Among the list of things that people look for when purchasing a drone is the control range.
They want to be able to tell how far apart the transmitter and the receiver can be while still maintaining control.
When looking at the control range of a drone, there are two ways to measure it.
The first being the miles of ground the unit can cover before the battery runs out of power and the other being how far away from you the drone can get.
You will find that many drones offer enough speed and flight time to cover 10 or more miles, however, they can only travel less than one mile from the remote controller.
With that said, if you are interested in a long-range drone then stick around as this article will cover the distance and highlight the longest range drone for sale and others.
If you are interested in drones with the longest flight time, read our drone flight time article.
Drone
Features
Price
- Flight range: 3.7 miles
- Flight time: 30 minutes
- Weight: 6.82 pounds
- Best long range drone
- How far can a drone fly?
- Uses for a long distance drone
- Frequently Asked Questions: drones with the best range
- What features should I look for in drones with the best range?
- Will my drone return to home if the battery runs out of power?
- Can drones return to home even if they lose signal?
- How far can I fly my drone legally?
- Do I need a license to fly my long range drone?
- Do range extenders actually work?
- What factors can affect a drone's range and signal strength?
Best long range drone
- Flight range: 7.5 miles
- Flight time: 31 minutes
- Weight: 4.4 pounds
As a new addition in the air series the DJI Air 2 as is a great update for camera lovers who couldn’t get enough of the DJI Mavic Air 2.
The most welcome enhancement in this model is the one-inch camera sensor that captures 20 MP photos that is beyond the quality of the DJI Mavic 2 Pro.
Other upgrades include performance, intelligent features, obstacle sensing, and the transmission system.
Not only is the sensor bigger and provide better quality but the drone as a unit is smaller, more affordable and almost three years newer than the Mavic 2 Pro,
It is also equipped with better technology to carry out high-speed operations without any hassle.
The obstacle avoidance sensors of the drone perform well even when it is in a full-tilt forward position.
As for flight range, the DJI Air 2S Drone can fly out to 7.5 miles which goes way beyond the line of sight and the flight time is 31 minutes.
- 【1-INCH IMAGE SENSOR】Equipped with a 1-inch image sensor and large 2.4μm pixels, DJI Air 2S is...
- 【MASTERSHOTS】The next evolution of QuickShots, MasterShots is an advanced intelligent feature...
- 【THE CENTER OF ATTENTION】FocusTrack features Spotlight 2.0, ActiveTrack 4.0, and Point of...
- 【ONE BILLION COLORS】The 10-bit Dlog-M color profile can record up to one billion colors while...
- 【7.5 MILES MAX VIDEO TRANSMISSION】DJI Air 2S features DJI's most advanced O3 (OcuSync 3.0) image...
- 【ENVIRONMENT SENSING】DJI Air 2S has the ability to perceive its environment in four directions:...
- Flight range: 6.5 miles
- Flight time: 31 minutes
- Weight: 2.01 pounds
The DJI Mavic 2 Pro was introduced in August of 2018 and became an instant hit on the consumer market.
It was determined to be the best consumer drone that DJI had to offer at the time.
The Mavic 2 Pro features significant upgrades over the original Mavic 2 Pro and rocks a Hasselblad camera and a one-inch camera sensor.
It captures stunning 4K videos and is equipped with a 3-axis gimbal system for steady shots every time.
Hasselblad cameras are famous for their Swiss craftsmanship and unwavering image quality.
This follow me drone is also equipped with mostly directional obstacle avoidance sensors and offers some of the safest flights you ever experience.
The use of OccuSync 2.0 enhances the connection with the remote control to transmit 1080P live stream video from way beyond the legal line of sight.
The range of the Mavic 2 Pro is 5 miles while the flight time comes in around 31 minutes and can reach max speeds of 44 mph.
- See the bigger picture: equipped with a Hasselblad l1d-20c camera with a 20MP 1” CMOS sensor, The...
- Please Update the firmware version of your Mavic 2 to 01.00.00.00 or above via the app tips or DJI...
- Up to 31 minutes flight time, 44 mph max speed, 907G takeoff weight, 3-axis gimbal for steady shots,...
- Functions include active track 2.0, omnidirectional obstacle sensing, Hyper lapse, low-noise design,...
- With fly More kit: comes with 2 extra intelligent Flight batteries, Mavic 2 car charger, battery...
- Flight range: 5.5 miles
- Flight time: 31 minutes
- Weight: 2.5 pounds
Just when you think things can’t get any better than a DJI drone, here comes Autel Robotics with their Evo 2 drone.
