Having the best drone accessories is great for anybody who owns a drone. This post lists the best accessories for drones that you will need for shooting quality footage and keeping your drones safe.
Every year, tons of drone accessories come to the surface but not every gadget is equally important. While some accessories like spare batteries and blade protectors are super essential, others not so much. You should be able to discern the important accessories from the useless ones in order to prevent wasting money on stuff you don’t really need.
We will begin by taking a look at the boring stuff- things you definitely need- like chargers, blade protectors, spare batteries, filters, and cases. Then, we will dive into the realm of exciting accessories to see what flashy accessories you can get on a reasonable budget. We’ve included everything you will need to make the best out of your equipment and store your gadgets safely, in a single list to save your time.
Just one more thing before I get into the best drone accessories you can buy- some of the stuff on this list is here because I’ve been using it for years- like the Pro-Optics kit. I’ve also included a short buying guide near the end of this article, so (if you’re new to these things) please consider checking that out before you take a look at the best accessories for drones.
15 Best Drone Accessories of 2022
Lowepro LP37099 DroneGuard BP 250
My Choice: Best drone bag for Mavic/Spark drones with protective padding, $180
Specifications
- Interior: 11.42 x 6.69 x 18.50 in
- Weight: 2.95lb / 1.34 kg
- Volume: 10.00 (device) plus 7.00 (other)
- Laptop compartment: 10.24 x 1.18 x 14.96 in
- Tablet compartment: 7.48 x 0.79 x 8.66 in
- Fits: Mavic Pro/ Mavic Pro Platinum, spare batteries (upto 7) ,15″ Laptop, 10″ Tablet, smartphone (in PhoneZone shoulder strap) & accessories
If you’re looking for a durable backpack that fits pretty much any Mavic/ Spark drone, the Lowepro DroneGuard BP 250 is going to be one of the best decisions you’ve made. The Lowepro is ideal for DJI Mavic and Mavic Pro, but I’ve found that I can fit my 15″ Aspire 5 (in the back padded area) and two lenses for my Sony Alpha 7S III plus batteries (in the center console) next to Mavic Pro.
For just 180$, you’re getting If you’ve got a tab or an iPad, it would be a snug fit – it’s definitely one of the best drone accessories on this list.
You can easily set up the dividers to carry more or fewer batteries/accessories. I usually just carry a 15″ laptop and Mavic Pro with two spare batteries but if you intend to bring the DJI Phantom with you, you might want to look at the 400 series. There’s also a shoulder strap for holding phones Lowepro likes to call the PhoneZone shoulder strap.
The waist belt can also be removed if you would like more comfort. It does get a bit heavy but if you would like to keep your gear safe and a customizable backpack, the Lowepro DroneGuard BP 250 will be ideal for you.
I like to check reviews before buying- and it’s got over 800 reviews on Amazon- and over 86% positive reviews, so you won’t have to worry about it being a poor choice later!
Cleaning Kit for Drone & Camera sensors
If you’ve got a drone at home and don’t want it to get dirty and look muddy, a cleaning kit is essential. You’re going to be flying the quadcopter outdoors, so of course, it’s going to be dirty.
While we’re on this topic, I also want you to think about your camera lenses at home. If possible, you should get a single cleaning kit that works for drones, DSLR cameras, TV, smartphone, and laptop. You may be tempted to think that you should get a separate one for every gadget you own but that would be a poor purchasing choice on your part.
I’ve used many cleaning kits and lens wipes over the years, but my favorite ones are Pro-Optic cleaning kit and the UES sensor cleaner. I recommend the latter for anything to do with sensors (I only wish I didn’t have to keep buying them every month- these are great!) and the former for anything else to do with delicate screens and exteriors.
My Choice: Best drone & electronics cleaning kit (except for camera sensors), $19.95
Specifications
- Includes: 7 x 7″ microfiber lens cloth, 4″ lipstick-style fine brush, 10 5×5″ lens cleaning wipes, 1 oz lens cleaner spray bottle, rubber bulb air blower, carrying case with velcro closure
- Works with: displays, lenses & smartphone screens
- Weighs: 7.2 ounces
There are tons of kits I’ve used but the one I would recommend is the cleaning kit by Pro-Optic which costs $19.95. It’s a fantastic combo that comes with a lens cleaning cloth (microfiber), fine brush, wipes, carrying case, blower, and spray that works great for everything other than sensors.
