At just $199, the DJI Neo is a game-changer in the budget drone market, especially for content creators and drone enthusiasts who prioritize a simple flying experience above all else — but also aren’t willing to sacrifice other essential features like camera quality.

Weighing under 250 grams, it joins the ranks of ultra-light drones like the DJI Mini 4K and HoverAir X1. But this one comes in at a far more accessible price point.

That said, DJI Neo does lack some key features. Its battery life is short. It’s not all that powerful outdoors, even in moderate breezes. Its transmission distance is limited. This is not the drone for taking big sweeping landscapes. If you’re flying a drone over a volcano in Iceland, definitely don’t count on the DJI Neo to do the job.

But with that in mind, here’s my DJI Neo review. Find out why I love it, and exactly who is best suited for this charming little DJI drone:

DJI Neo review: the video version

If you’re a vlogger, traveler, or just someone who loves to capture unique angles for your social media feed, the DJI Neo is a serious contender.

You can watch me fly it here on my own social media feed, as shared by the Drone Girl YouTube channel. Or, keep scrolling for my full, in-depth DJI Neo review:

• Order DJI Neo now from Adorama for $199.
• Order DJI Neo now from Amazon for $199.
• Order DJI Neo now from B&H Photo for $199.
• Order DJI Neo now from Drone Nerds for $199.

Design and portability: small but mighty

The DJI Neo stands out as incredibly compact and portable. It weighs in at a critical 249 grams, which makes it light enough to take with you anywhere. But drones under 250 grams are really a big deal because they won’t require FAA registration in the U.S., eliminating one more friction point for new pilots.

Of course, checked bag fees (and even carry-on bag fees in basic economy on some airlines, like United) can be a friction point for travelers. This drone might not have an issue there, either. Its design is sleek, foldable, and easy to carry, even if taking your drone on an airplane. While other budget-oriented drones such as the DJI Mini 4K and HoverAir X1 also fall into this lightweight category, the Neo’s $199 price tag makes it one of the most affordable drones in its class.

Camera: impressively good (for the price)

A portable and affordable drone does no good if the camera is bad. Happily, the low price point doesn’t bring down the DJI Neo camera tech.

The DJI Neo captures 4K video at 30fps and 1080p at 60fps, along with 12-megapixel stills. That’s good enough to meet the high-definition requirements for sharing content on mainstream social media platforms.

While it doesn’t boast the 3-axis gimbal found on higher-end drones like the DJI Mavic 3, its single-axis mechanical gimbal does a great job, especially with DJI’s stabilization technologies—RockSteady and HorizonBalancing—that correct horizon tilt and reduce shake. For a $199 drone, the video quality is surprisingly sharp and smooth, making it perfect for YouTube content or social media posts.

And the post-flying experience is convenient, too. Yes, I’m talking about actually posting that footage. The Neo includes 22GB of internal storage, enough to store 40 minutes of 4K video or 55 minutes of 1080p footage, which is impressive for such a small drone. You might not even need a memory card.

You definitely won’t need to mess around with cords, as you can transfer footage recorded on your drone to your phone via the DJI Fly app and a Wi-Fi connection. It’s pretty fast, too, with a maximum download speed of up to 25 MB/s.

Flight performance: more than a selfie drone

The Neo is designed for hand-launch, much like one of its closest competitors, the HoverAir X1. That makes it a perfect selfie drone for quick captures. Simply toss it in the air, and it’s ready to start shooting.

Battery life

With a maximum flight time of 18 minutes, the DJI Neo does somewhat fall flat on battery life. It’s sufficient for short vlogging sessions or quick aerial captures. But, if your love truly is flying, then anticipate stocking up on spare batteries.

Luckily, chating is somewhat fast. When using a 30W charger, Neo can get from a 0% to 100% charge in about 50 minutes.

With the Two-Way Charging Hub (an additional fee), you can charge up to three batteries simultaneously.

Flying Neo indoors versus outdoors

While it performs best in calm conditions, DJI does claim the Neo can handle winds up to Level 4 wind resistance, which does make it functional outdoors for flying in moderate breezes. That said, fly outdoors at your own risk, and understand what a “moderate breeze” entails. It might seem logical to take this drone out to spots like a beach, but ocean breezes can often be more than moderate — and you don’t want to get your drone carried out to see because it caught a wind gust.

