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A father and son by an off-road truck in snowy mountains, flying a DJI Flip with a controller

Drones: specs, U.S. rules and the best drones by use

We sell no drones and link to no shop: this page holds each maker's own figures for the drones we have records for, and what U.S. rules ask of each.

Figures from each maker's own pages, our records built November 13, 2026Nothing sponsored

Drones on record
14
Weigh 0.55 lb or less
10
On the 0.55 lb line
1
Weigh more
3
Longest flight
51min

Drones by model: filter by name, weight, flight time or Remote ID

Every drone we hold records for, with each maker's own figures and what U.S. rules ask of it by weight: flown only for fun, a drone of 0.55 lb (249 g) or less needs no FAA registration; a heavier one must be registered and meet the Remote ID rule.

Palm launchDJI Neo studio cutout with its full propeller guardsGuards built in

DJI Neo

Flown only for fun, it needs no FAA registration.

About 135 g (4.8 oz)

Flight time
About 18 min
Wind rating
17.9 mph
Remote ID
No FAA declaration
Maker's U.S. page
Yes
Palm launchThe DJI Neo 2 from the front quarter, its four propellers inside full cages and the camera between the front sensors.Guards built in

DJI Neo 2

Flown only for fun, it needs no FAA registration.

151 g (5.3 oz)

Flight time
About 19 min
Wind rating
23.9 mph
Remote ID
No FAA declaration
Maker's U.S. page
No
Palm launchHOVERAir X1 PRO studio cutout, folded-out cage seen from the front left

HOVERAir X1 PRO

Flown only for fun, it needs no FAA registration.

192 g (6.8 oz)

Flight time
16 min
Wind rating
23.9 mph
Remote ID
Built in
Maker's U.S. page
Yes
Remote controllerDJI Mini 4K studio cutout, arms unfoldedGuards optional

DJI Mini 4K

Flown only for fun, it needs no FAA registration.

246 g (8.7 oz)

Flight time
31 min
Wind rating
23.9 mph
Remote ID
No FAA declaration
Maker's U.S. page
Yes
Remote controllerThe DJI Mini 3 unfolded, seen from the front quarter with its camera gimbal under the nose.Guards optional

DJI Mini 3

Flown only for fun, no FAA registration with the standard battery; the bigger battery takes it over 0.55 lb.

248 g (8.7 oz), or about 290 g (10.2 oz) with the Intelligent Flight Battery Plus

Flight time
38 min
Wind rating
23.9 mph
Remote ID
Only with the Intelligent Flight Battery Plus
Maker's U.S. page
Yes
GogglesA white Antigravity A1 with its arms unfolded and 360 lenses above and belowGuards optional

Antigravity A1

Flown only for fun, no FAA registration with the standard battery; the bigger battery takes it over 0.55 lb.

249 g (8.8 oz), or 291 g (10.3 oz) with the High-Capacity Flight Battery

Flight time
24 min
Wind rating
23.9 mph
Remote ID
Only with the High-Capacity Flight Battery
Maker's U.S. page
Yes
Palm launchThe white DJI Flip unfolded, with its four propellers inside full-coverage guards and the camera under the nose.Guards built in

DJI Flip

Flown only for fun, it needs no FAA registration.

Under 249 g (8.8 oz)

Flight time
31 min
Wind rating
23.9 mph
Remote ID
No FAA declaration
Maker's U.S. page
Yes
Remote controllerThe DJI Mini 3 Pro unfolded, seen from below the nose with its camera gimbal and forward and downward sensors.Guards optional

DJI Mini 3 Pro

Flown only for fun, no FAA registration with the standard battery; the bigger battery takes it over 0.55 lb.

Under 249 g (8.8 oz), or about 290 g (10.2 oz) with the Intelligent Flight Battery Plus

Flight time
34 min
Wind rating
23.9 mph
Remote ID
Built in
Maker's U.S. page
Yes
Remote controllerA white DJI Mini 4 Pro with its arms unfolded, seen from the frontGuards optional

DJI Mini 4 Pro

Flown only for fun, it needs no FAA registration.

