Best Affordable Drones with GPS

GPS in drones is an incredible feature that’s only becoming more commonplace. With GPS enabled, a done can return to its original positioning if wind or obstacles knock it off course.

Further, GPS comes in handy if you lose your drone, as you may be able to ping it from its last known location.

This feature becoming standard means you don’t have to pay an arm and a leg to own a GPS drone. 

What are the best affordable drones with GPS?

The top affordable drones with GPS are:

• DJI Mini 3 Pro
• DJI Mavic Air 2
• DJI Mavic Pro
• SwellPRO Spry+ Plus
• Hubsan Zino
• Walkera Vitus 320 Starlight

We’ve searched high and low to bring you a strong collection of affordable GPS drones you’re sure to love. Keep reading for reviews, specs, pricing, and pros and cons!

1. DJI Mini 3 Pro #

Dimensions: 251 x 362 x 70 mm when unfolded with the propellers attachedWeight: Under 249 gramsMax Range: 7.5 miMax Altitude: 500 mMax Speed: Up to 35.79 mphMax Flying Time: 47 minsVideo Resolution:  4K HDR

✅ Pros #

• Lightweight enough that you can enjoy looser flight restrictions and shouldn’t have to register the drone
• Its Global Navigation Satellite System uses BeiDou plus Galileo plus GPS
• Can fly quite fast
• Has a great camera

❌ Cons #

• The flight time is only really impressive with the Intelligent Flight Plus Battery

The DJI Mini 3 pro is a lightweight, zippy little drone. Its sub-250-gram weight means you can bypass drone registration with the FAA.

You can also partake in laxer drone laws in the United States and other parts of the world due to your drone’s weight.

Flying over crowds? No problem! Getting nearer to buildings? You can do it with a drone like this!

Foldable and eager for travel, the Mini 3 Pro is designed for day and night flights alike. However, don’t forget that you can’t fly a drone after dark legally in many parts of the world.

How does the Mini 3 Pro handle night flights? It has a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor that produces HDR output and dual native ISO.

The greater dynamic range in your photography means all the rich detail comes through loud and clear. This drone can shoot in 48MP image quality and up to 4K HDR video.

By default, the Mini 3 Pro can fly for 34 minutes with the Intelligent Flight Battery. If you upgrade to the Intelligent Flight Battery Plus, now you’re looking at a flight time of up to 47 minutes.

That battery also increases the drone’s hovering time to 40 minutes (it’s 30 minutes with the Intelligent Flight Battery).

FocusTrack is a suite of tools with the latest Point of Interest, ActiveTrack, and Spotlight to make it easier for your drone to track you.

GNSS positioning enables the Mini 3 Pro to hover 0.5 meters vertically and horizontally. This drone uses BeiDou, Galileo, and GPS as part of the GNSS system.

To keep your drone safely in the skies, the Mini 3 Pro has tri-directional obstacle sensing. The dual-vision sensors work downward, backward, and forward to keep you safer in the skies.

Upgraded APAS 4.0 uses real-time detection to always keep the drone free of obstacle collision.

OcuSync 3.0 works up to 12 kilometers away and maintains a sturdy 1080p/30 fps video quality when transmitting live feeds.

You can also toggle between portrait and landscape modes thanks to the highly efficient rotating gimbal, which can move 90 degrees.

2. DJI Mavic Air 2 #

Dimensions: 183 x 253 x 77 mm when unfoldedWeight: 570 gramsMax Range: 18.5 kmMax Altitude: 5,000 mMax Speed: 42 mphMax Flying Time: 34 minsVideo Resolution:  4K Ultra HD

✅ Pros #

• The automatic drone features will help you get the most out of your drone
• The camera quality of this drone is unparalleled, even though it’s not the newest Mavic
• Its transmission range for videos is still awesome
• The GPS shines when hovering this drone

❌ Cons #

• The Mavic Air 2 is out of production
• DJI has updated versions of features like APAS and OcuSync

Let’s begin our list with an older but still viable DJI drone, especially if you don’t want to spend too much money but still enjoy top-notch GPS functions. It’s the Mavic Air 2.

This drone utilizes the Advanced Pilot Assistance System or APAS 3.0. Although DJI has since introduced APAS 4.0, the older version is fine, especially for the cost of this drone.

APAS 3.0 uses advanced mapping technology to avoid obstacles.

The Mavic Air 2 has smart obstacle avoidance, as the drone can sense downward, backward, and forward, and has an auxiliary light.

It might not be the newest drone on the block anymore, but it has some of the best of the best obstacle avoidance technology DJI makes.

The drone’s dual-frequency communication means the Mavic Air 2 will switch from one frequency band to another as needed.

That will reduce the rate of interference so its top-notch GPS continues to work effortlessly.

A 34-minute flight time enables you to stay in the air for longer so you can enjoy more seamless flights and try your hand at videography and/or photography.

You can also use OcuSync 2.0 to transmit your video footage up to 10 kilometers in 1080p FHD quality. Again, it’s not the newest version of OcuSync, but it’s fine for what it is.

