The range of an average drone is often determined by its radio link quality. It is that invisible connection between the drone and the transmitter that works like a radio or RC vehicle. 

Most drones in the market today utilize a 2.4 GHz radio frequency that gives pilots and their drones up to 1,500 meters, considering they’re flying the drone in the best possible weather condition. 

The longer the flight range, the less risk of losing signal and control. Also, a long-range drone means better photographic and videography potential as the UAV reaches greater altitudes.

Here at UVS-Info.com, we’ve prepared a list of the top long-range drones for sale, which drone has the longest range, and what to look for before you purchase the drone. 

Discover some of the best long-range drones on the market today!

Top 5 Best Long Range Drone

1. DJI Mavic 2 Pro Drone Quadcopter – 18 km/11 miles range (at a consistent 50 kph)

The DJI Mavic 2 Pro sets itself apart from other long-range drones because its battery life is more capacious and allows the drone to fly in longer routes. This also means that it can scan larger areas.

This long-range drone is built for drone enthusiasts and pros. Although it is compact it embodies all of the advanced signature features of DJI.

As for its camera capabilities, the Mavic Pro 2 is way more advanced than its previous model and is almost the same as the Phantom 4 Pro. It is also the first long-range drone to feature a Hasselblad-branded camera. The brand is known for its uncompromising and iconic format film cameras.

Redefine aerial photography today with DJI Mavic Pro 2 Drone Quadcopter!

Pros

• Foldable design for simple transportation
• Can fly at a maximum speed of 40mph
• With intelligence features for autonomous flight
• Avoids barriers automatically
• 4K camera
• Easy to transport
• Great for pilots of all skill levels

Con/s

• You can’t attach your own personal camera gear
• Pricey than other high-quality drones
• Hyperlapse video feature not stabilized

Check current price on Amazon.

2. DJI Phantom 4 Pro – 6.7km/ 4.3 miles range

The DJI Phantom 4 Pro has so many improvements in almost every single category in drones, such as its camera, safety and redundancy, video transmission, intelligence, obstacle avoidance, and flight time.

It sports a whopping 20 megapixel CMOS sensor that allows high-speed operation at low power consumption.  Its object avoidance feature likewise is very helpful to detect an issue up to 23 feet away.

Another reason why we included the Phantom 4 in our list of top long-range drones is that it is fast, responsible, and can go wherever the pilot points it to.

Controls of this model are also fairly precise and easy to use. Even new pilots would most probably take only a minute to learn to fly this drone.

Pros

• Powerful drone
• Easy to operate
• Multi-direction  obstacle avoidance
• Solid camera experience
• 27 minutes of flight time
• 4K 30 FPS camera
• 43 MPH speed

Cons

• Large UAV that is not foldable for transport
• Does not use OcuSync

Check current price on Amazon.

3. DJI Mavic 2 Zoom- 18 km/11 miles range (no wind) 

The  DJI Mavic 2 Zoom is a good base for people wanting a capable drone that can allow them to explore without many restrictions. 

Its signal strength is good for most situations and its range, when flying in perfect weather conditions, enables the drone to reach faraway places.

DJI 2 Zoom has an 8 km (5 Mile) range that takes your long-range drone adventure a step further. Thanks to its OcuSync 2.0 transmission tech. 

From real-estate drone photography to wildlife drone photography, DJI Zoom 2 is worth being on the list of the best long-range drones. It has a 12 MP 2x optical zoom lens that can help you capture excellent shots from long ranges.

Pros

• Great for zooming in
• Compact foldable design
• 8 km (5 Mile) Range
• Cheaper than the DJI pro version
• 24-48 mm focal length change
• Captures 4K video at 30fps
• 3850 mAh intelligent flight battery capacity
• With obstacle avoidance feature

Con/s

• The image quality of Mavic 2 Pro is better than DJI 2 Zoom

Check current price on Amazon.

4. Autel Robotics EVO II Drone – 8.8km/5 miles range

Another solid drone that is a good alternative to DJI drones is the Autel EVO II drone. Among its noteworthy features is the modular camera system that offers three models and a range that meet various pilot needs, from professionals to consumers. 

