Essential Drone Accessories: What's Worth Buying (and What Isn't)
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It's easy to spend as much on accessories as on the drone. Here's what genuinely helps, in rough order of priority.
1. Spare batteries (or a Fly More combo)
A single battery gives you one short session. Two or three let you actually learn, reshoot, and explore. If you haven't bought your drone yet, the Fly More combo is usually cheaper than buying batteries separately later.
Official spare batteries for your drone
Always buy batteries made for your exact model. Check whether it's a standard or "Plus" battery — Plus batteries can take sub-250g drones over 250g.
Best for: Everyone
Safety tip: Avoid very cheap unbranded drone batteries. A faulty lithium battery is a genuine fire risk.
2. A fast microSD card
Drones record high-bitrate 4K video, and a slow card can cause dropped frames or failed recordings. Look for V30 (or faster) and U3 ratings. We cover the best options in our microSD card guide.
SanDisk Extreme microSD (V30, U3)
A long-standing favourite among drone pilots for reliable 4K recording.
Best for: Most drones
3. A landing pad
Grass, sand and dust get sucked into motors and gimbals. A foldable landing pad gives you a clean, visible take-off spot — and makes it easier for the drone's downward sensors to land precisely.
Foldable drone landing pad
Packs down into a small pouch, usually with pegs to hold it down in the wind.
Best for: Anyone flying from grass, sand or rough ground
4. ND filters
Neutral density (ND) filters act like sunglasses for your drone camera. They let you use slower shutter speeds in bright daylight for smoother, more cinematic video. You only need them if you shoot video in manual settings — but if you do, they make a big difference.
ND filter set for your model
Buy a set made for your exact drone so it doesn't upset the gimbal balance. ND8, ND16 and ND32 cover most UK light.
Best for: Video shooters who use manual settings
5. A carrying case
Many Fly More combos include a bag. If not, a small hard case protects the gimbal — the most fragile part of your drone.
Browse hard-shell drone cases on Amazon
6. Anti-collision / strobe light
Since 2026, you need a flashing green light to fly at night in the UK. Many drones have one built in — check yours. If not, a small clip-on strobe adds visibility day and night.
See drone strobe lights on Amazon
7. Operator ID label
Your Operator ID must be displayed on your drone. A neat printed label is better than marker pen. See our registration guide.
8. A power bank or car charger
Charging batteries on the go extends a day's flying. Check that your drone's charging hub supports USB-C PD input.
See high-output USB-C power banks on Amazon
What to skip
- Propeller guards for drones that don't need them — they add weight (possibly pushing you over 250g) and catch the wind.
- Cheap tablet mounts and sunshades unless you fly in bright sun a lot — a phone is fine for most people.
- "Range extenders" — these can be illegal (they may breach radio rules) and encourage flying beyond visual line of sight.
Next
Found your kit? Make sure you know where you can fly, then work through our first flight checklist.