5 Drones Under $1,500 for New Commercial Pilots

After hearing what drone pilots can earn, the next question is always what UAV they should get and what it will cost.

Drones come in all shapes and sizes and can range in price from a few hundred dollars to several hundred thousand dollars. One of the biggest mistakes I see new pilots make is buying more drone than they need. When starting out as a commercial drone pilot, especially if you don't have a preexisting list of clients or contracts, you need to keep costs down. My advice to new pilots is never to spend more on a drone than they can make within 10 gigs. At $150 an hour, that sets your budget at $1,500.

While this budget doesn't allow you to take on work that requires special payloads like lidar or thermal cameras, you can still make plenty of money with the five drones I am recommending. You will also not feel like you are buried in debt, which always helps a new business.

We'll go over some of the key features of each of these drones, but before we do, let's talk about a few things everyone looking to start a drone service business needs to think about.

If you are using a drone for anything other than the fun of flying one, you probably need a remote pilot license from the FAA. Many people have told me they don't need a license because all they do is "post on YouTube and don't make money off of it."

While it may seem a little backward, even in the case where you are not earning money off posting YouTube videos, you need a license. If you have not earned a remote pilot certification from the FAA, start by checking out online schools like Altitude University and the Pilot Institute. You can also get study materials from trusted aviation stores like Sporty's Pilot Shop.

Another consideration is to make sure you treat your new venture professionally, just like any other business. Invest in the tools and protections that most successful businesses have, like a business plan and insurance. Most insurance policies will not cover your UAV, so be sure to get drone-specific insurance. Most clients will want to see at least $1 million in drone liability coverage, which can usually be acquired for around $50 per month.

When looking at which drone on this list is best for you, think of what products you will be offering your customers. If you plan to provide entry-level real estate photography products, perhaps the DJI Mini 4 Pro is a good selection. If you need a drone that has more robust features and a better camera, then the DJI Air 3S might be a better choice. Just make sure to investigate the specs for each drone and ensure those meet the needs of your potential clients.

FLYING’s five selections have something for everyone jumping into the commercial drone industry. The following list is in order from lowest to highest cost:

First on our list is the DJI Mini 4 Pro. This drone is a compact, ultra-lightweight folding drone with many cool features and capabilities. The basic package for this drone is just under $750. While you'll only get the drone, a single battery, and a standard remote, it's a great combo for those on a fixed budget looking to start earning money with a drone.

The camera on the DJI Mini 4 Pro can capture 48MP stills and 4K/60fps HDR video with its 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor. Standard batteries offer 34 minutes of flight time, but extended batteries can be purchased for an additional cost, allowing for up to 45-minute flights. This drone is perfect for those looking to start with basic real estate photography or those looking to sell simple aerial photography.

We've all seen the footage of a first-person view (FPV) drone zooming around trees in a forest and zipping from left to right through tightly packed buildings in the city. Real money can be made with this footage, especially on social media and for cinematography projects. If you need an FPV drone to accomplish this, look no further than the DJI Avata 2. The Avata 2 can reach speeds of up to 60 mph. The Fly More combo has three batteries, a remote control, and goggles for a fully immersive experience. With up to 23 minutes of flight time, this combo provides over an hour of drone racing at its best.

The drone has a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor, capturing 4K videos at 60fps and 4K slow-motion footage at 100fps. The drone has several safety features and 46GB of internal storage, so you can easily save footage of your racing victories or share your aerial acrobatics on social media. If you are looking to win your next race and make some money on the footage you capture while doing it, this drone is for you.

While our first recommendation, the DJI Mini 4 Pro, is more advanced and a newer model than the DJI Mini 3 Pro, the older model has its advantages. Primarily because the model is older, the price of the combo that includes extra batteries and a remote with a built-in screen is now below $1,500. For just under $1,300, you get the DJI Mini 3 Pro drone, three batteries, and the upgraded remote. At 34 minutes per battery, that's over an hour of flight time, making it the perfect drone and combo to capture residential real estate and small to medium-sized commercial properties.

Equipped with a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor, it captures stunning 4K HDR video and 48MP photos, ensuring crisp, detailed imagery. So, while you can get the Mini 4 Pro for less, you won't have the batteries and remote that make this deal worth it. With the Mini 3 Pro still full of excellent features, you won't feel like you were cheated by buying the older model.

The DJI Air 3S was released in October 2024, and it is one of the newer drones from DJI. This drone is perfect for commercial drone pilots entering the industry and allows for both entry-level and intermediate-level drone services. Professional photographers will love that the drone features a 50MP 1-inch CMOS wide-angle camera with a 24mm equivalent lens and a 48MP 1/1.3-inch CMOS medium telephoto camera with a 70mm equivalent lens, both supporting up to 14 stops of dynamic range.

The camera can also capture 4K/60fps HDR video and 4K/120fps slow-motion. Max flight times are up to 45 minutes with the Air 3S. That's plenty of time to accomplish a fair amount of the work you'll be doing at this level of drone services.

Our final recommendation for drones under $1,500 is the Autel Robotics EVO Lite Plus. If you are like most people, you have heard of DJI but might not be familiar with Autel Robotics. The company has been around for many years and has proven its products to be a solid competitor with equivalent DJI models. The EVO Lite Plus is an older model but packs loads of features professional pilots will love.

With a 1-inch CMOS sensor and a 6K camera, the Autel Robotics EVO Lite Plus offers an adjustable aperture from F/2.8-F/11 and supports 6K/30fps video. Each battery offers up to 40 minutes of flight time, which is hard to find in another drone within this price range. This is an excellent drone for all commercial drone pilots doing work with standard RGB camera payloads.

As you can see, FLYING’s list has something for everyone at this price point. If you are brand new to the industry and just learning to fly, the Mini series of DJI drones is best. Racers will want to gravitate to the Avata 2, and professionals looking for better camera capabilities will want to buy the Air 3S or EVO Lite Plus.

Whichever drone you decide to go with, know that all of these drones are high-quality and worth the cost.

What’s the best drone under $1,500 for starting a drone business?

The DJI Air 3S is a great option for new commercial pilots due to its high-quality camera and advanced flight features.

Do I need a license to start making money with a drone?

Yes, if you’re using a drone for anything other than hobby flying, you need an FAA Part 107 license in the U.S.

Can I get drone insurance, and is it required?

Drone-specific insurance is available and recommended, as most clients expect at least $1 million in liability coverage.