The main comparison here is going to be between the Mavic Mini versus the Xiaomi Fimi x8, as they're really in the same price category.
The Mavic air is more expensive, but it is still frequently compared to these two.
However, with the recent release of the DJI Mini 2 and Mavic Air 2, things have changed a lot, and now you can check my full comparison between the DJI MINI 2 vs the Mavic Air 2 over here.
What are you going to learn in this article?
This being said, let's get into the article itself!
You can also check my separate review for the DJI Mini 2 over here.
How many decibels does the Mavic Mini have?
I have measured the Mavic mini to have 64 decibels on average when nearby.
I have expected the Mavic Mini to have an annoying high pitched noise like the Mavic Air or the Spark, since it's a smaller drone and the motors spin faster, but it wasn't so at all. Of course it's not close to the low pitched sound of Mavic 2, but it's way less annoying than most.
Good thing I measured the decibels of each drone and compared them side by side in this noise video comparison of all DJI drones (including the Xiaomi Fimi x8).
If you're too lazy to watch that or simply want a quick answer, in the table nearby you'll find the average values for each of the drones: Mavic Mini vs Mavic Air vs Mavic 2 pro vs Spark vs Xiaomi Fimi x8.
Drag the slider from side to side, and remember that it's normal for things to differ (in this case, the sun position). Try to look at the quality, and if you want to compare the full images download the original samples from the buttons bellow.
These images are zoomed in quite a lot for you to see the differences and are shot in standard modes, without any color changes.
I personally think that for this budget you should go for the Mavic Mini if you're not a professional that uses ND filters.
It's a great choice since you don't have to register it and it's really portable. It's also slightly cheaper than the Xiaomi (with about $100).
The Xiaomi Fimi x8 is the better choice for people who want a bit more out of their drone, but aren't that concerned about registering their drone or the weight.
It is suitable to be used in more professional settings thanks to the RAW photos and adjustable camera settings.