DJI Mini 3 Pro Crashes Into Pilot’s Face During Wind Test—Mini 5 Pro Proves Why Upgrade Matters

A UK-based drone pilot has put five DJI drones through their paces in brutal wind conditions, revealing the Mini 5 Pro’s superior wind resistance compared to its predecessors. The test, conducted during blustery conditions with gusts reaching 25-28 mph (45 km/h), compared the Neo, Flip, Mini 3 Pro, Mini 5 Pro, and Mavic 4 Pro in identical extreme weather.

The dramatic comparison shows clear performance differences between DJI’s sub-250g lineup, with one memorable moment when the Mini 3 Pro crashed into the pilot’s face during testing.

Real-World Wind Resistance Rankings

The side-by-side testing revealed a clear hierarchy in wind performance. The DJI Neo (130g) and DJI Flip (249g) struggled equally despite their weight difference, both bouncing significantly in the gusty conditions. According to the pilot’s observations, “these two drones did pretty much as well or as bad as each other in these conditions.”

The Mini 3 Pro performed better than the Neo and Flip but still experienced considerable instability. During testing, the drone drifted dangerously close to the pilot, prompting him to note that “the Mini 3 Pro just tried to kill me.” The close call highlighted the challenges sub-250g drones face in extreme winds.

Mini 5 Pro Demonstrates Superior Stability

The DJI Mini 5 Pro showed noticeably better performance than its predecessor. The pilot observed that “the Mini 5 just seems to be a little bit more confident in these conditions” and noted the Mini 3 Pro was “just bouncing all over the place a lot more.”

This improved performance likely stems from the Mini 5 Pro’s upgraded specifications. DJI rates the drone for winds up to 12 m/s (26.84 mph), compared to 10.7 m/s (23.9 mph) for the Mini 3 Pro. The enhancement probably comes from stronger motors and faster computing power that enables quicker, more accurate responses to wind gusts.

Mavic 4 Pro Dominates in Extreme Conditions

The clear winner was the Mavic 4 Pro, weighing over 900 grams. The pilot described it as “literally just cruising around, barely bothered by it” while the Mini 5 Pro was “bouncing all over the place a little bit.” The comparison demonstrated that “that is what difference an extra 700 g does to your drone.”

Notably, popular tech reviewer DC Rainmaker, who has historically conducted extreme wind tests in the Netherlands for DJI’s Mini 3 Pro, Air 2S, Air 3, Mavic 3, and other models, has not yet released a Mini 5 Pro wind test.

DroneXL’s Take

This real-world testing confirms what the specs suggest—the Mini 5 Pro represents a meaningful upgrade in wind resistance over the Mini 3 Pro. The improved motors and processing power make a tangible difference in challenging conditions, though pilots should remember these are still lightweight aircraft with inherent limitations.

However, we need to emphasize critical safety considerations when flying any drone in high winds. First, maintaining control becomes exponentially harder as wind speeds increase, even if the drone technically stays airborne. The bouncing and drifting seen in this test translates to unpredictable flight paths and potential collisions.

Second—and this is crucial—high winds drain batteries at alarming rates. Your drone might handle the outbound journey fine, but will it have enough power to fight headwinds on the return trip? Always leave substantial battery reserves for return-to-home in windy conditions. Many flyaways happen not because the drone can’t handle wind, but because pilots don’t account for the battery consumption of fighting sustained gusts.

The pilot in this video offers sound advice: practice in controlled environments where you can safely retrieve the drone if things go wrong. Don’t test wind limits near water, cliffs, or other hazardous areas. Know your drone’s capabilities before you need them in a critical situation.

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