Whether you’re shopping for an experienced pilot or someone who’s never flown before, I’ve put together the ultimate gift guide for drone enthusiasts. From budget-friendly starters to premium FPV setups, here’s everything you need to know to nail your holiday shopping this year.
Drone gifts for the absolute beginner
DJI Neo – $199
At just $199, the DJI Neo is my top pick for anyone getting started with drones (there’s also the DJI Neo 2, but it’s harder to get your hands on and it’s more expensive). It launches from the palm of your hand, shoots impressive 4K video and weighs only 135 grams (no FAA registration needed!). The fully-enclosed propellers make it safe for flying indoors or around kids. Perfect for content creators, vloggers or anyone who wants to capture unique selfie angles without the learning curve of a traditional controller.
Why I love it: It’s the most beginner-friendly drone on the market, and you can’t beat the price.
- Order DJI Neo now from Adorama for $199.
- Order DJI Neo now from Amazon for $199.
- Order DJI Neo now from B&H Photo for $199.
- Order DJI Neo now from Drone Nerds for $199.
DJI Mini 4K – Buy on Amazon
For just $100 more than the Neo, the DJI Mini 4K delivers significantly more capability. You get proper 4K video at 30fps, a dedicated remote controller (included!), and 31 minutes of flight time—nearly double the Neo. It weighs under 250 grams, so recreational pilots still don’t need to register it. This is my recommendation if you want a “real” drone experience without breaking the bank.
Why I love it: Best value for the price, hands down. It’s what I recommend when people ask for the cheapest drone that still delivers quality results.
For the drone pilot ready to upgrade
DJI Flip – $439
The DJI Flip is the drone that surprised me most this year. At $439, it delivers the same 48MP camera quality as the Mini 4 Pro (which costs $320 more!) but in a unique design with foldable, full-coverage propeller guards. It’s perfect for travelers, vloggers and content creators who prioritize portability and safety. The vertical shooting mode is clutch for Instagram Reels and TikTok.
Why I love it: Professional-level camera in a beginner-friendly package. The propeller guards mean I don’t stress about flying indoors or around people.
- Order the DJI Flip drone from Amazon, starting at $439
- Order the DJI Flip drone from B&H Photo, starting at $439.
- Order the DJI Flip drone from Drone Nerds, starting at $439.
DJI Mini 3 – $419
If battery life matters more than anything else, the Mini 3 is your drone. You get up to 38 minutes of flight time (or 51 minutes with the Plus battery), plus a large 1/1.3-inch sensor that captures stunning 4K HDR video. The True Vertical Shooting feature makes it perfect for social media content. It’s recently dropped in price, making it one of the best values in the under-$500 category.
Why I love it: Longest flight time of any DJI drone under $500. When you need extra airtime for complex shots, this is the one.
HOVERAir X1 – $439
The HoverAir X1 stands out as the best non-DJI option in this price range. It’s ultra-compact (128g), launches from your palm, and has a unique party trick: it records audio through your phone. The fully-enclosed propellers and pre-programmed flight paths make it dead simple to use. While the 2.7K video isn’t as sharp as DJI’s offerings, it’s perfect for casual creators who value portability above all else.
Why I love it: Sometimes you want a DJI alternative, and this is the best one under $500.
For the FPV adventurer
DJI Avata 2 – $999
The DJI Avata 2 is hands-down the best indoor drone and the most thrilling drone I’ve flown this year. With built-in propeller guards, you can zip through tight spaces without worrying about crashes. The included DJI Goggles 3 and RC Motion 3 controller deliver an immersive FPV experience that feels like you’re in the pilot’s seat. The upgraded 1/1.3-inch sensor shoots gorgeous 4K video, and 23 minutes of flight time gives you plenty of room to nail your shots.
Why I love it: It makes FPV flying accessible to everyone. You get that adrenaline rush without needing to build your own racing drone.
- Buy the Avata 2 drone now from Adorama.
- Buy the Avata 2 drone now from Amazon.
- Buy the Avata 2 drone now from B&H Photo.
- Buy the Avata 2 drone now from GetFPV.
DroneMask 2 – $179
Want to turn your existing drone into an FPV experience without spending $500 on DJI Goggles? The DroneMask 2 is your answer. This clever headset works with your smartphone and almost any camera drone to give you that first-person view. At less than half the price of DJI Goggles 3, it’s perfect for anyone FPV-curious who wants to dip their toes in without committing to a full Avata setup.
Why I love it: Most affordable way to experience FPV flying with a drone you already own.
For cameras that aren’t actually drones
DJI Osmo Action 4 – Price varies
Every drone pilot needs a great action camera in addition to their drone. We are now onto the Osmo Action 6 — but my Osmo Action 4 is still holding strong and remains my go-to for ground-level action shots that complement aerial footage. It shoots 4K/120fps, handles extreme temperatures and the magnetic mounting system is genius. Plus, it plays nice with DJI drones in your workflow.
Why I love it: It’s the perfect companion to drone footage. The color science matches DJI drones, making editing a breeze.
