Best Long Range Drones In [year]

Mastering the art of flying is the work of the professionals. However, you cannot expect to explore new heights with a potato drone. With a proper long range drone, you won’t have to curb your enthusiasm because of flight range limitations. Nowadays, there are numerous long range drones available in the market, and choosing the best one out of them is always an overwhelming task. After 112 hours of research and interviewing industry experts, we found that the DJI Mavic Air 2 is one of the best long range drones in the market. With its unparalleled flight range and value for money, you can have a prominent flight experience. We’ve also considered other options along with a buyer’s guide to help you make a good purchase decision.

Best Long Range Drones

1. DJI Mavic Air 2 – Best Long Range FPV Drone

The brand new Mavic Air 2 is the latest successor of the DJI collection. As it’s marketed as a consumer camera drone, we were pretty excited to test it off the limits. At first glance, it was pretty hard for us to distinguish it from its predecessor Mavic Air. However, when we looked closely, we noticed that there are plenty of design differences.

It folds to a portable size of 180x97x84mm and opens to a fairly good size of 185x253mm. We noticed that it is very lightweight in the air and supports the bulky 3500mAh battery very well. For aerial photography enthusiasts, we believe that the Mavic Air 2 is a perfect match. It features a stunning 48-megapixel camera with 4k at 60fps. We’ll cover more on it later.

We found the video quality to be fairly amazing as the bit rate is up to 12p Mbps. We also loved how the SmartPhoto scene recognition technology helps in choosing the optimal camera settings. Moreover, just like in Mavic Air, the successor also includes the automated QuickShots feature that makes aerial photography painless. ActiveTrack 3.0 also does a great job of identifying and following objects.

During a recent update, the manufacturers promised an 8k Hyper lapse through a firmware upgrade. However, the process seems to take a bit longer than promised.  If said in a nutshell, the Mavic Air 2 is a hybrid of Mavic Mini and Mavic Air. But there are numerous noticeable changes in the controller that set it apart from the crowd.

In the new Mavic Air 2, the phone is positioned at the top and a sprung grip slides from the top (with built-in antennas) and clamps your phone firmly. Initially, we noticed that the rubber grips on the clamp kept pressing the side buttons of our smartphone. However, with a slight adjustment, the issue was fixed. The only issue we found in the controller is the lack of visibility of the power indicators in daylight.

There’s also a storage area under the grip to keep your preferred phone connectors such as USB-C, Micro-USB, or Apple Lightning. Although the storage is a little fiddly to touch, we found it to be very neat and secure. As a personal preference, we totally loved the upward position of the screen as it made the remote even more comfortable.

The only beef with the controller is that you need to support the weight of your phone with your hands. There’s a great improvement in the OccuSync feature. Termed as OccuSync 2, it allows the controller to automatically switch between radio channels in a range of 10km. It is a great improvement from the original Mavic Air.

Talking about the flight experience, we found that the screen is a lot more clutter-free as compared to the predecessor. It is easier to locate the required functions that make it a perfect match for less experienced pilots. The display seems more like an in-phone camera app. This not only adds familiarity but also makes it easier for beginners to operate the camera.

Bottom Line

All in all, the DJI Mavic Air 2 is an excellent aircraft, and for a majority of people the best long range drone. Admitted it’s slightly heavier than the predecessor, the additional weight also offers a significant improvement in terms of image quality and features. We definitely recommend it to content makers as it features QuickShots and ActiveTrack technology. The resultant images look really professional and the video quality at 4k is certainly praiseworthy.

2. DJI Mavic Mini – Best Budget Long Range Drone

With a weight of 249g, the DJI Mavic Mini is the only long range drone that doesn’t need to be registered with the Federal Aviation Administration in the US. Moreover, it’s proudly the most lightweight aircraft in the market that makes it highly budget-friendly. The most impressive thing about this aircraft is that it provides a range of up to 2.5 miles and still fits in a large pocket.

