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Long Range Drones: What Are The Best Long Range Drones?

Long Range Drones: What Are The Best Long Range Drones?

One of the most sought-after features of a drone is long-range; every drone pilot wants a drone that can fly long distances without losing connection with the remote control. Various brands and models of long-range drones are available in the market; it all depends on your budget. Drones with shorter ranges are less fun because you cannot fly them for too long.

The best long-range drones are DJI Mavic Air 2S, Autel Robotics Evo II, DJI Mavic Mini 2, DJI Mavic 3, DJI Mavic 2 Pro, DJI Mavic 2 Zoom, DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0, DJI Inspire 2, Yuneec Typhoon Pro, DJI Spark, and Holy Stone HS100. Long-range drones are safer because they have a stronger connection.

Long-range drones are best for aerial photography, so if you hope to become a drone photographer or videographer, you need to get a long-range drone.

control man drone

What Are The Best Long Range Drones?

A drone's range is determined by the strength of its radio link, which is the connection between the drone and the radio control (transmitter). Most drones use a 2.4 GHz radio frequency, similar to a radio or an RC vehicle. There are also lower frequencies; for example, 1.2 GHz frequency provides a better range but is illegal. Some of the best long range drones are:

DJI Mavic Mini 2

The DJI Mavic Mini 2 has a control range of 6.2 miles (10 kilometers.) This is the smallest DJI drone but is also the best selling DJI drone ever manufactured. The DJI Mini 2 features the Ocysync 2.0, responsible for the long control range. The DJI Mavic Mini 2 is 5.4 inches long, 3.2 inches wide, and 2.3 inches high when folded.

It is 6.2 inches long, 7.99 inches wide, 2.2 inches high when unfolded, 9.6 inches long, 11.4 inches wide, and 2.2 inches tall when unfolded with the propellers. This drone is also very compact and portable, making it the perfect drone for professionals and recreationists that move around a lot.

Autel Robotics Evo II

The Autel Robotics Evo II has a maximum takeoff weight of 4.4 pounds; it is 4.5 inches long, 4.3 inches wide, and 9.0 inches high. It has a control range of 5.5 miles (9 kilometers) and is equipped with a camera that captures images of 20 megapixels and a video resolution of 6k. The drone is equipped with object tracking, including dynamic track tripod tracks small orbit and orbit mode.

DJI Mavic 2 Pro

The DJI Mavic 2 Pro has a control range of 6.2 miles (10 kilometers) and has a low-drag aerodynamic body design that makes it reach a top speed of 44 mph. The drone was launched and released in August 2018, and it is still one of the best professional photography drones you can purchase. The DJI Mavic 2 Pro is the first drone with an integrated Hasselblad camera.

The DJI Mavic 2 Pro is equipped with a 20-megapixel camera to capture still images, a video resolution of 4K 10-bit HDR Video resolution, two 24-48mm Optical Zoom. The drone has a total flight time of 31 minutes due to a 4 cell LiPo battery. It also has low-noise propellers that make the drone one of the most silent drones in the market.

DJI Mavic 2 Zoom

The DJI Mavic 2 Zoom also has a control range of 6.2 miles (10 kilometers). It is developed with an airframe similar to the DJI Mavic 2 Pro. This drone is a professional media creation drone that brings you very close to the action, and you have two 24-48mm optical cameras with a 1/2.3″ 12MP sensor.

The drone has a low-drag aerodynamic body design that makes it reach a top speed of 48 mph, and it has a 4 cell LiPo battery that gives the drone a total flight time of 31 minutes. The propellers are noiseless, so you can capture quality images without distracting or disturbing others.

DJI Inspire 2

The DJI Inspire 2 has an amazing 5.2K camera that takes a clearer and sharper view of pictures and videos, making it the favorite of professional drone photographers and videographers. It has a control range of 4.3 miles (7 kilometers), it is one of the most expensive DJI commercial drones in the market.

It has a total flight time of 25 minutes, a top-flight speed of 58.4 mph, and features a self-heating technology that makes it possible for flying to occur in low-temperature areas. The speed of the DJI Inspire 2 makes it a perfect drone for capturing cinematic shots.

shadow sky

DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0

The DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 weighs 3 pounds, a drone designed for professional use. It has a control range of 4.3 miles (7 kilometers) and can reach a top speed of 45 mph. The total flight time of the DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.O is 30 minutes. It has a remote controller with an in-built screen that delivers better control and precision during flights.

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Which Drone Has Longest Range?

There is only one drone with the longest control range, and it is a DJI drone. This company is famous for manufacturing high-performing drones. Below is the drone with the longest control range.

DJI Mavic Air 2S

The DJI Mavic Air 2S has the longest control range, 7.5 miles (12 kilometers), a feat no other drone has been able to surpass. This drone is also one of the best camera drones in the market, equipped with a 1 inch CMOS, 20 MP camera that can shoot videos in 5.4K.

This drone is 7.2 inches long, 10 inches wide, and 3 inches high; it captures 5.4K HD images and videos. It has obstacle sensing in 4 directions and has a control range of 12 km. The battery life of this drone is 31 minutes, and it has a top speed of 42 mph. Its remote controller has space for mobile devices, enabling you to see what the drone sees.

More to learn: Skydio 2: A Super Smart Drone

How Far Can A Long-Range Drone Fly?

The distance a long-range drone can fly is dependent on the brand and the features; most long-range drones can fly as far as 4.3 miles (7 kilometers) to 7.5 miles (12 kilometers). Regardless of the control distance of a drone, it cannot fly far from the remote control, or it will lose connection.

A drone's weight and battery life also determine how far it can fly. Drones with long control range are usually lighter and have longer battery life. There are also limitations to how far a drone can fly, the major limitation being FAA drone laws. A drone must remain with a visual line of sight (about 500 meters) from the pilot.

What Happens If A Drone Goes Out Of Range?

Different things happen when a drone goes out of range. If a high-end drone flies out of range, the return-to-home feature is activated, causing the drone to fly back to the point of takeoff. Some drones will stop flying and hang in the air, so the pilot can find it and get closer to it to reconnect it.

Most low-end drones will land immediately after they go out of range; others will continue flying until you cannot find the drone anymore, eventually crashing.

Final Thoughts

The best drone to own as a professional drone pilot is a long-range drone; luckily, there are various high-end drones available in the market. The good thing is that they have different features, making them perfect for various purposes. They are ways you can increase a drone's range, using a range extender, upgrading the antenna and software.

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