Two of the preferred mid-range drones proper now are the DJI Air 3S and the Autel Evo Lite+. On paper, they appear like rivals. However within the air? Not a lot.
Between these two, which is best? To me, the reply is apparent: the DJI Air 3S. There’s actually just one actual purpose to go for the Autel Evo Lite+ over the DJI Air 3S, and that’s worth. The Autel Evo Lite+ is about $200 cheaper (when contemplating each drones of their base type with out issues like spiffed-up controllers). Sure, meaning the DJI Air 3S is 22% dearer. However whereas the Autel Evo Lite+ is perhaps cheaper, the DJI Air 3S is excess of 22% higher, and completely well worth the worth distinction for many pilots.
However if you need a extra in-depth reply, together with a comparability of specs (and validation for why I feel the DJI Air 3S is that significantly better), learn on.
DJI Air 3S vs. Autel Evo Lite+ comparability information
DJI Air 3S vs. Autel Evo Lite+: Facet-by-side specs
You possibly can try the drone’s specs on their respective web sites: DJI Air 3S specs and Autel Evo Lite+ specs. However so far as how they evaluate, side-by-side, I did the be just right for you:
| Characteristic | DJI Air 3S | Autel Evo Lite+ |
|---|---|---|
| Worth (Base Equipment) | $1,099 | $899 |
| Weight | 724g | 835g |
| Folded Dimensions | 214×101×89 mm | 210×123×95 mm |
| Unfolded Dimensions | 266×325×106 mm | 427×384×95 mm |
| Picture Sensor | 1-inch CMOS (huge), 1/1.3-inch CMOS (3x tele) | 1-inch CMOS |
| Photograph Decision | 50MP (huge), 48MP (tele), a number of modes | 20MP |
| Video Decision | As much as 4K/120fps; slow-mo; 10-bit colour | As much as 6K/30fps |
| Aperture | f/1.8 (huge), f/2.8 (tele), mounted | Adjustable f/2.8–f/11 |
| ISO Vary | 100–12800 (regular), as much as 6400 in slow-mo | As much as ISO 48000 (evening mode) |
| Gimbal | 3-axis mechanical | 3-axis mechanical |
| Max Flight Time | 45 min (hover: 41 min) | 40 min |
| Max Flight Distance | 32 km | Not specified |
| Max Wind Resistance | 12 m/s | Not specified |
| Impediment Avoidance | Omnidirectional (6-way) with LiDAR help | Ahead, backward, downward solely |
| Transmission System | OcuSync 4.0 (O4), 20 km FCC | 12 km tri-band SkyLink |
| Storage | 42GB inside + microSD | 6GB inside + microSD |
| App Options | ActiveTrack, MasterShots, Waypoints, FocusTrack, QuickShots | Rocket, Orbit, Flick, Fade Away |
| Shade Profiles | D-Log M, HLG, 10-bit HDR | Commonplace solely |
| Portrait Capturing | Native vertical capturing by way of 2.7K mode | Software program crop (no true vertical sensor) |
| Anti-China Purchaser Attraction | DJI (China) – main concern in U.S. coverage circles | Autel (additionally China) – typically ignored |
Who should purchase the DJI Air 3S?
Select the Air 3S if:
- You desire a drone that’s dependable, sensible and straightforward to fly
- You care about software program high quality and long-term help
- You intend to develop your abilities and need one thing that may develop with you
- You need to keep away from an early improve
Except I’m packing ultra-light, that is the drone I deliver once I journey. It’s additionally the one I like to recommend to different creators and journey bloggers.
Learn my full DJI Air 3S evaluate.
Who should purchase the Autel Evo Lite+?
Go together with the Evo Lite+ if:
- Your price range is capped at $899 and can’t transfer
- You shoot primarily in static, low-light scenes or open areas.
- You’re upgrading from a fundamental newbie drone and need higher digital camera high quality — however not essentially smarter flight instruments
It’s an honest drone with a stable digital camera. Nevertheless it’s not a sensible drone in the best way the Air 3S is.
