With the development of drone technology, the commercialization of drones has brought revolutionary breakthroughs to many industries. The emergence of large-scale commercial drones has brought positive impacts to the agriculture and transportation industries. Here, we will explain the guide to the best large-scale commercial drones in 2024.
Large drones are no longer the same as traditional quadcopter drones. They are larger and heavier. Some may even reach about 10kg. It takes two people to lift a heavy drone.
This type of drone is usually a six-copter drone, an eight-copter drone, or a fixed-wing drone. The larger the drone means the drone has better load capacity.
How big is the biggest drone you can buy?
Typically, when purchasing drones etc., choosing the largest drone will usually give the impression of being the most durable. However, the key factor in purchasing a drone is not the size of the drone, but the performance and performance of the drone. Durability.
The largest drones to buy usually work in the transportation industry. These drones can reach the size of small and medium-sized civil aircraft and have a load capacity of more than 200kg.
Can large drones carry people?
Large drones are not the same as helicopters, but can mimic the design of a helicopter and provide a seat for the pilot. For example, the Ehang 184, the best large drone, can carry 200 pounds of people.
Most heavy-duty drones can bear 2/3 of the weight of their own drone, while manned drones have higher requirements on the importance and safety performance of the drone. Please fly a drone in compliance with drone regulations.
How much weight can civilian drones carry?
Depending on the type of drone, amateur drones can typically carry 0.3 to 2 kilograms (0.4 to 4.4 pounds). The carrying capacity of professional cargo drones can reach 10kg and above.
How to choose a large drone?
Before purchasing a large drone, it is important to consider the features and functionality of the drone. Large commercial drones are designed for commercial activities rather than simply liking the large size.
When we consider a large drone, we need to clearly understand the purpose of purchasing a large drone, such as: flight time, payload type and price, and consider the drone model and functions you really need.
7 Best-Performing Large Drones
Model |
Max lifting weight |
Drone type |
Flight time |
Range |
JOUAV PH-20 |
10 kg (22 lbs) |
Hexacopter |
70 min |
30 km |
Autel Titan |
10 kg (22 lbs) |
Quadcopters |
50 min |
50/20 km |
Freefly Alta X |
15 kg (35 lbs) |
Quadcopters |
20 min |
5 km |
DJI Agras |
25 kg (55 lbs) |
VTOL |
840 min |
100/200 km |
DJI FlyCart 30 |
10 kg (22 lbs) |
Quadcopter |
18 min |
2 km |
Ehang 184 |
100 kg(220 lbs) |
Octocopters |
23 min |
30 km |
GRIFF Aviation 300 |
227 kg (500 lbs) |
Octocopters |
31 min |
15 km |
Autel Dragonfish Pro |
2.5 kg (5.5 lbs) |
VTOL |
158 min |
30 km |
JOUAV PH-20
The PH-20 is a large hexacopter drone that can easily carry up to 20 pounds of payload. It is equipped with obstacle avoidance radar, IP55 protection rating, level 8 wind resistance, and an astonishing 4,500-meter maximum flight altitude, allowing it to fly in challenging environments. complete complex tasks.
Main specifications:
- Maximum lift: 10 kg (22 lbs)
- Flight time: 70 minutes
- Maximum speed: 64.8 km/h (no wind)
- Maximum transmission distance: 30 kilometers
- Box size: 1057×605×630 (length×width×height, mm)
- Maximum take-off weight: 29.2 kg
- Maximum wind resistance: Level 8
- Protection level: IP55
Autel Titan
Designed to meet the demanding needs of heavy-duty transport, the Autel Titan drone features a powerful 4-axis, 8-blade multi-rotor design with a maximum payload of 10kg in dual-battery mode and an unladen range of up to 50km. It can stay airborne for up to 60 minutes when carrying a standard load, making it ideal for efficient and fast delivery.
