DJI Air 3S vs HoverAir X1 Pro Max
Specs, camera quality, and ratings compared · Updated 2026
Two completely different answers to the same question: how do I get a drone to follow me? The Air 3S is a traditional camera drone with the best tracking system money can buy.
You fly it with a controller and activate ActiveTrack to follow a subject. The HoverAir X1 Pro Max doesn't use a controller at all.
You launch it from your hand, it recognizes your face, and it follows you autonomously. Same goal, opposite approaches.
Pros & Cons
DJI Air 3S
- Dual camera with a 1-inch wide sensor and 3x 70mm telephoto gives you two focal lengths without moving the drone
- LiDAR omnidirectional obstacle sensing detects obstacles down to 1 lux, making night and dusk flights practical
- ActiveTrack 360° with Cycling Mode follows subjects through complex environments while you control the path with a touch wheel
- 45-minute flight time is among the longest in any consumer drone, giving real session length without battery swaps
- 42GB internal storage plus microSD means you won't lose a session to a forgotten card
- DJI O4 transmission holds a stable 1080p feed out to distances you'd never actually need
- Level 5 wind resistance (12 m/s) handles coastal and mountain gusts that would ground a Mini-series drone
- 10-bit D-Log M and HLG color profiles give editors real latitude in post without 8-bit banding
- 724g means FAA registration is required in the US, even for recreational use
- Fixed aperture on both lenses means you need ND filters to control shutter speed in bright conditions
- $1,099 base price, and the total investment with a Fly More Combo hits $1,599
- Bulkier and heavier than the entire Mini series, doesn't fit in a jacket pocket or small bag
- No true vertical video rotation like the Mini 5 Pro. Vertical mode is a crop, which wastes sensor resolution
- Telephoto lens has a smaller 1/1.3-inch sensor, so low-light quality drops noticeably when zoomed in
- US availability is complicated by FCC Covered List restrictions, pushing buyers to third-party retailers
HoverAir X1 Pro Max
- Palm launch with one-button autonomous flight means zero piloting skill needed
- 8K at 30fps and 4K at 120fps slow-mo from a 1/1.3-inch sensor that rivals DJI Mini 4 Pro image quality
- 192.5g folds to roughly phone size (105x149mm), so it fits in a jersey pocket or hip pack
- AI tracking follows subjects at up to 42 km/h with face and body recognition built in
- Polycarbonate cage protects the props and makes it safe to fly near people
- Under 250g so no FAA registration required for recreational flying in the US
- 10+ flight modes including dedicated Cycling, Ski, and SideTrack modes you will not find on DJI drones
- 64GB internal storage plus microSD expansion up to 1TB
- 11-13 minutes real-world battery life, well below the 16-minute rating
- No GPS means no return-to-home, no waypoints, and unreliable position hold in wind
- Obstacle avoidance covers rear and sides only with nothing protecting the front
- Tracking loses the subject in dense trees, tight switchbacks, and crowded scenes
- No Log profile despite shooting 8K. Only HLG, which limits color grading flexibility
- $699 buys a DJI Mini 4 Pro with triple the flight time, GPS, and omnidirectional sensing
- Wi-Fi range caps at a few hundred meters without the $180 Beacon accessory
- Prop noise is noticeable at close range. Not a quiet drone for wildlife or discreet filming
Price Range
The Air 3S costs $1,099 for the base kit. The HoverAir X1 Pro Max costs $699. The $400 gap is significant, but these drones serve such different purposes that price isn't really the deciding factor.
You wouldn't buy the HoverAir because the Air 3S is too expensive. You'd buy it because you don't want to fly a drone with a controller.
Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all columns →
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
4.5 | 4.1 | |
| Camera & Imaging | ||
| Camera | 4K/120fps | 8K/30fps |
| Sensor Size | 1-inch CMOS (wide) + 1/1.3-inch (tele) | 1/1.3-inch CMOS |
| Aperture | f/1.8 (wide), f/2.8 (tele) | f/2.55 |
| Zoom | 3x optical (telephoto lens) | 2x digital |
| HDR | ||
| RAW/DNG | ||
| Flight Performance | ||
| Flight Time | 45 min | 16 min |
| Range | 20 km | 1 km |
| Max Speed | 21 m/s | 11.7 m/s |
| Gimbal | 3-axis mechanical | 2-axis mechanical + EIS |
| Smart Features | ||
| Obstacle Avoidance | ||
| GPS | ||
| Follow Me | ||
| Return to Home | ||
| Build & Design | ||
| Price | $1099 | $699 |
| Weight | 724g | 192.5g |
| Foldable | ||
| Buy Now | Buy Now | |
Camera and Stabilization
- Sensor: 1-inch main plus 1/1.3-inch 70mm telephoto (Air 3S) versus 1/1.3-inch with 8K photo (X1 Pro Max)
- Gimbal: 3-axis mechanical (Air 3S) versus 2-axis (X1 Pro Max)
- Tracking range: 20-30 meters with controller (Air 3S) versus 1-8 meters autonomous (X1 Pro Max)
The Air 3S produces professional-quality footage. The X1 Pro Max produces content-creator-quality footage.
Obstacle Avoidance and Control
The Air 3S has LiDAR omnidirectional obstacle avoidance and ActiveTrack 360 with Cycling Mode. You control it with a remote.
The X1 Pro Max has 3D infrared obstacle sensing and fully autonomous flight modes. You launch it from your hand, it recognizes your face, and follows without a controller.
Flight Performance and Weight
- Battery: 45 minutes (Air 3S) versus 16 minutes (X1 Pro Max)
- Weight: 724g with FAA registration (Air 3S) versus 192.5g without registration (X1 Pro Max)
Choose the DJI Air 3S if:
- You want the best possible follow-me footage quality
- You have someone to hold the controller (or can set it down while tracking)
- You need dual camera, LiDAR, and 45-minute battery for extended sessions
- Professional image quality and tracking reliability are priorities
The dual camera, LiDAR, and 45-minute battery put it in a different league for image quality.
Choose the HoverAir X1 Pro Max if:
- You are a solo content creator who wants to be in the shot
- You need no-controller operation (palm launch, face recognition, hands-free recording)
- You want the simplest possible setup (under 15 seconds from launch to recording)
- Short content clips matter more than extended professional shoots
The footage will not match the Air 3S, and the 16-minute battery limits session length. But no other drone puts you on camera with this little setup.
Our Verdict
The Air 3S if footage quality and tracking range matter. It's the superior camera and tracking system by every measurable metric. The HoverAir X1 Pro Max if you want hands-free simplicity. The entire point of the HoverAir is that you don't have to think about flying. You think about what you're doing, and the drone handles itself. These aren't competitors. They're different tools for different workflows.
DJI Air 3S
4.5/5 overall · $1099
Written by Paul Posea · Reviewed by Sarah Kim · Updated 2026-02-13