Unless you’re planning to strictly fly inside, you might be looking for the best long range drone on the market. I’ve been flying drones for years and have thousands of flight hours under my belt within various terrains.
I can confidently say that a drone’s flight time and range have significant effects on your overall experience. If you plan on exploring some vast and unknown landscapes, you want to look for a drone that can keep up and travel the distance.
The DJI Mavic 3 is the overall best long range drone on the market. It stands out for its reliability and all-around obstacle avoidance. This article will dive deep into my research on the five drones we’ll discuss as I compare their features, functions, and overall capabilities. So, keep reading and find out which drone is the right investment for you.
Designed with a 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad camera, delivers 5.1K HD video quality and features like 4K/60fps imaging through oversampling.
With a substantial 46-minute flight time, it assures creators extended sessions in the air.
The drone's Omnidirectional Obstacle Sensing, paired with APAS 5.0, ensures all-round safety during flights.
Pilots benefit from a 15km HD video transmission range and features like Advanced RTH for a streamlined return to a set home point.
I’m not a fan of anticipation, so let’s start with a review of the overall best long range drone on the market. The DJI Mavic 3 is a beautiful aircraft with excellent features and functions. Firstly, this quadcopter aircraft comes equipped with a dual-lens camera capable of taking stunning wide-angle shots, along with a telephoto camera for catching subjects farther away.
It is perhaps the best drone on this list for photographers and videographers, as its advanced camera can capture videos in 5.1K.
In addition, the 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad camera can efficiently suppress noise in low-light environments and take photos of higher resolution. So, even on those ugly days, you can expect crystal-clear image quality.
Being the best long range drone on this list, it’s only expected that this aircraft offers an impressive 46 minutes of flight time and a max transmission range of 15km. It’s the perfect companion for any adventurers looking to explore long distances. The only drawback to this impressive drone is its telephoto lens, which doesn’t produce the clearest photos compared to others but is still sufficient for amateur purposes.
This drone uses ‘Air SDK’ to let developers put their own code and software directly on the drone.
So, you can create your personalized missions while using the sensors and autopilot software that comes with the drone naturally. Its Dual-Band Wifi/4G LTE allows the drone to fly farther and for a decent length of 32 minutes.
The French manufacturer Parrot released this unique drone, which is claimed to be the first ‘robotic’ unmanned aerial vehicle. It 360-degree vision is paired with 4G connection and a stereo camera that enables the drone to maintain a solid connection even when behind obstacles. The drone has a 48MP camera on a three-axis gimbal to help with capturing clear images and smooth videos.
The ANAFI Ai is generally designed for photogrammetry but can be used for consumer and industrial purposes like inspections, surveying, and filmmaking. I would keep this drone in mind on your search for the best long range drone, as it’s an ideal choice for professionals and developers looking to have greater control over the programming of their aircraft. The drawback to the ANAFI Ai is that it is very much a professional use drone, and beginners will face many difficulties when trying to take full advantage of the many features it offers.
The DJI Mini 3 Pro is designed for those who prioritize detailed imagery, supporting 4K/60fps video and 48MP photos with an advanced camera system that features dual native ISO and f/1.7 aperture.
Its unique True Vertical Shooting allows for optimal portrait shots suited for social platforms. With a 34-minute flight duration, users can extensively capture their environment.
Safety is enhanced through its tri-directional obstacle sensing and APAS 4.0.
The DJI Mini 3 Pro is a game-changer for drones under 250 grams and a worthy competitor in your search for the best long range drone. The common concern with a lighter drone is that you sacrifice some useful features to meet the weight restriction. However, the Mini 3 Pro was able to cut weight and maintain features like obstacle avoidance, 4K video, and more.
Firstly, it should be said that the DJI Mini 3 Pro provides the best value for its cost and the many added features it includes. Despite its weight, the Mini 3 Pro has decent three-directional obstacle avoidance that helps make sure you don’t get into any collisions when flying. The drone has an ultra-light intelligent battery that allows 34 minutes of flight time. If that’s not enough, you can opt to upgrade to the intelligent flight battery plus and enjoy a total of 47 minutes. In addition, the drone includes the MasterShots feature which is great for beginners just starting to learn drone photography and editing.
Unfortunately, the weight and portability of the drone meant a loss of some of the different flight modes and features included with the Mavic 3, but for some, this is a worthy trade.
With futuristic VR goggles, the DJI FPV Combo is the best for offering the most fun.
Unlike any other drones, the DJI FPV Combo encourages you to see that bird’s-eye view for yourself via an immersive headset.
If you’re looking for a long range drone to have fun, the DJI FPV Combo is a superb choice! This drone is meant to give you the experience of being up in the air yourself! That being said, it comes with the option to pilot the drone via a first-person-view format when wearing goggles.
In terms of functionality, the drone shoots 4K and 1080p footage, so you can be confident your videos will turn out well. Although, this drone is built with an emphasis on fun and not for photography or videography. As a result, this drone does not allow users to shoot raw, but only Auto or Manual options.
The drone makes up for its lack of camera quality in speed, and you can reach up to 87mph when flying in manual mode. However, be warned that manual mode turns off GPS and collision detection. So, if you’re a beginner, you’ll want to stick to flying in ‘Normal’ mode or ‘Sport’ which offers some of the aircraft’s safety features. The drone has a max flight time of approximately 20 minutes and can fly a distance of 16.8 km while flying in windless conditions. So, you can get lots of fun and distance in before having to recharge.
