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Drones have become increasingly popular in recent years, with people using them for everything from aerial photography to racing. However, with so many options available, it can be challenging to choose the right one for your needs. In this article, we’ll be discussing the best drones under £400 in the UK for the year 2023.
When it comes to purchasing a drone, there are several things you should consider. Firstly, the purpose of the drone – will it be used for photography or videography? Or perhaps you’re looking for a drone that can perform stunts and tricks. Secondly, the features you need – do you require a drone with a long battery life, or one that can fly in windy conditions?
Finally, the price – how much are you willing to spend?
DJI Mini 2 SE
TheBest Drone Under £400
The DJI Mini 2 SE stands out as the best drone under £400 in the UK, providing a top-notch DJI experience at a budget-friendly price. As a more affordable alternative to the DJI Mini 2, the Mini 2 SE features a slightly downgraded camera, offering 2.7K resolution instead of 4K. Despite this minor difference, the 2.7K resolution still surpasses HD quality, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a high-performance drone within this price range.
For this article, we’ve focused on drones under £400 as we believe this is a reasonable price point for those looking for a quality drone without breaking the bank. We’ve researched and tested several drones to identify the ones that offer the best value for money.
After countless hours of testing, we’ve identified the best drones under £400 in the UK for 2023. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced drone pilot, we’re confident that our recommendations will meet your needs and exceed your expectations.
Best Drones Under £400 UK 2023
We know that finding a drone that suits your budget can be a daunting task. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the best drones under £400 in the UK for 2023. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced pilot, there’s a drone on this list that will meet your needs. We’ve researched and tested a range of drones to ensure that we’re recommending only the best products. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at our top picks for the best drones under £400 in the UK for 2023.
DJI Mini 2 SE
DJI Mini 2 SE
Ultimate Sub £400 Drone
- Under 249g, easy regulations
- No UK drone licence needed
- 31-minute max flight time
- Beginner-friendly smart features
- Affordable price point
If you’re looking for a lightweight and compact drone that’s easy to use and captures high-quality aerial footage, the DJI Mini 2 SE is a great choice.
We’ve been using the DJI Mini 2 SE for a few years now and have been impressed with its performance. It’s incredibly lightweight and compact, making it easy to take with us on hikes, road trips, and other adventures. Despite its small size, it’s packed with features that make it easy to capture impressive aerial footage.
One of the things we love about the DJI Mini 2 SE is how easy it is to use.
The controls are intuitive and the QuickShots and other intelligent modes make it easy to capture impressive footage even if you’ve never flown a drone before. The extended range and 31-minute flight time mean you can explore and capture more with a reliable connection, giving you the freedom to fly and capture footage with confidence.
While the DJI Mini 2 SE is relatively expensive compared to other drones in its class, we think it’s worth the investment if you’re serious about capturing high-quality aerial footage.
However, it may struggle in very strong winds, so it’s important to be mindful of the weather conditions when flying. Additionally, the camera’s resolution is only 2.7K, which may not be sufficient for professional-level footage.
Overall, we were impressed with the DJI Mini 2 SE’s performance and ease of use. It’s a great option for anyone looking to take their aerial photography and videography to the next level for under £400.
Pros
- The DJI Mini 2 SE is incredibly lightweight and compact, making it easy to take with you on any adventure.
- It’s user-friendly and easy to operate, even for beginners. The Return to Home function is particularly helpful if you’re worried about running out of battery mid-flight.
- The extended 10km transmission range and 31-minute flight time give you plenty of opportunities to capture breathtaking footage.
Cons
- The DJI Mini 2 SE’s wind resistance is limited to 38kph, so it may not be the best option for shooting in particularly windy conditions.
- Some users have reported connectivity issues when flying in areas with a lot of interference.
- The Fly More Combo is quite expensive, so you’ll have to decide if the extra batteries and accessories are worth the investment.
DJI Mavic Mini – Ultralight and Portable Drone
DJI Mavic Air
Budget Version Of DJI Mini 2SE
- Weighing under 250 grams
- Portable and easy to carry around
- Camera stability ultra-smooth footage.
- The DJI Fly app is simple and intuitive, making it easy to create cinematic shots with the drone.
The DJI Mavic Mini and DJI Mini 2 SE are both compact, lightweight drones with notable differences in their features and capabilities. The DJI Mini 2 SE boasts a more compact remote controller, a 4 km HD video transmission range, and a max flight speed of 13 m/s in sport mode, while the DJI Mavic Air offers a 10 km HD video transmission range and a max flight speed of 16 m/s. Although both drones share the same 2.7K 12 MP sensor camera and similar flight times of up to 30 minutes, the DJI Mini 2se has better wind resistance.
