You need equipment that speeds up inspections, improves safety, and reduces rework. In 2025, drones are an essential tool on job sites because they let you survey large areas quickly, capture high-resolution progress photos, and document safety conditions from angles you could not get otherwise.
Choosing the right drone saves you time and money while giving you better data for decisions. Below you will find concise recommendations that match common construction priorities like flight time, image clarity, portability, and regulatory friendliness.
Top Picks
Category | Product | Score |
---|---|---|
🏆 Best Overall | DJI Mini 3 (DJI RC) | 94/100 |
💰 Best Value (Regulation Friendly) | DJI Mini 4K Camera Drone Combo | 90/100 |
⚡ Best Performance / Features for Price | Potensic ATOM 2 | 88/100 |
🎯 Best For Inspections & Waypoints | Ruko F11PRO 2 | 87/100 |
💡 Best Beginner / Controller-Free | DJI Neo | 82/100 |
How We Picked These Drones
You want a drone that fits construction workflows. We prioritized: camera quality and still resolution (for site documentation and measurements), gimbal stabilization (smooth images for inspection), flight time and included batteries (longer airborne coverage reduces interruptions), transmission range and reliability (for large sites), weight and regulatory compliance (lighter models can avoid extra registration in some regions), mapping/waypoint support and autonomous flight modes (useful for repeated inspections), durability and repairability on job sites, and overall value including what’s included in the kit.
We also considered app stability and third-party support since you will rely on the software for planning and exporting data.
DJI Mini 4K (62-min)
If you need a compact drone that you can actually take to a jobsite without a fuss, this is a smart pick. You get a 4K camera on a 3-axis gimbal, a truly lightweight frame under 249 g, and simple one-tap takeoff/landing that means you won’t waste time getting started.
For everyday use you can pull it out to check progress, capture site photos for reports, or make short marketing clips with QuickShots. For special tasks—roof inspections, stockpile overviews or weekend aerials for client presentations—it’s portable enough to stash in a shoulder bag and solid enough to handle breezy conditions.
You’ll notice the gimbal keeps footage steady even when it’s windy, and the multiple battery options (31 / 62 / 93 min combos) mean you can plan longer sessions without scrambling. If you want something regulation-friendly, easy to carry, and purpose-built for quick, high-quality site imaging, this one makes sense for most construction routines.
What People Say
Users repeatedly praise the image stabilization and 4K video, the surprisingly durable build, and easy setup with phones and tablets. Many note battery life is generous for its size and that it’s very portable for field work.
Overall Sentiment: Positive
🗣️ Wilson
Great 4K video and a rock-solid gimbal — footage stayed steady even at the beach in high winds. Easy to fly for casual use, handy for road trips and outdoor shoots, and battery life lets you record long enough to get meaningful clips.
🗣️ CanMD
Pairs easily with older phones/tablets and ships with multiple connector cables. Camera quality and stabilization impressed me, it handles wind well, and the reviewer found it surprisingly durable in winter — recommended adding multiple batteries for continuous work.
Long-Term Cost Benefits
Using a drone for routine inspections cuts down on scaffolding, lifts, and repeat site visit time. You can document issues earlier, reduce risk to staff, and create consistent visual records that speed approvals and claims handling.
Return On Investment
You’ll likely see ROI through fewer man-hours on inspections, faster progress reporting, and reduced need for third-party aerial services. For many small teams a capable mini drone pays back quickly once it replaces even occasional outsourced flights.
Situational Benefits
Situation | How It Helps |
---|---|
Roof Inspections | You can get close-up 4K images without sending a person up on a ladder, cutting safety risk and saving time on basic checks. |
Progress Reporting | Quick aerial overviews show site progress in a single frame, so your reports are clearer and stakeholders see change faster. |
Stockpile & Site Layout Checks | Aerial shots help you estimate volumes and verify layouts without stopping heavy equipment or interrupting work. |
Marketing & Client Updates | Easy QuickShots and 4K footage let you produce short polished clips for clients or portfolio updates with minimal editing. |
Versatility
You can use it as a fast inspection tool during the week and as a creative camera on weekends. The different battery combos make it flexible for short checks or longer survey sessions, and QuickShots let you get cinematic clips without a lot of piloting skill.
