Enhanced Processing Speed and New GPS Feature Boost Accuracy for Construction, Surveying, and Public Safety by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian J. McNab Telemetry software developer SkyeBrowse recently announced a major update to their flagship product, bringing them substantially closer to their stated goal of creating truly real-time 3D models using UAV assets. As part of […]
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Lithuanian Startup’s Cutting-Edge UAVs and Gimbals Set to Revolutionize Reconnaissance Missions Amid Ukraine Conflic Granta Autonomy, a Lithuanian startup specializing in fully autonomous UAVs for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, has successfully completed a €1 million seed funding round. The funding, led by ScaleWolf VC with participation from Brolis Defence and HFL Holdings, will enable […]
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The use of drones in construction has demonstrated a key example of how drones make industrial applications more efficient, safe and cost-effective. So what is the best drone for construction?
Once you consider price versus specs, the DJI Mavic 3E comes out on top. But there are tons of other players in the growing segment.
And yes, the construction segment is still growing strong. According to fresh data from German-based analytics group Drone Industry Insights (DII), construction ranks second among all industry verticals that use drones. That’s according to the group’s Drones in Construction Market Report, which was released in June 2024.
While the market for drones in construction is worth an estimated $4.8 billion currently, indicators suggest it could grow to $6.2 billion by 2024. That makes for a compound average growth rate (CAGR) of 4.5%. That’s just ahead of the agricultural drone industry, which is worth $3.6 billion in 2024.
Interestingly, that’s actually lower than the estimated CAGR for the drone market as a whole, which is expect to grow at a CAGR of 7.1% to be worth $54.6 billion by 2030. But it’s not for lack of interest in using drones for construction. Rather, it’s that interest is already high, that there isn’t much room to grow, DII’s data suggests.
DII shared a neat graphic about drones in construction, that goes a long way to sum up the industry highlights in one chart:
Improved Site Planning and Surveying: Drones equipped with high-resolution cameras and LiDAR technology can rapidly capture detailed aerial imagery and topographical data. The growth of reality capture software from companies like DroneDeploy and Pix4D has made these use cases even more prevalent.
Data generated via drones in tandem with such software can then build survey-grade accurate and geo-referenced orthomosaics, points clouds, 2D maps, and 3D models for analysis, inspections, and measurements. These images, maps and measurements aid in accurate site surveying, helping construction teams to plan effectively and identify potential issues early on.
In fact, the top reason people used drones in 2023 was for mapping and surveying, according to a separate DII survey.
Enhanced Safety Monitoring: Drones enable construction managers to remotely monitor job site safety, assess hazardous conditions, and ensure compliance with safety regulations without risking human lives.
Progress Tracking and Reporting: Real-time aerial data allows for better project tracking and reporting. Construction progress can be monitored regularly, reducing delays and optimizing resource allocation.
Cost Efficiency: By reducing the need for manual inspections and surveying, drones lower operational costs while increasing overall project efficiency. This cost-effectiveness extends to maintenance inspections, where drones can swiftly inspect hard-to-reach areas like rooftops and bridges.
Marketing and Stakeholder Engagement: Aerial photography and videography captured by drones provide compelling visual content for project marketing and stakeholder presentations, enhancing client engagement and investor confidence. For example, did you see that Apple Campus 2 drone footage? And what about that preview of Hong Kong Disney’s Frozen land? Aerial construction videos definitely help build hype.
Choosing the right drone depends on specific project requirements, budget considerations, and the desired functionality. Here are some of the top drones favored in the construction industry:
The DJI Mavic 3E stands out as a runaway leader in a ranking of the best drones specifically for mapping and modeling. In fact, drone mapping software company DroneDeploy said that the roughly-$4,000 DJI Mavic 3E is easily the No. 1 used drone for reality capture.
When you factor in the features relative to the price tag, it’s easy to see why this one comes in as best overall.
Launched in October 2022, the DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise took the shell of the existing Mavic 3 drone, but leveled it up with way fancier tech, including:
Large-scale construction projects requiring precise aerial inspections and mapping. That’s all due to the drone’s RTK module. Short for Real-Time Kinematic, RTK is critical for building models with centimeter-level precision — which is almost always a critical component of any construction project.
With the Mavic 3E’s RTK module comes support for network RTK, custom network RTK services, and D-RTK 2 Mobile Station (that’s DJI’s upgraded high-precision GNSS receiver that supports all major global satellite navigation systems, providing real-time differential corrections).
It also has basically the best of what every other drone in this guide promotes as their standout feature. Like the Phantom 4, it’s got a mechanical shutter. At 45 minutes of flight time, it’s not the longest, but it’s still pretty long.
Consider it a combination of the best features of every other drone here — hence it’s the winner of best overall drone for construction.