This unit shares much of the same ideology in terms of form factor and flight characteristics as the initial Evo drone but sees an update in almost every aspect.
The Evo 2 drone brought a lot of excitement and created quite a buzz since its introduction into the market.
This is because it is one of the first consumer products to allow you to shoot 8K videos.
Not just the first drone but the first 8K device across the broad spectrum of consumer video devices.
Drone users are also excited about the 40 minute flight time that comes with this unit which gives DJI drones a run for their money.
The Evo 2 drone can fly out to 5.5 miles and is suitable to tackle commercial and professional needs.
In the Evo 2 lineup, the top model comes with a dual-camera configuration which has an 8K sensor and a decent IR camera.
The base model and the commercial model on the other hand comes with a half-inch 8K sensor while the pro model has a full one-inch 6K sensor.
- AUTEL AUTHORIZED - Includes Full AUTEL USA Protection
- EVO 2 - The Only 8k Folding Drone On The Planet | Features unmatched 8K video resolution up to 25fps...
- EVO 2 presents an all new sensor and storage package and omni-directional obstacle avoidance....
- Control your drone up to 9km away. A longer range also means a stronger signal, keeping you...
- DRONE BUNDLE INCLUDES: Autel Robotics EVO II 8K Folding Drone | 6 Propellers | 2x Intelligent...
- Flight range: 3.7 miles
- Flight time: 30 minutes
- Weight: 6.82 pounds
Forget everything you know about drones with the PowerVision PowerEgg X Explorer multi-purpose drone.
This drone captured attention due to its unique shape and its many functions.
It can be used as an autonomous personal AI camera, a handheld 3-axis AI camera or a high-performance drone.
This first-of-a-kind drone comes with a patented protective shell that makes it waterproof.
It also comes with adequate power and a hydrodynamics design with level 5 wind resistance.
This means that the PowerVision PowerEgg X Explorer can fly in rain and with just a few accessories can float so you can land and take off from the water.
This unit has a maximum range of 3.7 miles to give you an insight into a whole new world.
The 4K UHD camera and 3-axis gimbal capture stable views while the automatic obstacle avoidance allows the PowerEgg X to fly smarter.
This is because the unit has both forward and downward binocular sensors that detect the distance to objects and respond faster for a hassle-free flight experience.
- 【Stunning 4K60FPS footage】: Capture high-definition aerial footage with crystal-clear detail and...
- 【Dual-mode functionality】: Enjoy the versatility of two modes in one device, with a handheld...
- 【Intelligent features for creative shooting】: Use slow-motion and time-lapse effects to add...
- 【Advanced obstacle avoidance and landing protection】: With visual sensors that detect obstacles...
- 【Long-range transmission and flight control】: Control the drone and transmit real-time video up...
- Flight range: 2.5 miles
- Flight time: 25 minutes
- Weight: 1.56 pounds
The Parrot Anafi is a budget-friendly drone that falls into the mid-priced category.
It has a flight range out to 2.5 miles with the Parrot Skycontroller 3.
The best thing about the camera on this unit is its ability to point all the way up or down.
This is something you’d expect to find on expensive commercial drones that are used for inspection services.
However, the Parrot Anafi gives you this function in a compact consumer-friendly folding quadcopter.
The camera features an f/2.4 wide-angle ASPH lens and offers up to 2.8 times digital zoom.
This makes it able to capture spectacular 4K videos, Full HD or 2.7K videos and stunning 21 MP photos.
Flight time is fairly decent at 25 minutes and flight performance is relatively trouble-free thanks to its ultra-compact and lightweight carbon frame.
- This drone with a camera equipped with f/2.4 wide angle ASPH lens, HDR, and up to 2.8 times digital...
- The ANAFI Parrot Drone can have up to 25 minutes of filmed flight time thanks to an intelligent...
- With its ultra-compact and lightweight carbon frame (320 g), this quadcopter drone unfolds in less...
- Equipped with a Parrot Skycontroller 3 folding remote control, the ANAFI Parrot Drone can be located...
- Software updates can make changes to existing features, further enhance ANAFI’s reliability and...
- Egyptian (Publication Language)
How far can a drone fly?
How far can a drone fly is the number one question most of us have when picking out a drone.
The distance the drone can fly from the controller while maintaining a viable signal determines the range of the drone.
Drones on the market come with an advertised flight range and even the longest range drone flight range may not play out in real-life situations.
However, it does give you a pretty good idea as to what you can expect.
Do remember that the range no matter how long should give way to the legal requirements which stipulate that you must keep your drone in sight at all times during the flight.
