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Most people love drones because they can be used for a variety of purposes, from fishing to recreational purposes and sometimes for security purposes. There are a few long-range drones available today. Long-range drones are subject to their use and their prices. You are most likely reading this article because you are tired of the usual cheap drones which cant go beyond 50m, well you are in the right place.
While the market is flooded by different drone makers, including those that produce poor quality drones, the need for top manufactures to standout has become so important. There are various reasons like farming, fishing, security, fun and many more why people need long-range drones. Some even go as far as making money with them because people who can’t afford long-range drones or people who want to have first-hand experiences of how a long-range drone works are willing to pay for them.
The Best Long-range drones in 2020 Are Reviewed Below
Below is a list of the best long-range drones 2020 has to offer, along with the pros, cons, specifications and key features of each of them. A great deal of research was carried out before we could make up this list. Below you would find out that the best long-range drone starts at a minimum of $250 with a range of 300m and can go up as far as 9km. We hope you find what suits your expected needs.
1
Mavic Air 2
One of the reasons why Mavic Air 2 made it to our list is because of its low price compared to its pairs, coupled with its long rangeability. The transmitter attached to it is easy to use and understand compared to the others. It also comes with the obstacle avoidance feature and great HDR recording at high speed. The battery has an average lifetime of 30 minutes, which is excellent for people who want to have longer playing time.
Key Features:
- Movement: forward, backward and downward
- 1/2-inch CMOS sensor
- 48MP photos
- Great picture quality
- Comapactabilty: The DJI app used to control the drone is compactable with any iOS with version 10.0 and above, and Android devices with 6.0 operating system
- Remote Controller
- 3 Intelligent Flight Battery
- 6 Low-Noise Propellers
- Gimbal Protector
- Battery Charger
- Battery Charging Hub
- Battery to Power Bank Adapter
Specification:
- Weight: 6.78 pounds
- Battery: 3 lithium-ion
- Manufacturer: DJI Service LLC
- Dimension: 7.4 x 3.8 x 3.3 inches
- Flight time: 34 minutes
- Video: 4K
- Maximum speed: 42.5 mph
- Manuals
- AC Power cable
- Intelligent tracking
Pros
- It has over 30 minutes of battery life
- The cameras are interchangeable
- It comes with internal storage for saving videos and pictures
- It comes with a transmitter and screen
- Video recording in HDR move
- 4K60p
Cons
- Its weight is an issue, as it is more substantial compared to other drones
2
Autel Evo 2
With a range of about 10 km, the Autel Evo 2 is one of the longest range drones on offer. It comes in 3 different options and has some fantastic features. It is capable of 40 minutes of flight time with a 48 megapixel for optimal picture and video quality, which is better than most foldable drones available in the market.
Key Features:
- Digital zoom: 8 times
- Image ratio: 16:9
- 3.3 inches OLED
- 4K resolution
- Foldable drone
- GPS
Specification:
- Dimension: 7.75*3.75*4 inches
- Weight: 4.84 pounds
- Battery: 1 lithium polymer
- Manufacturer: Autel Robotics
- Control distance: 9 km
Pros
- It can last up to 40 minutes
- It has 12 cameras to help you avoid obstacles
- The cameras can be changed
- It comes with internal storage
- Great camera
Cons
- The weight is an issue. It is heavier compared to other drones
3
DJI Mavic 2
The Mavic 2 looks just precisely like the zoom and pro version in terms of body structure. It also has similar features like 3-way sensors, follow me mode, 6 photo modes, among others. But, if you are looking for the best in terms of picture quality and overall feature, then the DJI Mavic 2 should be your ideal choice. It is equipped with Hasselblad cameras, which are known to be one of the best quality cameras out there., they can be used to capture stunning aerial shots. The hyper-lapse feature, which improves shooting effects, can be accessed after upgrading the firmware version. There is also the low –noise feature, which makes flying at a small range quiet, and the obstacle sensor makes it able to avoid obstacles that might damage it during flight.
