DJI Neo review

The DJI Neo is built for people who want footage of themselves more than they want to learn to fly. At 135 g it is DJI's lightest drone, and it ships with full-coverage propeller guards, so it is safe enough to launch indoors or in a crowd. You press the mode button, pick a shot and it takes off from your palm, tracks you and lands back in your hand, all without a remote. DJI says each battery handles at least 20 palm takeoffs and landings in a row. Through the DJI Fly app you can steer it from a phone or use English voice commands, and it also works with DJI's RC-N3 remote, goggles and RC Motion controller if you want more control later. The camera is a 1/2 inch sensor on a single-axis gimbal with electronic stabilization, recording 4K at 30 fps to 22 GB of internal storage. Flight time is about 18 minutes, and sensing is downward only.

Who it is for

Beginners who want a pocket drone that films them hands-free, indoors or out, with no remote to learn.

Price

See vendor pricing (USD check pending).

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• 135 g takeoff weight
• Full-coverage propeller guards included
• Palm takeoff and landing with the mode button, no remote needed
• Subject tracking, QuickShots and voice control via the DJI Fly app
• 22 GB internal storage and optional remote, goggles or RC Motion control

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Lightest DJI drone and simplest to launch
• Strength: Guards make indoor flying practical
• Strength: Can grow into remote or FPV goggle flying
• Weakness: USD price could not be checked from our location
• Weakness: Single-axis gimbal and 1/2 inch sensor
• Weakness: About 18 minutes per battery and only downward sensing

Key facts

• Weight: 135 g
• Max video: 4K at 30 fps
• Flight time: About 18 minutes
• Gimbal: Single-axis plus EIS
• Storage: 22 GB built in

Where it ranks

DJI Neo is No. 4 in our Best Drones for Beginners verdict.