DJI Neo 2
$259.00DJI Neo 2 Review: First Impressions and the “Oh, That’s It?” Moment
When I first unboxed the DJI Neo 2, my reaction was pretty underwhelming. It’s small. Really small. At 151 grams (or 160g if you get the version with the transceiver attached), it weighs about as much as an apple .
The original Neo was already tiny, but this one feels slightly more substantial in your hand—not in a bad way, just in a “they added some stuff” kind of way . The dark gray finish looks sleeker than the original’s plastic-y vibe, and there’s now a tiny little screen on the front.
That screen? Game changer.
On the old Neo, you had to decipher blinking LED lights like you were reading Morse code to figure out what mode it was in. The Neo 2’s display just tells you: “Follow Mode,” “Dronie,” “Circle.”
The propellers come with built-in guards, so it has that “whoop” style drone look—fully enclosed, kid-safe, and most importantly, finger-safe. You can literally catch this thing out of the air without worrying about losing a digit. More on that later.
DJI Neo 2 Price: How Much More Are We Talking?
Let’s get the boring (but important) stuff out of the way first.
The DJI Neo 2 price starts at £209 / €239 / AU$409 for the drone-only kit . That’s about a $30-40 bump over the original Neo’s launch price. If you’re in Canada, you’re looking at around $229 CAD for the base model .
But here’s the thing—and I cannot stress this enough—do not buy the base model.
I know, I know. You want to save money. But the battery life on this thing is… well, it’s not great. We’ll get to that in a sec. The Fly More Combo, which includes three batteries, a charging hub, and the RC-N3 controller, costs £349 / €399 / AU$709 (or about $399 CAD) .
Is that a lot? Yeah, it’s more than double the base price. But if you actually want to fly for more than 10 minutes at a time, you need those extra batteries. Every single reviewer says the same thing: the base kit is for dipping your toe in; the combo is for actually using the drone .
Quick Note for US Readers: Here’s where things get messy. Due to some really complicated regulatory stuff (involving the FCC and the National Defense Authorization Act), the DJI Neo 2 is not officially available in the United States right now .
You might find it from third-party resellers or importers, but officially? DJI’s hands are tied. It’s a bummer, especially since the drone apparently received FCC certification months ago . If you’re in the US and really want one, you’ll have to do some digging—just know you might be giving up warranty support.
The Specs That Actually Matter
| Specification | DJI Neo 2 | DJI Neo (Original) |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 151g (160g w/ transceiver) | 135g |
| Camera Sensor | 12MP 1/2-inch CMOS | 12MP 1/2-inch CMOS |
| Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.8 |
| Video Resolution | 4K up to 60fps, 4K 100fps (manual) | 4K 30fps |
| Gimbal | 2-axis mechanical | 1-axis mechanical |
| Obstacle Avoidance | Omnidirectional (LiDAR + Vision) | Basic downward only |
| Internal Storage | 49GB | 22GB |
| Flight Time (rated) | 19 minutes | 18 minutes |
| Max Follow Speed | 12 m/s (~27 mph) | 8 m/s (~18 mph) |
| Wind Resistance | Level 5 (up to 24 mph) | Level 4 |
I pulled this table together from a mix of sources, but the standout numbers here are the obstacle avoidance and the follow speed . Those are the upgrades that actually change how you use the drone.
Obstacle Avoidance: The Reason You Won’t Crash in the First 5 Minutes
Remember how I said I’m not coordinated? That’s why the omnidirectional obstacle avoidance on the Neo 2 is the headline feature for me .
The original Neo was fun, but it had a bad habit of flying into things. Trees, fences, the side of your friend’s car—didn’t matter. It would just… go. And then you’d have a very expensive paperweight.
The Neo 2 fixes that with a combo platter of sensors: forward-facing LiDAR, plus infrared and vision sensors pointing in multiple directions .
During my testing, I purposely walked toward a tree while the drone was following me. The Neo 2 slowed down, angled slightly upward, and whoosh—it cleared the branches and kept following.
Was it perfect? No. One time, it got caught in some spindly low-hanging branches that were basically invisible. It clattered around for a second, shut off its propellers, and just… hung there. I had to fish it out .
But here’s the thing: even that crash didn’t damage it. These things are tough. And the fact that it avoided most obstacles means I actually trusted it enough to use it in places I wouldn’t have taken the original Neo .
The Verge’s review put it well: the obstacle detection will occasionally fail, but it gives you enough confidence to actually fly in interesting locations .
Camera and Video Quality: Good Enough to Post, Not Good Enough to Win Awards
Let’s talk about the camera, because that’s why you’re buying this thing.
The DJI Neo 2 camera uses the same 1/2-inch sensor as the original, but everything around it got better .
First, the aperture widened from f/2.8 to f/2.2, which helps in lower light (though “lower light” here means “golden hour,” not “nighttime”) .
