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Pros
- Doesn't require FAA registration
- Palm-sized, lightweight design
- Produces silky smooth 2.7K30 video
- Around 30 minutes of flying time per charge
- USB-C charging for drone and remote
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Cons
- Omits obstacle detection and Hyperlapse features
- SDR video profile is limiting for some scenes
DJI Mini 2 SE Specs
Dimensions | 2.3 by 3.2 by 5.4 inches |
Integrated Camera | Integrated with Gimbal |
Live Video Feed | 720p |
Media Format | microSDXC |
Megapixels | 12 |
Remote | Dedicated with App |
Rotors | 4 |
Video Resolution | 2.7K |
Weight | 8.8 |
DJI hasn't had a true budget-minded drone in its lineup for a while, but the Mini 2 SE ($339 with remote) breaks that streak. This compact flier offers hi-res 2.7K recordings at up to 30fps, flight times of around 30 minutes, and convenient USB-C charging for both the drone and remote. It doesn't include obstacle detection sensors or all the latest features from its higher-end siblings, but it's still an excellent value in light of disappointing competitors in this price range like the $239.99 Holy Stone HS360. The Mini 2 SE is thus worthy of our Editors' Choice award for budget-friendly drones, an honor we last gave to the discontinued Mini 2.
Makes Regulatory Weight
The Mini series started as a reaction to regulatory restrictions; in the US and many other regions, governing bodies decided that drones that weigh 249g (8.8 ounces) or less are safe to fly without registration. The Mini 2 SE makes that weight exactly, so you don't have to go through the (minor) hassle of FAA registration.
![DJI Mini 2 SE and RC-N1 remote](https://i.pcmag.com/imagery/reviews/06dWx3Xo4xnDPOyd3Ttpcuh-4.jpg)
Even without registration, new pilots must still pass a free, online knowledge quiz, The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST). It's an easy A, as long as you read up on the basics. For more detail, read our primer on drone regulations.
The Mini 2 SE isn't far off from other small folding drones in concept. Its arms collapse in for storage to create a 2.3-by-3.2-by-5.4-inch (HWD) frame. To keep costs low, the drone shares much of its tech with earlier models in the series; its airframe and motors are from the Mini 2, and its camera is from the original Mavic Mini.
![DJI Mini 2 SE, close-up showing camera](https://i.pcmag.com/imagery/reviews/06dWx3Xo4xnDPOyd3Ttpcuh-10.jpg)
A nose-mounted camera supports 2.7K video at up to 30fps with 8-bit SDR color, as well as JPG and Raw DNG format stills at 12MP. The camera is a step back from the Mini 3 and Mini 3 Pro, which offer 4K with wider dynamic range, as well as the option to record vertical video. The Mini 2 SE's camera records in a 16:9 aspect ratio only, so its output looks best on TVs or YouTube, rather than any of the vertically-oriented social media platforms.
DJI sells the Mini 2 SE in two configurations. The $339 standard edition comes with the drone, a remote, and the expected cables and accessories. The $489 Fly More Combo includes three interchangeable batteries, a charging dock that allows you to replenish the batteries in succession, and a zippered shoulder bag to carry your kit.
![DJI Mini 2 SE, rear view with batter compartment open](https://i.pcmag.com/imagery/reviews/06dWx3Xo4xnDPOyd3Ttpcuh-6.jpg)
DJI rates the Mini 2 SE's flight time at 31 minutes per charge, and actual flight times in testing don't lag too far behind. You can reasonably expect close to 30 minutes of uptime at the drone's standard speed setting (up to 22mph), or a bit less if you opt for the high-speed Sport mode (up to 35mph). For comparison, the Mini 3 can fly just as fast, but its battery is good for 38 minutes, while an extended battery option pushes the runtime to 51 minutes.
It's worthwhile to look at the Fly More Combo (because of the multiple batteries this package includes) if you intend to take the drone up for longer flights or make several short flights between charges. The Mini 2 SE supports in-drone charging via USB-C and needs about 90 minutes to charge fully.
