DJI announced the arrival of the $99 Tello quadcopter at the Consumer Electronics Show in January. Manufactured by Ryze Robotics, the DJI Tello is aimed at entry-level consumers who want a toy to fly, but don't want to drop almost $1,000 on the Mavic.
And let's be very clear - the DJI Tello is more toy than it is drone - it's not designed for professional photography or video, but again that's not what you're buying it for. That being said, the Tello appears to be a nifty little gadget. It features automated takeoff and landing, 13 minutes of flight time, and it's also VR-compatible. Maybe my favorite thing though is that you can toss it up into the air to initiate flight.
The Tello takes 5 MP photos, and shoots video in 720P - good enough for what you'd be using this for. It's basically an ultra-affordable "fun" drone.
If you're looking for a fun little gadget, the Tello might be a decent starting point.
Price
$99
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Noteworthy Features
Tello app - The Tello is smarter than your average quadcopter drone, thanks to DJI technology. While it will work with 3rd party drone controllers, you can simply use the companion Tello app on your smartphone to control flight path, perform tricks, and buzz around obnoxiously (as one does with drones). If you're not actively moving, the Tello will hover in the air waiting for your next move.
Virtual Reality - The Tello can record and livestream 360 degree video with any compatible VR headset. While this is a pretty slick feature for a $99 drone, it requires that you already have a VR headset. Chances are, if you're toy drone budget is around $100.. you may not already have a VR headset.. right?
Throw and Go - Toss the Tello up in the air to initiate flight. Can't wait to test this out and see how it works. Oh, and auto takeoff and landing come standard as well.
Safety first - Considering the demographic that they're aiming at with the Tello, it's good to know that it was designed with flexible propellers, propeller guards, and collision avoidance technology.
Why should you buy the DJI Tello?
If you want a new toy that is sure to assume children (and adults) alike, the Tello is a great place to start. First and foremost, it's affordable. For $99, you're taking home a UAV that flies, takes picture and videos, and is a lot smarter than the other gadgets in this price range. That being said, if you're looking for something a little bit more, consider splurging for the DJI Spark.
What DON'T we like about it?
5 MP photos and 720P are obviously not ideal.. but did we mention this is more "toy" than drone?