Best Landing Gear for DJI Air 3
The DJI Air 3 is a powerhouse of a drone, but its low-slung belly and sensitive dual-camera gimbal are vulnerable to rocks, tall grass, and debris during takeoff and landing. I’ve seen far too many pilots nick their lenses because of a stray twig in the backyard. Adding a dedicated set of landing gear is the smartest $20 investment you can make. After testing several options, the PGYTECH Extensions stand out for their build quality, but there are several great alternatives depending on your terrain.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
Best Landing Gear for DJI Air 3: Detailed Reviews
PGYTECH Landing Gear Extensions View on Amazon View on B&H
If you want the most seamless experience for your Air 3, the PGYTECH Extensions are my top recommendation. They provide a 25mm lift, which is exactly enough to clear most gravel and short grass without making the drone feel top-heavy. What I love most is the “quick-release” folding mechanism. You can actually fold these legs up against the drone body, meaning you don’t have to remove them to fit the Air 3 back into its original Fly More shoulder bag. They are made from a high-quality, lightweight plastic with internal silicone pads that ensure they won’t scratch your drone’s arms. During my flights, I noticed zero interference with the downward vision sensors or the auxiliary light. The only minor drawback is that they add about 20 grams to the weight, but the Air 3’s powerful motors handle this without any noticeable drop in flight time or stability.
Check Price on Amazon US, UK, CA, DE → Check Price on B&H
✓ Free Shipping · ✓ Easy Returns · ✓ Secure Checkout
STARTRC Foldable Landing Gear View on Amazon View on B&H
The STARTRC Foldable Landing Gear is a fantastic middle-ground option that actually offers more height than the PGYTECH—boosting the Air 3 by a significant 36mm. If you often find yourself taking off from unkempt lawns or sandy beaches, this extra height is a godsend for keeping the gimbal away from grit. It features a “sled” style design for the rear, which I find provides a bit more stability on uneven ground compared to individual leg extensions. The build quality is surprisingly decent for the price, utilizing a sturdy ABS material that snaps securely onto the bottom of the drone. It’s also foldable, though it’s a slightly bulkier profile when collapsed than our top pick. You’ll need to be careful when snapping it on to ensure you don’t pinch the sensors, but once it’s locked in, it feels incredibly secure. It’s an unbeatable value for under $15.
Check Price on Amazon US, UK, CA, DE → Check Price on B&H
✓ Free Shipping · ✓ Easy Returns · ✓ Secure Checkout
HeiyRC Landing Gear Extensions View on Amazon View on B&H
If you only need landing gear occasionally and want the lightest possible option, the HeiyRC extensions are a solid choice. These are simple “peg” style extensions that snap onto the front arms and the rear fuselage. They aren’t foldable, which is their main drawback—you have to take them off every time you pack the drone away. However, they weigh next to nothing, so they have absolutely zero impact on flight performance or battery life. They provide about 20mm of lift, which is enough to keep the gimbal off a flat concrete surface or very short grass. While the plastic feels a bit cheaper than PGYTECH, they get the job done for a fraction of the cost. I’d recommend these for pilots who mostly take off from landing pads but want a “just in case” backup in their kit bag.
Check Price on Amazon US, UK, CA, DE → Check Price on B&H
✓ Free Shipping · ✓ Easy Returns · ✓ Secure Checkout
Sunnylife LED Landing Gear View on Amazon View on B&H
For those who love golden hour or twilight shooting, the Sunnylife LED Landing Gear is a game-changer. Beyond providing 28mm of ground clearance, this set features built-in LED lights that make your Air 3 much easier to track in low light. The lights are rechargeable via USB-C, so you don’t have to worry about replacing tiny watch batteries. I found the extra illumination particularly helpful when landing in dim conditions, as it lights up the ground directly beneath the drone. The build is robust, though it is the heaviest option on this list due to the battery and electronics. It clips onto the bottom of the Air 3 and features a foldable design for storage. If you prioritize safety and visibility during night missions, this is easily the most “premium” feeling accessory you can add to your Air 3 kit.
