Buying a hot air balloon is not at all easy, since they are very expensive. You can buy a new car in the same range that you will buy a hot air balloon.
Not only will their cost be the same, but the amount of maintenance will also be kind of similar. The more time-consuming thing is the time taken to research the right hot air balloon as you would do for a car.
It is not hard to get hot air balloons of the highest quality from different balloon manufacturers situated worldwide. Some of the well-known hot air balloon brands are Cameron Balloons, Ultramagic Balloons, and FireFly.
If you are on a budget, then you can also choose used balloons, the quality of which may be lower than the new ones. If you are looking for budget-friendly hot air balloons, then you have come to the right place.
Here we have included some of the cheap hot air balloons which are of good quality.
Cameroon Balloons
You may have heard Cameroon Balloons’ name since they are one of the best and largest manufacturers of a hot air balloon. Widely known for its high-quality products, Cameroon Balloons have made their name in the world.
Two distinct companies are a part of Cameroon Balloons and have been able to withhold the parent company’s legacy with their products. Cameroon US is the first one, which is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. If you stay in or near the area, then Cameroon US will be your first choice.
Located in Bristol, England, Cameroon Balloons Ltd. is another company. People are live in Africa, Europe, or Asia will be closer to this one. The main reason for finding companies near your location, despite both international shipping, is the delivery cost.
If you are in Asia and are ordering a hot air balloon from Cameron US, then the delivery cost will be huge. It will be much easier and far more affordable for you to order from Cameron Balloons Ltd. This way, the delivery cost will not hit your account harshly.
You can also get in touch with companies faster, which share the same time zone. If there are any problems with your product, it will be much easier to contact customer service. Below are some of the best products of the company.
O-Type
The first type of hot air balloon is the O-type, economical, and an all-purpose one. This balloon can be used for many different reasons and in the right way. Whether you want it for passenger carrying, advertising, or simply for fun, the O-type is the one for you.
The shape of the balloon is also perfect for creative design. There is nothing that you cannot do with the help of this balloon. Modernity is what you see when you look at this balloon. In addition to this, the balloon makes you feel like you are flying.
Cameroon’s standard basket will cost you around $30,000, which is a good enough deal, including all you can get.
Concept
If you are looking for a starter hot air balloon at a very affordable price, then the Concept is the right choice for you. Not only is it cost-effective, but the balloon is also small and easy to use. This balloon is one of the time-tested ones that you will find on this list.
Many of the hot air balloons of Re/Max use envelopes of Concept.
The Concept of hot air balloons is also very durable. Despite being used for a long time, the hot air balloons are said to withstand most weather conditions. This is one of the finest sporting hot air balloons.
Another interesting thing about the Concept is that different kinds of baskets can be used with it. The whole Concept package, coupled with the Lite Basket, will cost you somewhere around $16,250 and $18,480.
FireFly
Oldest among the other hot air balloon manufacturers in the United States is the FireFly. They have been able to maintain their position in the market due to their excellent products.
Earlier the FireFly was known as the Balloon Works. Many old-timers still call it that. Started in 1972 and headquartered in North Carolina, the company has now spread to the United States and beyond.
You can find all the information you need about the company and its products on the FireFly website. The website is user-friendly, and you can also make your quote easily.
Innovation is the key to all the changes made in the company. This focus has been created from inception by the godfather of the company – Tracy Barnes.
Below are some of the best products of the company that you can buy for yourself.
FireFly 7B
If you are a beginner, then the best choice could be the FireFly 7B. It is a small balloon that will be perfect for first-timers who have no experience riding a hot air balloon. You can easily transport and also manage the balloon.
Most companies do not focus on transportation ease, especially when it comes to beginner balloons. It is a huge loss and extremely disappointing to invest in a beginner balloon and not transport where you want.
The best thing about buying the FireFly 7B is that it comes with the full package. You will get all that you need in this package. The full system, along with the 4.0 basket, will cost around $26,000.
FireFly 8B
The FireFly 8B is the perfect size for many balloonists. The volume of the FireFly 8b is 90,000 cubic feet, which means that it can be used for many purposes. You can especially use this balloon for advertising.
Almost all modern balloons have this seizure, which means that most companies have envelopes of this size. Despite such a huge competition, the FireFly 8B stands out among its competitors.
The ease of setting up and using the FireFly balloons is what attracts people the most. You can use it for anything, and the strength of the balloon cannot be explained.
You will not be disappointed with the amazing design and functionality of the FireFly 8B. The FireFly 8B is coupled with a 4.5 basket and costs about $33,000. You will get the best quality even at this rate.
Ultramagic Balloons
Ultramagic Balloons are another widely known hot air balloon manufacturers which are located in Spain. They are well-known as the balloon industry’s titan due to their widespread acceptance all over the world.
If you are located in Europe and are an ardent lover of ballooning, then you may have heard of Ultramagic Balloons. We contacted a dealer in Chicago, Illinois, to learn about the prices of Ultramagic products.
You can find a dealer on the official website of Ultramagic very easily. The dealer can be contacted easily with a tool present on the website itself. It doesn’t matter where you live; you can buy products of Ultramagic Balloons.
Since the major focus here is to find hot air balloons at an affordable price, you can do the same with Ultramagic Balloons. They provide very colorful products. However, you need not worry as Ultramagic Balloons provide you with some of the best options within your preferred budget.