Safety Features
Helpful safety features include one-tap Return To Home, stable GPS hovering, automatic takeoff/landing and altitude limits. Note that higher-end collision-avoidance sensors aren’t on this model, so keep line-of-sight and fly cautiously around obstacles.
Durability
Despite being lightweight it’s built to take a few bumps — users report it handled beach wind, cold-weather operation and even crashes where the drone survived with minor damage. Be mindful that some internal parts (like motors) are exposed, so keep it clean and consider protective accessories for dusty sites.
Problem Solving Ability
It solves the everyday problem of getting fast, consistent aerial images for inspections, claims, and site documentation without hiring someone else or disrupting work — a practical tool to speed decisions.
Indoor / Outdoor Usability
Best suited for outdoor work where GPS and transmission range shine. Indoors, GPS won’t lock reliably and obstacle risk is higher — use caution and manual control if you must fly inside.
Key Benefits
- Compact and regulation-friendly under 249 g
- 4K footage with 3-axis gimbal for smooth shots
- Multiple battery options for extended sessions
- Beginner-friendly controls and one-tap return
- Good wind resistance for a small drone
- Portable kit with included cables and shoulder bag
Rating: 4.6 (total: 17746+)
DJI Mini 3 (DJI RC)
If you need a compact drone you can grab and bring to a site without fuss, this is a strong choice. You get 4K video on a 3-axis mechanical gimbal, true vertical shooting for quick social-friendly clips, and a frame that keeps the weight under regulatory thresholds so setup is simpler. The built-in DJI RC screen means you won’t always need a phone tethered to fly, and the battery life (about 38 minutes per charge under ideal conditions) is long enough for quick inspections or a few polished takes.
For everyday tasks you can check progress, capture site photos for reports, or document small defects; for special jobs—roof checks, stockpile overviews, marketing clips for clients—it’s portable enough to carry in a small bag and steady enough to deliver useful footage even when it’s a bit breezy. Keep in mind it doesn’t have the advanced obstacle-avoidance of pro models, so you’ll want to keep line-of-sight and give it space around structures.
What People Say
Users praise the camera and stabilization, the surprisingly long battery life for a mini drone, and the dependable transmission range. Many call it easy to fly and convenient for both casual shooting and quick site tasks.
Overall Sentiment: Positive
🗣️ T. T.
The Mini 3 is easy to fly and surprisingly capable — the 4K camera and stabilization delivered smooth footage even in lower light, and I got up to 38 minutes on a full battery. Great blend of portability and image quality for travel and site work.
🗣️ Amazon Customer
Switched from an off-brand and the Mini 3 felt much more reliable. Excellent battery life and solid transmission range (I reached 6–7 km in good conditions). It’s simple for beginners but still precise enough for careful flying; note it lacks obstacle avoidance like the Pro model.
Long-Term Cost Benefits
Using this drone regularly for inspections and progress photos reduces time spent on ladders, scaffolding or asking subcontractors for images. Faster documentation can shorten approval cycles and reduce repeat visits, which adds up over projects.
Return On Investment
You’ll often recover the cost through saved labor hours, faster reporting, and fewer outsourced aerial shoots. For teams that need frequent visuals, a reliable mini drone can pay back quickly by replacing occasional third-party flights.
Situational Benefits
Situation | How It Helps |
---|---|
Roof Inspections | You can capture close, high-resolution photos without sending someone up on a ladder, reducing risk and saving time. |
Progress Reporting | Aerial overviews quickly show site progress in one frame, making status updates clearer and cutting back-and-forth questions. |
Stockpile & Layout Checks | Top-down shots help you estimate volumes and confirm layouts without interrupting equipment or stopping work. |
Marketing & Client Updates | QuickShots and 4K vertical video let you produce short, polished clips for clients or portfolios with minimal editing. |
Versatility
This drone works as a fast inspection tool on weekdays and a capable camera on weekends. The DJI RC and QuickShots let you capture cinematic clips without advanced piloting, while battery swaps let you scale up session time when needed.
Safety Features
Includes GPS Return To Home, precise hovering, and auto takeoff/landing. It’s beginner-friendly, but note this model lacks the multi-directional obstacle sensing found on higher-end Mini Pro variants, so fly with caution near structures.