Under 249 g (8.8 oz)

Flight time
34 min
Wind rating
23.9 mph
Remote ID
Only with the Intelligent Flight Battery Plus
Maker's U.S. page
Yes
Remote controllerPotensic ATOM 2 studio cutout, seen from the frontGuards optional

Potensic ATOM 2

Flown only for fun, it needs no FAA registration.

Under 249 g (8.8 oz)

Flight time
32 min
Wind rating
23.6 mph
Remote ID
Built in
Maker's U.S. page
Yes
Remote controllerA grey DJI Mini 5 Pro in flight, seen from the frontGuards optional

DJI Mini 5 Pro

On the line: its maker lists 249.9 g, plus or minus 4 g.

249.9 g (8.8 oz)

Flight time
36 min
Wind rating
26.8 mph
Remote ID
Built in
Maker's U.S. page
No
GogglesThe DJI Avata 2 cinewhoop from the front quarter, with built-in propeller guards and the camera in its nose.Guards built in

DJI Avata 2

Over 0.55 lb: register it before the first flight.

About 377 g (13.3 oz)

Flight time
About 23 min
Wind rating
23.9 mph
Remote ID
Built in
Maker's U.S. page
Yes
Remote controllerThe DJI Air 3S unfolded with its propellers out, seen from the front with the dual camera on its gimbal.Guards optional

DJI Air 3S

Over 0.55 lb: register it before the first flight.

724 g (25.5 oz)

Flight time
45 min
Wind rating
26.8 mph
Remote ID
Built in
Maker's U.S. page
Yes
Remote controllerA dark grey DJI Mavic 4 Pro with its arms unfolded, seen from the frontGuards optional

DJI Mavic 4 Pro

Over 0.55 lb: register it before the first flight.

About 1063 g (37.5 oz)

Flight time
51 min
Wind rating
26.8 mph
Remote ID
Built in
Maker's U.S. page
No

The line on each weight bar is 0.55 lb (249 g): above it, a drone flown for fun is registered. Flying for work under Part 107, every drone is registered, whatever it weighs.

All the drones in one table, with a filter

One row per drone, with the figures the flight check and the compare tool use, read from each maker's own pages; drones.json was built on November 13, 2026. Type a model name, “Over 0.55” or “No FAA declaration” to narrow the table.

