5 Best Wind Resistant Drones For High Winds [Comparison Table]

Drones are becoming increasingly easier to fly, no matter the skill level and experience of the pilots. Sure, some drones still require knowledgeable expertise behind the remote controller, but more and more of them can be operated by complete newcomers. That’s because of the rapid developments in flight autonomy tech.

Aspects like pinpoint positioning accuracy, comprehensive flight autonomy systems, and omnidirectional obstacle avoidance were deemed outright impossible just a couple of years ago. These days, they’re present in virtually all mid to high-end models available on the market.

And while the software side of the deal is developing without any issues, the hardware aspects are hitting concrete obstacles and resulting in numerous issues. One such issue is wind! Yep, wind – we typically don’t think much about it, but strong winds can easily make or break one’s flying session.

What helps drones fly in strong winds? Well, it’s a combination of software and hardware solutions, really. A drone with proper wind resistance can’t rely too much on one end of the spectrum. It needs to be well-versed software-wise, so it can detect quick changes in wind direction and act accordingly, but also possess outstanding hardware that can stand the test of time (and wind) and output enough power to facilitate movement changes on the fly.

If you’re not interested in the technical side of things and you just want to find great wind resistance drones, feast your eyes upon our top five list:

Table: Best Wind Resistant Drones

Image	Name	Max Wind Speed	Range	Best offer
	5. Potensic Dreamer Pro	N/A	2km	See best offer
	4. DJI Air 2S	23.5mph (38km/h)	12km	See best offer
	3. DJI Mavic 2 Pro	30mph (48km/h)	8km	See best offer
	2. Autel EVO 2	39mph (53km/h)	8km	See best offer
	1. DJI Mavic 3	30mph (48km/h)	15km	See best offer

5. Potensic Dreamer Pro

Potensic Dreamer Pro is the first model on our list of drones with great wind resistance. This is the cheapest drone on this list and probably the only one you haven’t heard about before. Potensic is not a bit player in the drone market, though they have a number of cheap, beginner-friendly drones available. This is their take at a high-end consumer (not prosumer) drone. It’s affordable, accurate, and has quite a few tricks up its sleeves!

Solid Wind Resistance

This is not the world’s most powerful drone by any means. If it was, it would cost several times more. But still, with around 22mph top speed, this thing can handle lighter breezes without any issues. Around level 4 wind, though, you will notice a bit of shakiness here and there. It shouldn’t show up on the camera, though that depends on just how strong the wind is.

Potensic Dreamer Pro is not foldable. If we have to make comparisons here, this bugger is best compared to the DJI Phantom series. It packs a 3,000 mAh battery that allows for around 25 minutes of light time. Range-wise, you’ll be getting around a mile, perhaps slightly more if you’re flying it in a wide-open field.

Best Cheap Drone For Windy Conditions

This bugger has a 1/3-inch Sony sensor. It’s not the largest sensor, I know, but it’s pretty good for what it’s meant to do. You can’t expect Dreamer Pro to shoot professional-grade footage. Though, hobbyist stuff and family videos will be just fine!

Last but not least – the build quality is not too shabby either. It’s hard, feels durable, but I won’t be the one to crash it somewhere just to test its durability… and you shouldn’t either!

4. DJI Air 2S

I just love this drone! I adore it! It’s the best bang for your buck on the drone market right now, and if you’re not sure which of these buggers to take, take this one… unless you’re living in an area with strong winds. In that case, I’m afraid you’ll have to splash out a lot more money on a premium model.

Excellent Camera

This thing sports a mighty camera! It’s capable of going head to head with older flagships! With a 1-inch sensor, RAW, and HDR support, the dynamic range of up to 12.6 stops – this thing is packed! Of course, stuff like a 3-axis gimbal (an utmost precise one mind you) is there as well! Combine that with a plethora of DJI smart photography modes and you’ll understand just how camera-geek-friendly this drone really is. Plus, it can handle winds of around 22+ mph, which isn’t half bad considering its size.

