6 Best Long-Range Drones: Ready for a Tough Flight! (Spring 2024)
From transmission range, image quality, and flight time to security features, we reviewed the best long-range drones in the market and compiled a comprehensive list for your reference.
Glenn loves writing: no wonder he decided to become a journalist without too much thinking right after his high school. When not working for his magazine, he writes for us o read more
Vincent is a professional videographer who seems to know everything about the industry. He got his first quadcopter as soon as they appeared on the market, so if any drone-r read more
Last updated: April 16, 2024
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You’re out by the lakeside overlooking a stunning sunset bathing the hills and water in glorious gold rays. You want to capture the entirety of the scenic landscape from all possible angles, but the lake is vast, and your phone camera can’t help. What do you do?
Well, you get a long-range drone, of course. The best long-range drone fpv kit lets you capture amazing professional images miles away in first-person view. We prioritized features that complement the long transmission range in our search for the best long-range drone with a camera. These features include but are not limited to; long flight time, high-quality cameras with helpful accessories like gimbals, safety features, and altitude. It’s not enough to have a drone fly fast and far; it also has to fly for a long time and withstand long-distance flight challenges like wind and rising obstacles.
"A super lightweight drone with all you need camera features, a 10km range, and an app compatible with most phones takes portability to the next level."
"The perfect drone for those looking for an extended flight time and a good transmission range for capturing high-quality images and videos in high altitudes."
"Ready To Fly mode, propeller guards, headless mode, 3D flips, gesture control, and gravity control allow excellent maneuverability indoors and outdoors."
What it is: For general purpose. The drone will be used on different occasions - mainly for taking photos and video recording. However, the model can also be used for geographic mapping, hunting and fishing or just for fun.
Score components:
34%
Video
9.5
27%
Photography
9.0
12%
Geographic mapping
9.2
8%
Fishing
9.2
6%
Hunting
9.2
5%
Spy / Surveillance
9.4
5%
Racing
8.7
3%
Fun
9.1
Video
9.5
X
What it is: The drone will be used for video recording: professional cinematography, blogging, or any other purpose. The product’s required to feature high-resolution camera, wide field of view, and large memory card capacity, among other specs.
Score components:
35%
Video Resolution + FPS
9.7
10%
Camera adjustability (degrees)
9.1
10%
Live View (FPV) Quality
N/S
8%
Max memory card capacity (GB)
9.4
7%
FOV (degrees)
N/S
5%
Camera Mount Type
9.3
5%
Max height (meters)
7.5
5%
Smartphone controlled
10.0
3%
Follow me
10.0
3%
Altitude hold
10.0
3%
Circle Fly
10.0
3%
360° flip
N/S
3%
VR glasses compatibility
N/S
Photography
9.1
X
What it is: The drone’s going to be used for taking photos – it’s expected to possess a high-resolution camera, Altitude Hold feature for stabilization, as well as other useful features in this case – such as Circle Fly or Gesture Control.
Score components:
45%
Photo Resolution (Mp)
8.5
15%
FOV (degrees)
N/S
10%
Camera adjustability (degrees)
9.1
10%
Max memory card capacity (GB)
9.4
10%
GPS
10.0
7%
Camera Mount Type
9.3
3%
Altitude hold
10.0
Spy / Surveillance
9.6
X
What it is: The drone is going to be used as a quiet surveillance device. We were targeting on those with great camera specifications (Live View quality in particular), impressive control distance, and additional handy features, such as GPS or Obstacle Detection.
Score components:
20%
Live View (FPV) Quality
N/S
15%
Video Resolution + FPS
9.7
10%
FOV (degrees)
N/S
9%
Camera adjustability (degrees)
9.1
8%
Flight time (min)
9.6
7%
Max memory card capacity (GB)
9.4
5%
Control distance (meters)
8.5
5%
GPS
10.0
3%
GLONASS
N/S
3%
Circle Fly
10.0
3%
Trajectory flight
10.0
3%
Return Home
10.0
2%
Protection Guards
5.0
2%
Obstacle Detection
N/S
2%
Altitude hold
10.0
2%
Smartphone controlled
10.0
1%
Galileo
N/S
Geographic mapping
9.2
X
What it is: The device will be used for mapping and surveying. Ideally, it’s a specifically designated device with weatherproof construction, great camera and suitable software. However, more simple models can be used for casual hiking, for instance.
