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Best Drone Accessories

Updated January 2022
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Durabox All Weather Travel Hard Case
Durabox
All Weather Travel Hard Case
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Durable & Rugged
Bottom Line

A Durabox is a must-have for those who need to protect their investment while between flights.

Pros

Extremely rugged case. Convenient carrying handle. Thick, supportive interior padding. Secure closures. Features 2 padlock slots. Available in small, medium, and large sizes.

Cons

Unable to stand upright.

Best Bang for the Buck
RC GearPro Smartphone Sunshade
RC GearPro
Smartphone Sunshade
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Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

A durable and inexpensive way to shield your control device screen from the sun.

Pros

Affordable. Works with a wide variety of iPhones, smartphones, and tablets. Available in several sizes. Sturdy construction. Lightweight and easy to use.

Cons

Some customers have encountered sizing issues when ordering this for their smartphone or other device.

Hoovoo 6000mAh 6S Lipo Battery
Hoovoo
6000mAh 6S Lipo Battery
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Best for Beginners
Bottom Line

This reliable, rechargeable battery is an easy way to extend your flying time.

Pros

Long battery life. Lightweight. Fairly priced. Compatible with many models. Long-lasting and durable. Charges quickly. Features both EC5 plug and JST-XH connectors.

Cons

Best for cheaper to mid-range models.

DJI FPV Goggles V2
DJI
FPV Goggles V2
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Trusted Brand
Bottom Line

Enthusiasts who have tried it all will literally see their hobby in an exciting new way with a set of innovative DJI FPV Goggles.

Pros

Immersive, first-person view. Low-latency connection. Optimized for smooth racing. Save and replay footage. Reliably smooth and clear footage. Comfortable fit.

Cons

HD footage is good, but FHD (1080p) would be even better.

PNY Elite Performance Class 10 U3 Memory Card
PNY
Elite Performance Class 10 U3 Memory Card
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Customer Favorite
Bottom Line

The PNY card is great for capturing footage due to its impressive durability and low price.

Pros

Affordable. Fast data transfer speeds. Optimized for 4K Ultra-HD footage. Waterproof, shockproof, temperature-proof, and magnet-proof. Available in a variety of sizes.

Cons

Memory cards with even faster write speeds are available.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

30
Models
Considered
155
Consumers
Consulted
8
Hours
Researched
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Buying guide for Best drone accessories

Whether you’re new to drones or have been flying for a while and want to enhance the experience, you will find a wide range of drone accessories available to you. This is true regardless of the particular type of drone you have.

Drone accessories range from bags and running lights to tool kits and landing pads, and they can do everything from protecting your drone to increasing the fun every time you take to the air. Stocking up on drone accessories, from the essential to the whimsical, can quickly become expensive, so it helps to know what to look for.

I1 
Even if it only chips and doesn’t break, a damaged propeller should still be replaced. Damaged propellers can cause vibrations that can do long-term harm to a drone motor.

Key considerations

From the essentials to the just plain fun, drone accessories are available in a variety of categories. Some of the more common categories include the following.

Essential accessories: These are what you should budget for first and include cases/backpacks, instruments for evaluating flight conditions, and landing pads.

Ergonomic accessories: Flying for an extended period of time can wear on you, and there are various drone accessories to minimize this. Tablet/phone holders help to create a more comfortable control environment, while sunshades are almost a must when trying to fly on a bright, sunny day.

Repair accessories: Even experienced pilots crash their drones on occasion. Tool kits for drone repair and spare propellers are essential if you want to keep your drone in the air.

Flight-extending accessories: Whether you’re running out of power or daylight, accessories like replacement batteries and running lights can help you to extend your flying time.

Fun accessories: At its core, drone flying is just plain fun, and there are many drone accessories that can add to that. From immersive goggles to drone obstacle courses, these accessories aren’t exactly essential, but they can add a fun dimension to your flying.

Dyk1
Did You Know?
Consider paying up for a more expensive drone bag or backpack. More expensive bags tend to offer greater protection for all parts of the drone.
Staff
BestReviews

Features

Essential accessories

Cases and backpacks: A case or backpack helps to protect your drone when it’s not in use. Cases are better for storage, while backpacks are often easier when traveling. Both should offer hardened panels and padding for protection and pockets or other storage for controllers and extras. Cases and backpacks can be tailored for a specific drone or made to fit a variety of drone types. Waterproofing is a plus, particularly for backpacks. Backpacks should also feature a sturdy design, rugged zippers, and reinforced stitching.

Price: Cases and backpacks range in price from $20 to over $100, with $40 to $60 being average.

Wind-speed meter: Drones – particularly lightweight ones – do poorly in wind. As such, something like a handheld wind-speed meter is recommended to gauge whether you should be flying or not.

Price: The average price for these is around $30 to $40.

Landing pad: More than just a cool surface for takeoffs and landings, landing pads also protect the underside of your drone from dirt and moisture. Be sure you pick up a pad that’s rugged enough to hold up over time and large enough for your drone.

Price: Landing pads range in price from $15 to $60, with an average of around $25.

Ergonomic accessories

Tablet and phone holders: Tablet and phone holders allow you to combine a remote control with your device to create your own personal command center. This can add both comfort and convenience to your flight experience. Some remote controls already have this option, while others require you to search for a holder that fits your remote.

