10 Must-Have Accessories for Your Drone

Whether you’re an advanced drone user looking to enhance your equipment or a beginner getting started, there are plenty of accessories out there for you. Some are simple but important, like a carrying case, while others boost performance or provide additional features.

If you’re permitted to fly at night (check regulations), lights are a must. This small LED light is designed for the Mavic 2 and similarly sized models, but will work with many other drones too.

Spare Batteries

Whether you’re an amateur drone pilot or a professional aerial photographer, having extra batteries in your arsenal is essential for capturing breathtaking images and videos. High-capacity batteries allow you to extend your flight time and capture more awe-inspiring scenes, even when flying in remote locations without access to traditional charging options.

A drone battery bag is also a must-have accessory for protecting your batteries in transit. These bags are specifically designed to fit DJI’s LiPo batteries and are fire and water-resistant to safeguard your drone’s power supply on the go.

A lens cleaning kit is another handy accessory for ensuring that you get sharp and clear shots from your drone’s camera. This kit includes multiple brushes and a cleaning solution that is perfect for eliminating fingerprints, dust, and smudges.

Spare Propellers

A pair of spare propellers helps you fly longer and capture more stunning aerial footage. Be sure to choose propellers that match the size and specifications of your drone, i.e a drone such as a Matrice 30T. A mismatch could result in poor performance and even damage.

A set of neutral density and polarizer filters is also essential for enhancing the quality of your photos and videos. ND filters control light entering the camera, helping you avoid overexposure and achieve well-balanced shots in bright settings. Meanwhile, polarizers eliminate reflections and glare to boost color saturation and enhance contrast.

A backpack or shoulder bag is an excellent option for carrying your drone and accessories. Look for options with multiple compartments and pockets to keep your gear organized and protected during transportation. A sunshade is an added bonus for reducing glare on the remote controller screen during bright sunlight.

LiPo Battery Bag

Drone batteries are essential to flight, but they can also be dangerous if not handled correctly. A drone battery bag helps to protect your batteries and reduce the risk of fires or other damages.

Lithium polymer (LiPo) drone batteries store massive amounts of energy. When not properly handled, these batteries can explode and catch fire.

A LiPo battery bag prevents this from happening by keeping the batteries protected during transportation and storage. The bag is also fire-resistant and contains a vent to allow gases to escape during charging.

If you travel with your drone, be sure to check the airline rules on LiPo batteries before flying. Most airlines require you to carry the batteries as hand luggage due to their volatile nature. Also, if the battery has any signs of swelling or damage, it should be discarded.

Backpack or Shoulder Bag

A quality backpack or shoulder bag is an essential accessory for any drone enthusiast venturing on aerial adventures. Designed with drone photography in mind, these bags feature padded compartments that keep your drone equipment safe from bumps and scratches during transport. Some even include adjustable dividers to customize the interior layout to fit your gear.

Look for a backpack or shoulder bag that is waterproof, ideal for capturing footage in outdoor environments. Water-resistant leather options also shield your equipment from sudden weather conditions. Additionally, consider choosing a bag that has quick-release buckles or zippers for easy access to your drone equipment during active shoots. These features are crucial for ensuring your drone is ready to take off without delay. You may also want to opt for a bag that has secure straps or holders to prevent unintentional opening during active drone movements.

Memory Card

Most drones have limited internal storage and require a microSD card to capture images and video. This may be a little annoying for those who are used to their smartphone or digital camera offering gigabytes of internal storage, but a good quality microSD card can minimize the risk of losing important footage between flights.

Typically, drones will need a card that can write to it at a minimum of 30 MB/s (known as the speed class). However, higher resolutions like 4K will also require faster writing speeds.

You will want to look for a microSD card that has a UHS-I Speed Class 3 rating. These cards are designed to support high resolutions and high frame rates for recording video. They are a great choice for drones. It’s also a good idea to get one or two extra memory cards.

Wi-Fi Signal Booster

Drones that use WiFi for communication with their controller often operate in environments that can interfere with the signal, making it harder to maintain a stable connection and risk losing control during flight. A drone signal amplifier helps to minimize interference by amplifying the WiFi signal, ensuring that the connection between the drone and its controller is strong and reliable.

The drone signal amplifier will also improve the transmission of data between the drone and its controller, allowing it to respond quicker to commands. This is essential if you want to take advantage of your drone’s potential and capture impressive footage or high-quality images.

Using a drone signal booster is safe as long as you follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation. Be sure to turn off the drone and remove its propellers before installing the device, and keep it away from water or other liquids to avoid damage.

Camera Lenses

Camera lenses are intricate tools that significantly influence the quality of your photographs and videos. Having a comprehensive understanding of their functionality and integral parts is crucial to mastering photography.

Lenses are designed by optical engineers to allow light into the sensor and record the image you compose. Each lens has various glass elements that interact with each other to direct light towards the camera’s sensor.

Drone lenses offer a variety of effects, such as polarized filters that cut down glare and improve the saturation of landscapes. Neutral density (ND) filters are also popular for reducing the amount of light that enters the camera, allowing for long exposure shots and cinematic video. Drone photographers and videographers often use ND and circular polarized filter when flying over water or snow to minimize reflections and glare.

Spare Parts

There are a number of drone accessories that can help you enhance your flying experience. From drone-specific backpacks that keep your gear protected to high-quality goggles that provide a first-person view of your flight, there are many ways to make your drone experience better.

Having spare parts on hand is vital to minimize downtime if your drone encounters a problem during flight. Having extra propellers, motors, and electronic components on hand can save you from having to wait for shipping if your drone needs repairs or replacements.

A fast charger is also a useful accessory to have on hand. These devices significantly reduce charging times, allowing you to get back in the air quickly. They are compatible with DJI batteries and are an essential addition to your maintenance kit.

Spare Parts Charger

Keeping spare parts charged is crucial to extend flying time and capture those awe-inspiring shots. It’s important to monitor battery temperature during charging, as high temperatures can reduce capacity and cause damage.

If you’re into night flying or capturing low-light scenes, consider a lighting attachment for your drone. These bright strobes will help you stay visible in the air and comply with national aviation authority rules on visual line of sight.

A spare parts charger is also a great idea if you often travel with your drone. A small pouch is ideal for the job and adds minimal weight to your bag. Alternatively, a purpose-built case like the Lekufee backpack will keep your drone and accessories safe while on the go. It’s optimised for DJI batteries and includes a protective carry bag. It’s also waterproof, with a twelve-month warranty.

Smart Battery

The smart battery is an excellent investment for drone owners as it allows you to monitor battery health and performance. It also alerts you to unauthorized charger usage so that you can avoid potential power failures in mid-flight.

Another essential accessory is the ND filter set to enable you to capture smoother movements of the drone camera and to avoid overexposure in sunny settings. Polarizing filters help reduce glare and reflections, enhance color saturation and contrast.

The FPV monitor is an extremely important accessory for pilots as it displays the live view directly on the remote controller screen. It helps eliminate lag and provides more precise information to the pilot. It can even be connected to a smartphone to stream content and share it instantly. It is also a must-have for night flying sessions and capturing low-light shots.

Rebecca Alderson
Rebecca follows and writes about the latest news and trends surrounding crypto currency. She's currently investing in BTC and ETH.