That being said, toy drones typically have a range of 20 to 100 meters while a mid-level consumer drone can fly out to 1 to 1.5 miles.
On the other hand, a high-end consumer drone can have a range of 2.5 to 4.5 miles or more.
However, the range of your drone will solely depend on the strength of the controller’s signal and the type of transmitting technology utilized.
Of course, drones that cost more well offer a longer range then cheaper alternatives since they will be integrating better transmitting technology to improve the strength of the controllers signal.
Uses for a long distance drone
Long distance drones can be used in many different fields performing various tasks.
These include:
Agriculture
A long distance drone equipped with the right camera and features can be used for crop management.
Information like infrared data, heatmaps, etc, can be used to investigate potential weak spots or distressed plants in a specific area which then gives the farmer time to fix the issue.
Package delivery
Hopefully, soon we are going to see packages being delivered by long range drones as promised by Amazon.
We are yet to see anything of the sort but we’re staying hopeful since advancements in technology every day moves us one step closer to achieving this.
Exploration
Long range drones can be used for exploring various places where it’s not safe for humans.
They can even help you to find a new perspective from a bird’s eye view in places where you visit every day.
A long range drone can awaken the adventurer in you and encourage you to get out there and get to explore the world around you.
Surveillance
Drones with long range can be used for multiple home surveillance or to help law officials monitor protest groups and certain activities.
However, it’s best to go for a silent drone for surveillance purposes since they’ll be quieter than their counterparts and not alert the person or crowd of its presence.
You can check out our list of silent drones by clicking the link.
If you need long flight times, check out our gas powered drone review.
Mapping
Long range drones may be used for mapping in various industries like agriculture, archaeology, construction, architecture and many others.
They can be used to produce 3D maps of buildings, specific terrain or forests to help engineers analyze and make better decisions when tackling certain issues.
Frequently Asked Questions: drones with the best range
What features should I look for in drones with the best range?
The features you should look for in a long range drone include battery life, image stabilization, intelligent flight features, FPV range, ability to increase its range and GPS stability.
Will my drone return to home if the battery runs out of power?
Yes, most drones are equipped with a low battery alert that tells the drone when to return to home.
However, this is not the case with all drones so you will have to look for this specific function before purchasing your drone.
Drones on the expensive side will be able to calculate how much battery it would take to return to home from its current location.
It will take into account the energy needed to get to the point for a safe return to home and landing as well.
Once it has identified how much battery is needed to safely return to home and that level is reached, it will automatically begin its journey back to home.
In some instances, you may be able to cancel this automatic return to home and manually guide your drone home but it is always better to work with the drone’s calculation.
Can drones return to home even if they lose signal?
Some drones can return to home if they lose signal because they are equipped with stable GPS.
However, they may not always return precisely to the point where you launch them from.
Some may land a few meters short so you will have to take manual control and guide to the launching point.
A great way to ensure that the drone does come back to the precise spot is by allowing it to hover on the spot for a few seconds before flying off.
How far can I fly my drone legally?
The distance you can fly your drone legally varies from country to country.
This is why it’s important to check drone laws in the country, city, state, or town you plan to fly in.
However, the general rule in most countries is that you shouldn’t fly your drone out of your line of sight.
You should always keep your drone within sight which means that a range of about 700 meters is far enough.
Nobody can say the exact measurements but it is a good rule to follow to avoid issues with the law.
The only time you may be able to fly beyond your line of sight is in rural or wild areas where there is no risk to other people but do check the laws before you fly.
Do I need a license to fly my long range drone?
This depends on the country you’re flying in.
Check all drone legislation and regulations before taking to the skies.
Do range extenders actually work?
Some drones allow you to use range extenders which can increase its already long range.
There are two types of range extenders for drones namely parabolic reflectors and signal boosters.
Parabolic reflectors tend to be dome-shaped and work to direct the signal straight to the drone.
This means that you would have to be facing the same direction to improve video signal and transmission.
Signal boosters are range extenders that will boost signal since some extenders can have more than six antennas aimed at your drone.
This allows you to cover more ground than you would with a reflector.
What factors can affect a drone’s range and signal strength?
The signal strength and drone range can be affected by multiple factors.
The most obvious is probably when there is an obstacle between you and the drone that physically blocks the signal.
This can be anything from a building to a tree so it is best to fly your drone in an open area where there are no trees or tall buildings.
If you live in the city, finding a wide-open area may be hard to come by but keep in mind that buildings do mess with the signal and Wi-Fi interference will also decrease your range.
Range is also affected if you use your smartphone to control the drone instead of a dedicated RC controller.
Read here for more on phone controlled drones.