15 Best Long Range Drones in 2020 [by distance and price]
Long range drones is quite a subjective category, depending on the budget and what you plan to do with it.
I’m thinking that because you’re here, you got tired of piloting cheap toy drones that have a maximum range of like 50m and want something more to satisfy your need to fly.
But always keep in mind that you should check the map with all the countries drone laws before you fly too far!
That’s why even the cheapest drone on this list will start from 300m in range and they go up to 9km, enough to satisfy anyone.
My winner: Mavic Air 2(9km)
In a hurry? Just pick my best recommended drone in this price category and you can't really go wrong!
- 9km
- 4k 60p footage
- 34 min battery life
- 6 sensor cameras
- Awesome build quality
- My personal camera drone
My top long range drones (table comparison)
This table is made for the purpose of quickly choosing in case you don't have the time or energy to go though the rest of the article.
| Mavic Air 2 | Autel Evo 2 | Mavic 2 | Mavic Mini | Fimi x8 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |  |  |
 | 4k 60p | 4k/8k | 4k 60p | 2.7k | 4k |
 | 34min | 40min | 31min | 30min | 30min |
 | 9km | 9km | 8km | 4km | 5km |
 | Obstacle Avoidance | Obstacle Avoidance | Obstacle Avodiance | Obstacle avoidance | No Obstacle Avoidance |
 | $$ | $$$ | $$$ | $$ | $$ |
| Check Price | Check price | Check price | Check price | Check price |
My video with details about these drones
FREE: Perfect pre-flight drone checklist
Use this checklist to get in the habit of always being prepared with everything you need when going to film with a drone (especially if you're doing it for clients).
How far can a drone fly? And what's the cost?
Range isn’t everything, but there is indeed a strong correlation between how far a drone can fly and its price and capability.Usually, cheap toy drones that you can find for under $50 or so will have a maximum range of 100m, usually 50m.
Frankly, for quads that don’t have GPS, there’s no need for a longer range, as you need to see the quadcopter permanently and not lose it out of sight.But all the drones on this list can use the Return to home function because they have GPS. Not only that, but they’re also some of my top pics when it comes to drones in general.
Don’t forget, there are some drones that not only fly above the ground, you should also check these underwater drones!
8KM to 9km( 5 miles, longest range for pros)
1.Dji Mavic Air 2 ( 9km range drone)
4k 60p
34min
9km
1km
Obstacle Avoidance
No image stabilization
The DJI Mavic Air 2 has just made it as the top drone on this list thanks to its low price compared to its specs and amazing specs. It's my personal favorite drone and one of the longest ranges on this list.
The new transmitter is easier to use than with the other mavics from DJI and I feel like it has a better overall grip.
One battery lasts for A LOT (over 30 min) and I haven't even started to talk about the amazing obstacle avoidance system and HDR recording.
If you want to compare it in more detail to the other mavics, I recommend checking this DJI comparison sheet.
Advantages
- 4K60p
- 34min battery life
- HDR video recording
- great controller
- internal storage
- transmitter with screen included
DISAdvantages
- Really nothing I can think of
2.Autel Evo 2 (4k modular long range drone)
4k 60p/ 8k 30p
40min
9km
1km
Obstacle Avoidance
No image stabilization
The Autel Evo 2 is the longest range drone on this list, beating even the DJI Mavic 2 drone by 1km in declared range (although i haven't personally tested the max range as I have with the Mavic 2).
A drone that can go that far doesn't necessarily mean you'll be able to reach that type of distance in regular flights, but it's a testament of a better connection in tougher times that might mean city wifi interference or trees or other obstacles in between.
The autel Evo 2 comes in 3 options, and specs some insane cameras and sensors, directly competing with the DJI Mavic 2 Pro drone.
The autel camera can record in up to 8k 25fps or 4k 60p and fly for 40 minutes (or 35 minutes of hover time) which is more than any foldable drone currently on the market (or any commercial drone).
It's true that the CE(Europe range) is somewhere at 5km, lower than the estimated 9km range for FCC(USA) range (but that's a condition for all drones).
Advantages
- 4K60p / 8k 30p camera
- 40min battery life
- 12 obstacle avoidance cameras
- interchangeable cameras (modular)
- internal storage
- transmitter with screen included
DISAdvantages
- Heavier than most foldable drones on the market
3.DJI Mavic 2 (long range professional camera drone)
4k
31 min
8km
Obstacle Avoidance
The body is exactly the same for both the zoom and the Pro version, featuring specs like:
3 way sensors
68kph (fastest among the 3)
follow me mode(quite a few options)
8gb internal storage
ISo & shutter speed settings
6 photo modes
takes RAW photos
100mbps bitrate
If you want the absolute best in terms of image, build quality and overall features, the mavic 2 is the way to go.
Dji Mavic 2 pro has beecome the pinnacle of drone technology, with two versions to choose from, both coming with the same body and same insane range capablity of up to 8km.
