Shop the drone accessories that actually earn their place, from fast memory cards and ND filters to landing pads and spare props. What to skip, too.
The drone accessories most worth buying are spare batteries, a fast memory card, spare propellers and a landing pad. Add ND filters if you care about video, and a hard case if your drone lives in a car boot. Almost everything else is optional.
Accessory shopping is where drone budgets quietly double. This guide sticks to the extras that make a real difference, and flags the ones you can skip.
The essentials
Spare batteries
Nothing extends your flying more. A single battery gives somewhere between 15 and 35 minutes, and the first few sessions burn through that fast. That is why we recommend Fly More Combos, which bundle extra batteries with a multi-battery charger.
If you already own a drone, buy official batteries for it from the maker or an authorised dealer. Cheap copies of lithium batteries are not worth the fire risk.
A multi-battery charger
Charging batteries one at a time inside the drone is slow. A multi-battery charger handles several in turn while you fly, so a fresh pack is always ready. Most Fly More Combos include one.
A label with your operator number
Every registered operator must display their number on the drone. A small waterproof printed label is the neatest solution, and it costs almost nothing. Our registration guide explains where it has to go.
Spare propellers
Propellers chip on hedges and the odd wall. Flying on damaged props causes vibration and can lead to a crash, so carry a spare set.
The upgrades
These are not essential, but each solves a real problem.
A fast memory card
Most drones record to a microSD card, and a slow card can drop frames in 4K. Look for a V30 rating or faster. The SanDisk Extreme PRO is a reliable choice with plenty of room for a day of filming.
The DJI Neo is the exception. DJI's Neo specifications confirm it records to internal storage, so Neo owners can skip this one.
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Fast, reliable card for 4K
Fast enough for high-bitrate 4K, with room for a full day out.
A landing pad
Taking off from wet grass or sand flings debris into the motors and onto the camera. A folding landing pad gives you a clean, flat surface anywhere.
That matters in Ireland. Met Éireann's wind data is a reminder that our weather is rarely still, and damp ground is the norm for much of the year. A pad also makes your take-off point easy to spot when the drone returns home.
Foldable, waterproof, double-sided
A cheap, folding pad that keeps grass and sand out of your motors.
ND filters
Neutral density filters work like sunglasses for your drone's camera. They let the camera use slower shutter speeds in daylight, which gives video a natural motion blur and turns waves into smooth, silky water.
Filters are model-specific. This K&F Concept set fits the DJI Mini 4 Pro and includes a polariser, which cuts glare off the sea and wet rock.
CPL plus ND8 to ND256, Mini 4 Pro
The biggest single upgrade for smooth, cinematic video from a DJI Mini 4 Pro.
A hard case
The soft bags in most Fly More Combos are fine for a walk. For a car boot or a hike, a hard case protects the drone far better. This Lekufee case fits the DJI Mini 4 Pro and Mini 5 Pro.
Waterproof hard case for DJI Mini
Solid protection for a Mini and its controller on the move.
What to skip
Cheap batteries from unknown brands. Tempting, but drone batteries are lithium packs under heavy load. Stick to official ones.
Landing gear extensions. Useful in long grass, but a landing pad usually does the job better.
Bundles of "50 accessories". Mostly stickers and cables you will never use. Buy the specific item you need.
Range boosters and antenna mods. You must keep the drone in sight anyway, so extra range offers nothing legal, and modifications can affect your warranty.
Buying accessories safely
Buy from sellers in the EU where you can, so you have the two-year legal guarantee if something fails. And remember the paperwork: the IAA's registration FAQs require your operator number on the drone, and the IAA's remote ID guidance asks you to load it into the drone's broadcast system too.
What accessories do I need for a new drone?
Spare batteries, spare propellers and, for most drones, a fast microSD card. A landing pad is a cheap, useful extra.
Are ND filters worth it?
For video, yes. They give smoother motion and help in bright conditions. For casual photos, they are optional.
What memory card should I buy for a drone?
A microSD card rated V30 or faster, such as the SanDisk Extreme PRO. The DJI Neo uses internal storage instead.
Are third-party drone batteries safe?
We recommend official batteries only. Lithium packs under load are a fire risk if poorly made.
Haven't bought the drone yet? See the best drones for beginners or the best drone for photography. Gift shopping? Accessories make good stocking fillers alongside the best drone gifts.