Is it really worth upgrading from the Mavic Air 2 to the DJI Air 2S?

The DJI Air 2S hasn’t technically replaced the Mavic Air 2 in DJI’s lineup. Both models are still being sold concurrently – for now – but is it really worth upgrading to the Air 2S if you already own the Mavic Air 2? And if you don’t already own a drone, is the Air 2S worth the extra cost over the Mavic Air 2?

These are the questions Billy Kyle attempts to answer in this comparison video of the two drones, walking us through the differences between them and where that extra money is going. And, in a surprising plot twist, he says that the DJI Air 2S is actually better than the much more expensive Mavic 2 Pro in some areas.

The “Air” product line in DJI’s drone line up sits in a very interesting place. It’s a small folding drone that packs a lot of cool features specifically aimed at people who are either filming themselves or working with a small crew. It’s a more… “intimate” drone than systems like the Mavic and Phantom (which is, technically, still a current model) that are typically used by more advanced filmmakers with larger flying ranges.

But in the video, Billy says that despite the DJI Air 2S essentially being a “mid-cycle refresh”, it’s better than the Mavic Air 2 in just about every way, and that it’s well worth the extra cost over the Mavic Air 2 for those trying to decide which of the two models they should buy. He also mentions a number of areas in which the DJI Air 2S not only outperforms the Mavic Air 2 but also the higher end (and more expensive) Mavic 2 Pro – particularly when it comes to its camera.

If you’re an existing Mavic Air 2 owner, thinking about upgrading… Whether or not it’s worth it will really depend on your needs. The cost for you is going to be greater than somebody who hasn’t bought either drone yet because you’ve already blown a bunch of money on the Mavic Air 2 and you’re not going to get all of that back when it comes time to try and sell it. And if you’re only ever posting to social media, the differences between the two might not really be noticeable enough to justify it.

For those that don’t own either, though, the way Billy tells it, the DJI Air 2S looks like it’s well worth the extra cost over the Mavic Air 2 for what it offers, but the Mavic Air 2 isn’t terrible, by any stretch of the imagination.

Haver you upgraded your Mavic Air 2 to an Air 2S yet? Do you plan to?