14 drones, sorted by name: weight, wind rating and Remote ID from the records the flight check uses, read from each maker's own pages on November 13, 2026; flight time and the maker's U.S. page from the compare tool's records, built November 14, 2026. A name that is a link has a page of its own.
DroneWeight at takeoffAgainst 0.55 lbFlight timeWind ratingBuilt-in Remote IDMaker's U.S. page
Antigravity A1249 g (8.8 oz); 291 g (10.3 oz) with High-Capacity Flight Battery0.55 lb or less; over with High-Capacity Flight Battery24 min23.9 mphOnly with the High-Capacity Flight BatteryYes
DJI Air 3S724 g (25.5 oz)Over 0.55 lb45 min26.8 mphBuilt inYes
DJI Avata 2About 377 g (13.3 oz)Over 0.55 lbAbout 23 min23.9 mphBuilt inYes
DJI FlipUnder 249 g (8.8 oz)0.55 lb or less31 min23.9 mphNo FAA declarationYes
DJI Mavic 4 ProAbout 1063 g (37.5 oz)Over 0.55 lb51 min26.8 mphBuilt inNo
DJI Mini 3248 g (8.7 oz); about 290 g (10.2 oz) with Intelligent Flight Battery Plus0.55 lb or less; over with Intelligent Flight Battery Plus38 min23.9 mphOnly with the Intelligent Flight Battery PlusYes
DJI Mini 3 ProUnder 249 g (8.8 oz); about 290 g (10.2 oz) with Intelligent Flight Battery Plus0.55 lb or less; over with Intelligent Flight Battery Plus34 min23.9 mphBuilt inYes
DJI Mini 4 ProUnder 249 g (8.8 oz)0.55 lb or less34 min23.9 mphOnly with the Intelligent Flight Battery PlusYes
DJI Mini 4K246 g (8.7 oz)0.55 lb or less31 min23.9 mphNo FAA declarationYes
DJI Mini 5 Pro249.9 g (8.8 oz)On the line: 249.9 g listed, plus or minus 4 g36 min26.8 mphBuilt inNo
DJI NeoAbout 135 g (4.8 oz)0.55 lb or lessAbout 18 min17.9 mphNo FAA declarationYes
DJI Neo 2151 g (5.3 oz); 160 g (5.6 oz) with DJI Neo 2 Digital Transceiver0.55 lb or lessAbout 19 min23.9 mphNo FAA declarationNo
HOVERAir X1 PRO192 g (6.8 oz); 192.1 g (6.8 oz) with ND filter0.55 lb or less16 min23.9 mphBuilt inYes
Potensic ATOM 2Under 249 g (8.8 oz)0.55 lb or less32 min23.6 mphBuilt inYes
  • Weight at takeoff: with the standard battery, as the maker prints it. Flown only for fun, a drone of 0.55 lb (249 g) or less, everything on board included, needs no FAA registration; 0.55 lb is 249.48 g, so a maker's “under 249 g” is inside the line.
  • Flight time: the maker's maximum flight time with the standard battery, in still air.
  • Wind rating: the maker's maximum wind speed resistance, in mph. Level 5 is 23.9 mph (10.7 m/s).
  • Built-in Remote ID: “Built in” means the FAA has accepted a Remote ID declaration for the model. “Only with” a named battery means the maker says the built-in Remote ID is on only with that battery; with the standard battery the drone does not broadcast. “No FAA declaration” means the FAA list has none: when the drone must be registered, fly it with a broadcast module or inside an FAA-recognized identification area.
  • Maker's U.S. page: “No” means the maker's U.S. site has no product page for the model (DJI alternatives). It says nothing about FCC authorization; that is on the DJI ban page.

Kinds of drones, and what to do before you fly a drone in the U.S.

What U.S. rules ask turns first on weight.

The models here are of three kinds: camera drones flown with a remote controller, such as the DJI Mini series and the Potensic ATOM 2; small drones that take off from your palm, such as the DJI Neo 2 and the HOVERAir X1 PRO, which flies with no controller; and drones flown through goggles, such as the DJI Avata 2, an FPV drone, and the Antigravity A1. Flying for fun, you keep the drone in sight or have a visual observer next to you, so a drone flown through goggles needs a second person (best drones for beginners).

With a remote controller: a DJI Mini 4 Pro and the DJI RC 2.
From your palm: a DJI Neo 2 comes in to land on an open hand.
Through goggles: a DJI Avata 2, with a friend keeping it in sight.

Of the 14 models, 10 weigh 0.55 lb (249 g) or less with the standard battery, 3 of them going over it with a larger battery, and 3 weigh more: the DJI Air 3S, Avata 2 and Mavic 4 Pro. The DJI Mini 5 Pro stands on the line: its maker lists 249.9 g, plus or minus 4 g, and the line is 249.48 g.

  • Up to 0.55 lb

    0.55 lb (249 g) or less, flown only for fun: no FAA registration and no Remote ID; you still pass the free TRUST test.

    No registration
  • Heavier

    Over 0.55 lb: register with the FAA, $5 for three years, and meet the Remote ID rule one of three ways: a standard Remote ID drone, a broadcast module, or no Remote ID equipment inside an FAA-recognized identification area (FRIA).

