If you’ve been searching for an affordable, feature-packed drone that won’t break the bank or require complicated registration processes, the new DeeRC D65 Class 0 (sub-250g) drone might be what you’re looking for. Equipped with brushless motors, a 2-axis mechanical gimbal, and a 2K resolution camera, this compact drone promises smooth, stabilized footage and hassle-free flying for both beginners and hobbyists alike. This review’ll examine its build quality, flight performance, camera capabilities, and whether it truly delivers value for its $199 price point.
Drones with the Class “0” mark offer significant advantages for recreational and professional users across the US and Europe. In most jurisdictions, including FAA regulations in the US and EASA guidelines in the European Union, these lightweight drones are exempt from specific registration requirements. They can often be flown in more locations without the need for complex permits or certifications, making them ideal choices for hobbyists, travel vloggers, and content creators looking for an accessible, hassle-free flying experience.
On Amazon, this drone has a review rating of 4.3 out of 5, which is relatively high considering that DJI sub-250g drones have similar scores. It’s worth mentioning that a Mini 3 costs nearly twice as much as the DeeRC D65, and any review score should ideally reflect a well-balanced combination of performance, reliability, and overall value for the price.
DeeRC D65 review
Disclosure: I received this affordable sub-250 g drone from DeeRC to test and do an in-depth review. Although the product was free, all opinions in this article remain mine, with no partner’s influence.
DeeRC has established itself as a budget-friendly option in the entry-level drone market. Focused on beginner pilots, their models, like the D65, combine essential features such as GPS, basic image stabilization, and simple controls. While not intended for professional use, these drones offer an accessible way for new users to experience aerial photography.
The D65 comes in a nice, compact shoulder bag with velcro dividers, two external pockets, and one zippered pocket inside. Inside the kit, you’ll find a USB Type-C charging cable, spare propellers complete with mounting screws, a tiny screwdriver, and an extra stick thumb for added convenience.
When folded, the D65 drone has a compact footprint of around 11.6 inches long, 8.1 inches wide, and 2 inches tall. It weighs roughly 8.6 ounces, or about 244 grams. It has two status LEDs in the front (just like dragon eyes).
On the belly, it has a tiny camera that serves as an optical flow positioning sensor. This feature allows for stable hovering in GPS-less environments. The battery bay has a micro SD slot that accepts TF cards with capacities up to 128 GB. The manufacturer recommends using Class 10 or higher cards to ensure optimal performance.
The overall build quality of the DeeRC D65 is decent, particularly when considering its affordable price point. Constructed with durable materials, the drone feels robust yet lightweight, offering a solid sense of reliability during both flight and handling. The arms and body are designed with a degree of flexibility that should help absorb the impact from minor crashes, making the drone more resilient in everyday use.
DeeRC D65: Camera and Video stabilization
Although the D65 drone is marketed as a “4K drone,” this specification applies solely to photo resolution. In terms of video, the maximum recording quality it supports is 2K, which may be a limitation for users seeking true 4K footage.
In addition to the 2-axis gimbal, it also features Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) to ensure ultra-smooth and stable aerial footage. The camera features a 1/3″ image sensor and an F/2.4 fixed lens.
The camera has three operation modes: photo, video, and time-lapse. Photos are captured in 24-bit JPEG (compressed) format with 4K (3840×2160) resolution, and videos are 2560×1440@30fps (average 20 Mbit video bitrate). I can live with the 2K video resolution and the lower bitrate, but the biggest downside of the camera is its narrow field of view, which makes capturing beautiful, wide landscapes more challenging.
DeeRC D65: Battery, Charging options, and Flight time
The DeeRC D65 is powered by a 1820 mAh rechargeable LiPo battery with a 7.7V nominal voltage. The battery pack weighs 52 grams and has Type-C power for direct charging. In addition to the four charging level indicator LEDs, it also features a status LED bar indicator. Unfortunately, neither the battery nor the remote control supports modern fast chargers.
DeeRC advertises the D65 drone as having a flight time of 26 minutes per charge. In real-world flying conditions, you can expect a battery life of 20–24 minutes, which is still impressive for such a small drone. During my hovering battery life test, the drone remained airborne for 22 minutes before the low-battery return-to-home (RTH) function was triggered. I would recommend that DeeRC consider disabling this fail-safe feature when the drone is within close proximity to the take-off point. After landing, the battery was very hot; in this situation, allowing it to cool down before recharging is recommended.
