Drones · Best for enthusiast aerial photographers

DJI Air 3S

89
Highly rated
Average of 4 professional reviews
4 of 4 recommend it · critics agree
Where the 4 reviews landedRange 87–90

Exact average 89.2 · all scores printed by the outlets

DJI Air 3SImage: DJI

4 professional reviewers tested the DJI Air 3S, and 4 recommend it. Most praised: battery life and ease of use.

Reviewed by WIRED, Trusted Reviews, Tom's Guide and 1 more

The catch: Its weight means extra registration rules, and it is a small step up from the Air 3.

Early score: only 4 professional reviews so far. Expect it to move as more reviews come in.

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What 4 critics said

Highest score first · all converted to 0–100
  1. 90
    WIREDHands-on review

    A formidable enthusiast drone with stunning image quality and easy flight, though the weight class limits where it can fly and Air 3 owners gain little.

    Read WIRED review
  2. 90
    Trusted ReviewsHands-on review · 2024

    A fantastic performer with strong camera quality and flight ability, recommended to enthusiasts who can tolerate the restrictions that come with its weight.

    Read Trusted Reviews review
  3. 90
    Tom's GuideHands-on review · 2024

    Photo and video quality are unmatched enough to make this drone worth saving for, despite registration needs and small gains over its predecessor.

    Read Tom's Guide review
  4. 87
    TechGearLabHands-on review · 2025

    A capable, stable drone with top subject tracking and long battery life that justifies its price for serious photo and video work.

    Read TechGearLab review

"Est." means the outlet printed no score, so we estimated one from its verdict and checked our estimates against ratings outlets print. How we check estimates

What critics praise most

Battery life3 of 4
Ease of use2 of 4

What critics dislike most

No clear pattern.

Other drones critics rate highly

DJI Mavic 4 ProImage: DJI
Top pick, narrowlyDJI Mavic 4 Pro4 reviews · critics agree95
DJI Mini 5 ProImage: DJI
Best compact droneDJI Mini 5 Pro5 reviews · critics agree94
DJI FlipImage: DJI
Best beginner camera droneDJI Flip4 reviews · broad agreement80

Also reviewed, not yet scored

Common questions

Is the DJI Air 3S worth it?

Most critics think so: 4 of 4 recommend it. Its weight means extra registration rules, and it is a small step up from the Air 3.

Do critics agree about the DJI Air 3S?

Critics agree: scores range from 87 (TechGearLab) to 90 (WIRED), a spread of 3 points across 4 reviews. Reviewers broadly agree.

What is the best alternative to the DJI Air 3S?

The DJI Mavic 4 Pro (critic score 95), top pick, narrowly.