DJI’s newest products are becoming increasingly difficult to find in the US, but there are still some excellent options available for shoppers who know where to look. Several of the company’s most popular cameras and drones remain in stock, and some are now available with worthwhile discounts that make them even more appealing.

The deals include the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo, the standard DJI Osmo Pocket 3, the DJI Neo Fly More Combo, the DJI Flip with RC 2 Screen Remote Controller and the affordable DJI Mini 4K. While these may not all be the latest products in DJI’s growing range, they remain highly capable choices for vloggers, content creators and drone enthusiasts alike.

With newer DJI releases proving harder to come by in the US, these discounted models could offer one of the best opportunities to add a DJI camera or drone to your kit without paying full price.

A decision late last year effectively banned all new DJI products from entering the US while keeping older models on the shelves – but the Federal Communications Commission is considering even harsher restrictions for brands selling DJI lookalikes.

The FCC has released a statement and is looking for public comment on a proposal that would retroactively ban drones and cameras from a handful of companies accused of selling re-branded DJI products.

The companies that could soon see an FCC ban include the brands behind drones like the Skyrover X1 (A DJI Mini 4 lookalike linked to the WaveGo and SZ Knowact brands) and cameras like the Xtra Muse (a DJI Pocket 3 lookalike). The list of targeted brands includes Cogito, Fikaxo, Lyno Dynamics, Skyhigh Tech, Spatial Hover, SZ Knowact, WaveGo, Xtra and XAG.

Notably, brands like Xtra are known for creating more affordable action cameras and gimbal cameras that have several similarities with popular options from DJI. Earlier this month, the FCC proposed a fine when those companies failed to respond to the agency’s request for additional details over whether or not those products source tech from brands on the FCC Covered List, such as DJI.

Unlike the existing limitations on DJI, the proposal could remove those brand’s exsisting products from the shelves rather than just preventing new models from entering the US. The FCC proposal isn’t yet a finalized decision, as the proposal is currently open to public comment over the potential ban.

When the FCC added DJI – as well as all foreign-made drones – to its Covered List late last year, the agency effectively barred new DJI drones, cameras, and accessories from entering the US.

However, while the move effectively “banned” new DJI products, the move did not pull existing DJI products from the shelves, leaving previously approved drones and cameras still available – and legal – to use in the US. Ironically, that means that some lookalikes may be banned when the competing DJI models like the DJI Mini 4 Pro remain on the shelves.

The proposal against the DJI lookalike brands, however, if passed, would be the first time the FCC uses a new ability to retroactively ban previously approved devices. In October 2025, the FCC approved a change that gives the agency the ability to revoke a product’s FCC approval, which would effectively remove that product from US shelves.

The FCC is seeking public comment on the proposal.

DJI has filed a lawsuit over the FCC ban; the case is still ongoing.

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Read more about what the US drone means for American drone pilots, or browse the best drones for beginners.

Scientists at Northwestern University have produced a drone which is able to virtually disappear from sight, not through fancy optical systems but by taking advantage of a quirk of the human eye – the same one that makes cinema practical.

The whole drone spins at up to 25 times a second, so – in much the same way that propellers on all drones seem to virtually disappear when they're spinning – the "Phantom Twist" drone seems to blur into near invisibility as it is flying.

Instead of a drone, the eye just sees a whirling blur, and the design – optimized from thousands of versions – is the least visible.

The concept was presented by Michael Rubenstein, PhD, at Robotics: Science and Systems 2026. Rubenstein is a researcher into robotics who – in his university headshot – doesn't look completely unlike a Bond villain. The convention has been taking place for some years, and has major sponsors including Google DeepMind, Nvidia, and Toyota.

Rubenstein is also interested in designing algorithms to operate hundreds or even millions of robots together. That sounds a bit sci-fi (and like AI drone tech ideas I've seen recently that might have other consequences – including AI mosquito species killer). Rubenstein's stated intentions, however, are not so sinister and might even be of interest to nature photographers.

Drones that are partially invisible to humans – and animals with similar vision systems – could reduce the disruption caused by monitoring nesting birds, for example.

How does the stealth drone work?

“For a typical quadrotor drone, the propellers are spinning, but the robot is stationary,” Rubenstein said. “So, you still see its body. For our drone, the whole thing is rotating, so there are no stationary parts.”

Designing the drone took a lot of work – including the generation of 20,000 models – from which the most promising were built and tested. AI was used to arrange a motor, propeller, circuit board, battery, and counterweight.

As the drone rotates, it becomes faint. If the components were arranged sub-optimally, the drone would be more visible because the eye would still be seeing a sequence of them, much as items in a photographic exposure still add up to something more evident.

Emma Alexander, one of the coauthors of the paper, noted exactly this similarity: “The human eye takes time to accumulate signals, roughly analogous to the exposure time of a camera.”

As Northwestern's announcement notes, "The new drone still has several limitations, the researchers noted. The propeller makes audible noise, and the drone’s wires and support rods are still somewhat visible."

As Scotty pointed out, "A bird of prey canna fire when she's cloaked" or do anything much, and the issue here might be the same – the drone isn't carrying a camera and, as a rule, you don't want a camera to rotate rapidly.

The drone geek in me suspects, though, that in a future design, it might be possible to fix a camera to the frame, then time it to trigger at the correct point in each rotation of the drone, capture frames and make up video from these.

Each additional component (camera, storage etc.) would require a new design, but the process seems like one which could be repeated for more components – the AI design-simulate-test process being good enough that Rubenstein was able to say it was "fully automated... then, when we were confident that a drone met all our criteria, we built it.”

This seems plausible to me since the design is based, as the original research paper shows, on a single-actuator control which requires very precise timing – 5ms or less. That's because the control comes from the amount of power applied to the propeller at different points in its rotation.

The result – a drone about ten times less visually present according to the perceptual metric of the human eyes (LIPIS) – something which the human eye's "frame rate" plays a part in.

Check out our guide to the best indoor drones you can actually buy today

In a story that sounds a lot like the beginning of a sci-fi movie, Alex Toussaint – co-founder of Tornyol – has announced the first success of his micro-drone which uses sonar to track mosquitoes – before killing them.

I'm the drone expert here, and I've got to say I'm intrigued, excited, and a little worried about this. Then again, I really hate bug spray so I'll take a look!

Mosquitos are the enemy, the company's mission statement confirms: "One of humanity's oldest and worst enemies. They kill more than 700,000 people each year — more than all current wars."

By listening to the unique sound that mosquitoes make, the drone is designed to follow them and simply chop them up with the propeller blades.

The insect is so small, presumably, that this won't affect the flight characteristics, though it's definitely worth noting that a drone this size – it weighs 40g / 1.4oz according to the company – won't have much more than 6 minutes in the air.

The sonar is not as sophisticated as the camera you'd usually find on many drones, but it is built for one purpose.

The concept is one that Alex Toussaint, who created the Tornyol, discussed publicly back at the 2024 Superconference, an event for hackers.

There, he explained how any drone's fast-turning propellers could chop up a mosquito, but a human pilot would be unlikely to have the precision to track the insect.

Add in some off-the-shelf (to electronics enthusiasts, at least) components and Toussaint found that some tiny microphones could pick up the sonar return as well as the human range they were built for, so he just needed to get to work on the software.

The core element is the same component as you'd find used as a reversing sensor on many vehicles. The other sensor available to the drone's AI is a microphone to pick up the mosquito's sound and position it using the Doppler effect.

These have been upgraded to a base station with LeSonar2 phased array sonar, 380 smartphone microphones and a Artix-7 FPGA to map the world in 3D. The drone, then, isn't working entirely alone, but receiving advice from a computer

This gives it the ability to track 0.1mm movements in a range of 26ft (8m) – very precise indeed!

Unbelievably for a company that has recorded its first air-to-air kill, it is planning on rolling it out for U.S.-based customers "in the next few weeks," though at the moment a deposit of $100 and either a payment plan or a $1,100 final price are possibly as off-putting as that vagueness.

On the plus side, it seems very unlikely that this tech will successfully achieve the eradication of an entire species anytime soon, which is good because there would undoubtedly be unforeseen effects.

For one thing, mosquito larvae consume organic matter in water, and might actually help clean some lakes and water near the places the flying insects are most known for spreading disease. Species which eat them, like the mosquitofish, and some migratory birds, could see serious population falls too.

I’ve been flying drones for years. From toy drones that fall down if you take your hands off the controls to my current camera drone, the DJI Air 3. It’s getting long in the tooth, so when the Antigravity A1 drone was announced, I was intrigued.

Because I own an Insta360 X3 and X4 (bought just before the X5 was announced… still not over that), I know how easy it is to just make the shot with a 360 camera and then reframe any way I like, then repurpose it for any medium – vertical, square or horizontal.

Add that tech to a drone? Amazing.

Doing drone sequences involves planning and practice. Reveal shots that come up from the ground require precision flying, combined with precise movement of the camera to get the shot. With a 360° drone, you just make the flight and frame the shot comfortably later at your computer or tablet.

Need a sequence that shows the subject on approach and then on retreat? That’s two shots with a normal drone – and you may need to do it a few times to get it right. With 360º framing you only need a single pass, as long as you’ve tracked the line correctly.

Not only that, you can get a cool transition passing over and no shot interruption. I’ve done this look with mountain biking on the Insta360, so I know it’s very achievable.

So what more is there to the Antigravity A1? It’s an 8K drone that weighs in at 249g to sit in the lower weight class. You can optionally get a heavier battery that extends the flight time from 24 minutes to 39 minutes, but changes the class.

The pricing still matches the DJI pricing, but you’re swapping a gimbal for another camera to get that 360º view. Not to mention that it includes the FPV goggles in the price.

The controller is more like a flight controller than the regular two-handed drone controller, akin to FPV drones, making flying feel more natural. It’s a small learning curve, but if you’ve ever played a flight sim game on a joystick, you can already fly one.

Me? All I gotta do now is save and order one!

What's the best 360 drone? Antigravity A1 vs DJI Avata 360

You don't need to reinvent the wheel to create something great. And this image, which recently won the Above Snow Special Prize at the International Aerial Photographer of the Year (IAPOTY) 2026 Awards, is a perfect example.

Created by Aleksandra Wilk, an aerial photographer from Bavaria, Germany, the image, taken using a DJI Mavic 3 Pro, cleverly incorporates negative space, crafting a masterful yet simple composition.

Wilk shot the image on a cold winter’s day in the Bavarian countryside near Lake Ammer, opting for settings of 1/400 sec, f/7.1, ISO200 using the 24mm equivalent lens.

“My intention was to capture this church, which stood on a street, with nothing to disturb the composition, all white in a graphic style,” she told the IAPOTY organizers.

What I love most about this scene is how minimalist and balanced it is. The tree and the church are neatly placed in the middle, while the road creates that clear separation needed for all the negative space to have its impact.

The negative space is also brilliantly employed: any more and the image would be underwhelming, any less and the composition would feel suffocating. And this isn't the only time Wilk has used a drone and negative space to craft a creative composition.

In August, an image that Wilk shot on a Madeira (Portugal) beach will feature on the cover of German photography publication Fotomagazin. It's a fantastic half-and-half image of black sand and foamy water, with a sunbather perfectly placed in the middle.

While Wilk doesn't get the honor of a magazine cover for winning the 2026 Above Snow Award from IAPOTY, she did claim $250 (approximately £190 / AU$350) in prize money, as well as a page in the forthcoming book showcasing all 101 finalists from this year's competition.

Wilk's image is the sort of composition whose well-balanced, aesthetically pleasing simplicity comes from years of experience.

Congratulations to Aleksandra, and here’s the photo from Azim Khan Ronnie that took the overall 2026 IAPOTY crown.

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Here’s our expert pick of the best camera drones for capturing photos and video from the sky!

When I first started at Digital Camera World earlier this year, I wrote an opinion piece shooting down drone photography – to the displeasure of many readers.

Well, since then, I’ve seen so many fantastic images taken with drones that my opinion has gradually shifted, but this image from US-based professional photographer Kah-Wai Lin has me fully converted.

Lin’s image was recently awarded third place in the single image category at the 2026 International Aerial Photographer of the Year (IAPOTY) Awards. This was the second edition of the competition, and Lin walked away with $250 (approximately £190 / AU$360) and will be featured in the awards book showcasing all 101 finalists.

I think the top-down drone perspective is what makes this shot so special. Yes, you could easily capture the essence of this image with a frame taken at eye level, but it wouldn’t depict the immersive nature of the dust cloud surrounding the herd of wild horses, nor the ethereal, golden-yellow sunlight illuminating the scene.

Lin captured this image using a DJI Mini 4 Pro in Cappadocia, Turkey. Yılkı (wild) horses have been domesticated for over a millennium in the Anatolia region – formerly known as Asia Minor – which makes up a large portion of modern-day Turkey.

Since ancient times, Turkish villagers have tamed wild horses for agricultural work and transportation, the traditional enduring today mainly for tourism purposes.

The photographer opted for a 6.7mm focal length (24mm full-frame equivalent), f/1.7, ISO 100 and a 1/160 sec shutter speed, which I think perfectly balances freezing the animals’ movement while allowing a sliver of motion blur which almost leaves a dry, dusty sensation in your mouth.

Congratulations to Kah-Wai Lin on his commended image. The composition really is outstanding and it’s given me a fresh perspective on drone photography.

This year’s overall AIPOTY winner was Azim Khan Ronnie, who snagged the competition crown with a majestic series headlined by a fantastic shot of a fisherman among a colony of feeding migratory birds.

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Here’s our expert pick of the best camera drones for capturing photos and video from the sky!

If you're a drone photographer, pigeons might be about to become your new favorite bird. According to researchers in Canada, studying the subtle eye movements that these avians make while flying could lead to significant improvements in machine vision systems, helping future drones navigate the world more like birds do.

Led by Dr Anthony Lapsansky, biologists at the University of British Columbia (UBC) equipped pairs of pigeons with tiny backpacks containing miniature computers and mounted lightweight cameras on their heads before allowing the birds to fly.

"Pigeons make a good model for research because they're representative of many birds – their eyes are located on the sides of their head, giving them an almost panoramic view of the world," said Dr Lapsansky.

The head-mounted cameras revealed that, contrary to the long-held assumption that pigeons rely solely on head movements to stabilize their vision, the birds also make subtle eye movements during flight.

These movements appear to compensate for visual motion, helping pigeons resolve finer details and navigate more effectively through complex environments.

