We curated a list of the Long Distance Drones. Check it out!
Long-distance drones can cover over 10 miles and have high-end cameras for maximum image output. Read on to know comprehensive details about the best long-distance drones in 2022.
When buying a long-distance drone, flight time and range are the two crucial factors to consider. If you are looking for options to choose your next high-end long-distance drone, your search ends right here!
One of the main factors in picking a suitable drone is its range. The first question people ask while looking for a drone is – how far is its flying range? You can measure a drone’s range in two ways: how far away the drone can get and how many miles it can fly before its battery dies.
Long-distance drones are slowly becoming the craze amongst professionals and drone hobbyists. These drones offer considerable flight range while operated to cater to commercial or other purposes.
Some drones can rise to 50 meters and cover over 10 miles on the ground, but the battery life is limited to less than a mile. The top drones in the market can reach up to 9.3 miles (12 km) for industrial purposes like delivery.
This article covers a detailed review of the top long-distance drones in the market:
- 5 Best long-distance drones in 2022
- Buyer’s guide to select a robust long-distance drone
- Average of a long-distance drone
- Utilities of long-distance drones
So, let’s dive in.
Top Long Distance Drones
You would probably have a minimum range in mind because it is an essential feature. However, everything needs proper consideration for other features like aerial photography, surveillance, monitoring, mapping, and budget. While looking to buy a long-range drone, here are some things to consider:
- Range
- Flight time
- Camera quality
- Flight modes
The following list covers the 5 best long-distance drones to help you minimize your search.
1. DJI Air 2S
The DJI Air 2S is a unique drone. It can connect to Wi-Fi for up to 7.5 miles, haul a 1-inch, 20MP camera that can shoot 5.4K video, and it’s all packed into a small, durable drone that is easy to fly. This drone can fly fast and maneuver easily, but it is also stable and reliable.
Features:
- 12 km connectivity to enjoy the trail view comfortably
- Leading range of 7.5 miles
- Video quality of 5.4k
- Installed with DJI’s Ocusync 3.0
- Foldable and easily portable in a backpack
2. Autel Evo 2
Autel Evo 2 is a foldable drone that has insane specs and cameras. Its high-tech camera records in the best resolution possible, recording in 8k at 25fps or 4k at 60fps. Moreover, it can also hover for up to 40 minutes or 35 minutes of flight time. It is a powerful drone that can fly in low Wi-Fi connectivity or obstacles like trees or buildings.
Features:
- Robust camera with options for 4K60p / 8k30p
- Long battery life of 40 mins
- Modular cameras and 12 obstacle avoiding cameras
- Includes screen with transmitter
- Equipped with internal storage
3. Holy Stone HS720
The HS720 drone from Holy Stone is a highly affordable drone with a 2K camera, long flight time, and safety features. It’s foldable, so it’s easy to transport from place to place, and it can fly up to 800 meters. The HS720 has a downward sensor for altitude hold, two bottom-facing night lights, and more.
Features:
- Image stabilization and shock absorption with 4K UHD camera
- Intelligent flight modes assisted with GPS
- 2 batteries with 26 mins each
- Multi sensors and optical flow positioning
- Controller range of 2.4GHz transmission
Related: Check out the user manual of Holy Stone HS720E here
4. DJI Mavic Pro
The DJI Mavic Pro is the best drone up for purchase on the market that comes with a slew of features and benefits. The drone is highly advanced and can fold down to roughly the size of a water bottle, which makes it perfect for travelers. Another fantastic feature is its 1.2-mile range and speeds up to 40 mph.
Features:
- 12 MP/4K stabilized camera
- Equipped with Ocusync transmission
- Up to 4.3 miles of transmission range at 40mph
- Flight time of 27 minutes with smooth 4K footage
5. DJI Phantom 4
The Phantom 4 is the ultimate smart, crash-resistant drone featuring Collision Avoidance. It has a maximum control distance of 5km, is lightweight, and has motors made of carbon fiber.
Moreover, it will automatically return to the pilot in case of GPS connection loss, battery loss, or the drone itself crashes.
Check out the detailed review of DJI Phantom 4 RTK here
Features:
- Powerful 15.2V 5350mAh Li-Po 4S battery
- Flight time of 25 minutes
- Built-in 12 MP camera with 4K resolution
- Equipped with Swipe and Fly feature
- Controller frequency of 2.4GHz
Related: DJI Phantom Pro 4 review
How to choose the best long-distance drone
Long-range drones can fly for an average of 30-80 minutes before they need recharging, and this range should be enough for more extensive area requirements. Today’s drones have antenna tracking, so they can go 80-150 kilometers without interruption or even longer.