Durability
Despite its light weight, owners report solid stability in moderate wind and resilience through rough handling. Still, some internal parts are exposed—keep it clean on dusty sites and consider protective accessories if you expect frequent knocks.
Problem Solving Ability
It streamlines the basic need for quick, repeatable aerial images for inspections, claims and progress records without hiring a specialist, making routine site decisions faster.
Indoor / Outdoor Usability
Best for outdoor use where GPS lock and transmission shine. Indoor flights are possible but trickier—GPS won’t help and obstacles are a real risk, so only fly inside with experienced pilots and careful manual control.
Key Benefits
- 4K footage on a 3-axis mechanical gimbal for steady imagery
- Lightweight, portable design that’s easier to carry between jobs
- Long single-battery flight time (around 38 minutes under ideal conditions)
- Built-in DJI RC display so you don’t always need a phone
- True vertical shooting for social-ready clips
- Up to 10 km HD video transmission in ideal, interference-free conditions
Rating: 4.5 (total: 4025+)
DJI Neo
If you want a grab-and-go drone for quick site checks and marketing clips, the DJI Neo is one to consider. It weighs just 135 g so you can toss it in a backpack and usually avoid drone registration hassles, and the 4K UHD capture with DJI stabilization keeps footage steady even when it’s breezy. You can fly controller-free with palm takeoff, use voice commands, or pair a phone or RC for more control — that flexibility makes it easy to switch between a fast inspection run and a short cinematic shot.
Practical day-to-day uses include quick roof or facade photos, progress overviews for reports, and short client-ready clips with QuickShots. A couple of things to note: you’ll need to download the DJI Fly app from DJI’s website to activate the Neo (it’s been removed from Google Play), and battery sessions are short enough that swapping extra batteries helps if you plan longer site work. For straightforward, portable aerial work where ease and image stability matter more than pro-level obstacle sensing, this is a solid pick you’ll reach for often.
What People Say
Users highlight how easy the Neo is to fly, the surprisingly steady 4K footage for a mini drone, and the convenience of controller-free modes. Common practical notes: short single-battery runtime and the need to download the DJI Fly app from DJI’s site.
Overall Sentiment: Positive
🗣️ Buzz H.
I’m happy to report that this drone is a great choice for adult beginners. It’s relatively easy to set up and very easy to learn to fly. The camera performance is adequate, and many parts are interchangeable with other DJI models. Two things you’ll need that aren’t included are a charger plug adapter and a microSD card; the reviewer also reminds you about registration rules above 250 g (Neo is under that).
🗣️ Dana
This drone is perfectly steady and the camera is stunning. Return-to-home is incredibly precise, it handles strong winds well, and the build felt solid even after rough travel. The reviewer recommended buying extra batteries to turn short single-battery sessions into much longer total flight time.
Long-Term Cost Benefits
Using the Neo for routine inspections and progress photos cuts down on ladder use, reduces repeat site visits, and shrinks the turnaround on reports. Over time those saved labor hours and fewer on-site checks add up.
Return On Investment
You’ll often recoup the purchase through faster documentation, fewer outsourced aerial shoots, and reduced time spent on manual inspections. For small teams that need regular visuals, a reliable mini drone quickly pays back by replacing ad-hoc hires.
Situational Benefits
Situation | How It Helps |
---|---|
Roof Inspections | You can capture close, high-resolution photos without sending someone up on a ladder, lowering risk and saving time. |
Progress Reporting | Aerial overviews let you show site progress in one frame, making updates clearer and reducing back-and-forth questions. |
Marketing & Client Updates | QuickShots and AI tracking help you produce short, polished clips for clients or portfolios with minimal editing. |
Small Site Surveys | Top-down and angled shots give a fast sense of layout and material placement without interrupting crews. |
Versatility
The Neo is useful for quick inspections on weekdays and for capturing social-friendly clips on weekends. Its multiple control options make it approachable for beginners but still flexible enough for more directed shots when you bring a controller or phone.
Safety Features
Includes full-coverage propeller guards, GPS-based Return To Home and precise hovering. It’s beginner-friendly, though it doesn’t have the multi-directional obstacle avoidance found on higher-end models, so keep clear lines of sight near structures.
Durability
Users report solid build quality and resilience to rough handling in travel. The prop guards help protect during close flying, but keep dust and debris away from exposed parts on busy sites.
