Once a simple tool for aerial photography, drones have evolved into essential equipment for both hobbyists and professionals. Whether capturing stunning landscapes or mapping industrial sites, the right accessories can significantly enhance the drone experience. From extended flight time to superior camera shots, here’s a rundown of the must-have accessories every drone owner should consider.
15 Best Drone Accessories for Extended Flight & Clear Footage
1. Extra Batteries
Drone batteries typically offer 20 to 40 minutes of flight time per charge, which can be used up faster than expected. Keeping extra batteries on hand ensures longer airtime, more footage, and fewer mid-flight interruptions, allowing you to stay in the air without worrying about running out of power.
Recommended For: Every drone owner.
Top Picks:
DJI Intelligent Flight Batteries (for DJI drones) – from $95
Parrot Anafi Smart Batteries – around $80
Tip: Always purchase from official stores to avoid low-quality knockoffs.
2. Carrying Case or Backpack
When transporting gear to shooting locations or storing it between flights, a carrying case or backpack is crucial for keeping everything organized and protected. Choose options with custom compartments for your drone, controller, and accessories—waterproof designs are a bonus for added durability and protection against the elements.
Great Brands:
Lowepro DroneGuard BP 250 – around $120
PGYTECH OneMo Backpack – around $160
DJI-branded Hard Cases – starting at $80
Look For Waterproofing, padded dividers, and compartments for controllers and batteries.
3. Sun Hood or Tablet Mount
Screen glare can be a significant issue when flying in bright sunlight, making it difficult to see the live feed. A sun hood or shade is an effective solution, ensuring the screen remains visible even under harsh sunlight. Additionally, a tablet mount can enhance the experience by allowing you to use a larger screen, improving framing and control for a more precise flying experience.
Best For: Filmmakers and content creators.
Trusted Brands:
PolarPro ND Filters – packs from $60
Freewell Gear Filters – from $30
Pro Tip: Opt for a 3-pack (ND8, ND16, ND32) to accommodate different lighting conditions.
4. Propeller Guards
Propeller guards provide an extra layer of protection, making them especially useful for beginners or those flying in tight spaces. They also offer peace of mind when flying around people or pets, helping to prevent damage to both the drone and its surroundings.
Recommended for beginners, indoor flyers, and cautious professionals.
Top Picks:
DJI Propeller Guards – $15 to $35
Third-party silicone or lightweight snap-ons – from $10
5. Landing Pad
Dirt, grass, and gravel can pose a risk to your drone’s motors or camera lens during takeoff and landing. A foldable landing pad creates a clean, visible surface, providing a safe and secure spot for landings and takeoffs and protecting your equipment from debris and damage.
Popular Options:
PGYTECH Landing Pads – $25 to $40
Foldable generic pads on Amazon – around $15
Bonus: Reflective pads serve as visual guides during dusk or dawn flights.
6. ND Filters
Neutral Density (ND) filters are a must-have for anyone serious about achieving smooth, cinematic aerial footage. By reducing light exposure, these filters enable slower shutter speeds, creating the natural motion blur that elevates the quality of your footage and gives it a polished, professional feel.
Best Buy:
iFixit Drone Repair Kit – around $35
Generic drone kits with tweezers, screwdrivers, and prop tools – from $15
7. Car Charger
A car charger is essential for drone pilots who love chasing golden hour or exploring remote locations. It lets you charge your batteries on the go, ensuring you’re always ready to take flight when you reach your next destination without missing a moment of the action.
Good Options:
Skyreat Range Boosters for DJI Remotes – $25–$40
Yagi-Uda Antenna Extenders – from $20
Note: Ensure compatibility with your specific drone model before making a purchase.
8. Signal Range Extender
A signal range extender is a game-changer for enhancing your drone’s connection, particularly in areas with heavy interference, such as urban landscapes or dense forests. Boosting the signal helps maintain a stable connection, ensuring smoother flights and better control, regardless of your location.
Recommended Devices:
Apple AirTag (with a clip case) – $29
Tile Pro or Chipolo ONE – $25–$35
Jiobit Smart Tag (real-time GPS, subscription-based) – around $130
Heads-Up: Since most trackers aren’t explicitly designed for drones, it’s crucial to check both the weight and the mounting options to ensure compatibility. A tracker that is too heavy or difficult to mount can affect your drone’s performance and stability.
9. Tool Kit
A compact tool kit for drone maintenance can be a game-changer during a flight, especially when unexpected issues arise. Equipped with essential screwdrivers, prop removal tools, and extra screws, this kit ensures that you’re prepared for common in-flight problems like a loose arm or a malfunctioning propeller. These tools allow you to quickly address minor repairs, reducing the need to ground your drone and minimizing potential downtime. Whether you’re a hobbyist or a professional, this practical toolkit keeps you flying smoothly by providing the right resources for immediate fixes, so you can get back to capturing those perfect shots without delay.
