What’s The Best Cheap Beginner Drone? DJI NEO vs Mini 4K

If you’re in the market for your first DJI drone and want to know what the absolute cheapest options are, you’ve got two interesting choices to consider as I recently explored in detail. Let me break down what you need to know about the DJI Mini 4K and the DJI Neo, because they’re actually very different machines designed for very different types of pilots.

DJI’s Secret Sauce: The Common Ground

Here’s something fascinating about DJI drones that most people don’t realize: they all fly surprisingly similar. Whether you’re handling their top-of-the-line Inspire 3 or the entry-level Mini 4K we’re talking about today, DJI’s “secret sauce” gives you that consistent experience. You get rock-solid GPS hold, super fluid controls, reliable image transmission, and trustworthy return-to-home features across the board.

But that’s where the similarities between these two drones end. The Mini 4K, which dropped in early 2024, is essentially a refreshed version of the Mini 2. Don’t let that fool you though – the technology is anything but outdated. Meanwhile, the Neo is this entirely different beast that feels more like a tiny whoop with some serious tricks up its sleeve.

Breaking Down the Price Tags

Let’s talk price, because that’s probably why you’re here. The Mini 4K lists at $299, but I’m seeing it discounted to $239 right now. The Neo might look cheaper at first glance, but here’s the catch – the base version doesn’t come with a controller. If you want the full Neo experience with goggles and everything, you’re looking at about $629, plus batteries. It’s not exactly an apples-to-apples comparison.

Flight Modes: Traditional vs. Triple Threat

Now, here’s where things get really interesting – the flight modes. The Mini 4K is your classic GPS drone. Three-axis gimbal, super smooth video, sharp photos – it’s exactly what most people think of when they imagine a drone. The Neo? It’s like DJI threw three different drones into a blender. You can have it track you automatically, fly it like a normal GPS drone, or slap on the goggles and go full manual FPV mode. I actually made a whole separate video about all the ways you can fly this thing because there’s so much to cover.

Camera Quality: The Real Difference Maker

The camera situation really tells you everything you need to know about these drones’ personalities. The Mini 4K gives you that cinematic, smooth footage that looks amazing for landscapes and cityscapes. The Neo has this wider angle lens that’s better for when you’re flying close to the ground or tracking someone. I’ve got to be honest – the video quality from the Neo is noticeably softer and grainier than the Mini 4K. It feels like that’s where DJI had to make some compromises to pack in all those flight features at this price point.

Making Your Choice: Photos vs. Versatility

So which one should you get? Here’s how I look at it: if you’re primarily interested in taking photos and videos, get the Mini 4K. The camera quality really punches above its weight class, and I’d have no problem posting those shots on social media. But if you want to experiment with different types of flying and don’t mind sacrificing some image quality, the Neo offers an incredibly versatile experience you just can’t get with the Mini 4K.

As a photographer who flies drones primarily for capturing images, I’d personally go with the Mini 4K. But I totally get why someone would choose the Neo – the ability to switch between tracking modes, normal flying, and FPV is pretty incredible at this price point. It really comes down to what you want to do with your drone.

Download the sample photos and videos I shot with both drones and see for yourself. The difference in image quality might make your decision a lot easier, depending on your priorities.