Consumer UAVs or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, commonly known as Drones, are generally divided into two groups in the market. You can buy toyish $100 units that can fly for about 5 minutes when fully charged, while the other is the $700+ group that feature GPS, HD cameras and more. However, you can also find decent ones that come in between. For under $500, you can have a ready-to-fly quadcopter that lets you enjoy it as a hobby or use it to practice for more advanced flying in the future. To make it easier for you, the top rated ones are put together in this review of the best drones under 500.

1. Latest UDI U818A FPV RC Quadcopter Drone with HD Camera

First on the list is UDI U818A, a UFO-like drone that is packed with features but is friendly on the budget. Amazon sells it for $174.99 with a bonus battery and power bank. With a push of a button, it can flip in 360°, roll, and even record a video in HD. With its built-in LED lights, you can flash signals to friends. You can enjoy a Live Feed from your mobile phone with its First Person View Wi-Fi. With its headless mode, there is no need to reposition, making it great for beginners. You don’t have to worry about losing the drone because it has a Return Home function. Additional features include 2-Megapixel camera, two Lipo batteries and power for extended flying time.

http://www.amazon.com/Latest-U818A-Quadcopter-Drone-Camera/dp/B00SH3MU0U/ref=sr_1_24?ie=UTF8&qid=1455195522&sr=8-24&keywords=best+drone+under+500

2. DJI Phantom Aerial UAV Drone Quadcopter for GoPro

Next on the list is this quadcopter from DJI. It is best for GoPro and tested with Hero models, but it is great to fly by itself. In a matter of minutes, the drone is ready to fly because it is pre-tuned. You simply have to charge the battery, attach the propellers and gear, add 4 double A batteries in the remote and it’s ready. You can have high quality videos, but live stream is not possible for it may affect the remote control. Maximum horizontal speed is 10 meters per second, which lets you capture the excitement of sports and other events. Amazon offers it for only $479.

http://www.amazon.com/DJI-Phantom-Aerial-Drone-Quadcopter/dp/B00AGOSQI8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1455197502&sr=8-1&keywords=dji+phantom+aerial+uav

3. Hubsan X4 Quadcopter with FPV Camera Toy

Third on the list of the best drones under 500 is this quadcopter from Hubsan, which is among the smallest drones in the market today. Despite its affordability, it is tough to use and can be flown on First Person View, so expect fun and excitement. On a full charge, it can fly for 7 minutes. It is ideal for beginners who are still learning to fly yet want to enjoy FPV. It features 6-axis flight control, live feed and adjustable gyro. For only $142.95 in Amazon, you can have this drone, which may not be as sophisticated as the others, but is sturdy and agile as a flying toy.

http://www.amazon.com/Hubsan-Quadcopter-FPV-Camera-Toy/dp/B00GSNWB5K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1455199056&sr=8-2&keywords=HUbsan+x4+quadcopter

4. Holy Stone X400C FPV RC Quadcopter Drone

This Holy Stone Quadcopter is the fourth in the list. It boasts responsive motors and different functions including one-key roll, 3D roll and throttle limit. It features 6-Axis Gyro system, headless mode and one key return. When fully charged, it can fly for up to 8.5 minutes. You can use it for live feed for both Android and IOS system. Please note to adjust throttle slowly to prevent damage. You can have it for only $129.99 at Amazon and get goggles. The new design makes it easy for use by beginners, since it can be controlled using the left and right hand throttle.

http://www.amazon.com/Holy-Stone-Quadcopter-Function-Headless/dp/B0157J6Y2Q/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1455201622&sr=8-2&keywords=best+drone+under+500

5. Potensic Premium Upgraded X5C-1 Syma

This 2.4GHZ CH 6-axis gyro RC quadcopter is available at Amazon for only $119.99 with additional parts and a case. It does not require FAA registration, making it suitable for hobbyists and beginners. It features 360° roll using one key and continuous roll for a better experience. It boasts spread spectrum technology that extends distance and low power consumption. You can enjoy high quality photos and videos with its camera and precise flying with its 6-axis gyro control system. When you buy, you can enjoy a 1-year warranty, 4 Li-Po batteries, landing skids, spare motors, 4GB SD card, USB card reader and charging cable and extra blades.

http://www.amazon.com/Potensic-Upgraded-Quadcopter-Additional-Carrying/dp/B00XKJOIS8/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1455202555&sr=8-5&keywords=best+drone+under+500

The drones mentioned above are definitely ideal for beginners who want to try using UAVs as a hobby and later move to more advanced quadcopters. Their prices vary, and so do their features. However, drones in this price range may not be as easy to fly compared to the ones that are in the $700 range. Before you buy, you can consider ease of use aside from price. It’s also worth noting that not all drones are ready to fly. The second featured drone, which is the one from DJI, is ready-to-fly. Before purchasing any of these quadcopters, it’s best to learn more about the hobby or probably join a community you can count on if you have questions. The right drone is important if you would like to enjoy this hobby or have it for professional use.