Looking for an efficient way to charge drones out in the field? Pilots traveling between jobs might have to rely on weak car chargers or coffee shop pit stops to recharge. For pilots literally out in the field, there might be no way to recharge, period.

That’s where portable power stations come in. Portable powerful stations have become easier to come buy, cheaper to buy, and, well, more powerful in recent years.

Among the most notable picks you’ll find in this guide? Two products made from the world’s largest drone maker itself: DJI. That’s because, in April 2024, DJI just unveiled two impressive options of its own. Those are the DJI Power 1000 and DJI Power 500, both designed to keep your drone soaring on the go.

The more established names in portable power stations include Jackery, which also stands as one of the leading manufacturers of efficient solar generators. There’s also Bluetti, which even scored a CES 2023 Innovation Product Award for its solar power system.

But it’s perhaps most difficult to take our eyes off of DJI’s offerings, which are newest to market of any picks in this guide. Despite being known for drones, DJI’s portable power stations are a logical fit. After all, the company has more than a decade’s worth of battery research and development.

So with that, here’s your ultimate guide to the best portable power stations on the market today.

The best portable power stations to charge drones with

Traditionally, drone pilots have relied on car chargers or bulky generators to recharge in the field. Car chargers offer limited power and slow charging times, while generators can be noisy, fumey, and bulky to transport.

Portable power stations offer a sleek, silent, and powerful solution. For example, DJI’s Power 1000 generates just 23 dB, which is quieter than most household refrigerators.

And you don’t necessarily need to be a drone pilot to benefit from portable power stations. These products appeal to campers, who want to keep phones and lights recharged without the blaring noise of a generator disrupting their peace out in nature.

Even if you’re not camping, these products are great to have on hand at home in case the power goes out and in other emergency situations — especially if storms put out the power for extended periods of time.

So with that, here’s a guide to some of the best options, specifically chosen for the needs of drone pilots (but great picks all around for anyone):

DJI Power 1000

Perhaps unsurprisingly that one of the best portable power stations for charging drones comes from the world’s largest drone maker itself, DJI.

DJI launched the Power 1000 in April 2024 as the ultimate accessory for drone pilots flying out in the field. This powerhouse offers exceptionally high capacity and is perfect for extended trips or multiple drone batteries. It boasts fast charging, capable of itself being fully charged in just 70 minutes. It can be charged to 80% in just 50 minutes.

Here are some other key specs on the DJI Power 1000:

• Battery capacity of 1024 Wh
• Weighs 13 kg
• Maximum power output of 2200W

When you pair this charging station with separately-sold charging cables that integrate with certain DJI drone batteries, a 10%-charged battery can get to 95% within about 30 minutes. That’s via the DJI Power SDC super-fast charge function, which works with most of DJI’s newer drones.

It has two 140W USB-C output ports, with a total power output of up to 280W. Additionally, it supports both 1200W Fast Recharge Mode and 600W Standard Recharge Mode. And, it pairs with the Zignes 100W Solar Panel for solar charing, too.

Though the sticker price is $999, we’ve seen it as low as $699 on third-party retailers such as B&H Photo.

• Purchase the DJI Power 1000 now from B&H Photo.
• Purchase the DJI Power 1000 now from Amazon.

DJI Power 500

More portable than its bigger sibling, the Power 500 is ideal for shorter adventures and fits well in a backpack. It prioritizes fast charging as well; again, it can be fully charged in 70 minutes.

Here are some other key specs on the DJI Power 500:

• Battery capacity of 512 Wh
• Weighs 7.3 kg
• Maximum power output of 1000W

That same DJI Power SDC super-fast charge function found in the 1000 also functions here, too. It has two 100W USB-C output ports, with a total power output of up to 200W. Additionally, it supports both 5400W Fast Recharge Mode and 270W Standard Recharge Mode.

It’s basically half as powerful as the DJI Power 1000. But, it’s also delightfully half the price. It comes in at just $499 (though there tend to be frequent sales on this product. I’d consider $379 to be a really great price).

• Purchase the DJI Power 500 now from Amazon.

EcoFlow River 2 Pro (768 Wh)

At just $429, this is the most affordable portable charging station in this guide. Sure, you’re not using this to power an RV, but it’s still certainly more than enough for drone pilots on the go. It can charge a 40WH drone 15 times in one charge.

The station itself can fully recharge in just 70 minutes. And, it’s rated for 3000 full charge cycles. That means you could recharge it every day for more than 8 years.

Not only is it affordable, but its also lightweight, too, coming in at 17.2 lbs. A built-in handle also makes it extra portable.

It’s actually more powerful than the DJI Power 500, yet it’s about $70 cheaper. So what’s the drawback? One big one: no USB-A. USB-A is the most commonly known USB type, which is a real letdown to not have it.

• Purchase the EcoFlow River 2 Pro now from Amazon.
• Purchase the EcoFlow River 2 Pro now from B&H.

Jackery E2000 Plus Kit (4kWh) Portable Power Station

This high-end option is among the most powerful (and expensive) stations in this guide. Don’t settle for just charging consumer drones. This would power up high-end drones, as well as even more robust objects needing power such as RVs and large appliances. It costs $1,999.

Here’s where this product gets extra compelling: the potential for a 30% tax credit. This purchase makes you eligible to claim the residential clean energy credit. Though, contact your utility provider to confirm eligibility and find out more about the requirements for Residential Clean Energy Credit programs.

With 10 total ports, options include AC, USB-A, and USB-C. It has a rated max output of 1,800 W and a rated capacity of 3,000 Wh. It takes 2 hours to get back to a full AC recharge (though it can get to 80% in 1.3 hours). The unit itself is rated for 4000 full charge cycles.

It also supports capacity expansion, as the Explorer 2000 Plus can be expanded up to 12 kWh. What’s more, it can be expanded up to 24 kWh when paired with a parallel drain plug.

