Dronesgator logo

What drones are better than DJI? (7 Best DJI Alternatives)

Updated in 2023 by Paul Posea
best-dji-alternatives

It can be frustrating to see DJI drones recommended everywhere, so you might ask yourself if there are drones out there that are better than DJI for their price.

As a long-term reviewer of all sorts of drones, I made a list of alternatives for DJI drones that can cover every need you might have and can have benefits compared to the drones the DJI tech giant commercializes.

Here are the drones that can be better for you than DJI:

  • Autel Evo 2
  • Hubsan Zino Mini pro
  • Parrot Anafi
  • SJRC F11 4k Pro
  • PowerVision PowerEgg X
  • Emax Tinyhawk 2
  • Potensic A20
  • Ryze Tello
  • Skydio 2

Table comparing DJI drones to alternatives

Mini ProMini SEZino 2 PlusZino Pro +Zino ProH501s
Cam4k 60p4k4k 60p4k4k1080p
Battery40 min45 min35 min43 min23 min20 min
Range10 km6 km9 km8 km4 km300m
Sensor1 /1.31/ 2.61/ 2.31/31/3-
Mp48MP12Mp12MP12 mp12 mp3 mp
Trackingyesyesyesyesyesyes
Mbps2001001006060-
Sensorsyesnonononono
Aperturef1/85f/2.2f/ 2.2f/ 2.2f/ 2.2-
GPSyesyesyesyesyesyes
Return Homeyesyesyesyesyesyes

My top 3 DJI alternatives

Here's a quick pick for my top choices if you're in a hurry and want the best camera drones that aren't DJI.

1.Best under 250g 

hubsan-zino-mini-pro-thumbnail

Hubsan Zino Mini Pro

  • under 250 grams
  • 40 min battery
  • 10 km range
  • follow me
  • large sensor

2.Mavic Pro Alternative

autel-evo-2-drone.jpg

Autel Evo 2

  • up to 8 k resolution
  • 40 min battery life
  • 10 km range
  • Obstacle avoidance

3.Cheap DJI alternative

sjrc-f11-4k-pro-small

SJRC F11 4k Pro

  • Budgets below $300
  • Gimbal stabilization + EIS
  • 25 min batt | 1.2km range
  • 4k camera | GPS

Who is DJI's biggest competitor?

If you're curious what actual companies can compete on a similar level with DJI, only a few stand out from the crowd.

DJI's biggest competitors are the companies Autel, Yuneec, Parrot, and recently Hubsan, who are getting into the world of professional drones and creating drones with very similar technology to DJI.

DJI stands at the forefront of drone innovation, and most other companies are copying major aspects of the newer technology DJI comes with.

manual price where to buy

What are the best DJI drone alternatives?

Let's have a look at the best DJI drone alternatives and what each of their purposes is. Of course, not all are necessarily better than DJI, but they can all be considered at least equals.

1.Hubsan Zino Mini Pro - Best DJI Mini 2 alternative

camera-icon-spec

4k 30p

battery-icon-spec

40 min

range-icon-spec

10 km

drone-icon-spec

Follow me

zino mini in flight

The DJI Mini 2 is an outstanding drone, so it's pretty tricky to find something even better which weighs less than 250 grams, but now there is hope.

The best DJI Mini 2 alternative is the Hubsan Zino Mini Pro, a drone that weighs under 250 grams, comes with a 3 axis gimbal and "follow me" option. In addition, it improves on the Mini 2 by adding forward sensors and a 40 min battery.

It goes head to head with all of the DJI's Mini 2 specs and beats it most, including battery life, larger sensor sizes (1/1.3" vs. 1/2.3"), and improved bitrate.

This, in theory, translates to better images during low light and a better overall image. You can check a video on youtube with more details about this drone.

I have also compared the DJI Mini 2 vs. the Zino Mini Pro in another article.

A D V A N T A G E S

  • follow me option
  • under 250 g
  • long battery and range
  • large sensor size
  • bottom light

D I S A D V A N T A G E S

  • harder to find online
dji mini 2 alternative specs compared with zino mini pro

2.Autel evo 2 - Best Mavic 2 Pro Alternative

camera-icon-spec

6k/8k

battery-icon-spec

40 min

range-icon-spec

9 km

drone-icon-spec

Obstacle avoidance

evo-2-small

The Mavic 2 Pro is a legendary drone that was the first of its kind to have a 1-inch sensor in a foldable drone, so what is its best non-DJI alternative?

The best Mavic 2 Pro alternative is the Autel Evo 2 drone that comes with more battery life (40 min vs. 31 min), a more solid build, and a zoom camera option without the sensor size compromise.

