DJI Agras T50 vs Hylio AG-272: The 2026 Comparison
DJI T50: $22K to $28K, 40L, not NDAA. Hylio AG-272: $55K to $75K, 68L, NDAA compliant. Full comparison for commercial operators.
The DJI Agras T50 ($22,000 to $28,000 post-tariff, 40L tank) and Hylio AG-272 ($55,000 to $75,000 estimated, 68L tank) are the two most common commercial spray drones in the US. DJI offers lower cost and a larger dealer network. Hylio offers NDAA compliance, US manufacturing in Richmond, Texas, and 25 mph wind resistance versus DJI 13.4 mph. Most operators choose based on whether they need NDAA compliance and how much wind they face.
The two-drone market
DJI controls roughly 80 percent of the US ag drone market. Hylio is the leading US-made alternative. Every other platform is a distant third. Your first drone purchase in 2026 is almost certainly one of these two, and our buyers guide covers the full fleet-building checklist.
Price
DJI T50: $18,000 pre-tariff, $22,000 to $28,000 post-tariff (170 percent cumulative tariff). Hylio AG-272: MSRP not published, estimated $55,000 to $75,000. The tariff narrowed the gap from 3x to 4x down to 2x to 3x. Run your numbers in the ROI calculator.
Tank and payload
T50: 40L liquid, 50 kg granular. AG-272: 68L liquid, 101 kg granular. The AG-272 holds 70 percent more liquid per flight, meaning fewer refill stops. Swath width and flow rate differences play out in the drone comparison tool.
Wind
This is the sleeper spec. T50: rated 13.4 mph (6 m/s). AG-272: rated 25 mph sustained, 40 mph gust. In Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and the Dakotas, daily wind exceeds 13.4 mph most afternoons from March through October. T50 operators spray at dawn. AG-272 operators spray all day.
NDAA compliance
T50: not compliant. AG-272: fully compliant (FY2019 Section 889, FY2020 Section 848, certified by CEO Arthur Erickson October 2024). If you bid federal, state, or university-funded work, you need Hylio. Private farm contracts have no NDAA requirement. Full detail on the NDAA compliance page.
Dealer and parts
DJI: dozens of US dealers, same-day parts in many regions. Hylio: direct from Richmond, TX plus a distributor network. Smaller parts pipeline. Carry a spare parts kit during peak season if running Hylio in remote areas. Dealers and sales partners are listed by region in our directory.
Battery and charging
T50: 9 to 12 minute charge (DB1560). AG-272: 25 to 30 minutes (14S 42 Ah LiPo). DJI's faster charge means higher daily throughput per drone if battery rotation is your bottleneck. Generator sizing and battery rotation count are covered in the buyers guide.
Swarm
AG-272 supports up to 3 units from a single GroundLink station. DJI does not offer native multi-drone control from one controller. Swarm gives Hylio operators a throughput multiplier without adding per-pilot cost.
The verdict
Buy DJI T50 if: private farm contracts only, you want lowest entry cost, fastest parts, largest operator community. Buy Hylio AG-272 if: federal or state work, Great Plains wind conditions, fleet scaling with swarm mode. Many operators run both. Plug either platform into our 2026 pricing guide to see per-acre margins at your local rate.
Authority sources
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Different ground stations and software, so pilot training covers both. This is common among operators who serve both private farm and government-funded contracts.
As of April 2026, DJI remains legal to purchase and operate in the US. The Countering CCP Drones Act was excluded from FY2025 NDAA but remains active in future legislative cycles. The 170 percent tariff is the more immediate impact on the US market.
DJI has a larger used market. The T40 (superseded by T50) trades at significant discounts. Hylio resale data is limited due to a smaller installed base.