Two of the most well-liked mid-range drones proper now are the DJI Air 3S and the Autel Evo Lite+. On paper, they appear like opponents. 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 cause to go for the Autel Evo Lite+ over the DJI Air 3S, and that’s value. The Autel Evo Lite+ is about $200 cheaper (when contemplating each drones of their base kind with out issues like spiffed-up controllers). Sure, which means the DJI Air 3S is 22% dearer. However whereas the Autel Evo Lite+ is likely to be cheaper, the DJI Air 3S is way over 22% higher, and completely well worth the value distinction for many pilots.
However if you would like a extra in-depth reply, together with a comparability of specs (and validation for why I believe 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’ll be able to 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 examine, side-by-side, I did the give you the results you want:
| Function | 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 (broad), 1/1.3-inch CMOS (3x tele) | 1-inch CMOS |
| Picture Decision | 50MP (broad), 48MP (tele), a number of modes | 20MP |
| Video Decision | As much as 4K/120fps; slow-mo; 10-bit shade | As much as 6K/30fps |
| Aperture | f/1.8 (broad), 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 |
| Colour Profiles | D-Log M, HLG, 10-bit HDR | Normal solely |
| Portrait Capturing | Native vertical capturing through 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 can purchase the DJI Air 3S?
Select the Air 3S if:
- You desire a drone that’s dependable, good and simple to fly
- You care about software program high quality and long-term help
- You intend to develop your expertise and wish 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 carry after 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 can purchase the Autel Evo Lite+?
Go together with the Evo Lite+ if:
- Your finances 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 wish higher digicam high quality — however not essentially smarter flight instruments
It’s a good drone with a stable digicam. But it surely’s not a wise drone in the way in which 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 digicam), mounted aperture (f/1.8 broad 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 value.
However regardless that the DJI Air 3S has a set aperture, I believe it wins for versatility. Its dual-lens setup — broad and 3x telephoto — provides you extra storytelling flexibility. You’ll be able to 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 properly in most circumstances.
The one cause why the Autel Evo Lite+ is likely to be tempting is in case 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 admire the Air 3S’s all-direction sensing — significantly in case you’re flying in narrower areas (e.g. not an open discipline). The DJI drone felt secure. 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 continues to be extra polished, as are different options like inside storage
Drone {hardware} solely will get you up to now. Software program issues, as does the end-to-end person expertise. Autel has come a great 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 yet one more factor to a different factor. Positive, 6 GB of inside storage is sweet, don’t get me fallacious. 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 positive by way of the flying expertise. However so far as the post-flying expertise — the place you need to switch your footage to your cellphone to submit on Instagram — that’s the place DJI Fly soars.
There’s simply no comparability — the DJI expertise is plug-and-play. And regardless that the Autel Fly app has been on the market some time, it typically feels prefer it’s nonetheless in beta.
What about China issues?
One cause some folks keep away from DJI is concern over Chinese language tech, both because of privateness fears or U.S. authorities restrictions. And sure, DJI has confronted huge 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. navy 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 personal firms have adopted go well with. Some massive companies that rent contract drone pilots gained’t permit 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+ isn’t the reply, as a result of Autel can also be a Chinese language firm.
This can be a frequent false impression. Some consumers assume they’re side-stepping the China subject by selecting Autel, however they’re not. Autel props up its Seattle places of work to guide folks to consider it’s an American drone firm, however its drones are nonetheless developed in China. And actually, DJI additionally has places of work within the U.S. — it simply doesn’t faux to be an American firm. (You must positively try these pictures of DJI’s Shenzhen headquarters although.)
The truth is, DJI has typically been extra clear about its privateness protocols than smaller Chinese language rivals.
Now for the unhealthy information. Anybody in search of a high-quality, American-made digicam 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 children. That features the CoDrone from Robolink or the Hopper drone from FTW Robotics. Each, coincidentally, are made by corporations primarily based in San Diego, designed for lecture 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 package), typically $1,349 with RC-N2 controller
- Autel Evo Lite+: Begins at $899, typically bundled with extras
That’s a 22% value distinction, which could really feel like loads — till you fly them each. The DJI Air 3S is smarter, safer, extra dependable and backed by a extra sturdy app ecosystem. It appears like a technology forward, as a result of it’s.
Should you don’t pay that 22% premium now, you’ll seemingly spend extra upgrading earlier than you deliberate. The Air 3S presents 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 often than firmware updates. Yearly brings huge good points in flight intelligence, digicam efficiency and security techniques. So when selecting a drone, particularly within the crucial $800–$1,200 mid-range class, you don’t simply need one of the best specs on your cash — you need one thing that may nonetheless really feel present in a 12 months or two.
Now right here’s the factor. The Autel Evo Lite+ is already fairly outdated. Despite the fact that 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 far 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 digicam drones. However even that isn’t DJI’s latest drone. There’s the DJI Flip, a positively pleasant finances and beginner-oriented drone, which got here out in January 2025. After which in Might 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 seemingly find yourself paying extra later whenever you’re annoyed along with your drone’s limitations and purchase one thing higher. I’ve achieved that. Most pilots I do know have too.
The underside line: Purchase the DJI Air 3S, until your finances gained’t budge
The DJI Air 3S is 22% dearer—but it surely’s simply 50% higher. Most likely extra.
- Get the DJI Air 3S if you would like 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.
- Contemplate 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 finances is $899 and there’s no wiggle room, then the Autel Evo Lite+ is ok. It flies, it movies, and it beats most newbie drones. However in case you can stretch even a bit? Discover a solution to get the Air 3S. You’ll save more cash in the long term by skipping the “remorse improve” cycle.
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