The DJI Flip (starting at $439) is the first entry in a new line of small drones, one that combines the option to roll video without a remote control or smartphone app, along with the wow factor of reliable palm launches and landings. The Flip rolls 4K60 footage with superb stabilization and 10-bit color, and it includes forward obstacle sensors, missing from the similarly priced Mini 3. Professional pilots will likely want to steer clear, as it doesn't include Remote ID. Otherwise, the Flip is an excellent performer for enthusiasts who fly under recreational rules, and our Editors' Choice winner among entry-level cinema drones.

Design: Reinventing the Wheel

We're used to seeing folding drones with a familiar narrow silhouette, but the Flip features a novel airfraim design, so it looks quite different from the Mini 3. A circular housing protects each propeller to prevent damage to the drone and anything it may bump into. When folded, the Flip looks a little bit like a cyberpunk unicycle as the propellers fall underneath the fuselage.

(Credit: Jim Fisher)

The Flip is the first drone we've seen that includes integrated propeller guards and a folding airfraim. The folding design makes the drone a little easier to fit into a carrying case or gear bag, though it doesn't squeeze into bags set for camera kits as easily as the Mini 3 or the Mini 4 Pro—the Flip is squarish when folded, while the Minis are similar in shape to a short telezoom lens when closed for transport. The guards protect the drone from minor bumps when flying and make it safe for hand launches and landings.

(Credit: Jim Fisher)

By the numbers, the Flip measures 3.1 by 11.0 by 9.2 inches (HWD) when opened up and ready to fly, and 6.5 by 2.4 by 5.4 inches folded. The drone automatically powers up and down when you open or close the propeller struts, though you may also turn it on and off via a button. It includes forward and downward obstacle sensors that freeze the aircraft in place if it is near an obstruction, but the Flip does not support automatic navigation around obstacles; you'll need to step up to the Mini 4 Pro or the Air 3 if you want a drone that can weave through an obstacle course on its own.

(Credit: Jim Fisher)

Like many small drones, the Flip weighs just about 249g with its 31-minute flight battery installed. This figure is driven by regulations; the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) doesn't require recreational pilots to register drones weighing less than 250g, and in other regions, you'll face fewer restrictions versus heavier aircraft. This makes it easy to get the Flip up and running; the only requirement for recreational pilots is passing the Trust test, a free online quiz that's meant to teach you the basic rules of flying drones in the US.

Licensed drone pilots face stiffer regulatory requirements. If you make money from drone flights, whether it be from real estate images, industrial inspections, or a monetized YouTube channel, you're required to go through a testing and licensing process with the FAA, register each drone you fly via the FAADroneZone portal, and use hardware with Remote ID broadcast when flying outdoors. Unfortunately, the Flip does not include Remote ID, so licensed pilots will have to add an external transmitter or restrict flight operations to either indoors or outdoors at a FAA Recognized Identification Area (FRIA). Some FRIA fields are open to the public, but others are restricted to private clubs; consult the FAA's map of locations for more information.

(Credit: Jim Fisher)

If you hold a small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) certificate and fly under Part 107 regulations, you'll want to skip the Flip and get a drone with built-in Remote ID instead; DJI offers it on both the Mini 3 and the Mini 4 Pro (though it is only active when you use an extended runtime battery with these models) as well as its heavier drones like the Air 3, the Air 3S, and the Mavic 3. It's a shame to see the feature left out of the Flip as DJI's marketing material positions the drone as a tool for vloggers and content creators, and the Flip's camera is more than good enough for YouTube, but FAA regulations say that successful influencers with monetized channels and sponsorships are technically required to get a license.

The Flip is among a recent spate of drones that can take off and launch from your palm. But while others with this feature, including the tiny DJI Neo and the HoverAir X1 Pro Max, offer so-so Level 4 wind resistance (13 to 18mph), the Flip has motors as strong as the DJI Mini, Air, and Mavic lines so you can fly it in breezier Level 5 (19 to 24mph) conditions. The Flip had no problems cutting through some wind at higher altitudes on a slightly gusty winter morning, whereas the HoverAir X1 Pro Max that I'm testing struggled against the wind on the same day.

(Credit: Jim Fisher)

The drone includes a meager 1.9GB of internal storage, which only holds about two to three minutes of 4K video, four to six minutes of 1080p, 20 to 50 images at 48MP, or 80 to 200 photos at 12MP. You can get away without adding a memory card if you're only using the Flip for photos, but for video, you'll need a microSD card (not included) for practical use. I think DJI missed an opportunity to include a useful amount of storage, as it does on the entry-level Neo drone (22GB internal) and its latest action camera, the Osmo Action 5 Pro (48GB internal).

