The United States House of Representatives recently passed the Countering CCP Drones Act, which makes a ban on the launch of new DJI drones in the US increasingly likely. If the Senate also passes the bill, and President Biden ultimately signs it into law, it could leave a huge drone-shaped hole in American stores now and in the future, with DJI becoming the market leader.
DJI has a 70% global share of the drone market, and that number is even higher in the US. A ban on the introduction of new models, which could potentially be retroactive to cover current models, would undoubtedly limit options for US consumers. However, if the ban goes into effect, consumers won’t be completely without options as there are some excellent drones from other brands that we’ve had a lot of hands-on experience with.
We’ve hand-picked our four favorite DJI alternatives, covering a variety of use cases and budgets, from our best drones and best drones guides for beginners: guides created after countless hours of real-world testing.
Another option could come via the newly formed Anzu Robotics, which has licensed DJI hardware to create a DJI Mavic 3 replica that would be acceptable on US soil after any DJI ban, as its own version is outside China is being built and the software is being developed. in the U.S.
However, the Anzu Robotics model is three times as expensive as the Mavic 3 – a very real expense for US buyers due to the ban – and while it’s probably an excellent drone, we haven’t included it in this list because we don’t have it yet assessed.
The best DJI alternative for most people
Buy it if:
✅ You want the option of manual control: The Atom taps into the beginner drone trend by offering manual camera control in addition to automatic camera control, plus raw and JPEG photos.
✅ You need smooth videos: A sub-$400 / £400 / AU$700 drone combo kit with a 3-axis mechanical gimbal to stabilize 4K 30fps video is rare.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You want extensive safety features: Obstacle avoidance is usually only found in more expensive models.
❌ You will need ND filters: ND filters control shutter speed so you can capture smooth video in bright light, but such filters are not available for the Atom.
Potensic followed up the Atom SE with the excellent Atom, the best drone ever, which we recommend as an alternative to the DJI Mini 2 SE and the DJI Mini 3 – it sits somewhere between these two models. The Mini 3 has long been our top choice for most beginners, but the Atom is a compelling rival.
To address the Atom SE’s shortcomings, the Atom is an excellent beginner drone that, according to our review, “delivers performance that belies its low cost.” Highlights include manual camera control, raw 12 MP photos and smooth 4K video at up to 30 fps thanks to a mechanical 3-axis gimbal; features that are rare in a drone at this price level. Other improvements over the Atom SE include better GPS accuracy and intelligent flight features such as subject tracking.
As with any drone in this price range, you can’t avoid obstacles, and it’s a shame you can’t buy ND filters – needed to control shutter speed for smooth video footage in bright light. However, the Atom is fantastic value for money and is a true DJI alternative. The Fly More combo kit which adds two extra batteries, a fast-charging hub with a power adapter and a carrying case in addition to the generous accessories included in the standard kit, all for just $400 / £400 / AU$700, making it cheaper than the Mini 3.
Read our extensive Potensic Atom Review
The best DJI alternative for professionals
Buy it if:
✅ You want aperture control: Aperture adjustment is a fantastic camera feature of the DJI Air 2S.
✅ You want long flight times: The Evo Lite+ has a flight time of up to 40 minutes, which is longer than the competition.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You already have the DJI Air 2S: With a similar sensor and feature set, marginal upgrades don’t provide a compelling reason to move up to the Lite+.
❌ You plan to fly within built-up areas: Because it weighs more than 250 grams, the Lite+ comes with more restrictions on where you can fly it.
Autel, another Chinese drone company, is a high-profile DJI rival, and its Evo Lite+ takes on the Air 2S – and is better in some ways. The rival drones share similar camera specs, and the Evo Lite+ can shoot 5.4K video at 30fps using a 1-inch sensor – that 20MP sensor is larger than those entry-level models and produces cleaner images, especially in low light.
The DJI Air 2S’s top features include an adjustable aperture (ranging from f/2.8 to f/11), meaning you can easily shoot in different lighting conditions. The Evo Lite+ also features longer flight times than the Air 2S – up to 40 minutes with a fully charged battery.
Demanding professionals will miss the D-Log color profiles for video, as they’ll have to make do with standard color profiles, plus 10-bit video is missing, and you’ll have to buy the Evo Lite model to get features like 4-axis stabilization and the additional side sensors for complete obstacle avoidance. However, the Evo Lite+ has superior camera specs and is an excellent option for aerial photographers. For the money, the 20MP sensor is probably the best available on a drone today.
Read our extensive Autel Evo Lite+ review
Best DJI alternative for FPV
Buy it if:
✅ You are a first time FPV pilot: An ideal ready-made FPV kit for those who want to see what FPV drones are all about.
✅ You want the high-octane drone experience: There is a learning curve, but FPV drones are extremely fun and exciting once you acquire the skills.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You are an aspiring aerial photographer: FPV drones are for flying thrills, not photography.
❌ You get carsick: If you typically suffer from motion sickness, FPV drones in general may not be for you.
We think the BetaFPV Cetus X Kit is a top choice for novice FPV pilots. It comes with everything you need for first-person flight, including a transmitter and basic goggles. It’s a more powerful model than BetaFPV’s own Cetus Pro, with multiple flight modes and speed settings that support your growth as an FPV drone pilot, allowing you to try new tricks as your skills improve. Provided you have the guts to stick it out without succumbing to motion sickness, the Cetus X will reward you with an immersive flying experience.
We found that it took time and patience to master the Cetus X’s manual/acro mode, which often caused the FPV drone to crash. However, this is common when flying FPV drones, and the Cetus We also found that the video feed is prone to interruptions and interference.
The Cetus Battery life is a measly five minutes, but with enough power to perform simple freestyle tricks and everything in the box to get airborne, this is our favorite FPV kit for beginners.
Read our extensive BetaFPV Cetus X review
The best alternative selfie drone from DJI
Buy it if:
✅ You are a drone newbie: It’s possible to get airborne in seconds, while automatic subject tracking does the hard work for you.
✅ You want next level selfies: Smooth 2.7K video and well-implemented tracking features combine to deliver next-level selfies.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You want to master drone skills: The HoverAir X1 is primarily an automated drone – if you want manual control, there are better alternatives.
❌ You want value for money: DJI’s drones offer better value for money. However, if the DJI ban goes into effect, the HoverAir X1 could suddenly become an option at a decent price.
If you’re brand new to drones and want a fun option to get started with, the HoverAir X1 is an excellent choice. It’s a bit like a selfie stick on steroids, with decent 12MP photos and 2.7K video resolution, super smooth video footage and well-implemented subject tracking.
The HoverAir X1 is a small drone that weighs only 125 grams. It has cage-like propeller guards and is ready to take out of the box in seconds. It takes off and lands from the palm of your hand, and can be packed away in small proportions when you’re done.
If you want an easy drone with automated and reliable subject tracking, the X1 is the way to go. Flight times on a full charge are less than 10 minutes – which is a little disappointing, while the X1 is a little on the pricey side for what you get, with alternatives like the DJI Mini 4K offering better value. However, now that DJI is facing a ban, the X1 could suddenly become an excellent option.
Read our extensive HoverAir X1 review