7 Best Long Range Drones in 2023

Are you looking for a long range drone that can stay airborne longer and cover greater distances?

Whether you’re an experienced videographer or a hobbyist, equipping yourself with one of the best long-range drones on the market is essential.

The latest models offer impressive capabilities, from extended flight time to powerful camera specs—perfect for capturing distant sights.

To help you get started, we’ve rounded up some top-rated models around so that you can compare your options and choose a drone that’s right for your needs.

To discover our picks for the best long-range drones available today, please keep reading.

What is the longest-range drone?

As technology advances, drones are becoming more and more accessible to the general public.

The use of long-distance drones has also grown in popularity, and the demand for drones with maximum flight range has increased.

A long battery life is essential for any drone to fly longer distances; many consumer drones now offer such long-range flight capabilities too.

The control of the best long-range drone is also vital in purchasing the cheapest long-range drone full-distance drone, as it can reduce the likelihood of crashes and other accidents.

With the right choice of long-range drone, enthusiasts can top long-range drones and capture stunning footage beyond the limits of the naked eye.

The possibilities with a long-distance drone or cheap long-range drone are endless, from aerial photography to exploration.

Best Choice

1. DJI Avata (15 KM)

The DJI Avata is a powerhouse amongst long-range drones, boasting an impressive maximum range of 15 kilometers.

Designed with the latest technology, this UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) is the perfect companion for those passionate about aerial photography and videography.

Buy Now

Pros

  • Versatile Drone
  • Long Range
  • Good Flight Time

Cons

  • Spare Parts Not Readily Available.

Its extended battery life, is equally admirable, with an ability to stay airborne for very long-range flights of up to 30 minutes.

This extended flight time and Avata’s long-range capabilities allow users to explore and document their surroundings extensively.

One of the standout features of the DJI Avata is its intelligent flight modes.

Follow Me, Orbit, and Waypoint offer users versatile flying experiences and opportunities for unique footage.

Moreover, the drone includes a safety feature that prompts it to return home when the battery is low, ensuring that users don’t lose their device due to depleted power.

In terms of design, the DJI Avata comes in a compact and portable size. Its robust construction can withstand adverse weather conditions, making it a reliable choice for outdoor filming.

In summary, the DJI Avata is an excellent long-range drone.

Its superior in flight performance and range, high-quality camera specs, and ample safety features make it a top choice for hobbyists and professionals.


Best Value

2. DJI Mavic 3 (15 KM)

The DJI Mavic 3 is a top performer in the drone market, boasting a 15 km range.

This model’s exceptional feature is its robust flight time, allowing for extended explorations and quality image capturing.

Buy Now

Pros

  • Longest Flight Range
  • High-Quality Images and Videos
  • Return Home Feature
  • Good Flight Time

Cons

  • No Zoom Capability
  • Heavy and Bulky to Carry Around

The Mavic 3 sports a 20 MP camera, delivering crisp, clear photos and 4K videos to take your content creation to the next level.

Notably, its advanced obstacle sensing and obstacle avoidance sensor system ensures a safer flight experience, significantly reducing the risk of crashes.

The drone’s compact and foldable design makes it easily portable, ideal for those who love adventures.

User-friendly and packed with professional features, the DJI Mavic 3 is indeed a fantastic choice for enthusiasts aiming for long-range drone flights.


Premium Option

3. DJI Air 2S (12 KM)

The DJI Air 2S is another remarkable product from DJI, capable of reaching a distance of up to 12 kilometers.

This drone perfectly balances portability and power, making it an excellent choice for professional photographers and beginners.

Buy Now

Pros

  • Extended flight time
  • Superior image quality
  • Compact and portable
  • Advanced obstacle avoidance system

Cons

  • Connectivity issues at long distances
  • No mechanical shutter on the camera

The Air 2S has a 20MP camera that can capture stunning 5.4K videos, providing crystal-clear footage.

The drone’s advanced features include MasterShots, which provides automatic flight path planning and video editing, and Spotlight 2.0, which keeps the camera focused on a subject while the drone flies freely.

This makes capturing professional-grade footage more manageable than ever.

Moreover, the DJI Air 2S has an impressive 31 minutes of flight time, allowing for extended shooting sessions.

Regarding safety, the Air 2S comes with four-directional obstacle avoidance sensors and-sensing technology and an upgraded APAS 4.0 system that allows the drone to avoid obstacles autonomously.

The drone’s compact size and foldable design make it highly portable, allowing you to pack it even for the most challenging adventures effortlessly.