Key Features:
- 1 Aircraft
- 1 remote controller
- 1 intelligent flight battery
- 1 charger
- 1 power
- 3 propellers
- Remote control cable
- 1 gimbal protector
Specification:
- Dimension: 12.6*12.2*12 inches
- Weight: 2.01 pounds
- Batteries: 3 lithium polymer
- Manufacturer: DJI
- Flight time: 31 minutes
- Download speed: 40 Mbps
- Maximum speed: 72 kph
- Low noise flight technology
- Internal storage: 8 GB
Pros
- Better color quality
- Hasselblad sensor
- The aperture can be changed
- It is great for footages in low light conditions
Cons
4
Dji Mavic Mini
The DJI Mavic Mini is one of the portable drones out there, and it is also lightweight, which makes it easy to carry about, especially if you are into travelling and vlogging. With all its amazing features from excellent flight time, lightweight, Dji fly application and 30 minutes of flight time, it is very affordable compared to others. 2k camera, excellent battery life, 3 axis gimbal, and excellent flight range are also some of its amazing features.
Key Features:
- Camera: 12MP
- Gimbal: 3 axis
- DJI fly app
- iOS and Andriod compactable
- Sensors are present at the bottom
Specification:
- Dimension: 5.5*3.2*2.2 inches
- Maximum flight time: 30 minutes
- Maximum speed: 29 mph
- Video: 2.7K
- Weight: 1.79 pounds
- Battery: 1 lithium polymer
- Manufacturer: DJI
Pros
- It has a flight time of 30 minutes
- It is portable
- Video editing is possible with the app
- It has a range of 4km
- It is lighter than the usual drones
Cons
- It does not come with obstacle avoidance feature
- Some settings are not available
5
Xiaomi Fimi x8
The Xiaomi Fimi X8 is a special type of long-range drone, it can not only be used as a long-range drone, but it is also great for taking pictures thanks to its 4k resolution camera. It has a foldable design coupled with great stability provided by 3 axis gimbal, and it is also made from great quality materials. The shutter speed, ISO can be manually controlled, and you can put ND filters at the top of the drone, which is awesome. The Xiaomi Fimi x8 comes with about 35 minutes of flight time, which allows you more time to take pictures with its impressive 12MP camera, which is capable of 3x Digital Zoom and live stream is possible on the camera of the drone from up to 8km away. The GPS ensures better positioning, and the safety is guaranteed with the obstacle sensing features. This is one of the best long-range drones for beginners.
Key Features:
- 3 axis gimbal
- Camera: 4K
- USB cable
- 4k video resolution
- Battery
- Remote controller
- Positive propeller
- Reverse propeller
- AC cable
- Charger
- Instruction manual
Specification:
- Dimension: 204*106*72.6 mm
- Weight: 765g
- Cruising speed: 18m/s
- Flight Time: About 35 minutes
- Battery: 3900mAh
- Frequency: 5.8 GHz
- Stability: 3 axis gimbal
- Remote control battery: 3900mAh
Pros
- It is foldable
- It has a long flight time
- It is fast and has a long-range capacity
- It has a bitrate of 100mps
- It is capable of 2k recording at 60fps
Cons
- The gimbal clearance quality is low
- It doesn’t come with obstacle avoidance feature
6
Parrot Anafi
The Parrot Anafi is one of the best low budget long-range drones with great picture and video quality. It comes with a 4K camera and gimbal. The camera is capable of pointing up, which makes it great for capturing different angles, and it also has the zoom function of up to 2.8 times. The Parrot Anafi is capable of 25 minutes of flight time while operating within a temperature range of -10°C to 40°C, and the battery can be charged up to 60% faster with the help of the USB type C charger that comes with it. It takes this drone less than 3 seconds to unfold while been able to reach a top speed of 55km/h while in the sport mode. The find my drone features, Geofence and SmartRth features, makes it easy to locate your drone when needed whit the help of your smartphone.