Here are the other things to consider:
- Transmission – live feed, stability, interference
Many factors can influence the feed, like wind speed, battery levels, radio interference, and obstacles between the controller and drone. The best way to maintain this is using a high-resolution transmission feed with stability and anti-interference technology for smoother communication.
- Flight time and safety
Longer flight time means more ground covered for long-range photography. Flight time is also influenced by the design of the drone.
For example, are you getting a beginner drone or looking for something with better battery life? Flight safety is also crucial for any good flight experience and ensures the safety of the others around you.
- Obstacle avoidance
Before you purchase a drone, you should consider its obstacle avoidance technology. DJI drones have sensors to detect obstacles and change their flight path to avoid them. For example, if the drone is coming close to an object, the drone will either ascend, descend, or stop altogether.
- Camera performance
Beginners and professionals alike will need to consider the sensor quality of their drones. The DJI Mavic series and Phantom drones both feature advanced camera sensor technology.
Professionals, in particular, should take note of the Inspire 2’s interchangeable camera system, taking industry-level footage to a whole new level.
- Warranties
There are many great manufacturers, but some offer better warranties. With a more extended warranty in place, you can get protection against latent defects, and your drone will keep on running for as long as possible. This will help ensure that your business can continue to operate after a disruption.
- Average pricing of long-range drones
The price of long-range drones depends on your needs. For commercial and professional use, long-range drones can cost from $1500 to $2000 with high flight safety, camera quality, mapping and surveillance, and aerial photography. For portable professional drones, it can be up to $1800.
Uses of long-distance drones
Drones with high ranges are a viable option for various purposes like filming, exploring the world, and commercial use. Commercial drones are beneficial when high-end models reach more than 5 kilometers from their controller.
These drones are fast, agile, and fly high in the sky to give people a bird’s eye view where it’s almost impossible to spot them. Here are the benefits:
- Delivering Packages
Delivery drones are autonomous robots utilized in making certain deliveries. They have a range of uses, from delivering packages to scanning the environment. However, the most common use is delivering merchandise.
- Surveillance
Drones are stealthy, camera-equipped tools that can monitor huge areas without detection. For instance, they can guard specific areas and ensure no security breach. They’re the ideal surveillance tool for both private and public entities.
- Agricultural farms
With infrared data, farmers can use powerful technology to get insights into their crops and get a “birds-eye view” of their plants.
Additionally, they can access more information about their fields by scheduling automatic inspections on plants for fertilization or watering, which will result in maximized yields and healthier crops.
- Mapping
Modern-day drones can map large swaths of land, thanks to their relatively long battery life, advanced sensors, and obstacle avoidance abilities. Mapping with drones is beneficial for understanding hard-to-reach areas that tend to change quickly, such as fast-moving rivers, forests, and highly urbanized areas.
Summing up
With new models capable of reaching up to 10 km, we’ve come a long way from the original definition of “long-range.” These top-tier models should be your go-to for anyone looking for long-range communication.
But if you’re looking for mid-range communication and a drone that won’t break the bank, the usual 7-8 km distance is just what you need.
Long-distance Drones: FAQ’s
How can I stop my drone from flying out of range?
Many quadcopters have a beginner mode option to prevent potentially dangerous mistakes. Users can set their geo-fences to ensure they don’t go too far.
If the battery discharges, will my drone return home?
Yes, most drones will return to their launch point if they sense that their battery is low. However, more intelligent drones can calculate how much battery it would take to get back to the launch point – both returning and landing.
Can I transport objects with my long-distance drone?
Yes, you can transport objects with a drone. But it is not feasible for the drones in this list to carry anything heavy, as they were designed expressly to take photos and video.
Do I require a license for flying a long-distance drone?
You may need permission from local authorities, and in some cases, you may need to pass a flight competence test. And please: always check the law and regulations before flying your drone.
Also Read:
- 5 Best High Altitude Drones To Rule
- How Fast and High can Drones Fly?
- Holy Stone HS100 and HS100G Review
Jon is a passionate photographer and videographer who has been flying DJI drones for over 5 years. He loves the freedom and creativity that comes with capturing aerial footage and the unique perspective it provides. Jon is always on the lookout for new locations to explore and capture with his DJI drones. His favorite DJI drone is the Mavic 2 Pro, which he uses to capture stunning 4K footage with its Hasselblad camera. Jon is always eager to share his knowledge and experience with other drone enthusiasts and is a member of several online drone communities. When he’s not flying his DJI drone, Jon enjoys hiking, camping, and spending time with his family.
DJI Air 2S
We curated a list of the Long Distance Drones. Check it out!
Product SKU: 587587HFJNV5635676
Product Brand: DJI
Product Currency: USD
Product Price: 999
Price Valid Until: 2022
Product In-Stock: InStock
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