I’ve been testing drones for years and it’s one of the most fun parts of my job. Whether large or small, whether taking photos or recording videos, drones give you a whole new perspective on your subjects. With the evolution of their compact and lightweight design, they have even become an essential tool for vloggers and adventurers.

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However, if you fly a drone around yourself or others, you will must Choose one that puts safety first. That’s why I’m excited about DJI’s newest drone – the Flip. Weighing under 250g and offering comprehensive propeller protection, it ticks almost every box on my wish list for a safe and fun flying experience. Almost.

Technical data of the DJI Flip Key

• camera: 1/1.3 inch sensor; 24mm wide angle; aperture f/1.7; 2.4 μm (Quad Bayer 4-in-1) pixels; Dual native ISO
• Mechanical 3-axis gimbal (tilt, roll, pan)
• 4K/60fps HDR video, 4K/100fps slow motion
• Professional 10-bit D-Log M color mode
• 48 megapixel photo
• 3D infrared sensor system with automatic braking
• 31 minutes flight time
• Level 5 wind resistance (10.7 m/s/23.9 mph)
• Dimensions: 136×62×165mm folded, 233×280×79mm unfolded

Over the past few years I have tested many DJI drones and I can honestly say that none of them have let me down. The DJI Flip is no exception. Although it looks and feels like a toy, this little gem with its all-plastic construction is a professional flying camera platform that offers features that could only be dreamed of a few years ago.

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Imagine having a flying, stabilized 4K camera that fits right in the palm of your hand. It zooms around effortlessly, takes stunning photos and videos, automatically avoids obstacles, and even returns home if there’s a connection problem with the controller. This really is the stuff of science fiction.

Also look at how it folds.

I really like how the props fold into each other. The overall package feels much stronger than the other sub-250g drones I’ve flown. The folded package feels sturdy enough to carry around in a bag or backpack without having to use a suitcase – although you probably should.

As a drone, the Flip is almost perfect. The camera offers everything a vlogger could want, including recording 4K HDR and slow-motion videos. Thanks to the dual native ISO function, you can take photos even in low light conditions without sacrificing image quality. Additionally, it supports 10-bit D-Log-M color mode for those who want to take their shooting to the next level and have ultimate control over how their shots look in post-production.

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What really sets the Flip apart from other DJI drones like the Mini Pro or Neo is its innovative propeller guards. Instead of being made of polycarbonate, the Flip features a lightweight and durable carbon fiber cord that provides comprehensive protection at just 1/60th the weight. These support guards are excellent at preventing damage from impacts to trees, walls and even people. I noticed this difference in build quality immediately when I set up my test device.

As more and more people use drones to vlog their adventures, a barrier between soft, soft eyeballs and those sharp, fast props is essential. The drone could still get caught in clothing or hair (and trust me, that’s no fun, and I know because I once got a drone caught in my beard and the memory still haunts me), but it causes no life – changing injuries.

After flying a large Mavic 3 Pro just inches from someone’s face to capture the perfect photo, I can confidently say that effective propeller guards are a fantastic idea.

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I also love the charger that comes with the Fly More Combo. Up to four batteries can be charged in parallel, which is a huge time saver if you want to take longer recordings. This means you can spend more time flying and less time taking care of batteries.

DJI says the Flip has a flight time of 31 minutes on a single battery. In my tests, which were carried out in near-freezing weather and light winds, I got an acceptable 23 minutes. Of course, your mileage will vary. My colleague Kerry Wan averaged about 25 minutes, including testing in cooler, drier weather in upstate New York.

Dealing with microSD cards feels like it’s 2024, so it’s good to see that the Flip has at least 2GB of internal storage. If you’re just taking photos or forget to empty your storage media before you head out, this is a nice addition.

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Nevertheless, I have a small point of criticism. The camera/IR sensor cover can be a bit fiddly, and there is an additional rubber cover over the camera that is also difficult to put on and take off. The first time I tried to take it off, I felt like I was ripping off the gimbal head of the camera. I’m more used to it now, but it’s still a little annoying. But honestly, that’s just a minor criticism of an otherwise near-perfect drone.

ZDNET’s buying guide

If you’re looking for a drone that’s compact enough, sturdy enough, and safe enough to take with you on your vlogging adventures, I don’t think you can go wrong with this DJI Flip. It’s easy to fly and can be flown without a controller – which in turn makes the overall package smaller and lighter. It has advanced AI capabilities to effortlessly keep you at the center of the shot, and the output is exactly what I expect from a DJI product.

The DJI Flip starts at $439, with the RC 2 controller package costing $639, while the Fly More Combo, which comes with more batteries and spare propellers, costs $779.