Which DJI drones you should and shouldn’t buy this spring

With spring officially here, you may be thinking it’s time to finally get into or serious about this drone flying thing. However, there’s a wide range of drones you could purchase from the leader of the pack, DJI. Some are due for upgrades and others have various versions, so which DJI drones should and shouldn’t you buy?

Also, read the ending to have a better chance of not getting stuck with long delivery delays.

For the beginners

For those of you who just want to get a taste of drone flying, you have three options to choose from. You could get the tried and true Mini 4K. It uses the same body as the original Mavic Mini, with upgraded internals and camera. For $299, you’ll get a 4K drone that is easy to fly and skirts the need for FAA registration, minus commercial use.

If you want the cheapest option available, the DJI Neo is the choice for you. At $199, you get a much smaller drone but still have 4K video capabilities. However, you won’t get a controller, relying on your phone or your voice to control it. You can purchase a bundle with an extra battery and controller for $418, but the Mini 4K might be the better bet at that price if all you want is a controller.

Finally, we have the Flip, for those who might have the extra budget to splurge a little bit on their first drone. The foldable drone has the best camera sensor of the bunch, capturing 4K/60 footage and featuring a larger sensor, which means better quality. It also has many of the same voice control features as the Neo while still being under 249g to skirt past FAA registration. You can purchase the DJI Flip for $439.

Air 3S and Mini 4 Pro, still good options for enthusiasts

For those looking to dip their toes into the world of professional drones, both the Air 3S and Mini 4 Pro are solid options to start with.

The Mini 4 Pro has a similar camera system to the Flip but features obstacle avoidance, a rotating camera for vertical shooting, and the option for a heavier battery for longer flight times. An important note is that if you use the heavier battery, you’ll be flying a drone heavier than 249g and would be required to register it with the FAA. Bundles for the Mini 4 Pro start at $759.

The Air 3S is perfect for those wanting to take things even more seriously. We’re no longer in the realm of sub-249g; the Air 3S is well above that limit. However, the drone has dual cameras for both a wide and telephoto lens. The 1-inch sensors will be a massive upgrade in quality and capabilities compared to any of the Mini drones. Bundles for the Air 3S start at $1,099, but beware, stock is getting hard to find due to higher scrutiny at Customs and the Trump-China trade war.

Hold off on the Mavic 3 Pro and Mini 3

Two drones I would hold off on purchasing for now are the Mavic 3 Pro, DJI’s flagship drone, and the older Mini 3. Both are great drones if you have them already or can get one for a good deal used; however, I wouldn’t put them at the top of my list.

If you’re in the market for the Mavic 3 Pro, a three-camera, 5.4K beast of a drone, then you’ll likely be in the market for the soon-to-be-announced Mavic 4 Pro. At this point in the Mavic 3’s lifespan, it’s worth saving your money for what will come next, hopefully in early May.

The Mini 3 is another story. For the specs and the price, it’s no longer a good value, in my opinion. The Flip would be a much better option if you’re in this budget range.

You may need to wait

A big elephant in the room should be discussed before I can tell you to go purchasing DJI products in today’s climate. For the last few years, a ban has been toyed with by Congress. That may finally be decided by the end of the year. However, the more pressing issue that may cause delays in getting your DJI drone has been President Trump’s tariffs on products coming from China and increased scrutiny at US Customs.

Customs and Border Protection has yet to officially confirm that it has increased its scrutiny of DJI drones at the border, but any scroll through a DJI forum or Facebook group will show multiple customers complaining about their orders stuck at a port of entry. This started last year, and so far it doesn’t sound like it will be going away anytime soon.

For tariffs, this is a continuing issue as they can be changed, removed, or decreased all in the same day. Right now, Chinese drones are not exempt from Trump’s tariffs, unlike many other consumer electronics, and are in the six-digit percentage range for markups. Also, DHL has reportedly halted imports into the US of consumer goods above $800, which could cause further issues.

For now, your best bet is to purchase your drones from sites like Amazon, Best Buy, or your local camera store, as they are more likely to have stock of products in their warehouses here in the US. Ordering directly from DJI’s website could lead to having your drone shipped directly from China, meaning weeks or month-long delays.