Drones are becoming more and more popular. If you are thinking of getting a gift for someone who has a drone or is interested in drones, I have some suggestions.
When we bought our drone back in 2018, I had no idea about everything that goes with owning a drone. I have put together a list of the best gifts for drone lovers to give you some inspiration.
Also drone pilots may appreciate our free drone flight checklist – claim it here.
Note: This post contains affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information.
Contents
- Which Drone?
- Best Drone Gift Ideas
- Best Drone Books
- Fun Gifts for Your Favorite Drone Pilot
- Best Drones for Kids
- Fly Your Drone Responsibly
Which Drone?
If you are shopping for someone who is interested in a drone but doesn’t already have one, you need to figure out which drone to buy. There are a number of options here, but in general, we recommend sticking with DJI products – there is a reason why DJI is the market leader in drone technology: their products are competitively priced and well equipped.
We have a DJI Mavic Pro. Since we bought this, DJI has released the Mavic Air, the Mavic 2 Zoom, Mavic 2 Pro and Enterprises models, Mavic Mini, Air 2, Mavic Mini 2, and most recently, the Mavic Pro 3. As the Enterprise model is aimed at search and rescue organizations, we do not recommend this model.
Note that the DJI Spark has been discontinued. Also, be wary of drones that look like DJI clones. The quality is far inferior. You’ll be better off buying a cheaper drone from either DJI or Parrot.
There are many comprehensive guides about which drone to buy and reviews of the various models on YouTube. I suggest checking out Ed Ricker’s channel for his experiences with different DJI drones.
We have four recommendations for drones, depending on what you (or the person you are buying the drone for) plan to do with it once you’ve bought it. You can buy just the drone or purchase as part of a package that includes everything needed to get started (spare batteries, propellors, carrying case, etc).
Ryze Tello
This is a very good first drone. It is relatively inexpensive, and easy to fly. The camera isn’t good enough for professional use, it really struggles if there is any sort of wind and the battery life is short. That said, it’s pretty capable for the money.
Click here to check the price on the Tello Elite Max Combo.
DJI Mavic Mini 2
If we were going to by a drone today, this is the one we would go for. Those that are thinking of getting a Mavic Air would also probably be better off with the cheaper Mini because of it’s size. It is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand and weighs less than 249 grams. This is important because drone legislation in the UK covering where to fly and the permissions required applies to drones of 250 grams and upwards.
The Mavic Mini 2 can shoot 4K/30 frames per second with 10 km video transmission range and 4x digital zoom. This drone claims a battery life of 31 minutes, although I’m not sure what it actually works out to be in real life. It’s reasonably priced, and given the specification, it’s extremely good value.
Click to check the price on the Mavic Mini 2 Fly More Combo here.
DJI Mavic 3
The latest in DJI’s successful Mavic range has several improvements over earlier models. The Mavic Pro 3 is aimed at the high-end drone user. It has 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad Camera, 5.1k video, 60 frames per second at 1080p, 46 minutes of flight Time, omnidirectional obstacle sensing, and 15 km max transmission range.
Click to check the price for the Mavic 3 Fly More Combo here.
DJI FPV
The best way of getting into flying FPV (First Person View) drones without building your own. It can do 4k/60 fps video and has a battery life of 20 minutes. The DJI FPV combo includes the drone, the FPV controller and goggles. Remember that you need to have somebody with you as a ‘spotter’ if you’re wearing goggles.
Click to check the price for the DJI FPV Combo here.
Best Drone Gift Ideas
If you want to buy a present for someone who already has a drone, it is important to know which drone they have. Many accessories are drone specific. In our list of recommended gifts for drone enthusiasts, we have included options for the Mavic Mini, Mavic Air, the Mavic Pro, and the Mavic 2 Zoom & Pro.
There is one more thing to consider when buying accessories for the Mavic Mini, and that is the weight. It is 249g. All drones above 250 g are subject to additional controls in the UK. These include registration of the operator, passing a short online test, and paying an annual fee. If you add anything to the drone that will make it weigh more than 250g, these restrictions will apply.
Best Drone Goggles
Despite the name, the DJI Goggles Racing Edition are the goggles you should use with DJI drones – even if you are not planning on going drone racing! These goggles will work with any of the drones we are focusing on here except the Mavic Mini and FPV, which has its own.
Best Drone Backpack
This backpack will fit any one of the drones we mentioned and more. You can also bring your laptop and a travel tripod. It features rear access, meaning your gear is secure up against you back and you can access the equipment without fully removing the bag.
Click here to check the price on Amazon.
Best Drone Bag
This is a minefield! Ask 100 drone pilots which is the best bag to carry a drone, you’ll get 100 different answers. All the combo packages above (except the FPV) come with bags, but if you are looking for something else, here are some suggestions.