    Register
  • For work

    Flown for work, at any weight: the Part 107 remote pilot certificate, and each drone registered (drone license).

    Part 107
  • Airspace

    Where and how high: flying for fun, stay at or below 400 ft in uncontrolled (Class G) airspace (how high); controlled airspace needs FAA authorization first, through LAANC or FAADroneZone.

    400 ft

Can I fly here?

Pick a place on the map and your drone. You get one answer, GO, CAUTION or NO-GO, with the reasons under it: no-fly zones, airspace, the 400 ft ceiling, wind against your drone's rating, and daylight.

Check where you can fly

Best drones by use, and the best drones for beginners

Our lists pick from these records and from other makers' spec sheets, each by criteria it prints; nothing is sponsored.

A pilot holding a remote controller flies a small DJI Mini drone over a mountain meadow while a friend looks up at it

Best drones for beginners

0.55 lb or less, released in the U.S. and flown by sight, then a Level 5 wind rating, propeller guards and forgiveness.

Read it
A pilot on a hillside steers with a Potensic remote controller held in both hands

Best budget drones

A price on the maker's own U.S. page, GPS and return to home, then weight, wind and minutes of flight per battery.

Read it

Two tools work on the same records.

Drone picker and compare drones: five plain questions for a short list, or two or three drones side by side, the makers' figures down to image sensor, video resolution and gimbal.

Pages in this section

Every page under Drones, with the question it answers and the day it was last checked.

DJI Flip with its propeller guards flying behind a road cyclist on a mountain road

DJI drones

Every camera drone DJI's U.S. pages name, as those pages showed it: listed but out of stock, with no U.S. page, or discontinued.

Read it
Three folded DJI drones of different sizes, a Mini, the Air 3 and the Mavic 3 Classic, on white pedestals

Drone comparisons

One pair per page: two DJI drones in the compare tool's own table, with what U.S. rules ask of each, or DJI's two goggles.

Read it
Folded DJI drone and a small action camera lying on a sheet of cracked glass

DJI Care Refresh

DJI's after-sales plan for a drone: the plans, the replacement fees by model, and where it is sold.

Read it

Two drones on one page: DJI Mini 5 Pro vs Mini 4 Pro and DJI Mini 3 Pro vs DJI Mini 3, each with the compare tool's own table for the pair.