As an important note, the maximum range in Europe is 4km(in CE mode) while in FCC mode is 8 km (If you buy it from the US.
More on this range difference in the bottom FAQ.
MAVIC 2 PRO ADVANTAGES
- Best for low light footage
- 1 inch Hasselblad sensor
- changeable aperture
- more precise colors
MAVIC 2 ZOOM ADVANTAGES
- great for zooming in (up to 2x zoom)
- 24-48 mm focal length change
- cheaper than the Pro version
4km/2.5 miles (still long range drones)
This range is a really good base for anyone wanting a capable drone that can let them explore withot many restrictions. The signal strenght is good enough for most situatios and the range in perfect conditions allows you to explore far away places that you can't reach otherwise.
Make sure that your drone can stay in the air for at least 20 minutes if you want to fly this far.
You should look for drone in this category if you:
- have a budget of around $500
- want to get a high quality camera drone
- make money with your drone or plan to
- want freedom in exploration
1.Dji Mavic Mini (long range under $400 and under 250g)
2.7k
30min
4km
No follow me
The Mavic mini is my new favorite drone and I simply can't recommend it enough, especially since being so small and portable makes you want to take it anywhere you travel. It's definitely the best travel and vlogging drone thanks to its portability but it's really also quite capable in terms of video taking.
It also comes at an incredibly low price for what it can do. I have compared it against the Mavic Air and Fimi x8(its main competitors).
The Mavic mini is my new favorite drone and I simply can't recommend it enough, especially since being so small and portable makes you want to take it anywhere you travel. It's definitely the best travel and vlogging drone thanks to its portability but it's really also quite capable in terms of video taking.
Advantages
- 30 min battery life
- under 250g
- super portable
- 4km range
- can edit videos in the app
- can change ISO and shutter speed
DISAdvantages
- no obstacle avoidance
2.Xiaomi Fimi x8 (best long range 4k drone under $500)
4k
30min
4km
No obstacle avoidance
Probably my favorite low budget camera drone under $500 that's still capable of some professional level shots, the Xiaomi FImi x8 is more than a long distance drone, but also a capable camera quadcopter.
The foldable design, great build quality and super stable 3 axis gimbal make it a favorite of mine, along a great combo of flight range and battery life.
The ability of manually controlling ISO, shutter speed and put ND filters on top of it make it a unique buy for people who want to play with their camera settings but have a lower budget
Advantages
- 4k camera
- 2k recording at 60fps
- 100mps bitrate
- long flight time
- great range
- fast
- Good GPS Stability
- Foldable Design
- 3 axis gimbal
DISAdvantages
- gimbal clearance quite low
- no obstacle avoidance
Parrot Anafi (best 4k travel drone)
4k
25min
4km
No obstacle avoidance
The parrot anafi is probably the best choice if you're looking for a lower budget drone dedicated to both exploration and high quality video and photo.
The 4k camera and gimbal are top notch, but things like the ability to turn the camera to point up or the zoom function make it great for travel and exploration, as well as for framing more creative shots.
It's a great drone for people on a lower end of the budget who still want something compact with good specs and a realible stabilized camera.
Advantages
- Really Quiet
- big battery life
- 4k camera
- can film 90 degrees up
- lossless zoom
- 21mp photos
- a lot of flight modes
DISAdvantages
- card slot must be handled carefully
- only 2 axis stabilization + EIS
1km (long range budget drones)
A range good enough for most people ( that want to keep the drone in their sight).
It'also a great category to look for cheaper items (priced even bellow $200).
- have a budget of around $300
- want exploration freedom
- want to use it more for fun
1.Hubsan Zino (best long range drone under $300)
4k
23min
1km
No obstacle avoidance
Always my top recommendation for drones under $300, the Hubsan zino is more than a long range drone, coming with stunning 4k video and 3 axis gimbal stabilization. Why is this surprising?
Mainly because this is unheard of at this price.
It simply has no competition, and if you are looking for a drone that has the best image quality possible and a reliable range, look no further
Advantages
- 3 axis gimbal
- 4k camera
- flight functions like follow me and waypoint
- foldable design
- return to home
- super smooth gimbal
- lots of spare parts available
DISAdvantages
- no obstacle avoidance or position hold sensors
- no low battery warning on the controller
2.Hubsan H501s (Best Cheap long range drone?)
1080p
19min
1km
No obstacle avoidance
The cheapest drone on this list might actually be exactly what you're looking for, a drone that can go up to 1km by default, and even increase the range up to 2 or 3 km with special antennas, booster and a non interference area.
There are a few youtubers who managed to get this drone to even more than 3km and succeeded. To do that, you'd have to buy a booster antenna package from banggood (inexpensive).
This drone is great for exploration, and even if it's older, the camera is still quite sharp even for 2020, even though it's not stabilized.