The findings could have important implications for drone technology. While modern camera drones can already estimate speed, direction and distance from surrounding objects, today's machine vision systems remain relatively rigid compared to the adaptability of birds.

According to Dr Lapsansky, birds achieve all of these tasks while also actively moving their "cameras" – their eyes – to gather even more visual information about their surroundings.

By understanding the strategies that birds use to process visual information, the UBC team hopes to uncover common principles shared by both avian and human vision that could be applied to robotics and drone vision.

"We could potentially use these strategies to make autonomous flying robots or drones more animal-like: more skilled at navigating complex environments and closer to truly autonomous flight," said Dr Lapsansky.

If successful, the research could help pave the way for future drone camera systems that don't simply record the world, but which interpret it with the efficiency and agility of birds in flight.

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People are starting to ask if drones are a problem at the FIFA World Cup, with authorities having "neutralized" over 300 at the halfway stage of the competition.

Operators have to face an additional 3-mile ban around the tournament stadiums, and most of the neutralizations have taken place without force, despite the dramatic terminology. It has nevertheless left some operators very upset – and others, like content creators Dorian Carlisle and Hashim Moore very surprised, as they explained in a viral clip.

Shooting a video for Father's Day using a brand new drone, they had not absorbed all the rules – especially the temporary restrictions around FIFA Fan Zones and Stadiums in place until July 5.

As a result, they ended up being detained by Homeland Security – a lesson to all drone operators as to how swiftly US government agencies are now able to act.

Fortunately for the creators, they were able to convince the police and FBI that they were unaware of the rules and 'only' had to pay a $580 fine to recover their drone.

The FBI has been very clear from the start that enforcement would be serious. Clear, that is, if you were looking. You'll see that the FAA were relying on regional authorities to 'spread the word' using a No Drone Zone Toolkit.

Perhaps that hasn't happened as well as it might?

If you need to know what the exact rules are, you can check the FAA's FIFA World Cup Safety Plan.

Historically, though, despite a lot of news coverage, are these numbers as worrying as they sound? In reality, probably not. The FIFA World Cup is a competition than goes on much longer than others.

The new longer-format World Cup is – as most soccer (football, as it is correctly known) has more gams and lasts 39 days, making it much longer than the last summer Olympics, held in Paris in 2024. Despite being only 17 days of Olympic events there were still over 300 drone incidents and 81 arrests in similarly effective action.

As a drone operator, it is still immensely frustrating to me that people would ignore guidelines put in place for public safety; this kind of thing gives drones a bad name.

In reality, though, it is still a relatively small number of incidents – and it seems some are not quite as transgressive as you might imagine from less drone-friendly news platforms. Keeping it to zero incidents, though, is the only way to prevent future bans, as every single incident is an excuse for anti-drone politicians.

So I'd urge anyone to respect the rules and, if you see a drone breaking the rules, report it to 911, on-site law enforcement or the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.

Check out my guide to the best camera drones you can buy today

Dual drone cooling

Getting a drone to hover over you to keep you cool sounds risky, but YouTuber @FlyWithAdrien is one of many who claims to have done it successfully. As the drone expert – with experience flying all the major drones on the market – I can't help but offer my thoughts on some of the viral videos of people cooling themselves with flying fans.

I'll get to the best in one second, but first I'll start with the most drones at once!

This effort from @imransaleemvlogs seems a bit risky to my mind. This drone enthusiast, or drone fan, has cooled himself with a ducted (cinewhoop) drone from the DJI Avata series, and another with completely exposed propeller blades.

Perhaps he's added that blanket to protect himself, but that seems to detract a little from the benefit of the drones?

The DJI Avata 2 or DJI Avata 360 would be the safest and most powerful of the two in this pairing, but the irritation might be that the batteries would run out at different times – and there would be a lot of getting up to deal with the drones, even if they safely navigated themselves to a nearby automatic landing site.

The smaller DJI Mini 4K would at least hover longer, for about 25 minutes before landing itself as the battery was nearing exhaustion.

Best choice

If you're feeling warm, there is no reason to wait. I'll start with the best!

The DJI Neo is a great choice because it's not that expensive, has a safety cage, but it offers "follow-me" style tracking.

That means it can fly nice and near you, so you can feel the air movement from the propellers just like fans, and the drone will automatically follow you if you move.

Big drone

These guys are using a mix of big drones and small, but no prop guards. One big advantage of the larger drones – like the DJI Mavic 4 Pro – is that it has big batteries offering a long flight or hover time. Handy if you want to chill out for longer without swapping batteries (or, worse, waiting for them to charge!).

It also has safety sensors, but so do many drones – and, honestly, not all work that well indoors. Caution might be the way forward!

Is this fake?

This definitely looks fake – I mean, where do those motors and propellers hide – but it has been doing the rounds as well. Drone-inspired design and AI video, I'd say. Perhaps look further up for something actually achievable, though!

Big drone indoors

In this clip, we don't exactly see Adrien McGill risking getting under the drone himself, but then he has to walk around it to capture video.

I would, again, offer caution that bigger drones designed for longer flight times are heavy, and if anything were to go wrong, they can cause more damage to you or your possessions.

Machine cooling

The DJI Mini 4 Pro is being used here indoors to keep machines cool. I'd not suggest this is the best way to do so… but better than having it fail, I suppose?

We've all had tech feeling a little too warm in the summer heat – but do make sure that you know your drone's maximum operating temperature, too. Lithium batteries don't always love getting too warm, and indoor hovering will have less draft than when flying around.

Safety tips

If you really are going to try this, here is my safety advice. Protecting the propellers is essential:

• Ideally, use a drone with a ducted design (DJI Neo, Avata) or a safety cage (HoverAir).
• Alternatively, buy propeller guards. These will slightly reduce hover time from the advertised figures, but also protect anyone from the ends of the whirling propellers.
• Keep the area light – especially indoors – with a textured floor, so the drone's sensors have the best chance of 'seeing' stable objects and not drifting.
• Keep the controller near you and be ready to land and keep checking the remaining battery. Keep a few percent for the landing.

Remember, drones have other uses! If you also like a bit of photo and video, check our guides to the best beginner drone and the best camera drone.

Law-abiding drone creators like me occasionally run into situations we can't use our drones. I've often solved it with a pole, but Youtube creator @karenxcheng has shown that it one of many alternatives.

Karenxcheng is a creator with over a million subscribers, and she hasn't let the rules and regulations stop her from getting aerial shots for her fans, In fact she has come up with more solutions than the one I regularly use.

My solution? Extendible poles. Both DJI and Insta360 offer very long versions of a selfie stick. The Insta360 "Extended Selfie Stick" is made of carbon fibre, has a nice padded handle with the brand in the logo, and extends to 9.8ft.

When I needed to inspect my roof for damage, it was this, and a 360-degree camera, that I turned to because I live too near an airport to use a drone.

The DJI alternative, the DJI Osmo 2.5m Extended Carbon Fibre Selfie Stick, is slightly shorter at 2.5m, but only weighs 428g (1 pound).

Both are lightweight and easy to carry, and both use tripod threads to attach so are actually interchangeable!

• Insta360 Extended Selfie Stick (Insta360 store)
• DJI Osmo 2.5m Extended Carbon Fiber Selfie Stick (DJI Store)

But extension poles are not the only solution. Another that offered more height (though it might depend a little on the weather) is a kite. This can be done by attaching a small, light action camera with some degree of image stabilization – probably one of the best POV cameras.

Another shot she uses a fishing rod to drop an Insta360 X-series camera from the a Bridge (to be clear, the camera is on the line – dropping things from some locations like the Golden Gate Bridge is illegal).

This approach means she can run the footage in reverse and give the impression of a drone lifting up, Thanks to the fact a 360-degree camera offers the capability to choose the exact angle in post, it doesn't really matter if the camera appears to wobble a bit on the fishing line.

The post-processing apps (like Insta360's) also allow you to select a subject and track it with AI during the cropping from 360 video. This makes it look like you had a camera operator keeping the drone's "camera" directly on your subject.

Finally, she uses a similar fishing line approach to create a zip line from the top of a cliff to a friend on the beach below, giving control of the camera's 'flight'.

For law-abiding drone operators with qualifications, it's often also possible to pre-arrange use of a real drone by contacting the local authorities, but most of us have learned from experience that this kind of solution is often quicker and cheaper.

Check out my guide to the best 360-degree camera for those on-a-wire shots!

The Skyrover X1 drone has dropped to its lowest-ever price of just $419, down from $499 and saving you a sweet $80 on a compact aerial camera packed with intelligent flight features.

For anyone looking to capture high-quality aerial footage without spending flagship-drone money, this is a deal that immediately deserves attention. The X1 combines a lightweight, foldable design with detailed 4K video, making it easy to carry on vacations, hikes, road trips, and everyday adventures.

Intelligent subject tracking is another major part of its appeal. The drone can follow moving subjects and help capture smooth, dynamic footage, making it particularly useful for filming outdoor activities, travel content, and social media videos without needing a separate camera operator.

The Skyrover X1 also offers obstacle sensing to help make flying feel more secure, particularly for newer pilots. Combined with its straightforward controls and portable design, it provides an approachable route into aerial photography and filmmaking.

Its ability to capture high-resolution photographs adds even more versatility, allowing you to switch between cinematic video and detailed aerial stills from the same compact aircraft. It is the kind of drone that can cover everything from sweeping landscapes to family adventures.

At just $419, the Skyrover X1 offers a compelling combination of portability, intelligent features, and aerial image quality. With an $80 saving and its lowest-ever price, this is easily one of the most tempting affordable drone deals available right now.

The DJI Flip drone kit has just dropped to the lowest price we have ever seen it in the US - and can be snapped up for $509 in the Amazon Prime Day sale.

The DJI Flip is a lightweight drone, weighing under 249g, making it travel-friendly and exempt from registration in many regions. It features a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor capable of capturing stunning 48MP photos and 4K/60fps HDR videos. With up to 31 minutes of flight time, you can capture more footage without interruption.

This drone is equipped with AI subject tracking, ensuring your subject stays perfectly framed, even during dynamic activities. The foldable full-coverage propeller guard enhances safety during flight, making it ideal for novice pilots. Additionally, the DJI Flip supports palm takeoff, enabling on-the-go selfie captures without the need for a remote controller.

See other Prime Day drone deals that we recommend

I've been flying drones – and sharing secrets about them – ever since the early days, so you can rest assured that I know all the best models out there. This Prime Day I've been checking out the deals on offer and I can confidently say that, while they're available, these are definitely the best.

Prime Day is a bit longer than a day now – it's four days of deals and offers, exclusive to Amazon, that runs from June 23-26. My colleagues and Digital Camera World and I keep looking for the best deals on all cameras, drones, and the devices we cover during the sale and share them with you.

We've been doing this a few years, and one thing we've learned is that the deals come and go quickly – sometimes things sell out – so what I'd suggest is that if you're keen on picking up a drone in the next few days but you don't see what you want just yet, bookmark this page and check back often over the next few days.

Without further ado, here are the best drone deals that I'd buy right now. Beneath each one I've added a little explainer as to why I personally think it's a really good choice right now.

Amazon Prime: Best drone deals

I'd choose this drone because – although there is an upgraded sequel in the form of the DJI Neo 2 – this gives you so much capability for a surprisingly little amount of money in the drone world. It's also incredibly upgradeable.

The Neo 2 also tends to come from 2nd-party resellers, whereas the original Neo is still sold by DJI.

Out of the box, it can use AI tracking to follow you and orbit you, or it can be piloted using a phone – but you can add radio remote control for long-distance flying, or even FPV goggles and a 'wand' controller (also heavily discounted for Prime) to fly it as if you're a pilot sat inside. A lot of capability in a very small, very safe design, even before you acknowledge the pleasing price.

This Mini 3 is a great choice for photographers, and this upgraded control option means you don't need to go rummaging around and connect your phone to the remote with a cable.

What makes this drone very useful for a lot of people is that it's the cheapest drone in which the gimbal (the piece that holds and steadies the camera) can rotate the camera to a vertical position.

That makes it the cheapest drone that offers true portrait mode shooting. Given this is the correct way around for TikTok, Instagram video and YouTube Shorts – and so much other social media – it's easy to see why this would have appeal.

Starting with the aim of shooting photo and video on a drone? The camera on this drone is more than capable. Why such a big discount here? I think it is so big because outside the USA a slightly newer model has come out (it's called Lito) but you can't get it here and it looks more or less the same anyway, so there is a lot to be said for the "Why spend more?" argument if you want 4K video.

The Antigravity A1 is not the cheapest drone, so a price drop is welcome, but the 360-degree camera is extremely impressive and is doubly excellent thanks to the inclusion of Insta360's post-processing software, which is the best in the business in my view. I reviewed this drone and I not only enjoyed flying it, but I found it a breeze to go back after flying and turn the recording into varied and engaging edits from the comfort of my laptop.

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The DJI Neo has dropped to just $139 in the Amazon Prime sale, down from $199 and getting you a 4K camera drone for an incredible price to start off your aerial imaging adventures

For anyone looking to capture aerial footage without carrying a large drone or learning a complicated control system, this is a deal that immediately demands attention. The Neo is compact, lightweight, and designed to make getting into the air as straightforward as possible.

Its ability to take off from the palm of your hand is a major part of the appeal. Intelligent flight modes can automatically follow and film you, allowing the drone to capture walking, cycling, travel, and outdoor adventures without requiring someone else to operate the camera.

Despite its tiny size, the DJI Neo can record stabilized 4K video, producing smooth and detailed footage that is ready to share. It is particularly well suited to social media creators, families, travellers, and anyone who wants a simple way to add aerial perspectives to their content.

The protected propeller design also makes the Neo feel less intimidating than many traditional drones, while its lightweight construction means it can easily slip into a small bag. It is the kind of camera you can take almost anywhere without having to plan your entire day around carrying additional equipment.

At just £113.05, the DJI Neo offers a huge amount of creative potential for the money. With a £55.95 saving, easy hands-free shooting, and stabilised 4K video, this is one of the most tempting entry-level drone deals in the Amazon Prime sale.

The HoverAir X1 ProMax 8K is the premium "follow-me" drone; it folds like a book and disappears into your pocket, or pops out and uses AI to automatically follow you without the need for a controller. Now you can get it – and all the accessories you could ever need – for a massive discount.

There are different ways of thinking about what makes a good drone. Some people see them as for pure fun. Some see them as a carefully-used compositional camera for shooting video or stills.