Score components:
15%
Video Resolution + FPS
9.7
10%
Photo Resolution (Mp)
8.5
10%
Live View (FPV) Quality
N/S
10%
Flight time (min)
9.6
7%
Control distance (meters)
8.5
5%
FOV (degrees)
N/S
5%
Camera adjustability (degrees)
9.1
5%
Max height (meters)
7.5
5%
GPS
10.0
5%
Trajectory flight
10.0
4%
Obstacle Detection
N/S
3%
Circle Fly
10.0
3%
Altitude hold
10.0
3%
GLONASS
N/S
3%
Operating temperature range (C)
N/S
2%
Protection Guards
5.0
2%
Return Home
10.0
2%
Max wind speed resistance (m/s)
9.5
1%
Galileo
N/S
Racing
N/A
X
What it is: If you intend to use your drone for racing, it must be light, highly maneuverable, and fast, of course. These devices are also wind resistant and feature Protection Guards or Obstacle Detection function.
Score components:
30%
Max speed (km/h)
N/S
20%
Control distance (meters)
8.5
10%
Flight time (min)
9.6
10%
Max wind speed resistance (m/s)
9.5
5%
Max ascend speed (m/s)
N/S
5%
Max descend speed (m/s)
N/S
5%
Obstacle Detection
N/S
5%
Protection Guards
5.0
5%
Return Home
10.0
5%
Headless mode
N/S
Fishing
9.4
X
What it is: The product will be used for fishing. A high-quality camera with wide field of view is required in the first place. Also, the device must be ultra-quiet and feature an extra-long control distance.
Score components:
15%
Live View (FPV) Quality
N/S
11%
Control distance (meters)
8.5
10%
FOV (degrees)
N/S
10%
Flight time (min)
9.6
10%
Video Resolution + FPS
9.7
7%
GPS
10.0
5%
Camera adjustability (degrees)
9.1
5%
Max height (meters)
7.5
3%
Max wind speed resistance (m/s)
9.5
3%
Circle Fly
10.0
3%
Return Home
10.0
3%
Obstacle Detection
N/S
3%
GLONASS
N/S
3%
Operating temperature range (C)
N/S
3%
Charging time (min)
7.4
2%
Trajectory flight
10.0
2%
Altitude hold
10.0
2%
Smartphone controlled
10.0
Hunting
9.4
X
What it is: The drone’s going to be used for hunting purposes. It must be extra-quiet and compact, as well as have a powerful, high-capacity battery. The case must be sturdy, operate at low temperatures, and withstand all weather elements.
Score components:
13%
Live View (FPV) Quality
N/S
12%
FOV (degrees)
N/S
11%
Control distance (meters)
8.5
10%
Flight time (min)
9.6
10%
Video Resolution + FPS
9.7
7%
GPS
10.0
5%
Camera adjustability (degrees)
9.1
5%
Max height (meters)
7.5
3%
Max wind speed resistance (m/s)
9.5
3%
Circle Fly
10.0
3%
Return Home
10.0
3%
Obstacle Detection
N/S
3%
GLONASS
N/S
3%
Operating temperature range (C)
N/S
3%
Charging time (min)
7.4
2%
Trajectory flight
10.0
2%
Altitude hold
10.0
2%
Smartphone controlled
10.0
Fun
N/A
X
What it is: Drones used for fun must feature a wide array of additional functionality – such as a 360° flip, Voice and Gesture control, RGB lights, and Protection Guards/Obstacle Detection.
Score components:
10%
Flight time (min)
9.6
10%
Charging time (min)
7.4
10%
Follow me
10.0
10%
Circle Fly
10.0
10%
360° flip
N/S
6%
Control distance (meters)
8.5
5%
Max speed (km/h)
N/S
5%
Obstacle Detection
N/S
5%
Trajectory flight
10.0
5%
Voice control
N/S
5%
Gesture control
10.0
5%
Headless mode
N/S
5%
Altitude hold
10.0
3%
Max height (meters)
7.5
3%
Protection Guards
5.0
3%
Return Home
10.0
What stands out?
5G transmission
GPS auto-return home feature
Hardshell protective case
Two intelligent batteries
High temperature operating range
What cons did we manage to find?