Despite these outstanding features, the DJI Air 2S has a few drawbacks.

Some users have reported challenges with the drone’s connectivity and control, especially at long distances.

Its high-quality camera, while excellent in many respects, lacks a mechanical shutter, which may not be ideal for some types of photography.


Runner Up

4. DJI Mini 3 Pro (12 KM)

The DJI Mini 3 Pro is an upgraded version of the popular Mini-series from DJI, capable of covering a distance of up to 12 kilometers.

This compact drone offers power and convenience, making it an excellent choice for experienced pilots and beginners.

Buy Now

Pros

  • Compact and lightweight
  • High-quality camera
  • Extended flight time
  • Advanced safety features

Cons

  • No ActiveTrack feature
  • Occasional WiFi connectivity issues.

The standout feature of the Mini 3 Pro is its 20 MP camera, which can capture 4K videos at 60 fps.

This allows users to produce high-quality cinematic footage even in challenging lighting conditions.

The drone also features a 3-axis motorized gimbal that ensures smooth and stable footage, regardless of how aggressively you’re flying.

One of the notable improvements on the camera quality of the Mini 3 Pro compared to its predecessors is its extended flight time.

The drone can stay airborne for up to 31 minutes on a single charge, granting you ample time to capture the perfect shot.

Safety features are another area where the Mini 3 Pro shines.

The drone is equipped with an advanced obstacle detection system and GPS-based geofencing, which prevents it from straying into restricted airspace.

Despite its compact size, the Mini 3 Pro does not compromise on performance.

The drone’s new propulsion system and aerodynamic design ensure it can withstand winds up to 29-38 kph.

The main downside of the Mini 3 Pro is its lack of ActiveTrack, a popular feature in other DJI drones that allows for automatic tracking of moving subjects.

Some users also report occasional issues with the drone’s WiFi connectivity, which can result in limited control range.

The DJI Mini 3 Pro is a versatile, high-quality drone that packs high-end features into a compact, portable design.


Hidden Gem

5. Autel Evo Lite Plus (15 KM)

The Autel Evo Lite Plus is a remarkable addition to the drone market, boasting an impressive range of up to 15 km.

This powerful drone also caters to beginners and seasoned pilots with its advanced features and easy usability.

Buy Now

Pros

  • impressive flight range
  • High-quality camera
  • Long flight time
  • Advanced safety features

Cons

  • The controller build could be improved
  • No zoom function

The Evo Lite Plus has a 50 MP camera with exceptional image quality.

It can capture 4K HDR videos, making it a perfect tool for professional-grade content creation.

Furthermore, the camera is stabilized with a 3-axis gimbal, providing smooth and stable footage, even in challenging flight conditions.

One notable feature of the Evo Lite Plus is its flight time.

The drone can stay in the air for 40 minutes on a single charge, surpassing many comparable models.

This extended flight distance and time is a boon for those seeking to capture long videos or explore extensively.

The drone’s advanced safety features add to its appeal.

The Evo Lite Plus has forward and downward obstacle detection sensors to prevent collisions during flight.

It also includes a ‘Return Home’ feature that commands the drone to automatically return to its take-off point when battery levels are low, ensuring its safety.

The Autel Evo Lite Plus is relatively lightweight and compact, adding to its portability. However, it is not without its drawbacks.

Some users have reported issues with the drone’s remote controller, stating that it feels less robust than other models.

Additionally, the drone lacks a zoom function, which could restrict certain types of photography.


Hidden Gem

6. DJI Mini 2 SE (10 KM)

The DJI Mini 2 SE is a stellar addition to DJI’s lineup, offering an impressive flight range of up to 10 kilometers.

This drone is perfect for both novices and veteran drone pilots due to its easy controls and compact size.

Buy Now

Pros

  • Compact and lightweight
  • Efficient 4K camera
  • Extended flight time
  • Advanced safety features

Cons

  • Inconsistent WiFi connectivity at long ranges
  • Lacks some advanced features like active tracking and intelligent flight modes

The Mini 2 SE has a 12MP camera that can shoot 4K videos at 30 fps.

This is a standout feature for a drone of this size, allowing users to capture professional-level footage with rich details and vibrant colors.

The camera is further stabilized by a 3-axis gimbal, ensuring smooth, shake-free footage even in turbulent weather conditions.

One significant advantage of the Mini 2 SE is its extended flight time.