Some always hoped that a drone could act as an 'angel on the shoulder' and follow

HoverAir not only perfected that tech – first with the HoverAir X1 – but then came back and added a ton of options and features so the drone could be all things to all people.

This drone can still fold out of a pocket and be launched with nothing more than the tap of a button from the palm of your hand – and it'll come back to you like a cross between a loyal dog and, well, a drone.

More than that, the company has also created a number of editions for different sports, all of which have clever different accessories.

I was especially impressed that the Skiing bundle has most of the other extras and a special charging device which keep the batteries at the right temperature so the freezing weather doesn't prevent you getting the action shot.

It also includes a remote controller so you can fly the drone like a more traditional one should you decide you want to take command – but, in keeping with HoverAir's drone – it can also fold down to a compact size. Nonetheless it manages to pack a small display – more than can be said for the leading brand (unless you dig deeper into your pocket).

Given all that, it's very exciting to see that most of the bundles have either good or great discounts for Prime Day.

I've been flying drones – and sharing secrets about them – ever since the early days, so you can rest assured that I know all the best models out there. This Prime Day I've been checking out the deals on offer and I can confidently say that, while they're available, these are definitely the best.

Prime Day is a bit longer than a day now – it's four days of deals and offers, exclusive to Amazon, that runs from June 23-26. My colleagues and Digital Camera World and I keep looking for the best deals on all cameras, drones, and the devices we cover during the sale and share them with you.

We've been doing this a few years, and one thing we've learned is that the deals come and go quickly – sometimes things sell out – so what I'd suggest is that if you're keen on picking up a drone in the next few days but you don't see what you want just yet, bookmark this page and check back often over the next few days.

Without further ado, here are the best drone deals that I'd buy right now. Beneath each one I've added a little explainer as to why I personally think it's a really good choice right now.

Amazon Prime: Best drone deals

I'd choose this drone because – although there is an upgraded sequel in the form of the DJI Neo 2 – this gives you so much capability for a surprisingly little amount of money in the drone world. It's also incredibly upgradeable. Out of the box it can use AI tracking to follow you and orbit you, or it can be piloted using a phone – but you can add radio remote control for long-distance flying, or even FPV goggles to fly it as if you're a pilot sat inside. A lot of capability in a very small, very safe design, even before you acknowledge the pleasing price.

This Mini 3 is a great choice for photographers, and the RC-N1 is the cheapest control option. What makes this drone coast a little more is that the gimbal (the piece that holds and steadies the camera) features the option to rotate the camera to a vertical position – this being the cheapest drone that offers true portrait mode shooting. Given this is the correct way around for TikTok, Instagram video and YouTube Shorts – and so much other social media – it's easy to see why this would have appeal.

Starting our with the aim of shooting photo and video on a drone? The camera on this drone is more than capable. Why such a big discount here? I think it is so big because of the arrival of the new, but similar-looking Lito series in the UK, but there is a lot to be said for the "Why spend more?" argument if you want 4K video.

The Antigravity A1 is not the cheapest drone, so a price drop is welcome, but the 360-degree camera is extremely impressive and is doubly excellent thanks to the inclusion of Insta360's post-processing software, which is the best in the business in my view. I reviewed this drone and I not only enjoyed flying it, but I found it a breeze to go back after flying and turn the recording into varied and engaging edits from the comfort of my laptop.

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The DJI Neo has dropped to just £113.05 in the Amazon Prime sale, down from £169 and saving you an impressive £55.95 on one of the smallest and most approachable drones in DJI’s lineup.

For anyone looking to capture aerial footage without carrying a large drone or learning a complicated control system, this is a deal that immediately demands attention. The Neo is compact, lightweight, and designed to make getting into the air as straightforward as possible.

Its ability to take off from the palm of your hand is a major part of the appeal. Intelligent flight modes can automatically follow and film you, allowing the drone to capture walking, cycling, travel, and outdoor adventures without requiring someone else to operate the camera.

Despite its tiny size, the DJI Neo can record stabilised 4K video, producing smooth and detailed footage that is ready to share. It is particularly well suited to social media creators, families, travellers, and anyone who wants a simple way to add aerial perspectives to their content.

The protected propeller design also makes the Neo feel less intimidating than many traditional drones, while its lightweight construction means it can easily slip into a small bag. It is the kind of camera you can take almost anywhere without having to plan your entire day around carrying additional equipment.

At just £113.05, the DJI Neo offers a huge amount of creative potential for the money. With a £55.95 saving, easy hands-free shooting, and stabilised 4K video, this is one of the most tempting entry-level drone deals in the Amazon Prime sale.

The Antigravity A1 Infinity Bundle has dropped to just £1,199, down from £1,499, and saving you a cool £300 on one of the most exciting and unusual drone packages currently available.

What makes the Antigravity A1 stand out is its ability to capture immersive 8K 360-degree footage, recording everything around the aircraft as it flies. Rather than committing to a single camera angle in the air, you can reframe your footage afterwards and choose the perspective that best suits the finished video.

The experience is made even more immersive by the included Vision Goggles and Grip Controller. Instead of operating the drone through a conventional screen and controller setup, the system is designed to make flying feel more natural and intuitive, opening up a completely different approach to aerial filmmaking.

The Infinity Bundle also adds considerable value for anyone planning longer filming sessions. It includes three high-capacity flight batteries, a charging hub, a Quick Reader, carrying cases, and spare propellers, giving you a far more complete setup straight out of the box.

This is not simply another compact camera drone. Its combination of 360-degree capture, immersive flight, and post-production reframing makes it particularly appealing to filmmakers and content creators who want to produce aerial footage that looks different from the familiar shots captured by more traditional drones.

At £1,199, the Antigravity A1 Infinity Bundle remains a serious investment, but the £300 saving makes this complete 8K 360-degree drone package considerably more tempting. For creators looking to experiment with a new style of aerial filmmaking, this is a deal that certainly deserves attention.

As a photographer, I’ve never got on board with camera drones. There’s just something about the perspective they create in images and the fact that it’s another piece of expensive gear to lug around. And then there’s the question around privacy…

However, while drones aren’t my cup of tea, I’ve never felt the need to point a rifle at one to bring it down. Which is exactly what a Florida man did recently, leading to his arrest.

The incident happened on June 13 in Lehigh Acres, Florida, with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) releasing footage of the suspect in the act, captured by the very drone he was allegedly trying to destroy.

Lee County authorities were using the drone to locate a bear after reports of the animal had been made. But instead of spotting the furry creature, they came across a group of topless men who appeared to be shooting a rifle in a wooded area.

ABOVE: Florida police footage shows the suspect allegedly firing at the drone

In the footage, the suspect – who’s the only person in the group wearing a top – points the rifle at the drone and, according to LCSO, “appeared to fire two rounds in its direction.”

LCSO has said that officers responded immediately. Later body cam footage, also shared online, shows the trigger-happy suspect, identified as Elvin Antonio Callejas-Serrato, being arrested and placed in the back of a police vehicle.

According to LCSO, the officers recovered a BB rifle “loaded with steel projectiles”. What’s not clear from the footage is if Callejas-Serrato tried to hide the rifle beforehand.

The latest comments from LCSO were that Callejas-Serrato was detained and charged with Shooting or Throwing a Deadly Missile into an Aircraft, which is a serious felony offense.

Under state law, this can lead to up to 15 years in prison. While under federal jurisdiction, firing at or attempting to destroy an aircraft or its equipment can result in up to 20 years jail time.

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Here’s our expert pick of the best camera drones, so you can take your photography and video to the skies!

The US Federal Communications Commission has loosened the restriction on foreign-made drones – but the change isn’t one that will allow drone photographers and videographers to celebrate.

This week, the FCC announced that it will allow certain toy drones made in China to be imported, loosening a restriction put in place in December 2025 that effectively prevents all newly announced drones from receiving the necessary FCC approval to be sold in the US.

The FCC, however, narrowly defines what constitutes a “toy drone” – and one of the key limitations is that the drone can’t have a camera at all. The drone also can’t weigh more than 150g (5.29 oz), and it can’t have network capability or more than ten minutes of flight time.

The idea is that these toy drones don’t threaten national security without the technology to even take photos or communicate with a network. But, as an American photographer with a Part 107 drone license, the change only adds to my frustration.

If a toy drone without the physical ability to connect to a network doesn’t cause any security concerns, why can’t camera drones without network capabilities be permitted? Even existing DJI drones don’t need a network to fly. An internet connection is required for the initial setup, but DJI’s Local Data Mode allows pilots to fly without any network connection at all.

This disables features like the on-screen map, firmware updates, and some real-time safety features – like when I’m flying and get an alert that an aircraft is in the area. But, the mode severs any network connection, leaving the drone only connected with the controller.

If data transmission is still a concern – although a recent third-party security review of two DJI drones found no unexpected data transmissions – DJI drones can also be flown with third-party apps. And, yes, there are apps like this from American companies.

The US drone ban is about more than concern over inadvertently sending photos of US infrastructure to foreign countries, however. The government has also expressed concern that the US does not have a supply chain in place and, in the event of a war, wouldn’t be able to secure parts or build military drones.

The problem with banning all foreign-made drones is that there are currently no American companies that are building consumer drones for photographers and videographers. The handful of US drone companies focus on military drones, expensive Hollywood-level shooters, and quadcopters for commercial and agricultural applications.

Until a US drone company can build a consumer drone, aerial photographers and videographers will be relegated to using older drones launched before the ban. The US currently doesn’t have the supply chain in place for many drone components, but the FCC previously eased the foreign-made drone restriction by allowing drones that are made with at least 65% US components.

The drones that launched before the FCC ban are still legal to purchase and fly in the US. Six months after the drone ban, there’s still plenty of earlier launches to choose from. The DJI Avata 360, for example, had started the FCC approval process ahead of launch in time for those drones to launch in the US. But, eventually, US pilots will only have older consumer drones available to them.

Droe photographers are not the only ones affected by the ban – first responders, small businesses, hobbyist pilots, and others are also impacted. When the FCC called for public comments, it received more than 3,000, a number that’s far higher than the usual number of comments on similar FCC actions.

In February, DJI filed a lawsuit against the FCC ban in the US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Notably, the FCC ban includes all foreign-made drones as well as targeting all of DJI’s newly launched products with wireless communication, which affects the brand’s action cameras and Pocket gimbal cameras, as well as flying cameras. The court case is still ongoing.

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I asked DJI all my pressing questions about the drone ban and shared them here. Or, browse the best camera drones or the best drones for beginners.

If you’ve been thinking about getting into aerial photography without spending a fortune, this early Prime Day deal on Amazon is very enticing

The DJI Mini 4K Camera Drone has dropped to just £169, down from £329, giving you a tidy £100 saving on one of the most accessible camera drones currently on the market.

• See all of today's early best Prime Day deals

DJI has long dominated the consumer drone world, and the Mini 4K sits firmly in that sweet spot where affordability meets serious performance. It’s designed as an entry-level drone, but one that still delivers the sort of image quality and stability that has made DJI such a trusted name among content creators and hobby pilots alike.

Despite its compact size, the Mini 4K packs a capable camera able to capture crisp 4K video and 12MP stills, stabilised by a three-axis gimbal that keeps footage smooth even when conditions aren’t perfect. The drone weighs just 246g, keeping it under the key 249g threshold that often avoids more complicated drone registration rules in many regions.

Flight performance is also impressive for a drone in this price bracket. The Mini 4K offers up to around 31 minutes of flight time and long-range video transmission of up to 10km, allowing pilots to explore landscapes and capture sweeping aerial shots with confidence.

DJI’s intelligent flight features also make it particularly beginner-friendly. Automated QuickShots modes such as Rocket, Circle and Helix can create cinematic aerial sequences with just a tap, while safety systems like GPS Return-to-Home help bring the drone safely back if the signal drops or the battery runs low.

The Mini 3 is not DJI's latest beginner-friendly drone - but thanks to an overnight price drop, it is now at the lowest price that we have ever seen it at. And at just £219, with the basic RC-N1, this is a brilliant early Prime Day camera deal (and you don't even need to be a Prime member).

This little drone weighs in at 248g, meeting the all-important 249g (0.55 pound) threshold. And while subsequent Mini releases, including the Mini Pro range, have expanded upon the DJI Mini 3’s capabilities, it’s still a very usable little drone for content creators. I’m also very much of the opinion that first-time drone owners are better off purchasing a decent drone they can use to capture content, without spending big on a device that hopefully won’t (but sadly can) end up plunging into the drink or veering into a tree.

What you get with the DJI Mini 3 is a 1/1.3-inch sensor with dual native ISO, the ability to capture stills up to 48MP, and video footage up to 4K / 30p and 2.7K / 60p. A three-axis mechanical gimbal works to keep shots steady, while also enabling True Vertical Shooting (a boon for short-form creators). Level five wind resistance is to be expected in this price range, and the max flight time is rated for 38 mins. It can be expanded to 51 mins with the separately sold Intelligent Flight Battery Plus, at the expense of a higher weight. Do be aware that the Mini 3 doesn’t feature the subject tracking or collision sensors of higher-end DJI Mini drones.

Check our guide to the…
Best camera drones
Best DJI drones
Best cheap drones

Potensic has launched its new Atom 3 drone with significant upgrades to the specs of the Atom 2 drone, including a larger 1/1.3-inch image sensor and 4K60 HDR video and 50MP stills.

These might not seem leap-off-the-page stats compared to the top-end video drones, but against the best beginner drones, like the DJI Mini 4K (and the recent update available in some markets, the DJI Lito 1) the value is more important.

Potensic has also improved the strength of the signal, which on paper is now 16km – slightly edging out the latest DJI drones at 15km. While you're unlikely to fly this far away, strong signals are useful to combat 'noise' and

The 50MP camera also edges out DJI's offerings (admittedly by justy 2MP, which isn't something you're likely to notice). This isn't the only update compared to previous Potensic models, though – the sensor allows for a '2x medium tele mode' (effectively a usable-quality digital zoom).

When using that "Med tele" mode, the video can be optimised for portraits using Potensic's software. This should be a handy option for beginners looking to get good shots of people – with the advantage that the tele is a safer distance.

Potensic also says that the camera output benefits from AI optimization.

In terms of flight features, the drone boasts AI subject tracking features (and the ability to turn off some of the distance limits for experienced pilots). There is also a waypoint feature to plan flights and have the drone follow them.

