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Autel EVO II Pro V3 Review

A high-end drone option that shoots video in 6k and offers a user-friendly flight experience
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Autel EVO II Pro V3 Review
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $2,500 List
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Manufacturer:   Autel
By Zach Lovell ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Mar 12, 2024
78
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#5 of 9
  • Video Quality - 45% 8.2
  • Flight Performance - 35% 7.3
  • Portability - 10% 7.0
  • Ease of Use - 10% 8.4

Our Verdict

The Autel Evo II V3 performs well enough to land in the upper tier of multiple metrics, though it doesn't quite come in first place. This drone can shoot video in 6K and offers excellent video quality in low light conditions, making it an excellent option for nighttime shots. We also loved how easy this drone was to fly, with easy set-up out of the box and a friendly pilot learning curve. While the overall flight performance was decent, the intelligent flight of the Evo II V3 wasn't as performative as other options, with somewhat erratic flying if the subject was doing anything more complex than hiking or walking. Ultimately, this option is worthy of your consideration if you need a quality drone that specializes in nighttime or low-light performance. For more, check out our best drones review to see how the Autel held up against its competition.
REASONS TO BUY
6k video resolution
Great low light performance
Premium case included
REASONS TO AVOID
Less effective intelligent flight
Heavy
Choppy flight

Compare to Similar Products

 
autel evo ii pro v3
Awards  Editors' Choice Award
Best Drone for the Prosumer
Editors' Choice Award
Editors' Choice Award
Best Drone Overall
Best Buy Award
A Budget Option for Kids
Price $2,500 List
$2,099 at Amazon
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$1,279 List$1,000 List
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Overall Score Sort Icon
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Bottom Line A pricey drone that shoots in 6k and is easy to flyA high-end single-person camera drone that maxes out our scoring chartsThis compact drone offer fantastic video, responsive controls, and great programming, making it a go-to for serious drone cinematographersThe is a great do-it-all drone that has 5K video, a highly capable sensor, and user-friendly controls making it one step below the prosumer classA perfect low cost introduction to flying or incredibly entertaining toy for the kids
Rating Categories Autel EVO II Pro V3 DJI Mavic 3 Pro DJI Mavic 3 DJI Air 2S DJI Tello
Video Quality (45%)
8.2
9.8
9.8
9.6
4.2
Flight Performance (35%)
7.3
9.7
9.4
9.2
3.0
Portability (10%)
7.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
6.5
Ease of Use (10%)
8.4
9.8
9.1
9.0
3.8
Specs Autel EVO II Pro V3 DJI Mavic 3 Pro DJI Mavic 3 DJI Air 2S DJI Tello
Video Resolutions 6k, 4k 5.1k, DCI 4k, 4k, FHD 5.1K, DCI 4K, 4K, FHD 5.4K, 4K, 2.7K, FHD 720p
Weight 2.62 lbs 2.1 lbs 1.97 lbs 1.31 lbs .17 lbs
Maximum Speed 44.7 mph 46.9 mph 42.5 mph 42.5 mph 17.89 mph
Maximum Claimed Flight Time 40 minutes 43 minutes 46 minutes 31 minutes 13 minutes
Diagonal Size (no props) 10.1 in 8.75 in 8.75 in folded
16 in unfolded
11.9 in 8.12 in
Video Format MP4, MOV MP4, MOV MP4 / MOV MP4, MOV MP4
Maximum Video Bitrate 120 Mpbs 3772 Mbps 200 Mbps 150 Mbps
Camera Sensor 1" CMOS 4/3 CMOS, 1/1.3" CMOS, 1/2" CMOS Hasselblad: 4/3 CMOS
Tele Camera: 1/2" CMOS
1" CMOS

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Autel Evo II V3 is a well-made drone overall, with high scores in multiple metrics across our review. While other options scored higher, this is a well-made product that particularly excels in low-light conditions.

Performance Comparison



autel evo ii pro v3 - the autel evo ii v3 is a solidly built drone and shoots in 6k -- the...
The Autel Evo II V3 is a solidly built drone and shoots in 6k -- the highest resolution we've reviewed yet.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Video Quality


The Autel Evo II V3 boasts up to 6k video resolution, among the highest you can find in this class of drones. At times, we found there was almost too much sharpening, with an odd glimmer appearing in our detailed shots tests, though overall, the detail was decent. Ultimately, this drone stood out in its low light performance and came in near the top of our review in this metric. This drone has excellent dynamic range, handling shots that had both bright and dark extremes, and kept shadow detail. As mentioned, the low light quality of this option is phenomenal and captures night shots very well. The Autel Evo II V3 especially excels at night shooting city landscapes, making this an excellent option for pilots needing a camera that can handle challenging lighting environments.

autel evo ii pro v3 - this camera has great dynamic range and low light  performance.
This camera has great dynamic range and low light performance.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Flight Performance


The Autel Evo II V3 has good, but not great, flight performance. While the take-off and landing stability was great, the intelligent flight left something to be desired, as it had a tough time keeping its subject in frame. This drone ultimately landed in the middle of the pack in this metric, as it still offers some redeeming flight qualities. The Autel Evo II V3 was easily able to follow pre-programmed waypoints and its return home function was effective. While not the best we've seen, it also was able to lock into a hover and hold a line. The braking is harder than much of the competition, though you can tweak the onboard settings to help make its stopping more gradual.

We greatly appreciated the take-off and landing performance of this drone, but it wasn't the best in intelligent flight.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Portability


The Autel Evo II V3 is among the heaviest drones we tested, though its folded size is similar to other high-performing drones. Our favorite part of this option's portability is the included pelican case, which is a professional-grade case where protecting your gear is the priority. We'd recommend this option to those carrying their drone for short distances. The pelican case, while protective, is relatively heavy and bulky, so make sure you find the right drone for you.

autel evo ii pro v3 - this wasn't the most portable drone tested, but it comes with a...
This wasn't the most portable drone tested, but it comes with a phenomenal, high-end pelican case.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Use


The Autel Evo II V3 is incredibly user-friendly, and we were flying this drone minutes from unboxing it. The controller is also comfortable and has a built-in monitor with easily navigated menus. This option scored highly in this metric and helped boost its overall score. Learning to fly this drone was a breeze, and we got the hang of the Autel Evo II V3 quickly. The resolution of the video on the controller is 2340x1080 at 60 fps, and we thoroughly enjoyed the flight experience.

We absolutely loved how user-friendly the Autel EVO II Pro V3 was in testing.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Should You Buy the Autel Evo II V3?


This option is a well-made drone and is a great fit for someone hunting for a high-resolution model that can handle low-light environments like a pro. With slightly lower flight quality than other high-end models, weigh the Autel Evo II V3 carefully against its competition before making your purchase.

What Other Drone Should You Consider?


The DJI Mavic Pro 3 is a top-scoring drone that boasts professional-grade quality and minimal setbacks. If you're looking for a more budget-friendly design, the DJI Mini 3 Pro offers incredible flight and camera quality for a fraction of the price.

Zach Lovell