Note that there is no specific case yet for the Mavic 3 as it is too new to market. Go for the backpack, or wait a few weeks for a hard shell case to be released.
Mavic Mini or Mini 2 Case
Lykus Titan MM200 Waterproof Hard Case for DJI Mini 2 Mavic Mini 2 Fly More Combo
Click to get more information, read reviews, and check the price.
DJI Air 2 Case
Lykus Titan MA200 Waterproof Hard Case for DJI Air 2S/Mavic Air 2 Fly More Combo
Click to get more information, read reviews, and check the price.
DJI FPV Case
RLSOCO Hard Case for DJI FPV Combo
Click to get more information, read reviews, and check the price.
Best Drone Filters
There is a lot of discussion online about how important ND filters are on a drone. Quite often you will be able to fly without them. Drone cameras tend to struggle with high contrast scenes though, so if you are taking pictures and videos on a really sunny day, or capturing a sunset, you are going to wish you had them!
The purpose of ND filters when recording video is slightly different than taking still photographs. For filming an ND filter is used to allow you to set the correct shutter speed so that you can get the right amount of motion blur for the frame rate you are using. For example, if you are shooting in 25 frames per second, you need a shutter speed of around 1/50th that means on a sunny day you are probably going to need an ND filter.
We recommend getting a filter set made by PolarPro, if available, as that’s what we have. Where possible we have recommended other brands, as we know other people that are happy with these less expensive options. Note that filters are included with the Mavic Pro 3.
Mavic Mini 2/Mavic Mini Filters
PGYTECH ND Set PRO Filter for DJI Mini 2/ Mavic Mini (ND 8 16 32 64)
Click to get more information, read reviews, and check the price.
Note that PolarPro does not have any filters for the Mini.
Air 2 Filters
PolarPro Mavic Air 2 Vivid Collection
Click to get more information, read reviews, and check the price.
A cheaper option – Neewer Camera Lens Filter Neutral Density/Polarizing 2 in 1 Filter Compatible with DJI Mavic Air 2 Lens
Click to get more information, read reviews, and check the price.
DJI FPV Filters
PolarPro Premium Filter 3-Pack for DJI FPV
Click to get more information, read reviews, and check the price.
A cheaper option – Neewer 4-Pack ND Filter Kit for DJI FPV Drone
Click to get more information, read reviews, and check the price.
Best Drone Memory Card
We strongly recommend that you don’t skimp on SD cards. You need cards with a fast write speed. While these inevitably cost more, if you buy cards that don’t write fast enough, you will end up with jerky footage caused by dropped frames.
The cards we recommend are SanDisk Extreme 32GB class 3 – Click here to view the price on Amazon
Get more than one card. It’s a good idea to swap out the memory card at the same time you change the battery. This means that if the worst happens and you lose or crash your drone, you won’t lose all the footage you’ve already recorded.
Drone Landing Pad
Russell was a bit skeptical about a landing pad when we first got the drone. He didn’t see the point of a big orange mat with the letter ‘H’ for Helicopter on it. You can always find a flat bit of ground.
Having had the drone for a while, Russell changed his mind. These drones are very low to the ground, so if the grass is too long it can snag in the propeller blades. If the ground is dusty or sandy, the propellers can whip up the dust and that’s never good news for the motors on the gimbal. These days Russell is glad we have the landing mat, although he still thinks the portable helipad is a bit daft.
Click to check the price of the landing pad on Amazon here.
Drone Leg Extensions
The other way of getting the drone a bit higher off the ground is to buy some leg extensions. They work well, the only downside here is that they don’t look very good! They spoil the aesthetics of the drone a bit.
As of November 2021, no leg extensions are available for the Mavic Pro 3. We don’t recommend leg extensions for the FPV drone due to the way it flies.
Mavic Mini 2/ Mavic Mini Leg Extensions
PGYTECH Mavic Mini Landing Gear Extensions
Click to get more information, read reviews, and check the price.
DJI Air 2 Leg Extensions
PGYTECH DJI Air 2s/ Mavic Air 2 Landing Gear
Click to get more information, read reviews, and check the price.
Multiple Battery Charger
Drone batteries do not last long! It’s always a good idea to have at least one fully charged battery as a backup when you are flying, and you should always fly with a full battery.
The DJI battery charging hub is capable of charging three batteries, but only charges them one after the other. Consider getting a battery charger that can charge up to three batteries and the controller all at the same time. Much more useful! This isn’t an option for the Mavic Pro 3 yet, but hopefully soon.
