Top 5 Best DJI Drones in 2025

We know exactly what makes a drone one of the best because we have flown drones of all shapes and sizes. The ideal drone for your level of experience should be easy to use and safe to fly, have practical in-flight amenities, and be able to capture crisp aerial photos. Each drone on the list below meets those requirements for a distinct buyer type and price range based on our extensive testing.

The DJI Mini 4 Pro is a lightweight, foldable drone that has all the features most flyers will require, such as subject tracking and collision avoidance sensors. If we had to pick just one drone to suggest, it would be this one. Because it lands at less than 250g, it also gets around most restrictions. However, there may be another drone.

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Last update on 2025-02-09 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

Top 5 Best DJI Drones in 2025

1.DJI Mini 4 Pro

Last update on 2025-02-09 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

A tiny camera drone that does almost everything well is the DJI Mini 4 Pro. It is lightweight enough to avoid registration requirements in most places, folds up for convenient storage, and has an amazing Quad Bayer camera that can quickly switch between wide-screen and vertical video recording. It is now our new Editors’ Choice winner for the majority of creators interested in aerial imaging as well as for novices who want the security of obstacle avoidance because it has full 360-degree obstacle avoidance sensors and an HDR video profile, which give it an advantage over its predecessor, the Mini 3 Pro.

The Mini 4 Pro weighs 249 grams, or 8.8 ounces, which is the same weight as all previous Mini models. With that number, the drone falls into a weight class that is less restricted in many parts of the world. It allows recreational flyers in the US to avoid paying the $5 FAA registration fee. The TRUST knowledge test is still required, but it is free. In other jurisdictions, such as Canada, the EU, and the UK, where regulations are more stringent for larger drones, this weight gives you a lot more freedom to fly. Before your first flight, spend some time learning the rules and regulations if you’re new to flying remote copters.

Additionally, the DJI Mini 4 Pro is a small device. Because it only measures 2.4 by 3.5 by 5.7 inches (HWD) when folded, it can easily fit in a gear bag with any necessary accessories.The airframe is made of plastic and has a light gray finish. The drone’s parts are protected from overheating by air cooling vents on the back and behind the gimbal. It lacks any kind of weather protection due to its open design, but I would expect more from industrial models.

With its 24mm F1.7 optics, the drone’s nose-mounted camera captures vibrant, clear video in a variety of lighting conditions. Even when the drone is making acrobatic movements in the video, an integrated three-axis gimbal makes the footage appear as smooth as if it were taken with a Steadicam.The camera supports 60 degrees of upward tilt and can twist to record in either wide-screen (16:9) or vertical (9:16) formats for YouTube and TikTok, respectively.

With 360-degree obstacle sensors, the Mini 4 Pro is intelligent enough to maneuver through environments with lots of obstacles. In order to help it avoid problems while tracking subjects, the drone also has an autopilot assist system. The Mini 3 Pro’s three-way system, which only lets it look forward, behind, and below, is not as good as this all-around coverage. The updated model can also see above and to the sides.

With only 2GB of internal memory, the Mini 4 Pro is capable of recording in 4K30 for roughly three minutes. It’s not a great option, but it’s a possibility if you forget your memory card. I advise purchasing a V30 UHS-I microSD card with a minimum capacity of 64GB. The port for USB-C next to the card slot enables data transfers to a computer and in-drone battery charging.

2.DJI Flip

Last update on 2025-02-09 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

The first in a new line of small drones, the DJI Flip, combines the wow factor of dependable palm launches and landings with the ability to roll video without the need for a remote control or smartphone app. The Flip has forward obstacle sensors, which are absent from the similarly priced Mini 3, and it records 4K60 video with excellent stabilization and 10-bit color. Since it lacks Remote ID, experienced pilots will probably want to avoid it. Other than that, the Flip is our Editors’ Choice winner among entry-level cinema drones and a great performer for enthusiasts who fly within recreational guidelines.

Although we’re accustomed to seeing folding drones with a recognizable narrow silhouette, the Flip’s innovative airframe design means that it looks quite different from the Mini 3. A circular housing protects each propeller to prevent damage to the drone and anything it may bump into. When folded, the Flip looks a little bit like a cyberpunk unicycle as the propellers fall underneath the fuselage.

The Flip is the first drone we’ve seen with a folding airframe and built-in propeller guards. Although it doesn’t fit into camera kit bags as easily as the Flip or Mini 4 Pro, the drone’s folding design makes it slightly easier to fit into a carrying case or gear bag. The Flip folds up squarely, whereas the Minis resemble a short telezoom lens when closed for transportation. The guards make it safe for hand launches and landings and shield the drone from small bumps while in flight.

According to the dimensions, the Flip is 3.1 by 11.0 by 9.2 inches (HWD) when it is fully extended and ready to fly, and it folds up to 6.5 by 2.4 by 5.4 inches. The drone automatically powers up and down when you open or close the propeller struts, though you may also turn it on and off via a button. It includes forward and downward obstacle sensors that freeze the aircraft in place if it is near an obstruction, but the Flip does not support automatic navigation around obstacles; you’ll need to step up to the Mini 4 Pro or the Air 3 if you want a drone that can weave through an obstacle course on its own.