The big drawback here is the name tied to it — DJI. DJI has been facing an uphill battle lately primarily among Republican politicians who are seeking to ban Chinese-made drones through legislation like the American Security Drone Act of 2023, which would prohibit federal agencies from purchasing drones made by Chinese government-linked countries. Even more strict is the proposed Countering CCP Drones Act, which could ban DJI drones if passed. But hey, maybe that just means you should buy a DJI drone now, before they potentially become incredibly tough to come by in the U.S.
You also have to consider that we factored price into our calculations. At about $4,000, the DJI Mavic 3E is affordable to a small startup or sole proprietor. Do realize though that other drones in this guide are more advanced, with features like thermal applications that the Mavic 3E can’t do (there is a roughly-$6,000 Mavic 3T, with T for thermal, though if that’s the specific feature you need). If you’re picking a drone for a larger company — or just generally have a bigger budget — you can afford to do better.
Equipped with the Zenmuse H20/H20T camera options, the DJI Matrice 300 RTK stands out not just for its visual cameras (offered as both zoom and wide-angle cameras) but also for its thermal imaging capabilities.
It costs nearly $14,000, but even still the demand is far higher than the supply. At most drone dealers, it’s still on backorder and won’t be available for sometimes close to a month after placing your order.
They call it “the cyber workhorse” — and the name is fitting. With up to 55 minutes of flight time, advanced AI capabilities and multi-directional obstacle sensing, the M300 RTK is an incredible combination of strong and smart. This drone is basically the perfect peak of both brains and brawn.
Especially given the powerful transmission system that transmits up to 15 km away, the Matrice 300 RTK is best suited for large-scale construction projects requiring precise aerial inspections and mapping.
Much like the concerns about Chinese government ties that the DJI Mavic 3E contends with, the DJI Matrice 300 RTK grappes with those same, aforementioned challenges.
Plus given that the Matrice 300 RTK costs $14,000 but the Mavic 3E is only about $4,000, there’s a huge price difference to contend with.
And finally, you might also consider the DJI Matrice 350 RTK, which is a slightly newer model to the beloved Matrice 300 RTK. Debating between the DJI Matrice 350 RTK vs Matrice 300 RTK? Check out my comparison guide.
It’s true: the DJI Phantom 4 is still the reigning king in photogrammetry. And it stands out for a few reasons, which are:
Read on for a deep dive into the DJI Phantom 4’s best specs:
Even though this drone came out in 2016 (which is ancient in drone years), it’s tech is in some ways better than more modern drone technology. That in large part has to do with the Phantom 4’s mechanical shutter, which is critical in reducing motion blur (a problem especially pronounced on overcast days).
It’s your best bet if you want to use DJI Terra, which is a DJI-made software designed to take existing 3D models and repair minor defects in them. And even though the DJI Phantom 4 is an older drone, DJI has been constantly improving on the Terra software. In fact, at the beginning of the year, DJI launched an enhanced software called DJI Modify, which brings an intelligent 3D model editing component into DJI Terra.
The drone is so old, that you might find it out of stock. It’s out of stock on DJI’s own story, though you can find it through major retailers like Amazon.
The aircraft itself is also not as powerful as other picks in this guide. For example, it offers a relatively-low 30 minutes of flight time. And as far as obstacle sensing goes, it was a huge leap when the Phantom 4 launched back in 2016. In fact, it was the first drone I ever flew with obstacle sensing; this tech was unheard of in consumer drones. But these days, the tech is way better, with full, omnidirectional sensors that can intelligently navigate around obstacles much better than the Phantom 4 can.
And once again, don’t forget about those anti-China, anti-DJI concerns that keep bubbling up.
Sony originally made the Sony Airpeak S1 drone to carry its Alpha series of cameras, which largely appeal to high-level cinematograpers. But while Sony initially envisioned its drone as appealing to Hollywood, the drone has turned heads in the industrial side. So much so, that in April 2023 Sony launched critical updates to its drone that were all enterprise oriented, including the addition of an RTK GNSS system for the Airpeak S1.
Even though it was originally marketed toward cinematagraphers, the Sony Airpeak S1 has become a dream for precision mapping.
It’s especially great for people who already own any Sonya Alpha cameras, as you can potentially save money by not having to buy a separate sensor just for a drone. Plus, you can use that Alpha camera for more than just aerial photos — which isn’t the case across drones that have built-in cameras. Among those include the beloved ILCE-7C (Sony Alpha 7C Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera).
The drone is also super powerful, capable of flying at high speeds and in high winds. Just spend the day flying with Sony test pilot Craig Coker as proof.
For mission planning, Sony’s drone best works with AirData UAV. AirData’s software generates drone data analytics and executes UAV fleet management for mission planning.