Essentials:
Giottos Rocket Air Blaster – $15
Zeiss Lens Cleaning Wipes or Microfiber Cloths – under $10
Camera Lens Pen – around $12
Pro Tip: Clean the drone before every shoot, especially after flights in windy or dusty conditions.
10. GPS Tracker
Losing a drone can be a significant setback, but a GPS tracker can help locate it if it crashes remotely. Some trackers offer real-time location updates via smartphone apps.
Popular Picks:
DJI Car Charger for Mavic/Air Series – $45–$65
Power inverters for multi-device charging – from $30
Extra: Look for models with fast charging support and surge protection.
11. Weather Monitor App or Mini Weather Station
Wind, rain, and low visibility are all factors that can ground your drone in an instant, potentially ruining your plans. To avoid this, using a weather app or a portable weather meter can provide a clear picture of the conditions before you even consider taking off. A weather app offers real-time updates on wind speeds, precipitation, and visibility, allowing you to assess whether it’s safe to fly. Alternatively, a portable weather meter provides a hands-on way to measure conditions on-site, ensuring you’re fully prepared. You can avoid risky situations by checking the weather in advance, which provides a safer and more enjoyable flying experience.
Top Picks:
SanDisk Extreme Pro V30/UHS-3 (64GB to 256GB) – $20 to $60
Lexar Professional 1066x or Samsung Evo Select – reliable alternatives
Anker or UGREEN USB-C Readers – from $15
12. Lens Cleaning Kit
A smudged lens can easily ruin a perfect shot, leaving you with blurry or distorted images that don’t capture the moment as intended. Keeping your drone’s camera lens, filters, and sensors clean is essential to avoid this. In this scenario, a lens cleaning kit is your best friend, typically including a microfiber cloth, a brush, and a lens-safe cleaning solution. The microfiber cloth gently wipes away dust and fingerprints without scratching the surface, while the brush can help dislodge any debris from hard-to-reach areas. The lens-safe solution ensures that you can clean thoroughly without damaging delicate components. With this kit in your gear bag, you’ll be ready to maintain pristine lens quality and capture crystal-clear footage every time you fly.
Best For: Aerial photographers and anyone needing precision.
Recommended Picks:
DJI Tablet Holder for Smart Controllers – around $40
PolarPro Monitor Mounts – from $35
Generic aluminum mounts with adjustable clamps – $20–$30
Pro Tip: Ensure your controller is compatible with the mount and check for adjustable tilt and balance.
13. Remote Lanyard
Flying drones for extended periods can take a toll on your hands, leading to discomfort and fatigue. A simple solution to this is a lanyard for your remote controller. By securing the controller to your body, a lanyard takes the pressure off your hands, allowing you to fly longer without feeling strained. It also provides added stability, especially when making precise camera adjustments. With the controller hanging from the lanyard, your hands can focus on fine-tuning the drone’s movements, making for a smoother and more controlled flight experience.
Perfect For: Outdoor flyers, winter cinematographers, or anyone flying in cold conditions.
Great Brands:
Vallerret Photography Gloves – $70–$100
Freehands Men’s Stretch Gloves with Flip-Back Fingertips – around $30
Drone Valley Touchscreen Gloves – $25–$40
Feature to Look For: Flip-back finger caps, touchscreen compatibility, and windproof material.
14. Spare Propellers
Even experienced drone pilots encounter rough landings. Keep a set of spare propellers on hand so a broken blade never grounds you.
Best Use: Professionals involved in mapping, construction, or precision tasks.
What to Buy:
Leveling Pads or Spirit-Level Landing Mats – starting at $15
Compass calibration magnetic shield covers – from $10
Note: Some advanced drones handle propeller calibration automatically, but manual calibration can help prevent drift and loss of control.
15. Memory Card Reader
Offloading footage from a drone can be a slow process. A high-speed memory card reader lets you quickly transfer large video files to your laptop, allowing you to edit while your drone recharges. Essential for serious hobbyists and professionals who need fast and efficient file transfer.
Must-Haves:
Sun hoods from PGYTECH or Sunnylife – $15–$35
Apps like AirData UAV, DroneDeploy, or Litchi (many with free basic plans)
DJI Fly / Go four apps with optional hood attachments
Heads-Up: Keeping logs is essential for warranty claims, professional work, and analyzing flight history.
Maximizing Your Drone Experience
Drones have evolved beyond being just high-flying cameras—they’re part of an expanding ecosystem of technological tools. With the right accessories, flight time can be extended, safety enhanced, better footage captured, and workflows streamlined. Gear up, take off, and maximize the drone experience.
