I'm looking at the Holy Stone HS720E which seems to offer a lot for under $200 — GPS, 4K video, and decent flight time. But I've heard mixed things about Holy Stone drones. Is the HS720E actually a good drone or should I spend more for a DJI Mini 2 SE?
The Holy Stone HS720E is a capable budget GPS drone for under $200, but understand what it is and is not.
What it does well: GPS-assisted stable hovering, reliable return-to-home, follow-me mode, decent 4K EIS video for the price, and genuine 26-minute flight time.
What it is not: a DJI. The 4K camera has a much smaller sensor and weaker image processor than the DJI Mini 2 SE — the video looks noticeably softer, grainier in low light, and has more EIS distortion. The GPS is functional but less precise than DJI's multi-constellation system.
If your budget is firmly under $200 and you want GPS features for casual flying, the HS720E works. If you can stretch to $299 for the DJI Mini 2 SE, the video quality and flight stability gap is significant enough to justify the extra $100.
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I own the HS720E. After 6 months: the GPS hold is solid in calm to moderate wind. RTH has worked reliably every time. The app is functional but less polished than DJI Fly.
The camera is the weak point — daytime video in good light is acceptable for social media, but anything in shade or overcast looks grainy and washed out. Don't expect DJI image quality at Holy Stone prices. Expect a functional GPS drone that teaches you to fly and won't cause financial pain if you crash it during your learning phase.
The 26-minute flight time claim requires context. In no-wind, GPS-hold, no video streaming conditions, you might hit 24-26 minutes. With the phone connected, wind, and active flying, expect 18-22 minutes realistically.
The drone typically ships with two batteries in most bundles, which gives you a practical 35-40 minutes of flying time per session. That's a reasonable session for learning and casual shooting. Just don't plan a professional shoot expecting 26 minutes per pack.
Important: the Holy Stone HS720E weighs approximately 491g — over the 250g FAA registration threshold. It requires FAA DroneZone registration ($5) and Remote ID compliance.
The drone does not have built-in Remote ID, so you need a Remote ID broadcast module ($30-50) to fly legally. This isn't Holy Stone-specific, but budget drone buyers often discover this post-purchase. Factor the additional ~$35-50 Remote ID module cost into your total budget comparison when choosing between the HS720E and the DJI Mini 2 SE.
Wind resistance is where the HS720E shows its budget limits most clearly. In anything over 15mph sustained wind, the drone drifts significantly and the GPS corrective inputs become visible as jerky movements in video. DJI drones handle 20-25mph wind much more gracefully.
If you live in a consistently windy area — coastal, open plains, mountain foothills — the HS720E will frustrate you. In calm suburban parks and backyard flying conditions where you control the wind exposure, it performs well for the price. Know your flying environment before choosing.
The HS720E makes the most sense as a first drone where you want GPS features at under $200 — as a gift, for a teenager learning to fly, or as a low-stakes introduction before investing in DJI gear.
Starting on an HS720E is smarter than buying a $400+ drone and crashing it during your first month of learning. Understand the basics, figure out what features you actually use, and upgrade when you know your use case. For a full comparison of the Holy Stone brand against Potensic and other budget GPS options, see our detailed guide on Potensic vs Holy Stone — which is better value.