For sensors, you will find the UES sensor cleaner a charming option. I used to wipe my lenses with T-shirts and anything I had at hand but turns out, that can leave micro-scratches on the surface.
I’ve got this exact cleaning kit and it works like a charm, and there are also plenty of wonderful reviews on the site.
I think it’s good for the price but a word of advice if you buy this kit- don’t try to fit everything in the case. I just keep the spray bottle and wipes in the case, and the rest in a drawer. I’m pretty sure the few 1/2 star reviews are because somebody thought the case was too small for the wipes and sprays and brush and blower. I’m not that picky when it comes to the case since the brush, wipes (10 of them) and spray are quite good but you should decide that one for yourself.
Get Pro-Optic Cleaning Kit on Amazon
Don’t Use Alcohol on Camera Sensors!
On camera sensors, however, I’ve found that Iso Propyl Alcohol (IPA) or any other alcohol-based cleaning agent like the Pro-Optic leaves streaks, so I would advise against that. You could try a 50-50 mix of IPA and pure water but it doesn’t work that well for me.
For cleaning sensors, the $19.99 UES sensor cleaner with 24-mm swabs works like a charm for me. It’s not only alcohol-free and ammonia-free but also safe for both CCD and CMOS image sensors.
The sensor cleaner by UES is regulated by EU REACH meaning it poses little risk to human health or the environment, has a resistivity of 18.2 MΩ × cm, and won’t leave any nasty marks behind. Frankly, I don’t pay much attention to the resistivity ratings but if you can make sense of it, all the more power to you.
How are the reviews by folks who have this sensor cleaner? Pretty good. I think mine is great and it’s something I would definitely recommend.
Get UES sensor cleaner on Amazon
Drone Propellers & Guards
If there’s one thing that you’ve gotta invest in, it’s the spare drone propellers. These are the things that keep your drone flying nice and tight, and sadly- propellers are the first to get damaged in an accident.
Whether your dog thinks of the drone you newly bought as a chew-toy or your friends crashed your shiny quadcopter into a pole, the body will come out relatively unscathed but the propeller most likely won’t survive.
Not that I would want it to happen to you- but drone mishaps are actually super common- and manufacturers, for this very reason- include spare propellers in the product box. Luckily, propellers are cheap, so getting a couple of them probably won’t hurt your pocket.
Without getting into anything about how the aerodynamics of winds and bull-nose. folding or tapered propellers and how they differ- I’m simply going to suggest a couple of propellers that I find to be of great value.
I would recommend getting propellers that brands officially provide– and Platinum propellers (pretty silent) by DJI as ones you should consider. If you are into racing, you should consider propellers with fewer propeller blades as it would improve the efficiency and speed noticeably. I’ll be honest here, and let you know that I haven’t tried many propellers myself- but I do recommend the DJI Mavic Mini spare propellers since I have tested them on my DJI Mavic Mini.
I’m very confident that spare propellers would be worth your money but I’m a bit torn about propeller guards. Put them and you protect your propellers- it sounds nice in theory but from what I’ve found, they drain battery, take up space and add to the weight. It does protect your propellers to some degree but don’t get your drone caught up in trees- it will just rotate and propellers will be damaged.
Still, if you want to have propeller guards on your drone and are willing to not use your drone near trees or anywhere it can get tangled up, Mavic Air 2 propeller guard is what I would suggest. It’s got plenty of reviews, and you can make up your mind based on that.
Get Mavic Air 2 Propeller Guard On Amazon
Neutral Density Filters By PolarPro
My Choice: Best ND filter for Mavic Air 2 ($91.11) & GoPro Hero 9 Black/10 ($85.00)
Specifications
- CinemaSeries Glass with 16 anti-flare coating layers prevents oil buildup
- ND4 (2 stops), ND8 (3 stops) & ND16 (4 stops) on ND filter for Mavic Air 2
- ND8 (3 stops), ND16 (4 stops), ND32 on ND filter for GoPro Hero10 / Hero9 Black
- Elegant Protective Hard-case
- Adventure Assurance – Money back on dissatisfaction
- Replaces stock UV on GoPros and provides a water-resistant seal
If you’re new to ND filters, these are nifty gadgets designed to reduce the amount of light entering your camera, and that helps when you need to work with shutter options. You also get a crisp high-contrast image thanks to the polarizer that comes included with the ND filter 6-pack.
