Best Drones Like Antigravity A1: 9 Alternatives Compared

If you want a drone like the Antigravity A1, you are really choosing between three things: true 360° capture you can reframe after the flight, an immersive goggles-and-motion-controller flying experience, or simply a small sub-250g camera drone that films beautifully. The A1 does the first two in one box, but it starts at $1,599. This guide compares the A1 with eight alternatives, shows what each one costs, where it is usually cheapest, and which reviews to read before you buy.

Prices below come from the manufacturers and from published reviews and deal trackers. Drone prices move fast, especially around sales events and with ongoing US availability questions for DJI, so treat each figure as a starting point and check the linked marketplaces before ordering.

What makes the Antigravity A1 different

Antigravity is a drone brand incubated by Insta360, and the A1 is built around a twin-lens 360° camera rather than a gimbal-mounted single lens. According to Tom’s Guide’s full A1 review, it pairs a 55MP 1/1.28-inch sensor with video up to 8K/30fps, 5.2K/60fps and 4K/100fps, weighs 249g with the standard battery, and flies for up to 24 minutes (39 minutes with the High-Capacity battery, which pushes the weight to 291g and means registration).

Every A1 bundle includes the drone, the Vision goggles and the Grip motion controller. There is no drone-only option. That is the main reason it costs more than most alternatives: you are paying for a complete FPV kit, not just an aircraft.

Three things to understand before comparing it with anything else:

• 360° means reframing, not framing. You capture everything around the drone and pick the angle later in the app or desktop software. Standard drones require you to get the shot right in the air.
• Resolution is spread across a full sphere. Engadget’s reviewer noted the A1 delivers lower video quality than traditional video drones once footage is reframed to a flat frame, especially in poor light.
• The propellers are exposed. Unlike ducted FPV drones, the A1 is not suited to indoor flying.

Quick comparison: drones like the Antigravity A1

The table lists each drone’s starting US price as reported in the sources linked in each entry below, its main capture type, and its claimed flight time.

Drone	Starting price (US)	Capture type	Max video	Flight time	Best for
Antigravity A1	$1,599 (bundle)	360°	8K/30fps	24 min (39 min HC)	Immersive 360° flying
DJI Avata 360	$719 (with RC 2)	360°	8K/60fps	23 min	Cheapest 8K 360° drone
DJI Mini 5 Pro	$759 list	Standard, 1-inch sensor	4K/120fps	36 min	Best image quality under 250g
DJI Avata 2	$1,019 Fly More combo list	FPV, single lens	4K/60fps	26 min	Classic FPV with goggles
DJI Air 3S	$1,099	Standard, mid-size	Not compared here	Not compared here	Travel and real estate video
HoverAir X1 ProMax	$699	Selfie / follow	8K/30fps	16 min (claimed)	Hands-free 8K selfie footage
DJI Flip	$439	Standard, guarded props	4K/60fps	31 min	Beginners and vloggers
Potensic Atom 2	$329	Standard, gimbal	4K/30fps	32 min	Non-DJI budget camera drone
DJI Neo 2	$319	Selfie / FPV-capable	4K/60fps (100fps slo-mo)	19 min	Cheapest way into drones

How to choose an Antigravity A1 alternative

Start with the footage you actually want to publish. If your audience watches flat 16:9 or 9:16 video and you rarely miss shots, a 360° drone adds editing time without adding much. If you film fast action, chase moving subjects, or fly solo and keep missing the moment, reframing in post is a genuine advantage.

Next, decide how you want to fly. The A1 and the Avata line are built around goggles and a motion controller: you point and the drone follows. That is easier for many beginners than twin sticks, but goggles flying usually requires a visual observer under local rules, so check the regulations where you fly. Traditional drones such as the Mini 5 Pro and Flip are flown from a screen controller and are easier to fly alone.

