I travel frequently for work and want to bring my Mavic along. Currently debating between a hard pelican-style case or a padded backpack for my setup (drone, 4 batteries, controller, filters, landing pad, cables).

Hard case seems more protective but bulky for hiking. Backpack is convenient but worried about damage during flights. What do you experienced travelers recommend?

Budget is around $200 and I need something that works as carry-on.

Where and how you will be using your drone will determine which type of case to purchase. If you plan on traveling by air, a durable hard side case would be recommended. For frequent flying, hard case wins every time. Airlines can be rough with luggage.

I've been using a good padded backpack for 2 years with zero issues. There is a tradeoff between protection and weight. A lighter case is easier to carry over longer distances but may not protect the UAV if it is dropped. For hiking and convenience, backpack all the way!

A dedicated case prevents your drone from rattling around, and protects fragile parts like the camera and propellers from being crushed. Many cases are waterproof or at least water-resistant, which is a big plus if you get caught in rain. Consider getting both - hard case for flights, soft for hiking.