The Autel Evo 2, while bulkier than its competitor, is still a very slim foldable drone by most standards, yet it flies with extreme precision and utilizes sensors in multiple directions, just like the Mavic 2 for obstacle avoidance and precise landing.

The high resolutions and built-in zoom function allow some of the benefits of the Mavic 2 Zoom without getting closer to the subject.

The camera is also exemplary, and the colors are true to life, being able to shoot 10 bit HDR, and most packages come with a multitude of accessories included.

Autel is one of the few companies that can go head to head regarding image quality versus DJI.

A D V A N T A G E S

  • Super solid build
  • Professional camera
  • 1-inch sensor option
  • long-lasting battery life
  • great obstacle avoidance

D I S A D V A N T A G E S

  • It is heavier than Mavic 2 Pro

3. SJRC F11 4k PRO - Best cheap DJI Alternative

camera-icon-spec

6k/8k

battery-icon-spec

40 min

range-icon-spec

9 km

drone-icon-spec

Obstacle avoidance

sjrc-f11-4k-pro-drone-review-update

If you're looking for a decent camera drone as a hobbyist but consider DJI isn't in your budget, what would be the best cheap DJI Alternative?

The SJRC F11 4k PRO is the best cheap DJI camera drone alternative that's foldable, comes with a 3 axis gimbal, GPS and is marketed towards people on a lower budget who still want a great camera drone.

In my experience testing it alongside many other similarly priced quadcopters, I have to admit there aren't many that can compete with it for this budget. The gimbal is relatively steady, the video quality is decent, and all that comes in a compact package with robust and durable brushless motors.

The SJRC F11 4k is a perfect non-DJI drone for beginners who want to experience flight and don't need highly excellent image quality (but still consider image stabilization necessary).

A D V A N T A G E S

  • cheaper than DJI
  • 3 axis gimbal
  • Brushless motors
  • great for beginners
  • Stable GPS

D I S A D V A N T A G E S

  • None for the price, but inferior to higher-priced DJI models

4.PowerVision PowerEgg X - Best Waterproof DJI alternative

camera-icon-spec

4k

battery-icon-spec

30 min

range-icon-spec

6 km

drone-icon-spec

waterproof

powervision poweregg x waterproof drone

It's no secret that DJI hasn't produced any waterproof drone so far, so it's quite easy to find a competitor who does that.

The PowerVision PowerEgg X is the best waterproof DJI alternative that can both float on the water and take off from it. It's also modular and the camera bay can be detached for turning it into a handheld.

The PowerEgg X can also take off from water and comes with two forward-facing obstacle sensors and the follow-me option. To make it waterproof, you need to encase it in a transparent shell that doesn't take too long. This is the favorite of my top waterproof drones, but you can check my full article to see some more models.

A D V A N T A G E S

  • Waterproof shell
  • Affordable pricing
  • Ability to turn into a handheld device
  • Can Land on water
  • Returns to home
  • Can follow you
  • Has a modular design

D I S A D V A N T A G E S

  • Can take some time to mount the accessories

5. Parrot Anafi - Best Mavic Air 2 Alternative

camera-icon-spec

4k

battery-icon-spec

25 min

range-icon-spec

4 km

drone-icon-spec

EIS

parrot anafi looking up 90 degrees

It's tough to find a Mavic Air or Mavic Air 2 alternative as they're some of the best drones for the money, but there is an option to consider.

The Parrot Anafi is considered to be the best Mavic Air 2 alternative. It's made in the USA and with a lot of intelligent flight modes and a built-in lossless zoom camera that can look above the drone.

The Anafi is quite a bit different as it comes with a 2 axis gimbal, but the footage is stabilized electronically as well to compensate for the missing mechanical axis stabilization, and the final video ends up looking great overall.

A D V A N T A G E S

  • Can film 90 degrees up
  • Lossless Zoom
  • lots of flight modes
  • Quiet
  • Small size

D I S A D V A N T A G E S

  • card slot must be handled carefully

6. Skydio 2 -Best DJI alternative with Follow me mode

camera-icon-spec

4k 60p

battery-icon-spec

25 min

range-icon-spec

3.5 km

drone-icon-spec

3 axis

skydio drone small

If you're wondering if drones have better tracking than DJI, there's an easy answer for that.

The best DJI alternative with follow me mode and better tracking is the Skydio 2. It's a drone made for sports and tracking in the most difficult conditions, thanks to the 360-degree cameras with a total of 45 mp of visual data.

