About the DJI Tello

An easy, affordable entry point for aerial fun

The DJI Tello helps you learn to fly like a pro in no time (controller not included).
An easy, affordable entry point for aerial fun
Flying a drone is fun. But maybe you're like me, and you want to "get your feet wet" before you spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on an advanced drone. The DJI Tello is a cost-effective entry-level quadcopter that lets you and your family get familiar with standard controls and equipment while you have the time of your life zipping around the sky.
Launch, fly, and land easily
The Tello quadcopter couldn't be easier to launch: when it's active, all you have to do is toss it in the air and it starts hovering. Install the free DJI Tello app on your smartphone, and you can slide your finger on the screen to learn the drone's basic flight characteristics, or cause it to perform fun flips and other advanced aerial maneuvers. Then, just tap the screen to bring the 'copter gently back down to earth.
Note: Controller is not included. The DJI Tello GameSir T1d is sold separately.
Safety first
DJI had safety in mind when they designed the Tello. Included propeller guards protect fingers and faces against accidents, and a built-in collision detection system helps keep the drone from crashing while you're learning the controls. There's also a low battery warning, precise vision positioning system, and a fail-safe that lands the drone safely even if your remote control loses connection.
Convenient app and basic coding options
DJI combines fun and education in the free app, which features a user-friendly interface and handy instructions to help you get started. Tello is also compatible with Scratch, a simple coding system developed by MIT that lets kids and adults alike learn how to write custom programs for drones.
Product highlights:
- Featured in our article: Best drones for 2023
- compact remote-controlled flying drone with HD video camera
- built-in camera takes 5-megapixel stills and shoots 720p video
- electronic image stabilization keeps your video and stills looking sharp
- EZ Shots lets you record short videos using Circle, 360, and Up and Away modes
- 13 minutes of flight time with included rechargeable battery
- throw and go: toss Tello in the air to launch
- slide a finger on your mobile device screen to perform cool aerial stunts
- Controller is not included. The DJI Tello GameSir T1d is sold separately.
- bounce mode: Tello flies up and down from your open palm
- obstacle-sensing technology helps avoid collisions
- low battery indicator
- lands safely and automatically if you lose remote control connection
- two antennas with smart switching for stable video transmission
- transmits clear 720p video from over 300 feet away
- compatible with Scratch custom programming
- warranty: 6 months
- Our 60-day money-back guarantee
- No charger included — charges via standard micro USB power adapter
- Note: The FAA offers the most up-to-date information on safety tips, rules, and regulations for responsible drone use. Many drones need to be registered, and state and/or local laws may restrict their use in some areas.
- MFR # CP.PT.00000252.01
What's in the box:
- Mini-drone
- Rechargeable battery
- 8 Propellers (4 pre-installed)
- 4 Propeller guards (pre-installed)
- Propeller removal tool
- Quick Start Guide
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More details on the DJI Tello