Second, and more importantly, they added a 2-axis mechanical gimbal.
The original Neo only stabilized tilt. That meant when the drone turned sideways, your footage would roll and look like you were filming from a boat. The Neo 2 keeps the horizon level even during turns, and it makes a huge difference in how professional the footage looks .
Video specs:
- 4K at 60fps (up from 30fps)
- 4K slow motion at 100fps (if you’re using a remote controller)
- 2.7K vertical video for TikTok/Reels (up from 1080p)
In good light—like a sunny afternoon at the park—the footage looks sharp, colorful, and stable. You could absolutely post this to Instagram and nobody would know it wasn’t shot on a $1,000 drone .
In low light? Eh. The grain creeps in fast. By ISO 3200, it’s pretty noticeable . But honestly? For a drone this size and price, that’s an acceptable trade-off. If you’re shooting at night, you’re probably using a different tool anyway.
One weird omission: no 10-bit D-LogM color. That means if you’re the type who likes to color grade your footage extensively, you’re out of luck . The Neo 2 is for “straight to social,” not “straight to Sundance.”
How It Feels to Actually Fly: Palm Launches and Gesture Controls
Okay, specs are cool. But how does it feel?
The Neo 2 is designed to be used without a controller. That’s its whole thing.
Here’s the flow:
- Turn it on.
- Pick a mode using the buttons on the side (the little screen shows you which one you’ve selected).
- Hold it flat in your palm, press the button, and it takes off .
- It does its thing—follows you, circles you, flies away for a “dronie” shot.
- When it’s done, hold out your palm, and it lands right back in your hand .
The first time I did this, I felt like a wizard. The second time, I felt like an idiot because I was waving my hands around in public trying to get it to move. But hey, it worked.
Gesture controls are new for the Neo 2, and they’re surprisingly responsive. You can raise your hand to make it climb, lower it to descend, spread your hands apart to make it move away, and bring them together to bring it closer . Make a fist to stop it.
Does it feel a little silly? Absolutely. But when you’re alone on a trail and you want a cool shot of yourself running, it beats trying to fiddle with a phone app.
Battery Life: The One Thing You’ll Complain About
I have to be real with you: the battery life is fine, but it’s not great.
DJI rates it at 19 minutes . In real-world use—especially if you’re using active tracking or flying in any wind—you’re looking at 10 to 15 minutes .
That’s not a dealbreaker, but it does mean you need to plan your shots. And it’s the main reason I keep yelling at you to buy the Fly More Combo. With three batteries, you can cycle through them and get a solid 30-45 minutes of actual flight time .
The good news? Charging is via USB-C, and the batteries pop in and out easily. The hub in the combo kit charges them sequentially, so you can keep flying while one charges .
Who Is This For? (And Who Should Skip It?)
Buy the DJI Neo 2 if:
- You’ve never owned a drone and want something that won’t immediately crash.
- You’re a runner, cyclist, or skier who wants cool follow shots.
- You post to social media and want aerial footage without spending $1,000.
- You want something you can literally throw in a backpack and forget about until you need it .
Skip it if:
- You’re a professional filmmaker (you already knew that).
- You need long flight times for mapping or inspection work.
- You primarily shoot at night.
- You’re in the US and don’t want to deal with import uncertainty .
Final Verdict: Is the DJI Neo 2 Worth It?
After two weeks of carrying this thing around, I get it now. I understand why people like drones.
The DJI Neo 2 isn’t about pushing technical boundaries. It’s about lowering the barrier to entry so much that people like me—clumsy, impatient, tech-enthusiastic-but-not-obsessive—can actually enjoy flying .
The obstacle avoidance means I’m not terrified of trees. The palm launch means I actually use it instead of leaving it at home. The improved camera means the footage looks good enough to share.
But if you can get your hands on one? It’s the most fun I’ve had with a camera in years.
The Engadget review called it “the best tech product I’ve seen in a while, period” . I wouldn’t go that far—I still love my noise-canceling headphones—but I get where they’re coming from.
Sometimes “good enough” and “actually usable” beats “perfect on paper.” And the DJI Neo 2 is exactly that: good enough to be great.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the DJI Neo 2 have obstacle avoidance?
Yes, it has omnidirectional obstacle avoidance using forward LiDAR and multiple vision sensors .
What’s the DJI Neo 2 price?
Starts at £209 / €239 / AU$409 for the base kit. The Fly More Combo with controller and extra batteries is £349 / €399 / AU$709 .
Can you fly it without a phone?
Yes! Palm launch, gesture controls, and the built-in screen let you fly completely controller-free .
Is the DJI Neo 2 available in the USA?
Not officially. Due to regulatory issues, DJI hasn’t launched it in the US market .
How long does the battery last?
Rated for 19 minutes, but real-world use is closer to 10-15 minutes depending on conditions .
Does it have internal storage?
Yes, 49GB. No microSD card slot .
