The best drone accessories in 2024: essentials add-ons for DJI drones & more

best drone accessories
(Image credit: DJI)

Send your drone work to new heights with the best drone accessories in the business! Whether you're shooting videos, photos, or both, the best drone accessories can augment your experience in all sorts of ways, some of which you may not have considered. There are useful, drone-specific backpacks that keep your gear protected from the elements, as well as incredible goggles that allow you to fly from a first-person POV. 

There's also more prosaic stuff that is nevertheless essential, including batteries, chargers, filters, blade protectors, and more. Without spending loads of money, you can outfit your drone to be safer, more protected, and better equipped to achieve your vision.

That's why we've put together this extensive guide to everything, from the affordable essentials to the flashy extras, and we've attempted to cover a range of price points, so even if you're working on a tight budget, there will be accessories for you. 

Read on for our pick of the best drone accessories money can buy...

The best drone accessories in 2024

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(Image credit: Lowepro)

1. Lowepro DroneGuard BP 250

The best drone bag for the Mavic series

Specifications

Weight: 1.34kg
Stores: Drone, controller, up to seven batteries, 15-inch laptop, Osmo or two GoPros, other accessories

Reasons to buy

+
Sturdy construction
+
Adjustable storage for accessories

Reasons to avoid

-
Not a small bag
-
And quite heavy 

If you're going to be taking a drone out on adventures, a sturdy, bespoke backpack is one of the best purchases you can make. The Lowepro DroneGuard BP 250, as the name implies, is designed specifically to protect a drone; in this case, a drone about the size of a DJI Mavic fits in snugly. If you have a larger drone like the Phantom, consider the 400 series.

With a customisable interior and Formshell protection, this bag works the way you want it to and can be molded to suit your setup. There's even a removable waist belt for a little extra support on a long walk! For our money, this is the backpack for drone users.

Best drone accessories: Manfrotto D1

(Image credit: Manfrotto)

2. Manfrotto D1

A heftier backpack for larger drones

Specifications

Weight: 1.9kg
Stores: Drone, controller, additional camera, tripod, 17-inch laptop, tablet, extra batteries

Reasons to buy

+
Spacious and secure
+
Quick drone attachment

Reasons to avoid

-
Hefty and bulky
-
Tailored specifically to Phantom

If you're using larger, semi-professional, or professional drones, the Manfrotto D1 drone backpack is designed specifically for the DJI Phantom, featuring a useful quick-attach system that makes it very easy to quickly transport the drone from place to place.

There's also space for a DSLR in addition to your drone, as well as a 17-inch laptop and tablet, and there's a handy rain cover to protect all this gear from the elements. It's a pretty hefty proposition, but for completely covering your bases and safely transporting larger drones, it's one of the best choices you can make right now.

(Image credit: Camkix)

3. Camkix Professional Camera Cleaning Kit

Keep your lens of your drone clean and sharp

Specifications

Kit contents: Air Blower, Cleaning Pen, 50 Lens Tissues, 5 Microfiber cloths, Cleaning solution, Brush

Reasons to buy

+
Everything you need
+
 Just as handy on your camera

Reasons to avoid

-
No carry case, just plastic bag

Needing to be safely packed with sometimes-fiddly gimbal guards means drone lenses are especially prone to accidental dirt and marks. Worse still, the kind of swooping, turning aerial shots in sunlight are highly likely to translate those marks into unwanted flare. That’s why it’s important to be prepared with lens (and filter) cleaning wipes & microfibre cloths. Your ‘trusty’ T-shirt is not a good idea; modern fabrics usually create streaks and sometimes even permanent microscratches. 

This full, specifically designed cleaning kit to help protect your drone from marks and scratches is the perfect solution, and, for the money, it's one of the best drone accessories around.  

• See also Best lens cleaners

DJI FPV Combo

(Image credit: DJI)

4. DJI FPV Goggles V2

FPV goggles for racers and DJI prosumers

Specifications

Resolution: Dual 1920 x 1080
Bands: 2.4 & 5.8 GHz
Other features: Head Tracking, OcuSync

Reasons to buy

+
Built-in fan minimizes misting
+
High quality screen
+
Replaceable antenna

Reasons to avoid

-
Slightly more latency than some

You might think of DJI as being a wholly respectable brand, but occasionally they’ve dipped their toe into the dark sport that is drone racing, investing a lot of effort in creating high quality goggles which can be used to fly other DJI drones as if sat inside but are now really intended to link directly the phenomenally fast DJI FPV racing drone, hence the Star Wars villain looks.

