Two of the most well-liked mid-range drones proper now are the DJI Air 3S and the Autel Evo Lite+. On paper, they appear like rivals. However within the air? Not a lot.
Between these two, which is healthier? To me, the reply is apparent: the DJI Air 3S. There’s actually just one actual motive to go for the Autel Evo Lite+ over the DJI Air 3S, and that’s value. The Autel Evo Lite+ is about $200 cheaper (when contemplating each drones of their base type with out issues like spiffed-up controllers). Sure, which means the DJI Air 3S is 22% dearer. However whereas the Autel Evo Lite+ is perhaps cheaper, the DJI Air 3S is excess of 22% higher, and completely definitely worth the value distinction for many pilots.
However if you need a extra in-depth reply, together with a comparability of specs (and validation for why I believe the DJI Air 3S is that significantly better), learn on.
DJI Air 3S vs. Autel Evo Lite+ comparability information
DJI Air 3S vs. Autel Evo Lite+: Aspect-by-side specs
You possibly can try the drone’s specs on their respective web sites: DJI Air 3S specs and Autel Evo Lite+ specs. However so far as how they evaluate, side-by-side, I did the give you the results you want:
| Function | DJI Air 3S | Autel Evo Lite+ |
|---|---|---|
| Worth (Base Package) | $1,099 | $899 |
| Weight | 724g | 835g |
| Folded Dimensions | 214×101×89 mm | 210×123×95 mm |
| Unfolded Dimensions | 266×325×106 mm | 427×384×95 mm |
| Picture Sensor | 1-inch CMOS (broad), 1/1.3-inch CMOS (3x tele) | 1-inch CMOS |
| Picture Decision | 50MP (broad), 48MP (tele), a number of modes | 20MP |
| Video Decision | As much as 4K/120fps; slow-mo; 10-bit colour | As much as 6K/30fps |
| Aperture | f/1.8 (broad), f/2.8 (tele), fastened | Adjustable f/2.8–f/11 |
| ISO Vary | 100–12800 (regular), as much as 6400 in slow-mo | As much as ISO 48000 (night time mode) |
| Gimbal | 3-axis mechanical | 3-axis mechanical |
| Max Flight Time | 45 min (hover: 41 min) | 40 min |
| Max Flight Distance | 32 km | Not specified |
| Max Wind Resistance | 12 m/s | Not specified |
| Impediment Avoidance | Omnidirectional (6-way) with LiDAR help | Ahead, backward, downward solely |
| Transmission System | OcuSync 4.0 (O4), 20 km FCC | 12 km tri-band SkyLink |
| Storage | 42GB inner + microSD | 6GB inner + microSD |
| App Options | ActiveTrack, MasterShots, Waypoints, FocusTrack, QuickShots | Rocket, Orbit, Flick, Fade Away |
| Shade Profiles | D-Log M, HLG, 10-bit HDR | Customary solely |
| Portrait Taking pictures | Native vertical taking pictures through 2.7K mode | Software program crop (no true vertical sensor) |
| Anti-China Purchaser Enchantment | DJI (China) – main concern in U.S. coverage circles | Autel (additionally China) – typically missed |
Who can purchase the DJI Air 3S?
Select the Air 3S if:
- You need a drone that’s dependable, sensible and straightforward to fly
- You care about software program high quality and long-term help
- You intend to develop your abilities and wish one thing that may develop with you
- You wish to keep away from an early improve
Until I’m packing ultra-light, that is the drone I carry after I journey. It’s additionally the one I like to recommend to different creators and journey bloggers.
Learn my full DJI Air 3S evaluate.
Who can purchase the Autel Evo Lite+?
Go together with the Evo Lite+ if:
- Your finances is capped at $899 and can’t transfer
- You shoot primarily in static, low-light scenes or open areas.
- You’re upgrading from a fundamental newbie drone and wish higher digicam high quality — however not essentially smarter flight instruments
It’s a good drone with a stable digicam. However it’s not a wise drone in the way in which the Air 3S is.
