Table of Contents
Our Top 3 Recommendations
| Best Overall | Cheapest Option | Premium Option | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drone |  |
|
|
| Name | DJI Mavic Air Quadcopter | DJI Mavic Mini Quadcopter | DJI Phantom 4 PRO |
| Rating | |||
| Price |
All 10 of the BEST Drones For Real Estate Photos and Videos
- DJI Mavic Mini – Drone FlyCam Quadcopter
- Ruko F11 Pro Drone 4K Quadcopter
- Holy Stone HS700D FPV Drone
- DJI Mavic Air Quadcopter
- Autel Robotics EVO Drone
- Parrot PF728000 Anafi Drone
- DJI Spark with Remote Control Combo
- DJI Phantom 4 PRO Professional Drone
- DJI Mavic 2 Pro Drone Quadcopter
- DJI Inspire 2 Quadcopter
People want fast and convenient service now more than ever before, and this can be seen across all industries. We want to see the world without lifting a finger. The same thing applies to people who want to buy real estate.
Potential clients do not want to spend hours driving from house to house. They prefer to browse homes and investment properties while sitting on the couch with a nice cup of coffee. It doesn’t matter if you like that or not; you can’t go against customer behavior if you are in the real estate business.
To keep up with this trend and offer what the market asks for, you need to be armed with the latest technologies and tactics. You don’t just take photos; you’re supposed to tell a story to capture your audience’s attention and compel them into taking action. That means you need to offer virtual tours and panoramic photos of the properties you’re selling. While you can get bulky equipment to make this possible, using a real estate drone will be much simpler. There are unlimited uses for these devices as long as you get creative.
In this article, we will look at some of the best drones for real estate. You’ll learn how to choose from the plethora of options on the market, based on your budget, expertise, and objectives.
Best Affordable Drones for Real Estate Reviews
For those just starting with drones, the best option is to buy something affordable and easy to use.
Most drones in this category are priced under $350 which makes them much cheaper than our professional recommendations. But the cheap option comes with low to mid-tier specs for photo and video use.
Who affordable drones are best used by
Showcasing real estate properties at a professional or commercial level is not what you’ll get from buying an affordable drone. This type of drones is best for beginners who want to learn the ropes of creating videos either for later use in a business environment or just for a hobby.
You won’t be able to use the drone for anything more than recreational purposes. Still, you will get valuable knowledge that will be extremely useful once you move to a better, higher-quality drone.
You can test doing virtual indoor tours if you buy a smaller drone, or you can experiment with outdoor panoramic videos of different properties. At this stage, it’s all about testing and having fun while doing it.
After all, you don’t have the risk of losing thousands of dollars if you make mistakes like you would with a professional drone. Test your piloting skills somewhere where it’s safe for everything and everyone around. When you’re ready to step up your game, pass this drone on to a friend and invest in a higher-end option.
Good and bad features about affordable drones
Good features:
- Many affordable drones come with easy to use flight tutorials and manuals since most buyers in this category are beginners
- Some drones don’t need to be registered with the government; you can charge it and get right to work
- These drones are inexpensive to repair or replace
- Most drones are lightweight and small, perfect for indoor use in apartments and condos
Bad features:
- Quality is mixed. You will usually get a drone that captures photos at an acceptable level. A few manufacturers might say they offer 4k video, but 4k on its own doesn’t do much in terms of quality
- Since these drones are often lightweight, they are not entirely stable in windy conditions and lower temperatures
- No microSD and limited internal storage capacity on most affordable drones
- Lack of obstacle avoidance systems, tracking, route drawing, and GPS location
1. DJI Mavic Mini – Drone FlyCam Quadcopter
Why We Like This Drone
The DJI Mavic Mini is one of the best drones an amateur could use to help with selling real estate. You don’t need any prior experience flying drones since it comes with a flight tutorial.
You can shoot photos and videos at more than acceptable quality with the gimbals’ stabilizer.
Another aspect we like is the weight and size of this drone. It’s perfect for interior virtual tours (even in smaller apartments and condos) and only weighs as much as a regular smartphone. Plus, there’s a low amount of battery consumption, providing you with up to 30 minutes of continuous use.
