I’m new to drones and have only used cheap ones in the $15–$150 range that broke quickly or lost signal. After doing some research, the DJI Mini 4K caught my attention as a solid beginner drone.
I’m not aiming for professional photos or fancy tricks—just flying for fun, exploring the town from above, and maybe flying in open fields. Since I’m new and money is tight (newborn expenses!), I want something budget-friendly but reliable.
The DJI Flip also looks interesting because it has built-in propeller guards, stronger signal transmission, and some obstacle avoidance features. I also like that you can launch and land it by hand—it seems convenient.
But I’ve heard mixed things about the Flip being fragile and not handling wind as well as the Mini 4K, even though both supposedly have level 5 wind resistance. Can anyone tell me if there’s a noticeable difference? And what’s a safe wind limit for flying—15mph? 20mph? Would love your input on this!
I got the Mini 4K in December and love it! It’s my first real drone, and it flies great. People who call it garbage are just nitpicking. You don’t need prop guards or obstacle avoidance—just fly smart and avoid buildings.
@Storm
True, but Specta likely has less customer support and no flyaway protection. Honestly, I’d recommend looking for a refurbished Mini 2 instead of the Mini 4K. You’ll get the DJI RC-N1 instead of the N1-C, which is a better remote.
The Mini 4 Pro is leagues ahead of the Flip. The Flip’s good if you’re upgrading from a Neo, but between the Mini 4K and the Flip, I’d pick the Mini 4K for most uses.
Shawn said:
The Mini 4 Pro is leagues ahead of the Flip. The Flip’s good if you’re upgrading from a Neo, but between the Mini 4K and the Flip, I’d pick the Mini 4K for most uses.
What about if you had to pick between just the Mini 4K and the Flip?
@Storm
I’d go with the Flip. It has a better sensor and front-facing obstacle avoidance, but battery life is the same as the Mini 4K. If you don’t care about obstacle avoidance or the upgraded sensor, save your money and stick with the Mini 4K.
@Storm
It depends on what you want. If you need a drone to follow you at walking speed, the Flip is better at lower altitudes. But overall, the Mini 4K is the more versatile option. Personally, I’d go with the Mini.
The Flip’s better than the Mini 4K. I’ve seen it crash into trees, flip, and keep flying like nothing happened. It has a better camera, more flight modes, longer flight time, and it’s beginner-friendly.
I just lost my second Mini 3 to bad decisions and a rogue wave, but I still ordered another one. It’s a great beginner drone if you don’t push it too hard. No obstacle detection can be a problem, though. My advice—buy a drone you can afford to lose, and definitely get the Care Refresh option.
Welcome to the hobby! I had a Mini 3 and went through a few of them due to crashes—they’re fragile but fun. I recently got a Flip, and it’s way more durable. It’s easy to use and great for beginners, but if you can swing it, the Avata 2 is a much better choice. If you’re leaning toward the Mini 4 Pro, it’s a great cine drone. Just make sure to buy Care Refresh for whatever you get.
I’d go with the Mini 3 FMC with the DJI RC. The Mini 4K isn’t great, and the Flip’s small props and limited battery make it hard to justify. Look for used Mini 3 bundles—they’re better value overall.
Harlan said:
I’d go with the Mini 3 FMC with the DJI RC. The Mini 4K isn’t great, and the Flip’s small props and limited battery make it hard to justify. Look for used Mini 3 bundles—they’re better value overall.
The only downside is Occusync 3 vs 4. If you want to upgrade later, that’s a bit limiting.
Harlan said:
I’d go with the Mini 3 FMC with the DJI RC. The Mini 4K isn’t great, and the Flip’s small props and limited battery make it hard to justify. Look for used Mini 3 bundles—they’re better value overall.
Let’s see some side-by-side comparisons of the Mini 4K and Neo. I’m not convinced the Mini 4K is worse.
Harlan said: @Franklin
Check out low-light comparison videos. The Mini 4K is in a Mini 2 body, so it’s smaller, gets blown around more, and drains the battery faster than the Mini 3.
The Neo has the worst camera in the lineup, not the Mini 4K. If you still think otherwise, show me some proof.