DJI Neo versus HOVERAir X1: which hand-launch drone is greatest?

The patron drone world has three new hand-launch drones to choose from — all of which had been introduced previously two weeks.

On the finish of August 2024, ZeroZero Robotics introduced the HOVERAir X1 PRO and HOVERAir X1 PROMAX. Each are upgraded variations of the older mannequin, the HoverAir X1. (For now, they’re not really delivery — simply out there for pre-order).

And a pair weeks later — in early September — DJI introduced the Neo drone. Just like the HOVERAir drones, Neo can be not but delivery within the U.S. at the very least. Although it’s already delivery in different international locations, it’s solely round now for pre-order. Neo is ready to ship Oct. 6.

The drones have some similarities. Each are hand-launch fashion, with an emphasis on selfie flying. Moreover, each are made by Chinese language drone corporations. And perhapps most critically? Each are ultra-lightweight, coming in effectively beneath the vital sub-250-gram drone weight. That exempts them from many forms of regulation.

However past that, they’re really pretty completely different. DJI Neo is the most affordable of the bunch. And positive, DJI tends to undercut the competitors, however an enormous issue within the cheaper price tag is that Neo has (for essentially the most half) inferior specs relative to the HOVERAir X1 choices.

I’ve extensively coated the greatest, inexpensive DJI drones throughout my web site already, so I’ll spare you the comparisons between DJI Neo versus different DJI drones.

However given their hand-launch similarities, Neo and the HOVERAir X1 drones have left customers questioning which of those units of drones are greatest. With that, right here’s a comparability between DJI versus the HOVERAir X1 lineup, which incorporates the HOVERAir X1 PROMAX, HOVERAir X1 PRO and HOVERAir X1 drones:

All 4 hand-launch drones, in contrast

Right here’s a have a look at these 4 drones at a look:

Key variations between DJI Neo versus HoverAir X1 drones

I’ve dug deep into these drones on their very own on separate pages. Try my final information to the DJI Neo and my information to the brand new HOVERAir X1 PRO and PROMAX drones.

Because the DJI Neo isn’t out but, that information is absolutely based mostly on specs. I did get to fly the HOVERAir X1 PRO and PROMAX drones, although it was at a press occasion the place I flew in a semi-controlled atmosphere. Drone Woman employees author did absolutely, private evaluate the unique HoverAir X1 drone, which is intensive and important.

With that in thoughts, listed here are some main standout variations — and my choose for the winner based mostly on every spec:

Out of doors flying

Winner: HOVERAir X1 PRO and HOVERAir X1 PROMAX

Each of those two drones have Stage 5 windspeed resistance, versus Stage 4 on the opposite two. That’s the distinction between flying in a breeze (Stage 5), and ideally avoiding even mild breezes (Stage 4).

After all neither of them is one thing you’d wish to fly in any type of vital climate. You’ll want a extra highly effective drone for that. For instance, the DJI Air 3 is even stronger at Stage 6 (and loads of enterprise-oriented drones may even fly in outright storms.

Moreover, the HOVERAir X1 PRO and HOVERAir X1 PROMAX are designed to fly so far as 500 meters (or a couple of third of a mile). You received’t be flying these drones tremendous far out. Once more, loads of different digicam drones can go a lot farther.

However examine that to the Neo or HOVERAir X1, which solely fly 50 and 30 meters, respectively. 50 meters is about as tall as The Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France. You may use it to fly over some shorter buildings, however don’t ship this on too far out. In any other case, it’ll robotically return to residence.

Video high quality

Winner: HOVERAir X1 PROMAX

That is the one one of many bunch that movies in 8K. After all, it’s the costliest. Fortunately, the DJI Neo and HOVERAir X1 PRO are nonetheless able to 4K. That’s greater than enough for many use circumstances. The one drone of this bunch to skip, assuming you care about video high quality, is the HOVERAir X1. Alas, it solely movies at 2.7K.

Try some video I shot utilizing the PROMAX on my Instagram (shared beneath):

High quality of drone {hardware} and total ease of use

Winner: DJI Neo

I’ll preface this by saying I haven’t gotten my fingers on the DJI Neo itself (but). It doesn’t ship within the U.S. till October, alas! However I’ll say this: I had a couple of points with the HoverAir X1 drones even in the course of the press preview. We additionally encountered points throughout our private HoverAir X1 drone evaluate.

For instance, the HoverAir X1 controller was each cheaply made and never intuitive to make use of. I really broke a bit of it off once I tried to remodel it from the triple to the double piece measurement. I additionally encountered points with the follow-me tech, the place the drone couldn’t latch onto me. As soon as, it latched onto another person behind me, after which proceeded to zoom proper previous my head (almost clipping my face) because it tried to observe that individual.