Key Features
- Comes with Remote Controller, Battery, Micro USB Cable, Gimbal Protection, Spare Propellers, RC Cables, Spare Control Sticks, Screwdriver, and six spare screws
- Works with Android v6.0 or later, iOS v10.0 or later
- Weighs 250 g
- Snap Adapter
- 3-Axis motorized gimbal
- 30 minute flight time
- Quickshot modes
- DJI Fly application with Flight Tutorial
- Two-way charging hub
- DJI mini bag
- It’s usable without government permission in the US and Canada
- Perfect for indoor filming because of its weight and size
- Comes with presets in the form of QuickShot Modes
- Easy to learn the ropes because of the tutorial
- Lower quality camera at just 12 MP
- The small size and weight make it prone to destabilization when used outside (especially when it’s windy)
- No onboard storage
- No microSD Card space
2. Ruko F11 Pro Drone 4K Quadcopter
Why We Like This Drone
The Ruko F11 Pro Drone 4K Quadcopter comes with a lot of useful features, especially for outdoor panoramic videos. If you’re a drone beginner, but you want to create fantastic presentation videos of your properties, this product does a remarkable job.
You can adjust the camera, select from three different speed modules (up to 26.8 mph), and view everything you film live. It’s not an award-winner in terms of quality, but compared to the price, it’s a fair trade. All in all, it is one of the best affordable drones for real estate.
Key Features
- 4K Ultra HD Camera and 2.9k video quality
- 120 degrees Field of View Lens
- 2x 2500mAh batteries – 30 minutes flight time each
- Long-distance range – 3,937 FT
- GPS positioning
- Auto Return
- Tap Fly
- Headless Mode
- One key take-off/landing
- Live video recording
- Level 7 wind resistance
- Carrying case
- Three-speed modules
- Weighs 520 g
- Supports 32GB memory card
- Dual-band WiFi – 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz
- Excellent photo quality – Ultra HD 4K
- 120-degree FOV camera for full frames
- Provides ample time in the air
- Great control over long distances and live video transmission up to 1,614 ft.
- Super easy flight system for beginners
- Free warranty for 90 days and 30-day return policy
- Max flying height 393 ft.
- Needs to be registered with the Federal Aviation Administration
- Might have controller problems after a few flights
3. Holy Stone HS700D FPV Drone
Why We Like This Drone
The Holy Stone HS700D FPV Drone works perfectly for small to medium-sized properties. It doesn’t have a long battery life, but what it lacks there, it compensates in transmission power and map structure.
You can select a specific route you want the drone to follow and have it do all the work. This feature isn’t often seen in this category, setting this drone apart from the crowd.
Key Features
- 90-degree Adjustable Camera
- 5G Transmission
- 2K Full HD with 110-degree field of view
- GPS location
- 2800 mAh battery
- 2204 1500KV Brushless Motor
- Quick-release propellers
- Quick Launch with one key
- Headless Mode
- Double frequency: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz
- Live video recording
- Auto Return
- Custom flight map
- Weighs 608 g
- Charges in 5-7 hours
- 5G transmission for fast connection and stable live recordings
- Creates amazing panoramic videos
- GPS and custom flight map
- Quiet and maintenance-free motor
- A quick one-button launch system
- Max flight time: 22 minutes
- Needs to be registered with the Federal Aviation Administration
- No microSD card
- 2K Camera
Best Mid-Range Drones for Real Estate Reviews
When it comes to mid-range drones, you can nicely balance the price with the quality and features. This category has drones with prices that vary between $350 and $1,000.
You will have to take a bit more out of your pocket for these, but with a mid-range drone, you can shoot videos and photos for real estate listings, social media marketing, and general commercial use.
Who mid-range drones are best used by
You need a mid-range drone if you have at least a few months of experience with piloting drones. As someone who works in the real estate industry, this is an excellent fit if you want to create quality presentation videos and indoor/aerial tours or take panoramic photos.
The difference between a mid-range drone and an affordable one is that with the mid-range drone, you can use the content you create in your business without looking cheap. Many small real estate companies use drones from this category to add value to their services.
