Hi everyone, I want to get my 16-year-old son his first DJI drone as a Christmas gift. I saw a deal on Amazon for a DJI Mini 4K for £209. It seems like a good deal, but I’m not sure.
Is this a decent drone for a beginner? It doesn’t have to be too advanced, just something fun and easy to use. Any advice would be really appreciated as I don’t know much about drones. Thanks in advance!
If it’s mainly for fun and not for serious filming, I’d suggest the Neo. It’s a great beginner drone, and you don’t even need a controller—just a phone with Wi-Fi works fine.
Charlie said:
If it’s mainly for fun and not for serious filming, I’d suggest the Neo. It’s a great beginner drone, and you don’t even need a controller—just a phone with Wi-Fi works fine.
Does the Neo come with built-in rotor guards? Just wondering.
@Lex
Yep, it does. Perfect for avoiding accidents.
Charlie said:
If it’s mainly for fun and not for serious filming, I’d suggest the Neo. It’s a great beginner drone, and you don’t even need a controller—just a phone with Wi-Fi works fine.
Totally agree! It’s such an easy way to start flying.
The Mini 4K is actually pretty recent—it’s an updated version of the Mini 2. If you can stretch the budget a bit, I’d recommend the Mini 3 instead. The camera is much better, and it’s quieter when flying, so it doesn’t sound like an annoying buzzing fly. It’s also more stable and responsive.
That said, if your budget is tight, the Mini 4K is still a solid choice. Just be aware that it doesn’t have obstacle sensors, so it’s easier to crash. Definitely consider getting the Fly More Combo for extra batteries—it’s worth it for longer flight times.
If I had to choose, I’d take a Mini 3 with one battery over a Mini 4K combo. You can always buy more batteries later. Hope this helps, and Merry Christmas!
@LizCampbell
The ‘updated’ version of the Mini 2 you mentioned is basically the same drone but packed with a different controller and slightly less battery life. It’s still a great drone, but calling it an update might be a stretch.
Cy said:
@Gentry
There are some differences, like the camera being able to shoot up to 4K now.
The Mini 2 already had 4K video—trust me, I have two of them. The Mini 4K loses some features like the front LED and battery life. Honestly, I’d skip it unless it’s a crazy good deal. A used Mini 3 Pro would be better if you can find one cheap.
This one looks like a good option: Amazon link.
Vail said:
This one looks like a good option: Amazon link.
Thanks! That’s actually the one I was considering. The lack of sensors worries me a little, but the Pro version is out of my budget.
I picked up the Mini 2 SE last month as my first drone, and it’s amazing for $279 USD.
The DJI Mini 4K is a great choice for the price. It offers excellent 4K footage at 30fps, but it doesn’t have HDR video or obstacle sensors. If you’re okay with that, it’s perfect for beginners.
Lian said:
The DJI Mini 4K is a great choice for the price. It offers excellent 4K footage at 30fps, but it doesn’t have HDR video or obstacle sensors. If you’re okay with that, it’s perfect for beginners.
I bought the Mini 4K recently as my first drone, and it’s been fantastic. Definitely a great way to get started.
Lian said:
The DJI Mini 4K is a great choice for the price. It offers excellent 4K footage at 30fps, but it doesn’t have HDR video or obstacle sensors. If you’re okay with that, it’s perfect for beginners.
I use the Mini 4K for filming golf videos. It’s super fun and great value for money.
Lian said:
The DJI Mini 4K is a great choice for the price. It offers excellent 4K footage at 30fps, but it doesn’t have HDR video or obstacle sensors. If you’re okay with that, it’s perfect for beginners.
I had the Mini 4K before upgrading to the Mini 4 Pro. The 4K shoots amazing footage if you don’t need HDR.
For a 16-year-old, he might enjoy an FPV drone more than a camera drone. FPVs are faster and let you do tricks, while camera drones are better for filming and photos. Maybe look at something like the DJI Avata if he’s into fast-paced flying, but it’s more expensive.
If you can afford it, go for the Mini 4 Pro. It has obstacle sensors and a better camera. It’s worth paying a bit more for fewer crashes and better footage.
Is this mainly for him to learn to fly or for photography? If it’s just for flying, I’d recommend getting a rotor guard and starting indoors or in a wide-open area. The Mini 2 SE is durable—I’ve had some crashes with mine, and it’s held up well.
If he’s more into flying for fun, the Neo might be better. It’s versatile, and you can add goggles later for a more immersive experience. If he’s into video quality, though, go for the Mini series.