Furthermore, like other DJI products, Mavic Mini is also a pioneer in terms of quality. We were totally amazed when we found that there’s a 3-axis mechanically stabilized gimbal in such a portable aircraft. This ensures great footage from its 12MP camera without any blurry effect. However, there are a certain number of things that we don’t like about the camera. It doesn’t support 4K capture and the footage caps at 2.7K. Moreover, there is no object tracking feature.

Therefore, if you’re an aerial photographer, the Mavic Mini is not the right option for you. Instead, you may take a look at the Mavic Air or Mavic Air 2. We noticed that the Mavic Mini follows the design scheme of other DJI drones. It has a light grey finish like in the DJI Osmo Action and Osmo Mobile. There are pivoting arms that collapse and make it highly compact. The propellers and port locations are available in dark grey color that completely makes sense with the design.

We noticed that the SD card slot in this camera is located at the back. Preferably, this is much more convenient than that of Parrot ANAFI which has the SD card slot located under the batter. Alongside the SD card slot, there’s also a USB port that allows you to charge the drone easily. Talking about the battery, the 2400mAh bulk is located slightly above the USB port.

We loved how the removable plastic shield keeps the camera guarded. The base is completely occupied with the power button and LED battery indicators. However, we are disappointed with the fact that there are no object avoidance sensors around the sides. This would not only have been handy but also would have made productive use of the vacant space.

The image quality of the Mavic Mini was also similar to that of the Osmo Pocket. With a 12MP ½.3″ sensor and a narrow aperture of f/2.8, it is handy for gimbal while flying closer to the sun. The camera is capable of capturing stills in full resolution and you can also shift to manual mode for keeping the shutter open and increasing the ISO up to 3200.

The image looks fairly decent in daylight but doesn’t even look good at night time. Talking about the video capture, the Mavic Mini captures footage with a maximum resolution of 2.7k at 30fps. There’s also a companion DJI fly app available that allows you to shift between three shooting modes namely Sports, CineSmooth, and Position. The sports mode tears through the sky and consumes a lot of battery while the CineSmooth mode increases the break time and slows the drone.

Bottom Line

Overall, the Mavic Mini is a highly portable, compact, and feature-rich long range available at a budget-friendly price. The amazing balance of stability and convenience of this drone makes it one of a kind. Although it doesn’t include 4k video quality and object tracking feature, it is a great drone for beginners to get started. Furthermore, as the drone rules get tightened in the US and UK, the Mavic Mini is a perfect unit to fly without any permission.

3. HUBSAN H501S Quadcopter – Best Cheap Long Range Drone

When we talk about budget-friendly drones, HUBSAN provides a range of products with varying features. For four years, HUBSAN has released several drones. The H501S still remains the most prominent long range drone out of all. The first impression was really amazing because we noticed a solid-structure with great design. Although the drone cannot be folded, it feels premium and lightweight.

We are confident that it won’t break easily in light crashes. It has a weight of 450g which means you need to get it permitted from the authorities for flying. The size of this drone measures around 47.5x31x5cm. The most noticeable thing about the H501S is that it is the first-ever HUBSAN drone to include brushless motors. That makes the drone even more powerful, efficient, and long-lasting.

We noticed that there are LED lights under each rotor of this drone. This not only allows you to calibrate the drone compass perfectly but also looks premium when you fly the drone. For pilots with years of experience, the LED lights can be really helpful in flying the drone at night. However, we still won’t advise you to fly the drone too far from your eyesight.

We also found that there are small rubber legs on each rotor arm. These rubber legs allow you to keep the camera safe while landing. There is also a micro SD card slot located sideways. The drone supports 4G TF cards with a memory capacity between 8-32Gb. Moreover, the drone is powered with a   2700mAh 7.4v lithium-ion battery.

