Drones have been all the rage in the past several years, and the market is full of great options to choose from! As a result, It has become increasingly difficult to determine which one suits your needs and is worth the investment.
I’ve got thousands of flying hours under my belt, and even I still struggle to choose the next drone I want to fly. I’ve decided to conduct some tests and write some notes on the Mavic Air 2 vs Mini 2. I want to share my knowledge with any beginners or avid flyers looking to invest in their next aircraft.
These are two prevalent drones on the market today, and I will be comparing the many features of the Mavic Air 2 versus the simpler DJI Mini 2.
Both these drones have excellent qualities, but in the end, I would opt to have the Mavic Air 2 as my travel companion due to its high-quality camera and abundance of smart features.
For The Professional 
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For The Hobbyist 
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$798.00
| $449.00
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At a Glance
The Mavic Air 2 vs Mini 2 puts up a good fight, but overall, the Mavic Air 2 is the stronger competitor. It’s got the edge on camera quality, range, flight time, battery power, and additional features. The DJI Mini 2 might be advantageous for its size and portability, but it isn’t enough to outcompete the Mavic 2.
If you’re looking for a drone that takes great-quality photos and videos, the Mavic Air 2 is the ideal choice and perfect for any semi-professional photographer. It has a powerful lens and added features that are great for wildlife photography and recording sporting or recreational events.
Alternatively, the DJI Mini might be a better choice for beginners or travelers looking for a small and portable drone to capture memories when backpacking Europe or challenging small hikes in their area.
Nonetheless, keep reading to find out in more detail why the Mavic drone is the clear winner in the Mavic Air 2 vs Mini 2 competition.
Camera Quality
Camera quality can make or break the relationship you have with your drone. If you want crystal-clear images and steady video, you must choose a camera that’s up for the task.
Firstly, the Mavic Air 2 features a stabilized 3-axil gimbal system that ensures its users’ smooth video and clear pictures. The drone can shoot 4K video at 60 fps and includes CMO sensors capable of capturing 48-megapixel stills. This drone is an excellent choice if you’re a semi-professional or amateur photographer.
The DJI Mini 2 also comes with a 3-axis gimbal system and 4K videos at 30 frames per second with 12-megapixel photos. In addition, the drone also has 4x digital zoom when shooting in 1080p to capture footage of any far-away subjects.
In the Mavic Air 2 vs Mini 2, the Mavic is the clear winner in overall camera quality, making its higher price tag worth the investment. I can’t imagine a worse scenario than taking your drone on a remarkable adventure only to have it take blurry and unclear photos.
Range (Signal Transmission)
A drone’s range is an important feature to evaluate when choosing the one you want to purchase. For example, if you’re planning on flying many miles to track a wild animal or visit a nearby mountain, you’ll want to invest in a more extended-range drone.
When comparing the Mavic Air 2 vs Mini, they both offer a maximum video transmission range of 10km. However, the Mavic Air 2 can fly in temperatures of -10°C, while the Mini 2 should not be used in sub-zero temperatures.
The two are equally matched in range, but the Mavic is the better option if you anticipate flying more frequently in colder environments like high-elevation mountains or countries of a lower climate.
Flight Time and Battery
A drone’s flight time indicates how long you can fly in the air before a recharge is needed. Therefore, the battery is an integral part of the drone’s build because a heavier battery might have more power, but it also increases the weight of the drone. As a result, it’s crucial to find a powerful enough battery to fly for more extended periods but with a lighter overall mass.
In the Mavic Air 2 vs Mini 2, the Mini has a maximum flight time of 31 minutes, using an Intelligent battery with a full charging power of 29 watts. The Mavic 2 has a longer flight time of 34 minutes with a battery capable of a 38-watt max charging power. The Mavic is also capable of faster flying speeds. So, you can stay in the air longer and fly faster when trying to get that perfect shot.
In this scenario, the Mavic is the clear winner between the two when considering their flight times and battery capabilities. It not only flies longer but also faster, making it a more efficient aircraft for high-intensity activities or adventures.
Size, Weight, and Portability
The drone’s size, weight, and portability are important considerations for people who like to travel and plan to bring the aircraft on trips. If you tend to overpack like me, you might want a small drone that fits comfortably in your carry-on.
The Mini 2 weighs less than 250 grams and is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. In addition, its weight means you won’t need to have it registered with the government or FAA before flying. The Mavic Air 2 is more than double the Mini’s weight at 570 grams. Therefore, it might require some more packing consideration before bringing it along on your trip.
In this Mavic air 2 vs Mini 2 comparison, I would consider the Mini 2 as the winner in size and portability. Its small and lightweight build make it an ideal travel companion for people constantly on the go and not able to sacrifice any additional luggage space.
Smart Features
Smart features of a drone include its intelligent flight modes that let the user choose different settings they want their drone to follow. A beginner might want to choose a drone with a feature like return home, so the drone flies back to its takeoff spot if it loses signal or goes into low power mode.