Problem Solving Ability
It solves the basic need for quick, repeatable aerial images for inspections, claims and progress records without hiring a specialist, speeding decisions and reducing downtime.
Indoor / Outdoor Usability
Best used outdoors where GPS and transmission work reliably. Indoor flights are possible with palm takeoff and careful manual control, but obstacles and lack of GPS make indoor work riskier.
Key Benefits
- 4K UHD video with DJI stabilization for steady footage
- Lightweight 135 g frame makes it easy to carry and generally regulation friendly
- Multiple control modes: controller-free (palm), voice, app, or RC
- Full-coverage propeller guards for more confident flying around obstacles
- AI subject tracking and QuickShots for quick, polished clips
- Flexible buying options with extra-battery combos for longer sessions
Rating: 4.4 (total: 6672+)
Potensic ATOM 2
If you need a compact workhorse for routine site checks and quick marketing clips, the Potensic ATOM 2 is worth a look. It’s built to be easy to carry and set up, and the 4K HDR video plus 8K photo mode give you crisp images that make progress photos and client updates look sharper.
You’ll appreciate the AI Track modes and QuickShots when you want a polished clip without fuss, and the beefy remote and long transmission range make it simple to keep a steady connection across a medium-sized site. It’s light enough to avoid many registration headaches while still feeling solid in gusty conditions.
For everyday inspections, progress photos, and social-ready footage, this is a practical pick you’ll find yourself reaching for often.
What People Say
Owners praise its image quality, intuitive controls, and surprisingly strong transmission and wind handling for a compact unit. Common practical notes: be careful around water and plan for battery swaps for longer outings.
Overall Sentiment: Positive
🗣️ Christopher
Super easy to fly and genuinely fun. The 4K footage stayed clear in both day and night scenes with decent lighting, and it handled strong winds well — hover stayed steady even when conditions got rough. I took it a mile line-of-sight and still had strong signal. It survived a short dunk after a mishap once (battery needed replacing) so be mindful around water and salt.
🗣️ Srgar85
Excellent image quality for a compact drone: 1/2″ Sony CMOS sensor with 4K HDR video at 30fps and detailed 8K photos. Setup is straightforward with one-key takeoff, and the AI Track/QuickShots make capturing cinematic moves simple. The app and transmission performance make it friendly for beginners and useful for more directed shots.
Long-Term Cost Benefits
Using this drone for routine inspections reduces the need for scaffolding, ladders or repeat visits, and speeds up reporting. Over time those savings in labor and fewer site delays can outweigh the ongoing cost of batteries and maintenance.
Return On Investment
You can recoup the purchase by shortening inspection cycles, producing your own marketing content, and avoiding repeated on-site checks. For small teams that frequently need aerial shots, it becomes a tool that pays back through saved time and reduced outsourcing.
Situational Benefits
Situation | How It Helps |
---|---|
Roof Inspections | You can capture high-resolution close-ups without sending someone up a ladder, lowering risk and speeding assessments. |
Progress Reporting | Aerial overviews show site progress clearly in one frame, making reports and approvals faster and reducing back-and-forth. |
Night or Low-Light Checks | The F1.8 aperture and improved low-light processing help you get usable images in dusk or early-morning checks when lighting is limited. |
Marketing & Client Updates | QuickShots, vertical shooting and AI tracking let you create short, polished clips for client updates or social media with minimal editing. |
Versatility
You can use it for weekday inspections, weekend marketing clips, or quick roof checks. Its mix of automated modes and manual control makes it approachable for novices while still useful for more deliberate shots.
Safety Features
Includes GNSS positioning, smart Return-to-Home and auto takeoff/landing. It lacks full multi-directional obstacle avoidance, so keep a clear line of sight and use caution around structures and crews.
Durability
Build quality feels solid for a compact drone and reviewers report it tolerates travel and rough handling; avoid water exposure and rinse off salt to prevent corrosion.
Problem Solving Ability
It answers the need for quick, repeatable aerial images for inspections, claims and progress records without always relying on an outside operator, cutting decision time.
Indoor / Outdoor Usability
Best outdoors where GNSS and transmission perform reliably. Indoor flights are possible but require careful manual control and more caution due to reduced positioning support.