The screen can refresh at 144 Hz and the system handle latency as low as 28 ms while the 420g isn’t as taxing a weight on your head as you might imagine. The system also drops some features from DJI’s previous (more professional looking) goggles like HDMI in which clearly proved of limited use with customers.

(Image credit: Epson)

5. Epson Moverio BT-300

The ultimate FPV goggles

Specifications

Display: Si-OLED 720p
Includes: Sun Shade Attachment
Camera: 5-megapixels
Contrast ratio: 100,000:1
CPU: Quad-core Intel Atom 1.44GHz

Reasons to buy

+
Light and comfortable to wear 
+
Includes AR

Reasons to avoid

-
Cable between glasses and your controller 

Drone operators are legally required to maintain line-of-sight (to be able to see the drone from where they’re standing), but piloting is more fun when you see through the drone’s eye – called FPV (First Person View). UK rules allow a ‘spotter’ (a buddy watching the drone) if you wear traditional goggles. But the Epson Moverio Smart Glasses’s unused screen area is transparent, so the effect is a 720p Silicon OLED head-up display. 

Powered by a quad-core Android system, the glasses substitute for your phone, and run the DJI Go App. A touch pad and on-screen pointer serves in place of the phone’s touch-screen. This isn’t a cheap solution compared to beginner analogue goggles, but isn’t far from DJI’s FPV goggles, so if you're a real drone enthusiast, this maybe worth investing in. 

6. Insta360 ONE X2 + Hang Mount

Fit a 360-degree camera to a DJI drone

Specifications

Video: 5760x2880 at 30fps, 3008*1504@100fps
Video bit rate: 120Mbps
Weight: 115g
Other: Mount above or below drone

Reasons to buy

+
Fun and unusual 
+
360 video very engaging online

Reasons to avoid

-
Working the motors hard

The Insta360 One (and newer 360 ONE X) are amazing devices in their own right, and can create drone-like “Bullet Time” clips without a drone. You simply swing the device on an extendable “invisible selfie stick” to get amazing orbital shot.

For more range than a stick, however, you need to fly, which is where the mount comes in. Obviously the extra weight is going to reduce your flight time, and you’ll need to fly more gently, but Insta’s FlowState stabilization is good and there’s no worrying about where the camera is pointing while flying!

Best drone accessories: DJI Smart Controller

(Image credit: DJI)

7. DJI Smart Controller

Use your drone without using your phone

Specifications

System: OccuSync 2
Compatibility: 2.4 & 5.8 GHz
Range: 8km
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2
Battery: 2.5h
Video out: HDMI
Supports: Mavic 2 series
Screen: 1080p
Screen size: 5.5 inches

Reasons to buy

+
Great display

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive 
-
Dubious software

Owners of DJI drones like the Mavic series usually make use of their phones as the remote screen, which has advantages (you’ve got one, and can easily share immediately) but it this comes at the cost of your phone battery. The Smart Controller provides Mavic owners a bright (1000 nits) built-in screen that works in daylight. This comfortably beat’s an iPhone X’s 800-nits, so you can get flying with easily in the sun. Ironically DJI have a reputation for better reliability on iOS than Android, and that’s still true here. There’s no sim card either, so you need to load map pages before you go (or from your phone). 

8. DJI Crystal Sky Ultra Monitor

Pro monitor for DJI drones

Specifications

Brightness: 2000-nits
Resolution: 2048 x 1536
Weight:
Ports: USB-A, USB-C, Micro USB, Dual MicroSD, HDMI Out (4K)
Other: Speaker + Mic built it, Wi-Fi, GPS

Reasons to buy

+
Bright Screen 
+
Long battery life 

Reasons to avoid

-
Android underpinnings somewhat slow

The Ultra sports a 2000-nit display which is stunning, even in bright sunlight, and the chunky size feels rugged (there is a cheaper 1000-nit version). There is 980 mAh battery inside, but pros can use swappable 4920mAh batteries for 4-5 hours, even in extreme conditions. As with all of DJI’s in-built monitor systems the compromise is a mediocre Android system that doesn’t feel as snappy as an iOS device, but you can use it to edit video in the DJI GO App. There is HDMI out at up to 4K, but sadly not back in.

