Last updated by Rachel N. on 15/07/2025
DJI T25 vs T50 vs T100

The DJI Agras T100 was released recently.

Check our Shop page for the T100!

We’ll dive into a head-to-head comparison of the T25, T50, and the new T100 to see how they stack up and help you decide which drone fits your farming needs best.

We will also have a latest video with Nick and Oscar discussing the new coming T100. Coming soon


Flight Time, Speed & Payload

When it comes to agricultural drones, efficiency isn't just about how long they can fly — it's about how much ground they can cover in each flight.

At first glance, the loaded flight times seem similar across models, but remember, the T100 is lifting nearly double the weight of a T50 and almost 4× that of a T25 in each flight). 

It drastically increases efficiency per sortie. From experience, our customers get to do 17-18hc per hour in maximum, with a typical operating efficiency of 12 hectares an hour. Given the T50 and T100 have a swath width of 10m, after some calculations on the expected coverage:

Fewer flights = fewer takeoffs, fewer refills, less battery swapping, and reduce the cumulative battery cycles and man-hours required. In a day of work, the T100 could complete 1–2 fewer flights than a T50 for the same area — and cut hours off a job compared to the T25. We estimate that a T100 could save around 20-25% in time and labor compared to using a T50 for the same workload. Over a long day, that might mean finishing a few hours earlier or covering extra fields – which lowers operating cost over time.

All three drones have similar recommended wind tolerance (around 6 m/s for safe spraying), but the T100’s heavier frame and more powerful motors provide extra stability in breezy conditions where a lighter drone might struggle. Faster and more stable flight translates into quicker job completion and the ability to operate in marginal conditions that might ground smaller drones.


Spraying Capacity

The T100 can empty its full tank in just ~2–3 minutes at max flow, allowing fast, dense applications when needed (e.g. fertilizer, frost control). You can also fine-tune spray settings for lighter, more delicate applications. It's fast and flexible.


Of course, not everyone needs that extreme capacity. If your typical jobs are small orchards or vegetable plots, a 75 L tank might be overkill (and you’re paying for capacity you won’t fully use every time). That’s why DJI still offers the T25 and T50 – they are more size-appropriate for modest needs. The T25’s 20 L tank is often enough for small farms or research plots, and its compact size makes refilling and handling very quick. The T50’s 40 L hits a sweet spot for many medium-sized farms – big enough to cut down refills significantly versus older 10–20 L drones, but not as large and heavy as the T100.


Spreading Capacity

The T100’s spreader is a beast for capacity and spreading rate. It now also features an intelligent screw feeder system with 4 different attachments to handle granule sizes from fine powder up to about 10 mm without clogging. For the T50, you have no options to change the feeder. Now for the T100, you are able to swap the screw feeders, which allows you to adjust how the granule drops and changes the spread width.

By comparison, the T50’s spreader holds ~75 L and can output ~100+ kg/min, and the T25’s holds 30 L (outputting ~190 kg/min max). All can effectively spread cover crop seeds or fertilizer, but the T100 can cover vastly more area per fill and is better suited for large-scale spreading tasks.

With a faster airspeed and stronger propulsion system, it helps to push the granules better to the soil and increase efficiencies.


Heavy-Lifting Mode (T100 Only)

Unique to the T100, it has a lifting mode with a winch hook that can carry up to 85 kg of payload (via a 10 m rope). 

This isn’t a feature used for crop spraying, but it opens up other possibilities on the farm – for example, hauling supplies to remote locations, ferrying irrigation equipment, or even supporting tasks like aerial firefighting with a small water bucket. Essentially, the T100 can double as an aerial crane for rural operations. We are excited to explore possible options for this new added lifting system.

Power and Battery Efficiency: Maximizing Uptime



Despite the massive differences in capacity, all these battery systems are designed for rapid charging and long service life. The T100’s single battery carries roughly 1.8× the energy of the T50’s battery on its 9kW fast charger. By the time you’ve refilled the spray tank, a fresh battery can be ready to go.

Equally impressive is the battery lifespan. They are rated for up to 1,500 charge cycles with proper maintenance – far more than previous-gen drone batteries. In other words, they can be used for several seasons of heavy use before needing replacement, which significantly lowers your long-term operating costs.


Sensing and Autonomy

All three drones come with DJI’s proven Dual Active Phased Array Radar systems and binocular vision sensors. These give each drone a 360° awareness of its surroundings. In practical terms, they can detect obstacles in front of and behind the drone out to about 30 m (even in darkness or fog, since radar isn’t reliant on light). The drones will automatically brake and rise to avoid obstacles, and they also use this system for terrain following – hugging the ground contour to keep a constant height above crops, which is critical for even spray coverage. 