You don’t have to be a drone master to use the Mavic Air 2, as it’s equipped with plenty of automated drone flight modes you can activate with only a tap or two.

Those modes include Circle, Rocket, Asteroid, Dronie, Circle, and Boomerang.

You can also set Waypoints with this DJI drone, fly it in a circle, engage in free flight, or try Course Lock to follow one set subject as it moves.

Spotlight 2.0, Point of Interest 3.0, and ActiveTrack 3.0 have similar functionalities.

One of the best features of this drone is its ½-inch CMOS sensor that can shoot 48 MP image quality and 4K Ultra HD video.

Even among newer drones (and not only those in the DJI family), those are some truly impressive specs!

3. DJI Mavic Pro #

Dimensions: 83 x 83 x 198 mmWeight: 743 gramsMax Range: 8 miMax Altitude: 500 ftMax Speed: 40 mphMax Flying Time: 27 minsVideo Resolution: 4K

✅ Pros #

• Still a good drone even though it’s older
• Cost-effective
• Long flight time

❌ Cons #

• The Mavic Pro is no longer in production
• Its version of OcuSync doesn’t stack up with modern DJI drones
• A little expensive for its age

See the world more uniquely with a quadcopter drone like the Mavic Pro. Once more, we must add the caveat that this isn’t the newest drone, but that doesn’t make it a poor pick at all. Quite the contrary!

The Mavic Pro is equipped with twice the sensors so that if one set ever fails, you don’t have to worry about your drone losing sensor functionality. The other set would just kick in.

The GPS/GLONASS satellite positioning allows the Mavic Pro to hover in a precise location. The GPS only works for outdoor hovering, but this drone can hover indoors.

FlightAutonomy technology provides 15 meters or 491 feet of obstacle avoidance so your drone doesn’t crash.

The TapFly feature is designed for beginners. Select a spot on the map, and the Mavic Pro will automatically venture there.

You can feel like a drone pro even if you’re not seasoned yet! Once you do get some experience under your belt, the Mavic Pro works with DJI Goggles.

Hover the Mavic Pro, gesture for it to take photos or selfies, and use Tripod Mode to slow down the drone’s trajectory so you can take photos or videos.

This drone can truly do it all, even if it isn’t the hottest new drone from DJI.

Small and tidy, the Mavic Pro can fly for up to 27 minutes. The camera isn’t too shabby for its age, as it can take 4K 30 fps video.

Its electronic image stabilization and three-axis gimbal make taking steady footage on your drone as easy as pie.

The Mavic Pro includes OcuSync to transmit 720p video up to 7 kilometers. This is the first version of OcuSync, so it’s just okay, nothing to write home about.

4. SwellPRO Spry+ Plus #

Dimensions: 249 x 90 x 233.5 mmWeight: 538 gramsMax Range:  800 mMax Altitude: 200 mMax Speed: 40.3 mphMax Flying Time: 17 minsVideo Resolution: 4K

✅ Pros #

• It’s waterproof
• Has an acro mode
• Flies like an FPV drone

❌ Cons #

• No longer in production
• It’s heavy
• If you’re not experienced with FPV, you’ll find this drone tough to use

Although it’s no longer produced, the all-in-one SwellPRO Spry+ Plus drone is still worth discussing.

This waterproof action drone, as the manufacturer declares it, can take to the sea and sky effortlessly and interchangeably.

Follow-me mode enables the Spry+ to track your every move. No matter where you go, the drone will continue to keep you in the frame, although sometimes at an angle.

The drone’s GPS functionality gets to shine in return-to-me, an RTH mode that sends the drone to wherever it took off from.

Are you into fishing? Although SwellPRO has gone on to make several drones specific for fishing, the Spry+ has some fishing features that would put a smile on any angler’s face.

For instance, the drone can release your baits and fishing line when there’s too much tension on the line.

Turn on Circle Mode, and the Spry+ will begin circling around a specific point depending on the radius you select. This is an excellent mode for beginner drone pilots eager to begin photographing.

The Spry+ has acro mode like you see in FPV drones.

You should be an experienced pilot before attempting to fly in acro. You’ll have less control when you do, which could put your drone at risk of crashing.

SwellPRO also notes that you must use an acro remote controller and set the firmware configuration properly, as you can’t fly in acro by default.

Instead, you’ll operate in manual mode, which doesn’t hold positions and allows you to freestyle.

You can also use ATTI mode to hold the drone’s altitude, or GPS mode, which allows the drone to hover at a specific altitude and position without wavering.

The built-in color display and zero-latency video feedback the Spry+ promises with its included LED screen in the GL1 FPV Googles will make watching your drone fly a truly amazing sight.  You’ll feel like you’re the one in the air!

The Spry+ can achieve some incredible speeds in manual mode, up to 65 kilometers an hour, and in just five seconds when starting from zero kilometers an hour!

That’s all due to the drone’s awe-inspiring propulsion system.