I found myself much more at ease flying this drone indoors. And yes, its small size and propeller cages absolutely allow for safe indoor flying. There are few drones I’d seriously recommend for indoor flying, but DJI Neo is one of them.

However, it’s important to note that the Neo lacks obstacle avoidance, so you’ll still need to be thoughtful to avoid crashes. For that reason, I would not consider DJI Neo a follow-me drone.

For vloggers and casual users, the automatic Return to Home (RTH) feature adds a layer of convenience, though the lack of full obstacle detection means it won’t avoid obstacles on its way back. Fly carefully.

Smart features allow Neo to still fly itself

Though it’s not a true follow-me drone, this drone is still incredibly smart and can fly itself. It’s just not wholly crash-proof, the way drones with sensors on all sides, like the DJI Mavic 3, are.

DJI Neo comes equipped with a intelligent flight modes like QuickShots, which lets you choose pre-programmed flight paths such as circling around you or zooming out for dramatic reveal shots. These modes make it easy to capture cinematic footage without needing manual flight skills. DJI Neo supports the following modes:

• Follow
• Expanse
• Circle
• Rocket
• Spotlight
• Custom (Neo can connect to the DJI Fly app via Wi-Fi to select Helix or Boomerang)

It’s also compatible with DJI accessories like the DJI RC Motion 3, DJI Goggles 3 and FPV Remote Controller 3 for more advanced controls. And yes, with certain accessories, DJI Neo supports additional modes.

Can you record audio on DJI Neo?

One standout feature is the ability to record audio through your smartphone via the DJI Fly app, syncing it with your footage. While the drone itself doesn’t record sound (you wouldn’t want propeller noise anyway), this is a fantastic addition for vloggers who want to capture commentary or ambient sound on the go.

Other drones to consider besides DJI Neo

DJI is in something of a class of its own. It’s super affordable at just $200. I’ve compared all the best DJI drones under $500. And though I do love the $300 DJI Mini 4K or the $419 DJI Mini 3, the DJI Neo is incredible value for the low price point. Check out a comparison of those drones in my guide to the best DJI drones under $500.

But what other drones should you consider besides DJI Neo if price isn’t as much as a concern? The two other standout drones to consider are the HoverAir X1 and DJI Mini 4 Pro.

The DJI Mini 4 Pro has a small size, but has way more powerful flight controls, a higher-quality camera and obstacle avoidance (which I consider the best drone insurance policy there is, hah!). It’s also pricey, at more than $700.

The HoverAir X1 is probably the closest competitor to the DJI Neo, largely because both offer a similar hand-launch style. It’s more expensive at $349, but some people seeking a DJI alternative might not be all that opposed.

Related read: DJI Neo versus HOVERAir X1: which hand-launch drone is best?

Here’s a comparison table for the DJI Neo, HoverAir X1, and DJI Mini 4 Pro, outlining key features such as price, weight and camera quality:

The bottom line: a budget-friendly drone with big features

The tl;dr of this DJI Neo review? For just $199, this little DJI drone is hard to beat. It’s not the most advanced drone on the market, but it strikes a perfect balance between price, portability, and functionality. Ideal for content creators, vloggers, and those new to the drone world, the DJI Neo offers impressive 4K video quality, smart features, and ease of use—all in an ultra-light package.

As you’re comparing it to others like the HoverAir X1 or the DJI Mini 4 Pro, know that the Neo shines as the best budget option. It delivers DJI’s renowned quality and innovation at an unbeatable price. If you’re looking for an entry-level drone that’s easy to fly but still offers pro-level video quality, the DJI Neo should be at the top of your list.

How to buy your own DJI Neo

The base model costs $199 and gets you basics like the battery and propeller guards. There’s also a $289 DJI Neo Fly More Combo which throws in goodies like more batteries and a two-way charging hub to charge them all up in one go.

• Order DJI Neo now from Adorama for $199.
• Order DJI Neo now from Amazon for $199.
• Order DJI Neo now from B&H Photo for $199.
• Order DJI Neo now from Drone Nerds for $199.

Here’s a look at what’s in the box of the Fly More Combo, by way of my unboxing video:

What’s your take on the DJI Neo? Do you have one yet? Are you considering it? Leave your own DJI Neo review in the comments below!

The post DJI Neo review: I’ve been eagerly awaiting this portable and affordable drone, but is it still worth spending $200 on? appeared first on The Drone Girl.