Main specifications:
- Maximum lift: 10 kg (22 lbs)
- Flight time: 50 minutes
- Maximum speed: 43.2 km/h (no wind)
- Maximum transmission distance: 50 kilometers
- Box size: 380×238×266 (length×width×height, mm)
- Maximum wind resistance: Level 8
- Protection level: IP55
Autel Titan
Pre-Order
10kg Maximum Payload20km Image transmission
60 Minutes Flight Time
Freefly Systems Alta X
Main specifications:
- Maximum lift: 15 kg (35 lbs)
- Flight time: 20 minutes (depending on payload and environment)
- Maximum speed: 95 km/h
- Maximum transmission distance: 5 kilometers
- Expanded diameter: 2273 mm×877 mm×387 mm (including props)
- Typical standard empty weight: 10.86 kg
- Operating temperature: -10° to 40°C
DJI Fly Cart 30 Heavy Duty Drone
The DJI FlyCart 30 has a maximum payload of 30 kg, a dual-battery flight time of 18 minutes, a maximum speed of 20 meters/second, and a transport distance of 16 kilometers. The drone can adopt dual operator mode, with obstacle avoidance radar, Additional features such as a binocular vision system and multi-directional obstacle sensing enhance safety and operational capabilities.
Main specifications:
- Maximum lift: 30 kg (66 lbs)
- Flight time: 18 minutes on dual batteries
- Maximum speed: 72 km/h
- Maximum transmission distance: 28 kilometers
- Dimensions: 2800mm x 3085mm x 947mm (arm extended, propeller extended)
- Weight: 42.5kg (excluding battery)
Ehang 184
The EHang 184 is the world’s first electric passenger-grade autonomous super-large drone, with a small cabin that can accommodate passengers weighing up to 220 pounds (100 kilograms). EHang 184 large UAV can also use 4G/5G as a high-speed wireless transmission channel to achieve remote control of the aircraft and real-time transmission of flight data.
Main specifications:
- Maximum lift: 100 kg (220 lbs)
- Flight time: 23 minutes
- Maximum speed: 100 km/h
- Maximum transmission distance: 30 kilometers
- Dimensions: fuselage length 4000 mm, wingspan 4000 mm, total height 1400 mm
- Weight: 260kg
GRIFF Aviation 300
Featuring an 8-propeller design, the Griff Aviation 300 is the heaviest drone on the current list, capable of carrying approximately 500 pounds (226 kg) of payload and a flight time of up to 31 minutes. Modular design allows for quick replacement of payloads and batteries in seconds.
Main specifications:
- Maximum lifting weight: 227 kg (500 lbs)
- Flight time: 31 minutes
- Maximum speed: 60 km/h
- Maximum transmission distance: 15 kilometers
- Dimensions: length: 3400 meters, width: 1200 meters, height: 600 meters
- Maximum take-off weight: 235 kg
Autel Dragonfish Pro
Autel Dragonfish Pro is a tilt-rotor VTOL drone that can switch between fixed-wing and multi-rotor. It is quickly assembled in three minutes and has a flight time of up to 158 minutes. The camera load is interchangeable. The load capacity is 2.5kg. The maximum take-off is Weight 17kg.
Main specifications:
- Maximum lifting weight: 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs)
- Flight time: 158 minutes
- Maximum speed: 108 km/h
- Maximum transmission distance: 30 kilometers
- Size: 1650*3040*460 mm
- Maximum take-off weight: 17 kg
FAQ
How much does a large drone cost?
The average cost of a large drone ranges from $48,000 to $80,000, depending on the required configuration.
What is the largest drone that can be legally flown?
Large drones are usually commercial drones, and to fly a commercial drone for commercial purposes, you must obtain a drone license.
How far can a large drone fly?
It depends on what the large drone is designed to do. Delivery and passenger drones typically have a range of 500-1800 kilometers. But efficient surveillance drones require a range of 10-150 kilometers, while for mapping drones, a range of 4-8 kilometers is sufficient.
How high can a large drone fly?
The height limit for drones is 400 feet, a concession to manned aircraft. The Service Ceiling Above Sea Level of large drones can reach more than 6000m.