The best drone bags for every budget and use case

I’ve been in the drone industry for well over a decade. I’ve gotten tons of drone backpacks shipped to me to review, and I’ve packed drones with me everywhere, from fun vacations to Hawaii to trekking through the Arctic Circle on a drone expedition.

I’ve found that the right drone bag depends entirely on your setup and how you fly. Whether you need a rugged all-weather pack for mountain hikes or just want to keep your gear organized for weekend trips, I have recommendations for every type of drone pilot. And often, the best drone backpacks don’t even have to cost you anything extra.

Here’s The Drone Girl’s guide to the best drone bags:

Best overall drone backpack: Lowepro DroneGuard BP 250

Best for most folding drones

I’ve reviewed various types of LowePro backpacks on and off for nearly 10 years. Their models fluctuate in tandem with ever-changing drone designs. These days, one of the most popular styles is the Lowepro DroneGuard BP 250. It strikes the perfect balance between protection, capacity and comfort. Its semi-rigid FormShell exterior provides impact protection without the bulk of a hard case, while customizable padded dividers let you configure the interior for your specific gear.

This backpack fits folding drones like the DJI Mavic series along with a controller, up to five spare batteries, a 15-inch laptop, and a 10-inch tablet. The bag includes moisture-wicking back panels and adjustable chest and waist straps for comfort during extended wear.

What sets the DroneGuard apart is its thoughtful design. The compression-molded FormShell technology keeps weight down while offering high protection levels, and despite making no waterproof claims, the bag successfully keeps contents dry during extended rain showers (talk about underpromise, overdeliver!). The neutral black and gray camouflage colorway doesn’t scream “expensive drone inside,” which is a security bonus.

The backpack also features a zippered top compartment for sundries like snacks, sunglasses, and a jacket, plus a removable waist belt for extra support when needed. The PhoneZone pocket on the shoulder strap keeps your smartphone accessible without having to remove the pack.

At around $230 depending on sales, it’s a significant investment. But given how well it holds up during regular wear, it’s worth it.

Cons: The DroneGuard is specifically sized for folding drones. If you fly traditional “X” frame racing drones or larger cinema rigs, this is not for you.

Best for DJI pilots who only need to tote their drone (and nothing else): DJI Fly More Combo

Best value if you’re buying a new DJI drone (and don’t need a case for your laptop or other cameras)

If you’re purchasing a new DJI drone, the Fly More Combo bundle is almost always the smartest buy. In short, DJI will sell you just the drone and basic accessories for one price, or you can opt to pay a higher price for better accessories and, yes, a drone case.

Fly More Combos vary by actually drone, but typically you get three batteries instead of one, a charging hub, spare propellers and a custom-fitted carrying bag designed specifically for your drone model. The Fly More Combo typically costs just a few hundred dollars more than the drone alone. Do the math on buying those batteries separately and the combo practically pays for itself. Or it at least gets you a “free bag” assuming you were going to buy the batteries anyway.

The Fly More bags are made from quality materials and designed to hold the drone, batteries, cables, and controller in precisely fitted compartments. Everything has its place, which makes packing up after a flight session quick and organized. The bags work well as either shoulder bags or can be converted to backpack style, though some pilots find the backpack mode less comfortable for extended wear.

DJI has refined this formula across multiple drone generations. Recent models like the Mavic 3 and Air 3 series come with particularly well-designed bags that balance protection with portability. The bags fit easily under airplane seats as carry-on luggage, making them ideal for travel.

Cons: The biggest limitation is size. The bags you get with the Fly More Combo are not large enough to hold any laptops or other cameras. In fact, once the bag is full with the drone, batteries, cables, and controller, there’s little room for anything else — not even a wallet.

Many pilots, myself included, end up tucking the entire Fly More bag into a larger backpack to carry additional items like water bottles, personal belongings or camera gear. The bags also lack the rigid protection of purpose-built backpacks. They’re fine for normal travel but not ideal if you’re worried about impacts.

Some pilots also find the internal organization a bit fiddly. The bags have multiple layers and tight spaces that can be time-consuming to pack, with limited room for extra batteries beyond what’s included.

Similarly, many other drone makers make their own versions of “Fly More” Combo backpacks, like this one pictured above from Autel.

New to the pack: DroneMask DronePack

For pilots who want fire-resistant battery storage and maximum flexibility

The DronePack represents a fresh approach to drone bags, developed through direct collaboration with the drone pilot community over 12 months of prototyping and feedback. It comes from a company called Immerse Optics, the makers of DroneMask, a clever goggle device that turns pretty much any drone into an FPV drone.

And in leading the way in accessories, Immerse Optics has also developed a new sort of drone bag. DronePack is designed to be the Swiss Army knife of drone backpacks, accommodating everything from DJI camera drones to small FPV racing quads.

The feature list is impressive: water-resistant materials, customizable Velcro dividers, a 180-degree suitcase-style opening for easy access, fire-resistant inner pockets specifically for battery storage, anti-theft TSA locks and zippers, side straps for carrying smaller drones externally, a charging port for powering devices on the go and heavily padded straps for comfort during long hikes.