Weight matters more than most buyers expect. Drones at 249g or below avoid registration in many countries. The A1 stays under that line only with the standard battery. Tom’s Guide describes the Avata 360 as weighing about a pound, which puts it into a stricter category. If you travel internationally, the weight class can decide the purchase on its own. Our guide to drone compliance in US airspace explains how the FAA approaches these categories.

Finally, budget for the extras. Spare batteries, a charging hub and fast microSD cards add up quickly. DroneXL’s Avata 360 coverage points out that once you add goggles and a controller to a cheaper drone-only price, the gap to the A1 narrows.

Best drones like the Antigravity A1: 9 picks compared

Ranking logic: 360° drones come first because they are the closest true alternatives to the A1, followed by immersive FPV, then standard camera drones that beat the A1 on image quality or price. Each entry lists the starting price, key features, pros, cons and where to find reviews and offers.

1. Antigravity A1 — the benchmark

The A1 is the reference point for this list and still the most polished all-in-one 360° flying package. It launched in December 2025 at $1,599 for the Standard bundle, $1,899 for the Explorer bundle (three batteries and a charging hub) and $1,999 for the Infinity bundle with three High-Capacity batteries. DroneXL reported a 20% spring sale across bundles in North America, bringing the entry price to $1,279, and Amazon and the official store ran an earlier 15% discount. It suits creators who want the reframing freedom of an Insta360 camera in the air and a flying experience that feels closer to a game than a remote-control aircraft.

• 8K/30fps 360° video, 5.2K/60fps, 4K/100fps
• 55MP stills from a 1/1.28-inch sensor
• 249g with standard battery; 24 min flight, 39 min with High-Capacity battery
• 20GB internal storage plus microSD (V30 or faster)
• Omnidirectional obstacle avoidance, user-replaceable lenses

Pros: intuitive point-to-fly motion control, excellent goggles, strong mobile and desktop editing tools, stays in the sub-250g class with the standard battery. Cons: the most expensive sub-250g drone on the market at launch, caps at 30fps in 8K, exposed propellers rule out indoor flying, and setup can be finicky.

Where to buy and compare: Antigravity official store, Amazon listing, and Amazon price history on camelcamelcamel. Reviews: Engadget, PetaPixel.

2. DJI Avata 360 — the direct rival

DJI’s first 360° drone is the only product that competes with the A1 head-on. US orders opened on April 13, 2026; DroneDJ lists $719 for the Avata 360 with DJI RC 2 and $979 for the Fly More Combo, and European pricing starts at €459 for the drone alone. That means even the larger combos come in below the A1’s cheapest bundle. Tom’s Guide compared both directly and named the Avata 360 the winner on value, image quality and stabilization, while the A1 won on portability and battery life.

• 8K/60fps 360° video, plus 2.7K/120fps
• 120MP 360° stills from a 1/1.1-inch sensor setup
• 42GB internal storage plus microSD
• Single-axis mechanical stabilization with RockSteady
• Prop guards for indoor flying; 10-bit D-Log M color

Pros: far cheaper, double the 8K frame rate, more storage, flexible controller options including goggles and motion control. Cons: around a pound, so it loses the sub-250g advantage; 23-minute flight time; early firmware had FPV black-screen bugs that DJI later fixed; US availability for DJI hardware has been uneven, so confirm stock with an authorized retailer.

Where to buy and compare: Amazon offers. Reviews: Tom’s Guide: Avata 360 vs A1, DroneXL Avata 360 guide.

3. DJI Mini 5 Pro — best image quality under 250g

If you looked at the A1 because you want a light drone but care most about how the footage looks, the Mini 5 Pro is the stronger pick. It puts a 1-inch, 50MP sensor in a 249.9g airframe and records 4K at up to 120fps. DroneXL tracks the standalone drone at a $759 list price, with a record low of $679 at Amazon during Prime Big Deal Days on October 6, and the Fly More Combo with RC 2 has dropped to $1,099. It suits travelers and hikers who want the cleanest image possible without registration in most places.