Small storage capacity (supports 128GB TF card max)
Long charging time (4.5 hours)
While not having the most incredible transmission range, this drone can produce high-quality images and smooth video transitions from far away. The Ruko F11 GIM2 drone comes with a 4K ultra-HD camera supported by a 2-axis gimbal for creating quality images and videos. The Electric Image Stabilization (EIS) technology improves gimbal stabilization by providing a double anti-shake that filters out image vibration caused by wind. Couple this feature with the level six wind resistance, and you can be sure of non-blurry high-quality images and videos for your vlog. You can capture these images as far as 3KM away at the height of up to 393ft.
We were impressed by the durability of this drone due to its high temperature and wind resistance and security features. The Ruko F11 GIM2 drone can operate in freezing and scorching temperatures (0 – 40 degrees Celcius). And with the level 6 wind resistance, you can use this drone to record videos during the winter and summer seasons. You can record 360 videos of objects with the Point Of Interest feature or use the Follow Me mode to record moving objects. These features make the Ruko F11 GIM2 drone the best fpv long-range drone for vlogging and professional photography. Compared to other drones on this list, like the Holy Stone HS710, the Ruko F11 GIM2 tops in transmission range, durability, and safety features.
What it is: For general purpose. The drone will be used on different occasions - mainly for taking photos and video recording. However, the model can also be used for geographic mapping, hunting and fishing or just for fun.
Score components:
34%
Video
9.0
27%
Photography
9.6
12%
Geographic mapping
9.2
8%
Fishing
9.1
6%
Hunting
9.1
5%
Spy / Surveillance
9.0
5%
Racing
9.2
3%
Fun
9.0
Video
8.7
X
What it is: The drone will be used for video recording: professional cinematography, blogging, or any other purpose. The product’s required to feature high-resolution camera, wide field of view, and large memory card capacity, among other specs.
Score components:
35%
Video Resolution + FPS
8.1
10%
Camera adjustability (degrees)
9.7
10%
Live View (FPV) Quality
8.8
8%
Max memory card capacity (GB)
9.7
7%
FOV (degrees)
8.1
5%
Camera Mount Type
10.0
5%
Max height (meters)
9.5
5%
Smartphone controlled
10.0
3%
Follow me
10.0
3%
Altitude hold
N/S
3%
Circle Fly
10.0
3%
360° flip
N/S
3%
VR glasses compatibility
10.0
Photography
9.6
X
What it is: The drone’s going to be used for taking photos – it’s expected to possess a high-resolution camera, Altitude Hold feature for stabilization, as well as other useful features in this case – such as Circle Fly or Gesture Control.
Score components:
45%
Photo Resolution (Mp)
9.9
15%
FOV (degrees)
8.1
10%
Camera adjustability (degrees)
9.7
10%
Max memory card capacity (GB)
9.7
10%
GPS
10.0
7%
Camera Mount Type
10.0
3%
Altitude hold
N/S
Spy / Surveillance
8.9
X
What it is: The drone is going to be used as a quiet surveillance device. We were targeting on those with great camera specifications (Live View quality in particular), impressive control distance, and additional handy features, such as GPS or Obstacle Detection.
Score components:
20%
Live View (FPV) Quality
8.8
15%
Video Resolution + FPS
8.1
10%
FOV (degrees)
8.1
9%
Camera adjustability (degrees)
9.7
8%
Flight time (min)
8.7
7%
Max memory card capacity (GB)
9.7
5%
Control distance (meters)
9.2
5%
GPS
10.0
3%
GLONASS
10.0
3%
Circle Fly
10.0
3%
Trajectory flight
10.0
3%
Return Home
10.0
2%
Protection Guards
N/S
2%
Obstacle Detection
10.0
2%
Altitude hold
N/S
2%
Smartphone controlled
10.0
1%
Galileo
5.0
Geographic mapping
9.0
X
What it is: The device will be used for mapping and surveying. Ideally, it’s a specifically designated device with weatherproof construction, great camera and suitable software. However, more simple models can be used for casual hiking, for instance.
Score components:
15%
Video Resolution + FPS
8.1
10%
Photo Resolution (Mp)
9.9
10%
Live View (FPV) Quality
8.8
10%
Flight time (min)
8.7
7%
Control distance (meters)
9.2
5%
FOV (degrees)
8.1
5%
Camera adjustability (degrees)
9.7
5%
Max height (meters)
9.5
5%
GPS
10.0
5%
Trajectory flight
10.0
4%
Obstacle Detection
10.0
3%
Circle Fly
10.0
3%
Altitude hold
N/S
3%
GLONASS
10.0
3%
Operating temperature range (C)
10.0
2%
Protection Guards
N/S
2%
Return Home
10.0
2%
Max wind speed resistance (m/s)
7.7
1%
Galileo
5.0
Racing
9.1
X
What it is: If you intend to use your drone for racing, it must be light, highly maneuverable, and fast, of course. These devices are also wind resistant and feature Protection Guards or Obstacle Detection function.
Score components:
30%
Max speed (km/h)
9.5
20%
Control distance (meters)
9.2
10%
Flight time (min)
8.7
10%
Max wind speed resistance (m/s)
7.7
5%
Max ascend speed (m/s)
8.6
5%
Max descend speed (m/s)
8.9
5%
Obstacle Detection
10.0
5%
Protection Guards
N/S
5%
Return Home
10.0
5%
Headless mode
10.0
Fishing
8.9
X
What it is: The product will be used for fishing. A high-quality camera with wide field of view is required in the first place. Also, the device must be ultra-quiet and feature an extra-long control distance.
Score components:
15%
Live View (FPV) Quality
8.8
11%
Control distance (meters)
9.2
10%
FOV (degrees)
8.1
10%
Flight time (min)
8.7
10%
Video Resolution + FPS
8.1
7%
GPS
10.0
5%
Camera adjustability (degrees)
9.7
5%
Max height (meters)
9.5
3%
Max wind speed resistance (m/s)
7.7
3%
Circle Fly
10.0
3%
Return Home
10.0
3%
Obstacle Detection
10.0
3%
GLONASS
10.0
3%
Operating temperature range (C)
10.0
3%
Charging time (min)
8.7
2%
Trajectory flight
10.0
2%
Altitude hold
N/S
2%
Smartphone controlled
10.0
Hunting
9.0
X
What it is: The drone’s going to be used for hunting purposes. It must be extra-quiet and compact, as well as have a powerful, high-capacity battery. The case must be sturdy, operate at low temperatures, and withstand all weather elements.
Score components:
13%
Live View (FPV) Quality
8.8
12%
FOV (degrees)
8.1
11%
Control distance (meters)
9.2
10%
Flight time (min)
8.7
10%
Video Resolution + FPS
8.1
7%
GPS
10.0
5%
Camera adjustability (degrees)
9.7
5%
Max height (meters)
9.5
3%
Max wind speed resistance (m/s)
7.7
3%
Circle Fly
10.0
3%
Return Home
10.0
3%
Obstacle Detection
10.0
3%
GLONASS
10.0
3%
Operating temperature range (C)
10.0
3%
Charging time (min)
8.7
2%
Trajectory flight
10.0
2%
Altitude hold
N/S
2%
Smartphone controlled
10.0
Fun
9.0
X
What it is: Drones used for fun must feature a wide array of additional functionality – such as a 360° flip, Voice and Gesture control, RGB lights, and Protection Guards/Obstacle Detection.
Score components:
10%
Flight time (min)
8.7
10%
Charging time (min)
8.7
10%
Follow me
10.0
10%
Circle Fly
10.0
10%
360° flip
N/S
6%
Control distance (meters)
9.2
5%
Max speed (km/h)
9.5
5%
Obstacle Detection
10.0
5%
Trajectory flight
10.0
5%
Voice control
5.0
5%
Gesture control
5.0
5%
Headless mode
10.0
5%
Altitude hold
N/S
3%
Max height (meters)
9.5
3%
Protection Guards
N/S
3%
Return Home
10.0
Why are we impressed?
Obstacle avoidance sensors
Tons of image and video capture modes
High flight speed (68kph in sports mode)
Dual-frequency
What negatives must you be aware of?
8K resolution is only available in free and waypoint mode
Only one battery
The DJI Mavic Air 2 takes the crown on this list for transmission range and camera specs. With a 10km transmission range and 4K camera, this drone is the best long-range drone with a camera. The drone allows you to enjoy 34 minutes of flight time while taking stable, high-quality images and videos using the 3-axis gimbal. The ½ inch CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor produces 4K/60 fps videos and 48mp photos, while the Ocusync2.0 allows auto-switching between 2.4 and 5.8 GHz. This frequency auto-switch reduces your drone’s chances of losing control because of a lost signal.
In our opinion, the DJI Mavic Air2 is the epitome of intelligent photography and video recording. Sure, the smart flight system, long flight time, large transmission range, and obstacle avoidance features are great, but the things this drone can do when filming are mind-blowing. You can set a waypoint for the drone and choose cinematically, panorama, or 8K hyperlapse to create creative stunning videos and images that don’t need editing. The camera comes equipped with scene recognition for sunsets, skies, grass, snow, and trees. You will find this drone in most long-range drone reviews. Unlike the Ruko F11 GIM2, the DJI Mavic Air2 has obstacle avoidance, and its app is compatible with most phones (Android V6.0, IOS V10.0, and above.)
What it is: For general purpose. The drone will be used on different occasions - mainly for taking photos and video recording. However, the model can also be used for geographic mapping, hunting and fishing or just for fun.
Why are we impressed?
4K Ultra-HD camera
Two batteries
Smart flight features
5G FPV transmission
What negatives must you be aware of?
Relatively short transmission range
No obstacle avoidance
Weighing about half a pound with a sleek, foldable design, the Holy Stone HS710 was built for thrill-seeking adventures and hikers. The Holy Stone HS710 delivers an exceptional flight experience and stunning image quality despite its relatively short transmission range. The Custom Flight feature allows you to set a path that the drone will follow the path while recording 4K HD images and videos. Or use the Follow Me mode to record your journey without holding the remote controller. Use the Follow Me and Point Of Interest feature to create a smooth transitioning video. This long-range drone utilizes three positioning systems (GPS, GLONASS, and Optical Flow) to provide stable hover indoors and outdoors.
We found the 5G first-person view (fpv) transmission impressive. 5G is undoubtedly better than 4G, but most people don’t know the hidden benefits of 5G transmission. A 5G transmission enables the drone to send and receive signals quickly, allowing you to avoid obstacles instantaneously. The instantaneous fast-acting commands in 5G drones significantly reduce the margin of error during flight. This feature comes in handy the most when you lose sight of your drone or fly in GPS-denied environments.
Compared to the DJI Mavic Air2, the Holy Stone HS710 comes with two batteries which provide 25 minutes of flight time each. These two batteries give 50 minutes of flight time, perfect for adventurers exploring the wildness far from the grid.
What it is: For general purpose. The drone will be used on different occasions - mainly for taking photos and video recording. However, the model can also be used for geographic mapping, hunting and fishing or just for fun.
Score components:
34%
Video
8.5
27%
Photography
7.9
12%
Geographic mapping
8.2
8%
Fishing
8.5
6%
Hunting
8.5
5%
Spy / Surveillance
8.6
5%
Racing
7.3
3%
Fun
8.8
Video
8.5
X
What it is: The drone will be used for video recording: professional cinematography, blogging, or any other purpose. The product’s required to feature high-resolution camera, wide field of view, and large memory card capacity, among other specs.
Score components:
35%
Video Resolution + FPS
7.9
10%
Camera adjustability (degrees)
9.3
10%
Live View (FPV) Quality
8.5
8%
Max memory card capacity (GB)
8.2
7%
FOV (degrees)
9.6
5%
Camera Mount Type
N/S
5%
Max height (meters)
N/S
5%
Smartphone controlled
10.0
3%
Follow me
N/S
3%
Altitude hold
10.0
3%
Circle Fly
N/S
3%
360° flip
N/S
3%
VR glasses compatibility
N/S
Photography
7.9
X
What it is: The drone’s going to be used for taking photos – it’s expected to possess a high-resolution camera, Altitude Hold feature for stabilization, as well as other useful features in this case – such as Circle Fly or Gesture Control.
Score components:
45%
Photo Resolution (Mp)
6.8
15%
FOV (degrees)
9.6
10%
Camera adjustability (degrees)
9.3
10%
Max memory card capacity (GB)
8.2
10%
GPS
N/S
7%
Camera Mount Type
N/S
3%
Altitude hold
10.0
Spy / Surveillance
8.5
X
What it is: The drone is going to be used as a quiet surveillance device. We were targeting on those with great camera specifications (Live View quality in particular), impressive control distance, and additional handy features, such as GPS or Obstacle Detection.