After a full charge, we were able to get a flight time of 20 minutes. Considering the price and age of the drone, we believe that the battery backup is quite impressive. We’ve seen several budget-friendly drones that couldn’t even provide a flight time of 20 minutes. We also loved how the battery is placed at the back of the drone and doesn’t interfere with the camera. Furthermore, unlike other battery-powered long-range drones, the HUBSAN uses an EC2 connector. In simple terms, you need to have both the cables connected before closing the battery compartment.

As a suggestion, we believe that the 20-minute airtime won’t be satisfying at all. In that case, purchasing external batteries is a good decision for you. It will not only extend your flight time but also eradicate the dependence of charging the batteries for a couple of hours before you can start flying the drone again.

We also loved the design and control scheme of the remote controller of this drone. The controller is massive and some people may not prefer such a bulky controller. However, we prefer it because it feels very comfortable in hands. Due to its big size, there’s a large 4.3-inch LED screen. This removes the dependence of smartphones to stream live feed from the drone camera and makes the process a lot more convenient.

We also noticed that there is a sunshade at the top of the LED screen. We found it very handy when flying the drone in sunny weather. The screen is perfectly visible in daylight and it is easier to read the insights available on the screen. There are also separate icons for each control available on the LED screen.

Bottom Line

In a nutshell, the HUBSAN H501S performs very well in terms of flight performance. The flight is steady and the features perfectly work the way they should. Moreover, the live video feed is surprisingly high-quality and is something that we weren’t expecting with a drone at such a price range.

4. DJI Mavic Pro – Best Long Range Drone With Camera

When it comes to long-range drones, portability is a dominant feature. However, a smaller size also means lesser features and limited abilities. But when you use the DJI Mavic Pro, you can enjoy great portability along with a nice pack of features. We were very excited to check if capability and portability can go hand-in-hand with this drone.

It’s a no brainer that the Mavic Pro’s portability is one of its standout features. We noticed that DJI has removed the space-consuming fixed-arm hull and has adopted a set of folding arms in place. This clever and neat configuration allows you to fold the drone into a little and compact package that can be carried anywhere with ease. Even the remote controller is highly compact and enhances your flight experience even more.

At the front part, there is a 4K camera and a 3-axis gimbal. We found the video quality to be extremely high-quality and stabilized. Additionally, there is no resolution cutback for digital stabilization which is quite impressive. Furthermore, like other DJI drones, the Mavic Pro also includes Optical Flow and ActiveTrack technology behind the body of the drone.

This allows you to sense obstacles and track objects with the help of image analysis algorithms. We also love the range and flight specifications of this drone. The DJI Mavic Pro comes with a brand new transmission system namely OccuSync. This allows the Mavic Air to stretch the range over 4 miles and make it resistant to interference caused due to external objects.

We found that it is capable of providing stream footage at 1080P and allows the download of videos and photos at 40Mbps at shorter ranges. Furthermore, just like the DJI Phantom 4, the Mavic Pro packs all the intelligent flight modes for an immersive flying experience. There are several modes such as Course Lock, Waypoints, Follow Mode, Point of Interest, Gesture Modes, and Terrain Flow.

Talking about the build quality of this drone, the Mavic Pro has a highly durable frame with sturdy hulls. We’ve never seen better hulls in any long range drone at such a price range. While testing it, we crashed it a couple of times and still, it was intact. The former is true for the design as well. Unlike other folding drones, the Mavic Pro uses a very clever hinge system that allows the arms to fold up to a neat and compact package that can easily fit in a large pocket.

We also loved the design element of the controller of this drone. It’ neither a gigantic piece of crap nor an application with useless joysticks. Instead, the controller is rough of the size of a walkie talkie and includes flip out antennas that also act as a holder for your smartphone. The controller is fully-fledged with an intuitive layout, detailed data, and a fantastic range.

The only drawback we found in this drone is the assembly of its 3-axis gimbal. Although it’s very small and compact, it’s also held in place with the help of rubber bands. We feel that it is a bit fragile and can cause stability issues in the camera anytime.

