My top 9 expensive drones in 2021
In this section we're going to take a look at what are the best camera drones in the high-range of pricing. I'll also cover some more affordable drones that deliver amazing results.
As the popularity of UAVs increase, there is growing activity and demand for high-end drones or just curiosity to find out what are the most expensive drones. Drones can virtually do anything these days from cinematography, industrial applications, search and rescue, underwater applications, even exploration of the red planet (Mars) - how cool is that! Generally, drones have continued to get cheaper as there is more competition, and price sensitivity plays a big role in sales. However, in this review, we will cover my top most expensive drones for sale.
What we rank as an expensive drone varies, this article will consider drones above $1000 as expensive.
Drones come in different sizes and varieties, with varied prices. The simplest drones come at affordable prices. As is expected, advanced models with better equipment such as larger cameras cost more.
As a professional, opting for an expensive drone is inevitable if you want to stay competitive and deliver quality work.
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For instance, if we dissect the Phantom 4 Pro it packs expensive technology responsible for driving up the manufacturing costs.
The high-tech drone packs:
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In this section we're going to take a look at what are the best camera drones in the high-range of pricing. I'll also cover some more affordable drones that deliver amazing results.
| Mavic 3 | Inspire 2 | Ph 4 Pro 2 | Evo 2 | Matrice 600 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 46 min | 27 min | 30 min | 40 min | 35 min |
 | 15km | 7 km | 10 km | 9 km | 5 km |
 | 5k | >6k | 4k60p | 6k/8k | 4k |
 | ~$2500 | $3000+ | ~$2000 | ~$6000 | 4 motor |
| $$ | $ | $$$ | $$ | $$ | |
 | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
You need not break the bank on your first drone while trying to secure a one-size-fits-all drone. Instead, go for a drone that meets your goals, matches your budget and preferences. If you are undecided on finding the BEST drone in the market, just know there is none that meets such a criteria.
Expensive drones also happen to be quite easy to pilot, but if you don't want to risk it, I suggest checking out my best beginner drones list.
Chances are that you will enjoy and fall in love with whichever drone you pick, if not you might as well sell it and upgrade to more expensive drone brands.
Absolutely, given most have obstacle avoidance features, GPS navigation, hovering stability, and several other features that deliver smooth flight with fewer crashes. More expensive drones with GPS and positioning sensors also eliminate the issue of drone drifting that many cheaper ones come with.
5k/4k 120p
46 min
15 km
~$2500
The most recent release in the DJI Mavic lineup, the Mavic 3, is packing an insane spec sheet for the price.
The micro 4/3rds sensor is the biggest ever fitted so far in a compact foldable drone, making it quite revolutionary.
The outstanding battery life as well as the record holding range are just a few of the specs at a first glance.
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Mavic 3 primary camera
The Primary camera of the Mavic 3 is a micro 4/3rds Hasselblad sensor cam with outstanding performance in low light and a true to life color profile.
It stands out from the others in the lineup thanks to the changeable aperture, making it easier for professionals to have control over their photos, as well as their exposure while in the air.
Secondary camera
What's better than one camera?
Two cameras.
The second camera is a smaller one, made for zooming in up to 7 times without quality loss and up to 28 times in total.
It can be used for search and rescue as well as getting a second perspective on a shot, since the half an inch sensor isn't to shabby itself.
A D V A N T A G E S
D I S A D V A N T A G E S
up to 6k
27 min
7 km(4.3 miles)
$3000+
The DJI Inspire 2 is iconic in the world of cinematography.
As one of the most expensive quadcopters, it has a controllable range of 4.3 miles and makes a top speed of 67 miles per hour, autopilot, image stabilization, forward obstacle avoidance, and several other features you would want in a drone.
Experienced drone pros will confirm that there is hardly anything the DJI Inspire 2 can’t do.
We are looking at all the features of the Phantom 4 Professional, a performance-enhanced design, and cutting-edge video features.
The drone is twice as big and fast as the Phantom 4 professional (speeds of 60mph).
Video quality on the Inspire 2 is excellent. There are 3 cameras, x4S, X5S, and X7. x4S is comparable to that on the Phantom 4 Pro while the X5S has a lens that can be interchanged. X7 is DJI’s flagship camera for cinema even shooting in 6K.
There is a lot more about the Inspire 2 - too much to cover in a few words.
Specs
Why should I buy this drone?
Shoots in 5.2K at 30 fps or 4K at 60p, not forgetting the advanced vibration absorbent 3-axis gimbal that ensures steady footage no matter how crazy the flight. The DJI Inspire 2 has a powerful control system running on the revamped DJI Go app which places all its advanced features at your fingertips.
The aperture, shutter speed, and ISO can easily be adjusted after a few taps. In such a setup you do not need prior filming experience or piloting skills to acquire professional footage.
Who is this drone for?
Released in 2016, the DJI Inspire 2 uses the latest Zenmuse camera (the X5s) specifically suited for videographers and experienced photographers. Do not go buy this drone for your 12-year-old daughter as a Christmas gift.
Opinion
Should I get a DJI Inspire 2? If you are looking for a professional camera drone that is ready to fly straight out of the box, The DJI Inspire 2 is the best choice available. If you can't afford it you can always opt for the Inspire 1.
Its picture quality may not match the Inspire 2 but the X5 camera does shoot a better image than the Phantom 4 Pro.
A D V A N T A G E S
D I S A D V A N T A G E S
4k
240 min
100 m
~$1000
The underwater experience you get from the PowerVision Wizard is so vivid when viewing from the Zeiss VR One Plus Goggles you might wonder why your clothes aren't drenched in water. You can use the PowerRay Wizard from a boat. Navigation is easy, you can opt to use your head when controlling the PowerRay.
The drone generally goes where your head points mimicking an actual fish. Alternatively, you can opt for the remote controller connecting your smartphone and tablet.
The drone is great for fishing as it uses the PowerSeeker Fish Finder to locate the fish and then easily lures them to your location.
A D V A N T A G E S
D I S A D V A N T A G E S
4k 60p
30 min
10 km
~$2000
A successful model of the Phantom series. The drone was a significant update from the Phantom 4 bringing about significant improvements. Obstacle avoidance with front, rear, infrared sensors, and downward visual sensors. A 20MP 1-inch camera that can shoot 4K video at 60fps.
Specs
Why should I buy this drone?
Easy to fly, presence of an OcuSync 2.0 transmission system, electronic speed controllers and low noise propellers.
Who is this drone for?
The drone is suited for professionals in film and aerial photography. Sectors can range from aerial surveying, 3D mapping (using UAV photogrammetry), firefighting, search and rescue crews.
A D V A N T A G E S
D I S A D V A N T A G E S
6k or 8k
40 min
9 km
~$1500
This professional grade drone from Autel Robotics is a 6K capable drone, available in two versions: 8K resolution and 6K resolution.
The latter version has a larger camera and is favorable for serious photographers and videographers, a fact reflected in the overall cost which is $300 more than its 8K counterpart. Drone reviewers have endorsed the Autel Evo 2 series as a competitive alternative to DJI.
Specs
A D V A N T A G E S
D I S A D V A N T A G E S
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4k zoom
35 min
5 km
~$6000
The last thing any professional photographer would want is a feeling of restriction. They want the camera to adjust anywhere. The M600 Pro by DJI is a completely integrated heavy filming beast and contains everything you need from assembly to flight.
The drone uses the Ronin-MX - the first aerial gimbal with a 360-degree rotation capability. Powered by a set of 6 DJI intelligent batteries, which solves the problems of large battery size that inconvenience filmmakers using heavy drones.
Specs
What is the difference between the A3 and A3 pro upgrade kits?
Increased accuracy but still uses the same system. Safety and redundancy basically.
What about the RTK?
RTK increases the level of accuracy when directing the aircraft to certain frequencies. RTK is helpful when using other software such as DroneDeploy for mapping or Ground station equipment.
As a six-rotor pro-level, the Matrice 600 runs on the Lightbridge 2, DJI’s iconic video transmission technology. Capable of streaming 1080p HD video transmission at 60fps from over 3 miles the M600 can hover airborne for over 16 minutes. If you opt for the lighter Zenmuse line cameras you can enjoy twice that flight time.
Why should I buy this drone?
Only go for this drone if you are expecting big jobs in Hollywood and other professional contexts.
Who is this drone for?
The M600 Pro is a professional drone for professional filmmakers and industry specialists trying to capture cinematic masterpieces.
A D V A N T A G E S
D I S A D V A N T A G E S
4k
30 min
7km
~$6000
As the leading company in drone technology DJI offers the Phantom 4 RTK to customers. The drone is a revamped Phantom 4 with technology tailored to professionals.The key highlight of this drone is the 4 RTK, particularly the 1”CMOS Sensor, RTK module, and GS RTK App which are great for the commercial surveying industry.