NOW: The Agras T100 has the onboard Lidar scanner and an augmented reality (AR) display system. The sensing range has also been increased from 30m to 60m on the T100. This helps with obstacle avoidance despite the increase in flight speed.  The spinning Lidar unit actively maps the environment in 3D with high precision. This means the T100 can pick up smaller or low-contrast obstacles that radar might miss – for example, thin power lines or bare branches. The Lidar data feeds into the new AR interface for the pilot: using the DJI Goggles or on the controller screen, you can actually see a live point-cloud visualization of the terrain and obstacles around the drone. They highlight power lines or obstacles (like an AR outline of a tree) and even project the drone’s planned path and landing point onto the display.


Remote controller

DJI has kept the user experience consistent across the T25, T50, and T100 – so if you can fly one, you can transition to the others with minimal learning curve. All three run on the DJI Agras/Pilot 2 application and support the DJI RC Plus series remote controllers (the T100 and newer T25 ship with the latest RC Plus 2, while the T50 uses the original RC Plus). The newer RC will give you better transmissions (O4).

These controllers feature a bright 7-inch screen, are weather-resistant, and have customizable buttons – perfect for outdoor use with gloves on, etc. The interface for mission planning is the same: you can draw or import field boundaries, set your spray parameters (like dosage per hectare, flight height, overlap, etc.), and the app will generate an efficient flight path automatically. One-tap takeoff and autonomous mission execution are standard on all.



Physical handling and transport
  • Agras T25: This is the smallest and lightest, weighing about 32–33 kg with battery. It has a compact folding design that one person can carry and deploy fairly easily (it’s about the size of a large suitcase when folded). If your operations involve moving the drone between many small fields, the T25’s portability is a big plus. You can throw it in the back of a utility vehicle or pickup and set it up in minutes by yourself.

  • Agras T50: With a takeoff weight around 52 kg (battery in), the T50 is heftier. It also folds, but you will typically use two people to lift and carry it safely, especially with a full tank. It’s still quite portable for its capacity – fitting in a ute/trailer and deployable by a small team in the field. Many consider the T50 the largest size that’s comfortably handled without specialized equipment. It strikes a balance between size and convenience.

  • Agras T100: This drone is massive – roughly 73 kg with battery and empty tank. It does have folding arms to reduce its volume for transport, but make no mistake, you’ll likely need a pickup truck or trailer dedicated to hauling it, and might require two people (if not some lifting tools) to move it around. Field deployment of the T100 might involve ramps or dollies to roll it out if it’s loaded. The extra logistics are something to plan for if you go with the T100 – it’s a powerhouse, but not as grab-and-go as a T25.

Another operational aspect is support and ecosystem. All these Agras drones tie into the DJI SmartFarm platform. This means you can log your flights, generate spray reports, and even use cloud-based tools for crop management. If you’re an agronomist or large farm manager, the data captured (spray volume, area covered, flight maps) can be invaluable for your records. The T100 being the newest also integrates with any upcoming DJI farm AI features (for example, spotting crop health issues via its camera, or connecting with DJI Base Stations for centimeter-level positioning). But even the T25 and T50 benefit from this ecosystem approach – they’re not isolated gadgets, they’re part of a larger smart farming toolkit.


Which Drone Should You Choose?


From our experience, many users start with what fits their current needs (maybe a T25 for a hobby farm or a T50 for a business). If you’re on the fence, consider your 2-3 year outlook: Are you taking on bigger projects or expanding your farm acreage? If so, opting for the larger model might save you from having to upgrade again so soon. On the other hand, if your work volume remains modest, the smaller models will serve you well without extra complexity.

Aside from increase in spraying and spreading efficiency, the new lifting features and safety systems is also something nice to consider as it adds a whole new purpose to the T100.

Lastly, consider redundancy and fleet composition – some large operators use multiple T50s simultaneously instead of one T100, for example, to have a backup and flexibility of splitting up for different fields. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer, but the good news is all three Agras drones carry DJI’s hallmark reliability and support. No matter which you choose, you’re getting a high-quality aircraft that has been tested and proven in real farming conditions worldwide.


Still not sure which drone is the perfect fit for your needs? Give us a call – we’re happy to talk through your requirements, budget, and expectations to help you make the right choice. We’ve worked with operators using all of these models and can offer insights into what will serve you best. When you’re ready, we can also provide training (Setup, RePL, Type ratings etc) and support to get you flying confidently.

DJI Agras T100: Shop page
DJI Agras T50: Shop page
DJI Agras T25: Shop page



View T100 bundles for sale - with option to reserve a kit from our first shipment

View 30 min first impressions video below




Last updated by Rachel N on 27/06/2025

DJI M400 vs M300/350 vs M600Pro

The DJI Matrice 400 (M400) was launched a few days ago on 10 June 2025 worldwide!

In this article, instead of discussing its general specs and features which are already available over the net:

To check for basic specs/ features of the M400, please check here.


When DJI released the M400, it wasn’t just about replacing the M300/600s, it was a rethink of what an enterprise drone could do. Everyone is discussing its capabilities compared to the M300/350 and M600, let’s see the differences and check out which suits you more!


We will cover different aspects including the flight performance, battery systems and implications, the payload capability and also real-world operational impacts! We will delve into specific technical comparisons, use cases, and real-life figures between the M400 and the comparable models.


Flight Time and Speed: Do More in a Single Launch

Endurance is everything when we are covering a paddock, inspecting power lines, or mapping remote bushland. The M400 flies up to 59 minutes with typical payloads like the H30T, compared to:

  • M300/350: ~40 mins (with H30T)

  • M600 Pro: ~20–25 mins (with 6 kg payload)

That’s 30–40% more usable airtime per flight compared to the M300/350, and double that of the M600 Pro. You don’t just get longer flights. In operation, you can do fewer takeoffs, fewer swaps, and fewer gaps in your data.


Whether it’s wind resistance or mission timing, the M400 leads:

  • Max speed: 25 m/s (90 km/h)

  • Wind tolerance: 12–15 m/s

That’s not just numbers. Faster and more stable flights translate into cleaner mapping grids, quicker job completion, and the ability to fly in more marginal conditions.



Power and Battery Efficiency

The M400 shifts from the dual-battery TB60/65 system to a single TB100 battery.

Matrice 300/350 dual-battery system (two TB60/65): 

  • TB60 is 5935 mAh, ~52.8 V, ~274 Wh (~200 charge cycles)

  • TB65 is 5880 mAh, 44.76 V, 263, smaller battery capacity but can handle ~400 charge cycles, double lifespan of TB60.

  • Redundancy and hot swapping

Matrice 600 6-battery system (6 TB47s): 

  • TB47s is 4500 mAh, ~22.2 V, ~99.9 Wh (~200 charge cycles)

M400 single large battery (TB100/100c)

  • T100 is 20,254 mAh, 48 V, ~977 Wh (~400 charge cycles ), 

  • roughly 1.8× the total energy of a pair of TB60s. 

  • That’s why longer flight times. Also rated for ~400 charge cycles 

The TB100 is nearly twice the energy of the TB60 pair, and it still manages 400 charge cycles (same as TB65, twice the TB60 lifespan).

TB100 (400 cycles), meaning it has a longer lifespan, twice as long, so the cost is lower over time.

Cost-wise, it’s competitive:

Most pros get 3 battery sets. The M400 could do the same job with 2 sets instead of 3, and still have spare time. With a fast charger (BS100), one TB100 charges in ~45 mins, so a 2-battery cycle could keep you airborne all day.

But still, we do recommend getting 3 for redundancy, then you can have a set cooling down before charging them (better for the battery health).


Payloads: Heavier, Smarter, More at Once

The M400 can be a replacement for the M600 as it carries up to 6 kg which is the same as the M600 Pro, but with double the flight time. Compared to the M300/350's which carries 2.7 kg capacity, M300 can still be in your list if you are using a single payload for the mission.

For infrastructure inspections like powerlines or wind turbines, or Search & rescue missions, you usually take a zoom/RGB camera with a thermal sensor/Lidar. In these case, M400 is a good upgrade.

When it comes to surveying and mapping, you might only require the RGB or multispectral camera. In cases you do not require dual payloads or extremely long flights, the M300 is a more compact, field-friendly, and cost-effective solution. I would recommend getting the M400 if you are always doing mapping, getting a lot of jobs, it will save you up to 15-20% time and labour costs. The M400 can finish the job 1-2 flights less than the M300 in a day.

More importantly, it supports multiple payloads at the same time. Up to 7 attachments via 4 E-Port v2 ports. Think:

  • H30T

  • L1/L2 LiDAR

  • P1 mapping camera

  • Spotlight + loudspeaker for SAR

Previously, you’d need two drones or multiple flights to run thermal and LiDAR simultaneously. Now? One drone, one launch.


Sensor & Obstacle Avoidance

The M400's obstacle avoidance system combines:

  • Binocular vision

  • mmWave radar

  • Rotating LiDAR

Illustration obtained from DJI M400 User manual.

