DJI Mini SE is the cheap drone I've been waiting for, and it's finally landed in the UK

(Image credit: DJI)

last updated 10 May 2022

Want a DJI drone? You'd better start saving up. Or perhaps not, as the brand's new, wallet-friendly compact drone is now available to buy in the UK and the rest of Europe. The price tag of only £269 makes it cheaper than anything in DJI's lineup.

DJI is the brand behind almost all of today's best drones (although in January 2022 its finally got some competition in the shape of the Autel Evo Nano and Autel Evo Lite Plus). The Mini SE is part of the brand's compact series of drones, which includes the DJI Mini 2 and DJI Mini 3 Pro (released May 2022). As well as boasting a more affordable price tag than the rest of the fleet, these dinky birds' appeal lies in the fact that they weigh in at under 250g, which means they're subject to fewer fiddling licensing rules.

At £419, the Mini 2 is too pricey to feature in our best cheap drones guide… but ringing in at under £300 the Mini SE is a shoo-in. It's been on shelves in Latin America and Asia Pacific since summer 2021, but only now it is available to buy in Europe.

To look at, the Mini SE is extremely similar to the Mini 2. Which makes sense because it's made in the same shell. Under the hood, it uses components from the original DJI Mavic Mini, although again for a more affordable price tag (that model had an RRP of £369).

You're still getting DJI’s signature flight control and camera performance, including the creator templates and QuickShot modes. On a full charge, it can fly for up to 30 minutes – a minute less than the Mini 2's official max flight time. There's a three-axis gimbal for smooth video footage in up to 2.7K. as well as 12-megapixel photos. A low-latency HD video transmission can reach as far as 2.5 miles… although that's in ideal conditions, and you should always keep your drone within your line of sight. Find out more or buy one on the DJI website.

Ruth is a lifestyle journalist specialising in sleep and wellbeing. She has tested more mattresses than her small flat can handle and will talk at length about them to anyone who shows even a passing interest, and has had to implement a one-in-one-out pillow policy for fear of getting smothered in the night. As well as following all the industry trends and advancements in the mattress and bedding world, she regularly speaks to certified experts to delve into the science behind a great night's sleep, and offer you advice to help you get there. She's currently Sleep Editor on Tom's Guide and TechRadar, and prior to that ran the Outdoors and Wellness channels on T3 (now covered by Matt Kollat and Beth Girdler-Maslen respectively).