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it is an inexpensive drone, however is it price $200?


At simply $199, the DJI Neo is a game-changer within the finances drone market, particularly for content material creators and drone lovers who prioritize a easy flying expertise above all else — but additionally aren’t keen to sacrifice different important options like digicam high quality.

Weighing underneath 250 grams, it joins the ranks of ultra-light drones just like the DJI Mini 4K and HoverAir X1. However this one is available in at a much more accessible value level.

That stated, DJI Neo does lack some key options. Its battery life is brief. It’s not all that highly effective outdoor, even in reasonable breezes. Its transmission distance is proscribed. This isn’t the drone for taking massive sweeping landscapes. If you happen to’re flying a drone over a volcano in Iceland, undoubtedly don’t rely on the DJI Neo to do the job.

However with that in thoughts, right here’s my DJI Neo evaluation. Discover out why I adore it, and precisely who’s finest fitted to this charming little DJI drone:

Sally French, The Drone Woman, and the DJI Neo drone. (Photograph by Sally French)

DJI Neo evaluation: Drone Woman’s information to this tiny DJI drone

DJI Neo evaluation: the video model

If you happen to’re a vlogger, traveler, or simply somebody who likes to seize distinctive angles in your social media feed, the DJI Neo is a critical contender.

You’ll be able to watch me fly it right here by myself social media feed, as shared by the Drone Woman YouTube channel. Or, preserve scrolling for my full, in-depth DJI Neo evaluation:

Design and portability: small however mighty

The DJI Neo stands out as extremely compact and transportable. It weighs in at a crucial 249 grams, which makes it gentle sufficient to take with you anyplace. However drones underneath 250 grams are actually an enormous deal as a result of they gained’t require FAA registration within the U.S., eliminating another friction level for brand new pilots.

In fact, checked bag charges (and even carry-on bag charges in primary economic system on some airways, like United) could be a friction level for vacationers. This drone may not have a difficulty there, both. Its design is glossy, foldable, and straightforward to hold, even when taking your drone on an airplane. Whereas different budget-oriented drones such because the DJI Mini 4K and HoverAir X1 additionally fall into this light-weight class, the Neo’s $199 price ticket makes it one of many most reasonably priced drones in its class.

Digicam: impressively good (for the worth)

A transportable and reasonably priced drone does no good if the digicam is unhealthy. Fortunately, the low value level doesn’t carry down the DJI Neo digicam tech.

The DJI Neo captures 4K video at 30fps and 1080p at 60fps, together with 12-megapixel stills. That’s adequate to fulfill the high-definition necessities for sharing content material on mainstream social media platforms.

Whereas it doesn’t boast the 3-axis gimbal discovered on higher-end drones just like the DJI Mavic 3, its single-axis mechanical gimbal does an amazing job, particularly with DJI’s stabilization applied sciences—RockSteady and HorizonBalancing—that appropriate horizon tilt and cut back shake. For a $199 drone, the video high quality is surprisingly sharp and clean, making it excellent for YouTube content material or social media posts.

And the post-flying expertise is handy, too. Sure, I’m speaking about truly posting that footage. The Neo contains 22GB of inner storage, sufficient to retailer 40 minutes of 4K video or 55 minutes of 1080p footage, which is spectacular for such a small drone. You may not even want a reminiscence card.

You undoubtedly gained’t must fiddle with cords, as you’ll be able to switch footage recorded in your drone to your telephone through the DJI Fly app and a Wi-Fi connection. It’s fairly quick, too, with a most obtain velocity of as much as 25 MB/s.

Flight efficiency: greater than a selfie drone

The Neo is designed for hand-launch, very like considered one of its closest opponents, the HoverAir X1. That makes it an ideal selfie drone for fast captures. Merely toss it within the air, and it’s prepared to begin taking pictures.

Battery life

The underside of the DJI Neo drone, the place you plug within the battery. (Photograph by Sally French)

With a most flight time of 18 minutes, the DJI Neo does considerably fall flat on battery life. It’s enough for brief vlogging periods or fast aerial captures. However, in case your love actually is flying, then anticipate stocking up on spare batteries.

Fortunately, chating is considerably quick. When utilizing a 30W charger, Neo can get from a 0% to 100% cost in about 50 minutes.

With the Two-Means Charging Hub (an extra price), you’ll be able to cost as much as three batteries concurrently.

The DJI Neo drone through the Fly Extra Combo, which has spare batteries and a charging hub. (Photograph by Sally French)

Flying Neo indoors versus outdoor

Whereas it performs finest in calm circumstances, DJI does declare the Neo can deal with winds as much as Stage 4 wind resistance, which does make it purposeful outdoor for flying in reasonable breezes. That stated, fly outdoor at your personal threat, and perceive what a “reasonable breeze” entails. It might sound logical to take this drone out to spots like a seashore, however ocean breezes can typically be greater than reasonable — and also you don’t wish to get your drone carried out to see as a result of it caught a wind gust.

The DJI Neo drone. (Photograph by Sally French)

I discovered myself way more comfortable flying this drone indoors. And sure, its small measurement and propeller cages completely permit for secure indoor flying. There are few drones I’d significantly suggest for indoor flying, however DJI Neo is considered one of them.

