– Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd. and Nippon Steel Kowa Real Estate Co., Ltd. have opened the Itabashi Drone Field, the first drone demonstration experiment facility attached to a logistics facility in Tokyo, within the urban development logistics facility MFLP・LOGIFRONT Tokyo Itabashi, which was completed on October 2nd. The facility will be supervised and operated by […]
New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Police Department (NYPD) Interim Commissioner Tom Donlon recently announced the “Drone as First Responder” (DFR) program, which leverages the latest in aerial autonomous vehicle technology to enhance the NYPD’s emergency-response capabilities as the agency fulfills its mission to keep New Yorkers safe. The DFR program […]
In this captivating episode of Weekly Wings, hosts Paul Rossi and Terry Neff dive into the latest advancements in drones, public safety, and groundbreaking technology. They start with the financial outlook of the drone industry, highlighting surprising market trends and the rising stocks of companies like Red Cat Holdings and Unusual Machines. The discussion sheds […]
Eco-friendly technology redefines aerial advertising with enhanced visibility and measurable impact. Innovative Drone Advertising Takes Off Sustainable Skylines, a drone advertising and data analytics company, has launched its drone-powered banner advertising operations. The inaugural flights took place along Miami Beach over the weekend, showcasing an Ad Council campaign about the dangers of buzzed driving. These […]
Leveraging Drones and Spotlight Technology to Bridge Response Gaps in Remote Areas by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian J. McNab Authorities in Marinette County, a rural area of Wisconsin bordering Michigan’s Upper Peninsula region, reported that a missing hunter safely escaped from the woods thanks to help from the sheriff’s office’s drone team. According to a […]
Expanding UAV Operations for Public Safety with Beyond Visual Line of Sight and Advanced Community Engagement by DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill The city of Palm Springs, California is planning to expand its police department’s current drone program early next year by launching what city officials are calling Drones as First Responders 2.0. Police Lt. […]
Benjamin van der Hilst to Focus on Expanding Drone Technology and Nationwide Networks Avy, a company known for its aerial drone networks designed for emergency services, has named Benjamin van der Hilst as its new CEO. Van der Hilst assumes the role following the leadership of Avy founder Patrique Zaman, who will continue as a […]
Cyber Monday has become the go-to day for drone enthusiasts to snag high-tech gear at steep discounts. Even a simple 20% discount can mean hundreds of dollars in savings — making this Cyber Monday 2024 a great opportunity to jump on drone deals.
But speaking of Cyber Monday 2024, today’s deals might mark the end of an era for budget-friendly drones. After all — with potential tariffs looming — DJI and other Chinese drone makers may never be able to offer prices this low again.
It all comes down to escalating U.S.-China trade tensions. Donald Trump has said that he would impose the across-the-board tariffs on Day 1 of his second term as president. In a post on Truth Social, Trump also threatened an additional 10 percent tariff on all products from China, which means DJI drones. Some have worried the Trump Administration could go so far as to ban drones from China.
This comes at a time where drone prices have been historically low relatively to what they entail. Just ahead of the 2024 holiday season, DJI released the DJI Air 3S drone, which is a tricked out version of the older DJI Air 3 — albeit for the same $1,099 price. Also this season, DJI released its cheapest drone yet: the DJI Neo (which comes in at less than $200).
However, that trend could change, and Cyber Monday 2024 could be the last chance for drone pilots to capitalize on historically low prices before tariffs drive costs back up.
If you’re considering a drone purchase, these Cyber Monday 2024 deals might mark your best opportunity to grab Chinese-made drones without breaking the bank.
5 great deals on Chinese-made drones this Cyber Monday 2024
Cyber Monday 2024: The best deals on camera drones we’ve seen
If you’re looking to acquire a new drone at a reasonable price, now’s the time to act. Here are some of the best Cyber Monday 2024 drone deals, particularly on Chinese-made options:
Deal:$879 (down from $1,099) on DJI’s official website and select retailers like Amazon.
Why It’s a Steal: I’ve never seen the price this low on this lightweight, foldable drone. It stands out for its dual-camera systems, exceptional flight time and cutting-edge obstacle avoidance. It’s the older model of the new DJI Air3S, but it still holds its own as a great, budget-minded choice for travelers. Learn more in my DJI Air 3 review.
Why You’ll Love It: Wowzers, I consider the Autel Evo Lite+ to be the top non-DJI alternative to the DJI Mini lineup — and this makes it even more compelling. A 40% discount (bringing it down to $689 as a starting price) is staggering. Learn more in my Autel Evo Lite+ review.
Why You’ll Love It: That’s not the only competing, non-DJI drone on sale. The HOVERAir lineup of drones are also made in China, and the company wants to get in the hands of consumers now by offering a discount. Through the end of today, you can nab the HOVERAir X1 for up to 30% off. Plus they are throwing in a free bonus battery.
Sally French, The Drone Girl, reviews the DJI Avata 2 with the DJI FPV Remote Controller 3. (Photo by Sally French)
Deal: $748 (originally $1,388).
What’s Special: Experience the thrill of first-person drone piloting with DJI’s best FPV drone available on the market today. With this combo, you get goggles that put you in the cockpit, as well as high-speed flight capabilities. And though it’s marketed as a racing drone, it’s actually a great camera drone too — particularly if you’re looking for an indoor drone. Learn more in my DJI Avata 2 review.
Why it’s fun: This is the most chaotic Cyber Monday 2024 deal I’ve seen, and I love it. Why? You don’t know what you get. Plunk down $20, and Chinese drone-maker Potensic will send you a surprise box. They promise it’s worth $40 in value — but that assumes you’ll actually value the items you get the same way. Think of it as paying $20 for the thrill of the anticipation.
Why we’re watching Cyber Monday prices closely — and into 2025
To be clear, proposed tariffs would impact far more than just drones. Expect major shakeups for prices on other things such as cars, food, and all sorts of other materials and finished goods.
If tariffs are implemented, drone pilots should expect price increases as soon as early 2025. That could mean bad news ahead. But for now, the good news is that it’s made Cyber Monday 2024 a golden opportunity for drone enthusiasts to upgrade or expand their fleets.
The MTA is looking to potentially deploy drones as eyes in the sky that would provide additional insights on its fleet of close to 6,000 buses. A document posted to the transit agency’s website last week says New York City Transit’s Department of Buses is reaching out to qualified vendors for ways to “manage and […]
On Friday 22 November, Minister for Defence Pål Jonson received his Ukrainian colleague Minister of Defence Rustem Umerov at Karlberg Palace. At the Palace, Mr Jonson presented plans for a new Swedish financial contribution to the Ukrainian defence industry with a focus on the mass production of long-range missiles and long-range drones. A bilateral meeting […]
– Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd. and Nippon Steel Kowa Real Estate Co., Ltd. have opened the Itabashi Drone Field, the first drone demonstration experiment facility attached to a logistics facility in Tokyo, within the urban development logistics facility MFLP・LOGIFRONT Tokyo Itabashi, which was completed on October 2nd. The facility will be supervised and operated by […]
