9 drones are better than DJI in 2024 (Update 25 January 2024)

Since its founding in 2006, DJI has become the undisputed leader in the consumer and prosumer drone market, commanding over 70% of market share. DJI’s Phantom and Mavic series have become the most recognizable drone brands, known for their ease of use, stability, and integrated camera technology. Over the years, DJI has leveraged its economies of scale and manufacturing efficiency to push prices down while improving camera resolution and flight performance. This has allowed DJI to thoroughly dominate the drone industry up until now.

However, DJI’s dominance may be challenged in the coming years. By 2024, emerging drone startups are poised to surpass DJI with superior technology and features. These startups are nimble and innovative, unencumbered by the size and legacy systems of a large corporation like DJI. They are quickly catching up and even exceeding DJI in areas like camera quality, flight time, obstacle avoidance, and smart features. With advanced computer vision capabilities and deep learning algorithms, the drones of 2024 will be far more autonomous and easier to operate than today’s models. Coupled with falling costs of advanced sensors and components, these startups are primed to disrupt the consumer drone market in the next few years.

In this article I will recommend this drones for you:（9 drones are better than DJI in 2024）

1.Hubsan Zino Mini Pro

2.Autel evo 2

3. SJRC F11 4k PRO

4.PowerVision PowerEgg X 

5. Parrot Anafi

6. Skydio 2 

7.Xiaomi Fimi X8

8. Potensic A20

9. Ryze Tello

Let’s started

Who is DJI’s biggest competitor?

Founded in 2014 in California, Skydio has emerged as DJI’s top rival in the consumer drone market. Skydio differentiates itself through its industry-leading autonomous flight and computer vision technology. The Skydio 2 drone features six 4K cameras that enable advanced obstacle avoidance and cinematic shooting modes like ActiveTrack 3.0, which smoothly follows and frames subjects. Skydio’s proprietary AI algorithm enables its drones to navigate complex environments completely autonomously, outperforming DJI’s existing object avoidance capabilities. With $340 million in funding, Skydio is well-positioned to take on the drone market leader. While DJI still dominates in terms of sales and brand recognition, Skydio’s innovative technology poses the biggest threat to DJI’s consumer drone supremacy going forward.

What should you pay attention to when buying a drone?

• Camera quality – Check the camera resolution, sensor size, framerate, etc. to ensure it meets your photo and video needs.
• Flight time – Battery life determines how long you can fly on a single charge. Look for at least 20-30 minutes of flight time.
• Range – The controller range affects how far you can fly the drone. 1-2 miles is ideal for most consumer drones.
• Obstacle avoidance – Having sensors to detect obstacles allows for safer flight and automatic subject tracking.
• Ease of use – Beginner-friendly drones have simpler controls and automated flight modes.
• Size/portability – If traveling with your drone, consider compact and foldable models.
• Durability – Drones meant for regular use outdoors should have weather sealing and impact resistance.
• Price – Set a budget and look for features that fit within it. More expensive drones typically have better cameras and flight performance.
• Brand reputation – Established brands generally offer better quality, after-sales support, and reliability.
• Regulatory compliance – Make sure the drone meets registration and operation rules for your region.

9 drones are better than DJI in 2024

1.Hubsan Zino Mini Pro

The Hubsan Zino Mini Pro is an ultra-portable drone that packs impressive camera specs and flight performance into a compact body. Released in 2021, the Zino Mini Pro features a 1/1.7″ CMOS sensor capable of capturing 4K/30fps video and 48MP photos. Its lightweight carbon fiber frame weighs just 249g, making it easy to transport and maneuver. With a maximum flight time of 33 minutes, it provides ample airtime for aerial photography and videography. The Zino Mini Pro stands out for its combination of small size, long battery life, and high-quality camera in a sub-$400 consumer drone.

Pros:

• Lightweight and portable carbon fiber design
• Long 33 minute flight time
• Large 1/1.7″ CMOS sensor captures detailed 4K and 48MP images
• Advanced stabilization for smooth videos and photos
• Intuitive app interface and smart flight modes
• Under $400 price point

Cons:

• Lacks 360° obstacle avoidance sensors
• 4K video capped at 30fps
• Does not have zoom capabilities
• No interchangeable lens mount
• Shorter control range compared to premium drones
• Low light and high wind performance could be better

2.Autel evo 2

The Autel EVO II is a folding drone built for professional aerial photography and cinematography. This high-end drone features a 48MP 1/2-inch camera capable of shooting 8K video at 30fps. With a max video bitrate of 120Mbps and HDR capabilities, the EVO II produces incredibly detailed, vibrant footage. Some of the biggest pros of this drone are its industry-leading 8K video resolution, 40 minutes of flight time on a single charge, and omni-directional obstacle avoidance sensors.