(Image credit: SanDisk)

9. SanDisk Extreme Pro 64GB A1 microSDXC memory card

The best memory card for a 4K drone

Specifications

Read speed: 99.4 MB/s
Write speed: 90.33 MB/s
Capacity: 64GB

Reasons to buy

+
Fast Read/Write
+
Works in 4K mode
+
Includes SD Adapter

Reasons to avoid

-
Includes SD Adapter

What’s the best memory card for 4K? Not all memory cards are created equal, and a slow card can risk video cut outs. The SanDisk Extreme Pro suffers no such issues, with a read and write speeds in excess of 90 MB/s and the crucial U3 support (DJI officially recommend only U3 cards). 64GB cards are idea for a good few batteries, and a very cost-effective size, but you could splash out on 128GB for a long trip. Naturally there is an SD adapter supplied – only real complain is the packaging – it’d be nice if there was no plastic.
• See also Best microSD card

(Image credit: CamKix)

10. CamKix Explosion Proof LiPo battery bag

Essential safety gear for your drone batteries

Specifications

Different versions available fore: Mavic 2, Mavic Air, Spark, Mavic Pro
Weight: 30g

Reasons to buy

+
Cheap, sensible precaution
+
Practical shape

Reasons to avoid

-
Tricky to charge in the case

Worried about lithium battery fires? Then you need this drone accessory to keep your and your device safe. Although it's far from common, Li-Po batteries are a fire hazard and drone batteries pack a lot of ions. It makes sense to keep them in a fireproof bag. CamKix produces a series of elegantly shaped bags for DJI battery shapes which are a little more elegant looking than the classic hobbyist Lipo Guard bag, and are easier to fit into backpacks.

(Image credit: Rantow)

11. Rantow Phone/Tablet Bracket

Clip a tablet to your Mavic Controller

Specifications

Tablet fit: 4.6-11-inch (phone to standard iPad)
Hinges: 2
Rotation: 360-degree
Tilt: 45-degrees

Reasons to buy

+
Cheap
+
Lanyard strap included 

Reasons to avoid

-
Hard to balance in hand

If you want to use a bigger screen with your Mavic Pro, or other drone with a compact fold-out controller, then you could do a lot worse than this sturdy iPad mount. Even if you stick to your phone, there is a lot to be said for putting it above the controller, as it is in pro systems, and it’s very handy to have a neck-strap to rest the weight on.

(Image credit: DJI)

12. DJI Mavic 2 Aircraft Sleeve

A cheap drone sleeve as a last line of defence

Specifications

Weight: 50g
Fabric: Wear-resistant, water-resistant material

Reasons to buy

+
Extra protection 
+
Practical design

Reasons to avoid

-
Fits essentials only
-
No serious protection 

A small pouch is a great way to protect your drone from any extra damage in your bag, especially if you're the sort to carry a lot of things on a day trip. This sleeve is designed for the Mavic 2 and similarly sized drones, but plenty of others are made for other drones so shop around if yours doesn't quite fit.

(Image credit: DJI)

13. DJI Mavic Mini Charging Base

The coolest way to show off your Mavic Mini

Specifications

Power: 18W USB
Dimensions: 217 x 125 x 100mm

Reasons to buy

+
Looks cool
+
Stores and charges your Mavic Mini drone when not in use
+
Charge multiple batteries while you sleep

Reasons to avoid

-
This more about design than functionlity

OK, so this is pretty useless, but it’s undeniably cool-looking. A bell jar cover to put your Mavic Mini is while you charge. No more, no less. If you’re asking why you’d NEED one, you’ve missed the point. This is designed to show off your Mavic Mini (and, if you’ve augmented it with any shell coverings (like this), those too) while it charges normally. 

Think of it as a gadget-lover’s gift, as well as a way to keep the device on show. It’s all too easy to let useful camera gear languish in drawers while your phone does the day-to-day work – something like this might actually remind you to make use of your “FlyCam.” Incidentally a Mavic Mini is, in of itself, a pretty cool accessory for owners of larger pricier aircraft, and not wholly impractical. With a 30 minute flight time it can be used to survey sites before you get, for example, an Inspire 2 up there. Given the Inspire’s lower flight time and much pricier batteries, it might be worth thinking about. 

