Editor’s note: The following article is not intended to be a ranking, but is only to serve as a list of possible options. As the saying goes, your mileage may vary.
Are you looking to make real estate properties stand out? Consider drone photography! Drones take real estate photography to new heights by capturing alluring aerial photographs of residential and commercial properties alike.
But not all real estate drones are equal. Check out this guide to discover the five best real estate drones on the market today.
Did you know, drone operators are required by the FAA to be licensed? Our courses will help you achieve success as a commercial drone pilot. Pass the Part 107 test, take to the skies, and start earning money.
Quicklook: Best Drone for Real Estate
- Best For High-Quality Images: DJI Air 2S
- Best For Budget-Friendly Entry-Level Drone: Contixo F24 Pro
- Best For First-Person View Shots: DJI FPV
- Best For Longest Flight Time: Autel Evo 2 Pro
- Best For High-Quality Video Footage: DJI Phantom 4 Pro
5 Best Drones for Real Estate
These five drones for real estate take captivating shots that will entice buyers viewing various real estate properties.
DJI Air 2S
Best For: High-Quality Images and Video With Built-In Flight Modes and Safety Measures
The DJI Air 2S is an incredibly user-friendly drone that doesn’t cost more than $1,000. It sports a 1” CMOS 20MP camera, which allows for sharp images and recordings.
By using the DJI Fly app in tandem with the drone, you can fly this drone automatically. It can travel in predetermined patterns or circle a specific area with ease, allowing you to focus on the photography element of the drone. The DJI Air 2S also automatically limits the drone’s capabilities in zones with flight restrictions, but you can also turn this function off.
Skill Level: Beginner
Flight Time: 31 minutes
Camera Quality: 1” CMOS 20MP camera
Special Features:
- Master Shots feature which compiles your shots into a short video
- ADS-B AirSense, which receives data from nearby aircraft and uses this to stay clear from them
- Limits flight in restricted zones by default
Benefits:
- Six different photography modes
- Four video resolutions, including 5.4K @30 fps
- Can record up to 1 Billion colors thanks to the 10-bit Dlog-m color profile
- Customizable key-bindings and settings via DJI fly app
- Return home function
- Automated flight modes
- Memory expandable
- 4-direction detection system to avoid collisions
- 3-axis gimbal for a stable image when tilting the camera angle
- Foldable design
Disadvantages:
- Battery takes 70 mins to reach a full charge
- Bulky controller
Contixo F24 Pro
Best For: Entry-Level Drone at a Budget Price
The Contixo F24 Pro is a great drone for anyone who’s just starting out and doesn’t want to make a huge commitment. It captures high-quality images and recordings for its price as well.
However, it’s worth mentioning that the Contixo F24 Pro is slightly harder to use because it does not come with any obstacle avoidance sensors. Even so, it does have some advanced features that you’d usually only find with pricier drones, like automated flight modes and gesture control.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Flight Time: 28 minutes
Camera Quality: 8.3MP camera
Special Features:
- Foldable remote control
- Budget-priced
- Comes with a storage bag
Benefits:
- Photos up to 4K quality
- 2.7K video resolution at a budget price
- Foldable design
- Automated flight modes
- Gesture control
- Return home function
Disadvantages:
- No gimbal system for camera
- Requires smartphone to use properly
- Single-shot photography only
- No extra video resolutions
- No obstacle avoidance
- Significantly harder to control
DJI FPV
Best For: First-Person View Shots and Indoor Photography
The DJI FPV is a unique camera drone with a design that prioritizes first-person viewing. Not only that, but it also comes with DJI FPV goggles, which allow you to make very accurate shots and videos.
The drone also comes with a remote control, but you can purchase an optional motion controller if you prefer that. The DJI FPV is equipped with a ½” Cmos 12MP camera for beautiful 4K images and recordings. This drone is even small enough to use indoors as long as you can control it properly.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Flight Time: 20 minutes
Camera Quality: 12MP camera
Special Features:
- VR-like experience through DJI FPV goggles
- Optional motion controller
- Super wide field of vision at 150 degrees
- Three different flight modes for different skill levels
- ADS-B AirSense, which receives data from nearby aircraft and uses this to stay clear from them.
Benefits:
- FHD recordings at 120fps & 4K recordings at 60fps
- 4K quality Photographs
- Return home function
- Memory is expandable
- Forwards and downwards obstacle avoidance
- Allows close up view of footage
- Easily replaceable parts make for cheap repairs
Disadvantages:
- Single-axis gimbal
- Only has single-shot photography
- Harder to control because of limited obstacle avoidance
Autel Robotics EVO II Pro
Best For: Longest Flight Time with High-Quality Footage
The Autel Evo II Pro comes with a longer battery life than most camera drones, allowing for a flight time of 40 minutes. It comes equipped with a 1” CMOS 20MP camera, making it possible for you to capture sharp images and recordings.
The Evo II Pro’s basic functions don’t require the use of a smartphone because the controller comes with a built-in screen. It also has automated flight modes, allowing you to focus on the footage you’re capturing instead of prioritizing the flying element.