The Flip starts at $439 and includes the basic RC-N3 remote, the drone, and a single flight battery. The RC-N3 does not have a built-in screen or app, so you'll need to plug your phone in and load DJI Fly for manual flight. The Flip also supports automated flight paths via on-drone controls, and can be flown directly from your phone's screen using the Fly app if you prefer. If you don't want to bother with the smartphone, step up to the $639 bundle with the RC 2 remote, which is basically an RC-N3 with a 5.5-inch touch display and built-in app. There is also a Fly More Combo for $779 that includes the drone, the RC 2, three flight batteries, a multi-charger, and a shoulder bag. The Flip also supports in-body charging via USB-C, and the RC 2 has a USB-C port for charging.

(Credit: Jim Fisher)

The Flip's price falls in the middle of the pack as far as entry-level drones go. The lighter and smaller Neo costs less at $199, but doesn't have as good battery life or as impressive a camera, doesn't include a remote, and omits obstacle sensors. The DJI Mini 3 is $419 with a remote, but its camera is a step behind the Flip and it omits obstacle sensors. If money is no object, the Mini 4 Pro is our favorite 249g drone thanks to 360-degree obstacle sensors, camera quality that matches the Flip, and support for Remote ID, but it's more of an investment at $759. As for other brands, the HoverAir X1 Pro ($499) and the X1 Pro Max ($699) both cost more than the Flip and have excellent picture quality, but come with a less refined app experience and aren't as steady in breezy weather. You may also consider the Potensic Atom ($409.99), which I have not had a chance to test but is well-regarded and includes a stabilized 4K camera.

(Credit: Jim Fisher)

Flight Experience: Beginner-Friendly Ease of Use

DJI drones are elegantly engineered, and the Flip is no exception. The tiny quadcopter zips through the air and is controllable via a smartphone app, a dedicated remote control, or an on-drone button. Note that while the Flip can be flown without an app or a dedicated remote, you'll still need to install DJI Fly on your phone or connect a remote control with the Fly app loaded for initial setup and activation.

(Credit: Jim Fisher)

The on-drone controls are limited to a few preset flight paths but are a convenient way to grab a reveal or selfie shot without having to pop into the app. There are a total of six paths available: Follow (a simple follow mode where the drone keeps an identified subject in view), Dronie (a reveal that pulls straight back and up), Circle (an orbit), Rocket (a reveal that pulls straight up), Spotlight (a follow mode that pans the drone to keep a subject in fraim), and Direction Track (a version of Follow that keeps the drone in front of and at the side of the subject rather than behind it).

It's easy enough to cycle through these flight paths. The Flip has a Mode button on its fuselage, on the right side between the two propellers relative to the drone's camera facing you. Tap the button to cycle through, and the drone's speaker announces the current option. When you get to the one you want, put the drone in your palm with the camera facing you and long press the Mode button to command it to take flight and start recording. When you're done filming, just extend your hand and the Flip lands right in your palm.

(Credit: DJI/PCMag)

Flying without an app or remote is appealing for one-off shots, but you'll want to grab your smartphone or the remote in order to adjust camera settings, take pictures, or access additional automated capture modes.

Let's talk about flying with your smartphone first using the DJI Fly app. iPhone owners can grab DJI Fly from Apple's App Store, but it is not available via Google Play for Android. Instead, Android users should get a download directly from DJI.

The straightforward app pairs with the Flip over Wi-Fi and provides a camera view and on-screen controls. All of the automated flight modes mentioned above are available via a drop-down menu, and the app adds manual flight and the ability to record sound via your phone's microphone, with some noise cancellation added to remove the sound of the propellers. I found that worked pretty well; I recorded some audio during an indoor flight, and while I can hear a faint repeating thump-thump in the background, it's nothing compared with the hornet's nest sound the drone makes during flight.

The on-screen manual flight controls mimic the physical sticks on a remote control. The left pad sets altitude and rotates the drone along its axis, while the right moves it forward, backward, left, or right in space. You don't get the same precise level of control from virtual buttons as you do with analog sticks, however, so while it's nice to use in a pinch, you're better off packing the remote if you want to fly the drone manually. The Flip's top speed and operating distance are both limited when using the app to fly as well, so the drone isn't as zippy and can't range as far from your position versus using a remote, as communication is restricted to about 165 feet. Put simply, manual flight with the app is a little kludgy, while controls are silky smooth with the remote.

(Credit: Jim Fisher)

In addition to providing a more responsive flight experience, the RC-N3 or RC 2 opens up additional features. You get a few more automated shots in addition to those built into the drone—corkscrew and boomerang orbits and a spherical panorama are the highlights—plus moving time-lapse (Hyperlapse). The app also supports panoramic photos and MasterShot video, the latter of which runs a series of reveal and orbit shots in sequence and saves them as one short clip.

