If you want cinematic aerial footage without lugging around a full-sized drone, two pocketable contenders are getting all the attention: DJI’s Neo 2 and Hover Air’s X1 Pro Max. One plays the reliability and safety card with DJI’s usual polished experience. The other goes straight for headline-grabbing specs, think 8K recording and ultra-slow-motion performance in a tiny frame.
Both drones fit easily in your pocket, stay under 250 g, and are perfect for travellers, vloggers, and everyday creators. But they approach creativity very differently. The Neo 2 is your calm, dependable filmmaker, while the X1 Pro Max is the energetic experimental artist.
Let’s break down how they compare in design, camera, flight performance, stability, smart features, and finally, which one is better for you?
Table of Contents
Design and Build
Both drones are ridiculously compact and fall under the 250 g category, so you avoid most registration hassles worldwide.
DJI Neo 2 weighs just 151 g, keeping things ultra-light without compromising comfort. It features DJI’s sleek, rounded design, foldable arms, and a more refined finish compared to the first Neo. The upgraded airflow system and sturdier overall build make it stable even in breezy outdoor conditions.
On the other hand, the Hover Air X1 Pro Max comes in at 192 g. It’s still pocket-friendly, but it feels more rugged in hand. Its cage-style protective frame makes it ideal for indoor flights or tossing it into the air for spontaneous vlogging moments. It has a more “action gadget” vibe compared to DJI’s clean, minimalist look.
Camera and Image Quality
The DJI Neo 2 features a 1/2-inch CMOS sensor, capable of recording 4K at 60fps with noticeably improved dynamic range, low-light handling, and a wider f/2.2 aperture. It’s designed for creators who want clean, consistent, polished footage straight out of the camera minimal editing required.
Hover Air went all-in with the X1 Pro Max, equipping it with a 1/1.3-inch sensor that supports:
- 8K 30fps
- 4K 120fps slow motion
- 107° FOV for wide landscapes
For creators who crop, reframe, or colour-grade footage heavily, Hover’s extra resolution can be game-changing.
But there’s a catch:
8K files generate more heat, drain battery faster, and the drone can show rolling shutter in difficult lighting.
Stabilization and Gimbal Performance
The DJI Neo 2 uses a 2-axis mechanical gimbal + EIS, tuned by DJI’s years of software refinement. It delivers buttery-smooth footage even during fast movements or windy shots. Dynamic tracking subjects look clean and natural.
Hover Air’s X1 Pro Max also uses a 2-axis gimbal + EIS (SmoothCapture 2.0). It works well, but EIS cropping reduces some of the ultrawide perspective. Sudden directional changes can create more noticeable jitter compared to DJI.
Verdict: DJI Neo 2 takes the lead with more stable, cinematic footage.
Obstacle Avoidance and Navigation
Here’s where DJI’s heritage clearly shows.
The Neo 2 includes:
- Front-facing LiDAR sensors
- Downward infrared sensors
- Real-time obstacle detection
- Highly accurate hovering, even over reflective or uneven surfaces
It can confidently fly indoors and outdoors with minimal user input.
The Hover Air X1 Pro Max relies on:
- Visual inertial odometry
- Wide-angle environmental sensors
It performs well in open spaces but struggles in low-light or complex environments compared to DJI’s more advanced sensor suite.
Flight Time and Wind Resistance
The DJI Neo 2 advertises 19 minutes but realistically delivers 15–16 minutes depending on wind and shooting mode. Its aerodynamic design helps it stay stable outdoors.
The Hover Air X1 Pro Max claims 16 minutes, but heavy shooting modes like 8K or 4K 120fps can reduce this to 12 minutes. Its lighter frame makes it drift slightly more in the wind.
Smart Modes and Software Experience
DJI has spent years refining its app, and it shows.
The Neo 2 offers:
- ActiveTrack
- QuickShots
- Orbit
- Follow Me
- Intuitive editing tools
- Smooth, reliable firmware updates
Everything feels polished and dependable.
Hover Air’s app emphasises simple and creative automation, including modes like:
- Hover
- Follow
- Zoom Out
- Bird’s Eye
But users occasionally face app bugs, connection drops, and firmware update issues. Hover is improving rapidly, but the ecosystem still isn’t as mature as DJI’s.
Range and Connectivity
The DJI Neo 2 uses DJI’s stable wireless protocol with low latency. It can fly a few hundred meters without dropping, perfect for cinematic shots or outdoor adventures.
The Hover X1 Pro Max primarily uses Wi-Fi, which works well in close-range but struggles in crowded environments. The optional Beacon accessory extends range up to 1 km, but performance varies depending on interference.
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?
If you want reliable 4K video, smooth footage, better flight safety, and trustworthy connectivity, the DJI Neo 2 is the best all-around choice. It’s ideal for travel vloggers, beginners, and creators who want cinematic footage without technical headaches.
If you want 8K resolution, extreme slow motion, and more creative flexibility, and you don’t mind shorter flight time or occasional firmware bugs, the Hover Air X1 Pro Max will excite you more. It’s perfect for tech-focused creators who enjoy experimenting with new shooting styles.
Both drones are impressive for their size, but they suit different personalities:
The Neo 2 is calm, polished, and professional. The X1 Pro Max is bold, experimental, and artistic.
Read More: DJI Neo 2 vs Avata 2 – Full Comparison
