Key Takeaways
- ⚠️ Verdict: Only worth buying at deep discounts—successors offer significantly better value
- 📸 Best for: Absolute budget buyers who find units under $500
- 💰 Value: The Air 2S and Mini 4 Pro have made this model obsolete at regular prices
The DJI Mavic Air 2 launched in April 2020 and immediately dominated the sub-$800 market. It brought 4K/60fps video, 34-minute flight time, and 10km OcuSync 2.0 transmission to a compact, foldable design. But six years is an eternity in drone technology.
We tested the Mavic Air 2 against its successors to determine if it still deserves consideration in 2026—or if nostalgia is clouding judgment.
Camera: Good But Clearly Dated
The Mavic Air 2 features a 1/2-inch CMOS sensor with 48MP (12MP effective with Quad Bayer). In 2020, this was impressive. In 2026, it's merely adequate.
Video Specifications
- 4K/60fps: Solid detail but limited dynamic range
- 4K/30fps HDR: Improved highlights but processing artifacts
- 1080p/240fps: Slow-motion option (heavily cropped)
- D-Cinelike: Basic flat profile for color grading
The most significant limitation is the lack of D-Log. Serious colorists will find D-Cinelike restrictive compared to the full D-Log profiles available on the Air 2S and newer.
Flight Performance
| Specification | Mavic Air 2 | Air 2S | Air 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Flight Time | 34 minutes | 31 minutes | 46 minutes |
| Sensor Size | 1/2-inch | 1-inch | 1/1.3-inch (x2) |
| Max Video | 4K/60fps | 5.4K/30fps | 4K/100fps |
| Transmission | OcuSync 2.0 (10km) | O3 (12km) | O4 (20km) |
| Obstacle Sensing | 3-direction | 4-direction | Omnidirectional |
| Weight | 570g | 595g | 720g |
Interestingly, the Mavic Air 2 has longer flight time than its immediate successor (Air 2S), but the camera downgrade makes this advantage marginal. The Air 3's 46-minute flight time renders both obsolete.
Obstacle Avoidance: A Major Weakness
Three-directional sensing (forward, backward, and downward) was acceptable in 2020. In 2026, it's a liability. The lack of side and upward sensors creates significant blind spots that modern drones have eliminated.
ActiveTrack 3.0 struggles in complex environments where side obstacles are common. This limitation alone disqualifies the Air 2 for many use cases that newer drones handle confidently.
Software & Feature Support
DJI continues to maintain firmware for the Mavic Air 2, but new features are no longer being added. The drone received major updates through 2022, but development has since ceased.
Key features like MasterShots and FocusTrack work reliably, but they lack the refinements present in newer implementations.
Who Should Buy the DJI Mavic Air 2 in 2026?
✅ Consider If
- • You find one for under $400
- • You need a backup drone
- • You're learning and expect crashes
- • 4K/60fps meets your needs
❌ Skip If
- • Buying at regular retail prices
- • You need reliable obstacle avoidance
- • Professional work is intended
- • D-Log color grading is important
Final Verdict: 6.5/10
The DJI Mavic Air 2 was an excellent drone—in 2020. In 2026, it's been thoroughly surpassed by successors that offer better sensors, longer flight times, and comprehensive obstacle avoidance.
At deep discounts (under $400), it remains functional for casual use. But at any price approaching the Air 2S or Mini 4 Pro, those alternatives are dramatically superior choices. The Air 2 is now a historical footnote rather than a current recommendation.