• Buy the Jackery E2000 Plus Kit now from Amazon.

Bluetti AC200MAX (2048Wh)

The king of capacity in this group, the AC200MAX can handle the most demanding drone shoots and power your entire campsite. Yes, that NEMA TT-30 and 12V/30A DC port are perfect for RV dwellers.

It boasts various ports and supports solar panel charging (at an additional cost) for extended use. Wireless charging adds even more convenience. Consider it capable of powering most appliances less than 2200W.

Just how powerful is it? You could charge a 50Wh drone 34 times. Or, you could charge a 10 Wh phone 170 times. You might use it to power a 60W fridge for 28 hours straight.

At $1,699, it’s slightly less expensive than the $1,999 Jackery 32000 Plus Kit named above, despite being more powerful by some metrics? Why, it promises just 3,500 charge cycles versus the Jackery’s 4,000. But, you might never even hit 3,500. 4,000 charge cycles means a recharge every day for nearly 11 years.

And though you can charge AC200MAX with solar panels and wall outlet simultaneously, you will need a second Bluetti AC adapter for dual AC charging.

• Buy the Bluetti AC200MA now from Amazon.com.

Drone Girl’s picks, compared

Those are quite a few options. So how do they really stack up against each other? Here’s a look at some of their key features, compared:

Choosing the best portable power station for your specific needs

The best overall portable power stations I’d recommend in some capacity are named above. But how do you pick the best one specific to you? Consider some of the following factors:

Your own drone’s battery requirements: How many watt-hours (Wh) does your drone battery consume? A station’s capacity (Wh) should be high enough to recharge your battery multiple times.

Mobile app integration: One of the best, nice-to-have-features you’ll find on a portable power station? Smartphone app integration. With this, stations give you the ability to execute tasks like monitoring battery life and controlling power output.

The number of devices you need to charge at once: Are you just charging your drone, or do you need to power laptops, cameras, and other gadgets? The number and type of ports (USB-A, USB-C, AC outlets) will determine how many devices you can charge simultaneously.

The ability to recharge your portable charger: What if your portable power station runs out of power? That might very well be the case for, well, power uses. If so, consider prioritizing power stations with built-in solar panel compatibility. For example, DJI sells a Zignes 100W Solar Panel designed to integrate with the DJI Power 1000/500 using the DJI Power Solar Panel Adapter Module.

That makes not just for eco-friendly recharging, but recharging specifically on the go.

Portability: Do you prioritize a lightweight option for easy backpacking, or can you handle a heavier station with a larger capacity?

Budget: And of course, portable power stations range in price depending on capacity, features, and brand. These picks suit a range of budgets — which might ultimately be the final determining factor.

Safety: Last but not least is safety. Look for stations with built-in protections against overcharging, short circuits, and overheating. Make sure the station’s output wattage is compatible with your devices to avoid damage.

And don’t overlook other safety standards. For example, both the DJI Power 1000/500 have passed 26 product test certifications from the Swiss third-party testing authority, SGS. Meanwhile it’s built with fuses and flame-retardant, high strength material.

The post How to charge drones on the go using DJI Power (and other portable charging stations) appeared first on The Drone Girl.

Looking to get an awesome gift for a child? Maybe you’re an educator looking to get a drone to facilitate a child’s learning about STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and math).

Whether you’re looking into the best drones for kids for their education or for their entertainment (or ahem, both!), drones are a fantastic tool to enrich a kid’s life.

Looking for more guides around drones and kids?

• If you’re looking to use drones in classrooms: The best educational drone for a STEM program
• If you want the best drone for flying indoors (great for rainy days or just for better keeping an eye on kids!): The best indoor drones
• If you want your kids to read about drones: The best drone children’s books

The best drone for kids overall of 2024: Tello

The best drone for kids by a long shot is  Tello, a $159 kid-friendly drone that combines DJI flight technology and an Intel processor to create a budget camera drone that also can be used to teach newbies the basics of programming. It’s a great little drone for people looking for a low-cost introduction to stunt flying and shooting videos, as well as people looking to learn how to use drones and how to code, making it one of my favorite educational tools, too. The Tello drone, which weighs just 80 grams, can fly for 13 minutes and shoot 5-megapixel photos.

Price: $159

Flight time: 13 minutes

• Buy it from Amazon.com

Read my full review of the Tello drone here.

Was the Tello drone discontinued?

Now if that all sounds too good to be true, sadly it might be. It appears that Tello might be discontinued. As of mid-to-late 2024, the $99 Tello drone appears as sold out on DJI’s stop. Third parties such as Amazon still sell Tello. But even there, quantities are limited (mostly to used versions only).

The Drone Girl reached out to DJI for official comment and only got a vague answer.

“Currently, the Tello series is still being sold in the United States, and we will continue to provide technical and after-sales support to the customers,” a DJI spokesperson told The Drone Girl. “We have been working hard to provide global users with drone products that meet different needs. We will continue to launch new products that are accessible, easier to use, and meet entry-level or educational needs, so stay tuned.”

As for you, jump on this one now if you want a Tello drone. Otherwise, it’s potentially gone for good.

The best if you want to quickly get in the air and learn how to fly: Tomzon Mini Drone

The Tomzon Mini Drone ($32.99) is very similar. We’ve grouped them because they almost seem like the same drone. Go for the former as it’s typically cheaper. But if it’s sold out – or you find the latter on sale — which it frequently is — then it might end up working out.

Both are super simple to get flying. There’s no app to connect with or no fiddling with syncing it to your phone. But while that’s a blessing, it’s also a curse. With this drone, there’s no smartphone connection to see what the drone’s camera could be seeing. Well, this drone doesn’t even have a camera to begin with. These drones are strictly for flying (and are capable of some stunts like “3D rollover”). They have a few modes including high and low-speed modes or headless and compass modes. Thus both are great if your primary goal is learning how to fly.