Learn my full Autel Evo Lite+ evaluate.
Get the Autel Evo Lite+ now from retailers together with:
And with that allow’s dive into some extra particular specs.
Digital camera comparability: Autel has one edge, DJI has extra versatility
- Autel Evo Lite+: 1-inch CMOS sensor with adjustable aperture (f/2.8–f/11)
- DJI Air 3S: Twin 1/1.3-inch sensor (medium tele-camera) and 1-inch CMOS sensor (wide-angle digital camera), mounted aperture (f/1.8 huge angle and f/2.8 medium tele)
For low-light purists or those that love guide management, the Evo Lite+ has a greater sensor on paper. The 1-inch sensor performs superbly in nightfall and twilight scenes, and the aperture management is uncommon at this worth.
However though the DJI Air 3S has a hard and fast aperture, I feel it wins for versatility. Its dual-lens setup — huge and 3x telephoto — provides you extra storytelling flexibility. You possibly can punch in for tighter framing or use the 3x lens for cinematic compression. And DJI’s picture processing has improved a lot that the smaller sensor typically performs simply as effectively in most circumstances.
The one purpose why the Autel Evo Lite+ is perhaps tempting is in the event you shoot static low-light landscapes or actually need that vary.
Try one of many movies I made utilizing the DJI Air 3S in Hawaii:
Impediment avoidance: DJI is miles forward
Impediment detection is probably the world the place DJI most proves its tech dominance.
- DJI Air 3S: Full 360° sensing with APAS 5.0 for impediment avoidance in all instructions
- Autel Evo Lite+: Ahead, backward, and downward sensors solely
Should you’ve ever flown sideways or backward and clipped a tree, you’ll respect the Air 3S’s all-direction sensing — notably in the event you’re flying in narrower areas (e.g. not an open area). The DJI drone felt protected. The Autel drone felt riskier in tighter areas.
That’s as a result of the DJI Air 3S is provided with an omnidirectional binocular imaginative and prescient system, supplemented with forward-facing LiDAR and an infrared sensor on the backside of the plane. The DJI air 3S wins right here by a large margin.
App and person expertise: DJI Fly remains to be extra polished, as are different options like inside storage
Drone {hardware} solely will get you to date. Software program issues, as does the end-to-end person expertise. Autel has come a good distance, however its app nonetheless lags in stability and interface.
- DJI Air 3S: Depends on DJI Fly app, 42 GB inside storage
- Autel Evo Lite+: Depends on Autel Sky app, 6 GB inside storage
Inside storage is big for me. I’m consistently forgetting SD playing cards. Even when I’ve it, I’m frightened it’ll be corrupted or I simply don’t need to fiddle with having to attach another factor to a different factor. Certain, 6 GB of inside storage is sweet, don’t get me improper. However when flying with the DJI Air 3S, I’ve by no means used a microSD card interval, consider it or not.
Each apps are wonderful when it comes to the flying expertise. However so far as the post-flying expertise — the place you need to switch your footage to your cellphone to publish on Instagram — that’s the place DJI Fly soars.
There’s simply no comparability — the DJI expertise is plug-and-play. And though the Autel Fly app has been on the market some time, it generally feels prefer it’s nonetheless in beta.
What about China issues?
One purpose some individuals keep away from DJI is concern over Chinese language tech, both as a result of privateness fears or U.S. authorities restrictions. And sure, DJI has confronted large pushback within the U.S.
For instance, the Division of Inside issued a report about how an inside ban made it unimaginable for them to buy DJI drones. Branches of the U.S. army additionally don’t use DJI drones. As a result of many authorities entities have banned use of DJI or Chinese language-made drones extra broadly, different non-public firms have adopted go well with. Some massive companies that rent contract drone pilots received’t enable them to fly with Chinese language-made drones.
That’s one other story unto itself. But when your purpose is to purchase a drone that’s not made in China, the Autel Evo Lite+ just isn’t the reply, as a result of Autel can also be a Chinese language firm.