To get the most out of it, we recommend you hire a professional drone pilot. This is important if you have complex creative ideas that you want to put in practice. Otherwise, keep things simple and work with the traditional aerial/indoor tours yourself.
Whether you hire someone or fly the drone yourself, the unique shots you’ll take will draw people toward the properties you’re promoting.
Good and bad features about mid-range drones
Good features:
- Good storage capacity. Running out of storage when you’re in the middle of a shooting is not desirable. Luckily, most mid-range drones come with internal storage and space for a microSD card
- Excellent video/photo quality. After using one of these drones, you will see a return on investment because the quality of the videos and photos is more than enough to be used in advertising. It’s not Hollywood-tier, but it’s great for showcasing small properties, plots of land, and so on
- Better stabilization. Mid-range drones work well for aerial tours because they have unique gimbal stabilization for windy conditions
- Extended range control and transmission. As opposed to an affordable drone, a mid-range drone has a strong signal, allowing you to film large areas without having to relocate
- Speed. Some drones have a sport mode that provides speeds up to 25-30 mph. They are perfect for high-pace videos and tracking moving objects
- Temperature resistance
Bad features:
- Shorter flying time. With more features comes a higher energy consumption. Even though companies use lithium batteries for the drones, most can only stay in the air for less than 20 minutes
- Lack of obstacle detection/avoidance systems. Just as with the affordable drones, most mid-range drones don’t have this feature installed. There is a chance of accidents if you’re not a good pilot
- Can be tricky to set up and master since they have more features
1. DJI Mavic Air Quadcopter
Why We Like This Drone
DJI is a well-known brand in the drone industry, and they always try to deliver quality products. The Mavic Air Quadcopter is no exception and is excellent for all types of real estate.
Being a mid-range drone, it doesn’t have the materials and features that come with top-quality devices. Still, it does exceed the expectations when compared to the price.
It’s perfect for aerial tours, but you will want to mostly use it in good weather since the stabilizers do not do well in adverse conditions.
Key Features
- 32 MP panorama sits
- 4K video – 60 FPS
- 3-axis gimbal stabilizer
- Maximum distance of 6,562 feet
- Lithium battery
- Foldable remote controller
- Quick flight mode
- DJI GO editor
- Safe Flight mode with GPS + GLONASS
- SmartCapture
- Charger and power cable
- 4x propellers
- 1x set of propeller guards
- RC cables
- USB adapter
- 3D Foldable Design
- Carrying Case
- Weighs 430 g
- 32 MP camera with vertical, horizontal and 180-degree views
- 100 Mbps Video
- 8 GB internal storage
- Safe flight mode
- Can shoot large properties
- Option to use the phone as a controller
- HDR photos
- Slow Motion video mode
- 21-minute battery life; some users say it can be shorter
- Signal problems over long distances
- Poor stability in adverse weather
2. Autel Robotics EVO Drone
Why We Like This Drone
The Autel Robotics EVO Drone is one of the best drones in the mid-range category, offering high-quality footage in 4K and 60 FPS, as well as 720p live recording. It has a 4300mAh battery that gives you plenty of flying time on large properties.
Also, it is packed with useful features to help you make videos that sell. You are sure to love the obstacle detection systems, the stabilizer, and the software options. It’s a perfect choice for anyone who wants to create captivating videos at a more than acceptable price.
Key Features
- 4K Video at 60 FPS
- 3-axis gimbal stabilizer
- Obstacle avoidance systems
- 3.3-inch built-in OLED screen
- Live video recording at 720p
- microSD card up to 128GB
- All around sensors
- 1.3 hour recharge time
- Autel Explorer application for various flight features
- Weighs 2.1kg
- Excellent stabilization for presentation videos
- Vibrant colors
- Long-distance control of up to 4.4 miles
- External memory
- No geo-fence software to inhibit flying
- Live video recording
- Dual GPS
- Video sizes can be large
- 12 MP camera for photos
- 30 Minute flight time
3. Parrot PF728000 Anafi Drone
Why We Like This Drone
This drone comes with so many features, from a 21 MP camera to a 4k video option, software modes, and a great range. It’s excellent for doing small to medium-sized properties, but we wouldn’t say it’s the best in this mid-range section.