Price: $32.99

Flight time: 8 minutes

Read my full review of the Tomzon Mini Drone here.

The best if you want to build your drone: Techvio Mini Drone

This DIY Drone Build Kit comes with 159 easy-build pieces, so kids can build their drones and different styles and colors. The body is made out of Lego-like blocks for an easy build process for all ages.

Once flying, the drone has several features that make it easy to fly for kids and beginners like altitude hold and one key take off/land. Kids can learn the basics of building drones, while also having fun flying their custom-built drone.

Price: $62.99

Flight Time: about 10-15 minutes

The best toy drone for dinosaur lovers: Pterosaur Drone

This mini drone dinosaur toy comes with a simulated look and a pterodactyl shape. For $39.99, you can have a fun, easy to fly drone that is perfect for any dinosaur lover. The drone even roars like a dinosaur at the press of a button.

This drone comes equipped with many of the beginner toy drone features that make it ideal for kids and first-time flyers, like one key takeoff/landing, headless mode, speed setting and more.

Price: $45 (on sale for $39.99)

Flight time: 14 minutes

The post The best drones for kids in 2024 appeared first on The Drone Girl.

A lot of people fly drones outside, but what about inside? Whether the weather is rough outside, or just the airspace is too chaotic to operate in, flying indoors is often a preferred solution. But drones don’t always perform well inside. Some drones are BETTER when flown indoors. So with that, here are the best indoor drones of 2024:

Many of the drones in this guide are on the cheaper end, which sadly means they don’t hold up well in the slightest breeze. But many also work great outside, providing you with the most options. Our top pick among the best indoor drones out there has an incredible Level 5 Wind resistance.

Oh, and by the way, if you’re seeking advice and legal guidance around flying drones indoors, I’ve got you covered right here.

So without further adieu, here are the best indoor drones of 2024:

The best indoor drone: DJI Avata

Price: Starts at $579

Flight time: 18 minutes per battery

Camera? Yes; 1/1.7” CMOS sensor with 48 million effective pixels. Films at 4K/60fps and slow-motion footage at 2.7K/50/60/100/120fps.

DJI released its Avata drone in the summer of 2022 as a Cinewhoop-style FPV drone, made with indoor drone flights in mind. At just 180×180 mm in width and length, it’s ideal in tight spaces. Plus, it weighs just 405 grams. Built-in propeller guards eliminate the risk of scratching walls or other items inside, should you crash.

The Avata drone is a bit different from all the others in this list in that it’s an FPV drone (thus is designed to be flown with FPV goggles). It was also designed to be flown with what DJI calls a Motion Controller, differentiating itself from standard controllers with sticks. However, if you prefer flying line of sight and want to use a standard controller, you can do that too, by way of the DJI FPV Remote Controller 2, which you can buy for less than $230.

This drone wins as the best indoor drone not just for its ease of use, small size, and beginner-friendly modes, but comes out on top for its camera. Some DJI Avata camera specs:

• 1/1.7” CMOS sensor
• 48 million effective pixels
• Films at 4K/60fps and slow-motion footage at 2.7K/50/60/100/120fps.
• f/2.8 aperture
• An ultra-wide-angle lens with a viewing angle of up to 155°
• D-Cinelike color mode for a broader color palette that enables detailed chromatic adjustments

DJI Avata is the best indoor drone, but it also holds up incredibly well outside thanks to Level 5 max wind resistance. That means it can fly at wind speeds ranging from 19 to 24 miles per hour (which is about the equivalent of winds that generate moderate waves at the beach). 

Avata is absolutely amazing for so many use cases, indoors and out. Here’s an example of how the Avata effortlessly executed an incredible real estate tour:

The standalone Avata goes for $579, though it can run upwards of $1,398 for the Pro-View Combo with DJI Goggles 2. The Fly More Kit goes for $279.

• Purchase Avata now from Amazon
• Purchase Avata now from B&H Photo

The best indoor drone if you’re on a budget: Tello (as long as you can find it)

Price: $159

Flight time: 13 minutes per battery

Camera? Yes; 5-megapixel camera and shoots 720p video

The Tello is an all-around awesome drone. It does it all, and it does it all well.

It’s great indoors, but it still flies well in most conditions outdoors. It’s got a camera that takes decently great photos. It can perform stunts like flips to make the act of flying a bit more fun. It can even teach you how to code.

While it’s technically made by a company called Ryze, the drone often gets put under the DJI umbrella of drones because it was built using DJI flight technology— and an Intel processor.

The drone doesn’t come with an RC transmitter. Instead, it’s controlled via a mobile app (or an external one can be purchased separately). You can also control it via hand gestures. Video quality is decent for a $159 drone, but it doesn’t compare to DJI’s camera drones like the Mavic 3 Pro, or even the $399 Mavic Mini.

One standout feature is how the Tello can teach you how to code, making it an excellent STEM drone. The drone pairs integrate with a programming language called Scratch. With it, you can program the drone to fly in certain directions based on the “code” you have written.

All that for under $200 is a pretty good deal.

Best place to buy: Amazon ($159)

Was the Tello drone discontinued?

Now if that all sounds too good to be true, sadly it might be. It appears that Tello might be discontinued. As of mid-to-late 2024, the $99 Tello drone appears as sold out on DJI’s stop. Third-parties such as Amazon still sell Tello. But even there, quantities are limited (mostly to used versions only).

The Drone Girl reached out to DJI for official comment, and only got a vague answer.

“Currently, the Tello series is still being sold in the United States, and we will continue to provide technical and after-sales support to the customers,” a DJI spokesperson told The Drone Girl. “We have been working hard to provide global users with drone products that meet different needs. We will continue to launch new products that are accessible, easier to use and meet entry-level or educational needs, so stay tuned.”

As for you, jump on this one now if you want a Tello drone. Otherwise, it’s potentially gone for good.