Mavic Mini 2/Mavic Mini Battery Charger
LYONGTECH 6 in 1 Battery Charger for Mavic Mini or Mini 2 Drone
Click to get more information, read reviews, and check the price.
DJI Air 2 Battery Charger
LYONGTECH 6 in 1 Battery Charger for DJI Air 2 Drone
Click to get more information, read reviews, and check the price.
DJI FPV Battery Charger
Hanatora 5 in 1 Battery Charger for DJI FPV Drone
Click to get more information, read reviews, and check the price.
Propeller transport guards
When you put the drone back in the bag, or get it out again later, you’d like to know that the propellers are not going to get damaged in the process. These guards stop that from happening.
It doesn’t seem like propeller guards for the Mavic 3 or DJI FPV drones have been made yet.
Mavic Mini 2 / Mini Propeller Guards
Behorse Mavic Mini 2 Propeller Holder Stabilizer
Click to get more information, read reviews, and check the price.
DJI Air Propeller Guards
Anbee Propeller Holder Clip for DJI Mavic Air 2
Click to get more information, read reviews, and check the price.
Tablet Mount for the Controller
Some people prefer to fly using a tablet rather than a smartphone. The screen is bigger and can be easier to see. A lot of drone pilots recommend the Ipad mini 4 as the best compromise between a large screen and portability. If you’d prefer to use a tablet, this device clips into the controller where the phone would normally go and enables you to plug a tablet in instead.
This VCUTECH tablet holder is compatible with the DJI Mini 2, Mini, Air 2, and Mavic 3. The DJI FPV does not need a tablet holder.
Click here to check the price on Amazon.
Sun Shade for the Controller
Every drone pilot will need a sun shade at some point. If you’re out shooting beautiful sunny landscapes, it can be difficult to see the screen properly due to glare. This casts a shadow over the screen so you can still see to fly.
This STARTRC sun shade works for the Mavic 3, Mavic Mini 2, and DJI Air 2. You do not need a sun shade for the DJI FPV drone.
Click here to check the price on Amazon.
Spare Batteries and Spare Propellers
It might not be the most exciting of the drone gifts on our list, but everyone needs spare batteries and propellers! For batteries and propellers, only buy original parts directly from DJI, or a DJI authorized reseller.
Yes, there are cheaper batteries out there, manufactured by third parties, but there are quite a lot of sensors built into DJI’s batteries and you will want the reassurance that the battery will work exactly as expected. A drone is not cheap – why put that investment at risk with a cheap battery you can never quite rely on? Sometimes you can find these drone accessories on Amazon, but if not try the DJI website.
Best Drone Books
Another gift idea for drone enthusiasts is a book about drones. These books can help them learn about flying the drone and improving video and photography.
Drone Photography: Art and techniques
A good guide to flying and how to capture high quality images with your drone. It’s a flying camera, so just like every other camera, it’s worthwhile learning how to get the best out of it.
Read the reviews and check the price here.
Drone Pilot Log Book
DJI apps automatically record flight details, but if you fly multiple drones, or just want to be able to write your flights down, you can use a log book. There are many different types and formats available, so have a look around and find one you like.
Read reviews and check the price here.
Fun Gifts for Your Favorite Drone Pilot
If the drone pilot you are thinking of buying something for already has enough accessories, maybe a fun Christmas drone gift would make him/her smile. You can get drone t-shirts, cups, or even a drone cap.
Got Drones? T-shirt
If I Can’t Bring My Drone Mug
Drone Pilot Hat
Best Drones for Kids
We can’t leave kids out of our drone gift guide! They will want to get their hands on your drone when they see you flying it. I worry about this because the drones are so expensive and easily damaged. Instead, it may be a good idea to give your children a toy drone as a gift.
The problem with a lot of the really cheap drones out there is that they are a pain to set up and difficult to fly! That’s the reason we recommend the Ryze Tello. Although the Tello is slightly more expensive than other models out there, it behaves in much the same way as the more expensive DJI drones.
It is very easy to fly and it is quick & simple to get set up, pretty much straight out of the box. You control it using a smartphone, and while the camera isn’t going to be good enough to make the next Hollywood blockbuster, it’s good enough as a toy. It even does ok as a selfie drone – which is why we have one of these too. In our opinion, the Tello is the best drone for kids. It also makes a great starter drone.
Click here to check prices on Amazon.
Fly Your Drone Responsibly
Whatever drone you fly, please make sure you follow the rules in the country where you are flying. Drones get a pretty bad reputation sometimes when people misuse them. In some countries the penalties for not following local drone laws can be very stiff including jail time.
Because drones are a comparatively new field, the regulations surrounding them in all countries are subject to change so it’s not possible to give a complete rundown of the rules.
