The Best Budget Drivers of 2024 Under $150, $200 & $300

Do you need to spend $600 on a driver to get more distance and better accuracy? 

You certainly can, and if money is no object, there are some incredible drivers out there today. But we found plenty of drivers that prove you do not. If you're truly looking for the best budget driver, here are several drivers that will wow you with performance, distance, durability, and some added confidence when you need it the most.

If you’re looking for the highest-performance driver at the lowest possible price, our top recommendation is this Cobra LTDx Max driver. In our opinion, it’s easily the best driver under $200 you can get today.

Released in 2022, the LTDx Max delivers maximum forgiveness. Cobra strategically put weight low and forward in this driver to reduce spin (which increases distance), while adding tungsten weighting to the back to boost forgiveness. Despite the weight low and forward in the club, Cobra describes the spin profile of this driver as low-mid, making it the highest spin head in the LTDx lineup – the LTDx LS and LTDx both have low spin profiles.

The hosel is adjustable so you can dial in your preferred launch conditions. Given that you can expect lower spin from this driver, bumping the loft up may help slower-swing speed players find the optimal launch to pair with that reduced spin to churn out maximum distance. That’s one of the reasons this driver suits a wide range of players.

Additionally, there are two interchangeable weights in the sole, which let you choose between a draw-bias setting (heavy weight in the heel) or maximum forgiveness (heavy weight in the rear).

This combination of adjustability means that no matter how much your game evolves, this driver can evolve with it.

Pros:

• Low spin helps churn out long distances
• Maximum forgiveness
• Multiple adjustment options so you can always dial it into your specs

Cons:

• Players who swing driver 105+ mph may consider a lower-spinning version (LTDx LS or LTDx) in exchange for some forgiveness

We love it when golf brands are resurrected, and this Adams Idea driver is part of Adams’ resurrection of 2023. 

If this driver reminds you more of recent TaylorMade drivers than Adams clubs of the past, there’s good reason for that. TaylorMade bought Adams Golf in 2012. That should give you even more confidence that the Idea driver, and the entire line of Idea clubs, are built for quality, performance, and durability.

At just $199, you can expect plenty of distance and forgiveness from the Idea driver. A weighted screw in the rear heel-side of the head produces a slight draw-bias while still boosting forgiveness. The hosel is adjustable so you can optimize launch.

Pros:

• Excellent value
• Trusted quality and performance
• Adjustable hosel

Cons:

• No adjustable weights

There are a few things we love about this driver. Let’s start with the $159 price tag, which makes it the best-priced tour-brand driver on this list. If you’re looking for the best combination of value and reputation, here it is.

Second, it’s designed to be extremely easy to hit. The Houdini Sole makes this a very forgiving driver, moving the center of gravity low and deep so you get more forgiveness and higher launch.

Finally, one of our favorite features in any driver, is the option for a Control Lenght shaft, which I personally highly recommend. Control Length is a fancy way of saying shorter. The Control Length shafts are designed to lengths and weights specifically to work with the E522 head. Using a shorter shaft makes it way easier to find the sweep spot, which results in better smash factor, and often better (and more consistent) distances and tighter dispersion.

All of those things combined make this one of the best drivers for players looking for consistency and confidence off the tee, two things no golfer can get enough of.

Pros:

• Option for Control Length Shafts which lead to improved smash factor and dispersion
• Lowest-priced tour-brand driver on this list

Cons:

• No adjustability

If you’re sold on the benefits, and price, of a Tour Edge driver, and want the latest model, there’s great news: the 2024 editions also fall into the great value category.

There are two options to choose from, which combine to cover the spectrum of players.

First, there’s the E524, which is the new-and-improved version of the aforementioned E522. The E stands for extreme spec, meaning it’s designed for maximum forgiveness. We touted the Control Length Shaft in the E522, and in 2024, you can choose your shaft length, dialing the length you want. The standard length is 45-inches, already shorter than most other OEMs, and when you order from Tour Edge, you can choose to go shorter from there if you’d like.

The E524 is best for slower to moderate swing speed players who want maximum forgiveness, and its sibling, the C524, is a better option for players with faster swing speeds, as it will generate better spin and launch conditions from faster speeds. 

Both options check in at $249.

Pros:

• Best-value driver released in 2024
• Choose your shaft length to help boost smash factor and tighten dispersion

Cons:

• No adjustability

Looking for a great deal on a 2024 driver from one of the most reputable OEMs in golf? Then you need to check out Mizuno’s ST-MAX 230 driver, which just dropped in price to $300, a huge price break from the original $500 price tag.