The Mini 2 has flight modes like Return to Home for keeping your drone safe and QuickShot modes for capturing fun, eye-catching videos. Some of these modes include Dronie, Circle, Rocket, Helix, and Boomerang. The Mavic has these same five QuickShot modes with the addition of the Asteroid mode. It also has a DollyZoom feature that creates a vertigo effect, which allows the drone to zoom out while keeping the subject of the photo or video large, making for a pretty cool final result.
If you’re a semi-professional photographer comparing the Mavic Air 2 vs Mini 2, you might choose to invest in the Mavic Air as your next drone. Its abundance of features and high-quality camera make it both fun and practical for getting the good footage you crave!
Extra Features and Accessories
The DJI Mini 2 includes many extra accessories such as a Charging Base, Snap Adaptor, Mini Bag, Two-Way Charging Hub, 360 Propeller Guard, and a DIY Creative Kit. Therefore, you won’t need to worry about keeping it protected in your bag or running out of energy with the many additional batteries it has in the kit.
The Mavic Air 2 has much of the same accessories as the Mini 2 but with the addition of Low-Noise Propellers, landing gear extensions, and a more extensive assortment of filters. The low-noise propellers make for a quieter flight so as not to disturb any neighbors or potential subjects you’re tracking.
When comparing the Mavic Air 2 vs Mini 2 for accessories, I would argue that the Mavic has more options and is the better overall investment. It comes with many of the same traditional accessories as the Mini 2 but with the addition of others like the landing gear extensions and its comfortable and ergonomic controller grip.
Price
Price is a huge factor in deciding which drone you want to purchase. You can always opt for a cheaper drone but risk poor-quality parts and minimal features.
The DJI Mini is the perfect choice for beginners and comes at a much lower price. However, it doesn’t have as many features or good camera quality as you would get with the Mavic Air 2. The Mavic Air 2 is almost double the price but offers a more extensive range of smart flight features and accessories.
If you’re a beginner looking to advance quicker or a semi-professional, then the Mavic Air 2 is the overall best option. It may come at a higher price tag, but it gives you more room to grow and gain experience as a flyer. Ultimately, you don’t want to purchase a drone that will hold you back!
For The Professional
|
For The Hobbyist
|
$798.00
| $449.00
|
Mavic Air 2 vs Mini 2
After thoroughly analyzing the two drones in question, it can be reasonably assumed that the Mavic Air 2 is a better option when comparing the Mavic 2 vs Mini 2. It has a broader range of smart features, and enhanced HDR, and flies longer and faster than the DJI Mini. If you enjoy shooting sporting or recreational events, this drone will ensure that all the captured footage is of the best quality and shake-free. The same can be said for a mountain hike, where you might have to worry about higher wind speeds, low-hanging branches, and other obstacles.
Additionally, the drone’s APAS 3.0 obstacle avoidance makes it capable of steering clear of any potential dangers while successfully navigating through windier conditions. If that’s not enough, the drone takes incredible cinematic shots, allowing its user to create videos and pictures worth sharing on social media! It may be a steeper investment, but you get what you pay for.
With that in mind, the DJI Mini 2 is still an excellent drone and a great choice for a beginner flyer. The Mini 2 has many fun features like Helix, Dronie, or Rocket mode to play around with and capture different video styles. Its most potent selling point is the drone’s weight and overall size. You can fit it in the palm of your hand, and being under 250 grams, it won’t need to be registered with the government before flying. As an avid traveler, it can be helpful to have a drone that fits into the smallest corners of your luggage.
Hobbyist vs Professional
To make things easier, I’ve identified two categories of drone flyers you might find yourself in when deciding which drone better suits your needs. The two categories are a hobbyist and photographers or videographers.
If you’re a hobbyist and looking to purchase a drone for fun without having to worry about the hassle of learning different features and functions, then the DJI Mini 2 might be the best choice. It is an excellent drone for beginners to use and play around with when just starting drone flying. Nonetheless, it still offers a range of features and benefits you would want with any good aircraft. However, the drawback to purchasing the DJI Mini 2 is that it doesn’t have much room for growth and after some time learning with the drone, you may want to consider upgrading.
Now, if you’re a photographer or videographer, then the Mavic 2 is a perfect choice. The drone boasts some genuinely excellent video and photography capabilities. Its added features will let you track, follow, and record different subjects or animals you might encounter in the wild. In addition, the drone has an ergonomic and comfortable grip controller to make flying simple and easy.
In my opinion, this is an essential feature if you purchase a drone like the Mavic 2 that has a higher flight speed and time. The Mavic Air 2 has room for growth and is an excellent addition to any drone enthusiast’s collection.
For The Professional
|
For The Hobbyist
|
$798.00
| $449.00
|
