Used drones in the US typically sell for $110 to $605. Drones depreciate quickly and buyers focus on battery health and whether the model is still supported by its app.
What drones are worth in the US
| Condition | Typical | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | $606 | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | $515 | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | $394 | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | $273 | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | $151 | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
Guide ranges converted from sterling at the 2 August 2026 rate, not quotes — sellers set their own price. Grades are seller-declared; WishThrift does not inspect or verify them.
What lifts the price
- Batteries holding close to full flight time
- Gimbal with smooth, stable movement
What pulls it down
- Gimbal damage from a crash, showing as unstable footage
- Crash history with repairs to the arms or shell
Selling a drone in the US
Peer-to-peer payment apps dominate private sales, and buyers will usually offer one before they offer cash. Sales tax does not apply to a private sale between individuals.
The US resale market is enormous and highly local — most transactions still happen between people within driving distance of each other, and buyers expect to collect rather than wait for a courier.
Two practical things shape a US sale. Shipping is priced by dimensional weight as well as actual weight, so a light bulky item can cost far more to send than a heavy small one — measure the box before you quote. And meeting in person is common enough that many police departments now run designated safe-exchange areas in their car parks.
Working out what yours is worth
- Charge every battery and note the real flight time
- Confirm the model still works with the current app
Getting it ready
- Check every propeller and arm for cracks, inspect the gimbal for free movement, and confirm the camera is undamaged.
- Charge each battery, record the cycle count if the app reports it, and check for any swelling — a swollen battery must not be sold or posted.
Photograph
- The gimbal and camera close up
- All batteries, propellers, controller and case laid out together
Put in the description
- How many batteries, their cycle counts and health, and whether any is swollen
- What is included — controller, charger, propellers, case — and any crash history
Brand, model and bundle: “DJI Mini 3 Drone, Under 250g, 3 Batteries, Fly More Combo”. Take-off weight is a genuine search because it determines which rules apply. Say how many batteries and whether the controller and case are included.
Lifts in spring and before Christmas. Current models from major brands sell within days; older models drop sharply when a successor launches, so there is little advantage in waiting.
It costs nothing to list
There is no listing fee, no selling fee and no commission, so the $606 a buyer pays is the $606 you keep. You and the buyer settle up and arrange the handover between yourselves; WishThrift does not hold the money or ship the item.
Where in the US
The United States is a big place and what sells well moves with it. These are the parts of the United States with their own page for drones.
- New York
- Los Angeles
- Chicago
- Houston
- Phoenix
- Philadelphia
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- Dallas
- Austin
- San Jose
- Jacksonville
- Fort Worth
- Columbus
- Indianapolis
- Charlotte
- San Francisco
- Seattle
- Denver
- Washington
- Nashville
- Boston
- Las Vegas
- Portland
- Detroit
- Memphis
- Louisville
- Baltimore
- Milwaukee
- Albuquerque
- Fresno
- Tucson
- Sacramento
- Kansas City
- Mesa
- Atlanta
- Omaha
- Colorado Springs
- Raleigh
- Virginia Beach
- Long Beach
- Miami
- Oakland
- Minneapolis
- Tulsa
- Bakersfield
Common questions
Where can I sell a drone in the US?
List it free on WishThrift and deal with the buyer direct. There is no selling fee, so the whole amount stays with you. Peer-to-peer payment apps dominate private sales, and buyers will usually offer one before they offer cash. Sales tax does not apply to a private sale between individuals.
Has it ever crashed?
Answer honestly. Crash damage affects motors, arms and gimbal alignment in ways that are not always visible, and buyers who fly regularly always ask.
Do drones lose app support?
Yes, and it substantially reduces value. Confirm the model still works with current app versions before listing.
Should I disclose a crash?
Always. Crash damage affects the gimbal and arms, and buyers who find out afterwards will return it.
More: how to sell a drone, what drones are worth, or Cameras & Photography across the United States.