Check Price on Amazon US, UK, CA, DE → Check Price on B&H
✓ Free Shipping · ✓ Easy Returns · ✓ Secure Checkout
BRDRC Sled Landing Gear View on Amazon View on B&H
The BRDRC Landing Gear uses a full-frame sled design that distributes the drone’s weight more evenly than individual legs. This is a huge advantage if you are taking off from soft surfaces like sand or light snow, where thin legs might sink. It adds about 30mm of height and feels very stable during touchdown. One thing you’ll notice is how easy it is to install; it literally clicks into place around the Air 3’s belly in seconds. While it is foldable, the sled design makes the drone a bit wider, so it might be a tight fit in some third-party hard cases. The plastic is thick and durable, capable of absorbing a slightly hard landing without snapping. It’s a very reliable choice for pilots who venture into diverse outdoor environments and want maximum stability.
Check Price on Amazon US, UK, CA, DE → Check Price on B&H
✓ Free Shipping · ✓ Easy Returns · ✓ Secure Checkout
Buying Guide: How to Choose Landing Gear for DJI Air 3
Comparison Table
| Product | Best For | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| PGYTECH Extensions | Overall Quality | ★★★★★ | Check |
| STARTRC Foldable | Tall Grass | ★★★★☆ | Check |
| HeiyRC Pegs | Budget/Lightweight | ★★★★☆ | Check |
| Sunnylife LED | Night Flying | ★★★★★ | Check |
| BRDRC Sled | Soft Surfaces | ★★★★☆ | Check |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will landing gear affect my DJI Air 3’s flight time?
Technically, yes, because you are adding weight and slightly increasing wind resistance. However, the DJI Air 3 is a heavy, powerful drone with a massive battery. Most landing gear sets weigh between 15 and 25 grams. In real-world testing, this usually results in a loss of maybe 30 to 60 seconds of flight time out of the total 46 minutes. For most pilots, the protection it offers is worth the negligible trade-off.
Do I need to remove the gear to fit the drone in the Fly More bag?
It depends on the model. If you buy a “foldable” set like the PGYTECH or STARTRC models, the legs fold against the arms or body. This allows the drone to maintain a slim enough profile to fit into the standard DJI Fly More shoulder bag without removal. Non-foldable “peg” style gears must be removed every time, which can eventually wear down the plastic clips on the gear.
Can landing gear interfere with the Air 3’s sensors?
Poorly designed gear can absolutely interfere with the downward vision sensors, causing the drone to think it’s always near the ground. This can lead to the drone refusing to descend or landing prematurely. All the recommendations in this guide are specifically designed for the Air 3 and feature precise cutouts for the sensors and the auxiliary light to ensure your flight safety features remain fully functional.
Is a landing pad better than landing gear?
A landing pad is great for creating a clean “helipad” on dirt or sand, but it’s another bulky item to carry and can blow away in the wind. Landing gear is permanently attached (or easily folded), meaning you’re protected even if you have to perform an emergency landing away from your pad. I personally use both: a pad for my home base and landing gear for total peace of mind everywhere else.
Will landing gear make the drone less stable in high winds?
Because you are slightly increasing the vertical profile of the drone, it does catch a tiny bit more wind. However, the Air 3 is rated for Level 6 wind resistance (up to 12 m/s). In my experience, the added surface area of small landing legs is so minimal that you won’t notice a difference in stability unless you are flying in extreme conditions where you probably shouldn’t be flying anyway.
Final Verdict
If you want a “set it and forget it” solution, go with the PGYTECH Extensions—their ability to stay on the drone while folded is a massive convenience. For pilots flying in overgrown fields, the extra height of the STARTRC kit is a safer bet. No matter which you choose, you’ll feel much more relaxed knowing your dual-camera gimbal isn’t one rogue pebble away from a costly repair bill.