Choosing the right drone platform is critical for professionals in inspection, public safety, surveying, and automated operations. DJI's Matrice 4 Series (Matrice 4E and 4T) and the Matrice 4D Series (Matrice 4DE and 4DT) both offer cutting-edge capabilities—but they serve different operational needs. Here's a complete technical comparison to help you understand the differences and decide which solution best fits your mission profile.
Airframe and Design
The Matrice 4 Series is a compact, foldable quadcopter built for mobility, ideal for field operations. The Matrice 4D Series is dock-ready, designed to work seamlessly with DJI Dock 3 for fully autonomous, 24/7 deployment in remote or challenging environments.
The Matrice 4D series is now available as a standalone system (without the Dock 3) and can be operated like a regular drone with the RC Plus 2 controller.
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Foldability: The Matrice 4E/4T folds down for portability; the 4DE/4DT is a fixed-frame system meant to remain deployed inside a dock (The standalone kit comes with carrying case for the 4D series).
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Build: Matrice 4D units are more rugged, includes low noise and anti-icing propellers, stronger weather sealing (IP55), and are slightly heavier (~1.85 kg vs ~1.22 kg).
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Integrated RTK: All models—4E, 4T, 4DE, and 4DT—come with a built-in RTK module for high-precision GNSS positioning.
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Use Case Fit: Choose the Matrice 4 Series for flexibility and manual piloting. Choose the Matrice 4D Series for operating in harsher environments and autonomous, high-frequency operations with minimal human intervention using the Dock.
At a Glance:
| Feature | Matrice 4E/4T | Matrice 4DE/4DT |
|---|---|---|
| Frame | Foldable | Fixed, dockable |
| RTK Module | Built-in | Built-in |
| Weather Resistance | No IP rating | IP55 |
| Propellers | standard | anti-icing |
| Takeoff Weight | ~1219 g | ~1850 g |
Pricing (CAD, as of latest availability)
| Model | Price (CAD) | Product Link |
| Matrice 4E | $6,229 | View Product |
| Matrice 4T | $9,439 | View Product |
| Matrice 4D (RC Plus 2 Kit) | $8,879 (Battery not included) | View Product |
| Matrice 4TD (RC Plus 2 Kit) | $11,519 (Battery not included) | View Product |
| DJI Dock 3 | $17,935 | View Product |
| Dock 3 + Matrice 4D drone | Starting at $24,284 | Contact Us |
| Dock 3 + Matrice 4TD drone | Starting at $26,824 | Contact Us |
Note: Pricing may vary based on configuration add-ons, availability, and installation. Please request for quote.
Payload and Sensor Options
All Matrice 4 and 4D drones feature an integrated 3-axis stabilized gimbal with triple camera payloads, but capabilities vary by model:
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Matrice 4E / 4DE: Optimized for mapping with a 4/3-inch CMOS wide camera and mechanical shutter.
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Matrice 4T / 4DT: Adds a thermal camera (640×512) and high-res zoom options for inspection and public safety missions.
Each model also includes medium and telephoto zoom cameras, plus a laser rangefinder for accurate distance measurements.
Flight Performance
| Spec | Matrice 4E/4T | Matrice 4DE/4DT |
| Max Speed | 21 m/s (Sport) | 15 m/s (Normal in dock use) |
| Max Flight Time | ~49 min | ~54 min |
| Max Hover Time | ~42 min | ~47 min |
| Max Altitude | 6000 m (ASL) | 6500 m (ASL) |
| Wind Resistance | 12 m/s | 12 m/s |
The Matrice 4D's longer endurance and wider temp range (-20°C to 50°C) make it better suited for long-duration autonomous ops.
Power and Charging
| Battery | Matrice 4E/4T | Matrice 4DE/4DT |
| Voltage | 14.76V (4S) | 22.14V (6S) |
| Capacity | 6741 mAh | 6768 mAh |
| Wh Rating | 99.5 Wh (under airline limits) | 149.9 Wh |
| Self-Heating | No | Yes |
| Charge Cycles | ~200 | ~400 |
The dock-based drones use high-capacity, fast-charging batteries designed for continuous operations, including cold-weather self-heating.
Automation and Dock Capabilities
The biggest differentiator: the Matrice 4D Series is fully compatible with DJI Dock 3 and IP55 rating, enabling true autonomous deployment with remote mission planning via DJI FlightHub 2 and endurance in adverse weather.
| Capability | Matrice 4E/4T | Matrice 4DE/4DT |
| Dock Support | No | Yes |
| Remote Scheduling | No | Yes (via FlightHub 2) |
| Video Streaming | Pilot-only |
Pilot operated with RC 2 Plus controller Remote/cloud-enabled |
| Autonomous Takeoff/Landing | Manual | Fully automated with Dock |
Conclusion
The DJI Matrice 4 and 4D Series are both enterprise platforms—but your mission determines the best fit:
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Use Matrice 4E or 4T if you need a reliable, field-deployable drone for mapping, inspection, or tactical missions.
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Use Matrice 4DE or 4DT if you're building a scalable, autonomous drone operation with 24/7 remote mission capability using DJI Dock 3 or need the durability of the IP55 rating.
Need help selecting the right platform for your workflow? Contact us —our drone experts can help you navigate your options and get airborne faster.