Now I’ve not flown the DJI Neo itself, however based mostly on my previous historical past of reviewing dozens of DJI drones myself, the DJI consumer expertise is mostly fairly seamless. I’ve not often had points with construct high quality, and I’ve not often damaged DJI drones — even after crashing them into bushes (sure, it occurs to me too). The entire expertise from begin to end is intuitive, all the best way from takeoff to enhancing within the DJI app. I anticipate DJI will take its years of learnings from earlier, powerhouse drones (together with their enterprise plane just like the Matrice sequence) all the best way to different, distinctive shopper drones just like the Cinewhoop-style Avata 2 FPV drone. It’ll them pour data from constructing these drones into ensuring that Neo is bought — all regardless of its $200 price ticket.

Neo versus HOVERAir: who’s every sort of drone greatest for?

With that breakdown of vital specs, let’s dive into every sort of drone. We’ll additionally uncover what sort of individual would most profit from it.

DJI Neo: you need a dependable but tremendous low-cost drone for taking selfies

At simply $199, it’s powerful to go flawed with DJI Neo. It really works outdoors, and might fly a couple of tales excessive. However usually talking, this can be a device for vloggers or content material creators. Collect distinctive angles because the both follows you, or flies in pre-programmed flight modes (like making a circle round you).

The 4K video high quality remains to be wonderful, making it good to shoot content material in your YouTube channel. And, it does provide improve choices. That features the possibility to pair it with a distant controller (that might be the FPV Distant Controller 3), do you have to choose to manage your flight extra critically.

With greater than 10 years of expertise in making a variety of inexpensive, shopper drones (and completely dominating the market in doing so), DJI Neo is a drone from a dependable, high-quality drone firm.

• Purchase DJI Neo now from Adorama for $199.
• Purchase DJI Neo now from Amazon for $199.
• Purchase DJI Neo now from B&H Picture for $199.
• Purchase DJI Neo now from Drone Nerds for $199.

HOVERAir X1: you need an inexpensive various to DJI

There’s principally one purpose to pick out the HOVERAir X1 at this level: it’s not a DJI drone. There are all types of explanation why shoppers need a DJI various. Some of us choose drones made in America (which this one is just not, because it’s additionally made in China). However DJI options additionally enchantment to individuals in search of to attenuate what’s largely thought of a DJI monopoly. Some pilots simply need one thing new to face out from the gang.

The HOVERAir X1 checks each of these final two containers. Nevertheless, its specs are inferior to DJI Neo on virtually each stage — plus it’s costlier. If you happen to do wish to examine these final two containers, you may as effectively pay extra for both the HOVERAir X1 PRO or HOVERAir X1 PROMAX. That method you’ll at the very least have superior specs to the DJI Neo.

• Purchase the HOVERAir X1 now immediately from ZeroZero Robotics.
• Purchase the HOVERAir X1 now immediately from Amazon.

HOVERAir X1 PRO: you need the PROMAX, however are on a decent finances

The HOVERAir X1 PRO packs on far more options that the DJI Neo doesn’t provide. Positive, it’s greater than twice the worth, however it could be value it.

It’s extra highly effective in out of doors flight, and it could fly farther distances, unlocking the flexibility to shoot extra panorama images or wider pictures of cities than you can with Neo. Energetic rear-side collision detection additionally makes it a bit safer to fly than Neo.

HOVERAir X1 PROMAX: you need essentially the most highly effective (but transportable and compact) drone you will get

If you happen to had been keen to pay double the worth to get the HOVERAir X1 PRO versus DJI Neo, you may as effectively spring the additional $200 for the PROMAX model. Belief me, it’s value it.

8K video on the PROMAX versus simply 4K on the PRO is killer. Extra importantly, given my emphasis on security, is the smarter collision detection. Whereas the PRO has simply lively rear-side collision detection, the PROMAX has vision-based rear-side collision detection, which successfully means smarter tech contained in the PROMAX model. Think about $200 extra for way more than that by way of your peace of thoughts.

Simply be cognizant of complete value. Positive, its beginning worth is $700. Bu what if you happen to really need all of the bells and whistles? Let’s say you need your individual controller for higher, handbook flight, otherwise you simply wish to spring for some ND filters to get higher-quality photos. In that case, anticipate to pay one thing extra within the $1,000 ballpark.

Then once more, as soon as your finances is that top, you may very effectively contemplate one of many different nice digicam drones available on the market. After all, the HOVERAir X1 PROMAX presents the ultra-small measurement and hand-launch (which is actively discouraged with most different digicam drones). However earlier than making any drone buy, nail down your priorities.

If tremendous compact measurement is vital — and also you’re not excited about handbook flight however would relatively have the drone do the work in taking your selfies — then the HOVERAir X1 PROMAX is your greatest guess.

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