/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25761386/dji_mini_3_1.jpg "The DJI Mini 3 is 0 off and matching its record low for Black Friday")
I’ve been itching to get my hands on an easy-to-use hobbyist drone that I won’t hate myself for eventually breaking. The DJI Mini 3 has been at the top of my list: it hits the mark as a compact drone that you can pilot without having to attend aviation school, and I’ll probably go ahead and bite the bullet now that it’s back down to its record-low price — especially considering I may eventually lose my chance to get one at all. You can get the smallish aircraft right now for $329 ($90 off) at DJI’s online store for Black Friday.
The package featured here includes a battery (extras cost $65 each) and DJI’s RC-N1 remote. The latter doesn’t have an integrated display, but you can add one that does for another $100. If you’re just looking for the cheapest drone you can buy from the brand, the $199 DJI Neo exists, but doesn’t quite match the Mini 3’s image capabilities, though a recent update added vertical video. The Neo also ships without a remote, but can fly on its own using various subject tracking modes, which the Mini 3 lacks.
The DJI Mini 3 weighs just 8.8 ounces (249 grams), and it’s small enough to grip in one hand or toss in any bag. That’s why it doesn’t require FAA registration to fly in the US, making it an attractive option for casual users. It sports a pretty good camera system with horizontal and vertical 4K HDR video at up to 30 frames per second, or up to 60 frames per second at lower resolutions. You can also use it to take 48MP stills. The resulting footage and photos look great from the many samples I’ve viewed, even if it’s not quite as flexible for advanced color grading as some of DJI’s costlier drones. But you’re not really looking for a beginner drone if that’s what’s on your mind.
Another area it’s lacking compared to the DJI Air 3 or even the DJI Mini 4 Pro is object avoidance, as there are no front, rear, or side sensors. You’d have to pay hundreds more for that privilege, so unless you’re interested in dramatically expanding your budget, just get the Mini 3 and take care when flying it low or in crowded airspaces.
