Can You Buy DJI Drones in the US?
DJI drones are some of the most popular models you can fly, whether you love nature photography, capture video for your social media feeds, or just enjoy everything you can do with some of the best drone tech around. And we do mean the best—look at any list of rankings, and it will be dominated by DJI drones. That being said, you may have heard that there's a ban on DJI drones in the United States. Why? There were national security concerns that involved DJI drones, and as such, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has blocked many new DJI drones, and will not give them approval. With that being said, there are still DJI drones for sale in the United States, even if the full line of DJI drones and accessories is not available. So, can you buy DJI drones in the U.S.? Yes, but not all of them, and not the newest ones.
Which DJI Drones Can I Buy?
Most importantly, DJI does have permission to import drones that came out before the ban, as well as (relatively recent) releases like the Mavic 4 Pro, Mini 5 Pro and the Neo 2. Keep in mind that the DJI drone ban in the U.S. can change, but as of September 2026, DJI is on the FCC Covered list. That means that new models released after the ban was implemented can't be imported, but every drone already released here still works, and you can purchase existing models that are already on shelves. So, can you buy DJI drones in the U.S., and which ones are approved? Anything that's approved by the FCC is available, like the Mavic 4 Pro. While you can buy the Mavic 4 Pro, when the Mavic 5 Pro comes out in the future, that drone would be banned.
If You Already Own One (Or More)
If you already own a DJI drone, there's no need to worry. No one is grounding existing drones or placing additional restrictions on flying. Maybe you're a hobbyist and love taking yours on nature walks, or maybe you're a photographer and your lifestyle hinges on taking the best photos and videos you can. But these drones are also popular among other industries, from engineering to construction to fire and rescue operations. That being said, it's important to take into account what a ban means, not just now but for the future.
While you can still buy DJI drones in the U.S., it's important to invest in good long-term options for businesses. If you're a hobbyist or a photographer and you already own and love your DJI drone, it's a good idea to invest in extra batteries or parts now, just in case inventory starts to run low. If you're a business and use a fleet of drones, there's no need to panic. The FAA has not restricted flight, and existing fleets can work as usual. The brand says it will still support software updates for existing users as well, so you can continue to fly and get your work done. But what does change is the way you should consider the future. As time goes on, it may be harder to source parts and implement updates, especially if you need them for multiple drones. That's something to keep in mind, but nothing to ground your current flights (or stop you from enjoying everything that makes DJI drones amazing).
Why Buy DJI Drones ... and Should You Still?
Many are asking, "Can you buy DJI drones in the U.S.?" and if you're wondering why the ban is such a big deal, it's all due to their performance. They dominate the world market, with many estimating that DJI has a hold on between 60 and 70 percent of the consumer drone market. Why? Frankly, it's because they do everything well: impressive cameras, proper flight, decent battery life, smart features and good pricing make their line of drones easy to love. It can be hard to find competitors that are as multitalented, though there are many that excel with certain skills. Potensic is a great competitor, for example, making mini-drones with great pricing, but DJI is known for those great cameras with smooth flight patterns that are hard to beat. So the question remains: should you buy a DJI drone now, with the ban in effect?
We say go for it, but do keep in mind that DJI drones are well-made and can last for years. Keep yours well maintained and away from accidents and it will work well for a long time—many DJI drones have built-in safety features that help them return home, steady themselves in strong wind, and avoid bumping into nearby objects. These drones can be smarter than the competition, depending on which ones you pick, and that makes them great investments ... even if you aren't sure that you'll be able to buy a replacement. The fact remains that these drones are some of the best in the business, even if there are restrictions from the FCC. Things may change in the future, but as of now, DJI drones are still some of the best models you can find in the U.S.
Our Top Drones
You can (and should) still buy DJI drones in the U.S., but which one is right for you? Below are a few of our favorites here at Abt, and we think you'll love them too.
Not all drones are the same either: check out our chart below to get a good look at what our top five drones are best for different users and tasks.
| DJI Drone | Designed For | Flight Time | Weight | The Cameras | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DJI Air 3S | Content Creators | 45 Minutes | 724 g | 1" 50MP CMOS Wide Angle, 1/1.3", 48MP CMOS Med Tele, 4K/60fps HDR Or 4K/120fps Video | Dual Cameras, Obstacle Sensing |
| DJI Mini 5 Pro | Casual Use & Travel | 36/52 Minutes, Depending on the Model | 249.9 g | 1" 50MP CMOS, 4K/60fps HDR Video Recording, 4K/120fps Slow-Motion Video Capture | Under 249g, No FAA Registration Needed |
| DJI Mavic 4 Pro | Professional Photographers & Cinematographers | 51 Minutes | 1,063 g | 100MP 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad, 1/1.3-Inch & 1/1.5-Inch Large CMOS Dual Tele, 6K/60fps HDR Video | Incredible Flagship Camera Quality |
| DJI Neo 2 | Beginners New To Drones & Kids | 19 Minutes | 151 g, 160 g With Digital Transceiver Attached | 1/2" 12MP CMOS Sensor, 4K 100/60/50/30fps Video | No Controller Needed, Palm Takeoff |
| DJI Avata 2 | First Person Flyers | 23 Minutes | 377 g | 1/1.3" 12MP CMOS Sensor, 4K/60fps HDR Video | Fun First Person Flight |
Find Your DJI Drones at Abt
These five drones aren't the only options from DJI, and they come in multiple formats, with the "Fly More" version being a popular version with extra batteries and other additions that make it easier for you to fly further and for longer. Even with the DJI drone ban in the U.S., we've still got exciting drones from the company—come see them at Abt, or order them online for quick delivery. If you have questions, call our experts at 800-860-3577 to learn more.
Can You Buy DJI Drones in the U.S. FAQs
-
DJI drones are banned in the United States due to national security issues involving the Chinese brand's technology, as well as a security audit requested by Congress that was never completed. The deadline for the security audit passed before any U.S. agency completed the required audit, placing DJI on the FCC Covered list.
-
Yes, if you own a DJI drone you can still fly it in the U.S.
-
No, they are not. All products that are not on the FCC covered list are not permitted, but all products released before the ban was imposed are still available.