The features might be excellent, but some of them are tricky to use. Also, because of so many software updates, there’s a chance you will experience bugs from time to time. Overall, at this price point, you can’t go wrong with the Parrot. Just make sure you watch where you fly because it doesn’t have an obstacle avoidance system.
Key Features
- Wide Angle ASPH lens
- HDR photos
- 4K and 2.7K videos
- 21 MP camera
- Burst mode for up to 10 pictures per second
- Li-Po intelligent battery
- USB type C charger
- Weighs 320g
- Three folding remote control
- Geofence
- SmartRth
- Find my Drone functions
- FreeFlight application
- Charging power: 24W
- 2.48 miles range
- Durable case
- 4k videos and Full HD photos
- 21 MP camera
- Rapid charging
- Functional in temperatures between -10°C to 40°C
- Lightweight, easy to carry
- Performs well even in winds up to 31 mph
- A maximum speed of 34 mph
- Continuous software updates that improve its features
- Weak Wifi signal in some areas
- Unreliable customer support according to users
- No obstacle avoidance system
4. DJI Spark with Remote Control Combo
Why We Like This Drone
This drone does not have the flight time that similar models offer, but it makes up for it in many other ways. The combined features, the 3D obstacle detection system, the GPS, and the Full HD videos make it a steal at just over $500.
Perfect for indoor shots, aerial tours, and panoramic photos, this drone will help you show clients the value of your service and your properties.
Key Features
- Remote Control and accessory kit
- 2-axis gimbal stabilizer
- 12 MP Camera
- 1080P at 30 FPS videos
- Tap Fly control
- 3D Obstacle detection systems
- 1.2 miles range
- Three pairs of quick release folding propellers
- Intelligent flight battery
- Micro USB cable
- Hard foam storage box
- DJI GO application
- Obstacle detection system
- GPS and position-based navigation
- Long Distance Control of up to 1.2 miles
- 31 mph top speed
- Multiple flight modes
- Easy to carry
- Low flight time of 16 minutes
- Not the best image resolution
- Works only on Android or IOS 10.0 or above
- Can sometimes overheat after use and has a long cooldown time
- Might be hard to set up for a beginner
Best Professional Drones for Real Estate Reviews
Professional drones are used solely for commercial use. These drones are not for hobby and recreational purposes, even though they could be used that way.
Most are priced between $1,500 and $3,000, but you can find drones at higher price points. You can decide which model you need based on how you plan to use your drone.
When it comes to real estate, the best models will give you fantastic video quality, smooth transitions, and stable flying mode for perfect aerial tours. They also should have slow motion and subject tracking modes if you want to create an indoor tour where the drone follows the real estate agent.
As we said, it’s all about what you want to focus on and the value you will provide to clients.
Who professional drones drones are best used by
These drones are not for the faint of heart or for those who don’t have the financial means to buy them. You will want to be sure of your piloting skills because breaking one of these will come at a substantial cost.
If you plan on creating stunning videos for your property listings, with clear shots and high frame rates, then professional is your category. One downside here is that these drones should to be handled by FAA licensed drone pilots.
Most established real estate companies use professional drones, especially for mansions, resorts, and land investments. If you are ready to step up your real estate marketing, then these drones are for you.
Good and bad features about professional drones
Good features:
- The highest quality videos/photos. They provide HDR 4k videos with 100 Mbps and 60 FPS
- Wide field of view and fantastic panoramic options
- Obstacle detection systems
- Draw mode for charting routes
- Active tracking
- Gimbal stabilization for high winds and various weather conditions
- Functional in both low and high temperatures
- Subject recognition
- Multiple tracking and GPS applications
- Safe landing and launching
- Silent and energy-efficient motor
Bad features:
- Low battery life
- Expensive parts
- Must be FAA registered
- Possible software bugs because of how many features they have
- Unnecessary updates that can clog the system
- Hard to set up and configure
- Hard to maneuver and control in the air
1. DJI Phantom 4 PRO Professional Drone
Why We Like This Drone
For those that want a professional drone that does it all and doesn’t burn a hole in your pocket, this is a fantastic option. It’s not the best from DJI, but you can use it for indoor or outdoor tours, especially for tight shots when you need to follow the real estate agent carefully.
