Last reviewed: Specs from manufacturer pagesNo paid placements
Skydio X10 review
The most sensitive thermal sensor and the best weather rating here, from a US-assembled drone on the Blue UAS Cleared List. Best for: agencies and contractors that need NDAA/Blue UAS compliance or must fly in rain.
Designed, assembled and supported in the US. Sold through Skydio and its dealers by quote; not sold on Amazon.
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Skydio X10 specs, from Skydio
| Thermal resolution | 640×512source |
|---|---|
| Thermal sensitivity (NETD) | <30 mKsource |
| Thermal frame rate | Not published by the manufacturer |
| Thermal lens | 13.6 mm (60 mm equivalent), f/1.0source |
| Sensor | Teledyne FLIR Boson+ uncooled VOx microbolometersource |
| Radiometric | R-JPEG; −40 to 150 °C (low gain to 350 °C); ±5 °C or ±5 %source |
| Palettes | White Hot, Black Hot, Iron Red, Rainbowsource |
| Visual cameras | Wide 50.3 MP 1″ + narrow 64 MP 1/1.7″ + telephoto 48 MP 1/2″ (190 mm eq.)source |
| Flight time | 40 min (lab conditions)source |
| Wind resistance | 12.8 m/s gustssource |
| Transmission | 12 km line of sight (no interference)source |
| Weight | 2.11 kgsource |
| Weather (IP rating) | IP55source |
| Operating temperature | −20 to 45 °Csource |
“Not published” means Skydio’s own pages don’t give the figure. “Not confirmed” means it appears only in a seller listing. Every spec for every drone: thermal drone spec comparison.
Spec score
82/100, calculated from published specs only. It isn’t a test result.
| Factor | Weight | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor resolution | 35% | 85 |
| NETD | 30% | 100 |
| Flight time | 20% | 80 |
| Price tier (value) | 15% | 40 |
Where the Skydio X10 is strong
- <30 mK FLIR Boson+: the most sensitive thermal core in this list
- IP55, the highest weather rating published by any drone here
- US-assembled, on the Blue UAS Cleared List (reported July 2026) and not affected by the FCC Covered List
What to watch for
- Quote-only pricing, well above the others
- Heaviest drone here at 2.11 kg
- Fixed thermal lens; thermal frame rate not published
Who should buy it
Agencies and contractors that need NDAA/Blue UAS compliance or must fly in rain.
- #3 (Best sensor and US-made) in best thermal drones
- #1 (Best for search and rescue) in thermal drones for search and rescue
- #4 (Best for contractors who need compliance) in thermal drones for inspection
- #2 (Best for flying at night near obstacles) in night vision drones
Main use: thermal drones for search and rescue.
Video reviews
Independent third-party videos; we don’t make or sponsor them.
Video review by Drone U (not affiliated with this site). Watch on YouTube
The palettes you’ll see on screen
A palette only changes how temperatures are coloured; it never adds detail. Names vary by maker: DJI calls Iron “Iron Red” and “Hot Iron”.
- White HotDefault for spotting people and animals: warm targets glow white against a dark scene.
- Black HotEasier on the eyes for long night searches; many SAR pilots prefer it.
- IronInspection reports: small temperature steps on roofs and panels read clearly.
- RainbowHighest contrast between close temperatures, such as moisture under a membrane roof.
- LavaSeparates the hottest objects while keeping cool background detail.
- ArcticHighlights hot spots in gold over a blue scene: electrical and solar faults.