Autel vs. DJI: how to plan in the event of a Chinese drone ban?

Next up in our “Ask Drone Girl” series is about going for Autel vs. DJI. If you have a question for Drone Girl, contact her here.

I am a professional photographer leaning towards the DJI Air 3S or maybe the Mavic Pro 3 Pro. But, I have been reading more about the issues with the government and DJI.

I was looking at the Autel Robotics EVO II Pro 6K Rugged Bundle. Should I go with a DJI drone or avoid it because of the potential ban? Are Autel’s drones even in the same ballpark?

A professional photographer in Southern California? I got my professional start in the drone world down in SoCal too! Whether you’re working as a wedding photography, on Hollywood films or documenting environmental change for a news outlet, there are so many opportunities in SoCal (and more!) for drone pilots.

Before I dive into helping pick the best drone for you, let me address your concerns about the drone ban:

Is DJI at risk of being banned?

Let’s start off with an important clarification. DJI is a Chinese drone company (perhaps no surprise to anyone). But — despite what many assume — Autel is also a Chinese drone company. If there were to be broad bans or restrictions, they’d likely apply to Autel too, not just DJI.

What’s the latest U.S. policy (and updates on potential bans) around DJI or other Chinese-made drones?

There are all sorts of proposed policies floating about. Here are some of the major ones:

• NDAA & FCC “Covered List”: The FY2025 National Defense Authorization Act mandates a one-year national security review of Chinese-made drone companies like DJI and Autel. If no agency completes the review by December 23, 2025, their drones could be automatically added to the FCC’s “Covered List,” blocking new imports and sales in the U.S.
• Commerce Department Investigations: As of mid‑July 2025, a formal “Section 232” investigation is underway into the import of drones and components from China due to national security and supply-chain concerns. That includes both DJI and Autel. This could result in tariffs or further restrictions.
• Executive Orders (June 2025): President Trump issued directives aimed at encouraging U.S. drone manufacturing, easing rules for drone operations and restricting foreign-made drones. U.S. agencies are being pushed to favor domestic products and secure supply chains.

For now, no active ban on drones you already own exists.

Much of this proposed legislation is focused on banning the sale, import, or use of Chinese drones by government agencies, or restricting new sales of consumer drones in the U.S.

It’s not about grounding drones you already own — at least, not at this time. Of course, policy could evolve, but a full ban on flying consumer drones you already purchased seems unlikely, and would likely face significant legal pushback.

So my advice? Go ahead and get the drone that suits your needs best. And hey, now might be the best time to buy a DJI drone. After all, we might see prices go up due to tariffs. Or, outright bans on new drones for import into the U.S. could even make a DJI drone an ultra-hot commodity.

How to pick the best drone for your photography career

With that out of the way, let’s talk about the best drone for your photography business.

DJI Air 3S vs. Mavic 3 Pro: Both are winners (but the Air 3S is a better value)

You’ve clearly done your homework, because the DJI Air 3S and Mavic 3 Pro are both some of the best drones for professional photographers. The Air 3S stands out for its value. It has excellent image quality, obstacle avoidance and intelligent flight features, all at a lower price point. And because of its slightly smaller size, I consider it the best drone for travel photographers.

If budget matters (and for most of us, it does), the Air 3S wins.

That said, the Mavic 3 Pro offers a triple-camera system and a bump in camera quality that seasoned pros might appreciate, especially for high-end commercial work or documentary filmmaking. If your clients demand the absolute best in resolution and flexibility, it might be worth the upgrade.

Autel EVO II Pro vs. DJI Air 3S vs. DJI Mavic 3 Pro

Since you also brought up the Autel EVO II Prov V3, here’s how all three drones compare, side-by-side:

DJI’s drones are stronger overall, especially for the price. I do think the Autel EVO II Pro V3 is an impressive DJI alternative, but if your rationale for needing an alternative is seeking a non-Chinese drone, then the Autel EVO II Pro does not fit that bill.

My advice? Don’t worry about a ban for now. If anything, getting a DJI drone now is better in the event a ban on importing new drones does kick in (though I think that would be unlikely anyway).

Do you have a question I should answer? You can contact me here!