Why the DJI Neo 2 Earns Its Crown as the Top Beginner Drone

The DJI Neo 2 arrived last month, building on the already impressive first-generation Neo, which launched the previous year. Multiple tests have proved that it truly does combine ease of use, safety features, and some seriously fantastic video quality, all for a price that’s hard to pass up at only $259.

It weighs only 151 grams without the extra transceiver, so you won’t even need to register it in most regions if you’re just flying for fun. The nicest feature is its palm-sized size, which makes it easy to pack in a bag and go on a trek or excursion. As an extra bonus, propeller guards are included as standard, providing some protection without feeling overly substantial.

The safety aspect, however, is the true game changer. Let’s be honest, the original Neo had some shortcomings when it came to avoiding obstacles. With the new full omnidirectional obstacle detecting, it now has forward LiDAR and infrared sensors all around. That means it can detect trees, poles, or even walls and come to a halt, or re-route its flying path in ‘follow’ mode. In terms of wind resistance, this drone can withstand gusts of up to 24 mph while remaining cool, unlike the previous version, which would simply drift around.

Let’s not forget one of the most exciting features: the ability to launch and land from your hand. Simply hold out your palm, and it lifts off like magic. You can also use gesture controls to steer it without touching a phone or remote; simply use an open hand to move it side to side or up and down, or put your palms together to bring it closer. If you want even more control, you can use the app’s voice commands.

The camera has also received a considerable boost. It retains the same 1/2-inch sensor, but it can now capture 4K footage at up to 100 frames per second for extremely smooth slow motion, or 60 frames in regular playback. For vertical shots, it can handle 2.7K direct social posts. All of this beautiful footage is kept stable and smooth thanks to a two-axis gimbal and electronic stabilization. Plus, internal storage has been increased to 49GB, allowing you to save a larger number of clips without the need for additional memory cards.

Flight time is a respectable 19 minutes per battery on a single charge in calm conditions, but in practice, it’s closer to 12 to 15 minutes with active tracking. The follow speed has been boosted to 27 mph, allowing you to lock on subjects like bikers or runners without any lag. For the more courageous, there are quick modes such as dronie pulls and helix spirals that can be initiated with a button press or gesture.

The actual frosting on the cake is that you can add an optional transmitter to convert it into a full remote-controlled or FPV setup; however, most beginners will probably not need to go that far, since the autonomous options handle most creative shots effortlessly.