Best Drone Under $500 in 2021: DJI Mini 2
Ever since we started reporting on drones 2016, two phenomenon have emerged: prices keep going lower and quality keeps going higher. Back then it would have been a challeng a good quality drone under $500 that didn’t have some shortcomings compared to models today.
Drone industry leader DJI recognized early on that the sub-$500 price point was an untapped market and created their first entry-level drone, the Spark, to fill it. Quickly. Spark had 16 minute battery life, 1080p30fps video, 12MP stills and Intelligent Flight Modes. But it was that short battery life and a weak wifi-enabled controller that ultimately doomed the Spark once better models came along.
Don’t Sacrifice Quality
DJI launched the original Mavic Mini in the fall of 2019 with some incredible features for such a tiny aircraft. Under 250 grams so no license required in many countries. 30 minute flight time and improved image/video performance made it an instant hit.
But the original Mini struggled in the wind, the video topped out at 2.K, and a weaker wifi based controller caused flight issues depending on the environment.
One year later, DJI released the Mini 2, dropping the Mavic name. The new Mini 2 was everything the original Mini should have been. Upgraded camera, video, remote control and performance.
There’s very little in the Mini 2 that you won’t love. And almost all of the professionals we know carry a Mini 2 in their bag along with their Mavic 2 Series drones.
More Confident Flight
DJI’s flagship Mavic 2 Pro and Mavic Air 2 drones use OcuSync 2.0, the gold-standard for signal quality transmission between the aircraft and the remote. DJI’s upper end pro-sumer drones like the Mavic 2, Mavic Air 2 and Phantom 4 V2.0 all use OcuSync 2.0.
OcuSync 2.0 technology extends Mini 2’s transmission range with stronger resistance against signal interference by automatically adjusting between two frequencies. The stronger OcuSync 2.0 signal also extends Mini 2’s max transmission distance to 10 km for even more flexibility. Worry-free flight has never been this easy.
And it truly is worry-free. Wifi controllers tend to glitch out if there’s any interference, and once image transmission starts to lag it really takes the fun, and confidence, out of a flight.
Because Mini 2 uses OcuSync 2.0 there’s also a good chance it will also be compatible with the DJI Smart Controller in a future firmware update. That would be epic.
Level 5 Wind Resistence
The original Mini had Level 4 wind resistence and struggled in winds above 8 m/s (about 18mph). Some pilots lost their drone altogether by unknowingly flying the drone away from them “with the wind” and fighting the wind returning to home.
Mini 2 has Level 5 wind resistence, the same as the Mavic 2 Series, Mavic Air 2 and Phantom 4 V2.0 drones.
When winds were higher I always used to reach for my Mavic 2 Pro. Now I have the choice to use either, or both.
Better Camera Specs
Mini 2 is capable of 4K30fps video, the minimum for any drone in 2021. Unfortunately the original Mini topped out at 2.7K30fps. To make matters worse, the Mini’s bitrate (the speed it writes video to the SD card) was only 40 Mbps.
In the move to 4K, DJI upped the bitrate to 100 Mbps for a much higher quality experience when capturing and recording.
Mini 2 also increased the max framerate when shooting 2.7K video to 50/60fps letting you slow down the video in production for buttery smooth drama and feels.
Still Image quality is better in the Mini 2 as well with the addition of RAW format, 2x/4x Zoom and Auto Exposure Bracketing.
Intelligent Flight Modes in the Mini 2 are beefed up with Dronie, Helix, Rocket, Circle and Boomerang and 3 different Panorama modes: Sphere, 180 and Wide.
Powerful In-App Editing
Mini 2 takes to the air with the DJI Fly app, a friendlier version of DJI GO 4 that’s used with the bigger drones. But keeping it simple doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your capture or editing choices. Full manual exposure control puts you in charge of ISO and exposure for the perfect shot or to get the most cinematic video with a Neutral Density filter.
The new Enhanced Photo feature automatically enhances photos in the app, and using QuickTransfer you can move those photos and videos lighting fast to your smartphone at 20 MB/s for immediate social sharing.
Mini 2 For The Win
The original appeal of the Mini series was it’s weight. The sub-250g aircraft meant no registration, or licensing, depending on your location opening up easier flying for everyone.
Packed with features close or equal to higher grade drones like the Mavic 2 Series, the Mini 2 easily has the power and the features for anyone looking to do shoot quality photo and video from the air. And with a 31 minute battery, you’re not giving up anything.
Mini 2 is so much more than the perfect beginner drone. With much of the power and features of bigger, more expensive drones it will easily find a home and a lot of use in any camera bag.
Mini 2 is one of our favorite DJI drones, and get’s a well deserved BUY recommendation in our 2021 Drone Buyers Guide.
Mini 2 is available in the Basic kit (1 battery, drone, remote) for US$419, but we always recommend the Fly More Combo with 3 batteries, a charging hub, extra props and a surprisingly good shoulder bag for $559.
|Shop the Mini 2 at DJI Store|
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