Key Features:
- GPS
- USB cable
- Sensor
- 4K resolution
- MP4 format
- 3x zoom
- Livestreaming feature
- USB ports
- Burst mode
Specification:
- Dimension: 9.4*6.9*2.6 inches
- Weight: 1.56 pounds
- Battery: 2700mAh
- Manufacturer: Parrot
- Wind resistance: 50km/h
- Range: up to 4km
- Frequency: up to 5.8 GHz
Pros
- It is quiet
- It has a longer battery life
- It comes with 4K cameras
- It is capable of 90 degrees filming
- It has different flight modes
Cons
- The card slot is fragile and must be handled with care
- It has only 2 axes for stability
7
Hubsan Zino
The Hubsan Zino long-range drone is not just known for its long-range abilities but also for its amazing features like, it’s 3 gimbal axis to ensure stability, 4K video resolution, among others, which is impressive considering the price. Only a very few drones can compete with the Hubsan Zino, especially if you are looking for a long-range drone with excellent image quality, has a reliable range and also very affordable.
Key Features:
- Return home function
- Follow me function
- 1 battery pack
- 4K resolution
- Removable lens
- Panorama photography
- Foldable drone
Specification:
- Dimension: 9.3*5.75*4.6 inches
- Weight: 2.16 pounds
- Recommended age: 14 years and above
- Manufacturer: HUBSAN
- 23 minutes of battery life
- GPS is available
- Motors: Brushless
- Range: 1000m
Pros
- It has a return home function
- It has a 4K camera
- the drone is foldable
- it has the waypoint and follow-me feature
- the spare parts are easy to find
Cons
- The controller does not come with a signal for when the battery is low
- It does not have the obstacle avoidance feature
- There is no positioning hold sensor
8
Xiaomi Fimi A3
The Xiaomi Fimi A3 is unique and different from the other drones that we have now. With the 5.8ghz transmission, you can be assured that there won’t be any lag in the FPV, which is reliable, but If you exit the 1km range, there might be some interference with the reception. It is quite stable with its 2 gimbal axis and has an incredible image quality even at 1080p, so it is reliable. The low battery protection feature makes it safe and protects your drone. If the battery is low, it gives you a signal which helps you monitor it and prevent it from dropping from the sky. The return home feature makes it possible for the drone to return to its starting point, which is suitable for users as it prevents the loss of your drone. The drone is affordable.
Key Features:
- HD 1080P camera
- CMOS sensor
- HD pictures and videos
- 2 axis mechanical
- Low battery protection
- Return home feature
- Auto hovering feature in a no-fly zone
Specification:
- 3 axis gimbal
- Lightweight design
- Great speed
- Quick-release response
- Flight time: up to 25 minutes
- Battery: 2000mAh lipo battery
- Frequency: 5.8ghz
Pros
- It is built from high quality materials
- Great stability
- It doesn’t lag in FPV
- The range can be increased with additional antennas
Cons
- It is not foldable
9
Hubsan H501s
The Hubsan H501s has a default range of 1km, but it can be increased up to 3km with the help of special antennas and some other pieces of equipment. The camera is of excellent quality for an older model, and it is suitable for exploration, not minding that can be quite unstable. The fail-safe feature on this drone makes it great when the signal is lost from the transmitter as it enables the drone to return to the starting point and also helps it land automatically thanks to the flight control system installed in the drone.
Key Features:
- Brushless motors
- GPS
- 8 * Propeller
- 1 * AC Adapter
- 1 * Balance Charger
- 1 * Prop Wrench
- 1 * H901A Transmitter
- Active tacking
- Takeoff and auto return
- Fail-safe mode
Specification:
- Battery for drone: 2700mAh
- Battery for transmitter: 1300mAh
- Control distance: up to 800 meters
- Flight time: About 20 minutes
- Dimension: 11.1*11*6.6 inches
- Weight: 4.72 pounds
- Recommended age: 12 years and above
- Manufacturer: HUBSAN
Pros
- It has brushless motors
- It flies faster while in altitude mode
- The GPS connectivity is stable
- Great quality camera
- The battery is strong and last long
- The range is good
Cons
- It cant turn in follow me mode
10
Autel X Star Premium
The Autel X Star Premium is one of the best long-range fishing drones. The bait can be dropped when the camera faces down while fishing, because of the phantom-like format. The 2km range makes it ideal and comfortable for fishing, coupled with its great camera, which allows you to take high-quality pictures for reference purposes.
