The D18 is a particularly cheap drone (Image source: PJC)As a new entry-level drone, the new D18 comes with two cameras as well as a controller with a built-in display. It also has obstacle avoidance, which could help prevent crashes and subsequent damage to the drone.
With the D18, the manufacturer PJC is likely targeting users who have no prior experience with drones and simply want to try out this type of gadget. Therefore, there are more or less significant compromises in terms of features, but the price is very low at around €32 including one battery. Shipping to Europe costs about €3, and delivery is expected between mid-November and early December. In the event of technical issues, warranty claims will likely be difficult to enforce.
The drone weighs about 5.5 oz and offers a flight time of up to 10 minutes. It records video in 480p, which may be sufficient for basic manual navigation but is hardly suitable for creating professional footage for YouTube. The FPV range is extremely limited as well and is listed at just 65 to 130 feet, meaning that even apart from the short battery life, covering a larger area with this budget drone won’t be much fun. That said, the remote control is included in the box and has a much higher range of about 330 feet and sports a display, but the cheap PJC D18 drone also supports a corresponding smartphone app.
The drone also supports obstacle avoidance that utilizes aforementioned cameras. That means the system won’t work properly in low-light conditions. The camera can recognize gestures, which may be useful for taking selfies. Last but not least, there are test videos available online for drones in this price range, which can give bargain hunters a first impression before they place an order for the wallet-friendly PJC D18 drone.
The D18 is a very affordable drone for beginners (Image source: PJC)
Related Articles
Editor of the original article: Silvio Werner – Senior Tech Writer – 15355 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2017
I have been active as a journalist for over 10 years, most of it in the field of technology. I worked for Tom’s Hardware and ComputerBase, among others, and have been working for Notebookcheck since 2017. My current focus is particularly on mini PCs and single-board computers such as the Raspberry Pi – so in other words, compact systems with a lot of potential. In addition, I have a soft spot for all kinds of wearables, especially smartwatches. My main profession is as a laboratory engineer, which is why neither scientific contexts nor the interpretation of complex measurements are foreign to me.
Translator: Enrico Frahn – Managing Editor Accessory Reviews, Tech Writer – 5425 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2021
My fascination for technology goes back a long way to the Pentium II era. Modding, overclocking and treasuring computer hardware has since become an integral part of my life. As a student, I further developed a keen interest in mobile technologies that can make the stressful college life so much easier. After I fell in love with the creation of digital content while working in a marketing position, I now scour the web to bring you the most exciting topics in the world of tech. Outside the office, I’m particularly passionate about motorsports and mountain biking.
Silvio Werner, 2025-09-27 (Update: 2025-09-27)
