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Best Drones Under $100 With Camera
There are so many low cost drones out there to choose from that it becomes difficult to make a comparison between each drone. This article takes a look at 3 of the best drones under $100 with camera recording in first person view mode.
All of these drones will record 1080p HD video. If you enjoy recording your outdoor pursuits such as hiking, kayaking or even skiing. The footage from these drones will add to the overall action of your final edited video.
I take a look at the most relevant features for each drone first, followed by how they each perform during 6 basic tests.
- Hover test
- Speed
- Flight range
- One key return feature
- Range of first person view
- Picture quality
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Last update on 2024-10-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
SNAPTAIN S5C FPV Drone with 1080P HD Camera
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The Snaptain comes with 2 batteries with a total flight time of 20 minutes and a recharge time of 1.5 hours per battery.
The controller is one fo the best features. It is easy to understand, very responsive and fits well in the hand.
The drone has G-Sensor which allows you to also fly the drone by way of tilting your smartphone in the direction of flight.
In terms of safety there are protective propeller guards and the use of ABS materials throughtout that are designed to soak up any shock from any crashes or drops.
Holy Stone F181W 1080P Wifi FPV Drone
Last update on 2024-10-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Holy Stone also comes with 2 batteries totalling a flight time of 20 minutes and a charge time of 1.5 hours per battery.
The automatic altitude hold lets you maintain the height of the drone while taking either still pictures or video of the action around you.
The 6-axis flight control system allows you to fly with accuracy even when in windy conditions.
Hand gestures are supported to take control of the drone in close proximity to change from video to picture mode.
JJRC H68 Drone with 1080P HD Camera
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The JJRC comes with 2 batteries giving a massive 40 minutes of flight time between the 2 batteries.
Custom flight paths can be programmed into the downloadable app which the JJRC will follow while recording video to the smartphone.
A one key take off and altitude hold make this drone easy to fly even for beginners.
3D flips and a 3 speed control setting mean that your in control all the time.
Basic Flight Tests & Performance Comparison
No.1
Hover Test
All 3 drones share a very similar 1 touch launch and landing feature. The Snaptain launches immediately to around 3 feet once activated, but overall it comes 3rd in the hover test.
The Holy Stone has the same 1 touch feature with the rotor blades starting to spin slowly once activated, the throttle then increases for a more gradual take off. Hover hold is better than the Snaptain.
The JJRC has the same incremental throttle via the 1 touch take off, overall it has better hover hold at altitude and wins the hover test out of the 3 drones.
Best Hover Hold
JJRC H68 Drone
No.2
Speed Feature Test
The Snaptain has 3 speed settings that are changed by pressing a button on the top left of the remote. When pressed to increase speed a number of beeps are emitted by the remote to signal a change in speed. There is a 1 press kill switch that automatically cuts power.
Holy Stone
Sharing the same speed settings and button control as the Snaptain is the Holy Stone, along with the audible beeps. The kill switch is different in that you have to bring the 2 joysticks together for a couple of seconds to activate.
JJRC
The 3 speed settings are the same but there is no kill switch, being the largest in dimensions but lightest this can make steering in windy conditions a little difficult at times.
Best Speed Features
Snaptain S5C
No.3
Flight Range
The Snaptain has the shorted rated range of the 3 drones at 262 feet, in practice it exceeded the rated range by several feet.
Coming in second place is the Holy Stone with a rated flight distance of 328 feet and an actual distance of 359 feet in the field.
The winner is the JJRC with a rated range of 328 feet and a very impressive actual flight range of 380 feet.
Flight Range
JJRC Quadcopter
No.4
One Key Return Feature
Unfortunately none of the drones one key return feature worked. They all deviated from their path when it was activated and that was it.
Flipping is possible though on all 3 drones and works the same way with each drone.
Press the button on the controller which initiates with a beeping sound, when the beeping stops point the joystick in the direction you wish to flip the drone.
One Key Return Feature
No Clear Winner
No.5
Range of First Person View
The Snaptain struggled with the first person view even when in close proximity to the controller. The picture was choppy and a low signal error kept appearing on the app screen.
Holy Stone
A little glitchy at times but managed to hold signal up to around 60 to 70 feet away.
JJRC
The JJRC was the smoothest picture and held the longest in terms of range, so wins this test by some margin.
Best FPV Range
JJRC Quadcopter
No.6
Picture Quality
Snaptain
Records video either on the SD card or through the app. There is a record button on the controller. Video was the most choppy and the lowest quality.
Holy Stone
Same as Snaptain with the option of both SD card or through the app recording. It has the smoothest and best quality pictures. There is also a video and still picture mode to choose from.
JJRC
Unlike the other 2 drones there is no SD card option, it comes second best in terms of picture quality.
Picture Quality
Holy Stone F181W Drone
The Final Verdict
It has to be said for the price point all 3 drones offer a lot of fun for those who are looking to not take their drone flying too seriously.
Perhaps you’re looking to hone your flying skills on something less expensive before moving onto a serious FPV drone that will require a fair degree of skill to fly without crashing all the time.
We do have an overall winner in this 3 drone comparison test and that is the JJRC H68.
It may not be quite as much fun to fly as the Snaptain [1] but it has by far the best video picture qualty and the longest flight range. It would be the drone I’d pack in my rucksack to go on a hike or take with me for a weekend of drone flying.
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Overall Winner
JJRC H68 Drone
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