Enroll in Drone Pilot Ground School, an online test prep and training course, and pass your FAA drone exam on your first try — or your money back.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Flight Time: 40 minutes
Camera Quality: 1” CMOS 20MP camera
Special Features:
- Controller comes with a built-in screen
- 360 degrees sensors for obstacle avoidance
- Gesture commands
Benefits:
- Six different photography modes
- Four different video resolutions, including 6K @30 fps
- Smartphone app adds features but is not required for basic use
- Return home function
- Automated flight modes
- Memory expandable
- Can record up to 1 billion colors
- 10-bit Dlog-m color profile
- Adjustable aperture range for quality images in every lighting situation
- 3-axis gimbal for a stable image when tilting the camera angle
- Foldable design
Disadvantages:
- Expensive
- Requires a smartphone for full functionality
- Does not automatically limit you in zones with flight restrictions
DJI Phantom 4 Pro v2.0
Best For: High-Quality Video Footage With the Largest Repertoire of Flight Functions
The DJI Phantom 4 Pro comes equipped with a 1” CMOS 20MP camera and multiple intelligent sensors. As such, it can capture the clearest and sharpest videos around.
Additionally, it has automated flight modes and functionalities, all while the specialized propellers reduce the drone’s noise on the footage. You can control the Phantom 4 Pro with just your smartphone; no remote control is needed, although one is supplied. It is bigger and heavier than most drones on this list, but it is best equipped for video footage.
Skill Level: Beginner
Flight Time: 30 minutes
Camera Quality: 1” CMOS 20MP camera
Special Features:
- Will retrace its route in case of signal loss
- Can take photographs while recording videos
- Can use smartphone or tablet instead of remote control
- Low noise propellers reduce sound by 60%
Benefits:
- Six different photography modes
- Four different video resolutions, including 4K at 60fps
- Heavier and sturdier design makes it function better in stronger winds
- Return home function
- Extended automated flight modes
- Memory expandable
- 3-axis gimbal for a stable image when tilting the camera angle
- 5-direction detection system to avoid collisions
- Geofencing to limit the drone in zones with flight restrictions
Disadvantages:
- Does not fold in to reduce size
- Expensive
- Requires a special bag to transport safely
What Are Drones Used For in Real Estate?
Drones are used in real estate to capture images and videos of the property and landscape. For example, you can create a shot from the waterside towards a house without getting on a boat.
You can also take footage from an upwards angle showing more of the property than if you were to do this at ground level. You can even record 360-degree video footage of the property.
Drones photography is popular in both residential and commercial real estate.
How Do Drones Help Real Estate?
Drones allow real estate agents to show the lay of the land and the attractions around the property. They are also used to take pictures to create overhead site maps of areas. Drone videography can even be used to record a video tour of the property and its surroundings.
What to Consider With a Drone for Real Estate
According to FAA regulations, you must register any drone used for commercial purposes, and the user must acquire a drone pilot certificate. After that, you can use a drone to create footage as long as you abide by regulations and stay out of zones with flight restrictions. The DJI line of drones has a built-in geofencing system that automatically restricts the drone in such areas.
Skill Level
Some drones come with a varying degree of obstacle avoidance sensors. This means the drone will automatically move out of the way or stop moving toward an object.
Unfortunately, the fewer of these functions it has, the easier it is to crash your drone, resulting in damage. Your camera’s image stabilization also matters as this might increase the skill level required to film smooth footage.
Flight Time
Flight time is the number of minutes you can have your drone in the air on a single battery. Therefore, it is essential to make sure your batteries are charged before using your drone.
While it would be inconvenient if it stopped halfway through your session, most drones will fly back to the user when the battery reaches critical levels. You can always buy extra batteries if you require longer sessions.
Camera Quality
Having a good camera increases the quality of your images. Generally, the diameter of the camera and the amount of Megapixels the camera can shoot at will determine the quality. Having stabilization technology will also create much sharper images when either the object or camera is moving.
Range
The operating range of a drone affects how far it can fly away from the user before input from the controller will no longer reach the drone. Therefore, if you fly your drone too far away or too high in the sky, you will not capture any footage or be able to control the drone.
In the event that this happens, don’t worry! Most drones have a return home protocol and they will fly back to you on autopilot.
Choosing the Best Drone for Real Estate
There are a few things to consider when buying a drone for real estate. You should make your choice dependent on what you will be using the drone for and your skill in terms of controlling one.
Some drones are more specialized than others. However, the DJI Air 2S is probably all-around the best bang for your buck. It has a great camera and some of the best functions and features without breaking the bank.
But ultimately, the option is yours. For the latest information about aviation and more, check out Flying Magazine!
FAQ
A basic photoshoot generally costs between $150 to $250 per hour. This rate can be higher depending on the time of day or even the drone pilot’s equipment. Videos can be more expensive at roughly $300 per minute of footage.
It is entirely legal to use a drone for real estate, as long as you have registered your drone, have acquired a drone pilot certificate, and are not flying in a zone with flight restrictions.
If you wish to use your drone for commercial purposes, you must register it and acquire a drone pilot certificate, even if your drone is in the sub250 category.
