The best DJI drone, whatever your budget
The best DJI drone, whatever your budget
5:12

The best DJI drone, whatever your budget

Drones
[MUSIC] DJI is the undisputed king of the drones but with so many models available, which one is right for you? Let's take a look and find out [MUSIC] [MUSIC] The consumer drone world is pretty much a one horse race with DJI offering everything from tiny toy size drain through to amazing professional Riggs. That means that there's a good option depending on your aerial photography needs, the size of your photography, backpack, and of course your budget. Thankfully, we've tested the lot. So here then are the best ones you should consider Right at the smallest end of the range is the DJI MINI 2. As the mini name suggests this thing is absolutely tiny and can fold down almost small enough to fit in your pocket. That makes it super good for traveling where you don't want to carry around a dedicated photography backpack. But you also don't want to miss out on the opportunity of getting some really cool aerial shots. It's got a stabilized camera on the front as well as a variety of automated flying modes. Which makes it really simple for beginners to get good looking footage. It's small size does mean that it is quite susceptible to winds though. So if you're planning on flying in more wild conditions, you might wanna consider something a little bit bigger. [MUSIC] The air 2S is DJI most recent edition and while it might look physically identical to last year's Air 2, it's got a whole new camera system including a much larger image sensor. Now that lets it take better looking still images along with video footage add up to 5.4K resolution. It's bigger size makes it more stable in difficult conditions but it still packs down small enough to fit inside a standard lens compartment in any photography backpack, which makes it great for adventures. It can fly up to 12 kilometers away from where you're standing. It's got sensors all around to help it stop crashing into things. And it still has a variety of automated flight modes which can help you get really cinematic looking footage when you're out and about. [MUSIC] Don't right off the Air 2 just because the Air 2s is here it's pretty much the same size has similar battery life. It can shoot video in 4k resolution and it still has a wide variety. Of intelligent flight modes. It has a smaller image sensor though as well as a few other missing bells and whistles but as a result, it comes in at a more affordable price. If you're after a decent drone for photography on hikes up in the hills, but you can't quite stomach the cost of the Air 2S, the Air 2 is a great option to consider. [MUSIC] First Person Perspective or FPV drones use a headset to give you a view directly from your drones perspective. It can be an exhilarating way to fly but it's typically only been available to enthusiasts who've been building their own FPV systems. DJIFPV is the first commercially available at first person perspective drone offering not only that amazing, exhilarating perspective, but speeds up to 97 miles per hour and 4k stabilized footage flying. It does take a bit of getting used to of course, particularly if you're trying to navigate it at full speed through some trees. You don't want to smash it to bits. It's also worth keeping in mind that that view from the goggles can be a little bit nauseating at times, particularly if you suffer from motion sickness. But if you've been wanting to get those dramatic FPV shots that have been dominating Instagram recently, this is the only drone on that list with the skills to get you there. With it 6k RA capable camera it's independent camera operator controls and its wealth of other cinematic features. The DJI inspire two is aimed squarely at the professionals among you or at least the enthusiast with very deep pockets. And surprisingly then it's also the largest drone on this list requiring not only a dedicated flight case for the drone itself, but cases for the controllers and the batteries and any other accessories that you'll need in order to get the best looking footage. As such, this is not a drone to consider if all you want is to capture your solo hikes up in the hills. Instead, you can expect to see the Inspire 2 as part of professional production crews filming things like TV shows, commercials or even feature films where portability and of course cost is less of an issue. But if you're looking for the ultimate in image quality from any of DJI drones, the Inspire 2 is the one to go for. So those are the five best DJI drones that you can get right now. Remember that whichever one you get, always make sure that you're flying within your local laws and that you have not only the permissions but also the safety knowledge to take to the sky. What do you think to DJI is lineup? Are you excited about the world of aerial imagery? Or are your feet firmly planted on the ground? Do let us know your thoughts in the comments below and make sure to like and subscribe for a lot more from CNET

Up Next

First Drive in the All-Electric 2024 Fiat 500e
240417-site-fiat-500e-ev-drive-program-thumbnail-v3

Up Next

First Drive in the All-Electric 2024 Fiat 500e

We Revisit the iPhone 15 Pro Max, 7 Months After Its Launch
iphone-15-pro-max-7-months-later