The drone can stay in the air for up to 31 minutes on a single charge, allowing users to capture the right shots without worrying about the battery running out.

The Mini 2 SE also excels in the area of safety.

The drone features an advanced obstacle detection system and uses GPS-GLONASS to maintain accurate positioning during flight.

This sophisticated system helps prevent the drone from colliding with any other drones or obstacles and always returns safely to its takeoff point.

However, the Mini 2 SE is not without its flaws.

Some users have reported that the drone’s WiFi connectivity can be inconsistent, particularly at longer distances.

The Mini 2 SE also lacks advanced features on more expensive drones, such as active tracking and intelligent flight modes.

Despite these limitations, the DJI Mini 2 SE provides excellent value for its price and is a fantastic option for those seeking a capable, portable, and affordable drone.


Hidden Gem

7.Autel Evo II Pro (9 KM)

The Autel Robotics Evo II Pro is a groundbreaking drone that can cover a distance of up to 9 kilometers.

This model features a 1-inch sensor, allowing it to capture ultra-high resolution 6K videos and 20 MP photos, making it a powerhouse for content creators.

Buy Now

Pros

  • High-resolution 6K videos and 20 MP photos
  • Impressive 40-minute flight time
  • Superior obstacle avoidance system
  • Dynamic subject tracking

Cons

  • Less portable due to size and weight
  • It might be challenging for beginners
  • Occasional software update issues

The Evo II Pro’s camera also offers an adjustable aperture from f/2.8 to f/11, providing more flexibility in various lighting conditions.

The drone has an impressive 40-minute max flight time, giving users ample time to capture stunning visuals.

The Evo II Pro also excels in safety features, boasting a 12-sensor obstacle avoidance system that provides complete directional protection.

One of the unique features of this drone is its ability to track subjects with precision, thanks to Dynamic Track 2.0. This feature allows the drone’s range to follow subjects seamlessly, making it easier to capture dynamic shots.

Despite its numerous strengths, the Autel Evo II Pro has some shortcomings.

Its size and weight make it less portable than some other models, and it can be challenging to set up and control for beginners due to its advanced features.

Moreover, some users have reported occasional issues with the drone’s software updates.

In conclusion, the Autel Evo II Pro is an impressive technology, offering outstanding image quality and advanced features that will appeal to professional photographers and hobbyists.


Can a drone fly 50 miles?

While 50 miles is a substantial distance for a drone to cover, it’s important to note that most commercial drones currently on the market are incapable of such extended-range flights.

The typical flight range for most consumer drones, is a max range around 4-11 kilometers (approximately 2.5-6.8 miles).

This is due to battery life, signal range, and legal restrictions.

However, specialized drones are used in sectors such as agriculture, military, and research that can cover far greater distances.

These drones are typically custom-made, larger, and more expensive than consumer models.

Are there drones that can fly for months?

Also, it’s crucial to remember that in many countries, regulations stipulate that drones should always remain within the pilot’s line of sight, which typically limits the maximum flight distance and range to a few miles.

In terms of endurance wind speed, most drones’ capabilities can vary considerably.

While many commercial drones offer flight times that range from 20 minutes to an hour, there are indeed specialized models that can stay airborne for far longer.

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) utilized in military and research domains can stay airborne for many hours, even days.

However, a drone that can fly for months is currently largely theoretical.

Technological advancements and research are being conducted in this field, such as solar-powered drones that can recharge during the day and sustain a max flight time at night.

Despite these advancements, these drones are not commercially available and are far from the affordability and practicality of consumer models.

Therefore, while a drone that can fly for months is unavailable on the market, it remains an exciting prospect.

As technology continues to improve, this could become a reality shortly.

Conclusion – Best Long Range Drones

In the realm of long-range drones, the DJI Mini 2 SE Autel Evo II Pro stand out for its impressive features and capabilities.

Each drone offers its unique blend of pros and cons, catering to many users.

The DJI Mini 2 SE is ideal for those seeking an affordable, compact, and easy-to-use drone with a high-quality camera and extended flight time.

For content creators and professionals desiring ultra-high-resolution captures, the Autel Evo II Pro stands unrivaled with its 6K video and 20 MP photo capabilities.

Though it may be less portable and challenging for beginners, its superior features justify the trade-offs.

Despite its controller build and lack of a zoom function, the Plus offers an impressive flight range and advanced safety features.

In conclusion, when selecting a long-range drone, consider your specific needs, budget, and skill level to make an informed decision.

Happy flying!

Also check out this article on auto tracking camera sport.