Price is a huge factor here. On the surface, the Airpeak drone itself costs $9,000, but it’ll end up costing you more like $20,000. That’s because you’ll still need your own camera and lenses. And should you need a gimbal, that’s also not included. Budget an additional $2,000+ for the gimbal, between $1,800 and $6,500 for the camera body, and at least $1,000 for the lens.
Another big bummer with this is the weak battery life. Even though Sony followed up its initial launch with a far more powerful 3,938mAh Enhanced Battery, that still only increased the battery life from 22 minutes to just 30 minutes — and that’s without a payload. If you’re using a standard payload kit, say, the RTK Kit, PX1 gimbal, an A7RIV, and the Zeiss 35mm F2.8, then expect average flight times to drop down to 20 minutes.
While more 80% of the drones used in construction are multirotor drones, according to DII’s reporting, some fixed-wing drones serve a powerful niche for massive sites. That’s all due to their inherent power in executing longer flight times. And with that, SenseFly’s eBee X ranks among the best fixed wing drones in construction if you demand long flying times.
For pilots seeking a lightweight, long-range drone, the eBee X is your pick. And yes, light weights make the drone able to fly longer and more portable, but it also comes with regulatory advantages. In fact, the eBee X is approved to run Operations Over People (OOP) in both Canada and the U.S., which is critical for urban construction sites.
This drone is actually surprisingly easy to fly, so it could cater well to people who aren’t drone pilots at heart. It takes off via an easy hand-launch, and it flies in an automated path using the eMotion mission planning software, which is included. And though that software does have advanced features, it’s actually quite beginner-friendly.
As is the case with most fixed wing drones, it can be difficult to make a precise landing — and even the beginner-throw is only possible if you throw it right. The eBee X often can be difficult to launch without wind. As far as landing, the drone often ends up skidding if landing on gravel or brush, which can damage the drone. You’ll also need a long landing area, which likely won’t work in urban areas.
Additionally, the sensors just aren’t as powerful as most of the other drones in this guide — especially relatively to the flexibility of powerful sensors you could opt for in something like the Sony Airpeak X1 drone.
One more note: Though we’re calling out the eBee X here , you also shouldn’t overlook another solid pick, the Sensefly SODA. Made in Switzerland, the SODA drone is known for its rugged design, long flight times, and compatibility with various sensors, making it ideal for large-scale mapping projects.
The Skydio X10 makes use of advanced AI technology to navigate complex environments — all without a pilot (and generally better in terms of flight path optimization than what most human pilots would do anyway).
Launched in late 2023, the Skydio X10 also stands out for its high-resolution cameras, lightweight portability and powerful airframe. Plus, it’s the only pick in this guide that’s made in America
Among the key Skydio X10 features include:
At more than $10,000, this is going to be an ultra-high end drone for someone with deep pockets. Simple mapping projects don’t need something this robust, but this drone stands out if you’re seeking something more versatile for perhaps even other applications like first response, critical infrastructure inspections or even military applications.
If you’re solely committing to using it purely for construction, it’ll best stand out in complex construction sites with dynamic obstacles, dark lighting conditions, and/or tight spaces.
And of course, if you require an American-made drone for construction, this is your best pick.
Cost is a big one, necessitating a higher initial investment compared to consumer-grade drones. In fact, many critiques say it’s overpriced relative to its capabilities.
There are also a few weaknesses compared to other picks here such as flight times. This one’s maximum flight time is a moderate, 40 minutes.
Here’s how the best drones for construction compare:
| Best for pilots who prioritize… | Estimated price | Standout features | Flight time (minutes) | |
| DJI Mavic 3E | Overall quality of mapping and modeling features relative to the price | $3,600 | Versatility with a mechanical shutter, 56× zoom camera, and an RTK module for centimeter-level precision | 45 |
| DJI Matrice 300 RTK | Thermal applications | $13,000 | Dual-camera system (Zenmuse H20/H20T) | 55 |
| DJI Phantom 4 | Budget | $2,000 | Affordability and a mechanical shutter | 28 |
| Sony Airpeak S1 | Flying the Sony Alpha camera series | $16,000 | Ability to carry and interchange any camera from the Alpha series, as well as other payloads | 22 (without payload, or more like 12 with payload) |
| SenseFly eBee X | Long flight times | $11,000 | Ultra-long flights and lightweight design | 90 |
| Skydio X10 | Navigating complex environments | $16,000 | American-made, excellent obstacle avoidance | 40 |
Mapping and drones in construction go hand-in-hand. To learn more about whether it’s worth getting into drones in construction, start off with a drone mapping course.
These can be a low-commitment, affordable way to dip your toes in. For example, Drone Launch Academy’s Drone Mapping And Modeling Fundamentals course costs just $400. The course teaches you how to collect and process data using easy-to-fly (and easy-to acquire) drones like a DJI Mavic 2 Pro or a DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0, which is called out in this guide as one of the best drones in construction.
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