Are you looking for the best DJI drones? This list will help you fly your DJI drone, whether you are flying it for pleasure or for a professional photography job. DJI is a trusted name in drone manufacturing. It offers a wide range of models, from budget to professional-level flying machines. This guide will help you find the best drone for you.
Which DJI drone is the best? The DJI Mini 3 Pro is our top choice for flyers of all types. It packs pro skills into a compact, foldable form and deploys a stabilized CMOS sensor to capture stunning footage in landscape and portrait. It is easy to fly solo with the help of automated shots, obstacle avoidance and subject tracking.
We recommend the DJI Mavic 3 if you are willing to spend more money for a powerful drone. The DJI Mavic 3 comes with 2 cameras. It has a 20MP Four Thirds sensor that allows for an adjustable aperture and delivers exceptional image quality. This drone is great for serious aerial filmmakers. It can record 5.1K footage at 50fps. The DJI Air 2S is a DJI drone that sits between them. It’s arguably the best spot for photographers.
We’ve tested every DJI drone in this list, regardless of its type. Our recommendations are ranked based on their flight time. It’s a combination of our price comparison tool and DJI drone pricing that will ensure you get the best deal.
These are the best DJI drones for 2022
(Image credit: Future)
1. DJI Mini 3 Pro
This drone is the best for most people
Specifications
Weight: 249g
Optional Controller
Camera resolution: 12.1MP
Battery capacity: 2453mAh
Range: 12km (FCC), 8km (CE)
+Impressive low-light performance+Useful obstacle avoidance
Avoidable reasons
Mavic 3 is more expensive than the previous versions, but it offers better image quality
The DJI Mini 3 Pro packs pro performance in a compact, foldable package. This is the DJI Mini 3 Pro. It weighs less than 250g like its predecessor but has a larger propeller and better aerodynamics, resulting in a 34-minute maximum flight time.
The main upgrade is the new 1/1.3in CMOS sensor. This sensor can be attached to a stabilizing device and rotated 90 degrees in order to capture portraits. We found that the improved shooting setup made a significant improvement in both video and stills quality. The noise handling was particularly impressive, producing remarkable results even under low lighting conditions.
The DJI RC Smart Controller is the most expensive bundle. It features a 5.5-inch touchscreen that provides better visibility. Solo flying? The Mini-series drone can be flown solo with the obstacle avoidance sensors reducing the chance of collisions. These automated flight patterns make it simple to capture cinematic content solo. Subject tracking was also a great option in testing.
Although the Mini 3 Pro’s price is higher than the DJI Air 2S due to its increased cost, we believe that the Mini 3 Pro’s small size, weight, and serious skills make it a great flying machine for all levels of pilots.
- Check out our DJI mini 3 Pro review
(Image credit: Future)
2. DJI Mavic 3
Pros’ best premium drone
Specifications
Weight: 895g
Controller: Yes
Camera resolution: 20MP
Size: 5000mAh
Range: 15km
There are many reasons to buy
+Excellent Four Thirds Camera+Useful Adjustable Aperture+Improved Safety Features
Avoidable reasons
-Pricier than Mavic 2 series. The Mavic 2 series Basic controller does not have an info screen. European classification issues.
DJI launched Mavic 3 before the full suite of features were available. The gaps were filled by a firmware update, making the Mavic 3 the aerial powerhouse DJI promised. A new dual Hasselblad camera setup is featured: the 20MP Four Thirds CMO sensor is impressive with its adjustable aperture and top-of-the-line image quality. The secondary telephoto lens, which is limited but still useful for distant subjects, is less effective.
The Mavic 3 has upgraded video capabilities, making it a major upgrade for professionals. It can capture 5.1K at 50fps and supports Apple ProRes FullHD at 120fps. The Mavic 3 has been upgraded to provide better battery life, collision avoidance, and responsiveness while still being backpack-friendly. You also get 1TB solid-state storage when you choose the Cine edition.
The Mavic 3 drone is the most powerful DJI drone in terms of performance, thanks to its skills like ActiveTrack 5.0 subject tracking, automated MasterShots, and high-speed QuickTransfer via WiFi 6. Professional flyers are the market for this drone, despite its high-end price.
- Check out our DJI Mavic3 review
(Image credit: Future)
3. DJI Air 2S
This is a great all-rounder for all kinds of flyers
Specifications
Weight: 595g
Controller: Yes
Camera resolution: 20MP
Flight time: 31 minutes
Range: 8km-12km
There are many reasons to buy
+Large 1-Inch sensor+Small, lightweight
Avoidable reasons
-The adjustable aperture-controller cannot be folded
DJI’s Air line has been a great choice for anyone looking for an ideal balance between portability and image quality. The DJI Air 2S is a new addition to that range. The DJI Air 2S effectively combines our favorite DJI drones, Mavic Air 2 Pro and Mavic 2 Pro. The Air 2S is a combination of the foldable, backpack-friendly design of the first and the 20MP 1-Inch sensor from the second. This makes it our top choice drone.