![DJI Mini 2 SE, rear view showing USB-C port and microSD slot](https://i.pcmag.com/imagery/reviews/06dWx3Xo4xnDPOyd3Ttpcuh-8.jpg)
Although more expensive DJI drones include some onboard storage (the Mavic 3 Classic has 8GB, for example), the Mini 2 SE requires a microSD card (not included) for storage. Because a minute of video takes up roughly 300MB, you should be fine with an inexpensive 32GB or 64GB card. At press time a SanDisk 32GB Extreme UHS-I microSDHC card sells for around $10 and is more than fast enough to handle the Mini 2 SE's video.
DJI Mini 2 SE Flight Experience and Safety Features
Like most consumer drones, a smartphone is a must-have for the Mini 2 SE. The drone includes a remote, the DJI RC-N1, as part of its basic bundle, but it's not the type with a built-in screen and app; the fancier DJI-RC doesn't work with the Mini 2 SE. Therefore, you need to load the free DJI Fly app on your phone (available for Android and iOS) to complete the setup and ultimately fly the drone.
![DJI RC-N1 with iPhone 13](https://i.pcmag.com/imagery/reviews/06dWx3Xo4xnDPOyd3Ttpcuh-2.jpg)
You must set up a DJI account (if you don't have one already) and activate the drone before your first flight. This starts the clock on your year of warranty coverage, though you can also purchase the DJI Care Refresh extended warranty ($59) to get two years of accidental damage and flyaway coverage. The app also walks you through a basic knowledge quiz, which should be a breeze to pass if you've learned the FAA TRUST materials.
Once that's done, it's just a matter of clipping your phone into the remote and plugging it in via one of the included cables. DJI puts Lightning, micro USB, and USB-C connectors in the box. I used the drone with an iPhone 13 and only notched a minor complaint—DJI's bundled cable is a bit too fat to plug into the phone when it's in my Peak Design case, so I had to take the case off to use it. If you run into a similar issue, you can swap the included cable out for another that connects to the remote control's USB-C data port, but then you miss out on the option to stow the cable in the remote when you aren't using it. The remote clip is large enough to handle big phones, but if you prefer to fly with a tablet, an add-on holder ($49) is available.
![DJI RC-N1 remote, close-up](https://i.pcmag.com/imagery/reviews/06dWx3Xo4xnDPOyd3Ttpcuh-3.jpg)
The remote includes the basic flight controls—the left stick controls altitude and orientation, while the right stick moves the drone laterally in any direction. There's a toggle switch to change flight speeds (Cine, Normal, and Sport), a Return-to-Home/Pause button to stop the drone in place or bring it back to the takeoff spot automatically, and a control wheel to tilt the camera up or down. For reference, the Cine mode is the slowest of the three flight speeds and best for deliberate, movie-ready pans over a location.
You can use the remote to stop and start videos or take pictures too, functions that also show up in the app. The control UI appears on top of the camera feed, with easy access to photo and video features, as well as telemetry data to let you know altitude, orientation, and airspeed. You can tap into a world map to see both your and the drone's position, and a Find My Drone function is available if you do lose track of the Mini.
![DJI Fly App screenshot](https://i.pcmag.com/imagery/reviews/06dWx3Xo4xnDPOyd3Ttpcuh-14.png)
The Mini 2 SE locked onto GPS in under a minute during our test flights in the rural outskirts of the Philadelphia suburbs. A built-in geofence system, DJI Fly Safe, prevents beginners from taking off in restricted airspace too, so you won't inadvertently get into legal trouble. The FAA exempts 249g drones from Remote ID requirements; regardless, we're not sure if the Mini 2 SE supports it, and have asked DJI for comment, but did not receive an answer. Otherwise, the drone also includes downward-facing position sensors that help it stay steady when you are flying indoors without GPS or outdoors at low altitudes.
Steady flight, a strong 720p video stream to your phone via DJI's O2 protocol, and excellent wind resistance contribute to a largely safe flight experience, though we do have one reservation. The Mini 2 SE omits obstacle detection sensors, so you need to take care when flying it low to the ground.
