There are quite a few long-range drones on the market today, all sporting impressive feature sets. Choosing the right long-range drone to suit your needs can be a daunting task. In addition to highlighting key facts about long-range drones, this article also provides an overview of the best long-range drones that are currently available on the market.
How Far Can a Drone Fly?
Various factors determine how far a drone can fly: the drone’s battery life, the strength of its transmission system, the amount of lift it can generate, as well as weather conditions along its flight path. Generally speaking, the more expensive a drone is, the farther it can tend to fly. Novelty toy drones typically have a flight range of fewer than 100 yards, while higher-end consumer and commercial drones currently available on the market have significantly longer flight ranges of between 4 to over 9 miles.
Features to Consider in the Best Long-Range Drones
When shopping for a long-range drone, be sure to consider the following three criteria:
Extended Battery Life & Flight Time
A drone’s battery life directly affects how long it can stay in flight. The larger the battery, the longer it can keep a drone in the air.
Robust Transmission Capability
A drone’s ability to reliably communicate with its controller is paramount especially when they are being flown long distance. The last thing any operator will want is for their drone to lose connectivity with the controller, leading to it getting lost or damaged in the process.
Obstacle Avoidance
It is practically impossible for operators to discern the direction that their drone is flying towards when flown at long distances (and when the drone is out of the operator’s line of sight). Drones with advanced obstacle avoidance capabilities will greatly improve their odds of survival if there are dangerous obstacles in their immediate vicinity.
Best Long-Range Drones in 2024
DJI Avata 2
Range: 8.1 miles (13 kilometers)
The DJI Avata 2 boasts a significant upgrade over its predecessor. One notable enhancement is its DJI O4 HD video transmission system, enabling a maximum transmission distance of up to 8.1 miles (13 kilometers). This improvement allows users to maintain a strong and stable connection between the drone and the controller. Such is crucial for long-range operations where reliable communication is essential.
Combined with a maximum flight time of 23 minutes and advanced battery management features like PD fast charging, the Avata 2 ensures extended flight sessions with minimal downtime.
DJI Air 3
Range: 12.4 miles (20 kilometers)
The DJI Air 3 drone gives you 46 minutes of flight time (that’s nearly an hour!) and uses advanced O4 video tech to keep your connection strong and stable. With a range of over 12.4 miles (20 kilometers), you can explore faraway areas and capture stunning aerial footage without moving a step. Plus, its smart obstacle sensors keep your flights safe by detecting and avoiding obstacles all around.
DJI Mini 3
Range: 7.5 miles (10km kilometers)
The DJI Mini 3 may be light in weight (less than 80.5 grams), but it’s certainly not short on features. It boasts a maximum flight time of 38 minutes, comes equipped with auto flight features like take-off and return-to-home, capable of capturing 4K videos and RAW images, all without the need to be registered.
Autel Robotics EVO 2
Range: 5.6 miles (9.01 kilometers)
The Autel Robotics EVO 2 is the only folding drone currently available on the market capable of capturing 6K footage. It comes equipped with a 7100mAh rechargeable battery, giving it up to 40 minutes of flight time, while the 12 onboard computer vision sensors give it 360° obstacle avoidance and AI-enhanced dynamic subject tracking capabilities.
Parrot ANAFI
Range: 13.9 miles (22.5 kilometers)
Designed with first responders and enterprise professionals in mind, the Parrot ANAFI comes equipped with a FLIR Boson 320 longwave infrared (LWIR) thermal camera as well as a dual optical 4K camera system that is 3-axis hybrid stabilized and capable of 48PM. The Parrot ANAFI is also IPX3-rated, allowing it to fly even in rainy conditions.
Go Beyond with the Best Long-Range Drones
Flying a long-range drone isn’t just a hobby, it’s an adventure waiting to happen! You could just be starting out or already consistently snapping stunning photos, the drones we’ve showcased are top-notch picks for anyone – no matter where they are in their photography journey.
When picking the best long-range drone for you, think about what matters most: how long it stays in the air, the quality of the camera, and how easy it is to control. Choosing a good drone will take your aerial fun to new heights.
So, ready to take off? Grab your ideal drone and let the sky be your playground. Happy flying!
Long Range Drone Frequently Asked Questions
FAA regulations require drone operators to maintain a visual line of sight of their drone during flight. Operators who want to fly beyond their line of sight need a BVLOS waiver from the FAA. This is typically only granted for approved commercial drone operations.
If your drone goes out of range, it will return home, hover, land at the closest landing zone, or continue flying. Most consumer drones are designed to return home automatically in the event of signal loss or if their battery level falls below a certain threshold.
There are a few ways that can help increase your drone’s range. These range from first-party and aftermarket upgrades such as dedicated remote controllers, high-gain transmission antennas, range extenders, and other modifications that are beyond the scope of this article. A simpler (not to mention free) way that you can help increase your drone’s range is by simply flying from locations with little to no environmental interference (such as buildings, trees, power lines, cell towers, etc.).
The longest range of a drone is currently more than 10 kilometers (about 6.2 miles). This range can vary depending on the drone model, battery life, and environmental conditions.
To make your drone last longer, keep it clean and well-maintained, avoiding flights in bad weather. Use quality batteries and charge them correctly, ensuring they don’t overheat. Store your drone in a cool, dry place when not in use, and always keep its firmware updated for the best performance and safety.
