In the early days of my career as a commercial drone pilot, I was often filming in the forests of Montana.
The rugged beauty of the area was breathtaking—an endless sea of mountains, evergreen forests, and no sign of civilization other than an abandoned mine or two. I used to love hiking into very remote areas and flying my DJI Phantom to capture some fantastic shots of nature in its purest form.
Unfortunately, in those days, the range of drones wasn’t anywhere near what it is today. Safety features, like return-to-home (RTH), were available, but they weren’t as good as they are now.
There were many times a shot was ruined as a result of the drone losing its connection. I had more than my share of hiking farther into the woods to retrieve a drone that disconnected from the remote, often at less than half a mile away.
Flight ranges have vastly improved since that time. Many very affordable drones at the consumer and prosumer level have excellent flight ranges.
Often, drones can fly well beyond their legal limits. In this article, FLYING recommends our top five drones with long ranges that won’t leave you hiking farther into the forest or prevent getting the cinematic shots you want.
Safety and Legal Reality Check
Before getting into what long-range actually means and our recommendations, it’s important to note some safety and legal issues.
In most locations around the world, drones are capable of flying farther and higher than regulations allow. Most countries restrict flying to within the visual line of sight (VLOS) of the pilot.
I have 20/15 vision, and even with perfect vision, it starts to become difficult to see a drone that is a mile away. So, even though one of my drones has a range of over 15 miles, I can’t fly it more than 1 mile out without getting a waiver.
Enjoy the capabilities of long-range drones, but remember to only fly them in a safe and legal manner.
What Does Long Range Really Mean?
So what exactly is long range? When manufacturers advertise their drones as long range, they are actually referring to the distance the drone can maintain a reliable connection to the controller.
Flight distance is more related to the battery capacity, as you would always need enough power to return to where you started. This is different from long range.
You may be wondering why it matters then, especially when, depending on where you live, you can’t legally fly so far away. Here are a few reasons this is important for all pilots:
- Signal reliability at closer distances: If your drone has long range, the signal will be much more stable when flying a mile or two from your location.
- Better video transmission quality: With longer ranges, you get higher resolution and lower latency rates in your video feed.
- Stronger performance in interference: Even in areas with Wi-Fi congestion, long-range drones have uninterrupted connections.
- Confidence in return-to-home (RTH): Long-range drones tend to reconnect faster when the signal drops, thereby improving RTH functions.
- Future-proofing for advanced use cases: As regulations change, a long-range drone is ready to fly in more permissive skies.
Top 5 Long-Range Drones
FLYING’s recommendations are based not only on drones that can fly at least 10 kilometers away from the controller but also that they must be produced by high-quality manufacturers.
We are also factoring in the general opinions of these drones within the industry. Rest assured, any of these drones is an excellent purchase if you are looking for a long-range UAV.
DJI Air 3S: Best All-Around Long-Range Value
In addition to the signal strength, the drone offers flight times of up to 45 minutes, giving you more than enough window to get the job done or explore the world around you.
With its powerful O4 video transmission system, the DJI Air 3S can reach ranges of up to 20 km. While you’ll probably never see that distance, it shows how robust and reliable the connection is.
The Air 3S carries a dual-camera system that includes a 1-inch CMOS wide-angle camera and a 1/1.3-inch CMOS 3× medium telecamera. You’ll be able to capture up to 50 MP and 4K/60 fps HDR video, ensuring crisp footage in a wide range of conditions.
With options like 10-bit D-Log M and HLG recording, the Air 3S provides cinematic flexibility for aerial creators.
DJI Mini 4 Pro: Best Long-Range Drone Under 250 Grams
If you desire long-range capabilities in a small, lightweight, and portable drone, look no further than the DJI Mini 4 Pro.
With a weight under 250 grams, this UAV is easy to carry with you everywhere you go. With the O4 video transmission system, the Mini 4 Pro offers smooth 1080p/60 fps live feed at ranges up to 20 km, giving you reliable control even at extended distances.
This small, but powerful UAV sports a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor with a fast f/1.7 aperture and 2.4 µm 4-in-1 pixel technology to capture vibrant, detailed footage. The drone supports cinematic 4K/60 fps HDR recording and can even capture 4K/100fps slow-motion.
With these capabilities, it is just at the level needed for basic work like real estate photography.
DJI Mavic 3 Pro: Flagship For Professionals
What’s better than a long-range camera drone? How about one with three cameras.
The DJI Mavic 3 Pro has a range of 15 km and one of the best camera setups for drones under $5,000. At its core is a 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad camera allowing you to capture stunning 20 MP images with rich color and dynamic range. Complementing it are a 70 millimeter medium telecamera with a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor capable of 48 MP shots, and a 166 mm telecamera with a half-inch CMOS sensor designed for detailed close-ups.
Each battery provides up to 43 minutes of flight time and omnidirectional obstacle sensing gives you peace of mind with enhancing safety by detecting objects in every direction. I fly a Mavic 3 Pro for my drone service business, and it’s well worth the cost.
Autel EVO II Pro V3: Best Alternative To DJI
It’s no secret that DJI dominates the drone market. Its drones are everywhere, so it may seem like consumers don’t have a choice when selecting a good long-range drone.
Many of the alternatives on the market lack the quality and features to even remotely be compared to DJI. One notable exception is Autel Robotics. The Autel EVO II Pro V3 is the best long-range alternative to DJI on the market.
The drone is capable of distances up to 15 km and has a Sony 1-inch CMOS sensor capable of 20 MP stills and 6K video at 30 fps, with an adjustable aperture ranging from f/2.8 to f/11 and a maximum ISO of 44,000, allowing rich exposure control even in low-light environments.
A single charge can get you up to 40 minutes of flight time, and the drone comes with enhanced safety features like 360-degree obstacle avoidance, powered by a network of visual sensors, ultrasound, and IMUs that build real-time 3D environment maps for smarter navigation.
Autel EVO Lite+: Best Mid-Tier Cost Option
Our final selection is the perfect drone for anyone looking to get long range at a price point in the mid-tier consumer range.
The Autel EVO Lite+ features a 1-inch CMOS sensor capable of capturing 20 MP stills and 6K/30 fps video, with support for 4K/60 fps for smooth motion capture. The camera includes an adjustable aperture from f/2.8 to f/11, along with PDAF + CDAF autofocus, HDR imaging, and Autel’s Moonlight Algorithm to deliver sharp, vibrant images even in challenging lighting conditions.
With up to 16× digital zoom—including lossless zoom in certain resolutions—it offers flexibility for both sweeping landscapes and distant subjects.
While it may be small, this little drone can reach ranges of 12 km and fly for up to 40 minutes on a single charge. As the drone flies, it automatically adjusts video resolution for distance, meaning the picture you see is always sharp and accurate. Some bundles can be found for less than $1,000.
Long-range drones give pilots the flexibility to do more, even while operating within FAA regulations. Drones with at least a 10 km range offer a more reliable connection, lower latency rates in video transmission, and improved confidence in safety features like RTH.
FLYING’s recommendations will see you capturing stunning aerial images and videos while other pilots are looking for their drone in the woods.
FAQ
Are long-range drones harder to control for beginners?
No, modern models include GPS stabilization, obstacle sensing, and intelligent flight modes that make them beginner-friendly.
What accessories improve long-range flying?
High-capacity batteries, sunshades for controllers, and range-extending antennas can all enhance performance.
How do weather conditions affect long-range flights?
Strong winds, cold temperatures, and humidity can reduce battery efficiency and limit transmission reliability.
FLYING may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.
