DJI Neo 2 After 30 Days: Why This Pocketable Drone Has Become One of My Favorites

The DJI Neo 2 drone has been out for about a month now, and I can easily say this has probably become one of my favorite drones. A lot of people consider the Neo series a toy, something not meant for anything serious. I disagree. The original Neo was limited with its video quality, but the Neo 2 is quite different. This is going to be a powerful tool in my camera bag.

If you’re looking for all the specs and information about this drone, check out my full DJI Neo 2 review. This is a 30-day user experience follow-up covering why this drone works so well in practice.

The Price-to-Capability Ratio

The Neo 2 comes in at $229 US according to the Canadian DJI website. Prices vary by country, and Fly More or controller combos cost more. But for $229, you’re getting an extremely capable autonomous following drone that can perform various tasks right out of the box.

That’s only a slight price increase from the original Neo, but you’re getting significant upgrades: omnidirectional obstacle avoidance with sensors on the top, bottom, and lidar on the front. There’s a new LCD screen displaying your current mode and its parameters. You can adjust all mode attributes directly on the drone using the side buttons. Add to that better performance, better video quality, and improved stabilization with the new two-axis gimbal.

The Best Camera Is the One You Have With You

For me, one of the most important features of the Neo 2 is simply its compact size. This thing is literally pocketable. It won’t fit in every pocket, but if you’ve got a hoodie or loose cargo pants, the Neo 2 can definitely fit inside. The batteries are lightweight and small, so you can bring several just in a pocket.

Traditional drones can be cumbersome. They’re not something you bring along unless you definitely plan to use them. Usually it requires planning. The Neo 2 is so small and lightweight that it’s not inconvenient to bring with you. Whether you’re going to use it that day or not doesn’t matter. Stick it in a bag or pocket and if you happen to come across something you want to capture, you’ve always got a drone ready.

That happens to me quite often. I’m out hiking or doing something, I come across a beautiful scene, and I wish I had a drone with me. Now, more often than not, I will have a high-quality drone that I can bring along and still capture footage when needed.

DJI Neo 2 Video Quality That Actually Delivers

The video quality on the Neo 2 is actually pretty good. It’s an improvement over the original Neo. It’s nowhere near something like the Mini 5 Pro or Air 3S, but for social media platforms like YouTube, it’s more than adequate. I’ve been pleased with what it can capture.

This makes the Neo 2 particularly appealing for vlog-style creators. It’s a great way to introduce new perspectives to your vlogs. When paired with a smartphone, you can capture audio and even connect a wireless mic. You essentially have a cameraman following you around for walking and talking shots.

Easy to Use Without Sacrificing Capability

The Neo 2 is extremely easy to use. You don’t need a lot of drone experience to capture interesting content. Not everybody has a passion for flying drones. Some people have other hobbies and interests, different passions they want to capture and share on social media. For them, it’s not about the drone flying itself. They just want a tool to help tell their story and share their experiences. The Neo 2 is perfect for that because it allows them to capture drone-style shots without learning all the ins and outs of traditional drone flying.

If you’re a beginner looking for your first drone, I highly recommend the Neo 2. You can fly it autonomously with just a touch of a button, fly it with a controller for a more traditional feel, and later, if you want to dabble with FPV, you can pick up goggles and an FPV controller for an immersive flight experience. Check out my complete beginner’s guide if you’re just getting started.

Built for Tracking in Ways Other Drones Aren’t

For outdoor enthusiasts like hikers, bushcrafters, or mountain bikers, the Neo 2 is excellent. The tracking speed has been increased to 12 m/s (43 km/h), more than adequate for most scenarios. I’ve demonstrated that you can even track vehicles with the Neo 2, though you’ll need a controller connected for that.

The Neo 2 is probably one of my favorite drones for tracking due to its robust build and guarded props. If you bump into something while tracking, if the drone runs into a tree or branch, chances are it just pushes through. Even if it falls to the ground, the durable build means it’s most likely not going to be damaged. Pick it back up and put it in the air again.

Compare that to something like the Mini 5 Pro. It’s great for tracking, but in and around obstacles, you have to be careful. Obstacle avoidance works well on those drones, but they can’t really pick up small thin branches or wires. If one of those props nicks a little branch, the drone’s going to crash and likely be damaged. The Neo 2 eliminates that worry.

Plus, drones like the Mini 5 Pro or Air 3S don’t perform well inside forests with lots of trees and obstacles. They tend to jump around quite a bit, and the footage doesn’t look good. The Neo 2 handles these environments much better.

New Tracking Capabilities in the DJI Fly App

One of the new features is robust tracking capabilities within the DJI Fly app interface. You can change the tracking direction on the fly without stopping recording. Have it track you from the back, front, or side, all with a touch of a button. Having the drone move from rear to front while tracking creates some really interesting footage.

Apple Watch Control Changes the Game

DJI is constantly improving their products with firmware, and the Neo 2 is no different. A few days ago, we got the first feature update: the ability to control the DJI Neo 2 with your Apple Watch.

You can’t fully control the drone, but you get a live preview of the video feed right on your wrist. You can switch flight parameters and adjust mode attributes from your watch. For tracking scenarios like hiking through a forest with your phone in your pocket, instead of pulling out your phone to change the tracking angle, just tap your watch. You can also give voice commands from the watch. Say “follow closer,” “lower the height,” or “raise the height” all on the fly while recording. If you just want to check the framing, take a quick look at your wrist.

For me, that’s actually a really important update.

What Could Be Better

Nothing is perfect, and the Neo 2 is no exception.

I wish we got more flight time. Compared to the Neo 1, there wasn’t much increase. You get an extra minute without prop guards, but with prop guards installed, it’s basically the same flight time as the original. I understand there’s only so much they can do with a drone this size without adding weight from bigger batteries. The good news is that batteries are fairly inexpensive compared to larger drones, and they’re small enough to bring extras.

The drone also has no memory card slot, limiting you to internal storage. However, the Neo 2 doubled the capacity from the original, and I haven’t found this limiting in practice. You can store quite a bit of footage on the built-in memory.

For a deeper look at how the Neo 2 compares to its predecessor, check out my Neo 2 vs Neo 1 comparison.

The Bottom Line

Those are my thoughts on the DJI Neo 2 after flying it for the past 30 days. The low cost, lightweight and small form factor, tracking capabilities, and flexibility in how you fly it add up to a drone that’s definitely going to be a powerful tool in my content creation. Both for YouTube B-roll during reviews and for capturing personal activities on social media.

What are your thoughts on the Neo 2? Is this something you’re interested in? Did you pick one up? Let me know in the comments.

Check out Shawn’s video above and subscribe to Air Photography on YouTube for more drone tutorials.