• 50MP 1-inch CMOS sensor
• 4K/120fps video
• 36-minute flight time
• Omnidirectional obstacle sensing with forward LiDAR for low light
• microSD slot (V30 or higher)

Pros: best sensor in its class, long flight time, excellent obstacle sensing. Cons: no 360° capture, so you must frame shots live; at 249.9g it sits right on the limit, and some regulators outside the US have looked closely at where it falls; being so light, it is affected by wind.

Where to buy and compare: Amazon offers, DroneXL Mini 5 Pro price history. Reviews: Tom’s Guide, TechRadar.

4. DJI Avata 2 — classic immersive FPV

For buyers attracted to the A1’s goggles experience rather than its 360° camera, the Avata 2 offers the same kind of immersive flight with a traditional single camera. TechRadar reported a record-low $859 for the Fly More combo at Amazon and B&H, down from $1,019. The combo includes the drone, FPV goggles, a sling bag and extra batteries. It suits people who want cinematic fly-through shots and the feeling of being in the cockpit.

• 4K/60fps video, 1080p/120fps slow motion
• 1/3-inch sensor
• Up to 26 minutes per battery
• Normal, Sport and Manual flight modes
• Auto return, takeoff assistance and collision detection in Normal mode

Pros: mature FPV system, beginner-friendly assisted modes, combo pricing undercuts the A1 by hundreds. Cons: no 360° reframing, small sensor, heavier than 250g, and TechRadar found the Manual mode less refined than rival FPV drones. Spare batteries are roughly $120 to $150 each.

Where to buy and compare: DJI official, Amazon offers. Reviews: TechRadar deal and review notes.

5. DJI Air 3S — same price bracket, bigger camera drone

Tom’s Guide points out that the A1’s price puts it in the same bracket as the DJI Air 3S, which starts at $1,099 and weighs more. It is the drone to consider if you were ready to spend A1 money but you need a dependable all-rounder for client work rather than an immersive toy. Gizchina’s best drones roundup picks it as the best mid-range all-rounder for travel photography, real estate video and everyday aerial content.

• Starting price $1,099
• Mid-size platform positioned between the Mini and Mavic series
• Traditional gimbal camera for live framing
• Remote-controller flying (no goggles needed)

Pros: proven workhorse for paid jobs, cheaper than the A1, more stable in wind than sub-250g drones. Cons: no 360° capture or goggles experience, heavier so registration applies in most countries, and less fun to fly casually.

Where to buy and compare: DJI official, Amazon offers. Reviews: Gizchina best drones roundup.

6. HoverAir X1 ProMax — 8K without piloting

The HoverAir X1 ProMax from Zero Zero Robotics also shoots 8K/30fps, but it is a follow-cam rather than a 360° drone. SlashGear lists a starting price of $699 for the Basic combo with two batteries, a charger and a case. At about 192g it sits well under the registration threshold. It suits cyclists, runners and solo creators who want the drone to follow them with no controller at all.

• 8K/30fps or 4K/120fps video
• About 192g
• Claimed 16-minute flight time
• Controller-free follow modes

Pros: very light, simple basic operation, good image quality. Cons: SlashGear rated it 6/10 because of short battery life, limited obstacle avoidance and features that did not fully deliver; the reviewer suggested the cheaper HoverAir X1 ($349) or HoverAir Pro ($499) for most buyers.

Where to buy and compare: HoverAir official, Amazon offers. Reviews: SlashGear.

7. DJI Flip — safest beginner camera drone

The Flip folds its propellers inside full guards, which makes it far less intimidating than the exposed-prop A1. TechRadar lists it at $439 with the RC-N3 controller, $639 with the RC 2 screen controller, and $779 for the RC 2 Fly More bundle. At 249g it shares the A1’s weight class. It suits beginners and vloggers who want palm takeoff, subject tracking and a real camera drone in one.