It's built to avoid obstacles even through tight spaces, something which even the most modern drones from DJI like the Mavic Air 2s have a difficult time with.

The camera shoots in 4k 60p and is comparable to what DJI can achieve. Still, it's more oriented for action-packed adventures than cinematography, making things easier in terms of camera settings and exposure with their Video HDR shooting mode, which makes it easy to do the right exposure.

A D V A N T A G E S

  • Best obstacle avoidance
  • HDR video mode
  • auto follow beacon
  • 4k 60p

D I S A D V A N T A G E S

  • not foldable

7.Xiaomi Fimi X8

camera-icon-spec

4k

battery-icon-spec

33 min

range-icon-spec

5 km

drone-icon-spec

foldable

xiaomi-fimi-x8-SE-drone-review.jpg

The Xiaomi Fimi x8 is one of the best drones from Xiaomi, one of the main competitors of DJI, which has a history of producing reasonably priced high-quality tech, and drones haven't been excluded.

I tested the Fimi x8, and it stands as a well-built drone with a capable 4k camera, long battery life. Even though the camera quality is slightly inferior to the high-end DJI models, it still surpasses most of the drones in its price range (below $500).

A D V A N T A G E S

  • Good wind resistance
  • Great Controller
  • Good gimbal stabilization
  • Good price

D I S A D V A N T A G E S

  • Requires color adjustments

8. Potensic A20 - Best alternative drone for beginners

camera-icon-spec

no cam

battery-icon-spec

6 min

range-icon-spec

60 m

drone-icon-spec

Durable

potensic a20 red

The Potensic A20 is a straightforward drone for beginners who want to learn the basics of flight indoors. It doesn't have a camera; it's made for crashing and trying cool moves. Check out my other beginner drones on this site.

A D V A N T A G E S

D I S A D V A N T A G E S

  • no camera

9. Ryze Tello

camera-icon-spec

720p

battery-icon-spec

12 min

range-icon-spec

60 m

drone-icon-spec

EIS

dji tello with prop guards for beginners

Ryze is a separate company from DJI; however, the drone has been made in collaboration with DJI, and it turned out to be one of the most popular beginner drones for the last years, which even comes with a camera.

This drone pioneered the bottom-facing sensors for stable flight and even electronically stabilized footage, which is still unheard of for a drone under $100.

It can take incredibly good photos, as I've shown in this youtube video, and because it flies steadily, it's very easy even for kids to use their phone to learn the basics of flight while also taking pictures.

A D V A N T A G E S

  • Stable flight
  • Under $100
  • stabilized footage
  • basic flight modes

D I S A D V A N T A G E S

  • no controller (only phone)
faq what should you look for in a drone

Why pick an alternative to DJI drones?

There's no doubt that DJI drones are some of the best in the world, and there's hardly any competition in that space, but if that's true, why should you look for an alternative in the first place?

There are a few reasons why you may want a DJI alternative, which could prove to even be a better drone for your specific needs.

Here are the main reasons:

DJI sells expensive drones

To be a DJI client you need to have at least $500 in your pocket for most acquisitions, and that's the lower end. So if you're looking for a simpler beginner drone, or even a good camera one priced cheaper, DJI might not fit in the budget.

Industrial needs

DJI hasn't yet penetrated the long-range and long battery-life drone market, where you'll usually find fixed-wing drones that can do long-range mapping missions or even for certain agricultural needs.

Want to support local companies

Companies like Parrot in the US can be a great choice if you're looking to support different companies that are based in your country. However, since DJI is based in China, it can turn off some people from buying them.

Their drones don't entirely fit your needs

While DJI has recently expanded their drone fleet to include cheaper drones like the DJI Mini 2 and even an FPV drone, they still haven't covered areas like waterproof drones, beginner FPV quads, or fixed-wing drones.

Conclusion to DJI alternatives

It's not difficult to find drones that are better than DJI if you know where to look, but if you don't care about the company that's producing them, I recommend you check my list with the best drones for sale.

author-paul-posea-picture
Hi, I'm Paul.
A big drone enthusiast, reviewing, comparing and writing about drones since 2015. I'm all about helping people enjoy and even monetize their hobby.

Become an FAA-Certified Drone Pilot

  • make money from your passion
  • pass the Part 107 test Guarantee (money back
  • 50,000 students and 3,000+ reviews

Use the code DRONESGATOR for $50 off 

Show me the Course!
paul posea
Paul Posea
Hi, I'm a long-time drone reviewer and I hope my articles and comparisons on this site as well as Dronesgator's youtube channel are of as much help as possible.
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram