In the beginning, drones were perceived as gadgets for entertainment and basic photography and videography purposes. However, recently people have started seeing the bigger picture and the real revolutionary potential of drones that can be helpful in many industries. More and more useful applications for drones are emerging on a regular basis, one of which is roof inspections.
Since the emergence of this new niche, drone manufacturers and brands are now offering the specialized best drones for roof inspections. Those unique features make the task much easier and more efficient. The difficulty of inspecting roofs in person, even for seasoned professionals, is an issue since roofs tend to be wet and damaged after heavy storms. Sometimes the damage is noticed when it is too late.
A more straightforward, safer, and more efficient way to avoid any unfortunate events is to invest in a drone, which will also potentially save you a lot of money that you would otherwise spend on professionals to conduct a basic roof inspection.
In today’s article, we will be sharing a selection of camera drones that will serve as great home inspection drones. We are also providing a concise list of features that you should look for in a good roof inspection drone.
8 Best Drone for Roof Inspections Reviews
1. DJI Mavic Mini
Features
- 12MP aerial photos, 2.7K HD videos, and 3-Axis Gimbal GPS
- Weighs Less Than 0.55lbs / 250 Grams, lighter than an average smartphone
- 30min Flight Time
DJI is amongst the most trusted drone brands because of its impeccable quality and state-of-the-art technology. DJI Mavic Mini is one of the best roof inspection drones because of its compact design and excellent aerial photography and videography performance.
It weighs less than 0.55lbs / 250 grams, which means that you can fly this drone without registering your drone with the government. With a 3-axis motorized gimbal, you can capture clear and stable 12MP aerial photos, and 2.7K HD videos. DJI Mavic Mini has a reasonable 30-min battery life, and it is compatible with most iOS v10.0, Android v6.0, or above devices.
DJI Mavic Mini is an excellent choice for beginners because the new DJI Fly app offers a smart Flight Tutorial to help you capture professional-quality aerial photos and videos from the first go.
2. Ruko F11 Pro Drone 4K Quadcopter
Features
- 4K Ultra HD Camera and 120°FOV lens for wide-angled view
- 60 Minutes Max Flight Time
- 500M / 1640FT Max HD Video Transmission
- 1200M / 3937FT Max Control range
- Level 7 Wind Resistance
If you are looking for the best FPV, 4K quadcopter. But you are also on a strict budget, then invest your hard-earned money in the Ruko F11 Pro without a second guess! Ruko F11 Pro is hands down the best 4K drone under 300.
With a 4K Ultra HD picture quality, an impressive 2.9k video quality, and a 120°FOV lens – you get a broad view, excellent clarity, vivid colors, and rich contrast. The powerful 2500mAh battery allows a reasonable 30-min battery life; however, Ruko F11 Pro Drone also comes with one additional battery; thus, you get to enjoy a max (30+30) 60-min flight time.
Ruko F11 Pro is amongst the best roof inspection drones as it allows live video transmission of 300-500 meters and up to 500 meters (Max1614FT) image transmission distance. To top it all off, Ruko F11 Pro Drone comes with a 30-day return or exchange guarantee and a 90day free warranty.
3. DJI Phantom 4 PRO Professional Drone
Features
- 1-inch 20 Megapixel CMOS Sensor Camera
- Five directions of obstacle sensing
- Titanium alloy and a magnesium alloy construction
DJI is hands-down and offers the best roof inspection drones. No matter if you talk about the range of features, built-quality, smart technology, or the price, DJI will surely impress you with its variety of drones for home inspections.
DJI Phantom 4 PRO Professional Drone is another exceptional-quality drone by DJI that exceeded our expectations in terms of both performance and built quality. You can enjoy powerful video processing with DJI Phantom 4 PRO Professional Drone, as it supports H.264 4K videos at 60fps / H.265 4Kat 30fps – both with 100Mbps bitrate.
DJI Phantom 4 PRO Professional Drone has a titanium alloy and magnesium alloy construction that increases the rigidity of the airframe and reduces weight. The best feature of DJI Phantom 4 PRO is its FlightAutonomy system that offers dual rear vision sensors and smart infrared sensing systems for a total of 5-direction of obstacle sensing and 4-direction obstacle avoidance.
4. VOOCO X-Star Premium Drone with 4K Camera
Features
- Up to 1.2 miles HD Live View
- 4K Ultra HD Video Camera
- With a Quick-Release 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer
Famous for its fantastic 1.2-mile flight range, VOOCO X-Star Premium is one of the most recommended drones for home inspections. VOOCO X-Star Premium is ideal for roof inspection because it offers twice the HD Live View range compared to the X-Star and other popular drones within this price range.
With VOOCO X-Star Premium Drone, you can enjoy world-class quality aerial live streaming, videos, and photography. VOOCO X-Star Premium has a 4K Ultra HD camera with a 108-degree FOV mounted on a 3-axis gimbal that ensures optimum video stabilization. Depending on your requirements, you can capture 4K30, 2.7K60, 1080p120, or 720p240 videos and take 12-MP photographs with VOOCO X-Star Premium Drone.
When it comes to battery life, VOOCO X-Star Premium is powered by a powerful and lightweight 14.8V LiPo battery that allows up to 25-min flight time, which is a reasonable flight time considering the price range of this power-packed device.
5. DJI Mavic 2 Pro Drone
Features
- Hasselblad L1D-20c camera with a 20MP 1″ CMOS Sensor
- 3-axis gimbal for optimum stabilization
- Up to 31-min flight time and 44 mph max speed
- Compatible with most iOS 10.0.2, Android 5.0 or above devices
It is nearly impossible to complete a list of 8 best roof inspection drones without mentioning the highly discussed DJI Mavic 2 Pro Drone. With the newly introduced Hasselblad Natural Color Solution technology, you can capture 20MP aerial shots with vibrant colors and impressive details.
The DJI Mavic 2 Pro Drone is an upgrade to the all-time popular DJI Mavic Pro. It includes a brand new 1-inch CMOS sensor that consists of an active sensing area, which is 4 times more effective than the original Mavic Pro. No matter if you talk about high-altitude shots or low-light ones, you will not be disappointed with Mavic 2 Pro’s impressive ISO 12800 performance.
The Mavic Pro 2 also has an impressive maximum flight time of 31 min battery-life, and an Ultra-Bright 5.5-inch 1080p Display for clear visibility even in direct sunlight.
6. SIMREX X11 Upgraded GPS Drone with 1080P HD Camera
Features
- Ultra-long flying duration of up to 22 minutes with 3150mah battery
- 1080P HD 108°FOV Adjustable FPV Camera and 500m control distance
- Easy controls with One Key Take off/Land/Return
- Headless mode, Altitude Hold Mode
- High/Low Speeds Switch and Trajectory Flight
The 3150mAh battery provides an impressive ultra-long flying duration of up to 22 minutes. The Simrex x11 upgraded is an excellent option for those who are buying their first drone and want something with advanced features that are beginner-friendly.
The drone camera is an adjustable FPV 1080P HD 108°FOV that easily captures high-quality video and photos, and you enjoy a 500m control distance that is great for longer flight distances. For smoother controllability, the Simres X11 comes with cool features like One Key Take off/Land/Return, Headless Mode, Altitude Hold Mode, High/Low Speeds Switch and Trajectory Flight, which all make flying this drone a pleasure.
It also comes with a GPS location that provides the exact location of your drone during flight, making it easier to locate and auto return assisted flight that is extremely helpful when your drone has runaway or in low power.
7. 40Mins Flight Time Drone, JJRC H68 RC Drone
Features
- 40 minutes flying time with 2 drone batteries
- Detachable 720P camera with anti-shake table
- Altitude hold and headless mode for easier, user-friendly controllability
One of the biggest strengths of this particular done can be seen in the name – 40 minutes flight time! The impressively long flight time is all thanks to the drone batteries coming with the drone and allowing you to prolonged flight time up to 40 minutes.
The JJRC H68 RC Drone has an optimized 720P camera mounted on an anti-shake table for stable and smooth videos. The drone camera also features a 45° adjustable angle, which enables you to enjoy different perspectives. The built-in Wi-Fi module provides FPV real-time transmission through which you can watch a live feed of the drone’s camera. This feature adds convenience and easy shareability.
Other features that impressed us are the altitude hold and headless mode that makes it easy for beginners to maneuver the drone without having to worry too much about orientation and control. The lack of a built-in proximity sensor and GPS module is disappointing.
8. Potensic T18 GPS Drone
Features
- 1080P HD Wi-Fi Camera and a 75° Adjustable Angle
- 10 min max flying time and 300m control distance
- Dual GPS Return Home and Follow Me Mode
Potensic T18 GPS Drone is one of the best adjustable wide-angle camera drones for home inspections. Potensic T18 has a 1080P camera that produces bright and vibrant contrast pictures and videos.
With a 75° adjustable lens, you can capture footage from different perspectives, which is added benefit to the roof inspection drones. Additionally, Potensic T18 is equipped with a smart 9-axis gyro that ensures a more stable and anti-wind flight. The Potensic T18 drone is an intelligent RC drone that can quickly locate the drone’s accurate positioning details with its advanced dual GPS.
The best thing about Potensic T18 is its wide range of smart functions, including the headless mode, Follow Me Mode, altitude hold and one-key take-off or landing, Low Voltage Alarm, and an intelligent button indicator for improved drone flying.
Features of Best Drones for Home Roof Inspections
Stability
The top feature to look for in a roof inspection drone is stability. Inspecting a roof requires you to look carefully at the state of the roof and pinpoint weak points and damage. Therefore, the drone needs to have both flight stability, as well as image stability. These features will have the most significant impact on the performance and result features.
A drone that is stable to fly and offers stable video results will be more efficient and useful for the job. Features like altitude hold will make it easier for you to navigate and control your drone during flight.