At €149 (approximately $165), the DronePack positions itself competitively in the premium backpack category. DroneMask claims it fits all camera drones including DJI and Potensic Atom models, with enough customization to adapt to your specific setup.

The big caveat: This is a brand new product that I haven’t been able to test personally. While the company developed it with community input and the feature set looks comprehensive on paper, I can’t vouch for real-world durability, weather resistance or how well those customizable dividers actually hold up during daily use. The fire-resistant battery compartment is a smart safety feature, but I’d want to see some hands-on testing before making strong claims about its effectiveness.

If you’re willing to take a chance on a new product from a company that’s been responsive to its community, the DronePack could be an excellent choice. Just be aware you’re essentially an early adopter.

Budget pick: Any backpack you already own

For pilots who don’t want to overthink it

Here’s a secret the drone accessory industry doesn’t want you to know: you probably don’t need a specialized drone backpack at all.

Modern folding drones are remarkably compact and durable. A DJI Mini or Mavic fits easily into any standard backpack with basic padding. Wrap your drone in a large microfiber cloth or soft case, tuck your batteries into a small pouch (maybe even a fireproof pouch?!) and you’re good to go. This approach costs nothing if you already own a backpack, and it often provides more space for non-drone items than specialized bags.

The real benefit? Flexibility. Using a regular backpack means you can carry everything else you need for a day out, whether that’s water, snacks, a jacket, camera gear or personal item. Plus, you won’t play Tetris with a bag that was optimized only for drone equipment. Many pilots find that a generic camera backpack with configurable padded dividers offers the perfect middle ground.

And yes, I have been known to throw my drone in my school-sized Baby Yoda backpack.

This approach works especially well for casual pilots who fly occasionally and don’t need maximum protection for daily professional use. If you’re hiking to scenic viewpoints or traveling internationally, a standard travel backpack draws less attention than something obviously drone-specific.

Drawbacks but not dealbreakers: You sacrifice some protection and organization. Without custom-fitted compartments, your gear might shift around more during transport. You’ll also need to figure out your own system for keeping batteries separate and organized. And if you fly in harsh conditions or worry about impacts, a purpose-built bag offers more peace of mind.

How I picked and tested

I evaluated drone backpacks based on protection, capacity, comfort, organization, weather resistance, and (perhaps most critically) value. The ideal bag protects your drone from impacts without unnecessary bulk, holds your complete flying kit including spare batteries and accessories, remains comfortable during extended wear with proper weight distribution, offers intuitive organization so you can access gear quickly, resists weather without requiring a completely waterproof design that adds weight, and provides good value relative to the cost of the equipment it’s protecting.

As drones get smaller and flight times extend, I expect bags to evolve toward lighter weight and more flexible use cases that accommodate both drone gear and everyday carry items.

Other bags I considered:

Peak Design Everyday Backpack: Many professional drone pilots swear by Peak Design’s camera bags for drone use. The Everyday Backpack offers excellent build quality, weatherproofing, and flexibility. However, at $300+, it’s expensive, and you’ll need to configure your own divider system rather than getting drone-specific compartments.

Manfrotto D1 Drone Backpack: Purpose-built for DJI drones with good protection and organization. It’s a solid option but doesn’t offer significant advantages over the DroneGuard while typically costing more.

Hard shell backpacks or cases: Companies like MC-Cases make rigid waterproof backpacks and rectangular cases with custom foam inserts. These provide maximum protection but are heavy, bulky, and overkill for most recreational pilots. They make sense for professionals transporting expensive equipment in harsh conditions.

Generic camera backpacks: Options from Amazon Basics, AmazonBasics, and similar brands offer configurable padding at budget prices ($40-80). These work well for casual use but lack drone-specific features and typically use lower-quality materials that won’t last as long.

Frequently asked questions about drone bags

Do I need a specialized drone bbag or ackpack? Not necessarily. Many pilots successfully use regular backpacks or camera bags (yes, myself included!). Specialized bags offer better protection and organization but aren’t essential for casual flying.

Will my drone’s Fly More bag fit in these backpacks? In most cases, yes. Many pilots place their entire Fly More bag inside a larger backpack for extra protection and to carry additional items.

Are drone backpacks TSA-approved? Backpacks themselves aren’t the issue — it’s the lithium batteries inside. TSA regulations require drone batteries in carry-on luggage only, not checked bags. Most drone backpacks are sized to work as carry-ons, but always check your airline’s specific size requirements.

How many batteries should my bag hold? Plan for at least 3-5 batteries for a full day of flying. Most specialized drone bags accommodate this easily. Remember that spare batteries need individual protection to prevent short circuits.

Do I need a waterproof bag? Most pilots find water-resistant is sufficient. Truly waterproof bags tend to be heavy and expensive. If you’re flying in heavy rain, you probably shouldn’t be flying at all. A rain cover for your bag offers good protection for the occasional shower. Sometimes — if a downpour comes out of nowhere — I’ll just wrap my bag in a poncho (if I have one) or just a trash bag.

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