The ST-230 MAX expands Mizuno’s metalwood offerings with what the brand tabs as its maximum stability and maximum MOI offering.

The bulge in the back of the club head weighs a whopping 54 grams, which makes it the most stable Mizuno driver ever. With that additional stability, Mizuno took the liberty to pop a standard 45.75-inch shaft in the head, testing the USGA’s 46-inch limit. A longer shaft creates more clubhead speed, and if you can convert that club speed into ball speed – which a forgiving head helps you do – you’ll get more distance.

The footprint is large compared to most drivers, but still fits into the 460cc box thanks to a lower-profile. This should give players extra confidence at address.

Pros:

• Significant price drop
• Released in 2024
• Adjustable hosel
• Several shaft options at no upcharge

Cons:

• If you’re looking for a draw-biased driver, this is not it
• The longer shaft could hinder ball-striking, even though Mizuno is confident the forgiving head should offset this

No, this Launcher XL2 driver does not check in under $300 like all the other drivers on this list, but most other drivers listed here aren’t 2024 models, and if you’re looking for the best value drivers that were released this year, you have to consider the Launcher XL2.

It’s available in both standard and draw options, with a women’s spec as well, so there’s a version for every amateur. 

The head of this driver just looks huge. With a deep footprint and high-rounded head, the XL2 is made for distance and forgiveness. The shaft is counter-balanced, which makes the club feel lighter without actually reducing weight, so you can still put a bigger punch into the ball. 

If you’re looking to offset a slice, check out the Draw version.

Pros:

• Built to be easy to hit
• AI-designed face for optimal forgiveness across the face
• Men’s, women’s, and draw versions available 

Cons:

• Wrench sold separately
• Large head may be too much for some players

Sub 70 is a direct-to-consumer golf brand that has gained some serious fanfare over the past few years. One of Sub 70s hallmarks is building clubs that produce results on the course and look great at a palatable price point. The 849D driver checks all of those boxes and a few more.

When we visited Sub 70 to test virtually every club they make, we were very impressed with how this driver reacted to shot-shaping. As mid-handicap players, we don't have the skills of scratch golfers, but that doesn't mean we don't like to hit soft fades and draws when the situation calls for it. 

The 849D is designed to promote a draw, but there are 20 grams of adjustable weighting for you to fine-tune your shot shape. The stock shaft is a Project X HZRDUS Smoke Red RDX 50 5.5 and Sub 70 offers plenty of other options. At just $279 and with Sub 70’s 60-day guarantee, you can’t go wrong.

Pros:

• Great look
• Soft draw
• Simple adjustability
• Premium performance at value price

Cons:

• Not intended for low-handicap golfers

The Callaway Mavrik driver is arguably one of the best drivers of the last five years, and since drivers are only getting better with time, that means it’s one of the best drivers ever made. 

You’d never know it by simply comparing prices. The Mavrik 22 is down to just $249 on Amazon and several other places, a refreshing price compared to the $600-plus drivers released today. 

Pros:

• A fraction of the price of most new drivers released today
• Distance, forgiveness and accuracy are competitive with any driver released this year

Cons:

• Limited supply
• Specific specifications may be hard to find

Tommy Armour, the brand, has been around for over 50 years, and yet still seems to be a bit unheralded. This 845-MAX driver is easily a gamer for many amateur players and it's just as easily a great fit for this list. 

Aside from setting you back only $149, the 845-MAX really packs a punch when it comes to performance. Admittedly, we did not expect to like this driver as much as we did. Its main design trait is FLEX-11, a face design that has 11 different thicknesses to produce faster ball speeds on off-center hits.

The driver has an adjustable hosel with six settings that allow you to adjust the loft to hit lower or higher shots, and shape bias to promote your choice of a draw or fade. 

After you give this driver a go in a simulator or on the range, count all the premium features that come with this stick. At $149, this driver is an absolute steal.

Pros:

• Forgiveness on shots away from the center of the face
• Top end distance competes with $600-plus drivers in our testing
• Adjustable hosel offers trajectory (high, low) and shape (draw, fade) manipulation
• Feels like it should cost a lot more

Cons:

• Not as draw-biased (slice-fighting) as other options
• 9.0 degree option is available for right-handers only (10.5 degrees available to RH and LH golfers)