You May Also Read: Best Drones Under 500
First Person View
Another essential feature to look for, in our opinion, is First Person View or FPV. This feature will allow you to see exactly where and what the drone’s camera is pointing towards. Buying a camera drone to inspect roofs without the FPV feature would be a disadvantage and compromise its ability to do it correctly.
To notice any issues with the roof during and after roof inspection with your drive, you will need helpful features like FPV, which give you better control and the ability to inspect the roof more closely.
GPS
GPS location feature has become common in modern-day drones, and it can prove extremely useful for a home inspection drone. GPS is beneficial in drones in two ways – first, it makes controlling and maneuvering the drone easier. Second, it allows your drone to have many other useful features that can make inspecting a roof much more relaxed, especially if you are new.
It is because of GPS that your drone has features like Waypoints (which we will discuss later in the guide); follow me option, auto return, orbit, cable cam, more and me.
With the help of GPS and autonomous flight options, you will be able to let the drone fly around the marked property without the need for much assistance, which will leave you the time and freedom to watch the live FPV feed to look at the damage.
Camera Quality
Another critical feature to carefully consider when buying a drone for inspection of roofs and houses is the camera. It goes without saying that a drone for this particular application should be of high quality with the ability to capture minor details that will allow you to identify issues with the roof.
We suggest that you search for a drone with a decent camera mounted on a stabilizing table or gimbal to ensure a high-quality, stable image and the flexibility to move the camera in various directions and angles.
The standard of the camera and its mounting will significantly determine what kind of experience you will have with inspecting roofs using a drone. We believe that a camera with a 20 mpx CMOS sensor and the ability to record 4K and provide an HD live feed is a good benchmark for thorough roof inspections.
Flight Duration
How long a drone can fly without the need to stop and recharge batteries will determine how long you will be able to conduct a roof inspection. For the purpose of inspecting roofs, we believe that a longer flight duration is better because it will give you the time to be thorough and complete the task in one go.
We suggest that you search for a drone that will give you a minimum of 20 minutes of flight time. Some drones come with additional batteries to further extend the duration of the flight.
If you are willing to splurge on a high-end model, you will find many options that give you a flight time of up to 25 to 27 minutes and batteries with rapid charge technology, improving efficiency, and reducing waiting time. Be sure to check that your drone, irrespective of the budget, comes with a powerful LiPo battery and appropriate charger to avoid any hassle.
Flight Range
Many modern drones offer extensive flight range as a part of their premium features, but is it really necessary for roof inspection applications? The simple answer is NO! Unless you will be inspecting roofs of large mansions and expansive properties, there is no need to go for drones with vast flight ranges. However, a flight range of at least several hundred meters will be necessary and ample for most properties. Just make sure that the drone offers optimal control and FPV throughout its range to ensure effectiveness.
Waypoints
Waypoints is an extremely convenient feature to have in a roof inspection drone because it allows you to lets you map out several waypoints for the location with the help of the GPS feature.
You can customize the waypoints according to your needs, including flight speed, altitude, the orientation of the camera, and other aspects. Predetermining these specifications will give you the flexibility to inspect the roof carefully while the drone follows your direction.
This feature can make your task more efficient and easier while allowing you to enjoy some freedom from constantly controlling every aspect of the flight.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why are drones becoming famous for roof inspections?
Drones have become a popular choice to inspect roofs for several reasons, primarily because drone inspection is more convenient, safer, and faster than the traditional method.
Once you master the techniques of flying a drone, you can complete a thorough roof inspection with a drone twice as fast as a manual inspection. The best feature of a drone inspection is its ability to live-stream video and save the video for future reference.
2. What is the usual duration of a drone roof inspection?
As mentioned above, a drone roof inspection is relatively faster than the traditional method. The most significant factor that determines the duration is the size of the roof. It usually takes anywhere between 5-30 mins to inspect a roof with a drone camera thoroughly.
If you opt for a drone with a short flight duration, you would have to pause the inspection in midway and charge or replace the batteries, which will make the investigation both time-consuming and tiring. Therefore, it is essential to know the size of your roof or the maximum size of your usual clients to ensure that you invest in the best roof inspection drones with the required flight duration.
3. What is the recommended flight range for a roof inspection drone?
Different drones for home inspections offer varied flight ranges. The lowest recommended range is 50 meters and the best flight range of drones for home inspections is 150 meters. It is always ideal to opt for the best roof inspection drones with the highest flight range within your budget.
4. Are expensive drones better than affordable options?
When it comes to technology, a higher price usually does translate to better overall performance. However, you should never select drones for home inspections solely based on their price. There are several essential features, including flight duration and range, size and weight, camera video live stream quality, and more – to consider before making the final selection.
Verdict
Times have changed, and now you don’t have to climb the roof and put your life in danger to inspect a roof. You can now invest in efficient, reliable drones for home inspections and let the drone’s smart technology do the task for you. You carefully investigate via real-time footage transmitted to your screen or FPV goggles.
With our detailed buying guide and the eight drone choices we’ve mentioned in this post, we are confident that you will make a smart purchasing decision without any hassle. Nevertheless, it is essential to consider your specific requirements and budget before making the final decision.