With its 31-minute flight battery installed, the Flip weighs only about 249g, similar to many small drones. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) does not require recreational pilots to register drones weighing less than 250g, and in other regions, you will encounter fewer restrictions compared to heavier aircraft. These regulations are the reason behind this figure. This makes setting up the Flip simple; the only prerequisite for recreational pilots is passing the Trust test, a free online assessment designed to teach you the fundamentals of drone flying in the United States.

Drone pilots with a license must adhere to stricter regulations. You must register each drone you fly through the FAADroneZone portal, use hardware with Remote ID broadcast when flying outdoors, and go through a testing and licensing process with the FAA if you profit from drone flights, whether it be through real estate photography, industrial inspections, or a sponsored YouTube channel. Unfortunately, licensed pilots will need to either limit flight operations to indoors or outdoors at an FAA Recognized Identification Area (FRIA) or add an external transmitter because the Flip does not come with Remote ID. For more information, see the FAA’s map of locations. While some FRIA fields are accessible to the general public, others are only available to private clubs.

3.DJI Air 3

Last update on 2025-02-09 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

DJI is once again focusing on its mid-sized Air series of drones after their popular and reasonably priced Mini family took center stage in recent years. Notably, the first model in the lineup to have both a dual-lens camera and all-around obstacle sensors is the Air 3. Overall, it’s a great performer and a good option if you need a mid-telephoto lens, but it falls short of our Editors’ Choice winner for enthusiasts and creators, the more reasonably priced DJI Mini 3 Pro, in terms of performance.

In the consumer drone market, DJI mostly faces off against itself, but it keeps coming up with new ideas and ways to improve. The Air series, which led to the even smaller Mini line, was created in response to consumer demand for drones that were more compact and portable. Additionally, battery life has consistently increased, and obstacle avoidance sensors are now included in all but the entry-level models. What is left for DJI to do? It appears that adding more cameras is the solution. The Mavic 3 Pro upgraded its dual-camera setup from the original Mavic 3 to a triple-camera setup. Additionally, the Air 3 now has two cameras rather than just one.

At 1.9 by 3.3 by 6.6 inches (HWD), the original Mavic Air was too small to accommodate a dual-camera gimbal. However, DJI’s engineers have allowed the Air series to gradually grow in size since the 249g Mini line was introduced to the market. At 3.9 by 3.6 by 8.2 inches (HWD), the Air 3 is the largest to date and marginally larger overall than the Mavic Air 2 (3.8 by 3.3 by 7.1 inches). You shouldn’t have any problems handling its weight (1.6 pounds) or finding a spot in your camera bag despite the size increase.

Remember that the drone needs to be registered with the FAA. Every three years, recreational pilots must pay a $5 fee, which you can avoid.with the Mini 3 Pro and other drones that weigh 8.78 ounces (249g) or less. It’s a minor nuisance for flying in the US, but other countries are much more restrictive, so we recommend the Mini 3 Pro instead for travel. Pros who use a drone to make money also need to obtain a remote pilot certificate even if their flier comes in under that 249g threshold.

Each of the two cameras on the Air 3 takes advantage of DJI’s prior miniaturization efforts and occupy equal space on a three-axis gimbal. The short telephoto 70mm F2.8 lens is the same one found on the Mavic 3 Pro, and the primary 24mm F1.7 lens is a carryover from the Mini 3 Pro. Each lens is supported by a Quad Bayer Type 1/1.3 sensor for reliable image and video quality. Although the lenses’ apertures are fixed, you can purchase a set of four ND filters for $99 if you’d like. The gimbal has a wide tilt range as well. Similar to the Mini 3 series drones, you can tilt the camera up to 60 degrees or point it straight down at a 90-degree angle.

As for substitutes, the DJI line’s next model is the previously mentioned Mini 3 Pro. Though it lacks upward coverage, it offers comparable image quality and supports obstacle avoidance. The upgrade is the Mavic 3 Classic. Photographers in particular should be drawn to its Four Thirds camera with Hasselblad color and aperture control. Another option to consider is the Autel Robotics Evo Lite+ . The drone has a 20MP Type 1 camera with an adjustable f-stop and forward and aft obstacle sensors, but its video capabilities aren’t as good as those of any of the DJI models.

4.DJI Mavic 3 Pro

Last update on 2025-02-09 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

A serious drone, the DJI Mavic 3 Pro is ideal for independent filmmakers, travel vloggers, and fans of aerial photography. The Pro model, which takes the place of the original Mavic 3, has one significant improvement: a midrange telephoto lens to complement the long and wide telephoto lenses. Even though DJI has little actual competition, the Mavic 3 Pro’s superior obstacle-avoidance sensors and new camera solidify its place at the top of the premium market.

DJI added a third sensor and lens to the camera module of the Mavic 3 Pro, but otherwise made no technological changes from the original Mavic 3. A Type 1/2 12MP 166mm (7x) lens, the new midrange Type 1/1.3 48MP 70mm (3x) combo, and a Four Thirds 20MP 24mm camera with Hasselblad color science are all part of the stack. As previously stated, the Pro takes the place of the original Mavic 3 in the lineup; however, it is priced similarly to the previous model, so you do not have to pay more for the third camera.

