DJI Mavic Air 2 Propeller Guard Set

Indoor flights and first flights are where propellers most often meet walls, branches and furniture. A propeller guard set surrounds each propeller, so a light bump becomes a bounce instead of a broken blade.

This propeller guard set is listed for the DJI Mavic Air 2. It's an accessory, sold new; the listing doesn't name a maker.

When propeller guards make sense

• Indoor flying in tight spaces.

• Beginners learning to control the drone.

• Flights near trees, walls or other obstacles.

• Repeated propeller damage from minor collisions.

Trade-offs

Guards add weight and surface area, so the drone may be more affected by wind and flight time may drop. The listing says the effect on flight performance is minimal, but it gives no figures. Remove the guards for long or windy outdoor flights.

Fit the guards with the drone powered off and check that they're secure on every arm and don't touch the propellers. Spin each propeller by hand before takeoff to confirm clearance. Guards are also worth inspecting after any bump, since a cracked guard can loosen and strike a blade.