Key Benefits
- 4K HDR video and 8K photos for crisp site imagery
- Light, foldable frame that’s easy to carry between jobs
- 3-axis gimbal for stable, usable footage in many conditions
- AI Track, QuickShots and vertical shooting for fast, polished clips
- Long transmission range and robust remote for reliable control
- Fly More Combo supports multiple batteries for extended sessions
Rating: 4.4 (total: 316+)
Ruko F11PRO 2
If you need a reliable workhorse for site checks and occasional marketing footage, this is the kind of drone you’ll reach for. Setup and the app are straightforward, so you can get airborne quickly and focus on the shot rather than fiddling with settings.
The 3-axis gimbal and high-resolution camera make close-up inspections and overview clips easy to read, and the two batteries mean you won’t be swapping cells every five minutes during a site visit. It handles routine inspections, progress photos, and short promotional clips well — and if you’re new to flying, the GPS Return-to-Home and beginner modes give you a reassuring safety net.
What People Say
Owners highlight easy setup, dependable RTH behavior, good battery endurance in normal conditions, and usable camera output for inspections and social clips; a few mention camera limits in very low light.
Overall Sentiment: Positive
🗣️ John N.
Super easy to set up once you have downloaded the app and followed the instructions, flying wise it’s easy once you get the hang of the controls and adjust speeds. The “TRH” feature is awesome if you loose sight of the drone you can tell it to return home. I like the turn camera up and down feature so you can hover above something and look down at it, the pictures quality is fantastic. Battery life is great. The flight time, average was 30 minutes without any issues. I Will test again in warmer weather in Africa to get the maximum flight time out of it. Overall super impressed with the quality of this drone especially for the price, I would recommend!
🗣️ Tere Rodriguez-Nora
I recently received the Ruko F11 Pro drone … From the moment I unboxed it, the setup was incredibly intuitive and straightforward. The drone itself is a marvel—easy to control, stable in flight, and packed with features that make it perfect for both beginners and experienced pilots. The 4K camera delivers stunning video quality, capturing every detail with precision. The long battery life ensures I have ample time to enjoy my flights without constantly worrying about recharging. Customer support was quick to respond and helped resolve a calibration issue with clear steps.
Long-Term Cost Benefits
Using the drone for inspections and progress photos cuts down on repeat site visits, scaffolding or ladder use, and the time spent documenting work. Over months those saved labor hours and faster approvals can offset upkeep like replacement batteries or occasional repairs.
Return On Investment
You’ll see ROI through faster site assessments, fewer in-person checks, and the ability to create your own marketing content. For small crews that need regular aerial shots, the drone reduces outsourcing and speeds decision-making.
Situational Benefits
Situation | How It Helps |
---|---|
Roof Inspections | Capture close-up roof details and problem spots without sending someone up a ladder, lowering risk and speeding up assessments. |
Progress Reporting | Aerial overviews show site progress clearly in one frame, making weekly reports and stakeholder updates faster and more persuasive. |
Night or Low-Light Checks | Night Mode and improved sensor processing let you get usable images at dusk or dawn for handover checks or security walk-throughs. |
Marketing & Client Updates | Intelligent flight modes and stable footage help you produce short, polished clips for client updates or social posts with minimal editing. |
Versatility
This works for weekday inspections, weekend marketing clips, and quick site overviews. The mix of automated modes and manual control keeps it friendly for beginners while still useful for more deliberate shots.
Safety Features
Includes GPS positioning, Return-to-Home, auto takeoff/landing and beginner flight modes. It doesn’t replace careful line-of-sight flying and you should still avoid crowded areas and overhead hazards.
Durability
Plastic body feels reasonably robust for field use; reviewers report years of service with routine care. Keep an eye on battery health—users noted aging batteries can swell and should be replaced when performance drops.
Problem Solving Ability
It solves the need for quick, repeatable aerial images for inspections, claims and progress records without always relying on an outside operator, which shortens decision cycles.
Indoor / Outdoor Usability
Best outdoors where GPS and long-range transmission perform reliably. Indoor flights are possible but need careful manual control and extra caution because positioning assistance is limited.
