Anyone who owns a DJI Mavic knows of the drone’s power. The devices are some of the best flying options around, and they are popular with people all over the world. DJI is a trusted brand in the drone business and the Mavic is a quality option that’s easy to use and fun to fly. It’s also capable of capturing amazing video footage and photos.
That being said, few people know the best way to control and operate the DJI Mavic. Though plenty of users go with smartphones, a tablet provides you with a larger display that can enhance your overall experience. Not all tablets are up to the task, however.
So in this article, we’re going to take a look at the best tablets for the DJI Mavic so you can find an option that performs at a high level.
Contents
Quick Summary
- One of the most popular and best tablets for drone operations is the Nvidia Shield K1. This tablet works well with the DJI Go app for seamless control while you fly and easily connects to the controller as well.
- Another one of the best tablets for the DJI Mavic is the Google Nexus 7. This is an affordable option that will give you reliable control of your drone while also offering long battery life alongside a host of other features.
- The Apple iPad Mini is a great tablet for the DJI Mavic. It is a good choice if you want an option that will give you performance in other situations as well.
Who Should Get This?
The DJI Mavic is a great drone, but if you don’t have a way to operate and control the device it kind of defeats the purpose of getting one in the first place. While you can operate the drone with a smartphone, a tablet will give you a better overall experience.
Tablets are a bit larger than a phone. That extra display size may not seem like much on paper, but when you attach it to the drone controller the difference is immediate.
A tablet will allow for better control and navigation. With it, you will be able to easily see everything your drone does.
If you bought your drone for its video and photo capabilities, a tablet is a must because it will give you much better insight into your drone’s camera. If you don’t care about being able to better capture footage, you can save money by not purchasing a tablet to operate your drone.
Best Tablet for DJI Mavic: Our Picks
1. Nvidia Shield K1
One of the best tablets that you can use to control and operate your DJI Mavic drone is the Nvidia Shield K1.
This is a quality tablet for many reasons. However, it leads this list because of the fact that it quickly and easily connects to the Mavic controller. The heart of this device is the Nvidia Tegra K1 processor that delivers amazing power and performance on demand.
The tablet also features an 8-inch screen that offers full HD 1080p resolution so you can easily see all of your amazing drone footage as it flies.
It has 16GB of flash memory and a somewhat short-but-capable battery life of 5 hours. The K1 is an easy and effective way to control and fly your drone.
Pros:
- Easy connectivity to Mavic controller
- 8-inch screen
- Full HD 1080 display
- 16GB of flash memory
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Battery life is only five hours. Decent but lower than other tablets.
2. Google Nexus 7
Another top tablet that will give you an enjoyable experience when connected to the DJI Mavic is the Google Nexus 7.
This is an affordable option that’s perfect for anyone who doesn’t want to spend a bunch of money without losing any quality features.
The 7-inch screen features a resolution of 1200 X 1920 for clear, defined images, while the 10-hour battery life allows for all-day use. The Nexus 7 is a high-quality budget option.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Portable
- HD Display
- Long battery life
- Comes with dual cameras
Cons:
- A bit underpowered for more intensive tasks outside of drone control
3. Apple iPad Mini
The Apple iPad Mini is another one of the best tablets for the DJI Mavic. This is the perfect option if you want a high-quality device that can both control your drone and perform a range of other tasks.
The 8.3-inch Retina Display is the perfect size to pair with the Mavic controller, and this option is much more affordable than other iPads on the market. The iPad Mini uses an A15 Bionic chip for serious performance and also features a 10-hour battery life.
Pros:
- Multi-functional option that’s capable of drone control
- 8.3-inch Retina Display
- A15 Bionic chip
- 10-hour battery life
- Affordable for an iPad
Cons:
- Backing can scratch somewhat easy. A case is recommended.
Best Tablet for DJI Mavic: What to Consider
Screen Size
It’s important to consider screen size when getting a tablet to operate your DJI Mavic. While you want a display that’s larger than your phone, you don’t want something that is absolutely enormous and difficult to connect to the controller. Anything that sits in the 7 to 10 inch range is ideal for pairing with the DJI Mavic. That provides you with plenty of size to easily see images your drone captures without being too large or unwieldy.
Mounting
In order to attach any tablet to the DJI Mavic controller, it has to be mounted. You have to purchase this mount separately in order to achieve a secure and stable way to attach the tablet for easy control. This isn’t a difficult task, but you should be aware that it adds an additional expense to getting started after you purchase your tablet. This mounting hardware also needs to match your tablet’s size. Be sure to get the right one when setting up.
Battery Life
Battery life is an important consideration with any electronic device. While any tablet will easily outlast any drone when it comes to battery life, you still want to make sure that the tablet you choose will hold a charge all day long. All of the tablets on this list come with a long battery life that’s perfect for pairing with a drone like the DJI Mavic.
Useful Tips & Resources
Flying your DJI Mavic is pretty straightforward, especially when you pair it with one of the amazing tablets you’ll find on this list. After you get everything set up and calibrated, the controls are quite literally at your fingertips. Even so, not everyone knows how to make the most out of their drone’s features. Check out this video for some great tips on how to get the most from your DJI Mavic.
Final Words
You don’t absolutely need a tablet to control your DJI Mavic, but I would definitely recommend one. In addition to providing a better overall experience while controlling your drone, a tablet can come in handy in a variety of other situations. If you want one of the best options for controlling your drone, it’s hard to do better than the options listed here.
Do you prefer to control your drone with a tablet or smartphone? Why? Let us know in the comments below!
Patrick Murphy
You should have reported nits. The daylight visibility is critical. On even bright cloudy days the devices can be hard to see.
Dave Morgan
Patrick, I couldn’t agree more … tablets are pretty hopeless in the sun, and it is very difficult to fly a drone using one. There are dedicated screens, but they are very expensive.
It is a shame the viewing capabilities weren’t included in these reviews, as there are going to be plenty of very disappointed people who buy one of these tablets and then try to use them.