Unlike older models that rely on vision and infrared alone, this multi-layered detection system excels at spotting thin objects like power lines, even in low light.

Pair it with DJI’s Power Line AR + L2 LiDAR, and you’ve got a drone that can trace live transmission lines safely, quickly, and at speed.


Mapping Efficiency: Cover More, Fly Less

Mapping 1,000 acres (≈4 km²):

  • M300 + P1: ~5 flights (~4.5 hours incl. swaps)

  • M400 + P1: ~3–4 flights (~3 hours max)

That’s up to 1.5 hours saved per project—less labour, less wear and tear, fewer battery sets.


Field Use: Real Ops in SAR, Night, and Harsh Weather

From -20°C to 50°C, rain or dust, the M400 is IP55 rated and mission-ready. Use cases include:

  • Search & Rescue: Fly longer with TB100C tethered for extended ops

  • Night Ops: H30T + spotlight (S1) + speaker (V1) combo

  • Agriculture: Large paddock scan, thermal, NDVI, and RGB in one run

And for those already using the RC Plus controller and DJI Pilot 2 interface—zero learning curve.


Is the M400 Worth the Jump?

If you run complex missions, long-range inspections, or high-output mapping jobs, then yes, 100%.

It offers a balance:

  • M600 Pro power with M300 endurance

  • Heavier payload capacity than both

  • Longer battery life and smarter integration

It helps to reduce costs over time (operational time needed and long-term battery cost).


Give us a call if you need help deciding:

M400: Shop page

M300: Shop page

M600: Shop page





Last updated by Nick S. on 15/04/2025


The DJI T50 is a modular, uncomplicated and well-engineered spraying machine, with a simple maintenance requirement. Especially when considered relative to a manned helicopter or SP sprayer. For this reason, we just don’t see spray drones simply wear out. In 2025, we still see old T10s, T20s and T30s in service. You will replace rotors and washers/shims, maybe a centrifugal or impeller pump motor , the very occasional ESC, or a motor, but that’s usually it. If you have a crash, the system is designed with sacrificial parts. Drones For Hire has its own graphical parts catalogue that is thorough and clear.


You are much more likely to stop using your spray drone because you want to upgrade to the next model, not because your current model is worn out / has been retired. DJI brings out new models roughly every 2 years. We see some customers holding out for the next model which is plausible, depending on how long the wait is, what season this time frame covers and the subsequent variables that can impact your spraying needs.  The cost of not being able to spray e.g. when it’s wet or because your local contactor is booked, or your boom sprayer is down for repairs can become far more costly than the drone purchase. Some customers even get a T50 just as a backup/ redundancy.


What’s the next one on the horizon? The DJI T100 is coming next! It will feature some more industry leading breakthrough technology as usual from DJI and will really push spray drones forward into broad acre areas of Australia, with a suspected productivity rate of 220+ ha per day per drone.  


Important to note, the T100 is not just an upgraded T50, it is in a different product category. The T50 is a versatile all-rounder that is good on crops and good for spot spraying weeds on hills, aquatic weeds in waterways and even white washing greenhouse roofs. Relative to its predecessors (T40, T30) and the T100, the T50 can be considered a ‘medium’ sized aircraft that many customers can pick up on their own and move on and off a trailer or vehicle. 

The T100 on the other hand is much bigger, less agile, requires 2 people to carry, and is therefore more designed as a high productivity crop sprayer.   





Go to T50 bundles (shop page)

Go to DFH store for DJI Agras T50



Last updated by Nick S. on 15/04/2025



For broadacre work, The DJI T50 can cover up to 17 ha (42 acres) of cotton per hour  (at 20L per ha application rate (one drone). 130 ha per day is a good day.  These are real world achievements cited from our own cotton farming customers in QLD and validated on-site. Expect particularly good results with fungicide, foliar, micros and insecticide. The spreader/hopper results are particularly outstanding as well. 



For spot spraying, compared to a quick spray, you should expect to be roughly twice as efficient and be using 10%-50% less chemical to get the same kill rate (spray drones are famous for their efficacy because they have the advantage of their big rotors pushing droplets  down, and circulating them throughout the target. So if an area normally takes you 4 days with a quick spray, you will do it in 2 days with the drone, and will be using less chemical and working less hard – as you’re more efficient and not walking up and down steep hills with a hose.  Even with  a motorised reel on a quick spray, it’s still relatively hard work.