It is a frequent false impression. Some consumers suppose they’re side-stepping the China concern by selecting Autel, however they’re not. Autel props up its Seattle workplaces to steer individuals to consider it’s an American drone firm, however its drones are nonetheless developed in China. And actually, DJI additionally has workplaces within the U.S. — it simply doesn’t fake to be an American firm. (You need to undoubtedly try these pictures of DJI’s Shenzhen headquarters although.)
Actually, DJI has typically been extra clear about its privateness protocols than smaller Chinese language rivals.
Now for the dangerous information. Anybody searching for a high-quality, American-made digital camera drone underneath $1,000 is out of luck. There are some choices for American-made drones underneath $1,000, however they’re principally focused at youngsters. That features the CoDrone from Robolink or the Hopper drone from FTW Robotics. Each, coincidentally, are made by firms based mostly in San Diego, designed for school rooms and price about $250.
The underside line? In case your DJI vs. Autel debate for you is political, possibly surrender. You’re choosing between two Chinese language choices.
Worth and worth: DJI prices extra — but it surely’s price it
I discussed this up entrance, however I need to circle again as a result of that is typically the ultimate resolution maker. Worth.
- DJI Air 3S: Begins at $1,099 (base equipment), typically $1,349 with RC-N2 controller
- Autel Evo Lite+: Begins at $899, generally bundled with extras
That’s a 22% worth distinction, which could really feel like so much — till you fly them each. The DJI Air 3S is smarter, safer, extra dependable and backed by a extra sturdy app ecosystem. It seems like a era forward, as a result of it’s.
Should you don’t pay that 22% premium now, you’ll probably spend extra upgrading prior to you deliberate. The Air 3S affords larger worth when you consider time saved troubleshooting software program or changing outdated gear.
Drone know-how strikes quick, and the Autel Evo Lite+ is outdated in drone years
Drone know-how strikes quick. Typically I really feel like new drones come out much more regularly than firmware updates. Yearly brings large good points in flight intelligence, digital camera efficiency and security methods. So when selecting a drone, particularly within the vital $800–$1,200 mid-range class, you don’t simply need the very best specs to your cash — you need one thing that may nonetheless really feel present in a yr or two.
Now right here’s the factor. The Autel Evo Lite+ is already fairly outdated. Although it’s a toddler in human years, the drone — which hit cabinets in early 2022 — is a geriatric in drone years. The DJI Air 3S is way youthful, having launched in late 2024.
The DJI Air 3S is unquestionably my favourite journey drone. It’s DJI’s latest drone in its fleet of mid-range digital camera drones. However even that isn’t DJI’s latest drone. There’s the DJI Flip, a positively pleasant price range and beginner-oriented drone, which got here out in January 2025. After which in Could 2025, DJI gave us the Mavic 4 Professional, which is greatest for both high-end photographers and even sure enterprise and industrial drone customers.
Drone gear is an extended sport. Should you skimp now, you’ll probably find yourself paying extra later if you’re annoyed along with your drone’s limitations and purchase one thing higher. I’ve finished that. Most pilots I do know have too.
The underside line: Purchase the DJI Air 3S, except your price range received’t budge
The DJI Air 3S is 22% dearer—but it surely’s simply 50% higher. In all probability extra.
- Get the DJI Air 3S if you need smarter flight, safer impediment avoidance, higher video flexibility, and a extra future-proof drone. It’s $1,099—greater than the Autel—however simply earns its price ticket.
- Take into account the Autel Evo Lite+ provided that you completely should keep underneath $1,000. At $899, it’s a stable worth, but it surely’s additionally beginning to present its age.
In case your max price range is $899 and there’s no wiggle room, then the Autel Evo Lite+ is okay. It flies, it movies, and it beats most newbie drones. However in the event you can stretch even a bit? Discover a option to get the Air 3S. You’ll save more cash in the long term by skipping the “remorse improve” cycle.
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