Its 9km video transmission, 40-minute battery life, and 10-bit A-Log gamma feature suggest that it is a pretty capable drone. It also has a 3-axis (roll, pitch, and yaw) gimbal that provides better video stability compared to the 2-axis gimbals.

Based on its features, it somehow resembles the folding Mavic series of DJI although AUtel Robotics EVO 11 drone has a substantially larger build.

Pros

• 3 axis gimbal stabilization
• Modular camera system feature
• 40-minute battery life
• Can fly without online login
• Can capture ultra HD video
• Patented propeller design/ quick release propellers
• Live controller HD video feed
• 12 omnidirectional obstacle avoidance sensors
• The camera is for professional cinematography and photography

Cons

• Few users claim zoom is not as good as other high-quality drones
• The anti-collision system is so sensitive that sometimes spots obstacles even if there are not, particularly when flying backward (recording gets interrupted)

Check current price on Amazon.

5. DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise Dual Camera Drone – 10km/ 6.2 miles range

Released in 2018, the Mavic 2 Enterprise Dual Camera Drone folds up in a compact quadcopter. It also has the same spec as Mavic 2 Zoom.

Among the features, we like in this long-distance drone is its Lepton micro-camera that can capture thermal data. It also has a 3 axis gimbal stabilization that allows the pilot to fly a drone at night.

When you open the DJI Pilot flight control app, you’ll be able to visualize the data of the dual-sensor thermal camera.  We also like that this model has a strong spotlight, with 2,400 lumens/ brightness to help operators in carrying out flying missions in low light or dark areas or no longer in their line of sight.

Pros

• GPS timestamping feature
• on-board  data storage (24 GB) with password protection
• 28 minute flight time with beacon off/ 25-minute flight time with the speaker on
• Particularly suited for industry and business purpose (utility inspection, public safety, search and rescue, law enforcement, fire response)

Cons

• Expensive although represent value for money
• Images it captures not as good as Mavic 2 Zoom results

Check current price on Amazon.

What to Look for in Long Range Drones

There are several features you’ll need to look for before you spend what could be a significant amount of money for a long-range drone of your own.

Transmission

One paramount feature of aerial cinematography and photography is video transmission. Being able to see in real-time and clearly what your drone camera is viewing at a large distance is vital.

Common transmission types include WiFi, OcuSync, and Lightbridge.

Anti-Interference

The drone’s anti-interference ability ensures that you can fly smoothly without interruptions. It would be nice if the drone has dual transmission frequencies so it can switch between these frequencies during a real-time flight, which translates to better performance.

Even when you’re flying the drone in a challenging environment, the anti-interference feature also helps you maintain a stable video feed.

Flight Performance

Flight performance, which covers the drone’s flight time, Return to Home (RTH) feature, obstacle sensors, and flight safety, also matters when you’re on the lookout for a long-range drone.

Remember also that battery performance and flight time are influenced by the design of the UAV. A benchmark that you should be searching for is about 30 minutes of flight time.

Range

This feature is obvious, given that you’re looking for the ideal long-range drone, but worth highlighting anyway. Most mid-range drones can be controlled by the pilot up to 90 miles away and have the ability to stay mid-air for up to 12 hours.

Intelligent Modes and Functions

Intelligent modes and functions are vital considerations when capturing cinematic scenes from a long-range distance. These allow you to approach the subject or get closer to them far from away and take unique footage.

Two intelligent modes that make it easy for a drone pilot to obtain amazing footage from afar are QuickShots and ActiveTrack.

Final Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?

If you want to take your drone flight further, we highly recommend the Mavic 2 Zoom. It has the longest range in this range, the same as Mavic 2 Pro but at a lesser price.

The two also share intelligent features, like the Active Track 2.0 and Hyperlapse. But Mavic 2 Zoom has a unique zoom lens. Once you see the actual footage yourself, you will certainly appreciate the perspective that this drone gives.

As for its flight performance, it can fly as high as 500m and a maximum takeoff altitude of 6000 m. With this model, you can capture video in HD resolution.

It has a camera technology that can likewise guarantee stable and smooth footage. We saw the filming output of the DJI 2 Zoom and all we can say is that it’s stunning.

You may also want to check out other great models from DJI, such as the DJI Mavic Air 2, DJI Inspire 2.

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