Key Features:
- Removable Gimbal
- Camera
- 4K resolution
- Live view
- Autonomous flight mode
- Remote controller
- Spare propellers
Specification:
- Manufacturer: Autel Robotics
- Weight: 3.2 pounds
- GPS
- 64GB microSD card
- Fast charge of 1 hour
- Dimension: 19.5*19.5*8.5 inches
- Frequency: up to 928 MHz
- Battery: 4900 mAh
- Flight time: up to 25 minutes
Pros
- Image stabilization
- It is built from high quality materials
- The transmitter is great
- It has a slow motion mode
- Color reproduction is available
- Great for fishing
Cons
- The size is an issue because it is enormous compared to others
Buying Guide Questions
Most times, there are a few questions that arise when we are talking about drones, especially before purchase and more could also occur after and when they are in use. Below is a list of frequently asked questions by people who want to purchase or already have one. The questions have been answered after a great deal of research was carried out to ascertain the accurate facts.
Can drones be hacked?
Yes. There are a few reasons why a normal drone would be hacked, some drones are hacked just for fun, while some drones may be hacked to crash into objects. But whatever the reason is, hacking a drone is possible. A drone can be hacked by taking over the control signal and command from the operator, and you can get full control and access to the drone. All this is possible because the radio signal in a drone is not encrypted, making it easy to decode with the help of a packet analyzer. A drone is usually hacked with a process called GPS spoofing, which involves giving the drone false coordinates.
Can drones be dangerous? What happens if you fly a drone above 400 feet
A drone can be dangerous if it goes against the rules and regulations, guiding the use of drones in a country or state. For example, in 2018, just before Christmas, two drones illegally flew on to the runway in Gatwick Airport, which led to the grounding and rescheduling of so many flights. Breaking the drone rules and regulations could land you in some serious trouble, you could face a fine or jail time, and if you are unlucky, you could face both. Drones can interfere with the frequency of the plane and can also cause a physical collision.
The maximum feet a drone should reach is 400 according to the rules established. This is because most man aircraft activities occur mainly around 500ft, therefor the 100ft difference from that of the drone is to safeguard both the drone and the aircraft from a collision and to avoid signal interference. You can only fly your drone above 400ft if you are doing that with a particular vicinity. If you are looking for an option which comes with less rules and less scrutiny overall, then underwater RC drones or even RC submarines would be your best bets.
Do drones violate the 4th Amendment?
The 4th Amendment in lame man terms ensures the rights and safety of people and their properties from unlawful searches. Drones can be used to spy on people without their knowledge so that YES drones can violate your 4th Amendment rights.
Can drones fly in high wind?
Some drones can be flown in high winds, but there are a lot of things like battery life and flying behaviour to take into consideration. 10-30mph is the limit for most commercial drones to fly, the wind speed in which a drone can fly can be determined by the maximum speed of the drone. Two-third of the maximum speed of a drone can be used to determine what high wind conditions a drone can be flown in.
If you fly a drone at a high wind, which it is not capable of handling the is a very high probability that it would lose control and maybe flip over or worst-case scenario, it could crash.
Can drones fly in the snow?
Drones can fly in snow, depending mainly on the type of drone. Drones that require the camera for navigation and stability can find it challenging to operate in snowy conditions. But nonetheless other drones which do not require this feature can be flown in snowy conditions without any problem because flying in snow can give you a fantastic view or your surrounding and can also be used to take great pictures, a good example of a drone that meets these requirements is a simple fixed wing drone. There is a slight risk of damaging your drone.
Can police track your drone?
Yes. Your drone can be tracked by the police because there are laws in place, giving them access to drone information for easy identification. But a drone would only be tracked if it is deemed a treat, flying above restricted air space, or was used to commit a crime.
Related: if you are looking for more affordable drones, then here are some options for you: under $100 drones, under $200 drones, and under $300 drones
Conclusion
A drone is becoming a norm in our society nowadays, so I was not surprised when the demand started rising. But has the demand started growing, so did the quality, capabilities, and price also increase, so it is difficult to see a drone that fulfills all your desires and is still affordable. This article focuses mainly on long-range drones, which can be used for a variety of purposes. I am sure while going through this post. You have something that suits your need and also your pocket.
Insider Tip: looking for drone accessories?