The best indoor drone if you also want to fly outdoors: DJI Mini 4

Price: $769

Flight time: 34 minutes per battery

Camera? Yes; 1/1.3-inch CMOS camera; shoots images at up to 48MP and video up to 4k/60fps

The DJI Mini 4 Pro is designed as an outdoor drone, and I recommend mostly using it for outdoor flying. However, it stands out for its omnidirectional obstacle avoidance. While DJI won’t outright call it crash-proof, this is pretty much as close as you can get.

Here are some DJI Mini 4 camera specs:

• A 1/1.3-inch CMOS camera sensor with dual native ISO: This means footage from either camera can be packed with rich coloring and natural lighting transitions.
• Aperture: f/1.7, which is ideal for low-light and nighttime performance 
• High-quality capture: It shoots images at up to 48MP and video at up to 4k/60fps 
• Digital video zoom: It’s available up to 2x in 4k, up to 4x
• HDR Video recording: Available in 4k/60fps 
• Night Shots video: Delivers clear, cleaner footage in low-light conditions  

Additionally, the DJI Mini 4 Pro is under 249g, films high-quality photos and videos, and is the best drone option if you are looking for a drone that gives you the versatility of flying indoors and out.

Best place to buy: Amazon ($769)

Best indoor drones for Star Wars fanatics: Propel Star Wars High-Performance Battle Drone (with collectors edition box!)

Price: $140

Flight time: 5 minutes per battery

Camera? No

Star Wars nerds! Whether you love Baby Yoda, Kylo Ren, Ewoks, or all of the above (that would be me!), the Propel Star Wars Battle Drones are incredible. No other drones in this guide have the combination of aesthetically stunning AND truly fun to fly.

They’re hand-painted and highly realistic drones, arriving in all sorts of various designs like a tie fighter, speeder bike, or X-Wing. Not only do the Propel drones fly, but they can also actually battle. That’s possible due to eye-safe lasers that can be fired at other Star Wars drones. You can pair drones together to turn them into a battle game, where the drone wobbles and the controller vibrates in your hand if hit. After three hits, the drone will crash land.

Also, you can either play with a buddy. Or, if you’re truly in single isolation, you can battle against others via a system that records, combines, and compares your performance against virtual players in the world.

Now at $140, this one is not cheap. Consider it more of a collector’s item or an amazing gift for a diehard Star Wars fan. It’s listed at $140, though you can often find it for far less. Set a price alert or browse many websites for the best deal.

Best place to buy: Amazon ($140)

If you’re curious about drone racing: the Fat Shark 101 Training system

Price: $250

Camera? FPV camera

Fat Shark’s FPV (first-person view) headsets are the gold standard among drone racing pros. But even if you’re not a pro, there’s great news. Also, Fat Shark makes a kit with everything you need to get started drone racing.

However, with the Fat Shark 101 Training system, you get a radio, goggles and tiny quadcopter all in one kit. The RC transmitter has two modes for beginners and more advanced pilots, giving you an opportunity to improve your skills as you’re at home self-quarantining.

I love how easy this kit is to upgrade. While the quality of each individual piece is good, should you decide to step it up, you can swap out individual pieces (ie. just the goggles, or just the drone) and incorporate them into the kit.

Best place to buy: Get FPV ($249)

Now for the bad news. As of publication, this drone is out of stock. However, GetFPV’s product page allows you to subscribe to alerts where the company will notify you when the product is back in stock, which you can do via this webpage.

Read my full FatShark FPV drone kit here.

Best true FPV drone: the Flywoo Explorer with Naked GoPro 10

Price: Naked camera ($689) and drone itself costs ($489), putting this total kit at just over $1,100.

Camera? Flywoo Naked GoPro 10 Action Camera

For a true FPV drone, there’s no better bet than the Flywoo Explorer LR 4″ Quadcopter HD w/ DJI O3. Fly it with the Flywoo Naked GoPro 10 Action Camera w/ Touchscreen + Filter Set mounted on top, and you’re looking at incredibly high-quality footage.

This one stands out as an especially great indoor drone for its 4″ size, enabling it to better fit through tight spaces. Plus, that help it makes a lot less noise than a 6-7″ drone.

This drone is best when used in tandem with the the Flywoo Naked GoPro 10 Action Camera w/ Touchscreen + Filter Set, which is effectively a GoPro Hero 10. Flywoo took it and stripped out all the unnecessary features beyond what you need for FPV flying to make it weigh just 44 grams (critical in your FPV flight).

I especially love this pick if you’re looking for an indoor drone for real estate agents.

The best indoor drone if you want to record sound: HoverAir X1 

Price: $439 (frequently on sale for $399)

Flight Time: 11 minutes per battery 

Camera? Yes; 12-megapixel camera and shoots 2.7k video 

The HoverAir X1 does not come with a controller. Instead, it flies with a selection of pre-programmed paths, including Hover, Follow, Zoom Out, Orbit, and Bird’s Eye. If flying indoors, I recommend flying with manual control mode ensuring total control. 

The stand-out feature of the HoverAir X1 is its ability to record sound. The drone records sound from your phone (the controller). While the sound quality itself is pretty solid, the sound does not always match up to the video recording. HoverAir X1 recommends downloading a third-party app to edit the sound to fix this issue. 

The HoverAir X1 can do all the same features outdoors, has a level 4 wind resistance, and reaches a maximum height of 15m. You can read an in-depth review of the HoverAir X1 here.

Best place to buy: Directly from the HoverAir website for $439

A cheaper alternative to the Mini 4 Pro: DJI Mini 2

Price: $379

Flight time: 31 minutes per battery (or about 20 with the propeller guards)

Camera? Yes; 5-megapixel camera and shoots 720p video

The DJI Mini 2 was designed for outdoor flight, and should primarily be flown outdoors. That said, it’s surprisingly well-suited for indoor flying. Given that it’s just 11.3 inches wide when unfolded (including the propellers) and the average interior doorway is about 30 inches, it has more than enough clearance to fly through doorways. The Mini 2 also comes with lightweight propeller guards to keep your walls and indoor objects safe. Plus, it made the list of the best DJI drones under $500.