DJI Air 2S Wind Resistance

Now let’s finish all of this off with a quick look at the specifications. This thing is absolutely magnificent. It costs just a fraction of the price of a premium drone but is capable of delivering almost identical performance. Do you want numbers? Here goes: 7 to 8 miles of transmission distance,

Additional stuff like omnidirectional obstacle avoidance and a ton of features are there as well. You can’t really go wrong with this one – DJI Air 2S is by far the best bang for your buck drone currently available!

3. DJI Mavic 2 Pro

DJI Mavic 2 is a relatively old drone. It was released way back in August 2018 with two available models, Zoom and Pro. The latter is what we’ll be focusing on here, since it’s by far the most popular version. It’s been at the top of the drone market for so long, being replaced by its successor Mavic 3 just a few months ago.

Still a Champ!

But, despite its age, DJI Mavic 2 Pro is still a proper champ! It can handle winds of up to 30mph and go as fast as 45mph. It’s a fairly big foldable drone, featuring a Hasselblad camera with a 1-inch Sony sensor. 3-axis gimbal, of course, is there as well, ensuring this feisty little fella has all the aerial photography capabilities you could desire.

DJI Mavic 2 Pro Wind Resistance

The rest of the package is not to be taken for granted either! DJI Mavic 2 Pro is one of the best and most advanced wind resistant drones you can find out there. Not only is it equipped with all the latest features from the DJI arsenal like TapFly, ActiveTrack and OcuSync, but it also has over half an hour of flight time and around 9 miles of effective transmission range. DJI Mavic 2 Pro is still winning the battle against time, though sooner or later, newer models will knock it off its pedestal.

2. Autel Robotics EVO II

Next up, Autel Robotics EVO II! This orange monster of a drone can easily handle 30+ mph winds, all thanks to a ludicrous speed of 45mph. That’s outright crazy, come to think of it! This thing is as powerful as DJI Mavic 3, with nuances differentiating all of their key characteristics. Both are outstanding prosumer models, and if you’re ready to splash out a serious sum of money for a drone, there’s no need to look any further!

Proper Behemoth

Typically, when talking about foldable drones, portability is the biggest concern for potential buyers. They want foldable drones because they’re typically much easier to transport than bigger models like DJI Inspire or Phantom series.

And while Autel Robotics EVO II is foldable and relatively easy to transport, it is a hefty machine! It weighs in at 2.6 lbs which is quite a lot for a foldable device. To put things into perspective, DJI Mavic 3 weighs in at roughly one pound less.

Autel Robotics EVO 2 Wind Resistance

If the price didn’t make you understand the obvious – we are looking at a premium drone here. Autel Robotics might not make a lot of drones, but the ones they do make are typically marketed for either prosumers or professionals. Autel Robotics EVO II is no different! It can be used in a wide variety of ways, from stuff like real estate, roof inspection, search and rescue all the way to aerial photography and videography. It’s a jack of all trades, this one. But, at the end of the day, it surely does justify the price tag.

1. DJI Mavic 3

Finally, DJI Mavic 3! If you’re looking for a consumer-grade drone that doesn’t cost as much as a house, then this bugger is what you should buy! That doesn’t mean it’s not pricey – it’s still the most expensive drone on this list… but I reckon its wind resistance and overall performance are well worth it. Let’s take a closer look and see what DJI Mavic 3 is all about!

Best-in-Class Wind Resistance

DJI Mavic 3 is a beast of a drone, we all know that. But, its sheer power is why it’s currently the best among wind resistant drones out there. It can go as fast as 47 mph and handle 30mph winds – that’s the best of what the prosumer drone market has to offer, really.

Not only that – Mavic 3 is absolutely brilliant in the specifications department too. It can reach as far as 9 miles. That’s over 15 kilometers for our European buddies, though they won’t be able to get that because of CE regulations. Battery-wise, it sports a beefy 5000mAh 4S LiPo that charges at 65W. It allows around 40ish minutes of flight time, though take that with a grain of salt if you’re going to be battling strong winds from start to finish.

