DJI Neo 2 Review: The Beginner Drone Designed to Make Crashes Impossible

The DJI Neo 2 has arrived as the perfect starter drone for beginners who fear crashing. Officially unveiled in China, it combines smart obstacle sensing, full propeller protection, and intuitive controls to make flying nearly foolproof. With its light weight, upgraded 4K camera, and enhanced flight intelligence, the Neo 2 could redefine entry-level drone safety and performance.

Weighing just 151 grams, this drone sits below FAA registration limits while offering professional-grade stabilization and automation. It’s positioned as DJI’s most accessible flying camera yet — one anyone can confidently launch without prior experience.

DJI Neo 2 Features and Price Overview

The DJI Neo 2 builds on the original Neo’s phone-controlled simplicity, introducing a 360-degree omnidirectional monocular vision system paired with a forward-facing LiDAR sensor. This system allows the drone to detect walls, trees, and poles in every direction and automatically stop before collision. Combined with a fully enclosed propeller guard, it’s arguably one of the safest drones ever created.

For control, users can choose between hand gestures, voice commands, or the DJI Fly app. The Neo 2 even includes a small display on its body for quick flight adjustments. For advanced users, it supports DJI’s RC 2, RC-N2, RC-N3, RC Motion 3, and FPV Goggles N3 controllers for an immersive experience.

DJI promotes the Neo 2 as a “flying photographer.” Its Smart Selfie and Intelligent Follow modes automatically frame subjects and track movement at speeds up to 12 m/s, ideal for vlogs, cycling shots, or cinematic sequences. A Riding Follow mode helps cyclists capture dynamic clips hands-free.

Under the hood, it carries a 12MP 1/2-inch CMOS sensor with an f/2.2 aperture, shooting 4K/60fps video and 4K/100fps slow motion. The upgraded dual-axis gimbal delivers steady footage, while vertical 2.7K recording suits TikTok and Instagram creators. With 49GB of built-in storage and Wi-Fi transfer speeds up to 80MB/s, creators can easily store and share high-quality footage.

The battery also received a bump to 1606 mAh, offering up to 19 minutes of flight with better consistency and faster dual-mode charging across multiple batteries. Pricing has yet to be confirmed for the U.S., but the original Neo’s bundles remain available:

• DJI Neo (single battery): $159 (was $199)
• DJI Neo Three-Battery Combo: $229 (was $289)
• DJI Neo Fly More Combo: $279 (was $349)

U.S. Launch Uncertainty and Market Impact

Although the DJI Neo 2 passed FCC certification in July, its U.S. release faces complications. Customs officials have detained select DJI shipments since 2024 under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, despite DJI’s statement that its drones are built in Shenzhen and Malaysia. Additionally, new FCC rules could place DJI on the “Covered List” if a pending national security review remains unfinished by the end of 2025.

As a result, DJI’s U.S. operations remain uncertain. If restrictions expand, American consumers may not see the Neo 2 on shelves anytime soon. For now, the original Neo continues to be a strong value option with safe flight features and 4K recording — ideal for those eager to enter the drone hobby before potential import restrictions tighten.

Bottom line: The DJI Neo 2 combines safety, intelligence, and creativity like never before. Whether it reaches U.S. consumers soon or not, it sets a new standard for beginner drones — powerful enough for creators, safe enough for anyone.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What makes DJI Neo 2 beginner-friendly?

It features full propeller guards, 360-degree obstacle sensing, gesture control, and automatic takeoff and landing, making crashes nearly impossible.

Q2: How long can DJI Neo 2 fly on a single charge?

It can fly for up to 19 minutes with the new 1606 mAh battery, slightly longer than the first-generation Neo.

Q3: Does DJI Neo 2 shoot vertical videos for social media?

Yes, it supports 2.7K vertical video mode, ideal for TikTok and Instagram Reels creators.

Q4: Is DJI Neo 2 available in the U.S.?

Not yet. Although FCC-approved, U.S. import restrictions and pending reviews may delay or block its release.

Q5: What controllers work with DJI Neo 2?

It’s compatible with RC 2, RC-N2, RC-N3, RC Motion 3, and FPV Goggles N3 for advanced flying experiences.