– Anduril Industries Inc., Costa Mesa, California, has been awarded a $23,000,000 contract modification (P00017) to a previously awarded contract (FA8823-21-C-0002) for fielding of latticed mesh network to additional space surveillance setwork sites, implementing an unpriced change order definitization action. This modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $33,586,934 from $10,586,934. […]
On Friday, November 15, at the headquarters of the Ministry of National Defense, in the presence of Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defense, and Paweł Bejda, Secretary of State at the Ministry of National Defense, another implementation agreement for 13 FlyEye UAV sets for the Polish Armed Forces was signed. According to […]
Happy November, dronies! Yes, it’s already that time to think about Christmas gifts — or whatever other winter holidays you’re shopping for! And if you have a drone lover in your life you are shopping for this holiday season, look no further, The Drone Girl’s got you covered with our 2024 Holiday Drone Gift Guide.
From essential accessories to nerdy must-haves, we have something for every drone pilot on your list. Even if they do not need another drone (or if a drone isn’t within your budget), you’ll discover there are a ton of fantastic holiday gift options out there.
I’ve broken down the gifts by budget, so no matter what your budget or the drone pilot’s interests, we have the perfect gift for them. I’ve curated a selection of potential Holiday 2024 Drone Gift Ideas to help you find the ideal present for the drone pilot in your life.
So with that, here’s your 2024 holiday drone gift guide:
2024 holiday drone gifts under $20
Personalized Puzzles($10.99): The drone photographers in our lives take beautiful shots and they deserve to be shown off. Why not take one of their photos and turn it into a puzzle for everyone to enjoy? Of course, you could make a personalized puzzle with any of your photos, but one of your aerial drone shots (or a shot taken by the gift recipient themselves) would be really special.
Drone Symbol Baseball Cap ($18.99): This baseball hat with the simple drone design is an understated accessory to add to any drone lover’s closet.
Tablet Holder for DJI Series ($19.99): It can be tricky for drone pilots to capture the perfect shot on the small screen, attaching a tablet to the controller can help the pilot view all the fine details. Before purchasing, check out your drone pilot’s type of drone and tablet and ensure they are compatible.
STARTRC Drone Landing Pad Pro($19.99): A landing pad is a must-have for any drone pilot, it helps protect drones from damage when landing. This durable pad is easy to fold and unfold, making it portable and convenient.
Hallmark Keepsake Christmas Ornament ($19.99): I mean…drones would be much more efficient than reindeer anyway, which makes this super cute Santa ornament a perfect gift for Christmas.
LEGO Marvel Spider-Man’s Drone Duel Building Kit ($19.99): Superheroes and drones? It’s an excellent combination for any holiday gift. If your drone lover loves Legos, but superheroes aren’t their speed, there are plenty of other Lego kits that feature drones. Check out tons of other LEGO drone options here.
MicroSD cards (price varies): This is the perfect gift for any drone photographer because you can never have enough memory cards! A broken, lost, corrupted, full, or forgotten memory card will ruin any drone shot. One of our current favorite memory cards is the Samsung PRO Ultimate Micro SD and it is currently on sale for $36.99 (that’s a 27% discount).
Drone Books (price varies): If your drone lover is also a book nerd, there are many excellent drone books on the market. You can check out our best drone children’s books here or a selection of excellent drone books here.
2024 holiday drone gifts under $50
Drone Dojo Subscription ($27…sort of): If the drone lover in your life also loves building and creating, look into a Drone Dojo subscription. $27 gets you a Blue Belt Membership, which gives you access to Drone Dojo courses, projects, and more. The courses teach you a range of drone skills including how to build a drone from scratch, and how to program a drone to make it truly autonomous. Exact prices range based on how many months you want to subscribe for.
This is also a great gift as it won’t take up any space — and doesn’t require you to pack and ship it, either.
Holy Stone Mini Drone($35.99): Perhaps the drone lover in your life isn’t ready for the real thing, or is new to the hobby, this toy drone is a great place to start. This indoor toy drone is easy to fly and sure to bring joy to the youngest of drone lovers.
DJI Mini 4 Pro 360 Propeller Guard ($35.99): If the drone lover in your life purchased the newest DJI Mini line drone to hit the market, the DJI Mini 4 Pro, then these propeller guards are a great gift — particularly because the kit sold by DJI rather annoyingly does not include propeller guards (no, not even the upgraded Fly More Combo).
But because the Mini 4 Pro is a top pick for beginners, having propeller guards is critical in giving any drone pilot even more peace of mind knowing their propellers are protected when they fly their prize possession.
Drone Case (price varies): Most likely, the most important thing in your drone pilot’s life is their drone, so give them a gift that keeps their drone and its accessories safe from damage, dust, and moisture.
The case and price will vary depending on the type of drone you are purchasing the case for. INSYOO makes high-quality cases for most DJI drones. The INSYOO case made for the DJI Mini 2 begins at $25.99.
