I tested DJI’s new foldable drone, and would recommend it to both beginners and professionals

I’ve been testing drones for years, and it’s one of the funniest parts of my job. Whether big or small, capturing photos or shooting videos, drones give you a whole new perspective on your subjects. With the evolution of their compact and lightweight designs, they’ve even become an essential tool for vloggers and adventurers alike. 

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However, if you’re flying a drone around yourself or others, you must choose one that prioritizes safety. That’s why I’m excited about DJI’s latest drone — the Flip. Weighing in at under 250g and featuring full-coverage propeller guards, it checks almost all the boxes on my wish list for a safe and fun flying experience. Almost.

DJI Flip key specs

• Camera: 1/1.3-inch sensor; 24 mm wide-angle; f/1.7 aperture; 2.4 μm (quad Bayer 4-in-1) large pixels; dual native ISO
• 3-axis mechanical gimbal (tilt, roll, pan)
• 4K/60fps HDR video, 4K/100fps slow motion
• 10-bit D-Log M professional color mode
• 48-megapixel photo
• 3D infrared sensing system with automatic braking
• 31-minute flight time
• Level 5 wind resistance (10.7 m/s/23.9 mph)
• Dimensions: 136×62×165mm folded, 233×280×79mm unfolded 

Over the past few years, I’ve tested many DJI drones, and I can honestly say that none of them have let me down. The DJI Flip is no exception. While it may look and feel like a toy, with its all-plastic build, this little gem is a pro-grade flying camera platform, offering features that were only a dream just a few years ago.

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Imagine having a flying, stabilized 4K camera that fits right in the palm of your hand. It zooms around effortlessly, captures stunning photos and videos, automatically avoids obstacles, and even returns home if there’s a connection issue with the controller. This is truly the stuff of sci-fi.

Also, look at how it folds.

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I really like how the props fold into each other. The overall package feels a lot stronger than the other sub-250g drones I’ve flown. The folded package feels robust enough to carry around in a bag or backpack without having to use a case – though you probably should.

As a drone, the Flip is nearly perfect. The camera delivers everything a vlogger could wish for, including capturing 4K HDR and slow-motion videos. The dual native ISO feature means that you can shoot in low light without compromising the image quality. Plus, it supports 10-bit D-Log M color mode for those who want to take their footage to the next level and have ultimate control over how their footage looks in post-production. 

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What truly sets the Flip apart from other DJI drones, like the Mini Pro or Neo, is its innovative propeller guards. Instead of being made from polycarbonate, the Flip features lightweight and durable carbon fiber string, providing comprehensive protection at just 1/60th of the weight. These prop guards are excellent at preventing damage from impacts on trees, walls, and even people. I noticed this difference in build quality the moment I set up my review unit.

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As more people use drones to vlog their adventures, having a barrier between soft, squishy eyeballs and those sharp, high-speed props is essential. While the drone could still get caught in clothes or hair (and trust me, that’s not fun, and I know because I once got a drone caught on my beard, and the memory still haunts me), it won’t cause any life-changing injuries. 

Having flown a big Mavic 3 Pro just inches away from someone’s face to capture the perfect shot, I can confidently say that effective prop guards are a fantastic idea.

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I also love the charger that comes with the Fly More Combo. It can charge up to four batteries in parallel, which is a massive time saver if you’re looking to do extended shots. This means you can spend more time flying and less time babysitting the batteries.

DJI says the Flip has a 31-minute flight time on a single battery. In my tests, which were carried out in close to freezing weather and a light wind, I got an acceptable 23 minutes. Of course, your mileage will vary. My colleague, Kerry Wan, got an average closer to 25 minutes, which included testing under cooler and dry weather in upstate New York.

Dealing with microSD cards feels like 2024, so it’s good to see that the Flip comes with at least 2GB of internal storage. If you’re only shooting photos or you forget to clear your storage media before heading off, then this is a nice addition.

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That said, I do have a minor gripe. The camera/IR sensor cover can be a bit fiddly, and there’s an extra rubber cover over the camera that’s also tricky to put on and take off. The first time I tried taking it off, I felt like I was ripping the camera’s gimbal head off. I’ve since grown more used to it, but it’s still a little unnerving. But honestly, this is just a small grumble about what is otherwise a nearly perfect drone.

ZDNET’s buying advice

If you’re looking for a drone that’s compact enough, tough enough, and safe enough to take with you on your vlogging adventures, I don’t think you can go wrong with the DJI Flip<!–>. It’s easy to fly and can be flown without the controller – again, making the overall package smaller and lighter. It has advanced AI features to effortlessly keep you at the center of the shot, and the output is everything that I’ve come to expect from a DJI product.

The DJI Flip starts at $439, with the RC 2 controller bundle costing $639, while the Fly More Combo, which comes with more batteries and spare props, costs $779.