With the Mini 2, you will lose out on video and photo quality compared to the Mini 4 Pro, but you will certainly save in price.

Best place to buy: Amazon for $379

What are the best indoor drones in your opinion? Leave a comment below!

The post The best indoor drones of 2024 appeared first on The Drone Girl.

Washing building exteriors can be a tedious and time-consuming task, especially for multi-story buildings or hard-to-reach areas. Some homeowners might do it themselves, while others might outsource to a pressure washing company. But even for professionals, human labor is not necessarily the most effective way to wash buildings. That’s where window and building cleaning drones come in.

Building cleaning drones can take the wash tools out of your hands and clean away dirt, grime, and mildew from even the most challenging spots. They eliminate the need for scaffolding or swing stage window washing platforms, which can be expensive and annoying to set up (and still somewhat dangerous for humans to board).

And while building cleaning drones today aren’t exactly ‘cheap,’ they’re getting cheaper. Plus, they’re saving exterior building washing businesses money in plenty of other ways. In being more efficient (no scaffolding necessary), they can get the same work done in less time than it’d take a human. From there, you could take on more jobs — or just bask in free time. Without sending humans up on scaffolding, there’s likely no need for as comprehensive an insurance policy. After all, drone insurance is a lot cheaper than human insurance.

What might normally be a cleaning job requiring eight works and, say, a cost of $150,000, could be brought down to a job requiring just one person (plus a drone). The cost would amount to the roughly $35,000 drone plus one person’s salary for the day.

So you’re intrigued to pick up your own exterior and building cleaning drone? Here’s your guide to the best power washing drones, window washing drones and overall building cleaning drones on the market today:

Best overall building cleaning drone: Lucid Sherpa drone

There’s so much to like about the Lucid Sherpa drone. It’s relatively easy to fly. An add-on payload unlocks window cleaning on top of general building cleaning. Plus, it’s made by an American drone company.

Lucid’s Sherpa drone is a exterior building washing drone that can cover more than 300 square feet a minute. It can fly up to 19 minutes at a time. That means you could, in theory, cover more than 5,000 square feet in a single flight.

The Sherpa Drone can hook into any soft-wash system. Lucid Bots recommends using soft-wash methods of 300 psi.  Though it can fly over 400 feet above ground level (AGL) untethered, the Federal Aviation Administration restricts its height to just 140 feet AGL if tethered.

It’s also safe to fly, thanks to 6 anti-collision lights. Perhaps more importantly is the radar collision prevention system with an obstacle sensing range of 0.5-50m.

Upgrading to the Sherpa window cleaning payload

If you want to clean not just walls but windows too, you can purchase an additional payload called the Sherpa Window Cleaning payload. With it, you’ll get an onboard chemical tank. Given its variable mix ratio, it leaves the cleaning solution to the drone, while separating it from your water supply which in theory you’d have set to a drone hookup (LucidBots recommends deionized water).

Simply mount it to your Lucid Sherpa drone and press a single button. That initiates on-demand washing, rinsing, and repetition. Its makers are so confident in its power that Lucid Bots “guarantees a flawless, streak-free brilliance on every occasion.”

Sherpa drone: is it worth it?

The Lucid Sherpa C1 Cleaning Drone starts at $35,000. Throw in the window cleaning payload, and the price increases to $45,000.

Of course, that price tag doesn’t get you just the drone. You also get four batteries, a repair kit, a case, online training, a one-year warranty and more.

For what it’s worth, Lucid estimates its Sherpa drone can net 80% cost savings compared to traditional cleaning methods. It also claims to offer 400% increased ROI for businesses that use them. In fact, despite the steep cost, Lucid claims most users see a return on their investment after just two jobs.

Lucid Bots is based in Charlotte, North Carolina. In fact, according to the Charlotte Business Journal, it’s one of the top three fastest-growing companies in the city.

Best power washing drone: Apellix Power Wash drone

For something more powerful, check out the Apellix Power Wash drone. Their patented drone makes way for an industrial-strength system of not just any washing, but power washing.

Whereas the Sherpa drone is best for soft-wash methods of 300 psi., this drone can pressure wash at 3,500 psi (240 bar) with 8-10 gpm (30 lpm +) flow to blast away dirt, grease, and debris. 

With this drone, you can choose between either a purely battery-powered model, or one that uses both a battery while also generating ground power via tether for even more power.

The Apellix Power Wash Drones can be used for surface washing and cleaning, but that’s not all. It’s capable of removing oil, grease and other visible and non-visible contaminatio. It can also apply a surface passivator for flash rust prevention or to remove soluble salts. Or, use it to apply biological surface cleaning compounds, and more. 

And like Lucid Bots, this company is also U.S.-based. Apellix is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida.

Apellix Power Wash drone: is it worth it?

All that extra power comes at a cost. Whereas the Lucid Sherpa C1 starts at $35,000 (and runs up to $45,000 for the window cleaning add-on), this one can run nearly double that. While there are some versions that cost roughly the same at $34,000, more upgrades and power more will inflate the price tag as high as $69,000.

That said, Apellix has had some serious endorsements. Among the biggest? The U.S. Army. Apellix is in the developmental stage of a project with the U.S. Army’s chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) response operations to use Apellix tether-controlled drones to decontaminate vehicles on a battlefield.

Budget pick: Spraying kit for DJI Matrice 300 RTK

Here’s your best budget option — particularly if you already own the DJI Matrice 300 RTK drone anyway.

For just about $8,000, you can buy the Spraying kit for DJI Matrice 300 RTK. It comes from French drone hardware accessory maker Flying Eye. Compatible with the DJI Matrice 300 RTK, this spraying kit consists of a boom fitted with 3 standard Teejet nozzles, a pump trolley, adjustable in-pressure meters, and a 30-meter hose. The 50-liter tank has a motor pump available with either a combustion engine or a 230V electric version.

