Cheap Chinese Drones Review | Top Budget Clone Drones on Aliexpress 2024
by Tim Blue on Sep 26, 2024
If you are a drone lover, then I'm sure you've heard of the DJI Mavic Pro. The truth of the matter is, a drone like that is very expensive. There are a lot of cheaper drone options that are available but lack certain features. If you are a beginner to drone flying, then it makes absolute sense to go for a budget drone that is affordable and has the right features.
Top Chinese Drones on Aliexpress 2024
| Drone Types | Best Drones on Aliexpress |
| DJI Mavic Pro Alternative | Eachine E58 |
| Best Aliexpress Mini Drone | Teeggi Mini Drone |
| Cheap Long Range Drone with Camera | SH-5 |
| Best drones for Kids | HDR/C Drone |
| Best Drone under $50 | SG-106 |
| Best Aliexpress Drone under $20 | HJ14 |
| Best UFO drone for Kids | UFO Drone |
| Best 4K GPS Drone | Xingyu Drone |
| Best Camera Drone on Aliexpress | S60 Drone |
| Best Small Aliexpress Drone | TYRC Drone |
| Best AliExpress Drone under $40 | S91 Drone |
| Best Chinese Drone for Aerial Photography | V4 4K Mini Drone |
So today we cover the best Chinese drones and the best Aliexpress drones and find the best under $100 drones and under $50 drones that match the features of a DJI Mavic Pro but at half the cost.
Here are the Best Aliexpress Drones
- Eachine E58 Quadcopter Drone
- Sg-106
- SYMA X8 Series Drone
- DJI Mavic Mini Drone
- Teeggi Mini Drone
- S60 Drone
- Hj14
- Lenovo Drone P15
DRONE FAQs from China
- Most of the Chinese Drones come with a 3 month seller's warranty and one year of manufacturer's warranty
- You might not receive the original box the product comes in, that's alright because sellers do that to reduce the weight of the shipme
Lenovo P15 Budget Drone
Design and Build: The drone impresses with its sleek and foldable design, ensuring portability without compromising durability. In its folded state (12.585.5cm), it is exceptionally compact, while in the open configuration (25205.5cm), it reveals a solid build. The inclusion of a brushless motor not only enhances power but also extends the drone's overall service life.
Camera and Imaging: Featuring an 8K HD camera with a wide-angle lens and self-stabilizing electronic image stabilization (EIS), the Lenovo P15 Drone ensures high-quality and stable footage. The optical flow high-definition lens at the bottom adds flexibility by allowing users to switch camera angles. The servo gimbal design enhances stability during flight, resulting in smooth and professional-looking shots.
Flight Performance: Boasting an impressive control distance of 9000m, free from interference or occlusion, the Lenovo P15 Drone offers a wide exploration range. The combination of altitude-fixing mode, optical flow positioning, and fixed-point functions contributes to enhanced flight stability. The drone's outstanding flight time of approximately 48 minutes on a 3.7V 2200mAh lithium-ion battery allows for extended aerial adventures.
Smart Features: The Lenovo P15 Drone stands out with its intelligent functionalities. The ability to customize flight routes using the accompanying app provides users with the flexibility to plan and execute specific paths for the drone. Gesture photography and video recognition within 1500m offer a hands-free and intuitive control experience.
Advanced Technologies: The inclusion of 5GHz high-frequency and WIFI image transmission, along with 720 omnidirectional obstacle avoidance, showcases the Lenovo P15 Drone's commitment to advanced technology. The 5GHz anti-interference technology, combined with a six-axis gyroscope, ensures a stable and convenient flight experience even in challenging environments.
User-Friendly Operation: The drone's intuitive controls, including one-key return, headless mode, and multi-directional flight capabilities (up, down, forward, backward, left, right), make it accessible for users of all skill levels. The 5GHz transmission technology enhances control responsiveness.
Eachine E58 Quadcopter Drone
This is one of the best selling budget drones out there. It resembles the DJI Mavic Pro very closely. This is a foldable quadcopter which means it has 4 rotor blades. It’s not as big as we think it is and as it is foldable, it can be easily placed in your backpack or pocket.