Pros:

• Industry-leading 8K video resolution
• 48MP 1/2-inch camera
• 40 minute flight time per battery
• Advanced stabilization and low noise
• Omni-directional obstacle avoidance

Cons:

• Very high $1395 base price
• Large size makes it less portable
• Advanced app could be complex for beginners

The EVO II also boasts excellent stabilization and low-noise performance even in windy conditions. However, there are some downsides to consider with this premium drone. It carries a very high $1395 base price that caters more to professional creatives. The large form factor also makes it less portable than some competitors. While more advanced fliers will benefit from Autel’s robust app control, it may prove overly complex for beginner hobbyists.

3. SJRC F11 4k PRO

The SJRC F11 4K Pro is a mid-range consumer drone designed for aerial photography and videography applications. It features a built-in 4K camera and a compact, foldable design for portability.

Pros:

• Compact and lightweight carbon fiber foldable design
• Stable 4K video capture and 12MP photo shooting capabilities
• Intelligent flight modes like orbit, waypoints and follow
• 30 minutes of flight time from long battery life
• Dual GPS and visual positioning for hover and flight stability
• Automatic return home failsafe when battery is low
• Altitude hold and one-key takeoff/landing functions
• Under $400 price tag makes it budget friendly

Cons:

• No forward or backward obstacle avoidance sensors
• 4K video has a lower bitrate than higher end drones
• Remote controller range limited to under 1km
• No redundancy features or weatherproofing
• Struggles in high winds due to light weight
• App and firmware need refinement and improvements
• Customer support is not as robust as major brands
• Batteries don’t last as long over time

4.PowerVision PowerEgg X 

The PowerEgg X is a unique folding drone with an egg-shaped design made by PowerVision. It combines portability and weather resistance for versatile aerial photography.

Pros:

• Unique egg-shaped waterproof design for portability and protection
• Foldable carbon fiber arms allow ease of transport
• 4K camera on a 3-axis gimbal provides stable video and photos
• Facial recognition and subject tracking capabilities
• 30 minutes of flight time on a single charge
• Top speed of 72 kph in Follow Me mode
• Advanced PowerVision flight control system
• Range of up to 9 km with remote controller

Cons:

• High price of $1,000 may not suit beginner pilots
• Large and heavy compared to compact consumer drones
• Egg shape leads to some sacrificing maneuverability
• App interface could use improvement
• Obstacle avoidance sensors only face forward direction
• No zoom function on the camera
• Challenging for new users to master intelligent flight modes
• Customer support is not as robust as leading brands

5. Parrot Anafi

The Parrot Anafi is a foldable 4K camera drone designed for aerial photography enthusiasts and travelers. Weighing just 320g, it features a 180-degree tilt gimbal camera that can look up, down, and all around for unique perspectives. The Anafi also has up to 25 minutes of flight time, four pre-programmed cinematic shots, and an impressive digital zoom feature. Its compact size makes it easy to pack and take stunning aerial shots on your adventures.

Pros:

• 180-degree tilt gimbal camera
• Ultra-compact and lightweight body
• Up to 25 minutes of flight time
• 4K video recording and 21MP photos
• 2.8x lossless digital zoom
• Intuitive FreeFlight 6 app
• Foldable and travel-friendly

Cons:

• Somewhat limited range (2.5 miles)
• No obstacle avoidance sensors
• Advanced flying requires practice
• Smaller image sensor than premium drones
• Fewer intelligent flight modes
• Priced higher than competitors

6. Skydio 2 

The Skydio 2 stands at the forefront of autonomous drone technology. With its advanced computer vision and AI systems, the Skydio 2 can intelligently track subjects while avoiding obstacles better than any other consumer drone. Six 4K navigation cameras analyze the environment in 3D to allow completely hands-free flying. Excellent camera specs like 4K/60fps video, HDR photos, and a physicial shutter make it a top choice for aerial cinematography. Its compact, folding design offers up to 35 minutes of flight time. Though expensive, the Skydio 2 sets the new standard for autonomous flight capabilities in a portable drone perfect for action sports, enterprise applications and more.

Pros:

• Best-in-class obstacle avoidance
• Intelligent tracking modes work flawlessly
• Superb 4K video and 12MP photo quality
• Long flight times up to 35 minutes
• Excellent stabilization and autonomous flying
• Durable and portable folding design
• Useful for action and outdoor shoots

Cons:

• Very expensive for a consumer drone
• Large size when unfolded
• Advanced features have a learning curve
• Occasional connectivity issues
• No hyperlapse or panorama modes
• Not great for manual or cinematic control

7.Xiaomi Fimi X8

The Xiaomi Fimi X8 is a foldable drone focused on easy and safe flying for beginners. It packs a 3-axis stabilized 4K/30fps camera into a compact body that folds down for transport. The Fimi X8 has a maximum transmission range of 8km and flight time of up to 28 minutes. It includes auto takeoff/landing, GPS-based flight control, and intuitive gesture control features.

