Top 5 Drones for Commercial Drone Pilots Under $5,000

That industry growth has also led to a need for more licensed commercial drone pilots. With over 400,000 licensed pilots in the United States alone, the industry still needs more pilots—and ones with better drones.

When first entering the industry, many drone pilots purchase UAVs that are somewhere between $500 and $1,500. While these drones are an excellent place to start, they lack the capabilities to tackle more challenging projects such as thermal inspections and professional-level cinematography. If you are a commercial drone pilot operating a UAV in this price range, you have probably noticed that there is a ceiling to the type of gigs you can get hired for. If you want high-paying projects, you're going to need a better drone.

Some of the work at higher levels will require a much more expensive drone. For example, if you are looking to offer lidar mapping, the camera alone can cost over $15,000. If that jump in the amount you're willing or able to invest in your equipment is too much, fear not. There are plenty of options for drones under $5,000, which can get you into higher-paying gigs without the need for a second mortgage on your home.

If you are looking at purchasing a drone for somewhere between $1,500 and $5,000, chances are you are already a licensed commercial drone pilot. If not, purchasing a drone at this level probably means you need a license.

It is illegal to work commercially in the United States without earning your Part 107. Occasionally, I'll run into operators flying without one, and they risk huge fines and may even get jail time for their illegal operations. Make it easy on yourself and get the license if you don't already have it. Online schools like Altitude University and the Pilot Institute make it easy to pass the test.

At this level, selecting the drone that is best for your needs depends on what product you are looking to provide your clients. That means the payload, or type of camera on the drone, becomes one of the main considerations you need to think about. For example, if you would like to offer your clients aerial roof inspections, you'll need a drone with a thermal camera that has a resolution of at least 640x512. Anything less just won't cut it. So, make sure you select a drone that not only fits with your budget but also has the specifications to keep your clients happy.

A final consideration is the need for insurance. As drones become more expensive, you take on greater financial risk for your operation. If you are willing to invest the money in higher-quality drones, invest in drone insurance. I personally carry $1 million in liability insurance (damage done to someone or something else by my drone) and additional coverage for hull insurance (damage done to my drone). Companies like Skywatch.Ai typically have plans for this that are less than $100 per month.

The five drones we have selected are ideal for breaking into intermediate-level drone gigs, including thermal inspections, cinematic-level aerial photography/videography, and basic 2D/3D mapping. We'll make sure to mention what type of project each drone is best suited for. Here is FLYING’s list of top drones under $5,000:

Our starting entry for drones under $5,000 is the Autel Robotics EVO II Pro 6K Enterprise V3. As you move into more advanced gigs, you need a drone with better optics and longer flight times. The EVO II Pro 6K Enterprise V3 has both. The drone is equipped with a 1-inch 20MP CMOS sensor, which is capable of capturing 6K ultra-HD video. The camera also delivers exceptional low-light performance with an adjustable f/2.8-f/11 aperture.

The drone is an excellent choice for first responders as it comes with a loudspeaker, spotlight, strobe light, and RTK module (for an additional cost). You'll see flight times of up to 40 minutes per battery, which is longer than most drones in this category. This drone is a great selection for basic mapping, visual inspections with an RGB camera, and first responder activities.

As you search for more profitable drone gigs, you'll quickly find that many require payloads beyond standard RGB cameras. Many doors will open for you when you have a drone with thermal imaging capabilities. You'll find some drones with thermal cameras that are inexpensive, but there is a catch. If the resolution of the camera is not at least 640x512, then you are wasting your money. Low-resolution thermal images are of little value to most clients. Drones with at least a 640x512 radiometric thermal camera often command an investment of over $5,000, but that is not the case for the Autel Robotics EVO Lite 640T Enterprise.

Coming in at less than $3,400, this drone is a steal. In addition to the 640x512 radiometric thermal sensor, you'll also get a 48MP camera and half-inch CMOS sensor with flight times of up to 40 minutes per battery. This drone is ideally suited for thermal inspections of roofs, powerlines, agricultural planning, and wildlife conservation.

Our next entry comes from the powerhouse of drone manufacturing, DJI. The Mavic 3 Pro is the flagship of DJI's Mavic line. This drone is designed for serious photographers looking to capture exceptional image quality using a drone with advanced flight capabilities. The drone carries a triple-camera system, including a four-thirds-inch Hasselblad sensor for 20MP stills and 5.1K video, a 70mm medium telephoto camera, and a 166mm telephoto lens for versatile shooting options.

There are plenty of safety features built into the drone, along with intelligent flight modes, including MasterShots and FocusTrack, which make it easier to capture cinematic footage. You can also fly for up to 43 minutes on a single charge. If you need to elevate your drone's capabilities for professional photography, this is the drone for you.

At first glance, it may seem like the Autel EVO Lite 640T Enterprise and the EVO II Dual 640T Rugged Bundle V3 are pretty much the same, except for the price difference. While both drones share a dual thermal and optical camera system, the EVO Lite is smaller and weighs less than the EVO II. This is because the EVO II has a larger and more rugged airframe designed to operate in more challenging environments. The increased size of the EVO II also allows for the attachment of speakers and spotlights.

The standard camera can capture up to 50MP, and the thermal camera includes a 16x zoom that allows you to take accurate temperature readings up to 100 meters away. Those features and flight times of up to 38 minutes make the EVO II ideal for jobs like utility inspections and search and rescue operations.

Our final selection for drones under $5,000 is the DJI Mavic 3 Pro Cine. For the most part, this drone is the same as the DJI Mavic Pro 3 we already recommended, with a few exceptions. Pilots looking to use the drone for standard mapping and photography jobs probably won't need to pay the extra $910 for the Cine. But, if you work with Apple products and are a serious photographer or videographer, you'll want to fork over the extra cash. The DJI Mavic 3 Pro Cine is a professional-grade drone with enhanced video capabilities, including Apple ProRes codec support and a 1TB SSD.

The Cine supports Apple ProRes 422 HQ, 422, and 422 LT codecs. If those don't mean anything to you, you don't need the Cine. These codecs are industry standards for high-quality video. Additionally, the Mavic 3 Pro Cine supports Apple ProRes across all three of its cameras, whereas the Mavic 3 Pro only supports ProRes on the Hasselblad camera. It is the best drone, and you can get below $5,000 if you work at this level of the industry or hope to break into it.

All five of these drones are excellent choices for moving into bigger and potentially more profitable drone gigs. If you plan on doing any type of inspection service, I’d choose one of the drones that offers thermal imaging capabilities. If you are a photographer, stick with the Mavic 3 Pro or Mavic 3 Pro Cine. All of these drones are an investment, but if you can find the right clients, they will earn you many more times your initial investment as you move up the ladder in the drone service industry.

Do I need a Part 107 license to fly these drones commercially?

Yes, if you plan to use your drone for paid work in the U.S., you must pass the FAA Part 107 exam to legally operate as a commercial drone pilot.

What makes the DJI Mavic 3 Pro Cine different from the Mavic 3 Pro?

The Mavic 3 Pro Cine includes Apple ProRes codec support, a built-in 1TB SSD, and enhanced video recording capabilities, making it ideal for high-end cinematography.

What’s the best drone for photography and videography under $5,000?

The DJI Mavic 3 Pro (or Cine version for professionals) is the best for cinematic aerial photography and videography, featuring a triple-camera system.