DJI Spark vs. Yuneec Breeze

DJI Spark vs. Yuneec Breeze

The DJI Spark is very similar to another mini drone that debuted in August 2016, the Yuneec Breeze. Both are small in size and designed for fun, short flights, and both are aimed at amateur drone pilots. For your convenience we've put together a comparison of these two competing drones to evaluate how they stack up. Read on to learn all you need to know about these two mini drones. (If you enjoy this comparison, we also have a Spark vs Breeze vs Mavic Pro comparison that breaks down all the important elements of the three drones)

Camera

The camera is an important distinguishing factor between these two competing drones, but not for the reason you might think. Yes, the Yuneec Breeze has a better camera on paper, capable of 4K video and 13 MP stills, while the Spark records FHD video at 1920x1080 resolution and 12 MP pictures. That high quality is offset by a subpar gimbal onboard the Breeze, one that pales in comparison to the two-axis gimbal of the Spark, which provides true stabilization for smoother videos and richer pictures. It's a detail that many consumers can easily overlook, especially first time drone buyers. 

Spark Breeze
Sensor Size 1/2.3" 1/3.06"
Film Rate 12 MP and FHD 1920x1080 13 MP and 4K Video
Shutter Type Electronic Electronic
Shutter Speed 2-1/8000s 1/30-1/8000s
Camera Image DJI Spark camera Yuneec Breeze camera

Winner: The Spark is the better option here, despite having slightly lower specs. It more than makes up for those with more stabilized video and better pictures thanks to a higher quality 2 axis gimbal. 

 

Size and Weight

The DJI Spark and Yuneec Breeze are similar in size, with the Spark being just slightly smaller than the Breeze overall. 

Size:

Spark    2.1(H) x 5.6(W) x 5.6 (L) inches 

Breeze  2.5 (H) x 7.7 (W) x 7.7 (L) inches

Both drones are remarkably light, making them ideal for travel. They each weigh less than a pound, and can be easily transported in a backpack or small bag. 

Weight:

Spark    0.66 pounds (300 g)

Breeze  0.84 pounds (385 g)

DJI Spark

Winner: As the smaller of the two, and the most compact when ready to fly, the Spark is the winner in this category. 

 

Speed and Performance

The DJI Spark is the superior drone in terms of overall speed and performance. It travels up to 31 mph and flies for 16 minutes, whereas the Yuneec Breeze eeks out a paltry 11 mph and just 12 minutes of flight time. This speed and flight time is simply subpar in comparison to the Spark, and many pilots are bound to be disappointed. Learn more about all of the facts and figures regarding the DJI Spark's performance on our dedicated DJI Spark Specs page.

Winner: Spark takes this category with ease, easily outstripping the slower Breeze.

 

Flight Modes

Just as they do in other categories, the two drones have a number of similarities when it comes to their flight modes. Both have flight modes for circling a subject, following a subject, and snapping a selfie, but the DJI Spark outshines its competitor yet again by offering a full slate of brand new gesture controls. These gesture controls allow for unprecedented control of the Spark with the palm of your hand resulting in complete control of the aircraft to maneuver up, down, left, right, backwards and forwards. Drone pilots can even snap a selfie, and call the Spark back to land precisely in the palm of their hand! All of the traditional DJI flight modes drone owners have come to know and love are available, including Active Track, TapFly, and Terrain Follow. The brand new flight modes for the Spark are: 

  • Rocket- Ascend with the camera pointing downward, revealing a unique perspective from above.
  • Dronie- Fly backward and upward, with the camera locked on your subject, creating an epic shot that captures the big perspective of the world around the subject.
  • Circle- Keeps the subject locked in the center of the frame, as the Spark automatically flies a circle around it.
  • Helix - Starts close to the subject before flying up, away, and around in larger and larger circles.

 DJI Spark Gestures

The Breeze, on the other hand, depends on 5 automated flight modes:

  • Selfie Mode - Positions the Breeze to snap an aerial selfie.
  • Pilot Mode - Allows pilot to fly the drone manually.
  • Orbit Mode - Breeze orbits around pilot or an external object.
  • Journey Mode - Breeze uses camera pitch to calculate the trajectory of the aircraft to fly away from subject and then back.
  • Follow Me Mode - Breeze uses GPS to track your movement.

 

Winner: Giving drone pilots an innovative, fresh way to fly with gesture controls is exciting, and this ultimately tips this category in favor of the Spark.

 

Transmission Distance (Range)

The transmission distances for each of these drones is another distinctive comparison point, because of the huge disparity. The Spark flies an impressive 1.2 miles with the remote controller, compared to the scant 109 yards achieved by the Breeze, also with its dedicated controller. That gap is considerable, with the Spark capable of flying 16x farther than its Yuneec counterpart.

When flying without the controller, either by mobile phone or gesture controls (Spark), DJI still comes out ahead. The Spark will fly up to 109 yards in distance and 54 yards vertically without a controller, while the Breeze only manages to fly 100 feet away before losing signal. 

Winner: The numbers don't lie, the Spark is the victor once again.

 

Sensors

The DJI Spark continues its dominance of the Yuneec Breeze with its sensors. Quite simply, the Spark has obstacle sensing technology, and the Breeze does not. The Spark's obstacle sensing is operational at speeds up to 6.7 mph, capable of detecting objects in front of it between 1-16 feet. A lack of obstacle sensing is a major detriment in the overall value of the Breeze.

Yuneec built their drone with an optical flow vision positioning, which means it can hover very well both indoors and out. But, this system can prove problematic, especially when compared to the DJI Spark's visual positioning system that is akin to the Mavic Pro. Dual forward and downward sensors on the Spark provide precision hovering, meaning the Spark can hover even if it can’t identify reference points on the ground. By contrast, an Optical Flow system relies on information from ultrasonic sensors to supplement identification of patterned surfaces. Let’s say a drone is returning to a balcony -- the optical flow system will receive data from two different heights, creating incompatibly information that confuses the system.

Winner: The Spark is simply built better. The design team at DJI has crafted a drone with all the useful bells and whistles.

DJI Spark Sensors

Price

The prices of these two drones is arguably the category that has the narrowest margin, with the Breeze retailing for $399 without the dedicated controller, and the Spark selling for $499.99, also without the controller. DJI offers a FlyMore Combo for the Spark that includes the controller, as well as extra propellers, propeller guards, an extra battery, power cable, charger, charging hub, and a micro USB cable. The FlyMore Combo costs $699, while purchasing the Breeze controller is an extra $69.99. (See all of the parts and accessories included in the DJI Spark package with our DJI Spark Unboxing.

Winner: The Spark is definitely better than the Breeze in every category, therefore it is the better overall buy for the price. 

 

Overall

The argument for buying a DJI Spark over the Yuneec Breeze is backed by a mountain of facts and figures. Half pound for half pound, the Spark is simply the better choice. In the Spark, DJI has created a phenomenal drone that utilizes endlessly fun gesture control, a solid 2-axis gimbal for stabilization, and a substantial amount of flight time. (Still have questions about the Spark? Our DJI Spark FAQ page is the perfect place to learn more and dive deeper into this amazing drone, or find all of the important details by browsing through the various DJI Spark Downloads and Manuals)

Whether you are a first-time drone buyer or a longtime fan of these fun, well-crafted aircraft, here at Drone World you can find all the best DJI Upgrade Kits for the DJI Phantom series, DJI Mavic Pro, and DJI Inspire series. If you're interested in learning more about our thoughts on the DJI Spark, be sure to check out our DJI Spark Review

 

DJI Spark FPV Drone Kit Bundles

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