Updated on • 9 Sep 2024
REVIEW: Six Reasons To Buy The DJI Mavic Mini Drone
The DJI Mavic Mini is a ground-breaking drone which pushes innovation to another level. Here are six reasons why this lightweight and cheap drone is for you. ... Read More
The DJI Mavic Mini is here - and it's awesome!
This ground-breaking drone pushes innovation to another level, packing plenty of smart features into a teeny-tiny frame and at an affordable price - making it the drone for everyone and the perfect gadget for everyday photography and flying fun.
Here are six reasons why you should own the DJI Mavic Mini.
1: It's Seriously Light
It's Mini by name and it really is Mini by nature.
Tipping the scales at just 249 grams, the DJI Mavic Mini is seriously light. To put that into perspective, it's lighter than a can of Coke, while the recently-released iPhone 11 Pro Max weighs 226g. That means that this lean, mean flying machine is only 23g heavier than a market-leading smartphone.
Talk about portability! It means that you can slip the foldable DJI Mavic Mini into your pocket or handbag and capture life's big adventures quickly and easily. Also, the remote controller has detachable control sticks for added portability.
In essence, DJI has taken a lot of what we loved about the popular Mavic 2 drones and shrunk it into a tiny aircraft. Sure, there are some sacrifices - namely it can't capture 4K video or hasn't got object tracking - but it is seriously impressive stuff.
As an added bonus, the lightweight DJI Mavic Mini falls under the 250g threshold, meaning that it does not need to be registered in numerous countries, including the UK and USA.
2: It's Unbelievably Cheap
Cost, is, of course, a relative thing. But hitting the shelves at £369 for the standard unit or £459 for the Combo, the DJI Mavic Mini is a seriously low-priced product, especially when compared to other drones out there.
For instance, the DJI Mavic Air, which is a fairly similar drone to the Mavic Mini, breaks the £700 mark, the now-discontinued DJI Spark was over £500 and the Mavic 2 Pro and Zoom are both four-figure sums.
With a 12MP camera capable of shooting 2.7K Quad HD videos and a 3-axis mechanical gimbal, Mavic Mini provides ultra-clear, super-smooth footage of your everyday adventures.
For the price, there are some seriously impressive features here, making it the best choice in the cheapest and most powerful class of drones, as well as fulfilling the needs of daily aerial photography.
3: The Easy To Fly Family Friendly Drone
Make no mistake, the DJI Mavic Mini really is the drone for everyone. And a lot of this comes down to the fact that it is really simple to fly.
Easy-to-follow flight tutorials built into the DJI Fly app - a new app built for Mavic Mini - teach you everything you need to know, from how to ensure the drone's sensors are calibrated correctly to setting a custom 'Home Point' for the Return to Home (RTH) function.
The interface of the app only includes key information, so it is more intuitive and concise than other apps, and Auto Takeoff and RTH functions make it easier to fly. With this intuitive, convenient app, you can go from complete beginner to professional creator in no time!
Because it weighs 249g, the Mavic Mini places into the lowest and safest weight class of drones, meaning it is the ideal aircraft for new pilots, especially children.
Speaking of young'uns, the Mavic Mini would be a perfect Christmas present.
The Mavic Mini also benefits from a downward sensing system and GPS and can hover precisely, indoors and outdoors. Okay, it lacks the omnidirectional obstacle sensing of the DJI Mavic 2 Pro and Zoom, or the three-way directional environment sensing of the Mavic Air, but the Mini is still a very safe product.
And to improve that flight safety further, the Mavic Mini can be equipped with a 360° Propeller Guard that fully protects the propellers.
4: Enjoy Plenty of Air Time
One of the most impressive aspects of the DJI Mavic Mini is its flight time. Being able to stay airborne for 30 minutes is seriously impressive, especially for a drone of this class, and a drone of this price!
To put this into perspective, the Mavic 2 Pro and Zoom have an endurance of 31 minutes, while the Mavic Air lasts for a maximum of 21 minutes. It’s also nigh-on double the 16-minute flight time of the DJI Spark.
As a side note, the Mavic Mini's flight time reduces to 18 minutes with the Prop Guard.
5: Fabulous Features Take Your Fun Further
Thanks to a range of features, you can have big adventures with this small drone.
With complex cinematic moves like Drone, Circle, Helix, and Rocket just a few taps away, Mavic Mini’s QuickShot modes can make you the star of the scene. Once you’ve finished shooting, share the automatically generated short video instantly with friends on social media.
By pairing Mavic Mini with the all-new DJI Fly app, you can shoot stunning photos and videos and also edit them all within the app. New to editing? Don’t worry, choose from a variety of templates and background music. Then, when you’re done, share the finished product with your family and friends on social media with just one tap.
You can also ensure smoother motion with the all-new CineSmooth mode. Slow down Mavic Mini’s movements when flying in tight or complex spaces for an extra layer of precision and the smoothest footage possible.
So, not only is the Mavic Mini mega easy to fly, it is super simple to capture photos and shoot films. Mavic Mini enables you to easily record precious moments in your daily life, whether it is a barbecue in the garden, or family trip at the seaside, or playing football with your kids.
There are some features on other DJI drones that the Mavic Mini doesn't have, such as object tracking and HyperLapse, while the absence of follow-me mode will no doubt disappoint adrenaline sports junkies, but it is understandable why an aircraft of this size and price doesn't have every feature going.
6: Accessories Aplenty
Whether you want to personalise your Mavic Mini, or charge it in a stylish docking station, there are plenty of accessories to help you make the most of your micro drone.
First of all, the Fly More Combo includes the Mavic Mini, a remote controller, an extra pair of propellers, a 360° Propeller Guard, three flight batteries, a Two-Way Charging Hub, two USB cables, and a small carrying bag.
For extra style and functionality, the DJI Mini Bag fits your Mavic Mini, Two-Way Charging Hub, remote controller, other small objects, including products like Osmo Action and Osmo Pocket.
You will also be able to personalise Mavic Mini with a collection of shell stickers and colourful markers with the DIY Creative Kit.
Protect your Mavic Mini propellers en route to your destination with the Mavic Mini Propeller Holder (available in beige and charcoal).
Expand your creative options with the Snap Adapter and attach small accessories such as LED displays or building blocks on top of Mavic Mini.
Finally, ensure your Mavic Mini is always fully charged and ready for flight with the Charging Base, which doubles as a stylish display.
Conclusion - Why The DJI Mavic Mini Is For You
Okay, the DJI Mavic Mini isn't perfect. It would have been nice to be able to shoot 4K video, or take advantage of object tracking and HyperLapse, but for a small drone, the Mini is capable of some big things.
Its 12MP camera, long battery life, incredible portability and ease to control make it ideal for everyday photography and flying fun. The fact it weighs 249g means it is safe and ideal for newbies and children alike. And all of this for under £500!
The DJI Mavic Mini really is unrivalled.
written by
James Willoughby
James joined heliguy™ in 2018 following a 13-year stint in print and online journalism, having worked on regional and weekly newspaper titles. He is responsible for spearheading heliguy™'s content strategy and social media delivery. James collaborates with DJI Enterprise's European marketing team to coordinate and produce case studies and helps organise events and webinars.