The Mavic Air 2 (below), if you have a smaller budget, is a great choice. While the Mavic 2 Pro’s variable aperture (which isn’t available on the Air 2S), is a useful feature for people who use ND filters regularly, the Mavic 2 Pro isn’t available on the Air 2S). The Air 2S, however, is a great all-rounder. It offers 5.4K video at 30fps and a handy digital zoom option, even though we only used it for 2x zoom. This combination makes the mid-range drone very appealing to both amateurs and professional photographers looking to add an aerial dimension to their photos.
- Check out our DJI AIR 2S review
(Image credit: Future)
4. DJI Mini 2
An affordable, palm-sized drone for beginners
Specifications
Weight: 249g
Controller: Yes
Camera resolution: 12MP
Size: 2,250mAh
Range: 5.8GHz: 10 km (FCC);6 km (SRRC).
There are many reasons to buy
+Compact, convenient,+Intuitive for flying
Avoidable reasons
No follow mode-Pricier that the original
The second generation of DJI’s compact drone is very similar to the DJI Mavic Mini (see above). It is also the perfect beginner’s flying machine. The Mini 2 is still a pocketable drone and doesn’t need registration in most countries. The Mini 2 now features a new controller, which is sleeker and has no antenna. This makes it easier to fly and gives you an increased range of up 10km.
The 4K resolution is also new: even though the sensor is sensitive to the sun, it can still capture sharp footage in bright sunlight. The Mini 2 is as stable as you would expect from a DJI drone. It can also fly in the most windy conditions. The Mini 2 is the perfect beginner drone, with a 30-minute flight duration and five Quickshots.
- Check out our DJI mini 2 review
(Image credit: Future)
5. DJI Mavic Air 2
Foldable drones that offer great value
Specifications
Weight: 570g
Yes
Camera resolution: 12MP
Size: 3,950 mAh
Range: 10km
There are many reasons to buy
+Simple to Fly+Shoots stunning 4K/60p video+Decent 33-minute battery life
Avoidable reasons
Camera feed occasionally stutters. The controller does not have a screen.
The DJI Air 2S has succeeded it, but the Mavic Air 2 is still available for those looking for a foldable mid-range model at a more affordable price. The main difference is that the older Mavic Air 2’s 48MP 1/2-inch sensor is smaller than the Air 2S’s 20MP 1-Inch sensor. The Mavic Air 2 is still a great drone for hobbyists. It still produces 4K/60p video and has a wide range of shooting options that make it one of the most versatile.
Ocusync 2.0 connectivity is included in the Mavic Air 2’s controller. This increases the range of the drone up to 10km, and improves stability for the DJI Fly app. DJI also offers a variety of beginner-friendly modes, such as the ‘Quickshot” automated flying modes and subject tracking. Although the DJI Mini 2 is a more affordable option for beginners, it’s still a great choice if you want high-quality 4K video under well-lit conditions. The Mavic Air 2 is also worth looking at.
- Check out our DJI Mavic Air2 review
(Image credit: Future)
6. DJI Mavic Zoom
Although no longer in use, it is still worthwhile to consider.
Specifications
Weight: 905g
Controller: Yes
Camera resolution: 12MP
Size: 3,950 mAh
Range: 8km
There are many reasons to buy
+Easy-to-fly and intuitive to control+24 to 48mm optical zoom lens
Avoidable reasons
-Small 12MP sensor noise is a problem higher than ISO 100
The Mavic 2 Zoom, which was almost identical to the DJI Mavic 2 Pro when it launched, had an optical zoom. This drone has a smaller 12-megapixel sensor and a 24-48mm optical zoom lens. It is not the same sensor as its sibling, the DJI Mavic 2 Pro. This makes it possible to capture close-up shots at events without having to fly as close as other drones. The Mavic 3 has a telephoto lens but it does not have true optical zoom. Instead, you can switch between different focal lengths.
It has a smaller sensor that its siblings so image quality is lower than the Mavic 2 Pro or Air 2S. However, its videos and photos can be used in professional lighting and are excellent enough for professionals. The zoom is especially useful as distortion is minimal, and control via the companion app is easy. It also includes all the intelligent flight modes you would expect from DJI drones, such as Active Track and Hyperlapses. It has a good 30-minute flight time and is worth looking at if you are looking for a versatile drone with zoom capabilities. However, its overall performance is definitely inferior to the DJI Mavic 3.
- Check out our DJI Mavi 2 Zoom review
(Image credit: Future)
7. DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0
Pros can rely on a reliable and powerful quadcopter.
Specifications
Weight: 1375g
Yes
Camera resolution: 20MP
Size: 6000mAh
Range: 8km
There are many reasons to buy
+Large 1-inch 20MP sensor+Sturdy, fast drone+Shoots at 4K/60p video at 100Mbps
Avoidable reasons
-Large, bulky and more expensive than Mavic 2 Pro.
Although it is not the most recent model, the Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 was launched in 2018. The Phantom 4 Pro V2.0’s outstanding handling, weight, and 30 minute flight time mean that it is especially adept in windier conditions.
The Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 also does well in video and stills, thanks to its 20MP sensor (1-inch) that allows it to shoot flexible raw photos as well as 4K/60p video at 100Mbps using the D-Log profile. Although it isn’t as portable as smaller folding drones such as the DJI Mavic Air 2 or the Phantom 4 Pro V2.0, if reliability and the ability of fine-tuning your aerial footage post-production are important to you, this drone remains one the best.