At the outset, it has a solid design and the foldable rotors look sturdy. It comes in a black finish which looks super pristine and for people who are worried that they might lose it during nighttime flying, it comes packed with blinking LED lights that can easily be spotted.
On the top, there is a massive power on button, but it’s the bottom you need to be curious about. The back of the device has a massive camera that shoots in 720p HD and can shoot at an angle of 120 degrees.
It has one key takeoff feature and it’s pretty protected against strong winds because of the speed mode that can be effective against winds.
One can take pictures and shoot videos with the Eachine E58. It can also do a 360-flip. It can hover at a fixed height for a considerable period of time.
The Quadcopter’s batteries are a 3.7V 500 mAh. Li-po. The Eachine E58 is probably the best Chinese drone in the market.
TYRC LS11 Pro Drone
The LS11 Pro is a lightweight drone made of plastic fashioned in black, with white pinstripes on the body and the propellers. The build quality provides enough sturdiness to survive the falls and collisions which it may experience if it were controlled by a first-time flyer. The quadcopter fits on the palm of your hand when folded, and is not too bulky when the arms are opened out. The compact dimensions make it convenient for indoor use, especially in those high-ceiling halls and gymnasiums. The package comes with a set of protection frames and backup blades as well.
Fits in the palm of your hand
The seller offers different variants for this TYRC model, which comes with a maximum of 4K front camera and a 1080p bottom camera, and you can switch between the two during flight. The whole package is available in a black case which fits the remote and the drone quite snugly, making it easy to carry around. You must be mindful of the different variations on offer; the seller provides the product exactly as per the description, but buyers have made the error of selecting the wrong variant while placing orders.
For Example:
The “1080p-Bag” variant has only a 1080p front camera and not a 4K one, and comes with the protective case.
The “4K-2B-Bag” comes with an extra battery, a 4K front camera, and the protective case.
A 4K-3B-Bag variant
The setup for the drone with the phone app is fairly simple, and you can get it up and running without seeking much help from the user manual. The one-key take-off and landing work as expected, and the drone also has a headless mode that functions flawlessly. With a range of 100m, you should ensure that you do not fly the device out of range (otherwise you will have to go chasing after it!). The mobile app pairs up with the camera without any lag and has built-in movie-making features. There are two lamps on either side of the front camera, which assists the camera with some lighting, and guidance LEDs are also present under all four arms.
Guidance LEDs under the foldable arms
Although the maximum price range is between $38-$92, the manufacturer-seller always has a 50% discount running, thereby offering the different variations between $18 and $43. In comparison, the best variant of the TYRC LS11 Pro is offered at a price that is at par with its competitors. Buyers are recommended to go for the package which offers the extra battery and rotor blades.
Protection frames for the rotors
The LS11 Pro is worth the dollar paid and is a fun little package that you can opt for without hesitation, especially as your first drone. The smartphone holder on the remote is good for phones sized up to 6”, and bigger phones may feel a bit lopsided. Despite being lightweight, the drone handles quite nicely in mild to moderate winds and can be manoeuvred with ease through obstacles. It takes about 90 minutes to charge the 1800mAh battery, which gives the drone about 25 mins of playing time (a variant with an extra battery pack will come in handy here).
SYMA X8 Pro
The SYMA X8 Pro is a $100 Drone that is a Quadcopter with 4K camera capabilities. If you want a photography drone, then this is a good fit.
The peripherals come with the drone, a remote controller, extra rotors, battery, battery charger, screw driver, gimbal and a foam box.
It's a full-scale drone, which means it can go upwards, downwards, forwards, backwards, anti-clockwise and clockwise.
It's enabled with GPS which means, you'll be able to locate your drone, no matter where you are. You'll get a pinpoint accuracy of the location.
It's attached with a 720 HD camera that can be moved around as well for better shots. It's enabled with Wifi, which means you can do a live stream of whatever you are shooting.