Price: Tablet and phone holders run from under $20 to around $60, with the average being in the $25 to $35 range.

Sunshade: Also known as a sun hood, a sunshade fits around your phone or tablet, shading it from the sun so you can see your device more clearly. Be sure that any sunshade you choose is durable, easy to use, and actually fits your device.

Price: Sunshades cost around $10 to $12.

Repair accessories

Tool kit: A missing screw or broken propeller is all it takes to ground your drone. Pick up a compact tool kit to not only perform drone repairs in the field but also fix everything from smartphones to watches. These tool kits usually contain screwdrivers, tweezers, and other tools vital to drone repair. The tools themselves should be durable, and the kit should ship with a rugged case that securely fastens.

Price: Tool kits typically cost between $15 and $30.

Spare propellers: Propellers are a drone’s weak spot. As such, it is generally best to have a few extras on hand in the event of a crash. Propeller blades are usually drone specific.

Price: These sell in sets of several blades that cost from a few cents to several dollars apiece.

Flight-extending accessories

Batteries: Flight times for drones can be abysmal. If you can manage 25 minutes off a charge, you’re flying longer than most other drones available. As such, stockpiling an extra battery or three is recommended.

Price: Batteries are also drone specific and usually cost around $50, with some reaching over $100 for certain drone types.

Running lights: Flashing running lights (anti-collision lights) allow you and other drone operators to see your drones more clearly, particularly in low-light conditions. These lights are typically lightweight and can usually be mounted to different drone types. Some also offer different colors that you can switch between.

Price: Drone running lights typically cost $25 to $35.

Fun accessories

Goggles: While not cheap, VR/AR immersive goggles can literally put you in the cockpit — or at least it will feel that way. In addition to providing you with an immersive, drone point-of-view experience, some goggles also provide a variety of flight control aspects that range from camera settings to gimbal control.

Price: Immersive goggles start at around $50 and can run into the hundreds of dollars, with the average cost being in the $100 to $300 range. Take special care here to verify that the goggles will work with your drone before getting them.

Obstacle courses: Whether they’re in the form of loops you fly through or flags you fly around, drone obstacle courses are both a great way to compete against friends and one of the best ways to quickly improve your flying skills. Check the comments section of these listings to verify that the obstacles themselves can be easily mounted and will hold up to crashes.

Price: Drone obstacle courses range from under $10 to over $100, with the average for a quality set of loops or flags being $30 to $35.
 

Dyk2
Did You Know?
While simple in design, a joystick guard that snaps onto the remote-control stick can protect it from being damaged or broken during transit or storage.
Staff
BestReviews

Tips

Here are a few more accessories you might want to pick up, depending on the type of drone you have and the type of flying you do.

  • Light filters: Do you plan on shooting a fair amount of video with your drone? Think about picking up a set of neutral density filters. These limit the amount of light that can enter a camera, allowing you to record video at a slower shutter speed.
  • Propeller guards: If your drone is not equipped with them, consider picking up some propeller guards, which will protect the propellers from occasional contact with a tree or wall. These are almost a must for those just learning how to control their drone.
  • Car battery charger: In addition to an extra battery, consider also picking up a car battery charger. One with USB ports will not only help to extend your flying time, but it can also be used to charge phones and other devices.
  • Lanyard: For a great on-the-go experience, check whether your drone can work with a neck harness strap or lanyard. This adjustable strap hooks onto your remote for ease of use and often has storage pockets for holding extra propellers, batteries, and SD cards.
  • Lightweight lights: When selecting a drone running light, your best bet is to keep it as lightweight as possible, especially with a smaller drone. Even large drones may still experience a drop in flight time if you go with a heavier light that forces the motor to work harder and drains the battery faster.
  • Signal booster: Drone signal boosters typically attach to the remote control and help to boost both the range and available video signal of a drone, all for around $10.
I2 
When stocking up on propeller blades, always choose official ones. Third-party blades may be cheaper, but they tend to be lower quality, which can cause them to wear out faster.

FAQ

Q. Are drone apps worth the money?

A. If you’re serious about flying, a quality drone app can greatly enhance the experience. From mapping and weather apps to ones that track no-fly zones, you’ll find a wide variety of drone apps available at both the App Store and Google Play.

Q. What’s the best way to keep from losing my drone if it crashes out of sight?

A. We mentioned running lights, which work great for keeping track of a drone in low-light conditions. Running lights are less helpful on sunny days, however, or if a drone goes down in a wooded area. For situations such as this, something like a Bluetooth tracker can be handy. These lightweight, inexpensive solutions can not only help you keep track of your drone but also find keys, bags, and other items you lose.

Q. How large of a microSD card should I use in my drone?

A. It’s a great idea to go with the largest card your drone can accommodate, particularly if you’re shooting in 4K, which can fill even a high-capacity card quickly. Bulking up here is advised (you could even consider getting a spare microSD card that can be swapped in when you land to change batteries).

In addition to a high-capacity card, also be sure you go with a card that conforms to at least UHS-1. Before choosing a microSD card, always check your drone’s documentation to verify what type and size of card it works with.

Throw some crazy glue in with your drone accessories. It takes up little space and can quickly solve a range of problems that can crop up during a flight session.

Staff
BestReviews