Embraer Phenom 100 vs Embraer Phenom 300

Embraer introduced the Phenom family in 2008 and 2009 as its entry into the owner-operated jet market — two aircraft designed from the start to offer airline-quality build standards at accessible prices. The Phenom 100 (Model EMB-500) is the entry jet: Pratt & Whitney Canada PW617F-E engines, four to five passengers, and 1,178 nm range at 390 kt cruise. The Phenom 300 (Model EMB-505) is the light jet: PW535E engines, up to eight passengers, 1,971 nm range, and cruise speed of 453 kt that has made it the world's best-selling light jet for multiple consecutive years. The cross-shop comes from buyers who want Embraer quality at the lowest price point vs those who want the full Phenom proposition.

Live Market Snapshot

Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · re-checked on a rolling daily cycle

Embraer Phenom 100
For sale now
124
Median asking
$2,400,000
Range
$1,846,361–$3,121,185
Model years available
2009–2025
Embraer Phenom 300
For sale now
88
Model years available
2010–2025

Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.

Full Specs Comparison

Swipe to see all specs
Spec / Model Embraer Phenom 100 Embraer Phenom 300
Embraer Phenom 100
View 108 listings →
Median $2,400,000
 Embraer Phenom 300
View 73 listings →
Median $9,245,000
Price Range $1,846,361 – $3,121,185 $7,621,250 – $14,537,500
Category Very Light Jet Light Jet
Model Specifications
Seats 6 10
Cruise Speed 360 kts (667 km/h) 430 kts (796 km/h)
Range 1,178 nm (2,182 km) 2,010 nm (3,723 km)
Service Ceiling 41,000 ft (12,497 m) 45,000 ft (13,716 m)
Max Gross Weight 10,472 lbs (4,750 kg) 18,387 lbs (8,340 kg)
Useful Load 2,400 lbs (1,089 kg) 4,800 lbs (2,177 kg)
Fuel Capacity 319.0 gal (1207 L) 527.0 gal (1995 L)
Fuel Burn 100.0 GPH (378 L/h) 155.0 GPH (587 L/h)
TBO 3,500 hrs 5,000 hrs
Overhaul Cost $250,000 $400,000
Annual Fixed $250,000 $350,000
Hourly Variable $1,500 $2,200
Engines 2 x Turbofan 2 x Turbofan

Cost of Ownership

Estimate

Embraer Phenom 100

Fuel$550/hr
Variable$1,500/hr
Annual Fixed$250,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $550,000/yr

Embraer Phenom 300

Fuel$852/hr
Variable$2,200/hr
Annual Fixed$350,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $790,000/yr

Which Should You Buy: Embraer Phenom 100 or Embraer Phenom 300?

Bottom line: Choose the Phenom 100 for the lowest-cost entry to Embraer's quality standards — acquisition costs for used Phenom 100s are significantly lower, and for three-to-four-passenger missions under 1,000 nm, the Phenom 100 handles the business jet experience competently. It's a less intensive flight department requirement than the 300. Choose the Phenom 300 for the aircraft that has definitively proven itself in the light jet market — longer range, faster cruise, larger cabin, and stronger resale value driven by the world's best-selling light jet demand. The Phenom 300E (introduced 2017) added even better range and economics. Safety axis: the Phenom 300's PW535E engines produce approximately 3,360 lbf each vs the Phenom 100's PW617F at 1,695 lbf each — double the thrust for an aircraft of similar size class. The Phenom 300's single-engine climb rate and hot-and-high departure performance reflect this power advantage meaningfully.

Pick the Phenom 100 if…

  • Budget matters — from $1,846,361 vs $7,621,250, you save ~$5,774,889.
  • Lower operating cost — ~$1500/hr vs $2200/hr.
  • More inventory — 108 listings vs 73.

Pick the Phenom 300 if…

  • More seats — 10 vs 6.
  • Faster cruise — 430 kts vs 360 kts.
  • Longer range — 2010 nm vs 1178 nm.
  • Newer design — production from 2009 vs 2008.

Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper to operate per hour, the Phenom 100 or 300?
The Phenom 100 burns approximately 80–100 gph at cruise; the Phenom 300 burns approximately 130–150 gph. The Phenom 100's lower fuel burn makes it cheaper on a per-hour basis, but the Phenom 300 covers more distance per hour at a lower per-mile cost. For operators who pay attention to cost-per-nautical-mile rather than cost-per-flight-hour, the Phenom 300's speed advantage often closes the apparent gap.
What is the Prodigy avionics system in the Phenom family?
Both Phenoms use Garmin-based avionics branded "Prodigy" by Embraer. The Phenom 100 uses Prodigy Touch 100 (Garmin G1000 NXi basis); the Phenom 300 uses Prodigy Touch 300 (Garmin G3000 basis with touchscreen interfaces). Both are modern glass-panel suites with TAWS, TCAS II, and traffic integration. The G3000-based Prodigy in the Phenom 300 provides a more capable and intuitive interface for single-pilot IFR operations.
Is the Phenom 300E better than the standard Phenom 300?
The Phenom 300E (introduced 2017) adds Pratt & Whitney PW535E1 engines with a bleed-air reduction modification that improves fuel consumption, extending range to approximately 2,010 nm (vs 1,971 nm for the base 300) and reducing per-hour fuel burn by roughly 5%. The E also includes interior improvements and updated avionics displays. Most new-production Phenom 300 deliveries are 300E; the performance difference vs base 300 is real but modest.
Which is better, Embraer Phenom 100 or Embraer Phenom 300?
It depends on your mission and budget. The Phenom 100 cruises at 360 kts with 1,178 nm range. The Phenom 300 cruises at 430 kts with 2,010 nm range. Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Embraer Phenom 100 and Embraer Phenom 300?
Seats: 6 vs 10. Cruise: 360 vs 430 kts. Range: 1178 vs 2010 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
Phenom 100: about $1500/hr variable cost. Phenom 300: about $2200/hr variable cost. Variable cost includes fuel, reserves and overhaul accruals. Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, annual inspection) add to the total.
Which has more seats and useful load?
Phenom 100: 6 seats / 2,400 lb useful load. Phenom 300: 10 seats / 4,800 lb useful load. Useful load = max gross weight minus empty weight; it determines how much fuel plus payload you can carry.
How does maintenance compare — TBO and overhaul cost?
Phenom 100: 3,500-hour TBO, overhaul ~$250,000. Phenom 300: 5,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$400,000. Reaching the time-between-overhaul (TBO) triggers a mandatory engine/airframe rebuild that affects resale value.
Disclaimer: All prices and cost estimates are from third-party sources for informational purposes only. Always obtain professional appraisal and inspection before purchase.
Prices re-checked on a rolling cycle — most within a few days · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data