Almost all drone pilots agree that DJI drones lead the pack in camera quality, battery life, flying range, and stability – among other specifications. DJI own 54% of the drone market, and dominate consumer drones.
Nevertheless, drone flyers have begun turning their heads toward the best non-DJI drones.
Some cite DJI’s restrictive security systems like the “no-fly zones” and their cost. For others, it’s just a matter of testing the specifications of a DJI alternative.
But what drones compare to DJI?
Autel, Hubsan, Parrot, and Yuneec are the market leaders for drones comparable to DJI. Holystone is another manufacturer that’s practically neck in neck when it comes to DJI, with the differences between their drones being wafer-thin.
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Please keep reading to learn more about the various non-DJI drones available on the market, and what features make them the perfect DJI alternative.
Best Non-DJI Drones
DJI drones, especially professional ones, have dominated the market for almost a decade.
However, with time other drone companies have emulated the innovative technologies that keep DJI drones at the apex of the consumer market.
So, what is a DJI alternative? It’s a non-DJI drone whose specifications almost match its DJI rivals.
Besides professional drones, the makers of the best non-DJI drones have predominantly focused on toy drones, camera drones, follow-me drones, and mini drones.
Let’s unpack the list.
Best Non-DJI Toy Drone
Due to its immense focus on professional drones, DJI only has a few drones that may make sense to children.
Essentially, a toy drone has easy-to-fly modes and can be used indoors. Such drones are small, lightweight, and can only fly over short distances.
DJI Mini SE is one of the few drones that can be classified as toy drones. It’s the perfect choice for drone pilots who are just starting.
However, it’s a bit sophisticated for a toy drone.
Holystone joins the fray with a stunning and more affordable option—the HS420! It’s the best non-DJI drone in the toy category.
Holystone HS420
- Price: Check latest price on Amazon
- Camera quality: HD 1280 x 720P (Video/Photo)
- Speed: 2 speed modes Low/High
- Battery life: 6 minutes (per battery)
- Thermal capabilities: none
- Max speed: 55 km/h in sport mode
- Weight: 0.353 oz (10 gr)
- Video: 720p
- Wind resistance: N/A
The Holystone HS420 is a tiny toy drone that’s great for entertaining children while taking pictures.
This toy camera has a decent video capture resolution of 720p HD, and its 1280×720 images are solid as well.
The Holystone HS420 breaks from the tradition of fixed cameras for toys. The drone user can tilt the camera at 90 degrees.
With a simple hand motion, children can shoot selfies with the drone without any specialized training.
The HS420 DJI alternative can fly a distance of 100 meters and can go as high as 30 meters.
Most DJI toy drones have you paying for an 8D flip feature, but that can be a bit complex for children.
Instead, the HS420 has a 3D flip feature at the touch of a button, where it can flip the drone 360º in the air for cool tricks – providing an easier training ground for new pilots.
That said you still get cool features like flying via waypoint, altitude hold, and headless mode.
Moreover, safety features like the emergency stop and propeller guards help prevent accidents and collisions, perfect for pilots in training.
Portability is also a plus for this gadget. It’s only 12 ounces in weight and can fit in a tiny space in your bag or pocket.
This mini drone has an HD FPV camera for kids/adults or beginners. It's a pocket RC quadcopter with 3 batteries, toss-to-launch, gesture selfie, altitude hold, circle fly, and high speed rotation
Read more: Latest Top Of The Line Drones for Kids
Best Non-DJI Mini Drone
DJI mini drones are quite famous for their affordability and stunning features.
Even with their small frames, they have powerful software that makes them function more or less like their more prominent and expensive DJI counterparts.
Mini drones appeal to those pilots who are always on the move but need a gadget with high-definition cameras and automatic shot capture.
So what is a good alternative to DJI?
Autel and Exo have stepped up their efforts and delivered great drones comparable to DJI. Our research unearthed two petite powerhouses — the Evo Nano and Exo Mini drones.
Potensic Atom SE GPS- Best alternative to the DJI Mini 2 SE
- Price: Check latest price on Amazon here
- Camera quality: 12 MP
- Flight time: 62 minutes with 2 batteries (31 with one)
- Max speed: 36 mph
- Weight: 249 g
- Video: 4k HD video 30fps
- Wind resistance: level 5
Auto return feature
Lightweight design for easy transport
SurgeFly flight control system includes Beginner mode, video, normal, and sport
Impressively long flight time
Quality build for its price point
Limited camera functionality
Lightweight design for easy transport
Lack of collision avoidance features
The Potensic Atom SE GPS is a great alternative to the DJI Mini 2 and Mini 2 SE, especially if you’re new to drone piloting.
It offers simple controls that beginners can quickly get the hang of. While its camera isn’t as good as the DJI Mini 2 SE, it still offers a respectable 12 MP camera that can capture 4K HD video.