The ones I would recommend are the $91.11 PolarPro Shutter Collection for DJI Mavic 2 Pro and the $85.00 PolarPro Shutter ND Filter for GoPro Hero10 / Hero9 Black.
These have also got pretty good reviews so you don’t have to worry about poor-quality ones.
Get PolarPro Shutter Collection on Amazon
Landing Pad/ gear
My Choice: PGYTECH P-GM-101 Landing Plate for Drone, $22.22
Specifications
- Double-side, zippered nylon pouch included
- 55 cm landing tray for drones
- 10.24 x 1.18 x 11.22 inches
- Waterproof and UV protected
- 3 pegs to secure the landing pad to the ground
- 8 reflective strips for low-light conditions
If you’re constantly on the move and need to protect your beloved drone from dirt, snow, and mud, considering a landing pad is a great idea. I am recommending the PGYTECH Landing Pad as it looks cool, features a waterproof surface, has got reflective stripes for low light, and also comes with three pegs to secure it to the ground.
I would suggest a metal one but those interfere with the calibration, so this will have to do. If you’re thinking about using this in strong winds, you may have a hard time- but other than that, it’s quite good.
Not to mention, the PGYTECH landing pad has got good reviews on Amazon too, which is always nice.
Get PGYTECH Landing Pad on Amazon
FPV Goggles for Drones
My Choice: DJI FPV Goggles V2, $499
Specifications:
- 7.87 x 6.77 x 4.88 inches
- Weighs 420 grams
- Dual 1920 x 1080 resolution
DJI not only produces high-quality drones but has also had its fair share of experience with racing drones.
The DJI FPV Goggles V2 looks rather futuristic and is surprisingly light on the head. With a screen that has a refresh rate of 144 Hertz and a latency of less than 28ms, the FPV Goggles V2 is a fantastic choice for drone enthusiasts who cannot wait to try out the FPV experience.
There are plenty of positive reviews to convince you that it’s good, and trying it once will certainly have you not wanting to go back to the analog experience of flying drones.
The only concern I have is- it’s rather pricy, at least for me, but most good FPVs usually cost as much, so it’s not a big deal at all.
Get DJI FPV Goggles V2 on Amazon
Spare Batteries for your Drones
While it’s technically possible to swap batteries mid-air by docking fresh batteries, as shown by folks at Berkeley, I have yet to come across a commercial drone that does this.
I would love to have tiny UAVs that could fly up to my drone and return with batteries that have run out, but that’s simply not possible today. The next best thing you can do? Grabbing a bunch of spares that you can put in your drone after the current ones run out.
Everybody needs spare batteries. It’s just something you didn’t know you needed- and now you know!
Decent memory card for a 4k drone
My Choice: Samsung Evo Plus microSD, $50 for 256GB
The model of your memory card can also make a difference when recording 4k footage. The stock class 4 or 6 SD card on your drone will do an okay job but personally, I prefer UHS-I U1+ cards.
The U1 SDcards have a writing speed of about 20 MBps while U3 SDcards can write at speeds of up to 90 MBps. This can come in very handy when recording on Mavic drones like the Air 2 and Mavic 2 Pro.
Photographer’s gloves
My Choice: RucPac Professional Tech Gloves for Photographers, $71.48
Specifications
- Unisex tech gloves that work with touch screens
- Maximum dexterity
- Pull-On closure
- Works with smartphones and digital sensors on cameras
The RucPac gloves are one of the best things you will encounter as a photographer- they will keep your hand while not preventing your access to touchscreens and camera sensors. For this, the tip of the index fingers has a pad that can be registered by touchscreens.
If you’re looking for a stylish pair of gloves that will help you get by photography gigs in winter, the RucPac gloves will work just fine.
