Yes, for the right buyer. The DJI Neo is worth it if you want a $186 drone that launches from your hand, follows you and films short 4K clips without a controller, or a cheap way into FPV with goggles. It's not worth it if you want great image quality, long flights or landscape shots: the 12 MP, 1/2-inch camera, roughly 18-minute batteries and lack of obstacle sensing hold it back. For those, the DJI Flip is the better buy.
What the Neo does well
- Hands-free selfies. Press a button, launch from your palm, and it runs Follow, Dronie, Circle, Rocket, Spotlight or a custom shot, then comes back to your hand.
- Size and weight. About 135 g with full propeller guards. No FAA registration for recreational flying.
- Flexible control. Palm, phone, RC-N3, or goggles with the RC Motion 3 or FPV Remote Controller 3.
- Price. $186 for the drone, $411 for the Fly More Combo with the RC-N3, three batteries and the hub.
- Stabilized 4K/30. RockSteady and HorizonBalancing, plus Gyroflow support in 4:3.
Where it falls short
- Camera: 1/2-inch sensor, 12 MP, f/2.8, JPEG only, Normal color only. Fine for social clips, weak in low light.
- Flight time: about 18 minutes rated, roughly 14 to 15 in real use. See Neo battery life.
- No obstacle avoidance. Tracking modes will fly into branches. See Neo obstacle avoidance.
- Short leash without a controller: 50 m and 30 m, with no Return to Home.
- Wind: rated for 8 m/s (about 18 mph), lower than heavier drones.
- No audio, no zoom, no card slot. It has 22 GB of internal storage, and audio must come through your phone.
Who should buy it
- Vloggers, hikers, cyclists and families who want quick hands-free clips.
- First-time pilots who want something forgiving and cheap.
- Anyone curious about FPV who doesn't want to spend Avata 2 money.
Who should skip it
- Landscape and travel shooters: get a DJI Flip or a Mini.
- People who fly in wind, near water or at dusk.
- Part 107 pilots who want built-in Remote ID; the Neo would need a module.
Neo or Neo 2?
DJI's Neo 2 adds obstacle sensing and gesture control, but DJI didn't officially launch it in the US. The original Neo is authorized and on sale here. See Neo in the US and Neo vs Neo 2.
Our verdict
Buy the Neo as a fun, low-risk selfie and FPV toy, and get the Fly More Combo: three batteries and Return to Home make it far more useful. If image quality matters more than palm launches, spend more on the Flip. Compare in Neo vs Flip and Neo alternatives.
Get the DJI Neo from $186, and add a spare battery.
Related guides
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