Key Benefits
- 6K stills / 4K@30fps video and a 3-axis brushless gimbal for steady, usable imagery
- Two batteries (about 35 minutes each) for longer single-visit flight time
- GPS-based Return-to-Home, Auto Landing and beginner modes that simplify flying
- Long transmission range for large-site overviews and stable FPV
- Multiple intelligent flight modes (follow-me, orbit, waypoint) for quick, repeatable shots
- Compact carry case and included accessories for on-site convenience
Rating: 4.4 (total: 8572+)
FAQ
What Features Should You Prioritize When Choosing a Drone For Construction Work?
When you pick a drone for construction, focus on the sensors and accuracy first: a high-resolution camera with a stable gimbal for crisp imagery, and if you need survey-grade measurements prioritize RTK/PPK or proven geotagging workflows to achieve consistent ground sample distance (GSD). You should also consider flight endurance and spare-battery workflows so you can cover large sites without stopping, robust transmission range and wind resistance for safe operation in open sites, and obstacle avoidance if you’ll fly near structures.
Think about payload flexibility (thermal or LiDAR options) and software compatibility with photogrammetry and BIM tools so your images stitch into usable maps and models, and don’t forget serviceability: replaceable props, repair parts availability, and reliable firmware updates.
Do You Need To Register Your Drone Or Get A Pilot License For Construction Flights?
Yes—whether you need to register or get a license depends on the drone weight and local rules, so check local laws and regulations before you fly: many countries require registration for aircraft over 250 g and commercial operations generally require an operator certificate (for example, Part 107 in the U.S.). For construction work you should also secure any site-specific approvals, coordinate with airspace authorities if you’re near airports or temporary flight restrictions, maintain liability insurance, and be prepared to apply for waivers if you plan BVLOS, night flights, or operations over people.
How Should You Use Drones Practically On A Construction Site For Inspections, Progress Tracking And Surveys?
Integrate drones into a repeatable workflow: plan flights with consistent altitude, overlap and camera settings to keep imagery comparable between passes; if you’re doing surveys use RTK/PPK or well-placed ground control points to improve accuracy and verify GSD requirements before procurement. Schedule flights at similar times of day to avoid changing shadows, keep a charging and battery-rotation plan to maximize uptime, brief crews on safety and exclusion zones before each sortie, and standardize file naming and secure data backups so you can feed imagery into photogrammetry or BIM platforms quickly.
Finally, train a small group of operators, maintain a simple maintenance log for the airframes and batteries, and run occasional test flights after firmware updates to avoid surprises on critical inspection days.
Contractors Top Picks
When contractors compare these drones you focus on flight time, control convenience, and overall value for jobsite work. For long site inspections you’ll favor the DJI Mini 4K with its 62‑minute endurance; if you want the easiest, most polished piloting experience you’ll lean to the DJI Mini 3 with the built‑in DJI RC; and if you’re balancing budget, durability and essential mapping features you’ll often go with the DJI Neo.
Wrapping Up
You now have a short list of drones selected for different construction needs. If you need the best all-around balance of image quality, flight time, and control features, the DJI Mini 3 is the top pick. If portability and regulation friendliness matter most, the DJI Mini 4K combo gives great value under 249 g. For longer on-paper flight endurance and advanced AI modes at a competitive price, consider the Potensic ATOM 2 or the Ruko F11PRO 2 when waypoint and inspection features are required.
The DJI Neo is a good choice if you want an easy, controller-free workflow for quick site captures. Match the drone you pick to the size of your sites, required image fidelity, and whether you need repeated autonomous flights for inspections.
Product | Image | Rating | Flight Time | Camera Resolution | Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
DJI Mini 4K Camera Drone Combo |
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4.6/5 (17,746 reviews) | 62 minutes (with battery swap) | 4K UHD (12 MP) | 246 grams |
DJI Mini 3 (DJI RC) |
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4.5/5 (4,025 reviews) | 38 minutes | 4K HDR (48 MP) | 248 grams |
DJI Neo |
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4.4/5 (6,672 reviews) | N/A (dependent on batteries) | 4K UHD (12 MP) | 135 grams |
Potensic ATOM 2 Drone |
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4.4/5 (316 reviews) | 96 minutes (with three batteries) | 4K (8K photos) | 249 grams |
Ruko F11PRO 2 Drone |
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4.4/5 (8,572 reviews) | 70 minutes (with two batteries) | 6K | 357 grams |
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