We Revisit the iPhone 15 Pro Max, 7 Months After Its Launch

Humane's AI Pin: Unboxed and Tested
240409-site-humane-ai-pin-review-v2

Humane's AI Pin: Unboxed and Tested

Xiaomi 14 Ultra Review: The Best Camera Phone I've Ever Used
240404-yt-xiaomi-14-ultra-camera-for-pro-v08

Xiaomi 14 Ultra Review: The Best Camera Phone I've Ever Used

You Thought Your Phone Was Cool. Check Out These Design Concepts
240319-site-wildest-phone-concepts-of-2024

You Thought Your Phone Was Cool. Check Out These Design Concepts

The PlayStation Portal Built-In Volume Is too Loud: Here's How to Keep It Low
playstation-portal-audio-options-thumb2

The PlayStation Portal Built-In Volume Is too Loud: Here's How to Keep It Low

M3 MacBook Air Review: A Better Reason to Upgrade?
macbookair13-15-m3-clean

M3 MacBook Air Review: A Better Reason to Upgrade?

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Review: Audio Earrings
bose-ultra-open-earbuds-thumb6

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Review: Audio Earrings

We Deep Dive Into Apple Vision Pro
vlcsnap-2024-01-29-14h38m03s627.png

We Deep Dive Into Apple Vision Pro

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
240123-site-samsung-galaxy-s24-ultra-review-4

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost

Tech Shows

The Apple Core
apple-core-w

The Apple Core

Alphabet City
alphabet-city-w

Alphabet City

CNET Top 5
cnet-top-5-w

CNET Top 5

The Daily Charge
dc-site-1color-logo.png

The Daily Charge

What the Future
what-the-future-w

What the Future

Tech Today
tech-today-w

Tech Today

Latest News All latest news

Meta Expands Its Mixed Reality Beyond the Quest Headsets Explainer
Meta Quest 2

Meta Expands Its Mixed Reality Beyond the Quest Headsets Explainer

What AirPods Rumors Tell Us About Apple's Health Ambitions
240424-omt-next-airpods-v07

What AirPods Rumors Tell Us About Apple's Health Ambitions

Robosen's Megatron Transformer Is Too Much Fun for an Evil Robot
240419-megatron-v04

Robosen's Megatron Transformer Is Too Much Fun for an Evil Robot

Apple May Give FineWoven Accessories One More Season
finewoven-240424-land-00-00-13-04-still003

Apple May Give FineWoven Accessories One More Season

US vs. TikTok: What Happens Next
240424-yt-tiktok-vs-us-v04

US vs. TikTok: What Happens Next

Battle of the Humanoid Robots: MenteeBot Is Ready
240423-yt-menteebot-ai-robot-v08

Battle of the Humanoid Robots: MenteeBot Is Ready

Most Popular All most popular

First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
innovation

First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
240123-site-samsung-galaxy-s24-ultra-review-4

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost

'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
circlesearchpic

'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen

Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
asus-preces-00-00-25-11-still003

Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop

Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
samsung-galaxy-ring-clean

Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions

Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
240111-site-best-of-ces-2024-1

Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024

Latest Products All latest products

Robosen's Megatron Transformer Is Too Much Fun for an Evil Robot
240419-megatron-v04

Robosen's Megatron Transformer Is Too Much Fun for an Evil Robot

Battle of the Humanoid Robots: MenteeBot Is Ready
240423-yt-menteebot-ai-robot-v08

Battle of the Humanoid Robots: MenteeBot Is Ready

2025 Audi Q6, SQ6 E-Tron: Audi's Newest EV Is Its Most Compelling
cnet-audiq6

2025 Audi Q6, SQ6 E-Tron: Audi's Newest EV Is Its Most Compelling

Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
pic3

Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter

Nuro R3 is an Adorable Self-Driving Snack Bar
240320-site-nuro-r3-first-look-v1

Nuro R3 is an Adorable Self-Driving Snack Bar

First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
240304-site-nothing-phone-2-first-look-v3

First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day

Latest How To All how to videos

Tips and Tricks for the AirPods Pro 2
airpods-pro-2

Tips and Tricks for the AirPods Pro 2

How to Watch the Solar Eclipse Safely From Your Phone
screenshot-2024-04-03-at-15-47-11.png

How to Watch the Solar Eclipse Safely From Your Phone

Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
240311-site-windows-11-hidden-tips-and-tricks-v2

Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features

Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
VisionOS 1.0.3

Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3

Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
240216-site-galaxy-s24-ultra-tips-and-hidden-features-2

Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra

TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro
tiktok-on-vision-pro-clean

TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro