DJI Matrice 30T vs Matrice 4T: which should you buy?

Get the Matrice 30T if you have to fly in rain, snow, dust or extreme heat: it's rated IP55 and works from -20 °C to 50 °C, and it has a rugged dual-battery design. Get the Matrice 4T if you don't need weather sealing: it weighs about a third as much, folds into a small case, flies 8 minutes longer, and its laser rangefinder and video link both reach farther. Both carry 640 × 512 thermal cameras and are sold by quote.

Specs side by side

	Matrice 30T	Matrice 4T
Price	Quote	Quote
Takeoff weight	3.77 kg (with two batteries)	1.22 kg
Weather rating	IP55	No rating listed
Operating temperature	-20 to 50 °C	-10 to 40 °C
Wide camera	1/2 in, 12 MP	1/1.3 in, 48 MP
Zoom	48 MP, 113 to 405 mm equivalent	48 MP at 70 mm and 168 mm
Thermal	640 × 512	640 × 512
Laser rangefinder	3 to 1,200 m	Up to 1,800 m
Max flight time	41 min	49 min
Max speed	23 m/s	21 m/s
Wind resistance	12 m/s	12 m/s
Video range (FCC)	15 km	25 km
Batteries	Two TB30	One

Specs are DJI's published figures. Enterprise kits are quoted because batteries, cases and accessories vary.

The key differences

Weather. This is usually the deciding factor. The Matrice 30T is rated IP55 and rated to operate from -20 to 50 °C, so fire, police and utility crews can launch in rain, snow and dust. DJI lists no ingress protection rating for the Matrice 4T, and its operating range is -10 to 40 °C. If your missions don't wait for good weather, the 30T is the safer pick.

Size and deployment. The Matrice 4T weighs 1.22 kg and folds like a Mavic, so it fits in a patrol car or a backpack. The 30T is bigger at 3.77 kg with its two batteries, though it also folds for transport.

Cameras. Both have 640 × 512 thermal. The Matrice 4T has a sharper 1/1.3-inch 48 MP wide camera and two fixed telephoto cameras. The 30T uses a 48 MP zoom camera with optical zoom from 113 to 405 mm equivalent. For reading signs or plates at a distance, compare both in a demo. For general scene awareness at night, the 4T's newer sensors and near-infrared auxiliary light help.

Range-finding. Both have laser rangefinders. The Matrice 4T measures up to 1,800 m, the 30T up to 1,200 m.

Endurance and link. The 4T flies 49 minutes versus 41, and its link is rated 25 km FCC versus 15 km. Both are far beyond line of sight, so the practical gain is a steadier feed near buildings and terrain.

Who each one is for

Matrice 30T: fire departments, search and rescue in mountains and coasts, utilities working in storms, and any team that flies year-round in harsh weather.
Matrice 4T: police patrol, search and rescue in fair weather, inspection teams that move often, and agencies starting a thermal program on a tighter budget.

See best drone for public safety for the wider picture.

What to check before you buy

Your weather. Count how many missions last year happened in rain or below -10 °C.
Batteries and charging. The 30T uses TB30 batteries and the BS30 charging station. Budget for enough sets to cover a full shift.
Accessories. Spotlights, speakers and RTK modules are different for each platform.
Compliance. Both need FAA registration and Part 107, or a public aircraft COA for agencies. See Part 107 vs Part 91 vs COA.

Quick answers

Are both still available in the US? Yes. Both were authorized before the FCC's December 2025 cutoff. A July 2026 FCC proposal targets further imports of thermal drones; it isn't final. See is DJI banned in the US.

Read the Matrice 30T guide, or contact us to arrange a quote on either kit.