DJI Mavic 3 Wind Resistance

DJI Mavic 3’s camera is another noteworthy component. If you’re going to be recording videos in rough conditions, look no further! Not only is Mavic 3’s gimbal the absolute stabilization perfection, it also captures professional-grade footage too. If you opt for the Cine package, you’ll get Apple ProRes too, among other bells and whistles.

Drone Wind Resistance Levels Explained

Wind resistance is of crucial importance for people who want to fly their UAVs in harsh conditions. Drone wind resistance levels are one of the most important factors performance-wise, alongside the likes of hovering precision, battery duration, and top speed.

The latter is what makes up a big part of the drone wind resistance equation, but it’s not the only one. If you’re confused by wind-related terminology and you just want to find good drones with adequate wind resistance, then you’re definitely at the right place!

You’ve already seen our top five wind resistant drones – now let’s dive into the subject and see if there’s more to the whole ordeal!

What is the Best Level 4 Wind Resistance Drone?

Level 4 winds are between 11 to 18 mph (20 to 28km/h). Most mid to high-end drones are capable of flying effortlessly in these conditions. Also known as a moderate breeze, level 4 wind will create small waves, raise dust here and there, and move only the smallest branches. We’re not talking about dangerous flying conditions, which means basically all drones with brushless motors running on at least 2S (7.4v) batteries will suffice.

As far as the best level 4 wind resistance drones are concerned, if you’re going with portability, you might as well opt for DJI Mini 2. It’s usable in both Level 4 and Level 5 winds. Combine that with a picture-perfect camera and you’ll understand why it’s one of the best bangs for your bucks drones on the market!

What is the Best Level 5 Wind Resistance Drone?

Level 5 winds go from 19 to 24 mph (29-38km/h). These wind speeds are nothing most high-end drones can’t overcome, though if you own a toy drone, it’s best not to play around with it during these conditions. If the area you live in is very windy, chances are you’ll need a drone that can fly effortlessly with winds speeds at around 20+ mph. If that’s the case, you better opt for something like DJI Air 2S. It can withstand just shy of 24mph, which makes it a no-brainer for these conditions.

What is the best Level 6 Wind Resistance Drone?

Now we’re talking about slightly stronger winds here. Commonly known as a strong breeze, level 6 winds go from 25 to 31 mph (39-49km/h) which is problematic for all but the highest-end drones available out there.

If you’re looking for exceptionally wind resistant drones, you’ll need to spend upwards of $1,000… and that’s on the cheap end of the deal. We’re talking about the likes of DJI Mavic 2 Pro, Autel Robotics Evo II, DJI Mavic 3, and similar models.

What is the Best Cheap Wind Resistant Drone?

They don’t come any cheaper than DJI Mini 2. It’s one of DJI’s newest models, packed with a great camera, an excellent set of features, and powerful brushless motors. It’s compact, powerful, and looks outright cool. It can with stand level 5 winds, making it a highly versatile drone no matter the conditions!

Can You Fly a Drone in High Winds?

Yes, you can! Though, it all depends on just how strong winds we’re talking about here… and, of course, which drone you’re thinking of flying. Not all drones are suitable for strong winds, but I guess that goes without saying. If you’re living in a windy area, you better consult Beaufort’s scale for more information before takeoff. Another thing that can help you out in windy areas are UAV apps, but we’ll touch on that later on.

Which is the Best Drone for Bad Weather?

Unfortunately, there’s no one size fits all kind of answer here. It all depends on what sort of bad weather conditions we’re talking about, and what you need the drone for. Generally speaking, though, you can never go wrong with the newest DJI flagship devices. They are pricey, but they bring forth a professional-grade all-around experience that will give you everything you need, and then some.

The same goes for the newest Autel Robotics flagship. Their second-gen foldable model, EVO 2, is in many ways similar to DJI’s flagships. Features-wise, specs-wise, looks-wise – they’re very much alike… except for the fact, EVO II is bright orange and is bound to turn quite a head once you let it rip in the park.

Both of them can handle strong breezes AKA level 6 winds. If you need to fly in an area that’s going to have winds going way above 30mph, then I am afraid you’re going to have to opt for more robust, commercial models.

Which Drone is the Best in Wind?