Nonetheless, it’s vital to notice that the Neo lacks impediment avoidance, so that you’ll nonetheless have to be considerate to keep away from crashes. For that cause, I’d not contemplate DJI Neo a follow-me drone.

For vloggers and informal customers, the automated Return to Residence (RTH) function provides a layer of comfort, although the dearth of full impediment detection means it gained’t keep away from obstacles on its means again. Fly rigorously.

Good options permit Neo to nonetheless fly itself

Although it’s not a real follow-me drone, this drone remains to be extremely good and might fly itself. It’s simply not wholly crash-proof, the best way drones with sensors on all sides, just like the DJI Mavic 3, are.

DJI Neo comes geared up with a clever flight modes like QuickShots, which helps you to select pre-programmed flight paths resembling circling round you or zooming out for dramatic reveal pictures. These modes make it straightforward to seize cinematic footage while not having handbook flight expertise. DJI Neo helps the next modes:

  • Observe
  • Expanse
  • Circle
  • Rocket
  • Highlight
  • Customized (Neo can hook up with the DJI Fly app through Wi-Fi to pick out Helix or Boomerang)

It’s additionally appropriate with DJI equipment just like the DJI RC Movement 3, DJI Goggles 3 and FPV Distant Controller 3 for extra superior controls. And sure, with sure equipment, DJI Neo helps extra modes.

Are you able to file audio on DJI Neo?

One standout function is the flexibility to file audio by means of your smartphone through the DJI Fly app, syncing it along with your footage. Whereas the drone itself doesn’t file sound (you wouldn’t need propeller noise anyway), this can be a implausible addition for vloggers who wish to seize commentary or ambient sound on the go.

Different drones to contemplate moreover DJI Neo

HOVERAirX1 PRO (left) versus HOVERAirX1 PROMAX (right).HOVERAirX1 PRO (left) versus HOVERAirX1 PROMAX (right).
The HOVERAirX1 PRO (left) and HOVERAirX1 PROMAX (proper) are two different drones to contemplate moreover DJI Neo.

DJI is in one thing of a category of its personal. It’s tremendous reasonably priced at simply $200. I’ve in contrast all of the finest DJI drones underneath $500. And although I do love the $300 DJI Mini 4K or the $419 DJI Mini 3, the DJI Neo is unbelievable worth for the low value level. Try a comparability of these drones in my information to the finest DJI drones underneath $500.

However what different drones must you contemplate moreover DJI Neo if value isn’t as a lot as a priority? The 2 different standout drones to contemplate are the HoverAir X1 and DJI Mini 4 Professional.

The DJI Mini 4 Professional has a small measurement, however has far more highly effective flight controls, a higher-quality digicam and impediment avoidance (which I contemplate the finest drone insurance coverage coverage there may be, hah!). It’s additionally expensive, at greater than $700.

The HoverAir X1 might be the closest competitor to the DJI Neo, largely as a result of each supply an analogous hand-launch type. It’s dearer at $349, however some individuals searching for a DJI various may not be all that opposed.

Associated learn: DJI Neo versus HOVERAir X1: which hand-launch drone is finest?

Right here’s a comparability desk for the DJI Neo, HoverAir X1, and DJI Mini 4 Professional, outlining key options resembling value, weight and digicam high quality:

DJI Neo HoverAir X1 DJI Mini 4 Professional
Value $199.00 $349.00 $759.00
Weight 249g 125g 249g
Digicam High quality 12MP 12MP 48MP
Gimbal Single-Axis None 3-Axis
Max Video Decision 4K/30fps 4K/30fps 4K/60fps
Battery Life 25 minutes 20 minutes 34 minutes
Impediment Avoidance No No Sure
Inner Storage 22GB None None
Good Options QuickShots, Observe Me, RTH Auto-framing, Observe Me Impediment Avoidance, Good Seize
Max Flight Top 120m (with controller) 60m 500m
Wind Resistance Stage-4 (28 km/h) Stage-2 (13 km/h) Stage-5 (38 km/h)

The underside line: a budget-friendly drone with massive options

The tl;dr of this DJI Neo evaluation? For simply $199, this little DJI drone is tough to beat. It’s not probably the most superior drone in the marketplace, but it surely strikes an ideal steadiness between value, portability, and performance. Splendid for content material creators, vloggers, and people new to the drone world, the DJI Neo presents spectacular 4K video high quality, good options, and ease of use—all in an ultra-light bundle.

Sally French, The Drone Woman, and the DJI Neo drone. (Photograph by Sally French)

As you’re evaluating it to others just like the HoverAir X1 or the DJI Mini 4 Professional, know that the Neo shines as the most effective finances choice. It delivers DJI’s famend high quality and innovation at an unbeatable value. If you happen to’re on the lookout for an entry-level drone that’s straightforward to fly however nonetheless presents pro-level video high quality, the DJI Neo ought to be on the high of your record.

Tips on how to purchase your personal DJI Neo

The bottom mannequin prices $199 and will get you fundamentals just like the battery and propeller guards. There’s additionally a $289 DJI Neo Fly Extra Combo which throws in goodies like extra batteries and a two-way charging hub to cost all of them up in a single go.

Right here’s a take a look at what’s within the field of the Fly Extra Combo, by means of my unboxing video:

What’s your tackle the DJI Neo? Do you may have one but? Are you contemplating it? Go away your personal DJI Neo evaluation within the feedback under!


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