Early 2024 Black Friday deals are coming in hot for drone pilots

If you’re a drone pilot hoping to get an advance on 2024 Black Friday deals, you’re in luck. It seems that holidays like Halloween and Christmas seem to start earlier and earlier every year. And in 2024, the same holds true for Black Friday.

Many great 2024 Black Friday deals are already out. Companies are competing with each other for your dollars — and presumably brands want to get your dollars before another one did.

Sure, the early marketing emails are annoying, but the good news is that you don’t have to wait until Black Friday to get your deals shopping done. Speaking of marketing emails, I’ve been gathering deals from the top brands all season. I’ve been filtering out which ones are actually worthwhile (after all, I’ve been tracking drones and their prices for more than a decade!).

And with that, I’ve put together an early guide to 2024 Black Friday deals for drone pilots that are actually worth it.

Price: $1,240 (normally $1,549)

DJI dropped its DJI Air 3S drone this fall, offering a spiffier version of the original Air 3. Among its biggest improvements are better omnidirectional obstacle sensing, a new Panorama mode and expanded internal storage (42GB up from just 8 on the DJI Air 3). It’s no secret that in a battle between the DJI Air 3 vs. DJI Air 3S, the latter is better. But that assumes the same price point.

The Air 3S Fly More Combo with DJI RC 2 retails for the same price as the DJI Air 3 on normal days. But for Black Friday 2024, the Air 3 is $300 cheaper. That makes the decision tougher in some ways, but either way you win: either a better drone with the Air 3S, or a $300 savings with the Air 3.

And for what it’s worth, when I reviewed the DJI Air 3 in the summer of 2023, I absolutely loved it — and still vouch today that it’s a great drone.

Buy the DJI Air 3 Fly More Combo with DJI RC 2 controller: $1,240

Up to 30% off HOVERAir X1 plus free battery

Between now and Dec. 2, the HOVERAir X1 is going for up to 30% off plus a free bonus battery in early Black Friday sales. The Standard it, normally $429, is now down to just $299. The Combo Plus, normally $519, has dropped to $359.

The HOVERAir X1 is an ultra-portable drone with features like auto-follow mode, one-tap cinematic templates, and 4K video capture. This drone is closest in comparison to the DJI Neo. And though I do generally recommend the DJI Neo over the HOVERAir X1 (not to mention, the DJI Neo is cheaper at $199), this is a good option of you want a DJI alternative to a selfie drone.

Check out my HoverAir X1 review, and then get in on the HOVERAir X1 sale before it ends on Dec. 2.

52% off DJI Power 1000 (now $480)

Price: $480 (normally $999)

This is a killer deal on what I considered one of the best portable power stations for drone pilots. The DJI Power 1000 had been on sale at $699 earlier this week, but now it’s been discounted even further to $480.

 Portable power stations like the DJI Power 1000 offer the best of both worlds between a car charger (which is usually slow and weak) and a generator (which is loud and bulky). The DJI Power 1000 weighs less than 30 pounds, can recharge devices within roughly an hour and is super quiet — like, even quieter than most household refrigerators.

If you’re constantly roadtripping or camping with your drone, this is a game-changer.

Right now, you can snag the DJI Mavic 3 Pro Fly More Combo (DJI RC) with 0% APR financing and a free DJI-branded water bottle when you shop directly through DJI.

The Mavic 3 Pro is a powerhouse for aerial creatives, featuring a triple-camera system, 43-minute flight time, and Hasselblad imaging technology that delivers stunning photos and videos. The Fly More Combo includes essential extras like extra batteries, a charging hub, and spare propellers, ensuring you’re ready for long flights right out of the box.

The 0% APR financing offer makes this premium drone (yes, it’s $3,000) more accessible by spreading out payments with no interest. For those who’ve been eyeing a flagship drone but don’t want to drop a hefty sum upfront, this deal can be a game-changer. Just know what you’re in for. While 0% APR means no extra interest for the period of the offer, just know that missing payments or stretching your finances too thin can lead to fees or negative impacts to your credit scores down the line.

What other great Black Friday drone deals have you found so far? Leave them in the comments!