, a solid build, and flight modes tu suite a truly drone enthusiast.
If this is your first drone, you might want to stay away from the DJI Mini at this point. Gain some confidence with the others on the list and work your way up to the DJI Mini – you won’t regret it!
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