(Image credit: DJI)

14. DJI Charging Hub

Lightweight accessory to charge multiple batteries

Reasons to buy

+
Lightweight extra 
+
Charge multiple batteries while you sleep

Reasons to avoid

-
One more thing to carry
-
Check you have the right hub for your drone

Although charging hubs are specific to individual battery types (in other words you’ll need one for each type of drone you fly), the way they smooth away the stress of handling multiple batteries is hard to understate. If you’ve got four batteries that take 90 minutes each to charge, you need to stay near the charger for 6 hours, swapping occasionally. A hub, however, plugs three or four batteries onto your original power brick, sending the charge to one battery after another automatically, letting you do something more productive (or relaxing) with that time! The Inspire 2’s ‘drink can’ design is an especially cool one.

DJI Spark Hub on Amazon

DJI Mavic Mini Hub on Amazon

 DJI Mavic Pro Hub on Amazon

 DJI Mavic 2 Hub on Amazon

 DJI Mavic Air Hub on Amazon

DJI Mavic Air 2 Hub on Amazon

(Image credit: DJI)

15. DJI Mavic 2 Propeller Guard

Safely fly indoors without risking your drone

Specifications

Weight: 78g (DJI Mavic 2 edition)

Reasons to buy

+
Practical safety
+
Low cost

Reasons to avoid

-
Usually need removing before packing
-
Can catch the wind outdoors

Want to fly your drone indoors, or near some trees? You’re going to need some propeller guards. Manufacturers offer custom guards for most models which fit over the motors and prevent the spinning prop from being damaged if you glance a wall or, well, organic obstacle, shall we say? The guards are best for bumping – to keep fingers from the props splash a bit more cash and sacrifice a few more minutes for a full Prop cage. 

16. Anker PowerCore+ 26,800mAh

A portable charger fit for a drone

Specifications

Features: QuickCharge 3.0, USB & USB-C, includes cables & pouch, 10-segment charge indicator

Reasons to buy

+
Supports fast-charging
+
Use with your phone, tablet, laptop or drone!

Reasons to avoid

-
Mavic Air battery will eat around half of the charge

If you don’t already carry a portable charger, you should. This is one of the more expensive, but also one of the best iPhone power banks. There are so many reasons, and newer drones have given you a couple more: built-in USB-C charging. The Parrot Anafi, DJI Mavic Air and Mavic Mini (but not the Mavic Pro) series can be charged in your bag as you walk along from just the battery pack and a USB cable. It might seem pricey (if you’re on a tight budget try the RAVPower), but the PowerCore works with fast-charge devices, has an elegant charge dial and a sturdy shell.

(Image credit: Sun Hood)

17. Sun Hood Sunshade

See your screen in bright daylight

Specifications

Weight: 140g
Material: PU leather, silicone
Screen sizes available: 200mm, 168mm, 128mm, 121mm, 111mm

Reasons to buy

+
See clearly in the sunshine 
+
Folds away for transport

Reasons to avoid

-
Makes accessing controls a little fiddlier

Many pilots like to use an iPad or iPad Mini as their monitor and for good reason; the bigger screen makes it much easier to see the final video shot you’re getting, and less of the overall space is obscured by on-screen buttons and flight data. The only problem is the ambient sunlight, which makes it much harder to see the screen. A cheap and practical solution is this folding sun-shield, which every drone operator should have in their bag. Sun Hoods are available in a variety of sizes, so make sure you get the one appropriate for your setup.

Best drone accessories: PolarPro

(Image credit: PolarPro)

18. PolarPro Cinema Series Filter 6-Pack

Great value ND Filters for drones

Specifications

ND filters: ND4 (two stops), ND8 (three stops), ND16 (four stops)
ND+PL filters: ND4 + polarizer, ND8 + polarizer , ND16 + polarizer
Frame: Aluminum
Weight: 0.59g each

Reasons to buy

+
Incredibly light
+
Includes ND and Polarizer filters

Reasons to avoid

-
Made for specific drones only

A useful set of filters all in one kit, this is a great way to expand your shooting options with a drone. The first thing any landscape photographer will tell you to buy is a set of neutral density filters. These reduce the amount of light getting through the lens (ND 4 is equivalent to 2 shutter stops), meaning that in bright conditions, you can use a longer shutter speed, creating a more cinematic look. Another type of filter in the kit, the polariser, has the added effect of cutting down reflections for a richer, more contrasty image. This handy kit from PolarPro includes both, giving you plenty of options to work with. Bear in mind it is designed to fit the DJI Mavic Air only; it's worth searching for your specific drone model to see if there's a compatible set.