• 1/1.3-inch sensor, 48MP stills in JPEG and RAW
• 4K/60fps, 4K/100fps slow motion, 10-bit D-Log M
• Up to 31 minutes of flight
• Palm takeoff and landing, AI subject tracking
• Fly app-free, from the app, or with either controller

Pros: guarded props, flexible control options, strong pricing. Cons: image softness toward the edges, struggles in wind, less agile than the Mini series, and vertical video is cropped rather than shot natively.

Where to buy and compare: DJI official, Adorama RC 2 kit, Amazon offers. Reviews: TechRadar, Fstoppers.

8. Potensic Atom 2 — best non-DJI budget pick

Many buyers look at the A1 partly because it is not a DJI product. If that matters to you but the A1’s price does not fit, the Potensic Atom 2 is the most recommended budget alternative. Tom’s Guide lists it from $329 with the controller and $449 for the Fly More Combo, and it named the drone an Editor’s Choice. It suits budget-conscious pilots who want a gimbal-stabilized 4K drone from outside the DJI ecosystem.

• 48MP stills, 1/2-inch sensor, f/1.8
• 4K/30fps with three-axis gimbal; 1080p/120fps slow motion
• 32 minutes per battery
• Up to 10km range
• AI subject tracking

Pros: smooth 4K footage, sturdy lightweight build, improved controller and app, low price. Cons: no collision avoidance, no 48MP RAW output, and it is pushed around by gusts.

Where to buy and compare: Potensic official, Amazon offers, Amazon price history. Reviews: Tom’s Guide, TechRadar.

9. DJI Neo 2 — cheapest way to try goggles flying

The Neo 2 is a tiny selfie drone that can also be flown with goggles and a motion controller, which makes it the lowest-cost way to sample the kind of flying the A1 offers. Tom’s Guide lists it from $319 and calls it the best budget drone on the market. In the UK the base kit costs £209 and the Fly More bundle £349. It suits first-time pilots, families and anyone unsure whether immersive flying is worth $1,000 or more.

• 12MP 1/2-inch sensor
• 4K at up to 60fps, 100fps in slow motion
• LiDAR obstacle detection
• 19-minute flight time
• No registration needed under FAA/CAA rules

Pros: LiDAR collision sensing at this price, excellent tracking, compatible with goggles and motion control. Cons: short battery life, no microSD slot, and image quality is clearly a step below DJI’s higher-end models.

Where to buy and compare: Amazon offers. Reviews: Tom’s Guide, Engadget.

Antigravity A1 vs DJI Avata 360: the head-to-head that matters

Most people searching for drones like the A1 end up deciding between these two. Here is how they differ on the points that affect real use.

Feature	Antigravity A1	DJI Avata 360
Top 360° video	8K/30fps	8K/60fps
Stills	55MP	120MP
Weight	249g (standard battery)	About 1 lb
Flight time	24 min / 39 min HC	23 min
Internal storage	20GB	42GB
Indoor flying	No (exposed props)	Yes (prop guards)
Stabilization	Digital	Single-axis mechanical + RockSteady
Entry price	$1,599 bundle (sales seen at $1,279)	$719 with RC 2

Choose the A1 if the sub-250g weight class, longer battery options and the Vision goggles matter to you, or if you are wary of buying DJI given its US regulatory situation. Choose the Avata 360 if you want the better footage for the money, plan to fly indoors, or already own DJI goggles and controllers.

Where to find the best offers

Each marketplace has its own strengths. The official stores (Antigravity, DJI, Potensic, HoverAir) are where launch bundles, warranty plans and trade-in promotions appear first. Amazon is where most record-low prices have landed: the A1 got its first 15% cut there and on the official site, and the Mini 5 Pro hit its $679 low during Prime Big Deal Days. Best Buy and B&H carry the A1 and DJI combos in the US and are worth checking for in-store pickup and open-box stock.

Use a price tracker before buying. DroneXL’s Mini 5 Pro deal history noted that one $679 Amazon offer did not come from Amazon’s own stock, so check who the seller is, especially on high-value drones where warranty support depends on an authorized retailer. Camelcamelcamel tracks Amazon price history for both the A1 and the Atom 2.

