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DJI Mavic Pro vs Mavic Air, Which is Better?

The Mavic Pro has been the king of the hill for a while with its 4K camera powerful features and compact size. In addition to, DJI Mavic Pro has ability to map crop yields, identify areas of poor growth. But, the Mavic Air is looking to challenge the champ. This post is designed to answer the question which one is better for fun, work, agriculture and others. And the last words of that question are really what matters. Because ultimately, it's all about what you want to do with the drone. We have selected 12 objective criterias that are key features from both Mavic Pro and Mavic Air. We will declare a winner.



See also: DJI Mavic Pro - a Drone Crop Mapping

So let's get started. 

Size and Weight
The Mavic Air is just over half the weight of the Mavic Pro. And it is actually about half the size. It's a much smaller when it's folded down. It's much more compact to put it into a bag and it just is gonna be easier to travel with. So in terms of size and weight, we have got to give it to the Mavic Air.

Camera and Gimbal
 It features many of the same functions as the camera and gimbals - they're both 3-axis gimbal Z' and they're both 4k cameras. There are a couple things that really favored the Mavic Air.
  • The amount of data that can be collected by the camera. It's 100 Mbps versus 60 Mbps on the Mavic Pro. It means is basically collecting more data so you're gonna get sharper, crisper more detailed pictures on the Mavic Air.
  • The Mavic Air has a top frame rate at 1080p of 120 frames per second versus 96 on the Mavic Pro.  So this can make for some impressive footage and capture even more detail. In addition to, those things the camera and gimbal on the Mavic Air are way more protected than they are on the Mavic Pro.

Flight Time
 The Mavic Pro wins flight time is 27 minutes versus 21 minutes for the Mavic Air. These flight times are what DJI puts on the specs and theoretical conditions flying forward at a certain speed, no wind etc, you're gonna get less flight time than in reality we have done flight time tests on both of these. But regardless, you're gonna get less flight timing on both of them which means that ultimately the Mavic Pro is still gonna have almost 25% more flight time than the Mavic Air. So, flight time is important to you. That's a big win for the Mavic Pro.

Flight Range
Once again, the Mavic Pro comes out swinging in the flight range with Ocusync is way better than flight range with enhanced Wi-Fi on the Mavic Air. It means that you can fly Mavic Pro further with a clearer signal using Ocusync than you can with the enhanced Wi-Fi. Ocusync is gonna give you a clearer and stronger signal than enhanced Wi-Fi. Overall, the Mavic Pro gives you better flight range.

Compatibility with DJI goggles
They're actually both compatible with DJI goggles. But the Mavic Air requires a cable, whereas the Mavic Pro can connect via ocusync. And that's to me just the better experience. And let me tell you, flying Mavic Pro with the goggles is pretty amazing. One other thing you can do with the Mavic Pro using the goggles is fixed-wing mode which is a way that you fly that makes you feel like you're flying a fixed-wing airplane. It's really very cool, very immersive and challenging. So if it's something you want to try, you have to have the Mavic Pro to do fixed-wing mode.

Internal Storage

Mavic Air offers some built-in storage at 8Gb. So, you don't need a MicroSD card. You know, if your microSD card is full or if you forget to put it in you can still record video to the internal memory on the Mavic Air. On the other hand, you get a 16Gb card with the Mavic Pro.  So having internal memory is great as you get an extra buffer to record extra footage if your SD card is full, or you forget to put one in before you fly.  But it is bittersweet as you need to buy one extra with the Air to get the same 16Gb of storage you get for free with the included SD card with the Pro.

Noise
The Mavic Pro wins a little bit in terms of being quieter than the Mavic Air. Now, here's the big thing if you put the new propellers that came with the Platinum that you can order by themselves on your Mavic Pro, then the Mavic Pro it is incredibly quiet. It is way quieter than the Mavic Air. Hopefully, at some point DJI will be coming out with some quieter props for the Mavic air, but right now if you want something quiet the Pro is the clear winner.

Speed
The Mavic Air wins with a top speed of 42.5 Mph in sport mode whereas the Mavic Pro can go 40Mph in sport mode. But the one thing about flying the Mavic Air in sport mode is its smaller size actually makes it a bit more agile and easy to fly and seems to be more responsive.

Remote control
The Mavic Pro wins in a slightly more functional remote control with its built-in LCD screen and extra rotary wheel. This LCD screen gives you a lot of data if you are flying without a phone as it displays some of the flight data.You can rotate the wheel up on the Mavic Pro and it will actually lighten and darken your image which you can't do on the Mavic Air. So, in terms of remote control functionality and being able to fly without a phone I give it to the Mavic Pro.

Flight modes

The Mavic Pro have a lot of cool flight modes. With the Pro, you get fixed wing mode which makes for a fun and interesting way to fly. The Mavic Air has some new flight modes that make it really compelling, specifically boomerang and asteroid. Those two flight modes are really cool plus with the big sensor in the front and the hand controller. You can do with this thing, it is definitely a more interesting flight experience when it comes to automating flight paths. Since the entire point of these drones are to take incredible videos from the air I have to give the win to the Mavic Air here.

Obstacle avoidance
So both of these quadcopters have sensors in the front that allow them to avoid obstacles which is fantastic. Both have sensors on the bottom that help them land and identify things when coming down. But, the Mavic Pro does not have rear sensors whereas the Mavic Air does. So in terms of obstacle avoidance, the Mavic Air already has an advantage, namely much better coverage. And then, when you add a new feature, called APAS (advanced pilot assistance system), which gives it the ability to actually fly around or over obstacles to continue filming you. The Mavic Air is the clear winner in terms of obstacle avoidance.

Price

So right now, Mavic air wins in that department as well it's $799 for the Mavic Air the basic kit. And it's $999 for the Mavic Pro. The Mavic Air wins in terms of price so ultimately this is a well-fought battle between two really good drones if range flight time compatibility with the goggles are important to you more important to you than the Mavic Pro may very well be the best choice for you and by the way if you do decide to buy the Mavic Pro.


I highly suggest the Platinum or at least buying the upgraded propellers for the Mavic Pro. So that, you can get the advantage of more flight time and a bit quieter flight experience. The Mavic Pro is a very solid contender and I wouldn't put it off at all because ultimately it's still the most popular drone. Of course the ability to go out and fly without a phone is a real big appeal on the Mavic Pro. Because ultimately if you want to go out and fly line of sight, it's much easier to do it with all the data that you get on the LCD screen from the Mavic Pro remote than it is to do without that on the Mavic Air remote. However regarding the Mavic Air, If portability flight modes, obstacle avoidance, and price are your criteria Mavic Air, it is a clear winner.

Thanks for reading this comparison between the Mavic Pro and the Mavic Air. They're both great drones but ultimately it's going to be up to you which one you pick.