However the DJI Mavic Mini is still a great drone for beginners and casual users who want to capture high-quality aerial footage. With its lightweight and portable design, it’s easy to take this drone with you wherever you go. The 3-axis motorized gimbal also ensures that your footage is stable and smooth, even in windy conditions.
The DJI Fly app is also a great feature of this drone, as it makes it easy to create cinematic shots with just a few taps on your smartphone. The app also includes a Flight Tutorial to help you get started quickly and safely.
However, the 2.7K video resolution may not be sufficient for professional videographers who require higher quality footage. Additionally, the drone’s battery life of 30 minutes may not be enough for longer flights or extended filming sessions. Finally, the range of 4 km may limit the drone’s use in larger open spaces.
Overall, the DJI Mavic Mini is a great choice for anyone looking for a lightweight and portable drone with great camera stability and clear footage.
Pros
- Weighing under 250 grams, the Mavic Mini is incredibly portable and easy to carry around.
- The 3-axis motorized gimbal provides superior camera stability, ensuring clear and ultra-smooth footage.
- The DJI Fly app is simple and intuitive, making it easy to create cinematic shots with the drone.
Cons
- The 2.7K video resolution may not be suitable for professional videographers who require higher quality footage.
- The drone’s battery life of 30 minutes may not be sufficient for longer flights or extended filming sessions.
- The range of 4 km may limit the drone’s use in larger open spaces.
Teeggi SG906 MAX2 GPS Drone
Teeggi SG906
DJI Brand Alternative
- Get more for your £400 budget
- Obstacle avoidance
- Extra Batteries Tripling Flight Time
- Carry Case Included
- 4K Camera compared To DJI Mini 2 SE 2.7K
If you’re looking for a drone with great features and an affordable price, the Teeggi SG906 MAX2 GPS Drone is a great option.
By opting for a non-DJI brand, you can maximize your budget and enjoy features like a 4K camera, surpassing the DJI Mini 2 SE’s 2.7K resolution. Benefit from advanced obstacle avoidance with laser detection, and extend your flight time with two additional batteries, compared to the single battery included with the DJI Mini 2 SE. Explore new heights without compromising on quality or performance.
While you can enjoy enhanced features like a 4K camera and extended flight time, keep in mind that you’ll be sacrificing the reliability of the DJI brand. Additionally, these extra features contribute to increased weight, which may require obtaining an A2 CofC drone license. Despite these trade-offs, you can still experience remarkable performance and capabilities with alternative drone options.
A2 Cofc Drone Licence Is Needed For This Drone
The A2 Certificate of Competency (A2 CofC) is a drone qualification enabling pilots to fly in specific regulation categories for commercial and recreational purposes, involving online learning, a theory exam, and allowing flights within 50 meters of uninvolved people without needing an operations manual or CAA application.
We were impressed with the Teeggi SG906 MAX2 GPS Drone’s 3-axis mechanical gimbal and EIS 4K camera, which provide stable footage and clear recording. The drone’s 360° laser obstacle avoidance system makes it easy to fly in complex scenarios and avoid obstacles. Additionally, the drone’s powerful performance features, such as brushless motor and GPS intelligent return home, make it easy to use for beginners and professionals alike.
However, the drone’s battery life could be longer than 30 minutes, and the Wi-Fi connectivity technology can be slow at times. Additionally, the drone’s video capture resolution could be better.
Overall, we recommend the Teeggi SG906 MAX2 GPS Drone for anyone looking for an affordable drone with great features.
Pros
- The 3-axis mechanical gimbal and EIS 4K camera provide stable footage and clear recording.
- The drone’s 360° laser obstacle avoidance system makes it easy to fly in complex scenarios and avoid obstacles.
- The drone’s powerful performance features, such as brushless motor and GPS intelligent return home, make it easy to use for beginners and professionals alike.
Cons
- Increased weight limits where you can fly it
- Needs a A2 CofC Drone Licence obtained through a course
- The drone’s battery life could be longer than 30 minutes.
- The drone’s Wi-Fi connectivity technology can be slow at times.
- The drone’s video capture resolution could be better.
Teeggi KF101 MAX Drone
Teeggi KF101 MAX Drone
Performance Focused Teeggi Drone
- Premium build: Durable, reliable.
- Stability: Smooth video, easy control.
- Camera: Gimbal-stabilized, high-quality footage.
- Beginner-friendly: Intuitive, automated modes.
If you’re looking for a drone that offers great value for money, the Teeggi KF101 MAX might just be the one for you.
In our experience, the Teeggi KF101 MAX is a drone that offers great features at an affordable price. The camera’s intelligent obstacle avoidance system provides a sense of security when flying in more complex scenes or at night. The 3-axis gimbal and built-in electronic EIS anti-shake chip ensure stable video recording, resulting in smooth and stable blockbusters.