Drone Lens Filter (price varies): Maybe you want to help your beloved drone pilot take even better photos, then get them a lens filter. Filters can help reduce the amount of light in bright conditions, increase the color concentration, and more. Different filters serve various situations (and are fitted to specific drones), so research the drone and what type of condition they are often flying in. Generally speaking though, filters tend to cost under $50.
For example, the Globact ND Lens Filter Set comes with 6 types of filters and is compatible with DJI Mavic Mini, Mavic Mini 2, and Mini 2S. The 6 set of filters is $36.77.
The underside of the DJI Neo drone, where you plug in the battery. (Photo by Sally French)
The DJI Neo ($199): We have to recommend DJI’s new, selfie drone that’s ridiculously affordable. It’s just $200, and it’s a perfect entry-level drone. It’s great for kids. It’s great for indoor flying. It’s great for situations where you don’t want a huge drone buzzing around.
In some ways, it functions more like a toy drone with a relatively short battery life (18 minutes max) and minimal strength in wind. But given the price point, this is definitely a great gift for a newer or younger pilot.
The DroneMask 2 ($179): The DroneMask2 is a mask that gives any drone pilot a seamless, immersive experience when flying their camera drone. This innovative product allows you to turn any drone into an FPV drone. The mask works with all camera drones and smartphones, so no need to worry about what type of drone they have. This gift is sure to please and surprise any drone lover. We recently reviewed the DroneMask 2, check it out here.
Spare drone batteries (price varies): You won’t have to worry about this gift being returned, as you can guarantee this gift will be welcomed and used. Every drone pilot should fly with spare batteries nearby, in case of emergency, making it perfect for the ultra-practical folks.
Battery costs differ depending on the drone model and are rarely interchangeable, so double check you are purchasing the right battery for your drone pilot’s specific drone.
DJI Mini 2 SE ($339, on sale for $298): If you are looking for an inexpensive drone with still high-quality features look no further than another drone in the DJI Mini line, the DJI Mini 2 SE.
Hands down, there is no better drone under $400 than the DJI Mini 2 SE. And during the Black Friday sale, you can get that drone for under $300. The DJI Mini 2 SE is currently on sale for $298.
Drone Adventurer Masterclass+ ($300): Taught by Belgium-based aerial photographer Johan Vandenhecke, this is a start-to-finish guide on using drones to take photos and cinematic videos–and how to make money while doing it. A perfect gift for any drone pilot trying to master their craft.
Drone Pilot Ground School ($299-$525): If the drone pilot in your life hasn’t taken the Federal Aviation Administration’s Aeronautical Knowledge Test yet, chances are they will need to take that soon (if they are planning on turning their hobby into a business). Passing the test is a requirement to fly drones commercially under Part 107.
The Drone Pilot Ground School is by far the biggest of all the Part 107 test prep programs and the one we would recommend if you want an established player. But there are many other options if you are looking for something different.
HoverAir X1 ($445, but on sale for $379): This flying camera is a great gift for anyone who wants a beginner drone that records sound and flies indoors. Don’t expect a DJI-quality drone, when you purchase the HoverAir X1. However, it’s a great little companion for someone who is looking to record mostly human subjects rather than big aerial scenes. Read our full review on HoverAir X1 here.
The HoverAir X1 is currently on sale for Black Friday deals for $379, saving you $66. Purchase the HoverAir X1 on Amazon.
DJI Mini 3 (starting at $467): This is the perfect starter drone, as it offers a high-quality camera, but still strips down the fanciest features to keep costs under control. Its camera is slightly lesser when compared to other DJI drones and it doesn’t have the full obstacle avoidance features. But, it’s DJI’s best drone under $500 (though that price point assumes you don’t need the controller, which a new pilot would.) If you want to explore other DJI drones for under $500, check out our guide to the best drones under $500.
The DJI Mini 3 Fly More Combo is currently on sale for $654 (saving you $143.64). The Fly More combo comes with a Mini 3, an RC controller, a shoulder bag, intelligent flight batteries, and several other accessories, basically the perfect drone starter kit.
2024 holiday drone gifts under $1,000
DJI Osmo Pocket 3 ($519): If the drone-lover in your life is always looking for the latest technology, then the Osmo Pocket 3 camera is perfect for them. It’s DJI’s latest compact and versatile handheld action camera. With major upgraded camera sensors, enhanced color modes, robust stabilization, and audio capabilities, it’s a versatile tool that caters to the demands of both amateur and professional content creators. Check out our full review.
DJI Mini 4 Pro ($959): This drone just hit the market in late September and it is the best drone for beginners, hands down. DJI added omnidirectional sensing to this model, making it particularly crashproof. If you have been wanting to purchase a first-time drone for someone in your life, this is the drone to get!
The drone has a 1/1.3-inch CMOS camera sensor and is incredibly small and compact (weighing under 249 grams). I can’t recommend this drone enough.