DJI Mavic 3 fits the bill in this department as it’s one of the fastest, most powerful drones out there. But, other characteristics have to be taken into consideration; stuff as price tag, size, and portability. Once they’re in the equation, there’s no clear answer here.

Well, technically, there is – just pick the drone with the highest top speed and you’ll be fine, right? Well, not exactly. The drone’s shape, its battery, and its hovering precision matter too. These aspects might not be as tangible, but they definitely matter, especially in winds over level 5.

So, which drone fits the bill here? Well, just pick any of the flagship models from either Autel Robotics or DJI. Primarily, we’re referring to the likes of DJI Mavic 3, DJI Mavic 2 Pro, and Autel Robotics EVO II. These are all prosumer-grade drones, so pick your poison. If you’re interested in the commercial side of things, you’ll find much more powerful options that can handle stronger winds… though these will typically set you back for a ton more than the above-mentioned flagships.

How Windy is Too Windy to Fly a Drone?

It all depends on what drone you have. If you have one of those toy mini drones, you’re better off flying them indoor. If you have a slightly bigger toy drone with brushless motors, it can probably take level 3 wind, more commonly known as a gentle breeze.

If, however, you own a prosumer-grade drone like some of the above-listed ones, you’re probably worry-free up to level 6. Even though flagship models can theoretically withstand the strongest level 6 wind speeds, you might get stability issues or difficulties returning to your takeoff location. Just something to think about before you end up making a giant mistake.

Which DJI Drone Has the Best Wind Resistance?

Here’s a table that has all the answers laid out for us:

Flying Drones in the Wind: Tips & Tricks

If you’re looking for information on wind resistant drones, the five following tips ought to help you out:

Explore Drone Friendly Apps Like UAV Forecast

Wind can be tricky to tame! Luckily, if you schedule your flights in advance, you can avoid them altogether. This way you won’t even have to worry about your drone’s wind resistance. UAV Forecast is the obvious way to go. There’s a dedicated app available for smartphones, but you can also just visit their webpage too.

Try Blocking the Wind during Take-Off

Guarding your drone during take-off will allow it to stabilize itself properly ahead of demanding flights. If it’s struggling with hovering right off the bat, even with you shielding it off on one end, then you’re better off flying another day. The higher you go from the ground, the winds will be stronger. If your drone can’t handle wind on the ground, there’s no way it’ll be able to handle it 50+ feet in the air.

Take the Prop Guards Off

This might not be as important with a premium drone as it is with beginner-friendly ones. You see, most high-end drones don’t even come with prop guards. Low and mid-range ones do, and trust me – you don’t want them on during stronger winds. Propeller guards are good for protecting propellers, but they destroy drones’ aerodynamics and make it impossible to fly in windy conditions.

Your Drone Has to be in Sports Mode

If you’re going up against the strong wind, you have to ensure your drone is running in its fastest mode. Typically, the fastest mode is called the Sports Mode… or at least that’s the case with DJI models. Other brands have something similar – Performance Mode, in some cases.

This is essential because the drone will only run at 100% potential when it’s in this mode. Other modes (beginner-friendly mode, photography mode, etc) will only give you a fraction of the drone’s full potential. Why is this essential, though? Well, you’ll need maximum power to overcome strong wind – it’s as simple as that!

Make Sure You Have Enough Battery to Return to Home Safely

One last thing before you take off in harsh conditions – make sure your battery is charged to 100% and don’t fly too far away, especially downwind, because your drone might have way more trouble going against the wind once it starts coming back. There are numerous examples on YouTube where people forgot to take the wind direction into consideration before takeoff. Best case scenario, you’ll find a reachable clearing and retrieve your drone ASAP. Worst case scenario, it will fall in a dense forest or even wars, in water, and it’s practically game over!

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Larry Haller

Larry is the founder of DronesGlobe. He has been tested and certified by the FAA and successfully became a FAA-Certified Advanced Ground Instructor.

Larry achieved great results working as an instructor at our partnering company where he prepared students for Part 107 exams.

Proud father of two beautiful kids, which is pretty much explaining why he's not publishing as often on DronesGlobe as he used before.

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