Advantages
- brushless motors
- good range
- great battery life
- very stable GPS
- good quality camera
- can fly faster in altitude hold mode
DISAdvantages
- no turning in follow me mode
Long range drones for other uses
This is a bonus adition to the list with a few quadcopters that make the best choices for certain activities or uses. Things like fishing, gopro drones or infinite range
Best fishing long range drone (Autel X Star Premium)
4k
23min
2km
No obstacle avoidance
When it comes to fishing, I think this is one of the best long range drones for it. Besides the fact that it's a really great camera drone that you can actually use even professionally, it has the very useful Phantom-like format that allows you to get the bait in between it's landing legs and drop it when you turn the camera downwards.
The 2km range is way more than enough for fishing purposes, and even more, it can double as a great exploration drone for the area you'll be fishing at so you can show your wife and kids later in what spectacular place you've been.
Advantages
- perfect image stabilization
- Modular gimbal and camera
- Long range
- Great build quality
- Good transmitter
- Slow motion 1080p
- Good color reproduction
DISAdvantages
- Pretty big compared to the foldable drones of today (but perfect for fishing)
Best long range gopro drone( Gopro Karma)
4k
20min
3km
No obstacle avoidance
The Karma is the only go pro speciffic drone on this list, so if that's what you're looking for, you really dont' have a better choice. A go pro drone like the Karma makes for a lot of versatility, as you'll be using an action cam that can be stripped down and used for other purposes, maybe with a handheld gimbal or other accessories.
Although bulkier than some of the other drones on this list, thanks to its versatility it can make for a great travel companion
The fact that you don't have to connect your phone and it comes with an included on screen display is a big plus in my book.
The fact that you can remove the gimbal and use it on a handheld device for super stable footage is probably the biggest plus I can think of.
The 1km control range makes it still a good contender as a great long range gopro drone.
Advantages
- easy to use controller
- gimbal can be removed and used as a handheld
- camera can be upgraded if new GOpro models appear
- super stable footage
- cheaper if you already have an action camera
- Good color reproduction
DISAdvantages
- a bit bulkier than other drones in the same price range
- battery life could be better
Best Long range drone that can carry weight(Dji Matrice 600)
up to 5kg cam
40min
5km
No obstacle avoidance
The DJI Matrice 600 is made for professionals, yet follows the simple to use and intuitive design habits DJI got us used to.
The price range is considerably more than the other drones on this list, but the versatility for professional and industrial work is incredible.
You can view the DJI Matrice 600 as a great mapping and imaging system for land surveying, crop monitoring, inspection and many industrial applications.
This drone can handle most camera setups up to 6kg, which means you can even carry a RED Epic professional camera with it. Because it comes with the legendary lightbridge 2 transmission system from DJI, it can stream HD feed from as far as 5 km away. But this drone isn't made for huge distances, but for reliability and heavy weight carrying of camera equipment. 5km is still a big distance to travel, so if you're a true professional and plan to do industrial inspection, I recommend reading further about this drone.
Ulimited range flying drone(Parrot Disco)
FPV
45min
Unlimited with LTE
No obstacle avoidance
What to look for in a long range drone (and FAQ)
This is an initial list of frequently asked questions and bellow this section we'll cover specific questions to help you know the world of long range drones better.
Will the drone return to home if the battery discharges?
Yes, most drones will return to home on low battery alert. Smarter drones(usually more expensive ones) also can calculate how much battery it would take to return to home from the point it is curently. It takes into account the energy necessary to get to a point high enough for a safe return to home and landing too.
I sometimes cancel this automatic return to home, as I prefer getting the drone to home manually, but I agree it's safer to listen to what the drone has to tell you than listening to your gut.
Can drones return to home if they lose signal?
All the drones on this list will return to home if they lose signal. This is the standard for most GPS drones, but remember not all will return precisely in the point you launched them from, some might have a few meters error, so make sure to take manual control if you feel like the automatic landing is not doing a good enough job.
A great way to ensure a drone comes back more precisely is by letting it to hover on the spot for a few seconds before flying away.
How far am i allowed to fly a drone legally?
Drone laws are usually different from country to country and that's why you should always check the local regulation so you don't get in trouble.
But as a general rule, most countries agree that you shouldn't fly further than what your eyes can see. Most of the time, this means a range well under 1km ( about 700m max if you have good eyes and the drone is easy to spot).
Nobody can say an exact measure, but it's a good rule to follow. The only personal exceptions I make to this rule is when I fly in rural or wild areas where there is no risk to other people if I lose control or the drone. This is also the perfect setup for exploration and seeing nature from a different perspective, so it does have some therapeutic effect, at least for me.
Do range extenders actually work?
- reflectors
- wifi repeaters
What are the uses for long range drones?
- You can be more assured you have the space to do your thing and not be stressed about range
- Signal strenght in “interference situations” is better
- It's easier to follow a car or any object that drives away from you and still get proper signal to your phone.
Will I lose the FPV image before I lose drone signal?
How to prevent the drone to fly out of range
Will the drone return to home if the battery discharges?
