DJI Spark vs DJI Mavic Mini

Last Updated: February 3, 2024

Preview	Product
	DJI Spark, Fly More Combo, Alpine White	Buy on Amazon
	DJI Mavic Mini - Drone FlyCam Quadcopter UAV with 2.7K Camera 3-Axis Gimbal GPS 30min Flight...	Buy on Amazon

Navigating between the DJI Spark and DJI Mavic Mini can be a tough decision, given their similarities and differences. In this comparison, I'll dissect the distinct features of both drones to help you make an informed choice. Let's delve into the specifics to find out which UAV aligns better with your preferences.

Design

Both the DJI Mavic Mini and DJI Spark are made for beginners and people who like cute things. Hence, the Mavic Mini and Spark are among DJI’s smallest drones ever created; although I would say that the Mini almost looks the same as the Mavic Air and Mavic 2 Pro (hence the same model series name) while the DJI Spark looks like an aerial toy.

The build is a bit similar between the two: same foldability, same landing legs, same propeller design. As for the differences, the DJI Mavic Mini includes a small but powerful 2.7K drone within a 3-axis gimbal, while the Spark uses a 1080p camera under the same gimbal. Both are amazing, hip and casual to look at.

Size

If you though the Spark was small already, wait until you encounter the Mavic Mini up close. I hate to say “literally”, but the Mavic Mini is literally miniature in size, you can put it in your pocket. Thus, it is one of the world’s most convenient outdoor drones ever made. The Spark is still convenient, but more on fitting it inside your backpack rather than putting it inside one of your pockets.

As usual, you will still need to register the Spark to the FAA since it weighs 300 g. But for the Mavic Mini, you don’t need to, since the drone only weighs 249 g - a gram lower than the minimum weight eligible for registration. However, while you will not need to sign up, you are still obliged to follow standard FAA rules like not recording near groups of people, travel near government buildings and airports, and not going beyond 100 m off the ground.

DJI Spark, Fly More Combo, Alpine White

Intelligent Flight ModesSmart, reliable,...
High-Performance CameraAmazing images...
Flight PerformanceAwesome potential,...
Flight SafetyWorry-free flight in the...
2-Axis Stabilized Gimbal Camera. Voltage...

Sale

DJI Mavic Mini - Drone FlyCam Quadcopter UAV with 2.7K Camera 3-Axis Gimbal GPS 30min Flight Time,...

The compact yet powerful Mavic Mini...
Weighing less than 0.55lbs by 250 grams,...
Mavic Mini supports 12MP aerial photos...
Mavic Mini’s weight allows it to stay...
DJI Fly App requires iOS v10.0, Android...

Battery

Battery life is only slightly different between the two. While the DJI Spark can last up to 16 to 17 minutes, the DJI Mavic Mini only works around 10 to 15 minutes. But hey, that’s well worth the selling price though. After all, they are both under the same price.

Both small drones include spare batteries in case you want longer flight sessions or if the original battery’s health has vastly deteriorated (which is mostly impossible since DJI batteries are known to be excellent).

Both drones have easy battery slots and the batteries themselves won’t pop out if ever it crashes on a surface. Recharging is quick for the two drones thanks to DJI’s enhanced charging capabilities which are twice faster than any competing brands.

Camera

The Spark and the Mavic Mini show their distances through camera quality.

For the Spark, it uses a 12MP camera with 1080p resolutions - which is still relevant to this day despite tech elitists shaming anybody who still uses 1080p cameras. And the bottom line of the Spark camera? It is amazing. You would even forget that you are only filming at 1080p under 30 frames per second. Visuals are crisp and clear for both still images and videos. The gimbal helps in making dramatic shots and - for a drone that costs less than $400 - makes it a great buy.

As for the Mavic Mini, the only real reason you’d want to buy this one over the Spark is the camera quality (besides the overall size and convenience). You won’t find a better drone under a price range that can do 2.7K in 30 fps video and image qualities. The only issue found with the Mini is that its 3-axis gimbal is not that stable at all - just like the Mavic 2 Pro. In fact, Spark can do better when it comes to camera stabilization. Is this a major issue though? Not at all, if you aren’t rotating the camera a lot for dramatic angles, that is.

Controls and Flight Performance

Both controls are amazing, both drones fly spectacularly. Especially with a controller, both the DJI Spark and DJI Mavic Mini respond immediately without major issues. Both drones include altitude hold, return to home and multiple flight modes. It’s just that both of these drones have some slight delay when flying near its farthest distance.

The included controllers for the two UAVs are very tactile and ergonomic to use. In terms of design, I would say the DJI Spark looks slightly simpler than the DJI Mavic Pro 2. But for the weight and size, the Spark is lighter and smaller.

Noise is almost non-existent for both UAVs, although the Mavic Mini is slightly noisier and has that loud DJI jingle. As for the app, the Spark uses a much-improved DJI GO while the Mavic Mini utilizes the more streamlined DJI FLY.

What I Would Buy

Both small and both are high quality, both amazing. I just cannot lay a finger which one is better than the other because both the Spark and Mavic Mini have their own ups and downs (but majority of them are ups). So if you were to ask me which of the both I’d buy, I will put myself in particular scenarios. If I want something very casual and straight to the point just for me to start on how to use a drone as a beginner, I’d choose the DJI Spark. And If I like a much more convenient way to savor the richness of the Mavic series without breaking a huge chunk of my budget, I’d go for the DJI Mavic Mini. I hope this argument of DJI Spark vs DJI Mavic Mini will help you in your decision.

DJI Spark, Fly More Combo, Alpine White