I'm looking at the Autel EVO Nano+ as an alternative to the DJI Mini 3. I like that it's not DJI and it has a bigger sensor than the Mini 3 base model. But I'm not sure if Autel's software and support is as good. Is the EVO Nano+ worth buying over DJI options?
The Autel EVO Nano+ is a legitimately good sub-250g drone that competes seriously with the DJI Mini 3. The 1/1.28-inch CMOS sensor is larger than what DJI put in the Mini 3 base model, delivering better low-light performance and dynamic range. 4K/30fps video quality is genuinely comparable. Three-direction obstacle avoidance (forward, backward, downward) is solid for the class.
Where the EVO Nano+ lags: the Autel Sky app is less polished than DJI Fly and has fewer automated modes, flight time is 28 minutes vs Mini 3's 38 minutes (a significant gap), and the controller/app ecosystem is less mature. If you want to avoid DJI for non-technical reasons, the Nano+ is the best non-DJI sub-250g option available. For pure user experience, DJI still leads.
Check Autel EVO Nano+ on Amazon
I bought the EVO Nano+ specifically to avoid DJI. Honest take: the camera is excellent and it flies very well. The app is usable but feels 2-3 years behind DJI Fly in polish. Autel support response time is slower and replacement parts are harder to find locally.
The drone itself gets a 9/10. The ecosystem gets a 6/10. If you're primarily a manual flyer who rarely uses automated features, you'll be happy. If you rely heavily on QuickShots and automated flight modes, you'll notice the gap every time you open the app.
The flight time difference is a real issue: 28 minutes vs the Mini 3's 38 minutes isn't just a spec gap — it changes how many batteries you need for a session. For a 2-hour shooting session, you need 5 Nano+ packs vs 3 Mini 3 packs.
Autel sells extra batteries at around $55-65 each, similar to DJI pricing. But the math means you're spending more on batteries to get the same session length. Factor this total cost into your comparison when shopping rather than just looking at the drone's sticker price.
The Autel EVO Nano+ is being phased out in Autel's lineup as of 2024 — Autel has not announced a Nano successor and inventory is thinning. Buying a product near end-of-life means firmware updates may stop sooner and accessories will become harder to source.
This doesn't make it a bad buy at a significant discount, but buy with eyes open about the trajectory. If you find it at $350-400 or less, the sensor quality makes it worthwhile. At $550+ with a DJI Mini 3 or Mini 4 Pro as the alternative, it's harder to justify unless you specifically need to avoid DJI.
One genuine Autel advantage: the orange color scheme makes the drone more visible and distinguishable at a flying site with multiple DJI drones. Minor but I've appreciated it during group sessions.
More meaningfully, Autel's Remote ID implementation ships compliant with US requirements out of the box — no separate module or app configuration needed beyond the basic setup. The drone broadcasts the required data automatically from day one, which simplifies compliance for pilots who'd rather not think about it.
At full price near $600, the DJI Mini 3 becomes more competitive considering the longer flight time and better app ecosystem. The Nano+ makes strong sense when significantly discounted — under $450 — where the sensor quality justifies the trade-offs.
For a full comparison of sub-250g options including the DJI Mini 3, Mini 4 Pro, and no-registration drones below $200, see our guide on the best drones under 250 grams that don't require FAA registration.