You’d likely use this for situations where you need to treat building exteriors or do light cleaning of areas like roofs or facades.

Since the Matrice 300 RTK isn’t necessarily designed as a spraying drone, it doesn’t have the power to withstand pressure spraying the way our other two picks do. That said, it’s still a pretty compelling proposition, especially given the price. Check it out in action, here.

DJI Matrice 300 RTK with spraying kit: is it worth it?

This is definitely your budget option — and the lower price means you’re making tradeoffs.

For starters, though the kit comes from French company Flying Eye, the drone you’ll fly does not. The Matrice 300 RTK comes from Chinese drone maker DJI. And there’s been quite a bit of controversy as of late around DJI drones, which might be a turnoff to you.

Secondly, the Matrice 300 RTK – though powerful — wasn’t necessarily designed as a spraying drone, so it won’t be able to compensate thrust as well as the other drones here.

But for what it’s worth, the Matrice 300 RTK is still the king of DJI’s Matrice lineup. This powerhouse offers a long flight time of up to 55 minutes (assuming no spraying kit payload) and a 15km transmission range. If you decide you want to get out of the spraying business and into other drone businesses, the Matrice 300 RTK is quite versatile too. With the ability to carry hefty payloads like LiDAR sensors and zoom cameras, you could use this drone for other applications such as search and rescue, infrastructure inspection, and precision agriculture.

And compared to the other drones in this guide, it’s not a bad deal. The drone itself costs a hair more than $10,000. Fly Eye’s spraying kit costs about $8,000, meaning you could get the whole rig for less than $20,000.

• Buy the DJI Matrice 300 Commercial Quadcopter with RTK now from Aerial Tech.
• Buy the DJI Matrice 300 Commercial Quadcopter with RTK now from B&H Photo.

What to know about starting a drone building cleaning businesses

Do I need a drone pilot’s license to start a building cleaning business using drones?

Beyond any other business licenses you may need, the Federal Aviation Administration also requires you hold a drone pilot’s license.

Under FAA regulation Part 107, anyone using drones commercially needs a drone pilot license. Formerly referred to as a “remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating,” you earn that certificate by passing an in-person written exam. Many people refer to this as the “Part 107 test.”

Luckily, it’s not that difficult to pass the test (check out my blog post and video explaining what my test experience was like). Most people learn how to pass this test by enrolling in an online Part 107 course.

You’ll also need to register your drone and ensure it’s Remote ID compliant.

Do I need drone-specific insurance for my building cleaning business?

At least in the eyes of the FAA, no. The FAA has no legal requirements around holding drone insurance (though aviation authorities in other countries sometimes do, so check with your country’s laws if flying outside the U.S.). However, you’ll likely still need small business insurance, which can protect your company and its assets when you face property damage, injuries, lawsuits or other claims that could potentially arise from putting a drone that sprays water and chemicals into the air.

How precise are building cleaning drones?

Unlike, say, photogrammetry drones that rely on mapping software to generate highly precise flight paths, building cleaning drones generally fly manually. Thus, their flight paths are about as precise as the pilot allows them to be.

How do power washing drones work?

Most power washing drones are tethered drones. Demanding such high pressure can otherwise take a toll on the battery life.

All that pressure might also presumably just push the relatively small drone back as the water and cleaning solutions spray out at a powerful clip onto a building. Thus these drones picked in this guide aren’t just any drone with a hose strapped to it. They’re specifically designed to be able to counter the thrust from the power washer while in flight.

The post The best exterior building cleaning drones of 2024 appeared first on The Drone Girl.

GetFPV, which is among the leading independent online retailers for FPV products, shared a list of its best-selling FPV products with The Drone Girl over the past year. 

We found the 11 hottest FPV products from that list to share with you. 

Since DJI announced its first-ever FPV drone back in March 2021, the world of FPV flying and racing continues to grow. And with growth, comes specialization and more products to choose from. Before searching for the right FPV product, determine what you value in your FPV drone. 

Whether you value speed, high-quality images, or are price conscious, GetFPV has FPV products in every category. Below are the 11 hottest for 2024. 

1. DJI Goggles Integra

DJI Goggles Integra allows you to turn a DJI camera drone like your DJI Mavic 3 or Mini 4 Pro into a FPV drone. This means drone users who value DJI’s best consumer camera drones have the aesthetic and freedom of FPV drone flying.  

They launched in March 2023 as a complement to DJI’s Avata drone. For starters, they made flying the Avata drone more immersive and, in theory, easier. More importantly though is that they solved one major problems with the initial Avata launch: clunky goggles with a dangling battery pack.

The DJI Goggles Integra fixed that annoyance by adding an integrated battery headband, making it convenient to wear, and the touch panel has been replaced with a physical button. If you are looking for FPV goggles with a bit more power and upgraded features, try checking out the DJI Goggles 2 combo for $959. 

Purchase on GetFPv for:  $499

2. DJI O3 Air Unit 

The DJI O3 Air Unit boasts DJI’s advanced video transmission technology and is a perfect companion to enhance your FPV flying experience. The compact and lightweight camera won’t significantly add to the weight of the drone, allowing for more agile and longer flights. 

Plus, the DJI 03 Air Unit has a 1/1.7-inch sensor and a 155-degree super-field field of view. The camera with module weighs an impressive 36.4 grams, which is roughly the size of an AA battery! 

Purchase on GetFPV for:  $229

3. RunCam 5 Orange 4k Action Camera

The RunCam Orange camera isn’t quite as powerful as the DJI O3 Air Unit, but it is over 50% cheaper.  The camera can shoot 2.7K at 60fps and support for 4K video. The lens is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, making it more durable when exposed to crashes or collisions. 

Its 38x38x36mm form factor means it can fit into many existing TPU mounts, making it easy to attach to a variety of FPV drones without the need for custom cases. 