Insta360 X5 Essentials Bundle – Buy on Amazon
Yes, I’m hawking a non-DJI camera right here! The Insta360 X5 takes 360-degree footage to a whole new level. Just look to the work we see from drone pilots like Eric Thurber that don’t rely just on drones.
Gifts that don’t take up any space
Drone Adventurer Masterclass
Enroll now – Use code SALLY50 for a discount
Whether you want to shoot real estate, weddings, or commercial work, this masterclass covers it all. The investment pays for itself after your first paid gig.
UAV Coach Courses
The gold standard for Part 107 test prep. If your gift recipient is serious about flying commercially, they need this training. UAV Coach consistently updates their material to match current FAA regulations.
Drone Dojo Subscription
Ongoing education is critical in this industry. Drone Dojo keeps pilots current on regulations, techniques, and industry trends with fresh content every month.
Masterclass Subscription
Beyond just drones, Masterclass offers incredible courses from the world’s best photographers, filmmakers, and storytellers. I’ve learned so much about composition and storytelling from famous experts in the field such as Jimmy Chin, the guy who made “Free Solo.”
Essential Accessories
Premium Drone Supplies Custom Landing Pad
A quality landing pad isn’t just about protecting your drone, it’s about looking professional. For hobbyists, maybe it’s just about having fun and creativie with your shoot. That’s where custom drone landing pads come into the picture.
I use Premium Drone Supplies because they offer custom options that let you add your logo (or hey, maybe your favorite picture.
Save $5 on your order from Premium Drone Supplies with code SALLYFRENCH.
Why I love it: Durable, folds down small, and the bright colors make it easy to spot in any terrain.
Spare batteries and propellers – Price varies
This is the 2025 holiday gift for the practical pilot. Extra batteries mean more flight time, and spare propellers mean your recipient won’t be grounded after their first crash (and trust me, there will be crashes). Make sure you match the battery to their specific drone model. Not sure what drone your loved one has? Just ask (because propellers and batteries can be incompatible with different drone models).
MicroSD Cards – Price varies
You can never have too many microSD cards. I recommend SanDisk Extreme cards as a budget pick — they’re fast enough for 4K video and reliable enough that I trust them with paid gigs. Get at least 128GB.
Pro tip: Label them!
Apple AirTags – $30
I lose a lot of things! With drones, there’s the elevated risk of theft. AirTags can offer some peace of mind that at least you’ll know where your stuff is at. I recommend tucking one in your drone case.
Belkin BoostCharge Plus 10K Power Bank – $55
A portable battery pack is essential for all-day flying sessions. This Belkin model is my favorite—it charges fast, holds enough juice for multiple drone batteries and the compact size means it actually fits in my camera bag.
Fun and unique gifts for drone pilots
Santa Drone Ornament – $16
Every drone pilot needs a drone ornament on their tree. Better yet when it’s Santa flying a DJI Phantom lookalike. It’s the little touches that show you get their passion.
Personalized Puzzle – $10
Turn their favorite drone shot into a custom puzzle. It’s a thoughtful gift that celebrates their best aerial work.
TinyCircuits TinyTV 2 – $60
This tiny retro TV displays videos and photos from a microSD card. Load it up with their best drone footage, and they’ve got the world’s smallest highlight reel on their desk. It’s quirky, nostalgic, and actually useful.
National Geographic World From Above – $26.56 (41% off)
This stunning coffee table book is basically 200+ pages of aerial photography porn. Curated by National Geographic explorer Jeffrey Kerby, it showcases the world from above through the lenses of the world’s most innovative photographers—many of whom used drones to capture these shots.
What makes it special:
- Over 200 full-color aerial images organized by color, shape, texture, and scale
- In-depth interviews with photographers about how they captured their most impressive shots
- Sidebars exploring the history of aerial perspective, from ancient earthworks to modern drones
- Hardcover, oversized format (perfect for that coffee table or office)
Perfect for: Drone pilots who need inspiration, photographers who appreciate composition from unique angles, or anyone who loves stunning nature photography.
Aura Frames – $180
This is digital photo frame that ‘s honestly a great gift for anyone who loves vacation slides and family photos. It rotates through your curated list of photos. For drone pilots, it makes their best drone shots visible every day.
2025 holiday gift tips from a drone expert
Match the gift to the skill level. A $1,000 FPV drone is wasted on someone who’s never flown before, just like a toy drone will disappoint an experienced pilot.
When in doubt, go with accessories. Extra batteries, a landing pad, or training courses are always appreciated and never the wrong choice.
Check compatibility. DJI batteries and accessories are model-specific. Double-check you’re buying for the right drone before you wrap it.
Consider an experience. Sometimes the best gift is a drone photography workshop, a guided flying lesson, or even a day trip somewhere scenic to fly together.
Gift cards work. If you’re not sure what they need, a gift card to B&H Photo, Amazon, or directly from DJI means they can get exactly what they want.
Happy holidays, and happy flying! 
— Sally French, The Drone Girl
Disclosure: Some links in this guide are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them. This doesn’t cost you anything extra and helps support my work creating free content like this gift guide. I only recommend products I’ve personally tested and genuinely believe in. Thank you for supporting The Drone Girl!
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