6 Best Heavy Lift Drones

1. DJI Spreading Wings S900 Professional | Best Budget

View on DJI

Editor’s Rating: 4.2/5

The biggest bugbear of any drone is its flying time or battery life. The DJI’s Spreading Wings S900 is a professional grade hexacopter. It’s a strong and stable drone despite its lightweight. That’s because of the carbon fiber material used in its arms and landing equipment.

• Best feature 1: Robust build, carbon fiber material
• Best feature 2: Highly portable design
• Plus points: 5-minute assembly, removable centerboard, spark proof plug, decent payload
• Minus points: Average flight time

You may expect heavy lift drones to be large, bulky, and awkward to carry around. That’s not the case with this one. The Spreading Wings S900 Professional has folding arms that make it neat and compact.

This drone is not only easy to fold down—it’s quick and easy to prepare for flights too. You can have it ready for takeoff in five minutes or even less with a little practice.

Easy Access Simple Maintenance

The compact design and portability make the S900 unique for a professional hexacopter. Another nice feature with this model is its removable upper centerboard that allows quick and easy access. Easy access makes it convenient to set up and maintain the hexacopters’ electronics.

Installing the IMU and flight controller couldn’t be easier. It’s a design that lets you set up the power distribution system with the minimum fuss. The S900 comes with a sparkproof plug to avert short circuits. That may seem like a logical approach, but not all drones come with sparkproof plugs as standard. It’s certainly a well-thought-out model from the inside out.

Flying the DJI Spreading Wings S900

The maximum payload is huge compared to regular camera drones. It’s not overly impressive when compared to some of the other heavy lift drones on this page, though.
The S900 is a pro camera hexacopter. Its maximum takeoff weight is 8.2 kg. The drone weights 3.3 kg, so that gives it a payload capability of 4.9 kg. That’s sufficient for most heavy-duty camera and gimble setups. DJI has placed the gimbal mounting bracket low down to allow a better range of camera motions and shooting angles. The retractable landing gear adds further to the stills and video potential.

This drone is compatible with all high-quality Zenmuse camera gimbals. There’s plenty to like with this professional hexacopter. It’s ideal for anyone who wants a capable drone for professional filming.

The Not So Good

Technology still isn’t here yet, so we have to measure flight times in minutes rather than hours. DJI’s Spreading Wings S900 gives an 18-minutes flight in ideal conditions. That isn’t bad, but it’s not impressive either.

The takeoff weight of 8.2 kg is fine for almost all camera setups, but do the math before you decide.

2. YUNEEC Tornado H920 Hexacopter | Best Value

View on Amazon

Editor’s Rating: 4.4/5

The YUNEEC (YUNH920US) Tornado H920 is another capable heavy lift hexacopter. It also has retractable landing gear that gets out of the camera’s field of view (FOV) when filming.

• Best feature 1: Retractable landing gear
• Best feature 2: Accommodate Panasonic GH4 camera and GB603 gimbal
• Plus points: RTF, carbon fiber frame, 360° views, bonus battery, return to home feature
• Minus points: Need to purchase extras

YUNEEC’s Tornado H920 is not a hobby drone. There are simpler and cheaper camera quads available at the enthusiast level. However, this is a worthy model if you want a state of the art heavy lift hexacopter for aerial videography and photography. They have optimized the 6-rotor aerial platform to accommodate the high-quality Panasonic GH4 camera and GB603 gimbal.

The drone is as light and as strong as it can be thanks to the carbon fiber frame. The folding arms and retractable landing gear make it easy to store and transport. Hidden legs also mean the camera can record unobscured 360-degree views from above. The drone includes a 5.8GHz SD video downlink system. There’s also an ST24 transmitter with an integrated 7-inch android device.

Flying and Payload Capability

Takeoff weight is just under 5kg (11 lbs.) with a 1.6kg payload. The 22-minutes flight time is longer than the first pick. An extra four minutes doesn’t sound much, but it’s significant in drone terms.

The intelligent tasks and autonomous flight modes give pilots plenty of scope and flexibility:

• Orbit Me
• Point of interest
• Journey mode
• Curve Cable Cam
• Follow Me/ Watch Me
• Return to Home

The purpose of the above modes is to allow the drone to fly on autopilot. That leaves the pilot free to concentrate solely on shooting video or taking aerial photos.

The Not So Good

This is a professional hexacopter that has plenty going on at the expert level. It’s not cheap, but it’s fantastic value as a tool of the trade for professionals. Alas, it’s out of reach for most hobbyist. Plus, the Panasonic GH4 camera and GB603 gimbal are extras despite the already high price tag.

3. DJI Matrice 600 Heavy Lifting Hexacopter | Top Pick

View on EBay

Editor’s Rating: 4.6/5

The DJI Matrice 600 (M600) has made the top pick. It’s a heavy lifting hexacopter with a maximum payload of 6 kg or 13 lbs. It arrives almost ready to fly (ARF) with minimal assembly needed.

• Best feature 1: High takeoff weight
• Best feature 2: Retractable Landing Gear
• Plus points: Collapsible design, ATF, multiple application, decent flight time, long range
• Minus points: Extra costs, high price tag

Who Is the DJI Matrice 600 For?

DJI designed this hexacopter as a high-quality specialist drone with multiple uses. Its primary function, though, is for professional industrial applications and aerial photography/videography. DJI built the M600 so that it could integrate their powerful technologies, including:

• Lightbridge 2 transmission system
• A3 flight controller
• Battery management system
• Intelligent batteries

Camera and Gimbal Compatibility

The M600 has a flexible, modular design that’s quick and easy to fold down and setup. That also means it’s portable and easy to store. There are plenty of customizable flight options for pilots and ways to stream high-quality live footage.