A2 Cofc Drone Licence Is Needed For This Drone
The A2 Certificate of Competency (A2 CofC) is a drone qualification enabling pilots to fly in specific regulation categories for commercial and recreational purposes, involving online learning, a theory exam, and allowing flights within 50 meters of uninvolved people without needing an operations manual or CAA application.
The large-capacity 11.1V 3000mAh smart battery provides up to 30 minutes of flight time, and the remote controller’s repeater allows for a flight distance and image transmission distance of up to 5km.
However, the drone’s wind resistance could be better, and it could be more challenging to fly in windy conditions. The app center’s features could be more user-friendly, but it’s still easy enough to use. The drone’s weight could be lighter, but it’s not too heavy to carry around.
Overall, we believe the Teeggi KF101 MAX is a great drone for those looking for a reliable and affordable drone under £400 UK.
Pros
- The camera’s visual obstacle avoidance system allows for safer flying in more complex scenes, even at night.
- The 3-axis gimbal and built-in electronic EIS anti-shake chip ensure stable video recording, resulting in smooth and stable blockbusters.
- The large-capacity 11.1V 3000mAh smart battery provides up to 30 minutes of flight time, and the remote controller’s repeater allows for a flight distance and image transmission distance of up to 5km.
Cons
- Increased weight limits where you can fly it
- Needs a A2 CofC Drone Licence obtained through a course
- The drone’s wind resistance could be better.
- The app center’s features could be more user-friendly.
- The drone’s weight could be lighter.
Hubsan ZINO MINI Pro drone
Hubsan ZINO MINI Pro drone
No Licence DJI Alternative
- Great Budget Brand
- Stability: Smooth video, easy control.
- Camera stability ultra-smooth footage.
- Beginner-friendly controls
If you’re looking for a high-quality drone under £400, the Hubsan ZINO MINI Pro drone is an excellent choice. With its advanced features and long battery life, this drone is perfect for both beginners and experienced pilots.
We recently had the opportunity to test out the Hubsan ZINO MINI Pro drone, and we were impressed with its performance. The drone’s obstacle avoidance feature helped us avoid crashes and made us feel more confident during flights. Additionally, the built-in 128GB memory eliminated the need for additional storage, which was a nice bonus.
The UHD 4K camera and 10km FPV transmission provided clear, high-quality footage that was perfect for capturing stunning aerial shots. We were able to capture footage from a variety of angles and perspectives, which made for some truly unique and beautiful shots.
However, the drone’s weight may make it difficult to transport, especially if you plan to take it on long hikes or trips. Additionally, the price point may be too high for some budget-conscious buyers, and the drone’s advanced features may be overwhelming for beginners.
Overall, we highly recommend the Hubsan ZINO MINI Pro drone for anyone looking for a high-quality drone under £400. Its advanced features, long battery life, and clear footage make it a great choice for both beginners and experienced pilots alike.
Pros
- The obstacle avoidance feature helps prevent crashes and ensures safe flights.
- The built-in 128GB memory eliminates the need for additional storage.
- The UHD 4K camera and 10km FPV transmission provide clear, high-quality footage.
Cons
- The drone is relatively heavy, which may make it difficult to transport.
- The price point may be too high for some budget-conscious buyers.
- The drone’s advanced features may be overwhelming for beginners.
Buying Guide
When looking for the best drone under £400 in the UK in 2023, there are several factors to consider. Here are some things to keep in mind when making your purchase:
Flight Time
Flight time is an essential feature to consider when choosing a drone. You will want to look for a drone that has a long battery life and can fly for an extended period. A drone with a flight time of 20-30 minutes is ideal for most users. However, keep in mind that the flight time may be affected by factors such as wind, altitude, and temperature.
Camera Quality
The camera quality is another crucial factor to consider when choosing a drone. A high-quality camera will give you clear and sharp images and videos. Look for a drone that has at least a 4K camera resolution. Additionally, you may want to consider a drone with a gimbal stabilizer to ensure that your footage is smooth and stable.
Range and Control
The range and control of a drone are also important factors to consider. You will want to choose a drone that has a long-range and is easy to control. Look for a drone that has a range of at least 500 meters and has a reliable controller. Additionally, you may want to consider a drone with obstacle avoidance technology to help prevent accidents.
Portability
Portability is another essential factor to consider when choosing a drone. You will want to choose a drone that is easy to transport and can be taken on the go. Look for a drone that is lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry in a backpack or small bag.
In summary, when choosing the best drone under £400 in the UK in 2023, consider the flight time, camera quality, range and control, and portability. By keeping these factors in mind, you can make an informed decision and choose a drone that meets your needs.