Bottom Line

In conclusion, we’re highly convinced that the DJI Mavic Pro is one of the best long range drones in the market. Along with being a faster and cheaper alternative to the Phantom 4, Mavic Pro also offers you a variety of different flight modes. It provides great value for money and is one of the best options available in the market. Whether you’re a beginner drone enthusiast or a professional pilot, the Mavic Pro is certainly a perfect match for you.

5. DJI Spark With Remote Control – Best Long Range Drone Under 500

The Spark arrived as an entry-level gadget in the crowded drone market but it didn’t take much time to dominate the entire segment. It is a highly-portable drone available at the budget of a shoestring for beginners. Along with a long-range flight, it is also a go-to option for people looking to get started with aerial photography. The main area of focus for this drone is its ease of use and convenience rather than performance.

Still, we were able to find a lot of praiseworthy features. The DJI claims the Spark to be a tough competitor for several well-known drones at a similar price range such as the FIMI A3, Holy Stone HS720, HUBSAN ZINO, and Parrot Bebop. We ran it through a variety of tests to find out if it really lives upon its words.

We noticed that the DJI Spark has a fixed-wing design and the drone isn’t collapsible. Still, it has an incredibly lightweight and small design and weighs only 300g. In comparison to Mavic, it is roughly half of its size. However, you still need to get it registered through the FAA if you live in the US. Talking about the design, the DJI Spark is fairly attractive and more user-friendly than its predecessors and successors.

We found that the small size of this drone makes it a lot less intimidating during flight. This also makes it perfect for flying in public spaces such as beaches or parks. We loved both the design and build quality of this drone. It feels very robust and sturdy in hands. The thing we liked the most about this drone is that the replacement parts are easily available on the DJI’s website. This makes it easier for you to repair this drone in case of an accident or crash.

We were also impressed with the camera quality of this drone. It is equipped with a ½.3 inch CMOS sensor and a 25mm f/2.8 lens. With such a killer combination, the drone is capable of capturing a full HD 1080P video at 30 fps along with 12MP stills.

Bottom Line

In the end, we can proudly say that the DJI Spark is a deserving selection for the list of best long range drones. While most of the technologies are inherited from the high-end variants of DJI, the Spark stands out from the crowd due to its incredibly low price range. It is an excellent drone for starters and people looking for a good camera drone on a budget.

Buyer’s Guide – How To Choose The Best Long Range Drones

As you progress through the higher end of the price spectrum, you’ll notice that most of the drones scale their specifications equally. Although they operate on the same logic, there are still a variety of unique features packed with long drones. Therefore, make sure you consider these things before choosing the best long range drones:

1. Maximum Flight Distance

The points that we’ll cover later in this buyer’s guide are the determinant factors for the transmission range or maximum flight distance of your drone. In simplest terms, the maximum flight distance is the length up to which you can maintain a connection between the craft and the controller.

The most powerful drones are capable of providing you a flight distance of up to 18km. However, you must know that the flight range can vary due to a variety of reasons such as signal interference and weather conditions. That’s why it is suggested to never reach the limit out of your craft.

Even if it happens accidentally, make sure that the fail-safe mechanism is turned on in your drone. As per our tests, we can certainly conclude that the DJI Mavic Air 2 has the longest flight range.

2. Navigation System

You cannot expect to fly a long range drone without a GLONASS or GPS support. In case you do, you would have to depend on your FPV link to position your drone in the wild. This is virtually impossible during long-distance flights and can cause numerous problems. As drones are pretty expensive gadgets, you can’t just fly it without any precautionary measures.

Therefore, make sure that the drone you choose can automatically find its way back home without crashing into obstacles. Also, ensure that it can land safely in case the battery drains or the connection gets lost. After tweaking with multiple long range drones, we noticed that the DJI Mavic Mini has the best GPS support.

3. Radio Transmission

A strong radio transmission allows you to efficiently control your drone over long distances. However, that’s not the only reason why you need radio transmission equipment in your drone. If you use FPV goggles with your drone, radio transmission equipment will ensure that there’s no lag and disruption in your navigation.