The company is revered for its centimeter-accurate data requiring fewer ground control points which is great for drones in construction surveys. “RTK” stands for Real-Time Kinematic, which is a GPD correction feature that corrects location data during surveys. The drone is best suited for mapping, conducting surveys of buildings and construction sites.
Here we might get a little technical,
The Centimetre Level Positioning System offers an absolute accuracy on image metadata. The Phantom 4 RTK can be connected to any workflow and connects with the NTRIP (Network Transport of RTCM via Internet Protocol) via a WiFi hotspot or 4G dongle or D-RTK 2 Mobile Station. It can also store satellite imagery for Post Processed Kinematics.
Why should I buy this drone?
The 4 RTK takes the best features of the Phantom line and adds advanced precision RTK technology delivering great hover accuracy, and photo capture.
Who is this drone for?
This drone is mainly for professionals and qualifies as an enterprise level drone.
Specs
A D V A N T A G E S
D I S A D V A N T A G E S
4k 60p
20 min
10 km
~$1300
Cinematic FPV camera drones are recently growing in the industry. DJI just released the first FPV drone. The drone comes bundled with the new DJI goggles. When compared to other fpv drones it is quite heavier largely due to the battery -arguably its main selling point (20 min flight time). The drone is a simple plug and play and easily establishes connection with its controller and the goggles automatically. This fpv drone shares a similar sensor as the DJI Mini 2.
Generally the camera works great during the day but starts revealing its downsides at night. You can shoot slower at 4K at 60fps or 1080p at 120fps.
If you want to find out more about it I suggest you check my review of the DJI FPV drone.
A D V A N T A G E S
D I S A D V A N T A G E S
In this final section, we're taking a look at some specific questions that people ask me, which might also be useful to you.
Buying the newest drone on the shelf
While new drones carry the latest in technology and offer the buyer the prestige of owning the latest model in the market, it is important to understand why you're buying the drone in the first place. Anytime a new model is released, there is a drop in price of the older models. If the older model meets all the criteria you are looking for in a drone, you might as well go for it and save a buck.
Getting by with a hobby drone
In as much as hobby drones are pocket friendly, do not compromise your work or shooting skills by sticking to that low end drone. Not only does it limit the quality of your work but prevents you from using advanced features on the more expensive drones out there.
Rushing for a fixed-wing drone
Most drones operating in today's market are quadcopters for a reason. Before you take that step of switching to a fixed-wing drone, take a keen look at what you are looking at. First, most regulators have restricted their use to pre-authorized commercial work use. Secondly, regulations require users to maintain a visual line of sight with their aircraft at all times - something a fixed-wing UAV is not suited for.
What is the most expensive drone with a camera?
Here is a quick list of our top picks in case you don’t want to go on a case by case basis.
What’s the most expensive commercial drone?
The DJI Matrice Series has some of its most expensive drone catalogue. The M600 Pro currently tops the list with its advanced technology and capabilities.
What’s the most expensive drone from DJI?
How much is a commercial drone?
Generally a professional or commercial drone costs slightly above $1500. The enterprise level drones are the most costly given the advanced features they pack. The Matrice 600 Pro and Phantom 4 RTK meet that criteria.
How much does a good quality drone cost?
This depends on what you as the user are looking for. If you're a hobbyist, there are excellent options below $1000. As for professional experienced pilots, any drone above $1000 has advanced features with a wide range of capabilities that could be useful.
Who buys expensive drones?
Suited for amateur drone professionals who do not want to go through the trouble of assembling a camera drone rig.
Are expensive drones easy to fly?
Absolutely, given most have obstacle avoidance features, GPS navigation, hovering stability, and several other features that deliver smooth flight with fewer crashes.
Which drone has the longest flight range (transmission range)?
Most new generation DJI drones have incredible flight range and transmission due to the advanced upgrades to previous models.
You can read more on our review of long range drones to buy in 2021
Are DJI drones worth the cost?
Yes. DJI is the world’s leading drone company in technology and features. As the leading consumer drone brand in the world, photographers, vloggers and hobbyists all use DJI drones. DJI’s extensive variety ensures there are drones suited for every skill level whether kid toy drones or professional filmmaking drones. Founded in 2006, DJI now commands the market share of all drone sales globally.
When we say most expensive drones, it can literally mean anything from the million-dollar expensive military drones used for surveillance and combat or the professional-grade drones for the civilian consumer market. In our case, we have focussed on the latter. As drone technology advances, UAVs are becoming smaller and cheaper.
Camera drones remain the most popular as more companies have joined in their manufacture. This has resulted in a price drop as competition gets heated up and different brands go out of their way to control the ever-growing consumer drone market.
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