Hi and hello to the group, I joined this forum because I’m new to this and I need advice.
I completely understand the 120m CAA rule but many people on videos recommend just to get an DJI Air3S.
Surely this has the same height restrictions, am I missing something.
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Hi @G-A-R-Y, it looks as though you’re quite new here 
Why not nip over to the Introductions page, and say hello properly and tell us a bit about yourself. 
You obviously don’t as its 120m 
(I see you edited it now to say 120m)
Welcome to GADC
the rules are around the C class markings.
C0 the height is limited - so the mini drones are in this class
C1 like the air 3s - different class be it they can fly in the same area’s as the C0 but they have limited the speed of them just not the hight ( crazy - but dem da rules )
Simple typo.
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If its for photography or videos, the Air 3s has a dual camera system with a 70 mm zoom lens so may be better for that.
My previous post had a as it was humour!
All consumer drones are limited to 120m but not sure if its above ground or above take off point. CAA don’t seem sure either.
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AGL
However in order to get the C classification they need to be ATOP
No good for flying from flying from the bottom of hills
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There are two separate sets of laws being discussed here.
The first set of laws is for people flying drones. This includes the rule in the Drone Code that says that:
Your drone or model aircraft must never be more than 120m (400ft) from the closest point of the Earth’s surface.
The other set of laws is for drone manufacturers and defines the specification that a drone must have for it to get a particular class marking. These laws say that drones with a C0 class marking must:
have a maximum attainable height above the take-off point limited to 120 m;
DJI Mini series drones are C0 marked, so DJI have strictly limited these to 120m above their take-off point.
The DJI Air 3S is C1 marked. The height rules for manufacturers for C1 drones are less strict so, for the Air 3S, DJI allow you to set a higher maximum altitude than 120m. To be clear, you must still keep within 120m of the Earth’s surface but the software won’t limit you to 120m above the take-off point.
This can be useful if you are flying up a hill.
As you can see (courtesy of AI), if you flew up a hill, you might still be within 120m of the ground but you might be more than 120m above your take-off point.
Therefore, the Air 3S gives you the freedom to legally climb a slope staying within 120m of the ground, whereas a C0 drone would hit a hard limit and refuse to go any higher.
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P.S. Only the image was courtesy of AI; the rest was written by me so, hopefully, it is not full of inaccuracies.
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I bought the Air 3s as it is a bigger & heavier drone thus much more stable than a mini drone, this has similar flight characteristics to my Mavic 2 pro, which is a legacy drone & >900g so can only fly far from people etc. also due to it’s comparative size is more visible than a mini drone. And then you have a 1” sensor & a separate 70mm lens. What’s not to like.
After my first few flights I love it, it fly’s and sounds like my Mavic 2 pro & I can use it on Blackpool prom. The only thing I miss is variable aperture lens.
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Not all of them are CO marked, hence the talk about mini 2’s being rescued from their resting places, and being dusted off for mountainous climbs!! 
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At the time of posting, Mini 3 pro and mini 2 (being legacy) can still fly > 120m ATOP. But same as all other drones are limited to < 120m AGL (nearest point of earth as it says in regs).
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Apologies - I was simplifying it for the sake of someone who was new to drones. I meant new Mini series drones that are on sale now. You are correct though; the earlier Mini series drones, such as the Mavic Mini and Mini 2 (and, I think, the earlier Mini 3 Pro drones) were not class marked.
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I think some later Mini 3 Pro drones were C0 marked (but I may be wrong). I presume they would be limited to 120m above take-off point.
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I love my 3s. I do dream of getting a drone that has a starlight or thermal camera so that I can see, film and fly in the dark . I shall call her STRIX ALUCO. My AIR 3S is called BABY D. With technology where it is we should be pretty close to having the whole world Terrain mapped and AI would know sea level also according to tide times heights/air pressure. Skys the limit if we dont let the wax melt. 
Mines called a drone. 
So is mine, “BABY DRONE”. She’s fly. 
So the Air 3s, it can fly in the same space as a Mini, or my Atom 2 but only until 2028;
Small drones and model aircraft below 250g, or UK0, UK1, C0 or C1 class
You can fly drones and model aircraft that are below 250g, or UK0, UK1 or C0 class in residential, recreational, commercial and industrial areas. From 1 January 2026 until 31 December 2027, you can also do this with a C1 class drone or model aircraft.
Have the CAA hinted what will change for 2028?
The smart money seems to be on DJI allowing reclassification of the Air 3s as a UK1 drone, allowing us to continue to fly in the A1 category
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I want a DJI consumer drone with an IP rating. Ideally, DJI Air 4 could be it.