Most of the cheap and multipurpose drones operate on high-frequency radio waves on a 2.4GHz spectrum. As larger waves are capable of traveling long distances and penetrate through solid objects without any interference, a lower frequency such as 1.2 GHz can extend your control range up to 10km or even more.

There are also some drones that provide dual frequency bands to help you enable stable video links and deal with signal interference. According to our tests, we can certainly conclude that the DJI Mavic Pro has the best radio transmission equipment.

4. Flight Time

When you shop for long range drones, make sure it has an ample amount of flight time. Regardless of your flying speed, your drone will need some time to get back home from a remote location. For such an expedition, you will require at least 20 minutes of airtime. There’s a reason why we talked about flight time and not the battery capacity.

A powerful battery doesn’t necessarily mean a longer flight time. There are a variety of factors that determine the flying efficiency of your drone. If you’re still concerned about the battery capacity, you can blindly take 5000mAh as a reference point. After conducting tests on flight time, we noticed that the DJI Spark provides you the longest airtime.

5. Frame

It is a no-brainer that a long range drone should have a portable and lightweight frame. However, it doesn’t mean that you need to compromise with the durability of your drone. To achieve the desired results, you can choose a frame of 7-inches in length.

The wheelbase can fall anywhere between 220mm and 300mm. The drones with the aforementioned length can perform very efficiently without any hiccups even when they carry very bulky batteries. Talking about weight, we believe that the has a very lightweight frame, ideal for a streamlined flight experience.

6. Setup

There are a variety of drones available in the market with specific usage. For instance, racing drones are built for racing (Duh!) and 4k camera drones are built for aerial footage. However, long range drones are built specifically for efficiency with a snort of features such as lower RPM motors, longer wavelength, larger battery capacity, and lighter build. Keep in mind that these units are not much customizable and you only get what you pay for.

FAQs

1. Can I transport objects over long distances using a drone?

Although it is possible to transport objects through drones that’s not their primary purpose. Due to this, you can not lift heavy objects with your drone. However, you can consider looking at drones built specifically for transportation purposes. The latest edition of Matrices Lineup M600 by DJI is capable of carrying up to 6kg of weight with a 5km of flight distance.  

2. What does FPV mean?

FPV, also known as First Person View, is a mandatory feature that allows you to send a downlink from the camera to your smartphone or controller to navigate your drone. It also allows you to view from the perspective of your drone and that’s why it is called the first-person view. You must know that flying a drone in FPV mode can be very tricky, especially at long distances. Therefore, it’s better to use GPS and other navigational features for your assistance.

3. What if I face battery discharge during the flight?

The majority of the modern drones will automatically prevent this situation by reverting to RTH mode and land safely on the ground as the battery reaches close to 0%. However, it is never suggested to push your drone to its limits because failsafe mechanisms can also malfunction due to a variety of reasons. Therefore, make sure that you always keep an eye on the battery status indicator on your controller.

4. How to prevent the drone from flying out of the range?

There are a plethora of reasons due to which a drone can fly out of range. While some reasons may be intentional such as programming your drone in a straight line, some reasons can also be accidental such as unintentional flyouts due to lost connection between the drone and the controller due to faulty GPS. In the case of accidental flyouts, it is extremely hard to get the drone back safely. The best thing to do is turn on the RTH feature to automatically fly your drone safely to the take-off point.

5. Can I switch a camera on the drone for a GoPro?

It depends entirely on the model of drone you’re using. While some may allow you to install a GoPro, some have built-in cameras that cannot be replaced. Also, as the cameras add a significant amount of weight to your drone, it is suggested to use a GoPro with a drone that includes a camera mount.

The Takeaway

A long range drone not only allows you to reach new height but also provides you an unparalleled flight experience. We’ve listed a variety of best long range drones that fit the bill for a variety of audiences. At the end of the day, it’s you who makes a decision. Therefore, carefully determine your requirements and go for it. If you ever need any help with your selection, go through our buyer’s guide.