October Prime Day drone deals: DJI, Holy Stone, and more

Prime Day (and its fall spinoff, Prime Big Deal Days) is usually one of the best times of the year to buy a drone. This year, however, things are a little bit complicated. As you might have heard, there’s a potential U.S. ban on DJI drones due to growing concerns over national security and a required risk assessment that all DJI products must undergo before they can be sold in the United States. This, of course, has caused issues with the availability and pricing of popular models, with many being listed as “out of stock” on the DJI website.

The good news is that Amazon has a ton of drones, including DJI, on sale for Prime Day. But there’s a catch: many of these deals are on drones sold from sketchy, third-party sellers with ridiculously jacked-up prices. With our help, you can find the deals that are actually worth it.

We’re expecting more deals to be added as we get closer to the official sale (which kicks off on Oct. 7), and we’ll be updating this post accordingly. For now, here are the best early Prime Big Deal Days drone deals we could find as of Oct. 3:

Best drone deal overall

Why we like it

For under $250, getting a drone with this many features is pretty rare. The Potensic ATOM SE shoots stable 4K video, takes 12MP photos, and has an impressive 62-minute flight time thanks to the two batteries included in this kit. It's a great middle-ground for people who want to move beyond a basic beginner drone without shelling out for a DJI.

With this deal, you get the drone itself (which weighs less than 249g, so no need to register it with the FAA), a remote controller, two batteries, and a carrying bag. It’s a complete kit that has everything you need to start flying right out of the box.

Best DJI drone deal

Why we like it

Most, if not all, of the Amazon DJI drone deals we spotted just two days ago are now gone (there are some at Target, though). But you can still get the DJI Mini 2 SE Fly More Combo for 17% off at Amazon. This bundle includes the DJI Mini 2 SE (which also weighs less than 249g), a remote controller, connector cables, three intelligent flight batteries (for a total flight time of 93 minutes), a two-way charging hub, a shoulder bag, and a few other accessories.

Even though it may seem like a lot is going on here, this drone is beginner-friendly. It even has a “Return to Home” button so you don’t have to worry about losing your drone if it flies out of sight or runs low on battery. Plus, several reviewers who’ve never flown before said the setup was super simple and the photos were crisp and clear.

“I’ve taken it very high up in the sky and it keeps an amazing signal as well as the gimbal stabilizing the footage or images,” writes one Amazon reviewer. “It’s so sophisticated for the price, it blows me away.”

Best drone deal for kids

Why we like it

It’s actually really hard to find a decent drone for kids on Amazon that isn’t sold by a sketchy third-party vendor. But other retailers, like Target, have a wider selection of child-friendly drones that you can trust for a reasonable price.

The Contixo F19 Drone looks like a “real drone” instead of a toy and comes with all the things your kid needs to get started, including a remote control, beginner-friendly features, and an integrated camera for aerial photography and videography. It’s also foldable and comes with a carrying case, so they can take it wherever they go.

More early Prime Day drone deals you can trust

• Snaptain K30 Mini — $74.99 $89.99 (save $15)

• Contixo F24 Pro Drone — $249.99 $299.99 (save $50)

• DJI Neo Drone Mini 4K UHD Video Quadcopter + Extended Warranty Accessory Kit Bundle — $339.99 $1,499.99 (save $1,159.01)

• DJI Neo Drone Fly More Combo — $549 $628.92 (save $79.92)