Watch for bundle value rather than headline price. A drone-only listing looks cheap until you add goggles, a controller and batteries. For 360° and FPV drones, the combo with spare batteries and a charging hub is usually the better buy, because a single battery gives you barely 20 minutes in the air.

Common mistakes when buying a 360° or FPV drone

Buying 360° for flat video. Reframed 360° footage loses detail compared with a dedicated camera drone, and reviewers have noted this repeatedly with the A1. If every clip you publish is a standard landscape shot, the Mini 5 Pro or Flip will look better for less money.

Ignoring the battery weight. The A1’s High-Capacity battery takes it over 250g. That doubles your flight time but brings registration requirements back into play.

Skipping storage planning. 8K 360° files are large. The A1 holds 20GB internally and the Avata 360 holds 42GB, so a fast V30 or better microSD card is essential. Our microSD card buying guide covers speed classes and what to look for.

Underestimating editing time. The freedom to reframe means every clip needs a pass in software before it is usable. Antigravity’s desktop and mobile tools help, and modern AI video editors can speed up cutting and captioning once you export a flat clip.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest alternative to the Antigravity A1?

The DJI Neo 2 is the cheapest way to try goggles-style flying, starting at $319. For a real 360° alternative, the DJI Avata 360 is the cheapest option, starting at $719 with the DJI RC 2 controller in the US. Neither matches the A1 exactly: the Neo 2 lacks 360° capture, and the Avata 360 weighs more.

Is the Antigravity A1 worth the price?

It is worth it if you want 360° reframing and immersive goggles flying in a sub-250g drone, because nothing else offers that combination. Reviewers praise how easy it is to fly and its editing software. If you only need flat 4K video, it is poor value, since cheaper camera drones deliver better image quality.

Is the DJI Avata 360 better than the Antigravity A1?

Tom’s Guide’s head-to-head picked the Avata 360 overall for its lower price, 8K/60fps video, 120MP stills and better stabilization. The A1 wins on weight, portability and battery life. Your choice depends on whether the sub-250g class and longer flights matter more than footage quality and price.

Do I need to register the Antigravity A1?

With the standard battery, the A1 weighs 249g, which keeps it under the common 250g registration threshold. Fitting the High-Capacity battery raises the weight to 291g, which means registration is required. Rules differ by country, so check your local aviation authority before flying.

Can the Antigravity A1 fly indoors?

It is not designed for indoor flight because its propellers are exposed. If indoor flying matters, the DJI Avata 360 and Avata 2 both use prop guards, and the DJI Flip has fully guarded propellers.

Is there a non-DJI drone like the Antigravity A1?

The A1 itself is the leading non-DJI immersive drone. For a lower-cost non-DJI camera drone, the Potensic Atom 2 is the most recommended choice, and the HoverAir X1 ProMax offers 8K follow-cam footage without a controller.

Pro tips before you fly

Buy the battery bundle once, not twice. Single batteries for these drones are expensive when bought separately, and both the A1 Explorer bundle and DJI Fly More combos price spares more cheaply than buying later.

Shoot 360° at the highest frame rate you can afford to edit. Reframed 360° footage can be smoothed and slowed in post, but only if you recorded enough frames. That is the main reason the Avata 360’s 8K/60fps matters.

Check lens care before each flight. Both the A1 and Avata 360 have exposed, replaceable lenses. A scratch shows up across the whole sphere, so a lens cloth and a spare lens kit are worth carrying.

The bottom line

The Antigravity A1 remains the most refined way to fly and film in 360° under 250g, but it is no longer the only option. The DJI Avata 360 delivers better footage for less than half the A1’s launch price if you can live with the extra weight. If you were drawn to the A1 mainly for its size and image quality, the DJI Mini 5 Pro is the better camera, and the DJI Neo 2 or Potensic Atom 2 cover tight budgets.

Decide which matters most — 360° reframing, immersive flying, weight class or image quality — then check the linked marketplaces for current prices before you order.