With a lightweight, foldable body, it’s ideal for travel or commutes. To enjoy more flight time (up to 62 minutes), add a second battery. But, it doesn’t have built-in collision avoidance, so I highly recommend you be extra careful during flight.
This drone taps into the convenience of modern technology, using your phone as its remote control. While this approach is greatly appreciated by beginners for its simplicity, more seasoned drone enthusiasts might find it limiting.
Overall though, this drone offers a great value for the price. It’s one of the best possible options at its price point, making it a formidable alternative to the DJI Mini 2 SE.
Camera: 4K EIS | Weight: 250g | Motors: Brushless | Auto Return, | Lightweight | Foldable
Best Non-DJI Camera Drones
It’s undeniable that DJI has made remarkable innovations in the drone camera space in the last decade. However, other drone companies have innovated great drones comparable to DJI drones.
Autel’s EVO 2 and Parrot’s Anafi top our list as the best non-DJI camera drones, which are even better than DJI drones in some aspects.
Powervision PowerEgg X – Best alternative to the DJI Mavic series
- Price: Check latest price on Amazon here
- Camera quality: 4K UHD
- Thermal capabilities: none
- Flight time: 30 minutes
- Max speed: 40 mph
- Weight: 860 g
- Video: 4K at 60 fps
- Wind resistance: level 5
The ability to transform from a drone to a mounted camcorder makes it incredibly versatile
Waterproof features (can even land on water!)
AI-driven subject tracking
Bulky design compared to many DJI drones
Lacks 360-degree obstacle avoidance
No optical zoom
When talking about drones with comprehensive capabilities and versatility, the DJI Mavic series undeniably dominates the market. Their advanced flight features and unparalleled camera quality have set the bar high for aerial videography, and I’ve personally tested and reviewed the Mavic 3 Pro on DroneSourced.
However, the PowerVision PowerEgg X emerges as a quality alternative, offering unique features distinct from the Mavic lineup.
The PowerEgg X’s standout feature is its transformative design. It can easily be converted into a handheld or tripod-mounted camcorder. This is ideal if you want a comprehensive filming drone that bridges the gap between aerial and ground footage.
Its waterproof abilities are another major advantage. With the right accessories, this drone can brave the elements, even landing on water. The DJI Mavic drones don’t have these features.
Its AI-driven subject tracking ensures smooth filming of moving subjects, and the voice sync technology seamlessly integrates voice using a smartphone’s microphone.
While the camera is capable of recording in sharp 4K, I’ll admit it doesn’t match the finesse of Mavic’s optics. However, for its price point and the added utilities it offers, the Poweregg is still a great alternative to the DJI Mavic 3.
Remember: the PowerEgg X is not just a drone; it’s an all-in-one filming solution. So, if you find the Mavic series a bit too mainstream and looking for a unique, multifunctional aerial tool, the PowerEgg X is a top pick. This non-DJI drone is perfect for those who value adaptability and are looking to explore new horizons in videography.
Camera: 4K EIS | Weight: 250g | Motors: Brushless | Auto Return, | Lightweight | Foldable
Autel Evo 2
- Price: Check latest price on Amazon here
- Camera quality: 48MP, 8K video resolution
- Speed: 45 mph
- Battery life: 40 mins
The EVO 2 is Autel’s flagship drone. It belongs to the category of drones better than DJI. When drone pilots realize how powerful it is, they are more than willing to stretch their budgets to own one.
Autel EVO 2 became the first consumer drone to offer 8K/25p video resolution two years ago. It’s also capable of 6K/30p and 4K/60p video resolutions.
Running on a 1/2-inch Quad Bayer sensor, it can take top-quality images to a maximum photo resolution of 48MP. It also has an 8x zoom with up to 4x lossless.
Its ability to hover for 35-40 minutes without geofencing makes it an excellent pick for many drone experts.
That’s because geofencing limits where you can fly, and even when you have authorization from local authorities, it may take a long time to be approved by DJI to fly.
But with a drone without geofencing, you can fly anywhere you want as long as you adhere to the local regulations.
In comparison, the DJI Mavic Air 2 has a flight time of around 34 minutes and the DJI Mavic 2 Pro flies for approximately 30 minutes.
The EVO 2 gives you an extra four or five minutes that will matter when it comes to inspections, surveys, and filming.
The 3-axis gimbal ensures a stable flight for the sharpest images, while the transmission system enables it to transmit videos up to 9km.