As well as the drone, Potensic is offering a bundle with an updated edition of the company's smart controller, called the RC PTD 2.

This features a 5.5-inch screen, slightly brightened to 900 nits, and of course also supports the 16km range. Despite a negligible reduction in battery size, this new version also claims a marginally longer battery life of 90 minutes, and supports up to 27W fast charging.

I'm testing the drone now, and have already been out in the field with it, so check back very soon for more information.

The drone will be released in a Standard Kit – requiring the use of your phone in the controller – for $429.99, or with that RC PTD 2 for $549.99.

The HoverAir Aqua, the first fully waterproof self-flying drone, has finally been released into global retail channels, following a successful debut on crowdfunding, so you can pick up a drone that can capture your solo water activities today.

HoverAir established the "follow-me" drone category with its X1 series of drones, which can safely be released from the hand and will use onboard sensors and AI to keep the user in shot, and essentially work as your own private camera operator.

Now the company has developed that tech so it can be used somewhere no other AI tracking drones can.

I tested and was impressed by the HoverAir X1 and X1 Pro Max, but there was an issue for fans of wakeboarding to kayaking, sailing, paddle boarding and the like – perhaps even jet-skiing.

For one thing, drones are not typically waterproof. Consumer drones also struggle a little over an aquatic environment because the water all looks the same to the downward-facing sensor, and there is likely to be more wind.

Until now the solution was simple. If you wanted footage of yourself enjoying the water, you'd get a friend to manually control a drone, taking off from land and being optimistic that nothing went wrong in the meantime, because if the drone hit the water's surface, it would sink.

The HoverAir Aqua, however, is designed to cope with the challenges that water activities present, while still being a consumer drone with a take-off weight under 250g.

It has powerful enough motors to handle winds up to Level 7 and speeds of up to 34mph (Level 5 is more common).

Significantly, it is "positively buoyant," meaning it can land on the water if necessary and either be picked up from the surface or take off from it.

The drone also boasts a hydrophobic lens, behind which is a 1/2.8-inch sensor capable of capturing 4K video at up to 100fps so crisp slow motion is possible. HoverAir has also included the company's SmoothCapture image stabilization system.

"Our goal was simple: give people the freedom to focus on their adventure without worrying about their camera. With Aqua, anyone can capture breathtaking moments on and around the water completely hands-free," said Co-founder MQ Wang.

I know from experience that the tech HoverAir brought to the follow-me space is impressive. Admittedly, that has been subsequently mimicked a little by others of the best beginner drones, but I look forward to testing the unique way it has been enhanced for aquatic conditions.

This is coming the same week we published the GoPro Mission 1 Pro review – but it does beg a question; GoPro is waterproof for sure, but there is no way that company's new camera will follow you with AI. Is the whole action camera technology reaching a turning point, with this, a ruggedized drone?

The HoverAir Aqua is on sale now worldwide in several combos starting at $ 1,299 / £1,129.

The US government has blocked drone giant DJI from receiving the FCC approval needed for new models to fly in the US. But after the government-mandated security review of DJI failed to even start before the December 2025 deadline, DJI made a security review happen anyway.

On Thursday, May 28, DJI shared the findings from a five-month security review of two DJI drones. The US security firm OnDefend has conducted an evaluation of the DJI Air 3S and Matrice 4E and found no evidence that data is transferred outside the US, while the team was unable to hack, jailbreak, or tamper with the UAVs.

The findings come amid an ongoing DJI lawsuit against the FCC over the ban and follow more than 3,000 public comments on the FCC’s drone proceedings, which DJI says is ten times the typical number of comments on similar FCC measures.

In December 2025, a law required DJI to pass a national security review by the deadline or face an automatic ban by the FCC. That deadline passed without such a security review even starting, effectively blocking not just DJI’s drones but cameras, gimbals, and accessories from receiving FCC approval to launch new products in the US. (DJI products launched before the ban are still available to purchase and use).

With US-based drone manufacturers focused on military and commercial uses, the ban effectively prevents new consumer drones from launching in the US until an American drone maker steps into the consumer market. The ban impacts not only aerial photographers and videographers but also first responders, small businesses, farmers, and other drone users, according to the list of FCC comments.

Before that December 2025 FCC deadline even passed, DJI asked OnDefend for an independent security review, which began in October 2025 and was completed in mid-March 2026. While the study was authorized by DJI, OnDefend is an independent security company whose staff includes US military and government professionals. The consumer drone tested was purchased from a retailer without notifying DJI, while the enterprise drone was purchased from existing dealer stock.

OnDefend put the drones through a list of different tests, including analyzing signals for any unauthorized data transmission, simulating Meddler-in-the-Middle hacks, attempting jailbreaks of the drones' apps, and disassembling the drones to analyze each component.

The inspection did not find any critical, high, or medium risks.

The review identified 10 low-risk findings with “limited real-world impact” that are “consistent with industry norms for complex mobile and embedded systems.” That list includes things like weak TLS protocols on the app and using authentication tokens in URLs. DJI says that those low-risk findings are being addressed with firmware updates.

“This is the most comprehensive independent security assessment ever undertaken on our products," Adam Welsh, Head of Global Policy at DJI, said in a statement. "These findings confirm what DJI has consistently maintained: our products are secure, our data practices are transparent, and the concerns underlying our FCC Covered List designation are not supported by technical evidence. We commissioned this independent assessment because we believe facts should inform policy decisions. We are calling on the FCC to consider these findings carefully as part of our ongoing appeal, and we remain committed to engaging constructively with relevant authorities."

The study suggests that there is no risk of DJI user data being sent to China, one of the concerns politicians voiced on the road to the National Defense Authorization Act that put DJI on the FCC-banned list.

However, the conversation on drone security has also shifted to highlighting supply chain concerns. Several critical drone components, including lithium-ion batteries and the magnets in drone motors, are sourced outside of the US.

The supply chain risk already has a handful of examples of what not being able to secure parts could mean for US drones. Amid the pushback on US tariffs, China temporarily blocked the export of Li-ion batteries to US-based drone companies, which prevented brands like Skydio from getting the batteries needed for their drones. China later paused the export controls for a year.

The security review is only for two drones and their respective controllers and apps, but could play a role in DJI’s ongoing lawsuit in an attempt to reverse the FCC ban.

The full security report is available to read online.

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A new unofficial world record for the fastest drone has just been set... but it was far from plain sailing. Pro Drone Hub carefully built a high-speed drone, and after losing it on around the 50th run, came up with an interesting theory about why they lost it, which suggests some very high speed (but also raises the question "why not add an AirTag?")

The record-breaking speed of 453mph (730 km/h) claimed in the video (below) are, of course, just based on the creators and are not verified.

Specialist saw-tooth propellers crafted from carbon are part of the unique design that achieved the speed of this missile-like drone, which is called Blackbird.

The team at the Pro Drone Hub decided that the issue with their drone might be the Doppler shift – which is quite a claim.

Doppler is the "neeeeeerrrooowm" effect created by sound waves when vehicles pass at high speed because the center of the sound is spreading from in circles keeps moving, so those circles don't seem to come from the same point relative to where the listener is standing, making the sound uneven.

The same principle is true for radio waves, but the speed of light is a LOT higher, so making the claim that radio is affected is quite a lot (humans need an object to hit around 30,000 kilometres per second to notice the effect).

However, digital video – and the team appear to be using a DJI OM4 system – is compressed into tiny digital pieces, and it's possible that much lower speeds can be enough to break the stream.

Other technical issues seem more likely though, and two alternatives are postulated by the team.

Commenters on the YouTube videos might have been closer too: OriginalCircuit said "It's more likely battery or solder related, pushing 200A, you could have just melted the solder off the terminals."

Builders Aidan and Ben seem to be in a race to reach the speed of sound (767mph), having previously posted a 388mph drone.

The Guinness World record is currently held by South African father-and-son duo Luke and Mike Bell, who set a speed of 657.59 km/h (408 mph) in January this year.

The Pro Drone Hub team also says "They'll say it's unofficial because it didn't land in one piece" though the drone essentially survives. It doesn't look, though, like the batteries are going to be reusable after the speed run that hits 640kph (397mph) upwind.

A downwind run (730kph) is averaged against it for a more official 685kph or 425mph.

If speed is your thing, you might not quite hit these numbers with some of the best FPV drones in my guide, but you can be more confident that the batteries won't catch fire in the drones I've recommended!

Memorial Day is here, and the sales are well under way. As ever, this is one of the best days in the year to find a great deal on a drone - and take your photography and videomaking literally to a new heights!

This year, things are a little different. With parts shortages still rumbling through the supply chain, unavailability of the latest DJI drones, tariffs coming into force and price pressure mounting on the pro-level kit, it’s no longer just about finding a deal - it’s about finding the right deal before it vanishes.

From FPV thrill-seekers to aerial cinematographers, some of the best drones in the game are getting timely price cuts.

Top US retailers

Amazon: Cheap prices on a lot of drones
Adorama: Big discounts on big drone brands
B&H Photo Video: Great deals on the best drones on the market
Best Buy: Sale on drones across the site
Walmart: Massive sales across many drones

Best memorial day drone deals

Also see our pick of the best Memorial Day cameras deals

The Skyrover X1 has just dropped to its lowest-ever price this Memorial Day, with B&H cutting this clever 4K camera drone to just $449. That is down from $758, saving you a cool $309 on a drone that packs in a surprising amount of tech for the money.

If you have been waiting for a capable, creator-friendly drone that does not completely destroy your budget, this is a very strong deal.

What makes the Skyrover X1 so interesting is that it is not just another cheap drone with a camera bolted on. It is designed to make aerial content easier, with a stabilized 3-axis gimbal, 4K60 HDR video, 48MP stills, and intelligent flight features that should appeal to beginners and more experienced pilots alike. B&H also lists it as weighing under 8.8oz, which means it does not need registration in the US.

For content creators, that combination is really appealing. The rotating camera allows for true vertical shooting, which is ideal if you are creating footage for social media, while the 3-axis gimbal helps keep your clips smooth and polished. There is also AI subject tracking, automated return-to-home functionality, and 360-degree obstacle avoidance, making it a far more confidence-inspiring option than many drones at this price.

The camera spec is also much stronger than you might expect from a drone now sitting below $500. With 4K60 HDR video, slow-motion recording up to 4K100, digital zoom, and a 1/1.32-inch CMOS sensor, the Skyrover X1 looks like a genuinely useful tool for travel, family adventures, landscapes, action clips, and everyday aerial footage. It is the kind of drone that makes creative shooting feel more accessible without feeling too basic.

I also like that this is a drone built with modern creators in mind. The ability to shoot vertically without cropping later is a big deal, especially if you are making Instagram Reels, TikToks, or YouTube Shorts. Add in its compact size, intelligent flight modes, and low-light Super AI Night Mode, and this becomes a very tempting package for anyone who wants to start capturing more cinematic aerial footage.

At just $449, the Skyrover X1 looks like one of the standout Memorial Day drone deals right now. A $309 saving is already impressive, but when you factor in the 4K60 HDR video, 48MP stills, vertical shooting, and obstacle avoidance, this deal starts to look seriously good.

If you have been waiting for a drone that offers strong creative features without the premium price tag, this could be the one to grab before the price takes off again.

As an American drone pilot, I was devastated when, in December 2025, the government effectively banned not only popular brand DJI but all “foreign-made drones.” Since then, new drones – as well as cameras and accessories from DJI – have not received the FCC approval to launch in the US.

The US drone ban has long had me wondering if the government understands just how devastating the change is to aerial creators – not to mention the first responders, farmers, and businesses relying on the technology. American drone pilots still have access to drones registered prior to the FCC ban, but the latest drone technology is quickly becoming inaccessible to US users.

While there are American drone brands, none that I’ve found offer consumer drones – just expensive drones for Hollywood-level films, industrial drones, and military drones. That means American drone tech has been effectively placed on an indefinite pause until an American drone company is able to develop and launch a consumer drone – a process that will likely take years.

But now through May 11, the FCC is seeking comments from the public. Drone pilots, first responders, business owners, and any member of the public affected by the ban are invited to share comments on how the restrictions impact the community.

The public input could impact the FCC drone ban moving forward, as DJI has filed an appeal to its inclusion on the FCC Covered List. In an email from a company representative, DJI told me, “We encourage all US-based drone users – from public safety agencies and small businesses to hobbyists – to share their experience on how DJI drones impact their work, business, community, and daily life.”

The Drone Advocacy Alliance has a set of instructions that simplifies the federal forms. For a simple comment, users can navigate to the page, use Proceedings Number 26-22, and the name “In the Matter of SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd.” Public commenters then fill in the details and write their comments.

The deadline for submission is May 11, so the public comments close in a matter of days.

As a drone pilot and tech journalist in the camera space, I think that one of the reasons the foreign-made drone ban is so devastating is that the current US-based companies do not offer consumer-grade models. The non-DJI consumer drones are also built outside of the US.

Skydio, which recently announced a US expansion, does not sell drones made for photography and videography but rather for industrial use, first responders, and the military. Skydio stopped building consumer drones in 2023.

Launching American-made consumer drones will not happen overnight. Skydio’s expansion, for example, is expected to take five years, and the company has not indicated if that growth will even include a consumer drone.

Creating a drone is a time-consuming and complicated process, and newer companies in the category are at a disadvantage. For example, the US-based action camera giant GoPro once launched a drone called the Karma. The quadcopter was recalled due to a battery door failure that had drones falling out of the sky, and GoPro left the drone market shortly after.

Perhaps the reason that the FCC foreign-made drone ban hurt the most, however, is that the government-mandated security review of DJI never actually happened, to my knowledge, perhaps because the law never assigned an agency to the task.

DJI has not only pointed to previous security audits, but has repeatedly stressed that flight logs are never stored on DJI’s servers. DJI drones also support using third-party apps to fly, including some apps made by American companies.

DJI's other products have also – unfairly, in my opinion – fallen under the ban. While the FCC ban includes all foreign-made drones, it also lists all DJI products, not just their drones. That prevents tech like the DJI Osmo Pocket 4 as well as DJI's future action cameras, gimbals, mics, and other tech from entering the US.

Of course, one of the reasons behind the ban isn’t tied to a specific company at all, but worry over interruptions in the supply chain. I understand the need for a US-based supply chain – after all, in retaliation for tariffs, China once blocked American drone maker Skydio from getting any batteries for its drones.

But such an immediate and overarching drone ban is devastating for every American using drone technology, from aerial artists like myself to first responders and business owners.