Learn my full Autel Evo Lite+ evaluate.
Get the Autel Evo Lite+ now from retailers together with:
And with that allow’s dive into some extra particular specs.
Digicam comparability: Autel has one edge, DJI has extra versatility
- Autel Evo Lite+: 1-inch CMOS sensor with adjustable aperture (f/2.8–f/11)
- DJI Air 3S: Twin 1/1.3-inch sensor (medium tele-camera) and 1-inch CMOS sensor (wide-angle digicam), fastened aperture (f/1.8 broad angle and f/2.8 medium tele)
For low-light purists or those that love guide management, the Evo Lite+ has a greater sensor on paper. The 1-inch sensor performs fantastically in nightfall and twilight scenes, and the aperture management is uncommon at this value.
However despite the fact that the DJI Air 3S has a set aperture, I believe it wins for versatility. Its dual-lens setup — broad and 3x telephoto — offers you extra storytelling flexibility. You possibly can punch in for tighter framing or use the 3x lens for cinematic compression. And DJI’s picture processing has improved a lot that the smaller sensor typically performs simply as nicely in most situations.
The one motive why the Autel Evo Lite+ is perhaps tempting is in the event you shoot static low-light landscapes or actually need that vary.
Take a look at one of many movies I made utilizing the DJI Air 3S in Hawaii:
Impediment avoidance: DJI is miles forward
Impediment detection is maybe the world the place DJI most proves its tech dominance.
- DJI Air 3S: Full 360° sensing with APAS 5.0 for impediment avoidance in all instructions
- Autel Evo Lite+: Ahead, backward, and downward sensors solely
For those who’ve ever flown sideways or backward and clipped a tree, you’ll recognize the Air 3S’s all-direction sensing — significantly in the event you’re flying in narrower areas (e.g. not an open area). The DJI drone felt secure. The Autel drone felt riskier in tighter areas.
That’s as a result of the DJI Air 3S is provided with an omnidirectional binocular imaginative and prescient system, supplemented with forward-facing LiDAR and an infrared sensor on the backside of the plane. The DJI air 3S wins right here by a large margin.
App and consumer expertise: DJI Fly remains to be extra polished, as are different options like inner storage
Drone {hardware} solely will get you to this point. Software program issues, as does the end-to-end consumer expertise. Autel has come a good distance, however its app nonetheless lags in stability and interface.
- DJI Air 3S: Depends on DJI Fly app, 42 GB inner storage
- Autel Evo Lite+: Depends on Autel Sky app, 6 GB inner storage
Inner storage is big for me. I’m consistently forgetting SD playing cards. Even when I’ve it, I’m apprehensive it’ll be corrupted or I simply don’t wish to fiddle with having to attach yet one more factor to a different factor. Certain, 6 GB of inner storage is nice, don’t get me improper. However when flying with the DJI Air 3S, I’ve by no means used a microSD card interval, consider it or not.
Each apps are high-quality by way of the flying expertise. However so far as the post-flying expertise — the place you wish to switch your footage to your cellphone to publish on Instagram — that’s the place DJI Fly soars.
There’s simply no comparability — the DJI expertise is plug-and-play. And despite the fact that the Autel Fly app has been on the market some time, it generally feels prefer it’s nonetheless in beta.
What about China considerations?
One motive some folks keep away from DJI is concern over Chinese language tech, both attributable to privateness fears or U.S. authorities restrictions. And sure, DJI has confronted huge pushback within the U.S.
For instance, the Division of Inside issued a report about how an inner ban made it inconceivable for them to buy DJI drones. Branches of the U.S. army additionally don’t use DJI drones. As a result of many authorities entities have banned use of DJI or Chinese language-made drones extra broadly, different non-public firms have adopted go well with. Some massive companies that rent contract drone pilots gained’t permit them to fly with Chinese language-made drones.
That’s one other story unto itself. But when your purpose is to purchase a drone that’s not made in China, the Autel Evo Lite+ will not be the reply, as a result of Autel can be a Chinese language firm.
