Types of Drones and Their Uses

What comes to mind when you hear the word “drone”?

Do you envision the quadcopters that backyard drone enthusiasts have made so popular over the past decade? Or, perhaps you think of the big white military/intelligence drones that are practically the size of cars and look like passenger jets.

If you live in the United States, where over seven million drones have already been sold, the word may conjure up more than one image.

The truth is, there are several types of drones out there that are more popular than others. Any one of these common drone types is more than likely, the image that springs to mind at the word “drone.”

That said, there are also more unique and advanced prototypes coming out every year.

But what are the most popular types of drones? Furthermore, what makes each one unique? By the end of this post, you'll have a thorough understanding of what's buzzing overhead.

What are Drones Used For?

The number of drone types in production is as diverse as those lining up to buy the latest products. From weekend pilots to those training to fly drones professionally, today’s diverse range of drones offer the tools and mobility to do more than ever before.

Here are a few of the most common uses for drones:

• Agriculture
• Hobbyist
• Construction
• Delivery
• Drone-rental
• Emergency Services
• Engineering
• Law enforcement and military
• Media
• Photography
• Surveillance

This list barely touches the versatile range of drone usage that exists today. From making money to detecting and detonating landmines, drones are also more useful and needed today than ever before.

Types of Drones and Their Uses

Now that we’ve talked a bit about the most common uses for drones, let’s have a look at the most popular drone types. We’ll talk about everything from design and cost to ease of use and functionality.

Fixed-Wing (mapping and inspections)

One of the most widely-known drone types in the word is the fixed-wing. The primary usage of fixed-wing drones is aerial mapping, along with powerline and pipeline inspection. 

Fixed-wing drones are one of the few drone types that aren’t lifted into the air via rotors. 

Furthermore, they don’t use extra energy to stay up in the air either. Instead, they move forward on a set course or are controlled by remote.

The fixed-wing drone will stay afloat until it’s charge runs out and it can no longer receive direction from a controller. Typical flight time for a decent fixed-wing drone is around two hours. That said, fixed-wing drones that use gas-powered engine can fly for up 16 hours or more.

Because of their superior energy efficiency and flight time, fixed-wing drones are excellent for long-distance business or operations. However, they are also quite a bit more expensive than most hobby drones.

As mentioned above, one of the primary uses for this particular type of drone is mapping and surveillance. The downside is that they aren’t used for photography often. This is due to their lack of ability to hover or stay still for a long enough period to take clear photos.

Related post: 5 Best Drones for Mapping and Surveying walks you through more of the intricacies of the fixed-wing drones.

Another drawback to the fixed-wing drones is the fact that they require a runway or catapult to take off into the air. Also, landing a fixed-wing drone is also a bit of a hassle compared to simpler designs. It requires a parachute or net to land properly without damage to the drone.

Pros

• Long-lasting charge/fuel source
• Covers a more considerable distance than other drone types
• Fast flying speeds

Cons

• Complicated launch and landing requirements
• No verticle take-off or landing
• Requires more skill to fly properly
• More expensive than other drone types

Single-Rotor (laser scanning)

Another highly utilized drone today is the single-rotor type. The best way to describe a single-rotor drone is to say that it looks incredibly similar to a helicopter. These drones are heavily relied on for aerial laser scanning by commercial businesses.

That said, despite the name, most single-rotor drones have two rotors. One large rotor is fixed to the shaft, which controls the flying height. A smaller rotor sits on the tail and controls the direction the craft moves.

Many folks who fly single-rotor drones tout them as much more efficient than multi-rotor drones. It is undeniable that they are more energy-efficient. They’re also able to be powered by gasoline in addition to electricity and can fly higher than other drones.

Single-rotor drones are easier to launch and pilot than fixed-wing drones but are more challenging to operate than many multi-rotor drones. Additionally, there is a risk of bodily harm from the large rotor blade in the case of a crash landing or loss of control.

Pros

• Easier to pilot than fixed-wing drones
• Verticle take-off and landing abilities
• Capable of heavier payloads
• Travels longer distances when using a gas fuel source

Cons

• Poses a lethal danger to pilot and onlookers due to the large propeller blade
• Requires a serious amount of training
• Higher cost than many fixed-wing and multi-rotor drones

Multi-Rotor (photography and video)

Without a doubt, one of the most popular types of drones to date is the multi-rotor type. The most popular of multi-rotors is the quadcopter style drone. These little beauties are used mainly for aerial photography and video and are often seen being piloted by amateurs around backyards and parks worldwide.

From drone racing and leisure flying to professionals filming aerial shots for their latest motion picture, there is no question about the popularity of multi-rotor drones. Even more, multi-rotor drones are the most accessible drone type to produce. That means they're among the most affordable drones currently available on the market.

There are additional subclasses of multi-rotor drones as well. These classifications include tricopters with three rotors, quadcopters with four rotors, hexacopters with six rotors, octocopters with eight rotors, and numerous hybrids with any number of rotors.

The number of benefits and advantages of the multi-rotor drone are not without their equal and opposite downsides. For starters, the multi-rotor drone typically has a pretty brief flight time (15 to 30 mins) as well as less speed and agility than other drone types. 

Furthermore, multi-rotor drones aren’t the most exceptional help for long-distance or large scale projects. This is due in part to their heavy energy usage while stabilizing themselves in the air. That said, this drone type is excellent for recreationalists and those looking for an affordable camera drone to practice with.

The quadcopter that we highly recommend if you are looking for a camera drone is the DJI Mavic 2 Pro. With a 1″ CMOS sensor, the camera is capable of shooting video in 4k and capturing 20-megapixel still images. Check current Mavic 2 Pro prices on DJI's website here, and on Amazon here.

Pros

• Extremely user-friendly
• Highly available almost anywhere
• Great for picture/video footage
• Ability to fly indoors and outdoors as well
• Less expensive than any other type of drone

Cons

• Very short flying time compared to other drones
• Practically non-existent payload capacity

Fixed-Wing Hybrid (delivery)

Last, but not least, of the four main types of drones commonly used today is the fixed-wing hybrid. These particular drones combine the advantages of fixed-wing drones and rotor type drones. 

Fixed-wing hybrids have a more substantial flight time as well as the ability to hover and stabilize in mid-air. A concept half a century old (first thought up in the 1960s), the fixed-wing hybrid drones have only recently begun to see successful designs emerging onto the market thanks mainly to accelerometers and gyros.

One of the most significant advantages of the fixed-wing hybrid is the ability to control the drone through a combination of manually toggling controls and relying on automated maneuvers. The combination of these two techniques results in a more stabilized flight and the ability to easily guide the drone on any desired course.

This drone type is so useful, as well as reliable, that online retail giant, Amazon, has invested in fixed-wing hybrid drones for its Prime delivery service. Several basic fixed-wing hybrids are available on the market for those interested in something other than a quadcopter. Learn more about Amazon drone delivery here.

Pros

• Verticle take-off and landing capabilities
• Longer distance flight capabilities than most drones
• New and advanced operations
• Cutting edge designs

Cons

• Far from perfect in design (regardless of being cutting edge)
• Can hover and fly forward but isn’t great at either one individually
• Currently under development, not as readily available for purchase as other drone types

Other Types of Drones 

The four types of drones listed above are by far the most common. That said, there are numerous other types of drones today that aren’t for backyard-pilots or amateurs to use as well. 

Here are some of the most significant additional drone types:

Camera/Video Drones

One of the best selling types of drones on the market is camera drones. A vast majority of all camera drones are of the multi-rotor type. This is due in part to the cost-efficient manufacturing of said drones, which makes them extremely affordable for backyard pilots and professionals alike.

Today, camera drones are quite common and come in all sizes and shapes. Likewise, they are available for a wide range of prices. You can pick up one of these bad boys for as little as $20 (or less) and as much as several thousands of dollars.

Commercial Drones

The FAA defines commercial drones as any drone which is used in connection with a business of any sort. This means that if you’re planning to make a profit via your drone, your drone is classified as a commercial drone.

If you plan on making money with a drone, the FAA mandates that you must obtain a Part 107 Certificate, which is basically a commercial drone license. We created a thorough guide that walks you through the process of getting that certification, which you can find here.

The term commercial drone covers a plethora of activities. From roof inspections to wedding photography, if you make money from the action it is classified as commercial drone usage.

DJI drones, including the DJI Mavic 2 Pro and the DJI Inspire 2, are just a couple of the most popular commercial drones for photography. The cost to pick up one of these drones ranges from under $1,000 to $3,000+.

If you're interested in starting a drone photography business, we highly suggest that you read this in-depth guide that walks you through the process.

Military Drones

Perhaps the most versatile of all drones used in today’s modern world are Military Drones. For longer than the general public has even been aware, the military has been developing and deploying a wealth of drone types. 

From handheld recon drones which are deployed by hand right on the frontlines of the battlefield to insect-sized drones used for gathering intelligence, military drone types are quite the exciting study for those who enjoy learning about more than just ordinary civilian-legal drones. 

Every year the world’s militaries continue to dump millions of dollars into the research and development of cutting edge drone technology (dozens of countries possess militarized drones). Many of these countries have fully armed drones capable of untold destruction.

Here are a few of the most interesting and well-known military drone types:

(Micro) Nano drones

These little drones, regardless of how far fetched they seem, have been employed in warzones for years now. They are only now becoming a point of public interest, possibly due to being featured in numerous major films recently.

One example of a nano drone is the now-famous Black Hornet used by the British military in the conflict in Afghanistan for the past several years (since 2013). These micro-sized drones are highly advanced and yet are no larger than 1-inch by 4 inches.

(Small) Tactical drones 

Ordinarily small and lightweight, tactical drones are typically used for surveillance, target acquisition, and other classified reconnaissance-type missions. Small tactical drones, such as the FULMAR, have a flight capability of around 12 hours as well as an impressive range of over 55 miles per charge.

The Aladin is another such tactical drone which is rather small and extremely useful. Although its range is five-times less than the FULMAR, it is equally as capable of gathering intelligence, performing target acquisition, and many other reconnaissance maneuvers.

(Mid-sized) Reconnaissance drones

Much like the small tactical drones mentioned above, the mid-sized reconnaissance drones are used for intelligence gathering missions and general recon maneuvers. They also possess the ability to fly higher and longer. 

Being larger and having more abundant energy/fuel reserves, mid-sized reconnaissance drones are capable of more extended distance missions and larger-scale projects. These drones are sometimes classified as MALE or HALE drones.

(Larger) Combat and surveillance drones

Without question, the most recognized of all military drone types are the large combat drones of the United States military. Controversial by their very nature, these unmanned drones are armed with cameras, machine guns, and hellfire missiles. 

They are 100 percent remote-controlled by US soldiers and can have a charge of over half a day. Their range can be dozens to hundreds of miles.

The Predator drone is probably the most infamous of all drones to date. It has been reported to have been used in lethal activities in many countries, including ones which the US is not technically at war with. 

Other well-known larger combat and surveillance drones used by world powers are the NATO Reapers and the similarly designed Chinese CH-4. Aside from the US, China, and NATO, France, Spain, Egypt, Iraq, the UK, and a handful of other countries own these lethal weapons.

Other types of drones

As fast as people’s curiosity about drones grows, new technologies continue to develop, and new drones are created. A few of the most exciting types of drones not previously mentioned in this article are underwater drones and space drones for exploration as well as industrial drones for various heavy-duty tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions About Different Types of Drones

Before making any final decisions about purchasing a drone, it’s best to research as thoroughly as possible. That’s why we put together the following list of frequently asked questions about different types of drones. Along with the rest of the information above, your understanding of drone types and uses should be significantly increased.

Here are a few of the most significant FAQs concerning different types of drones:

What kind of fuel do drones use?

Today, drones typically rely on electrical charges and battery packs. That said, many drones run on other fuel types such as gasoline or solar power. However, most leisure drones have electronic fuel sources.

How high can drones fly?

Drones have been recorded flying as high as 11,000 feet (DJI Phantom 2). Even so, operating at such heights is actually illegal. Thus, the answer to this question is double-sided; over 11,000 technically, but 400 to 500 feet legally (depending on if you live in the US or Europe).

Are drones an expensive hobby?

Yes and no. Owning and operating a drone is only as expensive, or inexpensive, as you allow it to be. Prices for drones and replacement parts start at less than $10 these days. That said, they also come with price tags in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Upkeep is practically nothing, financially, so the majority of the cost is in the initial purchase of the drone itself as well as the monthly or yearly drone insurance premium if you have an active policy.

What sort of new drones will the future hold? 

The drones of the future are beyond our wildest dreams and wishes. Even as experienced drone owners and pilots, the wave of future drones will surely knock our socks off with features and functions, we never expected. 

From exploring the furthest corners of deep-space to mapping the floors of the Earth’s oceans and attempting to replace the dwindling bee population, today’s drones are already incredibly amazing!

A Final Word About Drone Types and Uses

Hopefully, you know have a much clearer perspective on all the types of drones and their uses. For now, multi-rotor drones continue to be the most preferred drone type by new pilots. That said, if you’re planning on running a business that rotates around drones (see what I did there?) you may want to consider investing in a more capable fixed-wing or hybrid drone.

Do you currently own a drone, or are thinking about getting your hands on? If so, which type do you like the best and why? We’d love to hear your opinion in the comments section below.