As a drone pilot and tech journalist, I’m strongly urging the FCC and US government to restore the public’s access to the latest drone technology. Complete a full and fair audit to determine if non-US drone companies are a security risk.

If such an audit determines a security threat, propose an interim plan with the aid of drone users to avoid freezing drone technology that many small businesses, journalists, photographers, videographers, farmers, and others rely on.

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Five months after the US government banned all foreign-made drones, US drone company Skydio announced a $3.5 billion investment that will expand US drone manufacturing, including components, over the next five years.

At the end of April, Skydio – the largest US drone manufacturer – announced an investment to expand its factory, add jobs, and help build up a US drone supply chain. As an American drone pilot, Skydio’s announcement is a sign of hope, yes – but it’s also a key example of why the FCC ban on all foreign-made drones is so devastating for aerial creators.

Most US drone companies don’t offer consumer drones

Skydio exited the consumer drone market in 2023 and no longer sells off-the-shelf drones for photographers like myself. Instead, Skydio shifted to drones for first responders and the military, as well as quadcopters for industrial uses. Most US brands don't offer consumer drones, instead focusing on industrial, military, agricultural, and Hollywood-level drones.

Skydio hasn’t announced a return to the consumer drone market amid the drone ban – which prevents all foreign-made drones, not just DJI, from gaining the FCC authorization needed to sell in the US. (Drones that already received FCC approval remain available to buy and are safe to fly).

However, as part of the announcement, the company’s CEO does mention the “civilian drone market” which encompasses categories like enterprise drones – which Skydio already offers – as well as consumer drones. “Skydio has proven that American companies can compete and win in the civilian drone market against products from our adversaries,” Skydio Co-Founder and CEO Adam Bry said.

Whether that mention of civilian drones may include consumer drones in the future has yet to be seen, as Skydio hasn’t made any official indication of a return to the consumer market.

Many critical drone parts aren’t made in the US

Skydio's $3.5 billion investment in US manufacturing is a move that will build a manufacturing facility five times bigger than its current space and create more than 2,000 new jobs within the company.

However, a key part of Skydio’s announcement is SkyForge, a program that aims to help expand US manufacturing of critical drone parts and makes up roughly $1 billion of the investment. The program invites other suppliers to work with Skydio to help grow the US supply chain.

The US supply chain is one of the key hurdles to building American-made drones. Both the motors and batteries inside a majority of drones originate from China. Around 90 percent of the magnets inside drone motors, for example, are from China, while China also makes 99 percent of the Li-ion batteries used in consumer electronics. The few US suppliers that exist tend to operate on a smaller scale and require more lead time, according to The Next Web.

Skydio is also a key example of why supply chain matters – last year, in response to tariffs, China blocked several drone companies, which left Skydio temporarily unable to secure batteries for its drones.

Building up US drone manufacturing will take time – and money

I’m ecstatic to see a US drone company create 2,000 jobs – plus the move is also expected to help create 3,000 additional jobs across the supply chain. But Skydio’s announcement is also a reminder that American drone manufacturing won’t happen overnight, and in the meantime, the drone tech accessible to US drone pilots like myself will stall.

Skydio’s investment, for example, is expected to be completed in five years – and that, again, includes no mention of returning to the consumer drone market.

Five years – if a US-made consumer drone even comes by then – is a long time in tech years. For example, five years ago, DJI was making the Mini 2, which had a 1/2.3-inch sensor and only downward obstacle sensing. Fast forward five years, and the DJI Mini 5 Pro offers a 50MP one-inch sensor, omnidirectional obstacle sensing, a longer battery life, improved transmission technology, and longer flight times. That’s the level of advancement that can happen in just five years.

Skydio’s investment isn’t the only spark of hope for US drone pilots. DJI has filed a lawsuit over the ban, which is still in progress. In March, Chinese drone brand SkyRover announced that it was “exploring” US manufacturing.

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Although he's primarily a stills photographer, Karim Iliya also makes films. And one of those, titled 'Blood of the Earth', so impressed the judges of the fourteenth season of HIPA (the Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award) that Karim went home with the trophy for Drone (Video).

Karim's mission was simple: he wanted to show how beautiful volcanoes are, which many people don’t actually get to see.

"People often think of volcanoes as places that are destructive and violent and terrifying," he explained to me after the awards ceremony in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, last November.

"But volcanoes are fascinating places, and I think it's hard not to love them. The things that little kids often love are dinosaurs, whales, uniforms, construction, volcanoes – volcanoes are in the 'cool thing' category."

Although based in Iceland, Karim has traveled around the world to see the majesty of volcanoes – both dormant and erupting.

"The first volcano I saw was an eruption in Guatemala, Central America, and there are volcanic eruptions in Hawaii, where my family is.

"I've been to volcanoes that weren't erupting at the time but were in the process of doing so, like Etna in Sicily [a photograph of Etna erupting, by Gianluca Gianferrari, was the Grand Prize winner of HIPA 'Power'].

For 'Blood of the Earth', though, Karim traveled to Iceland, an island in the North Atlantic, in 2021, to see the volcanic eruption at Fagradalsfjall [which means 'beautiful valley mountain'].

The volcano started erupting in March that year, and the eruption went on for six months. Karim tried to get there as quickly as possible.

"Originally I had booked a three-week trip to Iceland to go and photograph and film Fagradalsfjall, and I ended up extending my stay for three months," he recalls.

"Then I met an Icelandic woman and decided to live there. So over the course of this volcanic eruption, I filmed as much as I could with a drone and eventually put together this little short film."

Karim's tools of choice are DJI camera drones. "The footage was filmed on a Mavic 2 Pro – a DJI drone that is small and portable and able to do the job."

He's a fan of the DJI brand as he feels it pushes technical boundaries and constantly innovates, and he's familiar with how they work, too.

"I’ve found them to be generally very reliable – good in low light, good battery life and they can handle quite a bit of wind.

"Weather conditions in Iceland can be horrendous. The winds can be high, you get snow and hail and rain… I've just found that DJI drones can survive the trip and can handle the elements. So far it has all worked out."

But Karim's filming wasn't without incident. As well as losing the front element of one drone, the sensors melted, so he had to figure out how to stay in the areas that are less hot.

"The thing with volcanoes is how there's so much to film and so much to see, and it's constantly changing. You're looking for new things, but how do you find something different that someone hasn't seen before?"

But while a drone offers a unique perspective, there's no substitute for being there and witnessing the power of nature yourself.

"I spent a lot of time looking with my eyes because it's not quite the same to look at film on a screen as it is to be there, to see the eruption and feel the heat, and experience the feelings that come from it."

To tell a story like 'Blood of the Earth', Karim had to capture around 50 hours of footage of different eruptions in the same volcanic area, gathered from many trips to the volcano over the course of many days: "I would go to the volcano with the intention of spending a couple of hours and 11 hours would go by."

Karim doesn't obsess over the technical aspects of filming, preferring to trust his instincts, whether something looks good or not.

"I prioritize capturing the moment and recording it, rather than worrying about what gear I have or what settings I'm using.

"Sometimes, certain settings are fairly straightforward and can stay the same, or I'll change other settings depending on what's going on."

The editing process is about reconstructing what he saw at the time.

"The edit was fairly quick, mostly because of the time constraints. There are moments you film that afterwards you remember are very different and interesting."

And he clearly did a good job with his storytelling, as the HIPA judges praised his work for being "… a truly hell-inspiring glimpse at the majesty, wonder and profound power of the volcanic eruption", which fitted perfectly with the 'Power' theme of the 14th season of HIPA.

Winning the category award and the prize money will allow Karim to pursue more personal projects without the worry of how to fund them.

"The wonderful thing about winning the HIPA award is that you meet a lot of fantastic people at the ceremony, so you can build those connections," he says.

"And the prize money allows me to go out and continue doing what I'm doing. Oftentimes the thing that nature and wildlife photographers – and photographers in general – need more than anything is just money to go and do their projects, because I put [any money I make] back into the work I do.

"If I have money, I'm filming more, I'm photographing more, I'm telling these stories and trying to continue the work that I do.

"The HIPA prize enables me to continue doing my work, and invigorates me to keep pursuing and pushing the boundaries of what is possible."

And what's next for Karim – will there be more in the same vein as 'Blood of the Earth'?

"I'm actually in the process of making a film about volcanoes," he says. "It's a long project, let's say something that spans 20 years."

Read more about 'Blood of the Earth'

A longer version of this interview appears in the May issue (307) of Digital Camera World magazine.

You can subscribe and get the magazine delivered to your door every month. Choose between a print or digital subscription, or a bundle of the two.

All print subscribers to Digital Camera magazine can now access digital back issues dating from 2009 (when using iOS) or 2012 (when using the Pocketmags Magazine Newsstand app or the Pocketmags website).

The DJI Mavic 4 Pro has just received the kind of price cut that makes you look twice, with B&H dropping this serious aerial imaging machine to $2,899, down from $3,899, saving you a massive $1,000.

That is not pocket change, and when it comes to premium drones, a $1,000 saving is the kind of deal that can turn a wish-list item into something that suddenly feels a little more within reach.

The Mavic 4 Pro is not some casual toy drone, either. This is DJI’s flagship-level flying camera system, built for creators who want proper image quality, serious flexibility and that polished DJI flight experience that has made the Mavic line such a dominant force in the drone world.

At the heart of the Mavic 4 Pro is a triple-camera system, led by a 100MP Hasselblad wide (main) camera capable of 6K60 HDR video, alongside medium tele and tele cameras that can both shoot 4K60 HDR. B&H also lists the drone as having DJI’s 3-axis 360° Infinity Gimbal, which gives it far more creative freedom when it comes to movement, framing and those sweeping cinematic shots that make aerial footage feel properly premium.

I found myself amazed by its power and quality in my full review of the Mavic 4 Pro.

What makes this deal particularly appealing is that the Mavic 4 Pro feels like one of those drones designed not just for pretty travel clips, but for serious visual storytelling. Whether you are filming landscapes, properties, commercial work, YouTube content, or just want the best possible aerial footage from something that still folds down into a travel-friendly package, this is a machine with plenty of headroom.

The Mavic 4 Pro’s feature set also includes low-light omnidirectional obstacle avoidance, a front-facing LiDAR sensor, ActiveTrack 360 subject and vehicle tracking, and DJI’s O4+ transmission system, with B&H previously highlighting an 18.6-mile range for the drone. That makes it not only a powerful camera platform, but one with the flight intelligence and safety tools needed to give pilots more confidence in the air.

So, while $2,899 is still a serious investment, knocking $1,000 off the DJI Mavic 4 Pro makes this B&H deal very hard to ignore. For anyone who has been waiting for the right moment to upgrade their aerial kit, this might just be the deal that finally gets the Mavic 4 Pro off the dream list and into the camera bag.

DJI has just made choosing your first drone a lot harder. The new Lito series goes all-in on camera quality and longer flight times, while the Neo 2 focuses on safety, simplicity and AI-powered tracking. Both are aimed squarely at beginners, but they take completely different approaches. So which one should you actually buy?

The DJI Neo 2 and the Lito drones both look very physically different, but – in their own way – they both target first-time drone buyers.

Simply put, the Neo 2 puts safety and flexibility at the absolute top of its design goals, while the Lito series prioritizes the camera's capabilities by including a three-axis gimbal for smoother video and building in a radio transceiver.

Specs

In every picture on the Neo 2 here the optional transceiver is attached to the back of the Neo 2, but this isn't included in the cheapest bundles – it can cost around $42.00, or more, plus the price of a remote controller, if you want remote control longer than a few meters.

Flexibility with controls has a positive side too, however. The Neo 2's standard option – following the users using AI – is technically impressive and gets useful shots very easily, but it's also possible to upgrade all the way to FPV control with DJI's wand-like "Motion Controller" and goggles that let you sit "inside" the drone.

Comparison

Key differences

Comparing the features from a photographic perspective, the Lito 1 doesn't seem ahead of the Neo 2 – only when you consider the 3-axis gimbal for providing more stable shots (and the bigger and slightly heavier airframe which will play their part thanks to physics).

The more notable difference is the flight time. The last few minutes of any flight are coming back to land and the time you allow for safety (you don't want the battery to get to zero distance away from you and it falling out of the sky), so the difference here is much more significant than it looks.

Well, except for the fact that if you don't shell out for a proper controller and transceiver for the Neo 2 you can't fly the drone very far from you, so the return journey won't be as long

Cameras: Neo 2 v Lito 1 v X1

As well as choosing between the Lito 1 & Neo 2, there is the distinction between the Litos themselves. The premium Lito X1 makes a much better case for serious photographers and videographers thanks to D-Log M (video you can grade after the fact), and a larger image sensor for better footage across a broader range of light.

Data storage

The slightly more personal choice is the distinction between built-in memory and the Lito 1 having only a MicroSD card slot. For me, I have very little concern about that. Recording to a memory card suits my workflow just fine, but it can be convenient to have built in memory, so why not?

On the Neo 2, built-in memory is almost essential because you're very likely to be using the drone in an app-based workflow, controlling it with your phone (as well as voice controls and gestures), so being able to simply download short clips to your device makes a lot of sense for a more social-ready, speedy, less edit-obsessed workflow.

US Availability

The other big issue here is that new DJI drones don't go on sale on the day of launch in the USA any more because DJI has been added to the 'Covered List' in the USA, which bans the FCC from approving new products by the company. In practice, the FCC has opted not to approve any new drones from Chinese companies in 2026 and onward.

While both drones in the Lito series seem to have been approved before the end of December 2025, DJI has chosen not to release them through its own store in the USA, meaning US customers need to wait and see if other retailers solve the situation (the same situation is also true of the recently released Osmo Pocket 4).

The DJI Neo 2 was one of the first products that DJI didn't launch and sell itself in the USA because these rules banning foreign products (and, by extension, choice) were coming in, but what happened in the end is that some camera retailers (like B&H – see DJI Neo 2 at B&H) started stocking the drone regardless, and, eventually, it made its way to Amazon too.

I don't know if, despite DJI's hands being tied by the US government, the same will happen for the Lito series, but it seems plausible.

This is only an issue for customers in America, because no other government has taken such a harsh stance on Chinese-made consumer drones, but (until availability changes at least, it might be the deciding factor for Americans).

Controller and safety

The DJI Neo 2 has a lot of control flexibility – which means you don't need to buy it all at once. The drone-only can be successfully controlled just by tracking you, the subject it takes off from (and that cage design is good for safety).

