Drones: Industrial

The best drones for this job — with an honest verdict and the EU certificate each one needs.

• DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise

  915 gC2A1/A3 required; A2 certificate to fly closer to people

  The DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise (915 g, class C2) is a compact working tool for surveying, mapping and inspection — mechanical shutter, 56x hybrid zoom and an optional RTK module. It needs the A1/A3 certificate, plus a separate A2 certificate to fly closer to people. Not a drone for beginners.

• DJI Mavic 3 Thermal

  920 gC2A1/A3 required; A2 certificate to fly closer to people

  The DJI Mavic 3 Thermal (920 g, class C2) is a working tool for thermal inspection and search-and-rescue: a 640x512 radiometric thermal camera with spot and area temperature measurement in the same airframe as the Mavic 3 Enterprise. It needs the A1/A3 certificate, plus a separate A2 certificate to fly closer to people. Not a drone for beginners.

• DJI Matrice 4E

  1,219 gC2A1/A3 required; A2 certificate to fly closer to people

  The DJI Matrice 4E weighs about 1219 g and carries a C2 class mark — you need the A1/A3 certificate, plus a separate A2 certificate to fly closer to people. A compact enterprise drone for surveying and mapping — not a hobby purchase.

• Autel EVO Max 4T

  1,999 gC2A1/A3 required; A2 certificate to fly closer to people

  The Autel EVO Max 4T weighs about 1999 g, and the V2 version carries a C2 class mark — you need the A1/A3 certificate, plus a separate A2 certificate to fly closer to people. A thermal inspection drone for professionals — not a hobby purchase.