Industry Leaders Call for Timely Action to Unlock Drone Potential: BVLOS Draft Moves from DOT to OMB The drone industry stands on the verge of significant growth, but bureaucratic delays threaten to stall its progress. A new draft rule for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations, currently under review by the White House Office […]
UK eVTOL manufacturer Skyfly has been selected to join the UK Ministry of Defence’s UASHLC (Uncrewed Air Systems Heavy Lift Capability) Framework with the eHarrier unmanned electric vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The eHarrier is a military version of Skyfly’s Axe eVTOL, a two-seat general aviation aircraft aimed at private owners, which recently commenced […]
As Romeo Durscher steps back from the drone industry, facing retirement due to a recent health diagnosis, he reflects on a career that has shaped not only technology but lives around the world. In this interview with DRONELIFE, Romeo shares stories from his remarkable journey—defined by curiosity, resilience, and a commitment to making a difference. […]
WingXpand, which is an emerging U.S. drone company known for its uniquely portable, expandable drones, just scored a significant partnership that could propel it higher in the military and defense space. That’s because WingXpand this week announced a collaboration with defense giant Raytheon.
The collaboration will bring Raytheon’s advanced infrared and AI capabilities to WingXpand’s xRAI drones in what could very likely give a significant boost to the drone’s threat-detection abilities.
For WingXpand, this deal represents a major step in continuing to establish itself as a key player in defense-focused drone technology. The St. Louis, Missouri-based company was founded just a few years ago in 2022. Though it has commercial clients, WingXpand has increasingly been following in the path of other American drone companies such as Utah-based Teal that are seeking to catch the attention of the defense community.
And for what it’s worth, WingXpand is already an established player in the military drone space. In fact, this Raytheon collaboration came about as part of an ongoing U.S. Army contract. WingXpand has also worked with the U.S. Air Force and Navy (as well as civil entities). Meanwhile, WingXpand also recently won the U.S. Army’s xTechSpecialForces competition, signaling significant government interest in the Missouri-based drone company.
How Raytheon’s expertise will play into WingXpand’s xRAI drones
At the heart of the partnership is a new integration of Raytheon’s infrared sensors and AI algorithms into WingXpand’s xRAI drones. This technology will allow the drones to quickly identify potential threats in real time, making them more effective tools for soldiers, public safety teams and other responders operating in fast-paced, high-risk environments.
For WingXpand, this collaboration builds on their fleet of drones that are both portable and functional. Rather than the quadcopter style that serves most drones, WingXpand drones are fixed-wing aircraft (like airplanes). Their unique selling point? The wings quickly come on and off, making the drones just as portable as most quadcopters. (Check out my deep dive on how WingXpand makes their drones fit into a backpack.)
Wingcopter’s xRAI model also embodies that model, expands from a compact backpack to a full-sized drone, is designed to adapt to a variety of situations, from tight urban spaces to rugged terrain. By bringing Raytheon’s threat-detection tools into the mix, WingXpand will be able to equip its drones with a greater level of situational awareness. Particularly for military customers, that could be a huge selling point.
New VTOL capability increases flexibility
In addition to the Raytheon partnership, WingXpand recently rolled out a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capability for the xRAI drone. This feature is new to WingXpand, but is found in other popular aircraft such as Wing’s delivery drones. With VTOL aircraft, you get the best of both worlds: vertical takeoff like a helicopter, but long flight times like a plane.
That just means the xRAI can operate more effectively in restricted spaces where traditional runways or open fields aren’t an option for takeoff — all the while being compact enough to carry on your back.
In fact, WingXpand claims its drones can fly 5x longer, while carrying 10x more weigh, than traditional drones.
The two Collaborative Combat Aircraft designs – one each from Anduril Industries and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems – passed their critical design reviews in early November, clearing the way for detailed production efforts to get underway, the Air Force said Nov. 13. However, the way ahead for future upgrades and increments of CCA remain undecided. Colonel […]
At the Milipol Qatar Summit, China’s ZIYAN, alongside local partner MANNAI Corp, highlighted emerging security trends and unveiled an intelligent, cost-effective UAS platform tailored to evolving industry needs. ZIYAN participated in the Milipol Qatar Summit & Exhibition 2024, one of the foremost worldwide stages for security technology and solutions. Concentrated on delivering heightened capabilities for […]
The Russian unmanned aerial vehicle Supercam S350, developed and manufactured by the Unmanned Systems Group, was presented during the Securex Uzbekistan 2024 expo, held in Tashkent from November 5 to 7. The company is offering the combat-tested drone for a wide of missions. Supercam unmanned aerial vehicle systems can be useful for Uzbekistan to protect […]
– Anduril Industries Inc., Costa Mesa, California, has been awarded a $23,000,000 contract modification (P00017) to a previously awarded contract (FA8823-21-C-0002) for fielding of latticed mesh network to additional space surveillance setwork sites, implementing an unpriced change order definitization action. This modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $33,586,934 from $10,586,934. […]