Product Research
Features
Aerial Mini-Drone: The DJI Tello is an aerial mini-drone that features a Vision Positioning System, an onboard camera, and simple control through the Tello app on your compatible Apple iOS or Android OS device. The Tello is safe to fly indoors and outdoors under windless conditions. The Tello also is not waterproof and should not be flown in raining or snowy conditions.
Vision Positioning System: The Vision Positioning System helps the Tello aerial mini-drone to maintain its current position. With the help of the Vision Positioning System, the Tello can hover in place more precisely and fly indoors or outdoors in windless conditions. The main components of the Vision Positioning System are a camera and a 3D infrared module located on the underside of the aircraft.
Note: The Vision Positioning System is activated automatically when the aircraft is turned on. No further action is required. The Vision Positioning System is only effective when the aircraft is at altitudes of 1'-32.8' (0.3-10 m) and works best at altitudes of 1' to 19.7' (0.3 to 6 m). If the aircraft is beyond this range, the Vision Positioning function may be affected, so extra caution is required.
Simple Control: The Tello from DJI can be controlled using the virtual joysticks in the Tello app or using a compatible remote controller. It has a maximum controllable range of 328' (100m), but that range may vary according to your environment.
- Tello App: You can control the Tello mini-drone directly via the Tello app (for Apple iOS 9.0+ and Android OS 4.4+) on your compatible Apple iOS or Android device. Use the Tello app to control the aircraft's flight pattern, record videos, capture photos, and update firmware.
- Optional Controllers: In addition to the Tello app on your compatible Apple iOS or Android device, you can control the Tello from a supported Bluetooth remote controller connected to the Tello app on your mobile device. Compatible Bluetooth remote controllers include the GameSir T1d controller (964TELLREM, sold separately). The GameSir T1d controller still uses your mobile device as your flight screen.
Flight Modes: In addition to manual flight control, the Tello from DJI has various Intelligent Flight Modes that can be used to make the aerial mini-drone perform maneuvers automatically. The Tello also has a flight mode that it falls back to in certain circumstances.
- Manual Mode: In manual mode, the Tello Apps virtual joysticks are used to control the aircrafts orientation (yaw), forward/ backward movement (pitch), altitude (throttle), and left/right movement (roll). The Tello has two flight speeds (Slow or Fast) that you can select when flying the aircraft manually. The Slow mode offers a maximum flight attitude angle of 9° and a maximum flight speed of 8.9 mph (14.4 kph). The Fast mode provides a maximum flight attitude angle of 25° and a maximum flight speed of 17.8 mps (28.8 kph).
- Intelligent Flight Modes: Intelligent Flight Modes include Bounce
mode, 8D Flips mode, and Throw & Go mode. To use an Intelligent Flight Mode,
ensure that the aircraft's battery level is at least 50%.
- Bounce Mode: In Bounce mode, the aircraft automatically flies
up and down between 1.6'-3.9' (0.5-1.2
m) above a flat surface. If the aircraft detects an object below it (such as your hand) it increases its altitude then continues flying up and down. - 8D Flips: In 8D Flips mode, the aircraft automatically flips in one of eight different directions.
- Throw & Go: The Throw & Go mode lets you launch the aircraft by gently throwing it into the air.
- Bounce Mode: In Bounce mode, the aircraft automatically flies
up and down between 1.6'-3.9' (0.5-1.2
- Attitude Mode: The aircraft automatically changes to Attitude mode (ATTI mode) when the Vision Positioning System is unavailable. In Attitude mode the aircraft is not able to position itself and so is easily affected by its surroundings. Environmental factors such as wind can result in horizontal shifting, which may present hazards, especially when flying in confined spaces. When the aircraft enters Attitude mode, land in a safe place as soon as possible to avoid hazards.
Note: Ensure that all flights are carried out indoors or in an open area with no wind. The flight altitude is limited to 32.8' (10 m) and flight distance is limited to 328' (100 m).
Auto Take-Off & Landing: There are two auto landing modes - Tap to Land and PalmLand. In Tap to Land mode, the aircraft lands automatically. To use the PalmLand mode, place your palm under the aircraft, then tap to confirm and the aircraft will land on your palm and stop its motors.
Note: Only land the aircraft on flat surfaces. Do not land the aircraft over water, grass or sand. When using PalmLand, ensure your palm is right under the aircraft and keep your palm flat.
Built-in Camera: The Tello's built-in camera with high-quality image processor captures 2592x1936 (5MP)photos and 1280x720 (720p) videos. The Tello's Electronic Image Stabilization feature enables it to consistently capture clear images. The photos and videos can be viewed in the Tello app and copied to a folder in your mobile device (you can export files from your compatible mobile device as needed).
Note: The Tello does not offer an internal memory to store photos and videos. It also does not support external memory cards.
EZ Shots: With EZ Shots, you can fly in three specific patterns while recording short videos.
- 360 Mode: In 360 mode, the aircraft records a short video while rotating 360° (degrees).
- Circle Mode: In Circle mode, the aircraft records a short video while flying in a circle.
- Up & Away Mode: In Up & Away mode, the aircraft records a short video while flying upward and backward.
Propeller Guards: The Tello Propeller Guards can be used to reduce the risk of harm or damage to people or objects resulting from accidental collisions with Tello aircraft.
Rechargeable Battery: The Tello is powered by a rechargeable Lithium-polymer (LiPo) battery which provides up to 13 minutes of flight time. You can charge the battery inside the Tello via the microUSB port on the aircraft using an external USB/AC power adapter (sold separately). You can charge multiple Tello batteries (964TELLOP1, sold separately) using the Tello Battery Charging Hub (964TELLHUB, sold separately) and a USB/AC power adapter (sold separately).
- Capacity: 1100 mAh
- Voltage: 3.8 V
- Energy: 4.18 Wh
Note: Maximum flight time was tested in windless conditions flying at a consistent 9mph (15kph).
Programming: The Tello is programmable with Scratch, an MIT-developed coding system that allows you to learn the basics of programming. If you're a more advanced user, you can also develop software applications for the Tello using the Tello SDK.
Firmware Updates: You can update the Tello's firmware via the Tello app on your Apple iOS or Android device.
FAA Rules & Regulations: Please familiarize yourself with the FAA's rules & regulations for unmanned aircraft systems before flying your drone. Click here for more details.
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Great fun! Bought it after reading several reviews which said that it was more than a toy." They were right! Appreciated Crutchfield's sales people, who answered my questions and didn't put any pressure on me to buy.
Bill from Willsboro, NY