(Image credit: SteelSeries)

19. SteelSeries Nimbus Wireless Controller

Upgrade your drone control from touchscreen

Specifications

Wireless system: Bluetooth
Battery: 40-hour
Weight: 240g

Reasons to buy

+
Makes accurate flying easier
+
Works with your phone games and Apple TV too

Reasons to avoid

-
No phone grip

If you’ve got a compact wi-fi drone which you control with your phone, like the Tello, then you can get that pro-drone feel by adding a games controller. The SteelSeries Nimbus isn’t the cheapest, but there is an iOS version as well as Android and, crucially, it has two high-quality analogue sticks positioned evenly (some only have a D-pad on one side which isn’t as natural for flying). 

Best drone accessories: Lume Cube AIR

(Image credit: Lume Cube)

20. Lume Cube AIR

Add-on lights for your drone

Specifications

Brightness: 400 lux per light
Colour temperature: Daylight balanced
Coverage: 60-degree beam
Tripod mount: Yes
Weight: 28g per light

Reasons to buy

+
Includes carry case
+
Remote control with app

Reasons to avoid

-
Reduces flight time

This miniature cube-shaped 1000-lumen waterproof LED light panel is available with adapters for a number of popular (and less popular) drone models. Where you’re permitted to fly in the dark (check the regulations), these lights can assist in search & rescue or be used for very ambitious light painting. Put your camera down low, point it up at your drone and make your own UFO movie!

(Image credit: DJI)

21a. Spare battery (Mavic 2 Pro/Zoom)

The more batteries you own, the longer you can fly before going home!

Specifications

Compatible with: DJI Mavic 2 Pro, DJI Mavic 2 Zoom
Capacity: 3850mAh

Reasons to buy

+
Get more flying time (31 minutes)

Reasons to avoid

-
Check you get the right type for your drone!

21b. Spare battery (DJI Mini 2)

The more batteries you own, the longer you can fly before going home!

Specifications

Compatible with: DJI Mini 2
Capacity: 2250mAh

Reasons to buy

+
31 minute flight time
+
Intelligent battery management system

Reasons to avoid

-
Check you get the right type for your drone!

21c. Spare battery (DJI Mavic Mini)

The more batteries you own, the longer you can fly before going home!

Specifications

Compatible with: DJI Mavic Mini
Capacity: 2400mAh

Reasons to buy

+
30 minute flight time
+
Intelligent battery management system

Reasons to avoid

-
Check you get the right type for your drone!

21d. Spare battery (DJI FPV)

The more batteries you own, the longer you can fly before going home!

Specifications

Compatible with: DJI FPV
Capacity: 2000mAh

Reasons to buy

+
Over 20 minutes power-flying will improve your skills
+
Intelligent battery management system

Reasons to avoid

-
Check you get the right type for your drone!

It might seem obvious to old hands, but extra batteries have a kind of exponential benefit. When you go out flying, you might pick a nice spot, get out all your gear, check the props, and take off, only to have to return in 20 minutes or so and pack up again. An extra battery gives you a whole extra flight but doesn’t add to your unpacking/packing time, so it’s a real benefit. Make sure you get the right batteries for your drone.

Read more:

Best camera drones
Best drones for beginners
Best drones for kids
Drone rules, registration, and regulations
12 things you need to make money from a drone

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Jon Stapley

Jon spent years at IPC Media writing features, news, reviews and other photography content for publications such as Amateur Photographer and What Digital Camera in both print and digital form. With his additional experience for outlets like Photomonitor, this makes Jon one of our go-to specialists when it comes to all aspects of photography, from cameras and action cameras to lenses and memory cards, flash diffusers and triggers, batteries and memory cards, selfie sticks and gimbals, and much more besides.  


An NCTJ-qualified journalist, he has also contributed to Shortlist, The Skinny, ThreeWeeks Edinburgh, The Guardian, Trusted Reviews, CreativeBLOQ, and probably quite a few others I’ve forgotten.