Single-button auto-return ensures that the drone comes back to you with a touch of a single button. The Drone will also return if the connection is low or battery is low.
It takes about 150 minutes to charge the device and you have a working time of 9 minutes, which is good enough for a decent few shots.
SG-106
The SG-106 is a pretty impressive drone that has a bunch of features that people will find useful. Firstly, let’s talk about design. It has a beautiful, aerodynamic design and it’s a quadcopter with 4 blades.
It comes in two colours - White and Black. This is a non-foldable drone, but it has many other benefits.
It has a 4k HD camera that can shoot with just gestures and shoot videos on gestures as well. It has a smart portrait recognition. You can also plan the trajectory of the drone through your smartphone. You can use your fingers to draw the trajectory and the drone will follow that exact path.
The 1600 mAh battery is a beast and the drone can last in the air for a good 22 minutes. This drone has a dual camera set-up, so you can switch between front and back.
It also has the fixed height feature which ensures you can take a fixed point to hover photography or video.
It can do 360 rolls and has the single key for taking off and landings. You can also attach protective rings on your drone so that nobody gets slashed by the rotor blades.
The app for this drone lets you edit videos on the fly and lets you ship as well.
SH-5 Drone
The SH-5H is a super unique drone that is meant for aerial photography. It’s basically a quadcopter with a rig in the bottom that has the camera attached. The feature set also enables aerial photography.
For people who love aerial photography, these are the features you get
- Pneumatic fixed height, which you hover around and take crisp and clear aerial shots
- It has the gravity sensor feature which let’s you get more control of the drone and gives you the feeling of complete control as opposed to pressing a few buttons
- You can shoot videos and photos in HD, 1080p
- You can get real-time transmission of the video which enables aerial shots
- It has an emergency landing feature
- It has a single button for taking off and landing
- It has the headless mode feature as well
- You can adjust the camera up to 60 degrees while up in the air
- You can use the trajectory feature to map the path of your drone
- The dedicated remote control has numerous features that give you complete control of the drone
Teeggi Mini Drone
If you are looking for a cute and petite drone that can shoot some videos and take some photos, then the Teeggi Mini Drone will come handy.
Coming to the design, this is a cute drone that is shaped like a beetle and it is so tiny it can fit in the palm of your hands. The top shell can be replaced and fixed with various colours.
The drone although small, is still foldable. It has a HD camera that can shoot gesture photos and gesture videos.
It has the auto-follow feature where once locked based on gestures, the drone will follow you. The drone can fly from the source up to 50 metres, which isn’t much, but it’s perfect for top shots.
With the gravity feature, you can control the drone like a Gameboy by tilting it left and right.
It has the altitude hold feature that lets you control the drone and keep it at a height.
This can be easily carried in the pocket too and perfect for amateur photographers.
The Transformer Drone
The transformer drone is a brilliant looking remote-controlled drone. It gets its name from its incredible design. Talking about the design, the Transformer drone is a quadcopter that can be easily folded and easily stored.
The battery lasts for 20 minutes and is one of the best in the industry. It has the altitude holding feature and has an independent removable camera.
It has the gravity sensor feature where you can use your phone’s smartphone to move the drone around.
It has the headless mode which lets you fly the drone in any direction and also has the VR 3D mode which let’s you watch the aerial shots in VR.
The parts of the Transformer drone don’t break, they can be reattached and they are super malleable.
4K GPS Drone
The GPS 4k drone is one of the most versatile and portable drones in the market.
- It has a flying time of about 25 minutes
- Charging time of about two hours
- Can shoot high quality 720p videos at a 120 degree angle
- Super portable and sturdy
S60 Drone
- Can shoot in 1080p quality
- One of the most popular drones on Aliexpress
- 100 metre control distance
- 20 minutes working time
- Charging time of 120 minutes
- 4K dual camera
V4 RC Drone 4k HD Wide Angle
This foldable quad blade drone has most of what one will look for in a budget drone, it has a compact foldable design and is light enough to carry anywhere in very own carry case.
This four-rotor drone body is made of high-strength and resistant plastic that is lightweight and durable.
It has a one click take off/return feature that makes it easy for amateurs to fly as well.
A new propeller design has been used, this reduces noise levels down as much as 40 per cent and increases flying efficiency and therefore flying time.
It comes with three different camera options to choose from, a 720 pixel, a 1080 pixel and 4K wide angle camera. This makes for stunning images and video which ever lens you use.
The camera setup has a 90 degree angle adjustment and a light flow visual positioning system for real time light flow information for the image data meter.
A 4 channel remote allows for easy control, even 360 degree roll and a six axis gyroscope provides more stability during flight.
Some of the other features include, flight track mode to set routes, taking photos with just gestures and it uses a 2.4 GHz band for less interference.
This package comes with 2 additional batteries for immediate switching.
Best Drone Stores on Aliexpress
GT Pro Store
The GT Pro Store is one of the coolest drone stores on Aliexpress. They have a wide variety of products from folding drones to mini drones to quadcopters to remote controlled drones that work with a smartphone.
They also sell professional drones for photography and other types of drones that cover various use cases. They are one of the best drone stores in China.
You'll find the best drones on Aliexpress in this store.
Sharefun Bay Store
The Sharefun Bay Store is a dream store for Drone enthusiasts. They do sell robotic toys apart from drones. When it comes to drones, they sell drones from all brands, all shapes, sizes and requirements.
From mini drones to photography drones, you can find it all here. The best part about this store is the constant discounts they offer on various occasions.
2022 S91 Pro Mini Drone
Introducing the s91 pro mini drone, a top-tier drone that blends cutting-edge features with an intuitive user experience. With its intelligent three-sided induction detection, the drone will stop flying immediately when it comes across an obstacle.
You get 4K high-definition picture quality, a dual camera design, and an aviation-grade PA/PC body, making the s91 pro mini drone perfect for anyone looking for an immersive aerial experience.
The 5G high-definition map and real-time environmental information make it easier than ever to explore your surroundings and it also comes with bright lights and gesture recognition allowing you to control the drone in any environment by simply moving your hands.
The S91 Pro drone uses a 1800mAh 3.7V battery that can be recharged via a USB cable and the powerful motors are capable of propelling the drone up to a distance of 100m while being able to handle level 7 wind resistance.
Each kit consists of a folded drone, a remote control, screwdriver, battery, USB charging cable, a pair of replacement propellers and a user manual apart from the storage bag.
4DRC V4 4K Quadcopter Drone
The 4DRC V4 is quite the popular drone on AliExpress that you can get for roughly $40. With the V4 Drone, you'll be able to capture breathtaking HD aerial videos and photos in style and is equipped with not one or two, but three cameras, namely a 720P camera,, a 1080P camera and a 4K wide-angle camera.
This drone is made from high quality plastic that is lightweight but durable and it comes with a 6-axis gyroscope for added stability and easier control. The V4 can be used not only for photography, but you can use it to take part in aero shows thanks to its ability to maneuver in a smooth and flawless manner.
I loved the fact that this drone comes with an anti-interference 2.44GHz frequency which means that your signal with the drone won’t get crossed or intercepted by anyone else using a drone controller.
The only issue with this drone is that the flight time of 20 minutes is quite sad and needs to be worked on. For $34, you’re getting a good quality drone that can take high definition images and videos, can be controlled via gestures and comes with gravity sensing capabilities, which is a win in my books.
Are Chinese drones worth it?
Considering they come at less than a quarter of the cost of original pro drones, they are definitely worth buying if you are not planning to use it for any official/professional footage and just for home use.
Are cheap drones worth it?
Cheap drones are worth buying just to use for fun flying and home video, a drone with a longer battery life is more suited for professionals.
Which Chinese drone has the best camera?
The S60 Quad copter has one of the best cameras, its comes with a 4K dual camera with gesture control and a 45 degree adjustment angle and allows both cameras to be controlled individually.
Things to consider while buying a drone on AliExpress
Picking the right seller: Firstly, you will have to check if the seller’s storefront has the Top Brand badge, which means that the seller has been verified by AliExpress. A bar on top of every storefront will tell you how long it has been since the seller launched, the percentage of positive feedback they have received, and the number of followers they have. A seller with anything above a 90% positive feedback rating is surely reliable, and you could also take a look at the number of orders they have received for their products. The positive feedback depends on the ratings for Shipping Speed, Communication, and items being as described.
Validating Product Descriptions: While picking out a drone, you will have to go through the specs and other info given on the models, and cross-check them with user reviews and blogs written on these products. This is to make sure that you get exactly what you are paying for. The battery life or flying time which the brand claims to provide may not be the product’s actual output. Also, many user reviews contain photos and videos taken by the cameras on these drones, and it would help set the right expectations on the image quality.
Checking Brand Value: It's always better to go for a branded drone over a non-branded one. A brand is essentially an identification mechanism that helps in placing the right feedback with the right sellers or manufacturers. There may be a few Chinese-origin drones that are unbranded, but it is always better to go for a branded one (which China has a lot of). Moreover, Chinese brands such as DJI can be sourced for lesser prices on AliExpress than in other countries or marketplaces, as China has a lot of competition within the country. Also, a seller is always obligated to protect his brand, which means he will take ownership of any mistakes or negative feedback.
Double-Checking Warranty: Before placing an order, check the duration for which warranty is provided by the seller; it can be for a few weeks or months. Furthermore, you should also know what the warranty covers. The rotor blades are the most fragile part of the drone and may not be covered by warranty, but what should be covered are the camera, the motors, and the remote. If the details of the warranty provided are unclear, you can contact the seller to enquire about the same.
Return Policy: Any manufacturer or brand that is making an effort to become dependable will have a return policy in place. When a drone you have ordered is faulty or has parts missing, you should be able to return it to the seller. Most vendors mention their return policy below the product description section. Few sellers may accept returns only within 7 days while some may accept them after a longer period.
How to choose the right drone?
Choosing a right drone isn’t as complicated as people think it is. It all depends on what you want. There are camera drones, mini drones, long-distance drones and so on. So let’s break it down in terms of how to choose the drone.
Before you read any of the points below, ensure that the drone you are buying is something that you can operate. More often than not, a lot of people end up buying drones that they aren’t able to operate and it ends up gathering dust in the attic.
#1 -- Purpose
What do you need a drone for? Do you need it for photography? Or video shots? Or just spying on the neighbours? Defining your purpose is paramount to choosing the right kind of drone. If you are a beginner, then I would suggest going for a cheap drone.
Aerial Photography -- > Camera Drone
Amateur Drone User --> Mini Drone
Professional Drone User --> DJI or a DJI Drone Alternative
#2 -- Camera Quality
If you need to take aerial shots, then the camera becomes paramount. But there are different levels of camera quality. It depends on your requirement.
#3 -- Battery Life
Another important factor is the battery life. If you are going to be using
#4 - Size of the drone
The bigger the drone, the more potential in terms of battery life, camera quality and other things.
What is the best most affordable drone?
The best and most affordable drone would be the Eachine E58. It has all the features of a high-end drone and it comes at a price point that is affordable compared to most drones out there.
What is the best small drone?
The best small drone that you can find on Aliexpress is the HDR/C drone. It costs about $33. It easily fits in the palm of your hand. It has a 300 mAh battery and it charges within 30 to 40 minutes. The flight time is about 10 to 15 minutes.
It works with your phone and you can use the accelerometer on your phone to control the drone.
How much does a decent drone cost?
A decent drone that can withstand windy conditions and that can take decent pictures and can go for a pretty good range and that can be controlled from your smartphone or a remote control will set you back anywhere from $80 to $300.
Are Chinese drones better than DJI Mavic?
Chinese drones are generally cheaper than their American or European made counterparts. But if you need a drone like DJI Mavic from China, it will cost you. If DJI Mavic Mini costs $399. A Chinese drone that's similar will cost around $299.
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