Every page in this section, with what each answers
16 pages, sorted by title.
PageWhat it answersLast checked
Antigravity A1 8K 360 DroneAntigravity A1 specs from the maker's U.S. sheet: 249 g or 291 g by battery, 8K 360 video, Vision Goggles and Grip, Remote ID by battery, U.S. rules.
DJI Air 3SDJI Air 3S specs from DJI's U.S. sheet: 724 g, 45 minutes, a 1-inch wide and a 70 mm tele camera, plus what U.S. registration and Remote ID mean for it.
DJI Avata 2DJI Avata 2 specs from DJI's U.S. sheet: about 377 g, 23 minutes, 4K at 100 fps, the goggles and controllers it needs, built-in Remote ID and U.S. rules.
DJI Care Refresh still available? Fees, DJI warranty, drone insuranceDJI Care Refresh as DJI's pages showed it on November 14, 2026: U.S. availability, the plans, replacement fees by model, exclusions and the 48-hour rule.
DJI drones: every camera drone DJI lists and its U.S. statusDJI drones on DJI's U.S. site, read and dated: which camera drones are listed, out of stock, missing or discontinued, our records and U.S. rules by model.
DJI FlipDJI Flip specs from DJI's U.S. sheet: under 249 g with its folding guard, 31 minutes, 4K at 100 fps, palm or remote control, and the U.S. rules for it.
DJI Mavic 4 ProDJI Mavic 4 Pro specs from DJI's global sheet: about 1063 g, 51 minutes, three cameras, and the U.S. picture: no DJI U.S. page, registration, Remote ID.
DJI Mini 3DJI Mini 3 specs from DJI's U.S. sheet: 248 g, 38 minutes or 51 with Battery Plus, a 1/1.3-inch camera, plus U.S. rules on registration and Remote ID.
DJI Mini 3 ProDJI Mini 3 Pro specs from DJI: under 249 g, 34 minutes or 47 with the Plus battery, a 48 MP camera, and U.S. rules on registration and Remote ID.
DJI Mini 4 ProDJI Mini 4 Pro specs from DJI's own sheet: under 249 g, 34 minutes, 12.4 mi range, plus U.S. rules on registration, Remote ID and buying one today.
DJI Mini 4KDJI Mini 4K specs from DJI's U.S. sheet: 246 g, 31 minutes, a 4K camera, 6.2 mi range, plus U.S. rules: TRUST for fun, and no FAA Remote ID declaration.
DJI Mini 5 ProDJI Mini 5 Pro specs from DJI's own sheet: 249.9 g, 36 minutes, 1-inch camera, 12.4 mi range, plus U.S. rules on the 0.55 lb line and Remote ID.
DJI NeoDJI Neo specs from DJI's U.S. sheet: about 135 g, about 18 minutes, palm takeoff, 4K at 30 fps, plus U.S. rules on TRUST, registration and Remote ID.
DJI Neo 2DJI Neo 2 specs from DJI's own sheet: 151 g, about 19 minutes, 4K at 100 fps, all-round sensing, plus U.S. rules on TRUST, registration and Remote ID.
Drone comparisons: two drones or two goggles side by sideDrone comparisons, one pair per page: two DJI drones in the compare tool's own table with U.S. rules for each, or two DJI goggles from DJI's specs pages.Not dated
The best drone for each use: which camera drone to buyThe best drone for each use, from our four lists: beginners, budget, DJI alternatives and under 250 grams, with makers' figures and U.S. rules.Not dated

The rules, the flight check and the weather, for any drone on this page.

Drones: questions and answers

Do I need to register my drone?

Yes if it weighs more than 0.55 lb (249 g) at takeoff, or if you fly it for work at any weight: register in FAADroneZone, $5, valid three years. Flown only for fun at 0.55 lb or less, it needs no registration, and you still take the free TRUST test (TRUST certificate). The table says where each model stands.

Do I need a license to post drone video?

Flying strictly for fun needs TRUST, not the Part 107 certificate. When the videos go on a channel that earns money, the FAA decides flight by flight whether the flight was strictly for fun, and the case is not settled; its advice is “When in doubt, assume Part 107” (drone license).

Can I still buy a DJI drone in the U.S.?

Since December 22, 2025, DJI drones have been on the FCC Covered List, so new DJI models cannot get FCC authorization; models authorized before the listing may still be sold, and DJI's own U.S. online store lists no drones. A DJI drone you already own still flies (DJI ban).

Which drone should I buy?

That depends on how you will fly. The drone picker asks five plain questions and gives a short list from these records, with the reason for every place in numbers; the lists above each pick for one use.

A DJI Flip follows a father and son: under 249 g, flown only for fun, it needs no FAA registration.
Sources Named, not linked.

Documents are named, not linked. The figures come from the plugin's two records, each built from the documents below; each model page and list names its own.

Makers

  • DJI specs pages, user manuals and support pages for each DJI model (U.S. pages, or U.K. English where DJI has no U.S. page)
  • Antigravity A1 specs and buy pages (U.S.), HOVERAir X1 PRO and PROMAX page and Potensic ATOM 2 specs and product pages

FAA and regulations

  • FAA UAS Declaration of Compliance list: Remote ID declarations
  • 14 CFR 48.15: registration; 14 CFR part 89: Remote ID
  • 49 U.S.C. 44809, Exception for limited recreational operations of unmanned aircraft

Photos: DJI press images. Product photos by HOVERAir, DJI, Antigravity and Potensic.