Also, the stabilizers, route planner, and high-quality camera give you everything you need to shoot a commercial-grade video. While this is a serious investment, you are sure to produce worthwhile marketing videos.
Key Features
- 20 MP Camera with a 1-inch sensor
- Five direction obstacle detection systems
- 4K video at 60 FPS or 30 FPS with 100 Mbps
- Lockable altitude and personalized routes
- Subject recognition
- One tap fly mode
- Return to home mode
- Dual compass modules for stable flights
- DJI GO application
- HDMI port
- MicroSD card slot
- Microphone
- Embedded loudspeaker
- 4K / 100 Mbps and 60 FPS videos
- 20 MP 1-inch sensor camera
- Obstacle detection system
- Double transmission – 2.8 GHz and 5.8 GHz for stable signal
- Vivid Colors
- Select the exact routes you want your drone to fly
- Subject recognition with three different modes
- 30-minute maximum flight time
- Software bugs
- Short-distance video feed
- The subject tracking sometimes glitches at high speeds
2. DJI Mavic 2 Pro Drone Quadcopter
Why We Like This Drone
Probably the highest quality drone in the $1,500 price range, this DJI Mavic 2 Pro Drone Quadcopter comes with a ton of features and functions.
It weighs a bit under 1kg, but that’s a good thing for outdoor filming. However, it is not that great for shooting tight indoor spaces. Other than that, it offers anything a real estate company would need to create stunning videos.
Key Features
- 20 MP Camera with 1-inch CMOS sensor
- Weights 907 g
- 3-axis gimbal stabilizer
- 8GB internal storage
- MicroSD card slot up to 128 GB
- 4K Video
- ActiveTrack 2.0
- Omnidirectional obstacle detection systems
- Low noise
- HDR photos
- Adjustable Aperture
- Intelligent flight battery
- 3x pairs of propellers
- USB 3.0 Type C cable
- USB adapter
- Spare control sticks
- RC Cables
- 2.4/5.8 GHz dual frequency
- Download speeds of 40mbps
- High-speed tracking
- HyperLight
- 20 MP camera
- A maximum speed of 44 mph
- Functional in temperatures between -10°C to 40°C
- The software can cause limitations when flying and is known to be buggy
3. DJI Inspire 2 Quadcopter
Why We Like This Drone
The most expensive drone we have on the list, at a little over $3,500, this sci-fi looking beast is perfect for professionals. In the hands of an expert, this drone can create Hollywood-level videos.
If you want to be a master storyteller and persuade people into buying or renting your listing, then you need to get this drone today.
Key Features
- Cinema DNG and Apple ProRes
- 4K and 5.2K videos
- Advanced obstacle detection systems; can detect obstacles up to 30 meters ahead
- Spotlight Pro with Composition and Quick shooting modes
- Active Tracking
- Tap Flying mode
- 2-axis camera
- Real-time map of the flight routes
- Return home mode
- DJI Lightbridge technology
- Live Transmission of up to 4.3 miles with 1080/720P video formats
- Dual-frequency: 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz
- High-quality videos and photos
- A top-tier obstacle detection system
- Multiple flight mode options
- Return home mode when there’s no signal
- Long-distance transmission
- HD Live recording
- 90-day warranty for return or replacement
- Regular software updates that might create bugs
- Hard to set up and install
- Hard to fix problems when they appear
Which should you choose?
As you’ve seen, there are plenty of drones that provide a range of features and a few downsides. Deciding what’s the best one for you and your real estate business comes down to some of these factors:
- Budget
- Experience
- Types of properties you want to showcase
- The features you need
- Flying skill level
Keep this in mind and take a good look at our reviews, as well as others. Think about what type of videos you want to make and how they will impact your clients.
No matter what you choose, do your best to tell a story with your videos and photos. Research has shown that real estate companies sell 50% to 70% more properties when they use drones for listings. Get your drone now so you can start selling more properties!
Further Reading: Real estate photography is one of the most important pieces of marketing a home for sale today. Read these articles for more information about taking real estate photographs.