The flight range (distance from craft to controller) is an impressive 5 km. The flight time is equally impressive. This bird can fly for around 35 minutes empty, and 16 minutes with a maximum payload. With a top speed of almost 45 mph (20 m/s), the M600 is super-fast too. Speed is especially useful for flying afar as it gets the drone to its destination and back faster.

The Not So Good

There are costly extras not included in the price of the drone. These include gimbal, camera, and any add-ons for the flight controller. The Matrice 600 can accommodate all Zenmuse cameras and gimbals. Its 6kg payload is also sufficient to fly with the Ronin-MX gimbal and range of compatible cameras. The cost of this amazing drone is sure to be out of reach for most hobbyists, but it’s a good deal for pros.

4. DJI Matrice 100 Quadcopter (for Developers)

View on DJI

Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5

Meet the DJI Matrice 100 Quadcopter—a drone designed for developers. That means it has a fully programmable and customizable flight platform. Now users can transform their ideas into reality.

• Best feature 1: Programmable/customizable flight platform
• Best feature 2: Dual battery compartments
• Plus points: Strong, lightweight frame, enhanced GPS, long range, soft landing pads
• Minus points: Lighter payload, extra costs, high price tag

The Matrice 100 has a modular design and provides incredible versatility for all kinds of sectors. The only way to get the perfect drone is to create one that meets specific needs and expectations. DJI’s Matrice 100 quadcopter is that model. Developers get to design their software and hardware solutions. The Special Development Kit and Guidance Vision Sensing System are the key selling points here.

Who Is the DJI Matrice 100 Development Platform For?

This flexible quadcopter is already proving invaluable in the following sectors:

• Aerial photography & videography
• Archaeology
• Interior navigation/inspection
• Inspection of infrastructure
• Precision agriculture
• Search & rescue
• Surveying & mapping
• Wildlife conservation

There’s a lot to admire with this capable quad for lighter duty tasks. Being a quadcopter—as opposed to a hexacopter—has its advantages as it’s more agile and can work in tighter spaces. It’s not small, but it does have fewer legs, motors, and rotors to worry about. The drone also has a strong, lightweight frame, dual battery compartments, enhanced GPS, and soft landing pads.

It’s lightweight and balanced power gets you 40 minutes of flight time with a range of 1.2 miles. There’s plenty of attraction with this flying robot. Best of all is that you can keep your project alive and adaptable thanks to its upgrade potential. The Matrice 100 is compatible with many DJI accessories.

The Not So Good

The 1kg payload restricts what the quad can do and carry. It’s an incredible tool if the payload meets your needs though. To develop the quad means extra costs to what’s already an expensive project. The most expensive of these is the incredible DJI Zenmuse X3 gimbal and camera.

5. DJI AGRAS MG-1 Agricultural Spraying Octocopter

View on EBay

Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5

This is the DJI AGRAS MG-1. It’s a purpose built agricultural spraying octocopter. It works for the distribution of liquid pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.

• Best feature 1: High payload
• Best feature 2: Sealed body with a filtering system
• Plus points: Foldable, 3 flight modes, precision spraying, intelligent memory, terrain follow
• Minus points: Expensive

The DJI AGRAS MG-1 boasts a powerful propulsion system capable of carrying a payload of 10kg. It’s fast too—it has to be. It can cover a 4,000-6,000 m² area with pesticides and fertilizers in only 10 minutes. To put that into perspective, it’s about 40–60 times faster than manual alternatives.

Agricultural Drone Spraying Solutions

Here are a seven of the AGRAS MG-1’s main highlights:

1. Foldable design for easier transportation and storage
2. Dedicated remote controller
3. Maximizes efficiency
4. Sealed body with filtering system improves longevity and reliability
5. High precision spraying
6. Three easy-to-use flight modes
7. Intelligent memory remembers coordinates

The DJI AGRAS MG-1 has a lot to marvel over and even more to explore. Agricultural spraying is set to become easier, faster, and more economical than ever before.

The Not So Good

The DJI AGRAS MG-1 Agricultural Spraying Octocopter cost as much as a small car. Farmers need to be sure it’s going to pay for itself—hopefully many times over—to justify the cost.

6. Freefly Systems ALTA 6 UAV Hexacopter

View on Amazon

Editor’s Rating: 4.4/5

The Freefly Systems ALTA UAV is the last and most expensive hexacopter in this guide. The company says it’s built to fly and made with care. And so it should be at the price.

• Best feature 1: Automatic data logging
• Best feature 2: Heavy payload
• Plus points: Ultra-lightweight, foldable design, Sky View, silent drive, return to home
• Minus points: Expensive, requires extras

The hexacopter has a noticeable quality feel right out of its box, and what a box it is too. It’s an easy craft to assemble and disassemble despite its size. The payload is around 15 lbs. (6.8 kg) helped by the super-lightweight yet robust carbon fiber frame.

Filming with the ALTA 6 from Freefly

This is a hexa-rotor drone made for aerial imaging. When used with the MoVI gimbal (not included), you can attach a camera above the airframe or below it. That means there are no angles this puppy can’t film from. The 15-pound payload should easily accommodate all DSLRs and mirrorless cameras too. Or, you can mount compatible compact cinema cameras that fit.

First Person View (FPV) works seamlessly with the flight controller and all the popular FPV systems. The ALTA 6 delivers everything enthusiasts and pros could want from a high-quality camera hexacopter. Flight modes include position hold, return-to-home, auto-land, speed control, and manual.

The Not So Good

There are a lot of amateurs who’d love to get their hands on an ALTA 6 or 8 from Freefly. Alas, this is a pro-grade hexacopter and therefore expensive to buy. You also need to invest in costly extras to get the most out of this amazing aerial robot.