This is the 2023 version of Evo 2 complies with Remote ID regulation. This version also supports RTK & PPK which is great for mapping/power line inspections, photogrammetry, and urban planning. Flight time: 36 mins | HD Transmission: 15km | Video Transmission: SkyLink 2.0
Parrot ANAFI
- Price: Check latest price on Amazon here
- Camera quality: 21MP
- Speed: 50 km/h
- Battery life: 25 mins
- Thermal capabilities: none
- Flight time: 30 minutes
- Max speed: 55 km/h in sport mode
- Weight: 1.56 lbs (685 gr)
- Video: 4K UHD 2160p
- Wind resistance: N/A
The Parrot ANAFI fits the bill for that professional drone pilot who wants a drone camera that can record videos at 4K for half the price of a DJI Mavic 2 Pro and definitely at a lower price than the Air 2S.
The camera has a wide aperture—f/2.4, coupled with its 2.8x zoom, HDR, and ASPH lens, which means that the drone is capable of spectacular 4K or Full HD videos and 21 MP shots.
While you can get 5.2K with the Air 2S, and an f/2.8 aperture, these extra features are not worth the extra $400 you have to pay and you can effectively produce high-quality footage with what the Parrot ANAFI already offers.
The drone’s burst mode also has a stunning rating of 10 shots per second.
The ANAFI is indeed an average drone and fairly older than its competitors. However, it offers what the best non-DJI drones in its category should offer.
A 180-degree two-axis gimbal makes it stable enough to take clear images. Furthermore, it has a GPS-enabled flight.
The Parrot ANAFI has a unique characteristic that may be useful—the camera can point straight up or down. That complements its gimbal feature to make it ideal for inspection tasks.
The drone has an intelligent Li-Po battery that supports an above-average flight time of 25 minutes and speedy charging.
Its frame is made of light carbon and weighs about 320g. Thus, it can unfold in less than 4 seconds and reach a speed of 50km/h in sport mode.
Ultimately, this DJI alternative is foldable and highly portable. It supports find my drone, SmartRTH, and geofence functions.
Camera: 4K HDR | Foldable Quadcopter Drone | Compact| Autonomous, Dark Grey
Buyers Guide: What to Consider When Buying a Non-DJI Drone
There are crucial factors to consider before purchasing a non-DJI drone. Besides the hardware and software of the gadget, it’s also crucial to find out whether the company has good reviews and offers after-sale services for their gadgets.
Technology (Hardware/Software)
Good quality drones have metallic frames and a shell made from tough plastic that can bear heavy landings. Anything less than this won’t beat the quality of a DJI drone.
It is also vital to check the strength of the movable parts for foldable drones.
For software, since it enables you to interact with the gadget, it’s important to ensure that it’s easy to use and capable of periodic updates to boost its security and usability.
Customer Support
Drones periodically encounter technical issues, and buying from a company with an after-sales customer support program is essential.
A manufacturer with a dedicated forum for sharing solutions for common problems is the best to buy from since you can get solutions for common challenges from fellow users.
Good Brand Reputation
Choosing a non-DJI drone from a company with good customer reviews and impressive drone innovation is essential.
Why? Because, drone technology is always changing, and you will need a drone brand that keeps up with the industry changes or comes up with its own revolutionary innovations.
On the other hand, customer reviews are important since they show what people are saying about the brand.
Most of them are honest, and if a brand can’t maintain a considerable following or they lack good reviews, then it wouldn’t be advisable to buy from them.
Reasons Why You May Avoid DJI Drones
Many drone pilots contend with the idea of buying the best non-DJI drones. “If DJI is at the forefront of drone innovation, why should I buy a DJI alternative?” they ask themselves.
We will take you through several reasons that may make you go for a non-DJI drone.
Price
DJI drones are quite expensive. Although they’re made from top-quality parts, not every drone pilot can afford them. The only alternative would be to go for a cheaper drone.
Political Choice
DJI is a Chinese company, and like with other products, some drone pilots may avoid Chinese-made products due to political issues and personal beliefs that may clash with the company.
Want Something Different
It’s human nature to go against the crowd.
Some drone users prefer looking for drones that many people ignore and go for those drones comparable to DJI. Such buyers are very proud of their “conquests” when they make a notable choice.
Preference
Even though DJI is quite popular, some drone pilots may prefer other brands. It may be a personal preference that makes you feel aligned with a particular manufacturer.
Support Local/Anti-corporate or Monopoly
Some drone users feel it’s morally inappropriate to support large companies with a near-monopoly status in the market of a particular commodity.
The instincts may arise from past frustration or an anti-capitalist mindset. Such people may feel it appropriate to support an underdog. In the wake of such, it’s better to go for an alternative.
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FAQ’s
Conclusion
So, what brand of drone is best for you to buy? The market is now awash with DJI alternatives that may even serve you better than DJI drones.
Looking at the specifications of some of the DJI gadgets concerning what some users are looking for, it’s clear that we have drones better than DJI out there.
You need a keen eye, though. Interestingly, you’ll find our review enough to give you the best non-DJI drones.
However, if you can’t find one here, simply list the specifications of the DJI drone for which you’re looking for an alternative. Then, list the specifications of the competing non-DJI drones and go for the closest rival.
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