S Series
The first thing that is very noticeable about the S Series is that they are durable, strong, and lightweight. You would want your hot air balloon to have all the qualities mentioned above. Therefore, these are the qualities that you will find in any balloon of the S Series.
People who enjoy the thrill of the flight, along with maintaining their safety, will be impressed with the S Series. Each balloon of this series is tested for extreme safety so that you can have an exhilarating flight without fearing about your life.
The S Series provides some of the best balloons for passenger carrying. However, the design of the balloon is not something that holds a major attraction. They are made of strong and simple colors.
Most of the attention is given to make them strong enough for any adventure. You can find balloons of different sizes in this series.
If you are a beginner, then you can look at the S50 or S70. For people who wish to have slightly more life, you can go for models S90 or up.
Based on the balloon’s design and size, the cost may range anywhere from $20,000 to $40,000.
The Racer
Have you ever thought of owning a racing balloon? Then this wish can be fulfilled by Ultramagic with the first-ever racing balloon in the world. Despite facing tough competition with time, they have held their ground since the inception of this product.
The Racer is a very responsive and smooth racing balloon, and if you want that slightly extra zoom, you will find it here. The best thing is, transporting this racing balloon will be a breeze.
Apart from the amazing envelope, the next best thing is the cool design. Considering it is a racing balloon, the price for this can be expensive to some. You may need to spend about $40,000 to get the Racer roughly.
Lindstrand
Lindstrand is one company that you cannot miss out on when looking for hot air balloons. The company sets itself apart from its competitors with its competitive prices, excellent service, and outstanding products.
Lindstrand maybe not as well-known or huge as the other listed companies here; however, they are growing with time. The reason for this will be clear to you once you try out their product.
For more than a decade, Lindstrand has been dominating its competitors with their awesome hot air balloons. One of the most notable products of the company belongs to the X Series.
Adding to that, the customer service of the company is something worth mentioning. The professionalism and amazing courtesy of their representative impressed us when we contacted them for their pricing information.
If you have any confusion or need to know about the Lindstrand products’ performance, you can check out the customer reviews. You will be stunned to see that most of their customers are extremely happy with their products and their customer care.
Below we have mentioned two of the cost-effective series of Lindstrand along with some impressive facts about them.
X Series
The X series is probably one of the best hot air balloon series in this category. Not only are they responsive and world-class, but the functionality of the balloon is something that cannot be explained in words.
You can only enjoy the experience of the balloon to understand what it provides. The only word we could find to explain the balloon in the easiest way possible is cool. This is both in terms of responsiveness and design.
Among the 12 US National Championships last year, 11 of them were won by the X Series. That is a very impressive face. If you want to find Han Solo in the world of hot air balloons, then the right choice would be the X Series.
You can get the whole system at around $35,000 to $40,000.
A-Series
If you want a hot air balloon to accentuate your style, then get the A-Series. The A-Series is famous for its complex and colorful designs. Along with a variety of sizes, the A-Series consists of quite a range of impressive products.
The A-Series portrays the durability of the Lindstrand brand. Based on the size that you choose, you can use the hot air balloon for passenger carrying, advertisement, and sports. You can use it for different purposes with extreme ease.
One of the most advantageous factors of the A-Series is that it is compatible with any basket. It also means that you can use baskets of any other company. This makes it easy for people who want to take ballooning seriously.
The A-Series balloon is perfect for all seasons. The whole system measures 90,000 cubic feet and can cost around $40,000.
Kubicek
Located in the Czech Republic, Kubicek is another hot air balloon company. It was hard to get in touch with the representatives of the company due to the location. Moreover, the currency difference is also another major factor.
Despite these issues, we have included this company on the list due to its website impression. On the company’s official website, you will find all the necessary information that you need to know about its products.
It is a very good company in Europe which supplies some of the topmost quality hot air balloons. If you wish to ship them outside of the country, then it can get a little expensive. However, if you have the budget, then it will be worth the money you pay.
The pride of Kubicek is their efficiency and dedication towards their work. In 2005, they shifted to a single building to increase workflow and productivity. The shifting resulted in every single of their operations being under one roof.
The language will not be a barrier while contacting them, and even their website has an English version. You can also visit their factory and book tours from the website itself. This will let you see their operations process first hand.
You will find that Kubicek is very logical in their designs, and all of their work is very customer-centric. If you stay in Europe, then Kubicek can be a very good option for you.
Used Balloons
If you cannot invest in new hot air balloons and have a low budget, you can go for used balloons. You can find many hot air balloons at cheap rates if you are comfortable with used balloons.
The main drawback of buying used balloons is that they may not come from verified sellers. Not that you will be paying more for some huge brand, but you could get ripped off by someone who has listed their product on Craigslist.
Buying hot air balloons online can be fine, but it involves many different risks. That is why it is better to buy it from someone who is known to you. This way, you will be confident that you are not being ripped off.
Another problem you may face while buying online is that the listings may not be updated. You may like a hot air balloon that could have already been sold, but the listing is still present.
Buying from someone you already know gives you the convenience of actually seeing the product before purchasing. You will not be able to do this while buying online.
The product will be available to you only after you have paid the seller. Even if there are issues with the product, you will be unable to return it.
A product that you can touch and feel will be much more beneficial. You can check for yourself if there are any problems with the product. If you find that the product is not up to the mark or worth the amount that the seller is asking, you can either deny or negotiate.
Investing in used products when you have a low budget is a good option!
