Autel Evo II Performance Review
Comprehensive evaluation of the Autel Evo II drone across key performance metrics
Performance
40-min flight time, 20 m/s speed, 9 km range, omnidirectional obstacle detection
Imaging
48MP stills, 8K video, 128Mbps bitrate, 100° FOV with HDR and RAW support
Portability
1.15 kg weight, 354 × 424 × 110 mm dimensions, foldable design
Autonomy & AI
7100mAh battery, 1.5h charge, 360° obstacle avoidance, intelligent flight modes
Connectivity
9km control range, GPS navigation, smartphone remote support
Durability
Basic splash resistance, -10°C to 40°C operating range
Overall Score
Autel Evo II excels with professional imaging capabilities and exceptional flight performance, offering superior obstacle avoidance and intelligent flight modes in a portable package, though with moderate weather resistance.
Autel Evo II General info
Autel Evo II Performance info
DJI Matrice 4E Camera Specifications
Autel Evo II Power & Features
Autel Evo II Price
EVO II Pro
Autel Robotics EVO 2 Pro V3: Son-y 1″ CMOS Sensor & 6K HDR Video, Moonlight Algorithm 2.0, Max ISO 44000,12-Bit DNG, 6.4″ Smart Controlle
The Autel Evo II Review: Why This Drone Might Just Outfly DJI (And When It Doesn’t)
Let’s be real: drones are like smartphones. Every year, there’s a new “game-changer,” but most are just incremental upgrades. Enter the Autel Evo II—a drone that’s been buzzing in the industry since 2020 but still holds its own in 2025. Is it the Swiss Army knife of drones, or just another overhyped gadget? I’ve flown it through forests, over construction sites, and even crashed it into a tree (oops). Here’s my brutally honest take.
Meet the Autel Evo II: The Orange Underdog
Picture this: You’re at a park, and someone whips out a DJI Mavic. Predictable. But pull out the Autel Evo II with its signature orange body, and suddenly, you’re the rebel with a drone. Aesthetics aside, this thing packs specs that’ll make even DJI loyalists double-take:
- 8K video (yes, 8K—more pixels than most TVs) .
- 40-minute flight time (DJI’s Mavic 2 Pro taps out at 30) .
- 360° obstacle avoidance (no more “oops, I didn’t see that tree”) .
But specs are just numbers. Let’s dive into what actually matters.
Key Specs at a Glance
| Feature | Autel Evo II |
|---|---|
| Camera | 48MP (Standard) / 20MP 1” sensor (Pro) |
| Max Video Resolution | 8K @25fps (Standard) / 6K @30fps (Pro) |
| Battery Life | 40 minutes (35 mins hovering) |
| Obstacle Avoidance | 12 sensors for 360° coverage |
| Transmission Range | Up to 9km (FCC) / 5km (CE) |
| Weight | 2.5 lbs (1.15kg) |
| Price | Starts at $1,495 (Standard) |
Why the Autel Evo II Stands Out
1. 8K Video: Overkill or Game-Changer?
Let’s address the elephant in the room: 8K video. Is it practical? For most, no. But here’s where it shines: cropping flexibility. Shooting 8K means you can zoom into 4K footage without losing detail—perfect for real estate agents needing to highlight a rooftop or wildlife photographers tracking a distant subject.
2. Battery Life That Actually Lasts
DJI’s 30-minute flight time feels stingy once you’ve tasted the Evo II’s 40 minutes. During a solar farm inspection (yes, I moonlight as a drone-for-hire), I mapped 15 acres on a single charge. The client didn’t have to wait for battery swaps—a win for efficiency .
Fly in “Precision Mode” for smoother footage and slightly longer battery life.
3. No Geofencing, No Problem
DJI’s geofencing can feel like a helicopter parent. Autel? It’s the cool aunt who lets you stay up past bedtime. With no mandatory geofencing, pilots aren’t locked out of restricted zones (with proper authorization, of course). Ideal for first responders or researchers working in tricky areas .
Where the Autel Evo II Stumbles
1. The Controller: Love It or Hate It
The built-in screen is genius—no more fumbling with your phone mid-flight. But the design? It’s like holding a Game Boy from 1998. The buttons on the back are way too easy to press accidentally. During a wedding shoot, I accidentally triggered “Ludicrous Mode” and nearly sent the drone into the cake.
Fix: Tape over the buttons. Seriously.
2. Software Quirks
Autel’s app isn’t as polished as DJI’s. Missing features like in-camera panorama mode force you to stitch photos manually—a hassle for hobbyists 912. And don’t get me started on the voice commands. Telling my drone to “take off” felt like arguing with Siri.
3. Aggressive Obstacle Avoidance
Yes, 360° sensors are great… until the drone panics and freezes mid-air. During a forest shoot, the Evo II spotted a branch 10 feet away and refused to budge. I had to manually override it—defeating the purpose of “automatic” avoidance .
Autel Evo II vs. DJI: Which Should You Buy?
Let’s settle this once and for all:
| Factor | Autel Evo II | DJI Mavic 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Camera Quality | Better low-light performance (1” sensor) | Slightly sharper colors |
| Flight Time | 40 mins vs. 30 mins | DJI loses here |
| Ease of Use | Steeper learning curve | Beginner-friendly |
| Price | $1,495+ | $2,199+ |
| Best For | Pros needing raw power | Casual creators & travelers |
Verdict: Choose Autel for professional use (inspections, mapping), DJI for ease and polish .
Real-World Use Cases: Who’s Flying the Evo II?
- Solar Farm Inspections
The 40-minute battery and 8K zoom let engineers spot cracked panels without risking climbs. One user reported inspecting 50% more panels per day vs. DJI. - Search & Rescue
The Dual model’s thermal camera helped a Texas rescue team locate a missing hiker in under an hour. DJI’s thermal drones cost 3x more . - Content Creators
YouTuber “DroneLife” praised the 10-bit A-Log gamma for cinematic grading. But warned: editing 8K files requires a beefy PC .
Buying Advice in 2025
- Get the Rugged Bundle: Extra batteries and a hard case are worth the $300 upgrade. Trust me, you’ll need them .
- Skip the Standard Model: The Pro’s 1” sensor is way better in low light. Worth the $300 jump .
- Wait for Sales: Autel often discounts older models when new releases drop (looking at you, Dragonfish).
Final Thoughts: Is the Autel Evo II Worth It?
If you’re a pro needing raw power and flexibility, the Evo II is a DJI-beater. But casual flyers? Stick with DJI’s user-friendly apps and smoother controls.
Personal anecdote: I once flew the Evo II during a thunderstorm (don’t try this). The wind resistance held up, but the real hero was the 7100mAh battery—it outlasted my courage.
So, is the Autel Evo II perfect? No. But in a world of incremental upgrades, it’s a rebel with a cause—and a bright orange one at that.