This can be a frequent false impression. Some patrons suppose they’re side-stepping the China situation by selecting Autel, however they’re not. Autel props up its Seattle workplaces to steer folks to consider it’s an American drone firm, however its drones are nonetheless developed in China. And actually, DJI additionally has workplaces within the U.S. — it simply doesn’t fake to be an American firm. (You need to undoubtedly try these pictures of DJI’s Shenzhen headquarters although.)
In actual fact, DJI has typically been extra clear about its privateness protocols than smaller Chinese language rivals.
Now for the unhealthy information. Anybody in search of a high-quality, American-made digicam drone beneath $1,000 is out of luck. There are some choices for American-made drones beneath $1,000, however they’re principally focused at children. That features the CoDrone from Robolink or the Hopper drone from FTW Robotics. Each, coincidentally, are made by firms based mostly in San Diego, designed for school rooms and price about $250.
The underside line? In case your DJI vs. Autel debate for you is political, possibly quit. You’re choosing between two Chinese language choices.
Worth and worth: DJI prices extra — but it surely’s value it
I discussed this up entrance, however I wish to circle again as a result of that is typically the ultimate resolution maker. Worth.
- DJI Air 3S: Begins at $1,099 (base equipment), typically $1,349 with RC-N2 controller
- Autel Evo Lite+: Begins at $899, generally bundled with extras
That’s a 22% value distinction, which could really feel like quite a bit — till you fly them each. The DJI Air 3S is smarter, safer, extra dependable and backed by a extra sturdy app ecosystem. It seems like a era forward, as a result of it’s.
For those who don’t pay that 22% premium now, you’ll possible spend extra upgrading before you deliberate. The Air 3S presents larger worth when you think about time saved troubleshooting software program or changing outdated gear.
Drone expertise strikes quick, and the Autel Evo Lite+ is outdated in drone years
Drone expertise strikes quick. Generally I really feel like new drones come out much more ceaselessly than firmware updates. Yearly brings huge features in flight intelligence, digicam efficiency and security programs. So when selecting a drone, particularly within the essential $800–$1,200 mid-range class, you don’t simply need one of the best specs in your cash — you need one thing that can nonetheless really feel present in a yr or two.
Now right here’s the factor. The Autel Evo Lite+ is already fairly outdated. Despite the fact that it’s a toddler in human years, the drone — which hit cabinets in early 2022 — is a geriatric in drone years. The DJI Air 3S is far youthful, having launched in late 2024.
The DJI Air 3S is certainly my favourite journey drone. It’s DJI’s latest drone in its fleet of mid-range digicam drones. However even that isn’t DJI’s latest drone. There’s the DJI Flip, a positively pleasant finances and beginner-oriented drone, which got here out in January 2025. After which in Could 2025, DJI gave us the Mavic 4 Professional, which is finest for both high-end photographers and even sure enterprise and industrial drone customers.
Drone gear is a protracted sport. For those who skimp now, you’ll possible find yourself paying extra later once you’re pissed off together with your drone’s limitations and purchase one thing higher. I’ve accomplished that. Most pilots I do know have too.
The underside line: Purchase the DJI Air 3S, except your finances gained’t budge
The DJI Air 3S is 22% dearer—but it surely’s simply 50% higher. In all probability extra.
- Get the DJI Air 3S if you need smarter flight, safer impediment avoidance, higher video flexibility, and a extra future-proof drone. It’s $1,099—greater than the Autel—however simply earns its price ticket.
- Think about the Autel Evo Lite+ provided that you completely should keep beneath $1,000. At $899, it’s a stable worth, but it surely’s additionally beginning to present its age.
In case your max finances is $899 and there’s no wiggle room, then the Autel Evo Lite+ is ok. It flies, it movies, and it beats most newbie drones. However in the event you can stretch even a bit? Discover a strategy to get the Air 3S. You’ll save more cash in the long term by skipping the “remorse improve” cycle.
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