The new mid-zoom camera is a better option for serious creative work because it sacrifices far less image quality than the 166mm lens. For example, it supports D-Log color, while the 7x lens maintains a standard color profile. Nevertheless, the extra-long lens is still useful for industrial applications and special effect shots.If you’re on a tight budget, the Mavic 3 Classic has the same features as the Mavic 3 Pro but only has the 24mm primary camera. The drone may be all you need if you’re purchasing it for aerial photography, travel vlogging, or real estate.

The folding airframe with all-around obstacle avoidance is the same in all three of the current models: the original Mavic 3, the Classic, and the Pro. When folded, measuring 3.8 by 3.9 by 9.1 inches (HWD), it can easily fit in a carry-on with some other camera equipment, but when you’re traveling between places, you might still want to put it in a shoulder bag or backpack.

The drone weighs 2.1 pounds (including a battery) and measures 4.2 by 11.5 by 13.7 inches when it is fully assembled and ready to fly. Because of its weight, it must be registered with the FAA, which costs a small $5 once every three years. This doesn’t seem like a disadvantage for this specific model, especially considering that the majority of buyers are probably use it for paid work. You also need a remote pilot certificate to fly any drone for money-making purposes. If you’re not familiar with the rules and regulations that go with drones, check out our explainer.

The Mavic 3 Pro is available from DJI in a few different configurations. The standard model of the drone, which comes with 8GB of internal storage and supports H.264 and H.265 video in 8- or 10-bit color, is available for $2,199. The DJI RC, a remote control with an integrated screen, is also included. But, since 8GB is insufficient for the majority of video projects, you must account for the cost of a large microSD card. For reference, DJI suggests V30 A2 microSD cards with a maximum capacity of 512GB.

5.DJI Mini 3

Last update on 2025-02-09 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

In order to reduce costs, the DJI Mini 3 drops some features and repackages the camera and airframe from the more expensive Mini 3 Pro. Its video is limited to 4K30, and it notably omits the obstacle detection feature found in the Pro model. Despite these drawbacks, the DJI Mini 3 is still a good choice for pilots who want a better-than-basic camera but do not require obstacle detection because it is less expensive than the Pro edition. However, the cost may deter novice pilots, so the $449 Mini 2 continues to win our Editors’ Choice award for beginner drones.

DJI’s Mini series was designed to be heavy-duty from the beginning. Drones weighing 249g (8.8 ounces) or less are allowed to fly in the United States with significantly fewer restrictions than those governing larger UAVs. With a drone like the Mini 3, you can avoid paying the $5 FAA fee, but you will still need to pass the TRUST test, a basic knowledge assessment, before you can take to the skies. (TRUST is completed quickly online, and it is impossible to fail.) Although regulations differ in other countries, pilots in Canada, the EU, and the UK gain even more from a 249g bird because their regulations are more stringent than those in the US.

In addition to being lightweight, the Mini 3 is also fairly compact. It folds down to fit more easily into a camera bag because it shares the same airframe as the Mini 3 Pro (minus the obstacle sensors). When folded, it measures 2.4 by 3.5 by 5.7 inches (HWD), which is about the same size as a thermal water bottle or a typical 24-70mm lens.Like the Mini 2, the nose-mounted camera can record in 4K30. Although the same Quad Bayer cameras are used as in the Pro version, you can only take 12MP stills here (48MP is not available). Clip-on ND filters, 16:9 landscape and 9:16 vertical video, and a generous amount of upward tilt—from straight down (-90 degrees) to 60 degrees upward—are still supported by the 24mm f/1.7 lens.

Will DJI Drones Be Banned?

It’s simple to see which drone brand we strongly suggest. DJI’s flying cameras have consistently outperformed rivals in terms of safety, dependability, and video quality. However, the US government is currently closely monitoring them. Due to its alleged involvement in the repression of the Uyghur ethnic minority in China by the Chinese government, DJI has been placed on the US Treasury’s Entity List. Due to similar concerns, US customs recently prohibited the importation of its newest Air 3S drone.

Recent legislation further threatens DJI’s position in the US market. The proposed DJI ban was left out of the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) when it was signed into law. Nonetheless, the law mandates that the government establish a committee to dismantle and examine DJI drones.

What Are the Rules for Owning a Drone?

Many tech products are ready to use the moment they are opened. With drones, however, that is not the case. Before your first flight, you must read the flying regulations, complete an online test, and register your drone with the FAA (based on its weight). Pilots who are just starting out may find that intimidating, but we go over the fundamentals here. (Read our comprehensive guide to US drone regulations for more information.)

Are Drones Safe to Fly?

Our suggested drones are easy to fly and safe. Four-rotor designs with GPS-assisted stabilization that enable them to hover precisely in one spot are included in all of our recommendations. You’re less likely to lose your drone if there is a breakdown in communication between the aircraft and remote control because the GPS feature also allows for automatic landing and return to home.