Score components:
20%
Live View (FPV) Quality
8.5
15%
Video Resolution + FPS
7.9
10%
FOV (degrees)
9.6
9%
Camera adjustability (degrees)
9.3
8%
Flight time (min)
9.0
7%
Max memory card capacity (GB)
8.2
5%
Control distance (meters)
6.4
5%
GPS
N/S
3%
GLONASS
N/S
3%
Circle Fly
N/S
3%
Trajectory flight
10.0
3%
Return Home
N/S
2%
Protection Guards
5.0
2%
Obstacle Detection
N/S
2%
Altitude hold
10.0
2%
Smartphone controlled
10.0
1%
Galileo
N/S
Geographic mapping
8.1
X
What it is: The device will be used for mapping and surveying. Ideally, it’s a specifically designated device with weatherproof construction, great camera and suitable software. However, more simple models can be used for casual hiking, for instance.
Score components:
15%
Video Resolution + FPS
7.9
10%
Photo Resolution (Mp)
6.8
10%
Live View (FPV) Quality
8.5
10%
Flight time (min)
9.0
7%
Control distance (meters)
6.4
5%
FOV (degrees)
9.6
5%
Camera adjustability (degrees)
9.3
5%
Max height (meters)
N/S
5%
GPS
N/S
5%
Trajectory flight
10.0
4%
Obstacle Detection
N/S
3%
Circle Fly
N/S
3%
Altitude hold
10.0
3%
GLONASS
N/S
3%
Operating temperature range (C)
N/S
2%
Protection Guards
5.0
2%
Return Home
N/S
2%
Max wind speed resistance (m/s)
N/S
1%
Galileo
N/S
Racing
N/A
X
What it is: If you intend to use your drone for racing, it must be light, highly maneuverable, and fast, of course. These devices are also wind resistant and feature Protection Guards or Obstacle Detection function.
Score components:
30%
Max speed (km/h)
N/S
20%
Control distance (meters)
6.4
10%
Flight time (min)
9.0
10%
Max wind speed resistance (m/s)
N/S
5%
Max ascend speed (m/s)
N/S
5%
Max descend speed (m/s)
N/S
5%
Obstacle Detection
N/S
5%
Protection Guards
5.0
5%
Return Home
N/S
5%
Headless mode
10.0
Fishing
8.5
X
What it is: The product will be used for fishing. A high-quality camera with wide field of view is required in the first place. Also, the device must be ultra-quiet and feature an extra-long control distance.
Score components:
15%
Live View (FPV) Quality
8.5
11%
Control distance (meters)
6.4
10%
FOV (degrees)
9.6
10%
Flight time (min)
9.0
10%
Video Resolution + FPS
7.9
7%
GPS
N/S
5%
Camera adjustability (degrees)
9.3
5%
Max height (meters)
N/S
3%
Max wind speed resistance (m/s)
N/S
3%
Circle Fly
N/S
3%
Return Home
N/S
3%
Obstacle Detection
N/S
3%
GLONASS
N/S
3%
Operating temperature range (C)
N/S
3%
Charging time (min)
7.8
2%
Trajectory flight
10.0
2%
Altitude hold
10.0
2%
Smartphone controlled
10.0
Hunting
8.5
X
What it is: The drone’s going to be used for hunting purposes. It must be extra-quiet and compact, as well as have a powerful, high-capacity battery. The case must be sturdy, operate at low temperatures, and withstand all weather elements.
Score components:
13%
Live View (FPV) Quality
8.5
12%
FOV (degrees)
9.6
11%
Control distance (meters)
6.4
10%
Flight time (min)
9.0
10%
Video Resolution + FPS
7.9
7%
GPS
N/S
5%
Camera adjustability (degrees)
9.3
5%
Max height (meters)
N/S
3%
Max wind speed resistance (m/s)
N/S
3%
Circle Fly
N/S
3%
Return Home
N/S
3%
Obstacle Detection
N/S
3%
GLONASS
N/S
3%
Operating temperature range (C)
N/S
3%
Charging time (min)
7.8
2%
Trajectory flight
10.0
2%
Altitude hold
10.0
2%
Smartphone controlled
10.0
Fun
N/A
X
What it is: Drones used for fun must feature a wide array of additional functionality – such as a 360° flip, Voice and Gesture control, RGB lights, and Protection Guards/Obstacle Detection.