![DJI Fly App screenshot](https://i.pcmag.com/imagery/reviews/06dWx3Xo4xnDPOyd3Ttpcuh-13.png)
Flight is mostly manual, but the app includes some automated flight paths. DJI calls them Quick Shots and they include orbit, corkscrew, rocket, and other reveal shots. To start, highlight what you want the drone to focus on in the app screen and have it start the shot. Take caution when using these modes, however, due to the lack of obstacle detection. The pause button on the remote is useful here, tap it once to stop the drone in place if it looks like it's heading toward a collision.
A few additional flight features from models with obstacle sensors, like the Mini 3 Pro, aren't here, such as Hyperlapse (time lapses with motion) and Active Track (subject tracking). That said, these modes aren't available with the mid-tier Mini 3 either.
2.7K Camera With SDR Color
The Mini 2 SE's camera is a little underpowered compared with the high-end shooter in the Mini 3 Pro, but it's an all-star in this affordable price bracket. It records crisp 2.7K video at 30 or 24 frames per second with 8-bit SDR color and keeps footage steady with a 3-axis gimbal. There's simply no contest between the high-quality video from the Mini 2 SE and the jerky, undersaturated footage from the similarly-priced Holy Stone HS360.
The camera has a 24mm angle focal length with support for 2x and 3x digital zoom. The 2x looks close to lossless to me, and I wouldn't be surprised if the drone is simply cropping into its Type 1/2.3 CMOS sensor; the Mini 2 SE's camera sensor has 4K worth of pixels after all. The 3x punch-in mode looks a little soft to my eye but is still usable.
![DJI Mini 2 sample image, aerial view of creek and woods](https://i.pcmag.com/imagery/reviews/06dWx3Xo4xnDPOyd3Ttpcuh-16.jpg)
One downside is that you get just one color profile. You can't switch to a low-contrast, vivid, or black-and-white look in camera, and the 8-bit H.264 standard color profile doesn't give you too much leeway to edit. The SDR profile struggles to capture detail in dark shadows and highlights, bad news for recordings of the rising or setting sun. For those types of scenes, turn to the Mini 3 and 3 Pro for their HDR-like 4K profiles. With the sun behind the Mini 2 SE, however, video quality looks great.
![DJI MIni 2 SE, aerial view of farm buildings and fields](https://i.pcmag.com/imagery/reviews/06dWx3Xo4xnDPOyd3Ttpcuh-15.jpg)
For stills, the Mini 2 SE supports JPG and Raw DNG capture with 8MP (16:9) or 12MP (4:3) output. The JPG color profile matches the standard look, while DNG pictures save more data so you can edit them to your heart's content in software like Adobe Lightroom Classic or a different Raw converter. Overall, picture quality is in line with mid-range smartphones; we again point to the Mini 3 or Mini 3 Pro as a step-up option for more demanding creators, as their larger Type-1/1.3 Quad Bayer cameras are more in line with those on premium compact cameras and flagship smartphones.
![DJI Mini 3, front view](https://i.pcmag.com/imagery/reviews/06dWx3Xo4xnDPOyd3Ttpcuh-12.jpg)
The Best Starter Drone
The DJI Mini 2 SE uses a bit of recycled tech for sure (it's essentially a Mini 2 drone with the 2.7K video engine from the original Mavic Mini), but it offers far better video quality and maneuverability than other budget models we've tested. It's also quite capable for stills, with support for up to 12MP Raw images. At around $339 with a remote, the Mini 2 SE is the most affordable option in DJI's lineup, undercutting the Mini 3 ($559 with RC-N1) and Mini 3 Pro ($759 with RC-N1) by a good margin. Those pricier models might be worth the upgrade if you want even better video quality, longer flight times, and obstacle detection (for the Pro model), but if you just want to try a low-cost drone that won't become an expensive paperweight, the Mini 2 SE is a great option and an Editors' Choice winner.
Thanks to B&H PhotoB&H Photo for providing the Mini 2 SE for review.