11. Parrot AR 2.0 Elite Edition - Budget Camera Drone



The drone does not come with a remote controller. Instead, it makes use of the pilot’s smartphone or tablet device to function as a remote via WiFi connection.

Performs amazingly well, as expected from any Parrot aircraft. It’s great for beginners thanks to its stability and protective cover foam around the propellers and motors.

Most likely you have already seen or read about Parrot AR Drone 2 before. It’s not a new product and has been available in the market for quite some time. To this day remains one of the best drones under $300 (sometimes even under $200 if you are lucky and catch it on sale).

Besides the Live Video, app control and 3D Flip this drone presents no other features. So why is it on our list? Because the drone’s quality~price ratio is still way better than most common drones within this budget.

The Parrot AR Drone 2.0 camera has slightly above average image quality, and indeed can provide good quality aerial video and photos. The built-in (onboard) camera has 720p resolution and can transmit Live Video via Wifi to the pilot’s smartphone screen through a free app.

Powered by a 1500mAh lipo battery, AR Drone 2.0 has a flight time of 12 minutes, which is surprisingly good considering how large and heavy the quad is. In terms of control range, it’s too short, only 50 meters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are best drones under 300$ ideal for learning?

Yes. Most drones on our list have a very steady hover and responsive controls. Throughout the article we will specify which drones are better suited for beginners and which ones are not. Just keep in mind that racing drones are not suitable for first-time flights, even if they are easy to control they do require some previous level of expertise. If you are a first-time rookie stick to beginner-friendly quads.

Can I fly indoor and outdoor?

It depends. There are drones which can be flown both indoor and outdoor, while others are specific to one type of flying only. Don’t worry, when discussing each we will mention if they can be flown indoor, outdoor or both.

Are these drones safe for children?

No. A great drone for a kid must have a protective frame around the propellers and the motor, a very steady hover, responsive control, plastic frame and be very lightweight and simple. If you want to buy a drone for your kid we would refer you to our Top 10 Drones Under $100 list instead.

Do I have to register my drone with FAA?

If you live in the US, FAA registration is required to any unmanned aircraft for recreational and commercial use if it weighs more than 0.55lbs (250 grams).

Do these drones support GoPro and other action cameras?

Some of the drones on our list indeed are capable of carrying GoPro, Xiaomi and SJCam action cameras. Mainly the larger drones featuring brushless motors. When we review a drone capable of doing so, we will mention in it on the “camera” and “features” section.

Are there drones under $300 featuring a complete FPV package?

Yes! We have reviewed amazing drones that include everything you need to fly FPV right out of the box, including LCD monitor and FPV Goggles! The Parrot Bebop 2 is our recommmended FPV pick.