Drones accessories Christmas gift guide

SanDisk 64GB Extreme microSDXC: $10 / £15 on Amazon
Most people these days have a microSD card or two around the house, but for the best results when aiming to capture 4K video, you need a fast card from a reputable brand. Speed is important because of the amount of data recorded when capturing 4K video, so aim for a microSDXC A2. Buying a card manufactured by a well-known brand such as Sandisk or Lexar reduces the risk of card corruption and data loss. Of course, it’s never guaranteed, but better cards are generally more reliable.

Kenobee 20-inch Drone Landing Pad: $17 / £19 on Amazon
A landing mat is essential when taking off and landing on grass, gravel and sand by providing a clean and level surface you can easily carry with you. Landing mats also reduce the risk of drones flipping in long grass and getting covered in dust. The Kenobee 20-inch / 50cm Drone Landing Pad is a lightweight yet weighted option that won’t blow away in the wind and folds to an almost flat and small size making it easy to transport. It also includes a soft bag for storage and to stop it from unfolding.

Proster Anemometer Wind Speed Meter: $17 / £17 on Amazon
All drones have a maximum wind resistance rating which is most often denoted by a level eg. ‘Level 5 wind resistance’. It’s easy to find out what wind speed this refers to with a quick search engine search. Judging wind speed is difficult, so to make this easier the Proster Anemometer Digital LCD Wind Speed Meter is a fantastic tool. Just remember that wind speeds are usually faster at higher altitudes so this also has to be factored into whether or not it’s safe to fly.

Skyreat DJI Mini 4 Pro ND filters: $50 / £52 on Amazon
ND filters are specific to the drone you use, so when looking for a set you have to make sure that you’re buying an option that fits your drone. DJI and Autel drones have multiple options available at different prices, but if you own a beginner model from Holy Stone or Roku, for example, ND filters are often not available. The DJI Mini 3, Mini 3 Pro and Mini 4 Pro all use the same camera so ND filters advertised for one are compatible with the others. ND filters reduce the amount of light entering the lens, which in turn allows you to use the correct shutter speed for video.

Altura Photo Professional Cleaning Kit: $20 / £25 on Amazon
A dirty lens on any camera can result in sharpness problems as well as debris showing up as black marks in photos and videos, and a drone’s camera is no exception. With debris and insects in the air alongside the risk of finger smudges, a lens cleaning kit should be a staple in your drone case. Altura Photo Professional Cleaning Kit includes everything you need to keep lenses clean and comes in a handy plastic wallet to keep everything tidy and together.

Ulanzi LED Video Light: $40 / £35 on Amazon
Some drone pilots like to fly in low light environments to capture photos and videos, while others use their drone to light a subject such as a tree while capturing it with a DSLR or mirrorless camera. In either situation, a small and lightweight light such as the Ulanzi LED Video Light is ideal. This can be attached to the top or bottom of the drone in several ways including Velcro or attaching the included coldshoe mount to the drone using a double-sided sticky pan (not included).

Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 240: $200 / £260 on Amazon
It’s always recommended that you have at least three batteries to be able to make multiple flights during days out. But when you’re flying more intensively you may need to charge your batteries on location. The Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 240 is extremely portable and allows you to charge drone batteries anywhere thanks to its high-capacity 240WH battery. It includes a pug socket and USB-A and can be charged using portable solar panels. So, you just need to remember your charger and cables when you go out.

Lume Cube Drone Strobe: $50 / £35 on Amazon
The laws surrounding night flying vary from country to country, so you must check local laws before you fly at night to remain safe and legal. However, in most countries where this is allowed, you have to ensure that your drone is easily visible to you and other aircraft. The Lume Cube Drone Strobe is a bright and rechargeable LED strobe that’s visible for over three miles with Fast Mode, Slow Mode, and Continuous Light options. Plus, it can be attached to most camera drones.

Yinsan 134 in 1 Precision Screwdriver Set: $23 / £20 on Amazon
It’s certainly not for the faint-hearted, but some more advanced drone pilots have the knowledge to make their own drone repairs rather than sending them back to the manufacturer. Whether changing a motor, a propeller arm or delving deeper into the electronics, you need the right tools for the job and the Yinsan 134 in 1 Precision Screwdriver Set has much, if not all of what you’ll need to make these repairs if you’re confident enough to do so.