DeeRC D65: Remote controller, Transmission system, and Range
The remote control is also very similar to those found on the market from brands such as Holly Stone, Ruko, and Veeniix. It features a built-in retractable phone holder that can accommodate most popular mobile devices (regardless of brand and model).
In the center of the radio is a status LCD that shows telemetry data such as flight distance, altitude, speed mode, battery levels, and other flight parameters. The front panel also contains the Take-off/Land, Speed, Power, Photo, Video, and RTH buttons. Additionally, the controller has two shoulder dials for digital zoom and for gimbal tilt angle.
The DeeRC D65’s controller lacks a built-in signal repeater, meaning your smartphone connects directly to the drone via Wi-Fi. Unfortunately, this approach significantly limits the video transmission range compared to advanced systems like DJI’s O4, available on models such as the Mini 4 Pro, which offer far greater stability, range, and image quality through dedicated digital transmission technology.
Although the mobile application specifies a maximum flight distance of 1 kilometer (3,280 feet), my field testing revealed the existence of an additional geo-fencing restriction at 800 meters. Despite maintaining a solid RC link and uninterrupted live video feed beyond this threshold, the drone software imposes an automatic no-fly boundary, preventing further distance progression. This operational limit appears to serve as an added safety precaution, but it effectively reduces the usable range well below the stated specification — an important consideration for users planning longer-range flights or operations in large open areas.
DeeRC GPS APP
To explore its full potential, the D65 drone is designed to be used with the DeeRC GPS APP, available for Android and iOS Apple devices. Besides the live view, the app allows for advanced flight modes such as GPS follow me and other autonomous flight modes. You have telemetry data on the bottom ribbon, such as flight distance and altitude. In the “Parameter” tab, you can enable/disable beginner mode and configure RTH altitude, max flight altitude, and distance.
Pricing and availability
The DeeRC D65 drone is now available on Amazon for just $199 in the US or €199 in Europe (DE warehouse), making it an excellent choice for enthusiasts and casual pilots. Designed with user-friendly controls and a solid feature set, the D65 offers a reliable flight experience for newcomers to this hobby. Right now, you can apply a $50 discount coupon, making this drone an even more attractive deal.
Key features
- [Easy-to-Fly Drone for All Levels] The D65 drone with camera is designed for ease of use, featuring one-key takeoff/landing, altitude hold, and intuitive controls make it perfect for both beginners and experienced pilots.
- [Ultra-Light Foldable Drone – No Need FAA] Weighing under 249g, this foldable drone with a camera is easy to carry on all your adventures and does not require FAA registration, making it ideal for adults and beginners alike.
- [2-Axis Gimbal & EIS for Smooth Drone Footage] This drone with a 2-axis gimbal stabilizes your footage, ensuring you capture professional-quality videos and photos, even in challenging conditions. Additionally, Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS), ensures sharp, blur-free images and videos for stunning aerial photography.
- 4K Camera for Ultra-Clear Imagery: It can take 4K 8MP photos and ultra-clear 2K@30fps videos.
- [GPS-Enabled Smart Drone] With advanced GPS technology, this drone offers precise positioning and intelligent flight modes like Follow Me, Waypoint Flight, and Orbit Mode, making it perfect for capturing hands-free footage. It can automatically return to its takeoff point when the battery is low or the signal is lost, giving you confidence to explore without worrying about losing your drone.
DeeRC D65: User experience
The DeeRC D65 is a truly easy-to-use drone. Anyone with zero experience in the field can fly this drone with ease. However, as it lacks a built-in collision avoidance system, users must exercise caution while flying and avoid obstacles such as walls, trees, or other structures.
After I charged the flight battery and radio controller, I went to my usual flight field. Beginners should choose an ample, open space that they are familiar with for their first flight.
The controller connects to the drone quickly, as does the phone to the drone’s Wi-Fi signal. The app’s user interface is clear and easy to understand, with a minimal number of settings to avoid overwhelming beginners. Before its first flight, the D65 requires a compass calibration, with on-screen instructions to guide users throughout the process.
Take-off and landing are easy with the press of a button. The combination of GPS positioning and an optical flow sensor provides this drone with excellent hovering stability.
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