Selecting a survey-grade LiDAR system for drone-based topographic mapping can be challenging, especially when the system’s data sheet is difficult to read and/or lacks critical information. To appropriately select a commercial drone LiDAR system, users should consider the characteristics of four different sensors, namely the LiDAR sensor itself, the GNSS system, the inertial measurement unit (IMU), and the RGB camera. In addition, the accompanying software and its capabilities, including strip adjustment, are critical elements to consider. As a plus, a mission planning software, perhaps from the same manufacturer, should also be considered.