Pros:

• Foldable design for ultimate portability
• Shoots stable and crisp 4K video
• 28 minutes of flight time per charge
• Easy to fly with smart automation
• Gesture controls for selfies and maneuvers

Cons:

• Still a bit large when completely folded
• Not great for windy conditions due to light weight
• Advanced users may want more customization
• No front/rear obstacle avoidance sensors
• Maximum control range is shorter than some drones

8. Potensic A20

The Potensic A20 mini-drone is an affordable option aimed at beginners looking to learn the basics of drone piloting. At under $70, it packs impressive performance and capabilities for the low price point. Key features of the A20 include 720p camera live video feed, altitude hold, headless mode, gesture controls and a modular battery for 10 minutes of flight time. While not loaded with premium features, it’s a great way to start flying drones on a budget.

Pros:

• Very affordable at under $70
• 720p live video feed to smartphone
• Altitude hold and headless mode simplify flying
• Responsive controls and stable flight
• 10 minutes of flight time per battery
• Modular battery is removable and rechargeable

Cons:

• Lower resolution 720p camera
• No gimbal for stabilization during flight
• Limited 10 minute flight time per battery
• No advanced intelligent flight modes
• No obstacle avoidance system
• Short control range of only 50 meters

In summary, the Potensic A20 is a solid choice as an entry-level budget drone that lets beginners get comfortable with basic flight controls and aerial photography. While it lacks some of the more advanced features of premium drones, its incredibly low price makes it enticing for new hobbyists. Just don’t expect top-tier performance and capabilities.

9. Ryze Tello

The Ryze Tello is a mini drone focused on being easy and fun to fly for beginners. Weighing only 80 grams, this ultra portable quadcopter can pull off flips and maneuvers using its Vision Positioning System and onboard barometer. The Tello transmits photos and videos in 720p resolution directly to your smartphone via its built-in 5MP camera. While not offering the most advanced features, it has impressive stability and optic flow-powered hover precision for its size. Some of the key pros of the Ryze Tello are its incredibly low $99 price point making it one of the cheapest drones available. Its lightweight and small design makes it safe and perfect for indoor flight. Intuitive controls through the Tello app also make it ideal for learning to fly.

Pros:

• Extremely affordable at $99
• Lightweight and safe for indoor flying
• Easy to control through Tello app
• Good choice for flying practice

Cons:

• Very short 100m range
• Only 720p video resolution
• Barebones camera and video features
• Battery only lasts 13 minutes

However, the short 100 meter range and barebones 13 minute battery life leave much to be desired. Video and image quality is also limited. For users wanting high-quality aerial footage and advanced features, this basic drone understandably falls short. But for a first drone to practice flying skills without worrying about expensive crashes, the Ryze Tello is an unbeatable value.

Final words about drones are better than DJI

While DJI has led the consumer drone market for years, new competitors are catching up in areas like camera quality, flight time, and obstacle avoidance. By integrating the latest innovations in drone technology, these startups may overtake DJI as the top consumer drone brand by 2024. With the drone market rapidly evolving, customers can look forward to even more advanced aerial photography and videography capabilities in the near future.

Know more about the drones are better than DJI, please check the following video out:

FAQs about drones are better than DJI

Emerging drone brands often have newer technology, better cameras, longer flight times, and more advanced obstacle avoidance compared to DJI’s current consumer models. They are able to focus innovation in key areas.

Some key improvements over DJI drones include higher megapixel cameras for better image quality, longer flight times from more efficient motors and batteries, and more robust obstacle avoidance using computer vision.

A: Top DJI competitors include Skydio, Autel, Parrot, PowerVision, and Hubsan. Premium models from these brands often outperform similarly priced consumer DJI drones.

As a large company, DJI cannot adapt as quickly as more agile startups. Emerging brands are focused solely on drone innovation, while DJI has many product lines.

Experts predict key areas like camera resolution, flight times, and obstacle avoidance will continue improving rapidly. Drones in 2024 will capture higher quality aerial images and videos.

Consumer drone technology is improving very quickly, with new models often surpassing the capabilities of older ones within a few months or a year. Competition is driving rapid innovation.

Major drone startups often match or exceed DJI’s reliability, thanks to high quality components and advanced designs. However, DJI still leads for after-sales support.

Some top options to consider include the Skydio 2, Autel Evo 2 Pro, or PowerVision PowerEgg X. But you should compare current models and reviews before deciding.

Google：9 Drones That Are Better Than DJI in 2024 (Update 25 January 2024)

Wikipedia：9 Drones That Are Better Than DJI in 2024 (Update 25 January 2024)