Score components:
10%
Flight time (min)
9.0
10%
Charging time (min)
7.8
10%
Follow me
N/S
10%
Circle Fly
N/S
10%
360° flip
N/S
6%
Control distance (meters)
6.4
5%
Max speed (km/h)
N/S
5%
Obstacle Detection
N/S
5%
Trajectory flight
10.0
5%
Voice control
10.0
5%
Gesture control
10.0
5%
Headless mode
10.0
5%
Altitude hold
10.0
3%
Max height (meters)
N/S
3%
Protection Guards
5.0
3%
Return Home
N/S
Why is it special?
Voice and gesture control feature
Gravity sensors
Two batteries
90 degrees adjustable lens
Ultralight
What are the flaws?
Relatively short transmission range
1080p resolution
The Holy Stone HS440 is the best long-range drone under 200 grams on this list. Where it lacks in higher resolution camera, the drone makes up tons of fun and creative features. Firstly, this drone only weighs 166 grams and has a sleek, foldable design which makes it super portable. This drone supports FPV transmission up to 328ft (120 meters), allowing you to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the landscape. And even though the camera is not the best on this list, it comes with a 90 degrees adjustable lens that provides the freedom of capturing images from different angles. Couple the adjustable lens camera with the Tap Fly feature, and you can capture amazing photos and videos along a pre-set path.
We were impressed by this drone’s gravity sensor and gesture control features. These two features make the drone’s flight experience truly fun, solidifying the title of the best long-range drone, less than 200 grams. The gravity sensor mode allows the drone to automatically follow how you move your phone. On the other hand, the gesture control feature allows the drone to detect different hand gestures and act accordingly automatically. You can use these two features to take pictures and record videos in different styles without having to stop and select modes on the remote controller. Unlike the DJI Mavic Air2, the Holy Stone HS440 is designed for kids 14 years and older rather than professional photographers and vloggers.
What it is: For general purpose. The drone will be used on different occasions - mainly for taking photos and video recording. However, the model can also be used for geographic mapping, hunting and fishing or just for fun.
Why is it special?
Long flight time
Real-time image and video sharing on social
Beginner mode
Auto return home on low power and signal loss
What are the flaws?
Long battery charging time
Low storage TF card (128GB max)
The Bwine 4K GPS drone has the best flight time, transmission range, and flight distance combo in this list, making it the best fpv long-range drone. Its safety features, level 6 wind resistance, 2km high altitude, and 4k camera clearly show this drone was built with professional photography and videography in mind. The 4K camera comes with 90 degrees adjustable lens, 120 degrees field of view (FOV), a 3-axis gimbal, and 5× zoom capability. This camera features allow you to produce smooth, high-quality images and videos from different angles from 2.9km away and as high as 2km altitude. Additional shooting modes include fly-around, GPS follow, and route planning mode.
In our opinion, the advanced Bwine app and the beginner mode make the Bwine 4K GPS drone the best long-range fpv drone. You don’t need to get separate software to edit and beautify your photos and videos; use the Bwine app. Apart from filters, the Bwine app also allows you to add background music videos, images, and photo slideshows. The beginner mode makes flying easy for first-time drone pilots by offering a quick guide and setting beginner-friendly flight altitude, speed, and distance. Like the DJI Mavic Air2, this drone supports 2.4 and 5.8Ghz frequencies. But unlike the Mavic, the Bwine 4K GPS drone has a much longer flight time.
What it is: For general purpose. The drone will be used on different occasions - mainly for taking photos and video recording. However, the model can also be used for geographic mapping, hunting and fishing or just for fun.
Score components:
34%
Video
7.8
27%
Photography
9.0
12%
Geographic mapping
7.6
8%
Fishing
7.7
6%
Hunting
7.7
5%
Spy / Surveillance
8.0
5%
Racing
7.1
3%
Fun
7.8
Video
8.0
X
What it is: The drone will be used for video recording: professional cinematography, blogging, or any other purpose. The product’s required to feature high-resolution camera, wide field of view, and large memory card capacity, among other specs.
Score components:
35%
Video Resolution + FPS
7.1
10%
Camera adjustability (degrees)
N/S
10%
Live View (FPV) Quality
9.3
8%
Max memory card capacity (GB)
8.2
7%
FOV (degrees)
9.3
5%
Camera Mount Type
N/S
5%
Max height (meters)
7.1
5%
Smartphone controlled
10.0
3%
Follow me
5.0
3%
Altitude hold
10.0
3%
Circle Fly
5.0
3%
360° flip
10.0
3%
VR glasses compatibility
5.0
Photography
9.0
X
What it is: The drone’s going to be used for taking photos – it’s expected to possess a high-resolution camera, Altitude Hold feature for stabilization, as well as other useful features in this case – such as Circle Fly or Gesture Control.
