A drone is a flying battery with a camera. New obstacle-avoidance, transmission, and sensor packages land every year, and used buyers are allergic to crash history. Complete kits with extra batteries do better than a lone airframe.
Live catalog: 68 drones · offers $5–$420 · average $177 (displayed listings, working-condition quotes).
Typical first-year loss for a working drone: about 45%. Year two lands near 60%; year three near 75%.
| Time owned | Value lost | On a $1,000 device | Est. on average offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 months | −14% | $860 | $153 |
| 6 months | −27% | $730 | $129 |
| 9 months | −37% | $630 | $112 |
| 1 year | −45% | $550 | $98 |
| 1.5 years | −53% | $470 | $83 |
| 2 years | −60% | $400 | $71 |
| 2.5 years | −68% | $320 | $57 |
| 3 years | −75% | $250 | $44 |
| 5 years | −90% | $100 | $18 |
“Est. on average offer” applies the curve to today’s average catalog offer — a sketch of age, not a quote for your serial number.
Why drones lose value
- Remote-ID and airspace rules change who can legally fly older models in some regions.
- Batteries are consumables. Swollen packs are a hard no.
- Gimbal damage is expensive. A bent arm is obvious in a quote photo.
What still holds a price
- Complete DJI (or similar) kit: aircraft, controller, charger, at least one healthy battery, props.
- Low flight time, no crash repairs, calibrated compass/IMU.
- Account unbound / not stolen. We will not take a blacklisted serial.
When to sell
Sell before a new Mini / Air / Mavic class announcement if you already fly the current one as a backup. After the launch, last-gen kits discount quickly.
How this is built
Percentages are category research (resale studies + typical buyback movement), not IRS MACRS. Dollar ranges are live from our displayed drones. Your instant quote still depends on exact model, storage, cosmetic grade, and defects — including account locks.
Sources
- AssetPanda IT asset depreciation guide
- IRS Publication 946 (MACRS 5-year property)
- IRS Publication 946 — computers as 5-year property (accounting contrast, not a street bid).
Instant quote · free prepaid label · paid after inspection.
FAQ
Do extra batteries add much?
Yes, if they hold charge and are not swollen. A three-battery kit is a different product from a one-battery toy.
Does cosmetic wear change the depreciation table?
The percentages describe typical working devices in good shape. Heavy wear, missing parts, account locks, or dead boards are extra deductions on top of age. A clean, unlocked unit tracks the curve much more closely.