The 4K camera uses a Sony 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor capable of shooting 2.7K 60 fps or 4K/30 fps video. You’ll also enjoy 12MP-quality photos.

The camera’s lens is designed to reduce that undesirable fish-eye effect.

The camera hides within a glass, water-resistant dome.

The drone’s waterproof outer casing also keeps it from getting damaged if it takes a dip. The dome shape is designed to lessen distortion while elevating transparency.

An included dome shade reduces glare, while a hydrophobic coating prevents water drops from settling on the dome.

Also beneficial is the electronic image stabilization system the Spry+ boasts, which will keep your photos and video footage stable and sure.

5. Hubsan Zino   #

Dimensions: 11.99 x 9.93 x 3.54 in when unfoldedWeight: 1.56 lbMax Range: 1 kmMax Altitude: N/AMax Speed: 22 mphMax Flying Time: 23 minutesVideo Resolution: 4K

✅ Pros #

• Plenty of GPS modes to choose from so you never get separated from your drone
• Good-quality camera for drone photography and videography
• Custom, automated drone flight options for easy trips to the sky 

❌ Cons #

• Doesn’t have the furthest range
• Doesn’t achieve very high speeds
• It’s heavy

Next, we have a pick for those seeking a GPS drone for less, the Hubsan Zino.

Enter Headless Mode and use your drone independent of the camera direction. For instance, the Zino will venture away from you if you push the stick forward.

Although not as lightweight as the mini version of the Zino, the OG Zino is still travel-friendly with its portable, foldable frame.

Brushless motors lend this drone great durability, and an Intelligent Flight Battery promises a fight time of up to 22 minutes.

Speaking of battery, the Zino includes a low-battery failsafe feature.

When your drone battery begins to deplete, the Zino will either land or use return-to-home. It will also do this if it loses its usually reliable GPS signal.

Should you lose your remote control connection, the Zino will similarly use RTH. It’s also smart enough to know when to cancel RTH, such as if you can reconnect your remote controller.

Otherwise, this drone will use RTH when you access it through the app.

Another great GPS feature is custom waypoints. Open the Zino app, select a point on the map, and the drone will automatically fly it there.

You can also use the app for the Line Fly feature, which allows you to choose a custom direction and angle for the Zino to fly straight.

The Zino includes an HD 4K camera with an included three-axis gimbal.

The gimbal is capable of yawing, rolling, and pitching to help you take exceptional footage on your adventures. You can even capture 360-degree panoramas!

6. Walkera Vitus 320 Starlight #

Dimensions: 279 x 113 x 229 mmWeight: 920 gramsMax Range: 0.93 miMax Altitude: 9 ftMax Speed: N/AMax Flying Time: 22 minsVideo Resolution:  1080p

✅ Pros #

• Good for search and rescue and other agency drone uses
• Has a dual GPS
• The app offers AR modes for making drone flights more exciting
• Hand gesture selfies and other automated modes

❌ Cons #

• Has a very small operating range
• Very heavy!
• The camera leaves something to be desired

How about a drone with a dual-module GPS? The Walkera Vitus Starlight uses a GPS/GLONASS system that maintains drone stability even when you select a fixed point or leave this UAV to hover.

What about when you don’t have good satellite reception, like when you’re using a drone indoors?

The Vitus Starlight has an optical flow camera and an infrared sensor for obstacle avoidance so you can fly without stress.

With the free Walkera app, you can track your drone’s speed, heading, position, and altitude in real-time.

You can also launch and land your drone with one key, plan flight routes, automate flights, and reverse course if the drone veers out of control.

Here’s something else cool the app can do, AR! You can add AR overlays when flying your drone in three fun modes.

Combat Mode adds a cockpit overlay, rockets, dogfights, and laser cannons. Racing Mode makes flying your drone a virtual race, and Collection Mode is all about racking up floating icons through the app!

The Vitus Starlight uses a DEVO-FS8 remote controller that’s included with your purchase.

Small, handheld, and manageable, the controller has two thumbwheel sticks for adjusting the gimbal and the drone while you fly.

Moreso, the controller offers a mobile phone holder and antenna.

This smart drone understands hand gestures, so depending on what you do with your hands, the drone will take selfies!

You can also use the Smart Follow feature to have your drone follow you. Its internal obstacle sensing will keep it safe on its path.

You can also rest assured with three-directional obstacle avoidance. Triple sensors detect hazards on the right, left, and front of the drone up to 16.4 feet away.

If you’re about to crash your drone into an obstacle anyway, the Vitus Starlight will slow down to minimize the impact of the collision.

Another exceptional feature is the night vision gimbal, which utilizes a high-speed shutter to reduce low-light sensitivity and long exposure times.

However, do be forewarned that these features are more designed for search and rescue and law enforcement, as commercial and recreational pilots can’t legally fly at night.

The gimbal camera is capable of taking 1080p 30 fps video.

GPS technology in drones doesn’t have to be expensive, as this list proves.

Whether you’re interested in a waterproof drone, a DJI model, or something else entirely, there’s a GPS drone out there for you at an affordable price point!