Get RucPac Professional Photography Gloves on Amazon
Sun hood
My Choice: Hoodman Aviator HAV2KIT Sunshade Hood Base Plus Extender Kit, $39.99
Specifications
- Fits: 9.7 – 10.5″ tablets
- No-glare images out in the field
- Accessible bottom for access to touch screen
- Mounting straps with safety straps make mounting safe and convenient
- Durable nylon with plastic insert build
If you like using your tablet or an iPad as your monitor for a bigger viewing area, you may have noticed that the glare outdoors can make it hard to view the footage properly.
I think the Hoodman Aviator Sunshade Hood is a cheap solution to the glare- and will let you conveniently view the screen without any reflected sunlight.
Get Hoodman Aviator Sunshade Hood on Amazon
Phone/Tablet Bracket for Drone Controller
My Choice: PGYTECH Remote Controller Pad Holder, $38.83
Specifications
- Fits: 7-10 inches smartphone and tablet
- Aluminum material
- Weighs 4.2 ounces
The PGYTECH Mount can come in very handy when you need to use a bigger screen with your Mavic Pro or other drones with a separate controller. The quality is decent and it’s pretty light which makes this a great mount for phones/tablets with a 7 – 10″ screen.
Get PGYTECH Remote Controller Pad Holder on Amazon
Li-Po Bags for safely storing drone batteries
My Choice: O’Woda Phantom 3/4 Battery Bag, $14.80
Specifications
- Set of 3, single bag fits 3 Li-Po batteries
- Weighs 1.76 ounces
- Made out of Lipo safe fire-resistant material
- $4.93/count
I think most people don’t worry about the safety of Li-Po batteries as much as they should. Regardless of how safe manufacturers claim the Li-Po cells are, there’s always a chance that Oxygen will meet the Li and start an explosion. It’s a good idea to invest in a decent battery bag just to be on the safe side.
The O’woda Phantom 3/4 battery bag is a fantastic choice for safe keeping your batteries without the fear of fires/explosions. These have been tested by many, don’t burn when batteries do explode and will keep your surroundings safe.
If you look up the reviews, they are great as well- so you can go ahead and not worry at all about the quality of these.
Precision Screwdriver Toolkit
My Choice: iFixit Manta Driver Kit, $80.94
Specifications:
- Alloy Steel Material
- 1/4″ Drive & 4 mm Drive handles, plus 112 precision driver bits
- Fits every single device – smartphone, drone, guitars, tablets, MacBooks, TV, fridge, you name it.
- Closure lid is magnetic and the interior of the case doubles as an organizer
- iFixit’s Lifetime Warranty covers damages to tips and handles
Even if you’re not somebody who would think of prying open a drone when something is wrong, having a precision screwdriver toolkit can come in very handy. Some drones come with hexagon socket screws that can become loose for some reason- you could simply check and tighten them if you had the kit lying around.
I think you can get some sweet deals for just a couple of bucks but at home, I’ve got the iFixit Manta Driver Kit which fits any bits like Hex security or Flathead or Philips or Torx security or Tri-point and is covered by iFixit’s Lifetime Warranty. Frankly, it’s a bit more expensive than others but the quality makes up for it- I am confident it’s going to last for decades.
It’s also got thousands of fantastic reviews. The iFixit Manta Driver Kit is something I would happily recommend to anybody who needs a durable and versatile screwdriver toolkit.
Get iFixit Manta Driver Kit on Amazon
A Good Editing Program
The last thing on this list is a video editor- you probably already know why you might need one.
If you are somebody who shoots aerial footage with your drones on a regular basis, you may need to patch a few frames or adjust the color levels in your videos. I would recommend getting Premiere Pro if you can afford it. Adobe Premiere Pro is very powerful- and capable of crazy things, but it does cost a premium fee which is worth paying if you are serious about your career as a video editor.
Personally, I’m more inclined towards flying drones than turning my footage crisp and breathtaking. For my rather simple requirements, I’ve been using Kdenlive which is fantastic. I am a huge fan of Linux architecture- I’ve currently switched to Manjaro KDE- so I can’t really make the dive for Premiere.
Kdenlive is a free and powerful open-source video editing program that won’t have you pay a recurring amount every month- and you will find it suitable for pretty much any advanced needs you might have. It does take some time to get used to the interface, but it’s got a gentle learning curve.
Choosing Drone Accessories You Actually Need
Since you don’t need to bother with every accessory out there, which ones do you need? These are the three criteria I am using to help you decide whether a drone accessory is really necessary for you:
Does it make flying a drone easier?
