Around this time each year, I release my drone guide and recommendations for the holidays - here is a quick preview

• Budget Pick - DJI Mavic Mini 2 $449

• The Drone that will suit 90% of us - DJI Mini 3 Pro $759

• Best Quality Photos & Video - DJI Mavic 3 Classic $1749 (NEW)

• The Fun to Fly Drone - DJI FPV Avata $1,168

I will be expanding on these recommendations in the coming weeks - feel free to bookmark this page.

Basically, most of us would be just fine with the Mini 3 pro- Obstacle avoidance, 34-minute flight time❈, obstacle tracking, and 4k video features with solid quality. This plus true vertical shooting for the increasingly popular format. The DJI Mini 3 Pro manages all of this packaged in a very travel-friendly and travel-feature-friendly body that doesn’t require FAA registration.
❈The flight time can be extended to 47 minutes with the plus battery but this does put it over the weight and requires a $5 FAA registration.

The DJI Mavic 3 Classic just announced Nov 2, 2022

Last year DJI Announced the DJI Mavic 3 - offering an awesome micro 4/3rds sensor AND a secondary sensor with zoom capabilities in one with a staggering 46-minute flight time. Pricing for this drone starts at $2049 and goes up to $4999 for the CINE version capable of recording RAW video directly to an internal SSD!

The new CLASSIC version of this drone drops the extra sensor with zoom capabilities and provides basically everything else at a reasonable price. They even offer a remote-free version allowing you to use one of your existing DJI remotes (not all are compatible) bringing the price down to just $1469

• 20MP 5.1K Wide-Angle 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad

• 4K Slow Motion at 120 fps

• 10-Bit D-Log Color Profile & HNCS

• f/2.8 to f/11 Adjustable Aperture

• Omnidirectional Obstacle Avoidance

• Up to 9.3-Mile HD Transmission Range

• Advanced Return-to-Home Function

• Automated Shooting Modes

• Up to 46 Minutes of Flight Time

Honestly unless you are making money flying your drone the Mini 3 Pro is going to offer what you need and it does it in a much more travel friendly package.

Watch this space for updated content and reviews. Full reviews of the Avata and Mini 3 Pro coming soon.

I flew the DJI Mavic 3 Cine in Antarctica

I flew the DJI Mavic 3 (non-cine version) in Greenland

I flew the DJI Air 2S in the Arctic

The Air 2 S is no longer on my recommended list because the Mini 3 Pro can do everything the Air 2 S can do in a smaller, lighter and more portable package.