At the other end of the scale, the goggles and FPV controller will add a lot of additional cost, but give you a very different way of operating your drone that seems a lot less traditional and makes amazing indoor/outdoor zooming shots achievable.

The Lito 1 series is more traditional in that it has different RC controller options, but the subject tracking is still relatively safe and achievable thanks to the sensors on the drone (despite the unprotected propellors it will refuse to get too close).

Overall

The Lito series is a good example of steady refinement, and a great place to start your drone journey, especially as so much safety tech has been added, but its design focus is definitely on helping the camera fly and the owner create.

The Neo 2 is a different kind of drone to most anyway – a "Cinewhoop" airframe more like a cut-down Avata 2 FPV drone that can do stunts, that is also designed to be a helpful flying friend that follows you and films you doing cool stuff automatically.

If your priority is effortless, safe flying and quick social clips, the Neo 2 still makes a strong case. But if you care more about video quality, stability and longer flight time, the Lito 1 is the better long-term buy – or, even better, the X1 if you have the readies.

Alternatives

Realistically, Americans may have to wait a while for that choice, but the DJI Mini 3 or Mini 4K are FCC-approved alternatives in the meantime – check the best beginners drone or best camera drone guides.

Most drone pilots meticulously check weather conditions in a bid to avoid even light winds, but not the team at the OTUS Project (Observations of Tornadoes by UAV Systems). In a pair of Reels posted on Instagram, RAW POV footage from the team’s camera drone can be seen hurtling into the eye of a storm near the town of Wyoming, Iowa on April 14.

Let’s put that into perspective. DJI says not to fly its flagship DJI Mavic 4 Pro at wind speeds of 12 m/s or more. Obviously, tornado wind speeds vary wildly, but according to the Tornado and Storm Research Organisation, a light tornado starts at 17 m/s (39 mph), the most violent twisters can reach up to 134 m/s (299 mph). Suffice to say, your average drone has no business going anywhere near a tornado…

The OTUS drone isn’t your average aerial device. It’s a new experimental drone, built around a 360 camera and with thermo sensors. But the footage isn’t just to satisfy human curiosity. The project, self-funded by meteorology and engineering students, is a means of gathering data on the destructive weather phenomena that could be used to help project both lives and property.

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Want more on storm chasing? "It's the terror which keeps you alive… I have no death wish. I have a life wish," says storm chasing photographer. If you're thinking of getting into drone content creation, here are the best drones for beginners. And if you're content with more conventional nature photography, here are my landscape photography tips.

DJI has launched two new drones, Lito and Lito X1. Both are targeting beginners, but there is a choice to be made between the lowest spec available and a more premium camera and features list. Either way, DJI is replacing its 'Mini' series' with these new drones, targeting first timers and content creators looking to make a splash.

In both cases the shell is a refined version of the ultralight folding design seen on the Mini 4K and the Mini 3 series. Crucially, that category is under 249g so it stays free of regulations in most countries.

What is new, however, is the top-and-bottom presence of a fish-eye lens of an all-round collision sensing and object tracking system, meaning this drone doesn't just bring the camera of your choice (1/2-inch sensor for the Lito, or larger 1/1.3-inch sensor for the Lito X1), but better safety and AI assistance than has been known in this class before.

Is it a wise choice, though (and is it a worthy upgrade)?

Lito series: Price

The Lito 1 launches at £299 for the drone and remote, and £429 for a Fly More Combo with a RC-N3 remote (so you still need your phone, but you get more batteries).

DJI Lito X1 retails for £369 – so the camera improvements are effectively costing £70 – but the Fly More Combo is £599 and comes with the RC 2 remote with built in screen.

US pricing is yet to be announced, though rumors suggest that the drone did pass FCC tests, so should be available to American pilots sometime soon.

DJI Lito 1 v Lito X1: Specs

I've shown the comparison with the 'Premium' X1 which is very similar, but uses a larger imaging sensor, and some other additional features.

DJI Lito: Build and handling

As the longstanding drone expert, I've come to accept that the ultralight category always feels a bit light in the hand – it has to. The limit of 249g (just under 9 ounces) is not that much given that the variable weather conditions that most of us attempt to fly in.

This drone, nevertheless, manages (in both variants) to feel tough where it needs to, specifically the sprung hinges for the arms, which also act as on/off switches, an elegant touch, saving a moment of thought (unless, like me, you've been trained to expect to turn the drone on manually for over a decade!)

I've waited a long time for drones to be this easy to get in the air, and it's very pleasing. In terms of data storage, the Lito 1 is an economy option, so it makes sense that – despite DJI offering it with so many products now – there is no on-board memory (that is an extra for the Lito X1). So you do need to budget for a MicroSD card but, for most drones, that was always the case until recently anyway.

Personally I honestly still find memory cards and the adapter the easiest way to get the video to my computer to edit it, too, but that's me. The DJI Fly app is also a good solution, especially for those with a more phone-based workflow.

DJI's airframe is not a surprise, but definitely built on tried and tested. The front arms also have 'legs' so the drone can take off from a flat surface without risking the optical sensors beneath (there are vision sensors and the new fish-eye tracking sensor).

The front of the Lito 1 has vents because it lacks LiDAR, but the fish-eye lens on the top and bottom provide a decent all round collision sensing system in decent light. It was able to detect and avoid trees in my tests.

The main camera of the Lito 1 is a half-inch sensor with 48 megapixels, and the gimbal keeps it impressively stable. Admittedly by this point I would expect nothing else of DJI, but it is definitely a better choice for the more videographically inclined than DJI's base level Neo 2, no matter how flexible.

DJI Lito: Performance

The weather could have been kinder to me during my limited test period with the Lito 1 and Lito X1, so I will be posting some additional images and clips in the coming weeks. I can say, though, that first impressions are good.

The camera quality when shooting video at 4K60fps was great on the day I was testing so long as I stuck to the 1x zoom view. Things were less impressive when I decided to zoom in. It's great that x2 and x3 digital zoom are options but I'd avoid the latter if I were you as the result is just too obvious.

The quality of the video in default mode is tonally good, very crisp, and DJI seem to get the color right – though it's a tough gig with me swinging round from flying into to away from the sun.

You can see how it looks in the video...

In terms of flight characteristics, things were a little tougher for the Lito 1, which I took out in winds at the upper end of its capabilities. It kept reminding me of this with a warning message – fair enough – and it was certainly noticeable how much it affected the flight speed against the wind.

Now I'm very experienced with drones, but perhaps it'd be sensible if that warning message was a bit clearer about the likely effect of the wind – the camera seems stable because the gimbal is so good, but flying against the wind is still going to use a lot more battery and take longer because physics is still physics!

DJI Lito: Overall verdict

To be clear, this is the review of the Lito 1 – though I mention the premium sibling (the Lito X1) once or twice. It's very difficult to think about buying the one without looking at the other, and, ultimately, if you're looking at the Lito 1 the reason is that price likely matters to you more than the subtleties of specification.

So what are you really missing out on? If you're using the drone during the day, and don't need D-Log M / High Dynamic Range (and not that many people really do unless they want to grade footage in editing), arguably not that much. Yes the LiDAR on the X1 also improves the collision avoidance and AI, but it's impressive here, able to detect people and vehicles from a good range.

Admittedly, if you don't have one, you'll also need to find the money for a MicroSD card so – arguably – the price difference is slightly narrowed there, but, in practice, especially when shooting at wider angles, this is an excellent drone. The collision sensing means you can confidently let the kids fly it, too (supervised, mind).

Alternatives

DJI has just launched two new drones at once – the much-teased Lito series. Both come in at 249g and target the beginner market, but offer a choice of cameras (and budget), as well as some significant upgrades over previous DJI drones for this space.

The drones will be priced at £299 (about $403 including UK sales tax) for the Lito 1 and £369 (about $500 including UK sales tax) for the more premium Lito X1.

In keeping with the distinction, there will be Fly More Combos featuring extra batteries, but the Lito 1 version is £429 and sticks with the cheaper remote control, which requires you to use your phone as a screen, while the Lito X1 variant is £599 but comes with DJI's premium RC 2 controller, which has a built-in screen.

The new drones seem to offer a replacement for the DJI Mini 4K, with better improved design features, while the more premium Lito X1 slots into a similar spot to the Mini 3 – with better safety features (so better for true beginners), but without the rotating camera. (You can still opt for vertical video, but the camera does not rotate, so it is not 'True Vertical Shooting' in DJI's own phrasing.)

DJI see the Lito 1 series as "the benchmark with no alternative," citing especially the 360-camera system that powers the active track. That doesn't mean the drone shoots 360 video like the DJI Avata 360, but that the drone is less likely to lose a subject when it is automatically keeping it in shot.

While DJI see the Lito series as replacing the Mini (but not the Mini Pro), there is no confirmed US sale state yet, so both will remain on the market around the world, but new entry-level drones will be 'Lito' while 'Mini Pro' will remain as a brand line.

It'll be interesting to see which, if any, earns a spot on the best drone for beginners guide – which is getting increasingly competitive.

See our full DJI Lito 1 review

I have just spotted that DJI's Avata 2 drone has fallen to the lowest price we have seen it in the UK - and can be picked up with goggles and joystick-style controller for just £455 from Park Cameras.

As the DCW drone expert, the Avata 2 is my pick for best FPV drone – but now faces competition from the innovative DJI Avata 360, which has two 180° lenses to capture an image in every direction at once, allowing you to frame the image later.

The Avata 2 is a brilliant refinement and improvement of a first-generation product, with a new airframe, and it's spectacularly robust. I can assure you of that because I, well, let's say deliberately deliberately crash-tesed it! DJI's 1-axis mechanical gimbal – combined with clever electronic image stabilization – in a drone with such acrobatic dynamism seems to result in striking 4K video that swoops and dives through the sky. Latency is of no concern and the controller included with this bundle is so natural that any beginner can pick it up.

Personally, I have never especially enjoyed FPV flying before DJI introduced this kind of controller – now I do. They made it fun!

So is it worth waiting for a sequel when this is available right now for the lowest price we've seen since launch?

The waterproof HoverAir Aqua was announced for pre-orders and demonstrations this week, a significant step in the product's development after previously being known only as a crowd-funded drone concept, and met with some scepticism by many!

The HooverAir Aqua is a drone for surfers, paddleboarders, kayakers, jet skiers, fishing fans, and boaters, boasting features like 4K/100fps slow-mo and Level 7 wind resistance. It can not only fly over water, but also take off from it.

While the HooverAir Aqua was initially announced last year, the drone came first to IndieGoGo. But this week, pre-orders have opened outside of crowdfunding in some regions, including the UK and Japan. The drone is not listed on the company's US website, likely due to the foreign-made drone ban.

According to the company's UK website, pre-orders are expected to begin shipping in late May.

HoverAir began its journey by effectively introducing the concept of the 'follow-me' drone, which uses its camera or other sensors to follow the subject and record them, like an angelic action camera.

The HoverAir X1 drone made some compromises compared to the established competition when it came to flight time, but they were the right ones. As it turned out, a few people wanted to be followed by a drone for half an hour without intervening to change settings, so the X1 design worked just fine. It was also innovative – introducing a safety cage and a light, easily pocketed folding frame.

The HoverAir X1 Pro and ProMax models developed the concept, and later had to face competitors too – like the DJI Neo. This new 'Aqua,' however, is an entirely distinct product, tackling a different area of drone operation (and another which has eluded other firms).

It is not wise to fly over water in most drones – certainly not near it. You certainly need to keep your hands firmly on the controls, as you only have GPS as backup. The problem is that the more precise positioning is done optically by pointing a camera down and tracking the landscape's contrast fingerprint using technology called the Vision Positioning System or Optical Flow.

Because water tends to look the same from above (or be moving), optical positioning systems have problems. Even more so if you hover near the water, disturb the surface, and push up spray. This has been a problem for drones wanting to operate near the surface – meaning HoverAir's drones couldn't be used by surfers, even though they could follow the humans. Until now, that is.

The solution used, apparently, is RTK (Real Time Kinematics), a technology where the drone knows where the user is (because they wear, in this case, a wristband that acts as a "lighthouse" for the drone). RTK has been used in drones for accurate positioning, but usually only for mapping, not as a consumer tech.

As an additional failsafe, the drone is sealed and buoyant, so it can land on water if needed. The design makes it highly visible, like a life preserver.

With demos having begun at legendary Tokoy electronics stores on April 14, pre-orders are presently being taken for the drone in some regions (Japan, UK) at what we're told is a discounted price (HoverAir bundle £1411 £1129).

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Browse the best drones for beginners or the best drones for photos and videos.

DJI is confirming two new launch dates with two separate new teaser trailers. One, titled "Just Fly" for April 23, just has to be the Lito drone – and another titled "More than Sound," and with a graphic that looks a lot like a microphone...

I've mentioned the swirling rumors about a DJI Lito drone before on these pages, but frustratingly, DJI has put out an animated graphic that does not reveal a lot more. It vaguely reminds me of the split-flap displays common at stations and airports, with wheels on the side that are reminiscent for kids of my generation of a toy called the Rubik's clock.

But a drone? Well... only the fact it actually shows the name 'Lito' in its 'display' gives that away (along with the tagline "Just Fly").

What we do know is that on April 23 you'll be able to watch the product appear yourself, and at that point we'll know for sure if this is an all new product category (as some say) or a replacement for the Mini 4K with a new look and feel.

Some suspect we'll see on-board memory to record video, as we have with so many other DJI products recently. Others have suggested that there will be a higher-end version with LiDAR obstacle avoidance (again, a common feature on DJI drones now).

What we definitely don't expect is for the drone to climb above the crucial 250g limit; although there are new rules in the UK (Class 0) attempting to encourage an even lower threshold of 100g, the 250g target is still common worldwide.

Also on the DJI socials is this rotating graphic of some rounded squares which certainly bring to mind the shape of the DJI Mic or Mic Mini devices we've seen all over YouTube (and of course I've tested here at DCW).

Is there actually a need for another DJI Mic or Mic Mini at this point? Well, the Mic 3 upgraded from the Mic 2 by reducing the weight significantly (28g to 16g) and boosting the internal storage from 8Gb to 32Gb.

Of course, the next contender for the best wireless microphone from DJI might be in its phone-friendly Mini series, but we'd hope to see similar capabilities (and perhaps some more charging options, without reverting to the case).

