How to Make DJI Avata Quieter

Pilots say that the DJI Avata is the loudest drone from DJI.

Is it a DJI Avata issue only? No, it’s not a particular issue of this drone, as all FPV drones are louder than commercial or enterprise options.

Then, what can you do to reduce the noise this drone produces?

To make your DJI Avata quieter, you can sand down the propellers. Or you can replace the Avata propellers with noise-reduction propellers. Be aware, though, that either of these actions may void your warranty with the manufacturer.

You might be skeptical about the solutions, so we will provide more details about this issue. We explain where the noise comes from and if there are proven ways to reduce it.

How can I make my DJI Avata quieter? #

90% of the drone noise comes from the propeller blades interacting with the air. As you can’t change the air conditions, the solution is in the shape of the propellers.

The key to making the propellers quieter is on their surface. If the propeller is smooth, it generates less drag. This condition helps to avoid unnecessary vortices near the propeller surface, producing less noise.

Another contributing factor is the blade’s shape.

Propeller blades without square edges and angles produce a less obtrusive sound thanks to their round shape.  Sharp angles concentrate strains, causing undesirable vortices that increase the noise.

Sand down the DJI Avata propellers #

DJI designed the Avata propellers to generate the required lift to fly it. They have an established form factor you must not alter, or you can make them unsafe to fly.

The Avata propellers have a minuscule DJI logo on the base, so removing it won’t improve the noise level.

However, other manufacturers may emboss their brands, specs, or decorative items on the propellers. These strange objects affect how the air flows through the propeller, generating more noise.

In these scenarios, you may improve the noise level if you gently sand down the area with thin sandpaper or Scotch Brite.

Ensure you get a smooth feeling to the touch. 

Install noise-reduction propellers #

The DJI propellers produce sounds in the high-frequency spectrum; that’s why they are so annoying.

The low-noise propellers reduce the perceived noise by the human ear, thanks to their smoother surface and unique blade shape.

They allow the air to flow in the most effortless way possible. Also, the noise they produce is nearer to the low-frequency end of the spectrum. 

However, the noise reduction isn’t dramatic. It’s not as if you’ll now have a silent drone.

You’ll notice a slight decrease that is just enough to let you enjoy flying without disturbing people in your surroundings.

Why is the DJI Avata so noisy? #

The DJI Avata is an FVP Cinewhoop drone, meaning DJI designed it to fly acrobatically while filming.

For a drone to easily maneuver and do tricks requires lots of power. It also needs shorter propellers than commercial or enterprise drones to move through the air with less resistance.

The DJI Avata propellers are shorter than any other DJI drone propellers. Due to this form factor, they rotate faster than larger propellers to produce the required force to lift the Avata.

A fast spinning or high RPM short propeller produces a sharp noise that is very unpleasant. It is exactly like the noise of a leaf blower at full power.

That’s why the decibels the Avata produces are higher than other DJI drones.

However, the difference isn’t actually that significant. It is several decibels louder, but you can’t hear the difference that much in the intensity of the noise.

You can, however, feel the difference in the tone of the noise.

Other DJI drones make a low-pitched noise when compared with the Avata.

These kinds of noises are more comfortable to deal with for us humans. That’s why the DJI Avata appears to make more noise than the other DJI drones.

Are there methods to reduce the high-pitched propeller noise? #

Theoretically, there are other methods, like using bigger propellers or more blades.

The idea with these configurations is to achieve a noise nearer the low-pitched end of the sound spectrum instead of a high-pitched noise.

Unfortunately, these propellers are not compatible with the Avata.

Big propellers #

DJI designed the propellers to achieve a specific range of RPM for the engine to preserve its operation for a long time.

Larger propeller blades weigh more, requiring more torque. The engines will have to make an extra effort to achieve the needed RPM to generate enough lift to fly the drone.

Then the engine’s inner components will wear quickly or even have sudden fatal damage.

Additionally, you must remove the propeller guard to fit larger blades, losing propeller protection and the landing gear.

More propeller blades #

Having a propeller with more blades will reduce the intensity of the sound. It will also make the noise less irritating, diminishing the sharp tone.

However, more blades mean more drag.

An increased number of blades add more wing area, increasing the wind resistance. And with increased drag, the Avata won’t be capable of performing acrobatic maneuvers.

Is your DJI Avata noisier than before? #

If the sound of your Avata is louder or more shrill than it was previously, the propellers need an inspection.

Aged, chipped, or broken propeller blades produce turbulent flow, translating into a shriller noise.

We advise you to check your propellers to look for any nicks and chipped ends. You can get a little bit more life out of a chipped or nicked propeller by removing these defects gently with sandpaper.

But if you have a broken or cut blade, you need to install a new propeller. Replace the damaged propellers, as smooth ones make the DJI Avata quieter.