Ceres Air C31 - Black Betty Stacked
Price: $57,988
Tank size: 40 gallons
Lift Capacity: 397 pounds
Swath width: 49 ft
Pump flow rate: 11 GPM
Max Speed: 45 mph
This drone is an absolute beast with game-changing potential if it lives up to the manufacturer's claims—though it's still relatively unproven, so we're watching closely. Proudly featuring about 30% US manufacturing (a topic worth diving into separately), it builds on the user-friendly software from last year's popular Vector HD580, making the interface intuitive and reliable. It's perfectly suited for the vast, open fields of west-central Minnesota and an exciting and potentially revolutionary option for farmers!
(ya…we don’t have a picture of this drone just yet on the ground. We have some of it flying and spraying!)
XAG P150 Max - the Workhorse
Price: we recommend the Ultimate Kit at $42,000 - it comes with enough batteries, chargers and other parts to keep you spraying all day. Other options are available so be sure to ask about those if you’re interested.
Tank size: 21 gallons
Lift Capacity: 176 pounds
Swath width: up to 32 ft
Pump flow rate: 8.5 GPM; 12.2 GPM with 4-nozzle upgrade
Max Speed: 45 mph
This drone is the top of XAG's drone lineup, building on the solid P150 platform with key enhancements: an extra 3 gallons in the tank, a more powerful pump, upgraded radar for superior obstacle avoidance and terrain following, and an increased spraying speed from 40 to 45 mph. While it's still relatively unproven in the field, we're more confident in it thanks to XAG's established brand and proven track record. On top of the hardware upgrades, it boasts improved software and a smoother user experience overall, enabling faster coverage of more ground—though exact acres per hour are still TBD based on real-world feedback. I’d recommend this drone if you have a lot of acres to cover but don’t want to take a risk on a big and new unproven drone like the Ceres.
Vector HD580 - The Scout and Spray
Price: Ready to Spray kit at $36,999
Tank size: 18.5 gallons
Lift Capacity: 176 pounds
Swath width: up to 32 ft
Pump flow rate: 10.6 GPM
Max Speed: 41 mph
The Vector HD580 is as a solid, proven contender in the agricultural drone space. One of the most popular drones in the US for 2025 with strong sales figures, it offers comparable size and performance to the XAG P150, including the tank, pump flow and spraying speed. What sets it apart is its notably user-friendly interface, making it intuitive for operators. With its robust design, it could handle swarming setups from a trailer's top deck effectively. If reliability and familiarity are priorities, this might just be the drone to consider!
XAG P150 - the Smart Standard
Price: we recommend the Ultimate Kit at $31,500 - it comes with enough batteries and chargers to keep you spraying all day plus a spare parts kit. Other options are available so be sure to ask about those if you’re interested
Tank size: 18.5 gallons
Lift Capacity: 154 pounds
Swath width: up to 32 ft
Pump flow rate: 7.9 GPM
Max Speed: 40 mph
The P150 is the proven workhorse in XAG's drone lineup, slightly more compact than the P150 Max but still capable of tackling extensive coverage with its 18.5-gallon tank, 7.9 G/min flow rate, and spraying speeds up to 40 mph. It's an ideal entry point for those hesitant about drone technology, offering a reliable way to ease in with XAG's established reliability. Abundant parts availability, widespread service knowledge, and a more accessible price point make it a smart choice, especially if you're planning to swarm multiple units from a trailer's top deck. Enhanced by intuitive software for a seamless user experience, it’s a dependable option for scaling your operations!