Next week, at NAB, GoPro is going to announce a new product line. There are a lot of rumors circulating, but one that would make more sense than you might think at first is that DJI will launch a drone.

Nearly everyone in the industry knows the "Why not" of this story: the truly catastrophic original GoPro Karma drone, but that was launched in 2016, and the world has moved on.

The biggest problem for the Karma, other than a tendency for the sample models to fall out of the sky, was the arrival of far better competition from DJI drones. But nowadays this is where things are looking up for GoPro – the US government is making life very difficult indeed for DJI, which is currently barred from seeking FCC approval for any new products.

The last few approved DJI products are sneaking their way out now, and then GoPro will find itself in a much less competitive landscape.

Ten years is a long time, too, and no doubt a lot of R&D has been going on at GoPro, which might make for a very interesting drone.

The GoPro Max 2, which I reviewed last year, shows the company has moved things a long way in the sphere of 360-degree cameras (a little pun there for the fans). The company is also working on putting cameras in other robust shells, as the acquisition of helmet camera firms suggests.

It's also true that most of the complaints – in so far as there are any – directed at GoPro Hero 13 Black are only about low light photography, which isn't much of a problem for aerial work, so there shouldn't be any worries about the kind of camera GoPro bring to the table.

GoPro has also added a gimbal, the Fluid Pro AI, to its repertoire in the last year, suggesting another key drone tech is in the bag.

Perhaps some of the innovative – but ultimately too complicated – ideas of the original Karma drone could be abandoned in favor of something more straightforward.

The design need not be so complicated, heavy & pricey this time. Forcing the buyer to acquire a gimbal and a GoPro Hero camera, even if it worked more reliably, gave people a lot of tools, but it also pushed prices up and made things difficult to use.

The 2016 product recall had, also, been dreadful timing in terms of the 2016 holiday sales market – the same time DJI was bringing out the foldable Mavic Pro and essentially creating the template for drones as we've known them for a decade.

GoPro has proven that it is able to acquire companies to get the tech it needs, before adding the final shine of usability and the company's well-liked subscription cloud service.

There are likely to be several opportunities around the world to collaborate for a company with a record of approaching things in this way. Ironically, one might even be – depending on how it is approached of course (lawyers would need to take a good look, not to mention the parties in question) the possibility of cooperation with DJI again.

Now, yes, things ended badly before – Karma's position as number 2 to DJI's top spot in the drone market was not enough to save the 250 team members GoPro laid off in early 2018, but things could be different.

DJI CEO Frank Wang and GoPro CEO Nick Woodman did talk together about working together about two years before Karma, and it was largely arrogance on Woodman's part that led to Karma being set up alone (or, rather, with the help of US drone startup 3D Robotics.

DJI had a decade of dominance, 3DR ended up making enterprise software, and the US government has stepped in to change the rules. Fair or not, now is definitely an opportunity GoPro could make the best of!

See the best camera drones that are currently on the market

The DJI Lito and DJI Lito XL aren't necessarily real drones yet – they are products suggested by known leakers – but that hasn't stopped an online debate about just who these drones are targeting.

Why? The most recent leak is what appears to be a DJI packaging design showing the specifications and, from that, people have argued over whether these drones are new products to replace existing parts of the DJI lineup, or targeting a new space altogether.

Original leak

Everything in the area is interesting, but it'd be great to know what exactly is coming – if anything – and when (especially if you're about to pull the trigger on a pre-summer drone purchase).

The other thing that is interesting is that this drone is, apparently, FCC cleared – meaning that the Avata 360 was not the last drone that DJI got past the FCC's clearance process before the DJI ban starts in the USA.

Why we can't be sure...

A rumor blog which we can't be 100% certain about, showed pictures of a DJI Lito X1 Fly More Combo Plus, including a DJI RC 2 controller, which suggests there will be full radio, not just wi-fi like the smallest toy drones. Then again, DJI has pulled the choice of controls off before in the Neo.

What springs to my journalist's mind is that, if you were going to fake a DJI release, then a 'Fly More Combo' with a RC 2 controller is exactly what you might see suggested by an unimaginative AI based on DJI's history. They only predict the future based on stuff they've seen already (one told me earlier that Artemis II couldn't have taken off because the data in it's model referred to it as a 'future' mission!)

You're not an AI, so you might actually think. And if you have that power, you might say: "Well, if it's called 'Lito', that sounds a bit like 'light' – as if it doesn't weigh very much – so perhaps we're looking at a drone not just under 250g but significantly under that threshold."

The drones DJI might look at...

DJI already has lighter drones – the DJI Neo – and some countries are starting to bring in even lower weight limits, not least the United Kingdom, which now (as of 2026) requires drones to be under 100g if the drone is to be used without any paperwork (Flyer ID or Operator ID).

It seems unlike that the Neo is up for replacement in the near future, though, as the DJI Neo 2 came out relatively recently and, as you can see from my DJI Neo 2 review, it actually upped the weight slightly – though it is still lighter than the DJI Mini series.

The DJI Mini series is split between lower-end products like the Mini 4K, which is getting on for two years old now. It has seen discounting in recent Amazon sales, too.

The idea that the Lito is a replacement for this is exactly the theory attributed to DJI leaker Mauro Tandoi – in a quote on DroneXL that doesn't actually appear on his own feed.

Tandoi has posted an image that is apparently 'shot on DJI Lito X1, however, so he clearly has an interest!

At the upper end of the ultralight spectrum is the DJI Mini 5, which has much more serious cameras. I'd be inclined to rule out DJI replacing that in the immediate future, however, because it is only six months old and because the Lito seen in these leaks doesn't look to be as well specified at a glance.

Alternative ideas

But what if this drone is something different altogether?

That's the other possibility. We are, after all, looking at a new name, so which shouldn't DJI be introducing another slightly different new product that will not step on any of the existing lines.

That theory has been advanced by YouTubers, and it makes a lot of sense, I think.

Spec Leaks

There are two different sets of specs – the difference between the Lito 1 and the Lito X1 – and the difference might be 22GB or 42GB of internal storage. Essentially, the drone looks like a more photography-focused lightweight drone. There might also be Lidar on the X1 only.

YouTuber TechAvid suggested that DJI might be looking to create a new class that was easier to learn than any other drone and new in that regard, like a flying action camera, but I'm not sure. That seems to ignore the rugged frame and the phone-operable simplicity represented by the Neo, so that claim doesn't quite hold water for me.

SkyRover connection?

It might also be the SkyRover S1, a drone which might possibly have some connection to DJI but in the USA is only sold under the SkyRover brand.

This doesn't go against the 'already FCC approved' view, but doesn't quite line up.

Some think that SkyRover are looking to create a CE-compliant version, so that it can be sold in the European Union and EEA (the EU plus Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland). It would also be likely that a company would seek UKCA at the same time as this is a very similar regulatory arrangement to CE (having diverged only after Brexit).

Check out our full guide to the best camera drones

Update with date

UPDATE: DJI has clarified some of the above speculation by sharing a "Just Fly" Lito announcement, highlighting April 23, on social:

NASA publishes a lot of videos of a launch, as it did with the historic Artemis II launch on April 1, but my favourite clip of the launch has to be the one captured from an officially-hired small plane, a Cessna, which orbited the launch pad.

With the unengaging name 'Cam 11 View' in this compilation of every shot of the launch of the SLS (19:32), the camera tracks the rocket from the pad all the way through Max-Q, Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) separation, and beyond – all shot from a camera on board a plane with no more than 14 seats.

If you're used to reading my material, it won't surprise you at all – the footage from this view looks a lot like the kind you get from a drone (and, indeed, if it were a model rocket you might get something similar with one of the best camera drones and a subject tracking feature, but of course Artemis II was no model.

The SLS rocket took a crew of four people further from the Earth than any humans had ever travelled, around the far side of the moon, from where they are now headed home and are scheduled to land on April 10.

More or less the end of the shot – with the SLS 78 miles from its launch – was the separation of the Launch Abort System, the tiny rocket from the top of the craft which could be used in an emergency to pull the relatively tiny personnel module (Orion) off the top of the 322ft (98.1m) tall rocket (that, incidentally, is 17ft taller than the Statue of Liberty).

It takes just eight minutes for the Artemis 2 SLS to burn through all its fuel, and with around 8.8 million pounds of thrust it is the most powerful NASA has ever launched – that despite still being slightly shorter than the Saturn V used during the original moon landing missions (that ship had around 7.5 million pounds of thrust).

Incidentally, one of the many reasons NASA didn't just fish out 50-year-old plans (apart from the very real fact you literally can't get the parts these days), is that the new SLS is designed to be more powerful and adaptable than the Saturn V.

That's pretty exciting for a space nerd like me who has watched the design make its way to reality through the Constellation program and into Artemis because, deep down, I've grown up wanting humanity to head back to space.

I do not expect to be an astronaut myself, but flying drones has been as close as I thought likely, and getting great orbiting images is part of that. Doing so is something that even the best beginner drones can help you achieve now thanks to AI subject tracking.

Oh, you don't need a rocket as your subject either – orbiting works for someone walking, running or cycling just as easily! It just helps add drama, as is so obvious in this brilliant NASA shot – though here, of course, the Cessna is a fixed-wing aeroplane so the circular movement is essential to keep the plane in the air.

It wasn't, incidentally, the NASA-painted Cessna doing the flight on the day, just one the agency hired for the job.

The Cessna Caravan, or 'Model 208' is a single-engine plane with enough room in the back for 10-14 passengers (or some camera gear) and was seen flying circles around the launch site by enthusiasts checking FlightRadar.

A recent recreation of the Titanic, leaving Belfast, where it was built, and heading for Southampton (where it would set out on its ill-fated maiden voyage) was not publicized in advance for "safety concerns."

The display, made up of 950 drones, was not promoted to the wider public of Belfast before it took place, even though it was a powerful tribute, highlighted around the world, and described as "hauntingly beautiful".

It took place on April 2, at 8pm, 114 years after the ship itself left the dock in Belfast which is now home to the Titanic Museum.

It featured drones hovering near the surface of the water, turning on their lights, then rising up to form the shape of the RMS Titanic, at 1:1 scale, hence many seeing it as a "Ghost Ship."

The original Titanic, which sank on the morning of April 15, 1912, after hitting an iceberg at 23:40 ship's time, April 14, 1912, resulting in the deaths of 1,635 passengers and crew. The incident, one of the most deadly in peacetime, has been the subject of films including A Night to Remember and Titanic.

Just 710 people survived the sinking of what was, at the time, the largest and most luxurious ship ever built, 882.75 feet (269 metres) long.

The display was made to highlight the BBC's four-part factual series, filmed and produced in Northern Ireland, Titanic Sinks Tonight, part of the BBC's wider 'Made of Here' series.

The series was originally aired in December and has since become one of the most popular shows on the BBC's streaming app 'iPlayer', and incidentally, the song used in the clip publicising the moment on TikTok was Nearer My God to Thee, the haunting music from A Night to Remember.

The full show tells the story – in docu-drama form – of the construction of the ship, the hitting of the iceberg, to the moment it sank forever, from the details of people's memories and public enquiries.

If you're interested in picking up one of the best camera drones yourself, look out for our guide, or the best beginner drone.

There’s something quietly magical about a clear night sky, and every so often, a deal comes along that makes diving into it feel even more irresistible.

Right now, our favourite pair of stargazing binoculars, the Celestron SkyMaster 20x80, has dropped to its lowest-ever price of just £129 at Amazon, down from £199.99, saving you a very tidy £70.99.

I’ve always had a soft spot for these. They’re unapologetically big, properly powerful, and built for one thing: pulling distant celestial detail that little bit closer. With 20x magnification and large 80mm objective lenses, they drink in light, making them ideal for moon watching, star clusters, and even picking out distant landscapes in daylight.

What makes them stand out, especially at this price, is just how immersive they feel. This isn’t casual birdwatching glass; this is the kind of kit that encourages you to slow down, set up properly, and really take in what’s above you. Pair them with a tripod, and you’ve got something that borders on a telescope experience, but with far more flexibility.

At £129, they also shift from being a considered purchase to something far more tempting. For anyone who’s ever looked up and thought about getting into astronomy, this feels like one of the easiest entry points you’ll find without compromising on performance.

It’s rare to see a saving this strong on a pair of binoculars that have such a loyal following, and honestly, if you’ve been waiting for the right moment to get into stargazing, this might be it.

Also check out our guide to the best binoculars and to the best telescopes

A 360-degree drone boasts an entirely different kind of camera, offering a complete, uninterrupted view of the world around the aircraft, which can be redirected and have its perspective or crop changed in post, after the flight, just like the best 360-degree cameras.

As a drone expert, I've tried both the 360-degree camera drones out there (including the different control options), and I've got a lot to say about them both, but don't worry – I'll keep it to the important bits! I've also thoroughly tested many more of the 360 cameras that can't fly, like the DJI Osmo 360 and the Insta360 X5.

Crucially, the two first-ever 360 drones have distinct designs, bringing advantages and disadvantages of their own, so if you're looking at joining this exciting new bandwagon, it's definitely worth taking a moment to look at the differences. I will explain which is best for you, depending on what you want to do (and how much you want to spend).

The Quick List

The best 360 drones

Best 360 drone for creatives

This drone is a fine choice for anyone keen to get into 360-degree drones, flying drones in general. It looks like a slightly bigger version of the Avata 2 (DJI's most recent acrobatic FPV drone), but this can be flown without any FPV skills – and still get the results.

All that is needed is to put a bit of time in following the flight with or DJI Studio to simulate a roll or other clever piloting trick, and all those are included in the software. Not to mention so many more reframing features.

It isn't perfect – you will still see stitching lines occasionally in the exported video, an issue with all 360-degree cameras – but DJI also offers a solution. You can tell the drone to operate in 1-camera mode and a whole lens points forward; by surrendering the possibility of re-framing, you can get

All this makes for a very smart drone, and the camera's capabilities

If you've got the latest DJI Goggles 3 / Motion Controller / RC2 – perhaps from the DJI Avata 2 or DJI Neo series drones – then there is an opportunity to add the 360 to your setup at only the cost of the drone.

Read my full DJI Avata 360 review, including sample video

Best lightweight 360 degree drone

The first-ever 360-degree drone also happened to be from a brand incubated by the biggest brand in 360-degree cameras: Insta360 (a consistent winner in my best 360-degree camera guide for good reason).