In a perfect world, drone brands would make high-quality drones that last for many hours, and provide everything you will ever need to fly and maintain your drones. But realistically speaking, you will have to look out for all of those things yourselves, and that’s where drone accessories can come in handy.
Accessories like drone propellers can make flying drones in public places easier- you can reduce the noise your drone makes so you don’t get many complaints. It’s also good for making your drone go faster which is great if you’re into racing. Getting spare batteries is no doubt something that will directly enhance the value you can get out of your drone.
Other drone accessories that make flying drones more convenient are things like tablet brackets, photographer’s gloves, sun hoods, and FPV goggles. I think you know what these accessories would be good at – the brackets would help you fit a tablet, gloves would help protect your hands from excessive cold and dry weather, sun hood would make your viewing screen more visible – and the FPV goggles just provide a fantastic view when flying your drone.
Sometimes, you may need to service your drones- let’s say you dropped it from a height and broke the casing. It would be great if you could go in with a quick adhesive and fix the cracks. Drones and other electronics come apart really easily if you have a decent precision screwdriver toolkit. Also helps if you need to swap out your SSD or upgrade the RAM sticks on your laptops!
Does it keep your equipment safe?
Drones cost quite a bit, and accessories can be expensive too. If you’re like me and move around a lot, you will find that the safety of your laptop, tablet, smartphone, drone, spare batteries, and accessories can be tricky to manage.
Having a decent backpack can not only help save you the trouble of having to cut down on your gear, but it can also keep your stuff neat and organized. I have the Lowepro DroneGuard BP 250 which does a fantastic job at keeping my equipment safe.
Other accessories with a similar utility are propeller guards, landing pads, and LiPo bags. It’s a one-time investment and can save you a lot of trouble later on. I’ve also got a tip for you- if there’s a program in your state that covers any drone accidents and damages, it’s worth getting insured. Mavic has a program called Mavic Care Refresh that replaces your drone for up to 2 years if you’ve paid a certain amount as insurance.
Does it improve the drone footage?
If you do serious aerial photography/ videography, you may also want to invest in accessories like a better camera that you can mount on your drone. Neutral Density Filters and camera cleaning kits are awesome accessories that will help you do just that.
I also recommend getting a gimbal-stabilized drone over one that doesn’t have gimbal and stability perks.
Final Thoughts
There are plenty of accessories that could come in handy when maneuvring drones and shooting quality footage, but I have condensed the list down to a select few- the very best in fact! The drone accessories mentioned here are to my liking, and I am pretty sure you will love these.
If you are concerned about saving money, you can stick to prosaic accessories that will come in handy for everyday use. Just a drone backpack, a couple of spare propellers, and insurance would be fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don’t have money to get all the accessories on the list, which ones should I get?
I don’t think you need to get all the bells and whistles to enjoy the joys that flying drones over the skies have to offer. If you are a newbie and don’t have much experience with drones, I don’t suggest getting accessories at all this is to ensure that you aren’t making any futile purchases.
For the frugal readers out here who need the bare minimum, I would suggest you put the safety of your drone first- and get a decent backpack that serves as a protective case for your quadcopter. The landing gear, lights (if you plan on flying at night) and spare propellers are also things you should consider getting. These things matter more if you tend to be clumsier around electronics but you should be able to do without most of them just fine.
Do I need an additional GPS device to track the location of my drone?
If your drone is powered on, the GPS on your drone will do a good job of tracking and sending you the location. However, if your drone isn’t powered on, you won’t get the location data- so, you should get an external GPS module just in case you want to trace your drone when it’s powered off.
Can I take DJI drones on a plane with me?
You’re probably fine if you don’t fly your drones mid-flight, and if you keep the batteries out of the drones, that will keep you out of trouble. But you should check with your airline just in case.
My drone battery just died. Can I hook up any batteries with my drone?
Technically, if you match the voltage ratings and can disassemble the drone without damaging it, you should be able to fit any pertinent cell. Still, I wouldn’t recommend doing that because there’s always the risk that you might unknowingly damage something else in the process.
You should also be careful to check for any software lock by the manufacturer that prevents you from swapping out the batteries from non-original manufacturers.
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