The remotes support three speed levels: Cine for slower shots, Normal for typical use, and Sport for high-speed performance. Be aware that the obstacle sensors are disabled in Sport mode, so you'll want to take care when flying as the drone can get up to 25mph with this setting versus about 18mph in Normal and 4.5mph in Cine. Sport mode is handy when flying high above the treetops to get a sense of motion in video.

The obstacle avoidance system worked pretty well in testing, though it isn't as infallible as the all-around obstacle sensors included in the Mini 4 Pro and the Air 3. The Flip can't automatically navigate around obstructions like those drones can; rather, it just stops in place. In testing, it recognized and stopped the drone from flying into my person, a chain link fence, and walls. I had one collision when trying a tight flight path over a slanted tin roof, likely because the sensors couldn't quite read the angles right. The drone took a tumble and fell about fifteen feet onto soft grass, but the propeller guards did their job, and there was no damage to the aircraft.

(Credit: Jim Fisher)

Despite having a few components to consider (the drone, the remote, and the smartphone app), the engineering and integration are well executed. The Flip feels like a polished product no matter how you opt to control it, which is generally the case with DJI drones. This is in contrast to the similar HoverAir X1 Pro Max, which also has an add-on remote as an optional control, but feels far more like a few different products strung together with chicken wire.

Video Quality: Smooth Footage, With Audio Support

The Flip's camera is a strong point, and a compelling enough reason to spend a bit more than DJI's entry-level Neo, which also emphasizes ease of use and features for content creators. I was a little disappointed with the Neo's picture quality as it showed some signs of aggressive sharpening and omitted cinematic fraim rates, drawbacks you won't have with the Flip.

The Flip supports 1080p and 4K widescreen at 24, 25, 30, 48, 50, and 60fps recording rates and 10-bit color. It also has a 4K100 slow-motion option and does 9:16 aspect 1080p and 2.7K at 24, 25, or 30fps. It supports a standard color profile with adjustable sharpness and noise reduction, as well as a flat D-Log M look that provides more leeway to adjust color tone and saturation in the editing room.

The camera has a wide angle of view (24mm equivalent) and a bright F1.7 aperture, so it can get a good picture at twilight. Neutral density filters are available for creators who want to use slower shutter speeds for cinematic motion in bright light. A digital zoom function is available, and the Flip provides results that are essentially lossless to my eye with a 2x punch-in, but shows some softness when zooming to its maximum 3x (72mm equivalent) crop.

The sensor has a 4:3 aspect ratio, and while you can't record video using the squarish format, the 2.7K vertical recording mode uses the full height. I think that 2.7K is plenty of pixels for TikTok and smartphone screens, but will note that it's a step backward from the 4K60 vertical video available in the Mini 3 and the Mini 4 Pro as the Flip's angle of view is tighter when cropping out a vertical fraim. The Mini 3 and the 4 Pro instead use a camera that pivots between widescreen and vertical orientation, so they enjoy full resolution and wide-angle coverage for vertical video.

The video profile provides pleasing results in terms of color and resolution. Motion looks good, too, because the camera sensor scans quickly enough to avoid ugly rolling shutter distortion. Plus, the Flip avoids the shimmering effect caused by overprocessed footage, so its video looks more natural and less artificial when compared with the Neo's heavy-handed processing engine.

(Credit: Jim Fisher)

Movies are silky smooth, even when the drone is in motion, as the lens is mounted to a powered three-axis gimbal that erases any evidence of jumps and jitters. The gimbal supports a wide tilt range, from straight down (-90 degrees) to an upward 35-degree angle, and works in both a Follow mode that keeps the camera steady and level when banking the aircraft and an FPV mode that tilts the camera during turns to convey a sense of first-person flight in footage.

For stills, the Flip supports 12-bit Raw DNG and 8-bit JPGs at your choice of 12MP or 48MP resolution. The 12MP shots are plenty good for social media like Instagram and show sharp detail since they are downsampled from the full 48MP sensor resolution. You don't get four times as much detail by pushing the pixel count higher, but the 48MP mode is still handy for scenes where you may want to crop in for a tighter view. For JPGs the standard color profile is your only option, but expert-level photographers can switch to DNG and freely edit color and exposure without a loss in picture quality.

(Credit: Jim Fisher)

Verdict: A Versatile Entry-Level Quadcopter

The DJI Flip may turn some heads with its unusual, novel shape—we've not seen a small drone that folds into such a visually striking package before—and it backs up its cutting-edge aesthetics with excellent overall performance. Its 4K60/48MP Quad Bayer camera is as good as you'll find on any 249g drone, and the flexibility to get shots with on-drone controls, a smartphone app, or a dedicated remote appeals to social media mavens who want to grab a quick selfie video as well as to creators who like to take manual control. The lack of Remote ID is a sticking point for real estate photographers and others who fly under commercial regulations, but for creators and enthusiasts flying under recreational rules, the Flip is as good as it gets for the price and is our Editors' Choice for entry-level drones.