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Best budget drone: honest picks (and the licence you'll need)

Budget drones have one big advantage: they all stay under 250 g and skip the A1/A3 exam. Here all three — the HoverAir X1, DJI Neo and Mini 5 Pro — are exam-free, so the rules part is simple. But the camera still means all three need registration at e.caa.gov.lv — a one-time, free step.

  1. #1

    HoverAir X1

    125 gNo class markNo A1/A3 exam required

    The cheapest, simplest way in (~125 g). Foldable, with prop guards, it takes off from your palm and tracks you in automated modes — ideal for selfies and everyday clips without a controller. As a sub-250 g drone it skips the A1/A3 exam, but the camera means registration. Honest: modest wind tolerance and a simpler camera compared to DJI.

    Full review

  2. #2

    DJI Neo

    135 gC0No A1/A3 exam required

    The DJI ecosystem at a low price (~135 g, C0). A bit more capable than a plain selfie drone: automated tracking, an FPV mode with goggles and DJI app support. No A1/A3 exam, but the camera means registration. Honest: a small sensor and short range without a controller, so it is more for close-up shots than long flights.

    Full review

  3. #3

    DJI Mini 5 Pro

    249.9 gC0No A1/A3 exam required

    The priciest of the budget group, but with the best quality (249.9 g, C0). The 1-inch sensor delivers a serious image while staying under 250 g and clear of the A1/A3 exam — if your budget stretches, this is the step-up pick. The camera still means registration. Note: the bigger Plus battery pushes it over 250 g, and then the A1/A3 certificate becomes mandatory.

    Full review

◇ Frequently asked questions

+Does a budget drone need a licence?

All three here are under 250 g, so no A1/A3 exam is needed. That is their big advantage. But because of the camera, all three still need operator registration at e.caa.gov.lv.

+Why register a cheap drone at all?

Registration is tied to the camera, not to price or weight. Any drone with a camera needs registration, even the cheapest. Under 250 g you skip the exam, not the registration — those are two different things.

+Which of the three is the best value?

For the lowest price — the HoverAir X1. For the DJI ecosystem and an FPV mode — the Neo. If your budget stretches and you want the best camera with no exam — the Mini 5 Pro.

Specs verified against: hoverair.com, www.reddit.com

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