The cunning design is small and light – under the crucial 250g threshold that sidesteps a lot of rules – which is quite an achievement. It uses tiny automatic landing gear to protect the lens, and this worked in my testing.

I found flying it with the Grip controller profoundly satisfying. The maximum speed is good given the weight category,

The Antigravity A1's cool steampunk-looking goggles also solve an issue that many places have; that any friends or colleagues accompanying you can't see anything. Given it's often a requirement to have a 'spotter' with you when you fly using immersive FPV goggles, you want the world to be as interesting as possible when you invite them out.

Antigravity's solution – an outward-facing screen in one of the 'eyes' – is novel and useful, though the fact the goggles are essential make the drone less affordable than the Avata as you need three devices (you can buy the Avata with a standard two-stick controller, which is still fine for collecting 360-degree content).

This drone has the advantage that Insta360 provided its slightly more refined Studio app, making life a little easier when post-processing, which is useful for beginners.

Read my full Antigravity A1 review, including sample video

Which is best?

In this case, it isn't a simple answer because both drones are better at different things. The video quality from the DJI Avata 360 is slightly better, and it can be flown that bit faster (with a little bit more confidence) thanks to its extra weight and "cinewhoop" frame design.

The Antigravity A1, however, comes in below the 250g limit, meaning you can use it in more places, with less or no paperwork or fees. The marginal speed difference seems less of a problem there, and the place list seems even longer, given how small the drone folds up.

If you want the 360 FPV experience in a way that most people can enjoy it – in fact, if you want the FPV experience in perhaps the most impressive way there is – then I'd recommend the A1. The content you create will also be very striking.

However, if you're thinking more about the after-the-fact content generation, then the Avata 360 does have a better camera (60fps 10-bit beating 30fps 8K), and the ability to be operated more flexibly. It might also be cheaper.

So, my instinct is to suggest the DJI Avata 360 is the choice for YouTubers, TikTokers, and Instagrammers – and the Antigravity A1 is more for drone enthusiasts.

All can slightly change with the software, however; in the land of 360 post-processing tools really matter as you'll need to use them. Here, actually, while both have good tools, Antigravity has a slight edge on usability.

Creators, though, will still be at home with DJI's features, so I doubt it's a huge issue, but if anything, this situation supports my creators v hobbyists distinction between these two amazing drones.

As an American drone pilot, I’m faced with a future of a decreasing number of high-tech drones available in the US, thanks to a ban on all foreign-made drones. But consumer drone maker SkyRover has issued a new promise to not only remain in the US, but to “explore” US-based manufacturing and supply chain.

Skyrover is a relatively new drone brand that appeared so quietly and suddenly that many speculated that the brand was actually an offshoot of the popular drone maker DJI and that the new company was a spinoff to keep DJI drones available in the US amid a threatened DJI drone ban set to happen in December 2025.

But the expected December 2025 DJI ban came with a surprise: the Federal Communications Commission didn’t just ban DJI but “all foreign-made drones.” The ban doesn’t affect existing products, but prevents future launches from receiving the proper FCC approval to be legally sold in the US. Skyrover, like DJI, is based in China.

The problem? While there are a few US-based drone companies, those brands make enterprise business drones and military drones, not consumer drones for photography and videography. The move effectively prevents US drone pilots like myself from accessing the latest tech until a consumer drone-maker can establish US-based manufacturing – and the even tougher challenge of sourcing most parts and materials from the US.

But four months after the drone ban, we finally have a consumer drone band that has publicly shared that it is exploring US-based manufacturing. The news comes from an official statement from Skrover, telling US customers that “we’re here to stay.”

The announcement shares the brand’s long-term plan for keeping drones in the US. Within the next year, the company says it plans to “maintain full FCC compliance across all products.” It didn’t detail exactly how it plans to do so. The law that brought the ban does allow companies to apply for an FCC exemption, but so far, it hasn’t been clear how easy such an exemption would be to obtain.

Within the next 2-3 years, SkyRover wants to build a stronger local team in the US and enhance partnerships with retailers.

But the company’s long-term, 5-year plan says that the company will “explore US-based manufacturing and a localized supply chain.” Now, “explore” just means that the company is looking into manufacturing and those plans aren’t solid yet, but it is a sign of hope for American drone photographers.

“Over the next five years, we will continue to invest in research and development, bringing new products to consumers every year,” SkyRover wrote. “Continuous innovation is our way of communicating with customers — letting technology inspire exploration and the joy of discovering the world.”

SkyRover’s statement isn’t my only sign of hope as a US drone pilot. DJI has filed a lawsuit, claiming that the drone ban is unconstitutional and violates the right to due process by enacting the ban without any evidence of a threat to national security.

Some SkyRover drones are discounted in spring sales right now, including $359 for the SkyRover S1 bundle with extra batteries and $599 for the SkyRover X1 for $599. Several DJI drones are discounted right now, including $500 off a DJI Mini 5 Pro bundle, $340 off the DJI Avata 2, and a DJI beginner drone for $209.

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The new DJI Avata 360 drone was authorized for sale in the USA late last year, so is not impacted by the ban on new DJI drones. However, the highly-antiipated drone will still not launch for sale on the DJI official USA store despite being launched around the world today.

There are some rumors of a future release date in the USA – DroneDJ is suggesting that there could be release date as soon as March 30 – but I put this to DJI and the company did not confirm this. Nonetheless prices on the Avata 2 have fallen in the US.

It is likely, too, that unofficial channels will emerge – US-based camera retailer B&H already has a link for the new drone listing it as 'coming soon'.

The new DJI Avata 360 is DJI's first drone (and only the world's second) with an 8K 360-degree camera system, meaning it can essentially see the entire world around it – a sphere – and that information can be digitally manipulated after the flight for multiple creative possibilities.

👨🏻‍🔬 Read my full review Avata 360 with sample videos and images

The drone uses dual 1/1.1-inch (or "effective 1-inch" as DJI puts it) image sensors, boasting 2.4 μm pixels (relatively big, helping the drone capture detail in low light)., and can capture video at 60fps in HDR.

The drone features the ability to fly with traditional controllers or FPV goggles, and a AI subject tracking feature called 'Spotlight Free' – likened to an alternative to the 5-figure priced Inspire 3, but the virtual gimbal means it can be done after the flight.

Video can be edited in both the DJI Fly (phone) and DJI Studio (computer) app, and it is surprisingly sophisticated.

The drone also boasts 42GB (enough for about 30 minutes of 8K 60fps 360 video), as well as a MicroSD card slot.

Since the drone isn't (yet) officially on sale in the USA, there are no prices in dollars, but it is available for prices from £409 / AU$799 (about $550) for just the drone, through £639 / AU$1159 (about $855) with the DJI RC2 controller, to a Fly More Combo for £829 / AU$1619 (about $1110) – making it very competitive in this new category.

DJI, the largest and most successful consumer drone company, is not often second to any sphere, but Insta360’s drone arm Antigravity got its ‘A1’ 360-degree drone out late in 2025. The two drones, however, are very different.

While the A1 is all about folding, the Avata 360 is bigger, heavier, and seems to be built with creators in mind. It has a frame – and a name – inherited from DJI’s series of FPV drones (which require goggles to fly), but that is only an option here; pilots can choose to navigate with a ‘traditional’ stick controller and enjoy the advantages of post-flight video manipulation.

That offers a cost-saving as well as a creativity alternative, but despite a lower cost of entry, DJI has not skimped on specs – this drone has an 8K video system, collision sensors, and is capable of some pretty nifty speeds. Is this the new king of 360-degree drones? I tested it, and this is what I thought...

Price

At launch, the DJI Avata 360 can be picked up in a number of different bundles, all of which help make it surprisingly accessible and good value – especially if you’ve already got some experience with DJI.

The drone alone is £409 / AU$799 (about $550).

With the most basic remote controller, the DJI RC2, the drone is £639 / AU$1159 (about $855)

The Fly More Combo pushes that to £829 / AU$1619 (about $1110), and there is a version of the combo with the DJI RC2 or one with the motion (wand) controller.

Specs

Build and handling

On unboxing, the first thing that I noticed was that the Avata 360 is a surprisingly big drone. That’s partly because, given the “cinewhoop” styling (guards around the propellors) the natural comparison is the popular, cheap, and VERY small DJI Neo as much as it is the Avata 2, but this is bigger than both of those drones.

DJI has opted for a rotating camera mechanism, so, when on the ground the drone, has a front-facing camera (one of the two 4K fish-eye cameras that make up the 360-degree camera). Once aloft, the entire block on which it sits rotates 90 degrees, so one lens points down and the other points upward, together functioning as an 8K 360-degree camera.

This rotation is essential as otherwise the delicate lens would need to rest on the ground during take-off and landing, and is arguably a more elegant solution than the A1’s landing legs.

There is also the option to fly with one camera facing forward and the block will then act as a 1-axis gimbal to stabilize the video.

Both of these cameras have a 1/1.1-inch image sensor (DJI is calling them ‘1-inch equivalent’) with a 200˚ field of view (specs which might be very familiar if you’ve seen DJI’s land-based Osmo 360 action camera.

The front of the drone also has two collision sensors that are part of an omnidirectional collision sensing system.

The control mechanism will be familiar to anyone who has already used a DJI drone, since it uses the RS2 or the floating joystick/wand-like ‘Motion Controller’, which I find makes FPV a joy.

Refined over time, the DJI control system displays a live view on the screen or in the goggles, with data like the remaining batteries and other essentials displayed graphically.

There is a slight change, though. Where in the past you might have seen a 1x 2x 4x ‘stepped’ zoom, there is instead a FOV option which even lets you explore a ‘small world’ view, such is the capability of a 360-camera. The dials can also be used to do this smoothly, but the result is the same (I let my junior ‘reviewer’s assistant’ try this and he found it a bit strange, but enjoyable).

Software

The real difference between shooting in 360 using a traditional camera is the export process, since most of the time you’ll need to share the video or photo as a traditional ‘flat’ image.

DJI provide a tool called DJI Studio for Mac or PC, which can be downloaded and handles this task – it looks a lot like a video editor and adding keyframes is not too difficult.

Personally, I found it a bit clunky compared to Final Cut Pro, my editor of choice, but to some extent, this is a matter of getting used to it. The app does feature a good implementation of after-the-fact subject tracking, so you can do a fly-by at speed, then later make it seem like the camera followed the person as you flew by (DJI liken this to having a second camera operator on the DJI Inspire 3 cinematography drone).

Performance

For my first flight, I opted to stick to the standard RC-2. (In the UK, where I was testing the drone, it’s legally required to have a ‘spotter’ with you to use goggles, so feel free to read ‘opted’ and ‘had no friends’ however you choose there)

I was impressed with the drone’s speed and manouverability given that the build is a little bit bigger, and a little less dense, than the Avata 2.

At first I was a little nervous about flying the drone near obstacles, but the cinewhoop design meant I was able to bump it into trees with reasonable confidence that the drone would survive. The lenses are another matter, but DJI has thought of that too, and they are replaceable.

The drone's battery life seems pretty good by old-school FPV standards (though might trouble some videographers, used to drones with over 30 minutes. Thrash it around for a bit of drama, though, and the nominal '23 mins' will drop a lot faster (as is always the case). Nonetheless I think the balance is about right; I didn't feel unduly restrained by the battery.

Sample Images

Sample Video

You'll see some stitching issues when the drone gets close to trees, but for the most part the video is of impressive quality. It is edited entirely within DJI Studio, in a bit of a hurry I have to admit.

If you're unaware of the term, stitching refers to the joining of the two half-world images that go to making the drones spherical world view from the two separate cameras – the cameras do vibrate a little, so the stitching line appears when objects are close. This seems to have been well-managed with this device, but not perfectly.

Overall verdict

Thanks to the various leaks and spoilers, it’s been easy to anticipate the form a DJI 360-degree drone might take, but even without them, this is exactly the right approach for the established market leader. It caters to its broad creative base.

The fact is confident in its weight and size suggest that DJI knew all along that high-quality visuals – the content – mattered more in the design of the Avata 360 than hitting legal thresholds for certain consumers.

The result is a more obviously professional-friendly drone that is perhaps the YouTuber or TikToker’s perfect upgrade from the DJI Neo, with the capability to dramatically change the tone of aerial shots, and get more work done in less time.

It’s not perfect. 8K is adequate, but as a long-time reviewer of 360-degree cameras and (more recently) drones, I can’t help but hope that more detail comes. It’s the best any consumer device offers now, looking very good thanks to those big sensors, and surprisingly reasonably priced. If portability and hobby flying are your goals, perhaps look back at the A1, but otherwise, this is a very tempting proposition.

Alternatives

How I test drones

I am a drone expert, with years of experience flying drones – when I started you more or less had to build them yourself, though the consumer era was just beginning. I have operated drones commercially for TV, as well as for pleasure, and I also take a 'young apprentice' with me where I can to get the view of the youthful generation, as I did with the Avata 360. In other words the one thing I've learned over the years – and the thing I put into practice is this: you need to experience the drone in real-world conditions yourself. So that's what I do. As you'll see from the pictures, I flew the Avata 360 with different controllers in different lighting conditions.

The DJI Avata 2 Fly Smart Combo has dropped to just $859, down from $1,199, delivering a massive $340 saving on one of the most immersive FPV drone experiences currently available.

For anyone looking to step into first-person flight without the usual complexity, this is a deal that instantly stands out.

What makes the Avata 2 so compelling is how it redefines what drone flying can feel like. This isn’t your traditional aerial camera, it’s an FPV system designed to put you in the cockpit, pairing the drone with DJI Goggles and a motion controller for a fully immersive experience. The result is a far more dynamic, intuitive way to capture footage that feels closer to flying than filming.

In terms of performance, it backs that experience up with serious capability. You’re getting ultra-wide 4K video, smooth stabilization, and responsive flight controls, all wrapped into a design that’s built for both safety and agility. Features like built-in propeller guards and intuitive flight modes make it approachable for beginners while still offering enough depth for more advanced users.

The Fly Smart Combo is where the value really comes into its own. With the inclusion of goggles, controller, and batteries, it’s a complete ecosystem straight out of the box, removing the need for additional purchases and letting you focus entirely on the experience. It’s a setup designed to get you flying immediately, and that simplicity is a big part of its appeal.

At $859, this feels like one of the strongest drone deals available right now. A $340 saving on a full FPV system from DJI is hard to ignore, and if you’ve been curious about immersive drone flying or looking to elevate your content, this is very much the moment to jump in.