In some cases we have found that spot spraying on extremely rough terrain can be a lot quicker than traditional ground application. An area of 20ha may yield 5ha of target weed like blackberry. Using drones we can map this area so we only spray the target plant, and we would cover that area (even in very complex and difficult terrain) in 5 to 7 hr. Using a hand spray on the same terrain, we tested a contractor and they took 4 to 5 days (two loads a day due to high travel for refill). 


Compared to a helicopter , you will see far more spray control/precision is possible. The automated systems on a drone allow for very accurate (down to 10mm) GPS positioning, This means no stripping due to spray run positioning. The low operational height of the drone also allows for better droplet control over traditional aerial application. Droplets are retained in the rotor wash and pushed onto the target. Fly your DJI T50 over the weeds - its rotors will drive the chemical down from above the centre of the target weed section, and quickly move on to the next section.  You can even pre-map the area, shade in the sections of weed over the map (with your computer mouse), save it as a prescription map, and the T50 will autonomously go out and saturate each patch of weeds on its own. 


How to compare a spray drone with an self-propelled (SP) sprayer 


Whilst productivity has come a long way with the DJI T50, you still need multiple drones to cover what an SP sprayer can do in a day. Let’s say you’re doing 500 ha a day with your SP sprayer. You might need 4x T50 drones to do the same, but it’s important to note an SP sprayer costs about 20x as much ($800k or more), requires a lot more maintenance, and can’t operate on soft (wet) ground. So whilst a T50 is not an SP sprayer, it punches way above its weight considering its size, cost, and versatility. Not to mention its modular design, uncomplicated maintenance program, low cost of parts, no diesel expense, and much more efficient use of inputs. 


Keep in mind, operating one or more spray drones requires battery changes and liquid/granular refills as a steady workflow as you’re going. You’re not sitting in the cab of an SP sprayer, however the largest integrated, not-for-profit medical group practice in the world suggests this may not be good for you.


We have many customers who choose to have an extra person (2 people) licensed and trained up. This is good for staff/operational redundancy, good for general information sharing as a team during the drone learning curve. Customers frequently comment that their drone purchase has helped them and other family members stay passionate about being on the property by way of using interesting technology to achieve more efficient ways of doing things. 


Almost all our customers comment on the simple availability of the drone being such an asset – they can go and spray any time day or night , especially useful when your weather window closes in , or when contractors are unavailable / booked out.


The T100 is coming next and is expected to be doing 225 ha per day.  If you run 4 of them that’s 900 ha per day – this new T100 will really push spray drones into broadacre farming.





Go to T50 bundles (shop page)

Go to DFH store for DJI Agras T50



Last updated by Alex W. on 09/04/2025

Are you interested in advancing your drone technology skills? Drones for Hire provides the DJI T40/T50/T100  Type Rating Certification, designed for current Multi Rotor RePL holders. With this certification, you gain the ability to operate your personal T40 drone on your property. If you plan to extend your flying activities to other properties, consider obtaining an additional ReOC license in conjunction with your type rating certification.


FAQs’


Q1: Can I fly my T40/T50/T100 drone anywhere with the type rating?

A1: The DJI T40/T50/T100 type rating certification allows you to operate your T40/T50/T100 drone on your property. However, if you intend to fly on other properties, you may need to obtain an additional ReOC license.


Q2: Can I fly any large drone with the type rating?

A2: No, the type rating is specific to the DJI T40/T50/T100 drone and does not grant permission to operate drones over RePL standards. Different certifications or licenses are required for larger drones.


Q3: How long does it take to complete the type rating certification?

A3: The duration to complete the DJI T40/T50/T100 type rating certification varies based on prior experience. If you are familiar with DJI products, such as the T30, the endorsement can take just a few hours. However, for those less experienced, it typically involves training courses and assessments, spanning several days to weeks. 


Q4: What are the prerequisites?

A4: To obtain the DJI T40/T50/T100 type rating certification, you typically need to hold a Multi Rotor RePL (Remote Pilot License) and fulfill any additional qualifications specified by relevant authorities.


Q5: How much does it cost?

A5: The cost of obtaining the DJI T40/T50/T100 type rating certification varies, but it's generally around $1300. If you get it with a T40/T50/T100 drone get $300 off your purchase.


Q6: Does it expire?

A6: The DJI T40/T50/T100 type rating certification does not expire.


Q7: What should I expect during the training?

A7: During DJI T40/T50/T100 Type Rating Certification training, you can expect to learn the following:

- Comprehensive instruction on the operation of the DJI T40/T50/T100 drone.

- Training on the maintenance and care of the drone.

- Practical hands-on experience in flying the DJI T40/T50/T100.

- Guidance on safety protocols and regulations.

- Evaluation through assessments or exams to ensure competency.