Purchase on GetFPV for:  $109.99

4. Gemfan Hurricane Durable 51477 3-Blade Propeller (Set of 4)

If you are more focused on speed over high-quality images then the Gemgan Hurricane Durable 51477 3-Blade Propeller set is for you. The propellers are designed for high-speed performance with a 3-blade design that offers a balance between thrust, efficiency, and noise reduction. 

Weighing only 4.15 grams (that’s approximately the weight of a nickel!), these propellers add minimal weight to the drone. Plus, starting at $2.99, this is a FPV drone accessory that won’t break the bank. 

Purchase on GetFPV for:  $2.99

5. TBS Crossfire Nano Rx Pro

The TBS Crossfire Nano RX Pro is an incredibly small full-range receiver. Its compact size is beneficial for FPV flying, as it allows for more space-saving installations in drones, especially in smaller or tightly built FPV racers and long-range drones. 

Its small size doesn’t lead to compromising on range or performance, making it ideal for FPV pilots who need reliable long-distance control for exploring vast areas or racing at high speeds with precise maneuvering.

Purchase on GetFPV for:  $34.99 

6. EMAX ECO II Series 2207 Motor

The ECO II Series motors from EMAX offer several features that make it a strong addition to your FPV drone flying kit, particularly for those seeking high performance in their flight activities. 

EMAX updated the ECO II to use N52SH arc magnets, providing a more powerful throttle response and the capabilities to achieve high RPMs. Also included in the redesign was a more rounded design and thicker reinforcements to ensure maximum durability. 

Purchase on GetFPV for:  $15.99 

7. CNHL Speedy Pizza Drones 100C XT60 LiPo Battery -1200mAh 6s 

It may be time to change out your old LiPo battery, and the Speedy Pizza Drone LiPo battery is a great choice. With a 1200mAh capacity and 6S configuration, this LiPo battery provides a substantial amount of power to support longer flights and more demanding power needs, which is essential in FPV flying. All of that, plus, a fun pizza box design on the battery!

LiPo batteries have become the most common high performance R/C battery, however, if used, stored, or charged improperly they can become extremely dangerous. Before purchasing any LiPo battery, be sure to check out Drone Girl’s simple guide for safe LiPo battery ownership and use. 

Purchase on GetFPV for:  $21.99 

8. Lumenier AXII HD 2 5.8GHz Patch Visor Antennas

If you own the DJI FPV drone with DJI goggles, the Lumenier AXII HD 2 5.8GHz Patch Visor Antennas might be for you. They are designed specifically to fit DJI FPV goggles. They provide an efficient and durable antenna solution that enhances video reception quality. 

The antennas are circular polarized and directional, optimized for long-range 5.8GHz video reception. A helpful feature of FPV flying, as a clear video feed is essential for navigation and overall flight experience. Also, they come in fun colors so you can choose the visor that matches your style.  

Purchase on GetFPV for:  $49.99 

9. Caddx Ratel Micro Starlight 1200TVL FPV Camera 

The 1/1.8” inch starlight HDR sensor on the Caddx Ratel Micro Starlight FPV Camera is capable of providing excellent night vision. This is a great product for FPV pilots who fly in low light conditions or at night, where standard cameras might struggle. 

The WDR feature ensures that the camera can handle a wide range of lighting conditions effectively, providing clear images even in scenarios with a mix of dark and bright areas. The 165-degrees FOV provides a broad view of the surroundings, allowing FPV pilots to have better situational awareness during flight. 

Purchase on GetFPV for:  $30.99 

10. Lumenier AXII Quadro 5.8GHz Patch Antenna

FPV pilots who fly over long distances should check out the Lumenier AXII Quadro 5.8GHz Patch Antenna. It has a 14.7 dBiC gain, extending the range at which a FPV pilot can control and receive video feeds from their drone.

The antenna allows pilots to work with video goggles and ground stations, depending on how you fly. Plus, the 40-degree FOV both horizontally and vertically is pretty wide for a high gain antenna. 

Purchase on GetFPV for:  $89.99 

11. Lumenier ZIP V2 3115 Cinematic Motor – 900KV/1050KV

The Lumenier ZIP V2 3115 Motor is designed to meet the high demands of FPV drone flying, offering accommodation of power, durability, and versatility, making it an excellent choice for both competitive FPV pilots and professional drone cinematographers. 

The size combined with the weight of 98 grams make it suitable for larger propellers. Make sure you check the size of your motor before purchasing.

Purchase on GetFPV for:  $39.99 

The post 11 hot FPV products you need for 2024 appeared first on The Drone Girl.

Remote ID modules are small devices that can be attached to your drone to broadcast its location and other information to other aircraft and air traffic control. And if you’re seeking to be Remote ID compliant (which you should be, as it’s a legal requirement in the U.S.), then you very likely may be seeking the best Remote ID module to add to your drone:

Remote ID is a new Federal Aviation Administration requirement for all drones flying in the United States. In short, drones must provide identification and location information that can be read by others, whether it’s law enforcement or simply other drone pilots. Some have referred to the Remote ID rules as a sort of electronic licensing plate system for drones.

There are four types of Remote ID-compliant drone flights, and only flights flying in one of those buckets will actually need a separate Remote ID module, such as those described in this guide to the best Remote ID modules.

Those four “buckets” of drone flights are:

1. Drones with built-in Remote ID capability: Most newer, off-the-shelf or ready-to-fly drones fit into this bucket, including the DJI Mavic 3 series and the Autel Lite series. Generally speaking, it’s fairly obvious if it’s built in via details on the packaging or the user manual.
2. Drones flying in a FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA): If you’re flying in one of these designated FRIA areas (which tend to be large blocks of land owned by model aviation groups or other educational institutions), you don’t need to broadcast your drone’s location or 
3. Drones that weigh less than 250 grams and that are flown recreationally: Similarly, there’s another group of drones that don’t need to broadcast location — those drones weighing under 250 grams and that are flown recreationally. Such drones include the the DJI Mini 3 Pro and the Autel Evo Nano drone. 
4. Drones that do not have built-in Remote ID capability: Here lies the category of people who will need an add-on Remote ID module that you can attach to your drone. This module is required to broadcast the drone’s unique ID, location, altitude, velocity, takeoff location and elevation and time mark throughout takeoff to shutdown. Yep, all other drone flights that don’t fit into one of the above three buckets will end up in this bucket.

