UAS range from palm-sized toys to aircraft as large as small airplanes. Size generally matches purpose – bigger drones carry more equipment and fly longer, but cost more and require more expertise to operate.
Mini Drones (Under 250g)
The DJI Mini series weighs around 249 grams – just under the FAA registration threshold. These fit in a pocket and require minimal setup. Camera quality and flight time are limited compared to larger models, but convenience makes them popular for travel and casual use.
Consumer/Prosumer (250g to 2kg)
Most commercial work happens with drones in this range. A Mavic 3 Pro weighs about 950 grams. An Air 3 weighs around 720 grams. These pack serious cameras into portable packages and handle most photography and videography jobs.
Professional (2kg to 25kg)
Enterprise and industrial drones like the Matrice 300 or Inspire 2 reach 6-9 kilograms fully loaded. They carry thermal cameras, LIDAR scanners, or cinema-grade cameras. Flight times reach 40+ minutes and they handle worse weather than smaller drones.
Large UAS (Over 25kg)
Most civilian operators never touch drones this size. Military systems like the MQ-9 Reaper have 20-meter wingspans and stay airborne for hours. Cargo delivery drones and agricultural sprayers sometimes exceed 25kg, requiring special certification beyond Part 107.
What Size Fits Your Needs
For real estate and general commercial work, drones under 2kg handle almost everything. Jump to the 5-10kg class when you need thermal sensors or heavy zoom lenses. The largest systems suit specialized applications where flight endurance or payload capacity justify the cost and complexity.
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