Here in the UK there is The Drone Code, which is similar to the regulations in many other countries, but even here the rules have changed significantly over the last two years. Safe distances from airports have been revised, online competency tests for drone operators have been introduced, along with an annual fee. There have also been major changes to the drone regulations in America and Canada. If you are planning to travel with your drone, don’t rely on what the rule were last time you were there. Check before you set off.
We also created a drone flight checklist to help you be prepared for each flight – grab it (along with a few other goodies) here.
Do you have a drone? What are some of the best drone accessories that you have bought? Do you have any other drone gift ideas to add to the list?
If you are looking for more present ideas, be sure to check out some of my other gifts lists:
-Anisa
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Last Updated on December 15, 2021
What a great idea!
Thanks Teju. Glad you like the list
The Mavic 2 Pro looks amazing! I wish I had the money to buy it as a Christmas gift. I didn’t even know there was such a thing as drone racing (shows how little I know about drones). It’s one of those things that I’ll put on the list for “when I’m rich”. I didn’t even realise that you needed filters to get good shots on extra sunny days. Great info!
Katherine – I know, I wish drones weren’t so expensive!
I’ve actually considered purchasing a drone, because I love watching the travel videos that are shot, using them. I like that you added the disclaimer about Drone etiquette. So often, people fly them, where they are not supposed to. Great list, thanks for sharing! #TheWeeklyPostcard
Kimberly – I hope you get one. They are fun but a lot more too them than I initially expected. Yes, it is important to fly responsibly!
I don’t have a drone but my teens wish that we did! #TheWeeklyPostcard
Haha yes I am sure many teens will be asking Santa for a drone. We think the Tello is the best option for teens.
Wow so cool, I really want a drone! Where’s the favourite place you’ve used it so far?
That is a tough question! So many great places but I think I will say over the different white horses in Wiltshire. We are still working on that video!
I admit, I am not a huge fan of drones, but mostly because people tend to misuse them, like you said; so I appreciate you adding the fly them responsibly part. On the other hand, I appreciate them as a great tool for fantastic photos and videos. Also, I recently read about conservationists using them to understand wildife habits better – what a great idea! Now if they just started making them less noisy, and people learned to fly them responsibly, I’d be a great fan, I’m sure.
This is a great article though for those who have them or know someone who does. You have so many great ideas for accessories as present: things that you might not consider buying after spending so much on the drone itself.
Emese – I agree it is really upsetting when people are irresponsible with drones. There are so many good uses for them too though. I also saw something about lifeguards using them at beaches.
I’m always fascinated with the idea of drones and the footage, but I’m overwhelmed with the idea of keeping up with all the drone codes. I hadn’t ever thought about the accessories that you could add to your drone – like filters… this seems like another very expensive habit to start, lol. I do love the images that come from drones though.
Sara – This is a lot of behind the scenes stuff with drones, but we think it is worth it to get the footage
Your post made me smile Anisa, because my husband is drone obsessed. He has an entire fleet of drones. ALL the ones you listed above, plus 5-6 older models! Crazy, huh? Well, I showed him your post and he agrees with your recommendations. He believes the Pro 2 is the best however.
Haha Anda! Our husbands would get along well. That is quite an impressive drone fleet!
I didn’t realize there were so many drone accessories out there!
Haha! Yes, I didn’t realize either until we bought our drone
I am beginning to think drones are pretty cool, been watching all the archaeology programs on UK TV about what drones are uncovering from the air. Neat post and good timing! Thanks for sharing on #theweeklypostcard
Carolyn – I agree. Drones give you such a different perspective. Glad you enjoyed the post.
I’m still in the process of reading about drones and haven’t yet made a purchase. It’s interesting to see the array of equipment available.
Stuart – Understandable. Buying a drone is a big purchase so you want to get it right one. Accessories are important too. Let me know if you have questions about it.
I often find drones to be annoying because they are so frequently misused and the buzz they make drives me crazy (especially in peaceful places), but Laurence loves to play around with his Mavic Pro 😉 Yes, we’ve definitely found that extra accessories (plus insurance) are important based on our experience and experiences of others we know, especially with how fragile some of the pieces are. I think we’ve had to replace the entire drone once plus several blades so far. We don’t use ours that often given restrictions but it definitely comes in handy in getting certain angles and types of photos/videos.
Yes, it is so upsetting when people are irresponsible with their drones. It gives everyone a bad reputation. Luckily we have only had to replace the propellers.
Thanks for this list, Anisa! It will make holiday shopping easier for a few people I know. I’ll just forward this to them, and let them pick something. I’m sure I will enjoy it! 😉
Rob – Sounds like a plan, glad you enjoyed the list.