And with that, folks in that fourth category will likely want to know the best Remote ID module:

Best overall: Zing Z-RID broadcast module

The Zing Z-RID broadcast module is the perfect combination of easy to use, even easier to install and offered at the most affordable price.

The Zing Z-RID broadcast module sells for $199 (though enter Zing coupon code DRONEGIRL for $20 off your purchase to bring your price down to $179). That makes it cheaper than other similar products we reviewed, including the $219 Dronetag Beacon Broadcast Remote ID Module or the $199 AeroPing by DroneDefense.

Read our full Zing Z-RID broadcast module review here, but in short, this product couldn’t be easier to use. The module, which weighs just 35 grams, charges through a simple USB-C cable (which is included). It then it mounts to your drone via a straightforward 3M velcro lock — no soldering needed. To actually use it, simply power it on and fly.

When the Z-RID broadcast module is properly installed on your drone (which is easy to do), your drone flight is compliant under FAA regulation 14 CFR Part 89.

Another standout: it’s made in the U.S.. Zing is an American drone company based in Miami, Florida, and the modules themselves are manufactured in San Jose, California. Zing doesn’t sell through third-party retailers, so the only way to get your hands on the Zing Z-RID broadcast module is by buying it directly through Zing’s website.

Upgrade pick: Dronetag Mini

The Drone Tag Mini is far more advanced than the Zing Z-RID broadcast module. But for the additional features, you’ll also owe more. The Dronetag Mini goes for $329. That’s 84% more expensive than the Zing module.

So why should you pay so much more for the Dronetag Mini? While not for everyone, people seeking real-time flight data and unlimited range will find it worth paying for.

The Dronetag Mini can transfer your drone’s position and identification to the company’s cloud, displaying your real-time flight data in the company’s own app (also called Dronetag). That enables advanced drone operations and coordination of manned and unmanned traffic in the same airspace.

Zing offers the ability to unlock a similar UTM component, but for an extra price. To unlock similar integrations using our top pick module, Zing’s Z-RID broadcast module, you’d need to pay for an ongoing subscription. Zing partners with California-based software company Skyway, to offer the subscription service, letting you track your data in the cloud via their online portal. Given that the subscription entails an ongoing cost, the Dronetag Mini might net out cheaper in the long-run once you add on the ongoing subscription payments.

As far as the physical Dronetag Mini device, it weighs 32 grams (comparable to Zing’s module) and similarly is attachable to any drone with a strong, re-closable dual lock fastener. It sells for $329 on Adorama.

Best for a budget, DIY option: Dronetag DRI

We’ll call out the Dronetag DRI because of its low price point — just $52. It’s also the smallest remote ID module we’ve seen so far on the market, weighing only 1.5 grams.

But it’s not for everyone. The Dronetag DRI is designed for use with a standard Pixhawk controller running PX4 or Ardupilot. To use it, simply plug the tiny module into your TELEM port, configure the appropriate baud rate, and go fly.

That assumes you are using MAVlink, PX4 or Ardupilot FCs, though. For folks seeking a module for other off-the-shelf drones, this won’t work for you.

The Dronetag DRI comes from a company based in the Czech Republic and is compliant with both EU and U.S. standards and regulations.

Another great American-made budget option: Flite Test FT EZ ID – Remote ID Module

If you’re seeking another budget option that’s made in America, look to the Flite Test FT EZ ID – Remote ID Module which is designed and manufactured in the United States. The module itself is manufactured by an Ohio-based company called Tritium Electronics.

At $99, it’s slightly more expensive than our other budget option, but it’s compatible with way more drones and is made in the U.S., which might be important to some pilots.

While it’s not as sleek as our top, overall pick of the Zing Z-RID broadcast module, it’s still surprisingly able to be installed easily and then removed should you want to reinstall it on another recreational aircraft.

Though unlike our top pick from Zing, this module draws its power (an average of ten milliamps) from the aircraft. That means it won’t be as easy of a plug in play solution as the Zing module, where you simply charge it, press the power button and go. With this, you’ll have to have some technical knowledge to connect it to your drone’s battery (and it won’t be compatible with something like a DJI drone that uses an Intelligent Flight Battery.

It’s a pretty bare bones module (it weighs 10 grams) and includes an integrated GPS receiver and a Bluetooth transmitter.

Order the Flite Test FT EZ ID – Remote ID Module from GetFPV.

How to pick the best Remote ID module for you

When choosing the best Remote ID module for you, consider your specific needs. If you’re a recreational pilot, you may want a module that is easy to use and affordable. If you’re a commercial pilot, you may need a module with more advanced features and reliability.

Here are some additional factors to consider when choosing a Remote ID module:

• Compatibility: Make sure the module is compatible with your drone. Some modules are designed for specific drone models or brands.
• Features: Consider the features that are important to you. Some modules offer additional features, such as real-time tracking or flight data recording.
• Battery life: Make sure the module has a battery life that is long enough for your needs.
• Price: Remote ID modules can range in price from around $50 to $300. Choose a module that fits your budget and needs.

No matter which Remote ID module you choose, make sure to read the instructions carefully and install it correctly. And in that vein, make sure you’ve registered your drone with the FAA — and ensure that you’ve kept your registration information up to date.

What Remote ID module are you using? Would you recommend it? Leave a comment below!

The post The best Remote ID module for drone pilots appeared first on The Drone Girl.