The Autel Nano+ drone has great privacy features, obstacle avoidance, and many flight modes. It features a 50-megapixel camera that takes great photos and captures 4k video at 30fps.
The drone has a well-designed remote that fits a smartphone in its cradle, but it has a high price tag compared to some other models.
It offers excellent value for money, with features that rival more significant, premium drones beyond its class, and a solid flight time.
For many, the best drone is the most portable and easy to travel with when setting out on an adventure. If this sounds like you, the EVO Nano+ is the ideal choice for your next trip! The Nano+ comes with a 50MP 1/1.28 CMOS sensor mounted on a 3-axis gimbal. It also has a fixed-aperture F1.9 lens that can zoom up to 16X digitally. This makes it an excellent choice for amateur photographers and videographers looking to capture some great shots from the sky.
In addition, Autel, the brand which created the EVO Nano+, has introduced a feature called SkyPortrait. You can use this feature to select a person or group, and the drone will fly to a location that takes everyone’s picture while slightly blurring the background for a professional-looking photo. A downside to this drone is its 16x zoom, and it doesn’t handle well when at its max zoom.
The drone is less than 250 grams, so you don’t need to register it with the government before a flight. It has 28 minutes of flight time and a live-view transmission range of approximately 6.2 miles. So, it has definitely earned its spot on a list looking for the best long range drone!
Buying Guide
In this next section, I will spend some time discussing things to keep in mind on your search for the best long range drone.
Range
When checking for the range of a drone, make sure to look at its signal range, battery range, battery endurance, and if there are any potential options to upgrade the overall range.
Signal Range
The signal range of a drone determines how far it can fly from a controller while maintaining a connection. If you are looking to purchase the best long range drone, you want to avoid any drone that flies via Bluetooth. Instead, look for a drone with enhanced WIFI or radio link transmission.
Battery Range/Endurance
The battery range and endurance generally refer to the strength of the battery in a drone. If you have a drone with a weaker battery, it will have a shorter flight time and won’t be able to go the long distances you need. Additionally, if the battery is weak, it won’t have much endurance, and the flight time will be even shorter in windy or unkind weather conditions.
Upgradable Range
There are a few ways that you can try to extend the range of your drone. Firstly, the environment you’re flying in will affect your drone’s range, and if you’re in an area of high-frequency interference, it will reduce your drone’s range. In contrast, a more isolated area with fewer interferences will result in longer flight distances. A range extender can be equipped with some drones and might be another option worth looking into.
Safety Features
If you plan to purchase the best long range drone, it should also come with safety features that prevent it from getting lost or into a collision.
GPS
It’s typical for a drone to rely on GPS to maintain operational control. It can be an essential feature for mapping, inspection and staying safe in the air. Your drone will use GPS to track subjects, return to its takeoff position, fly to a desired location, and more.
Return to Home (RTH)
Return to Home is a great safety feature to look for when deciding on the best long range drone. It ensures your drone returns to its takeoff spot if it loses connection or goes into low battery mode. This is a huge benefit for beginners worried about losing or damaging their drones.
Obstacle Avoidance
This is a feature that helps drones to keep from colliding with any hard surfaces or obstacles in the way. A drone with obstacle avoidance might reduce its overall speed, but it will go a long way toward keeping it safe from damage. A beginner will want to look for a drone that has obstacle avoidance as one of its features.
FAQs
How far can I legally fly a drone?
The laws surrounding the distance you can fly a drone will vary significantly based on the country or state you are flying in. For example, the United States state drones can fly no more than 400 feet above the ground, with a maximum speed of 100 mph. In terms of distance, most drones won’t be able to fly much more than a few miles, so you should be in the clear.
What happens if a lose signal?
If your drone loses signal, it will likely have a return to home or other function that brings it back to where it took off. Most GPS drones have built-in systems that lead them to return home when they lose signal automatically.
How to ensure that I can reach the maximum range with my drone?
If you want to maximize the range of your drone ultimately, you want to ensure you are flying in an area with fewer frequency interruptions. This means trying and avoid busy cities or places with lots of people. In addition, your battery strength will play a role in how far your drone can fly. So, try and fly in ideal weather conditions with less wind that drains the battery faster.
Final Thoughts
After a complete comparison, I can confidently decide that the best long range drone is the DJI Mavic 3. It’s the perfect drone for any photographer and videographer looking to capture great footage with its camera capable of 5.1K video. Additionally, it has an impressive flight time of 47 minutes and can go for roughly 15 km before you risk losing the signal. The drone is portable and compact, making it an ideal travel companion for adventurers! Nonetheless, the other drones on this list are also excellent choices, with plenty of functions, in the end. You need to pick a drone that best fits your needs.
Designed with a 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad camera, delivers 5.1K HD video quality and features like 4K/60fps imaging through oversampling.
With a substantial 46-minute flight time, it assures creators extended sessions in the air.
The drone's Omnidirectional Obstacle Sensing, paired with APAS 5.0, ensures all-round safety during flights.
Pilots benefit from a 15km HD video transmission range and features like Advanced RTH for a streamlined return to a set home point.