Score components:
45%
Photo Resolution (Mp)
N/S
15%
FOV (degrees)
9.3
10%
Camera adjustability (degrees)
N/S
10%
Max memory card capacity (GB)
8.2
10%
GPS
N/S
7%
Camera Mount Type
N/S
3%
Altitude hold
10.0
Spy / Surveillance
8.0
X
What it is: The drone is going to be used as a quiet surveillance device. We were targeting on those with great camera specifications (Live View quality in particular), impressive control distance, and additional handy features, such as GPS or Obstacle Detection.
Score components:
20%
Live View (FPV) Quality
9.3
15%
Video Resolution + FPS
7.1
10%
FOV (degrees)
9.3
9%
Camera adjustability (degrees)
N/S
8%
Flight time (min)
7.4
7%
Max memory card capacity (GB)
8.2
5%
Control distance (meters)
6.6
5%
GPS
N/S
3%
GLONASS
5.0
3%
Circle Fly
5.0
3%
Trajectory flight
10.0
3%
Return Home
5.0
2%
Protection Guards
10.0
2%
Obstacle Detection
5.0
2%
Altitude hold
10.0
2%
Smartphone controlled
10.0
1%
Galileo
5.0
Geographic mapping
7.7
X
What it is: The device will be used for mapping and surveying. Ideally, it’s a specifically designated device with weatherproof construction, great camera and suitable software. However, more simple models can be used for casual hiking, for instance.
Score components:
15%
Video Resolution + FPS
7.1
10%
Photo Resolution (Mp)
N/S
10%
Live View (FPV) Quality
9.3
10%
Flight time (min)
7.4
7%
Control distance (meters)
6.6
5%
FOV (degrees)
9.3
5%
Camera adjustability (degrees)
N/S
5%
Max height (meters)
7.1
5%
GPS
N/S
5%
Trajectory flight
10.0
4%
Obstacle Detection
5.0
3%
Circle Fly
5.0
3%
Altitude hold
10.0
3%
GLONASS
5.0
3%
Operating temperature range (C)
8.0
2%
Protection Guards
10.0
2%
Return Home
5.0
2%
Max wind speed resistance (m/s)
N/S
1%
Galileo
5.0
Racing
N/A
X
What it is: If you intend to use your drone for racing, it must be light, highly maneuverable, and fast, of course. These devices are also wind resistant and feature Protection Guards or Obstacle Detection function.
Score components:
30%
Max speed (km/h)
N/S
20%
Control distance (meters)
6.6
10%
Flight time (min)
7.4
10%
Max wind speed resistance (m/s)
N/S
5%
Max ascend speed (m/s)
N/S
5%
Max descend speed (m/s)
N/S
5%
Obstacle Detection
5.0
5%
Protection Guards
10.0
5%
Return Home
5.0
5%
Headless mode
10.0
Fishing
7.7
X
What it is: The product will be used for fishing. A high-quality camera with wide field of view is required in the first place. Also, the device must be ultra-quiet and feature an extra-long control distance.
Score components:
15%
Live View (FPV) Quality
9.3
11%
Control distance (meters)
6.6
10%
FOV (degrees)
9.3
10%
Flight time (min)
7.4
10%
Video Resolution + FPS
7.1
7%
GPS
N/S
5%
Camera adjustability (degrees)
N/S
5%
Max height (meters)
7.1
3%
Max wind speed resistance (m/s)
N/S
3%
Circle Fly
5.0
3%
Return Home
5.0
3%
Obstacle Detection
5.0
3%
GLONASS
5.0
3%
Operating temperature range (C)
8.0
3%
Charging time (min)
8.3
2%
Trajectory flight
10.0
2%
Altitude hold
10.0
2%
Smartphone controlled
10.0
Hunting
7.7
X
What it is: The drone’s going to be used for hunting purposes. It must be extra-quiet and compact, as well as have a powerful, high-capacity battery. The case must be sturdy, operate at low temperatures, and withstand all weather elements.
Score components:
13%
Live View (FPV) Quality
9.3
12%
FOV (degrees)
9.3
11%
Control distance (meters)
6.6
10%
Flight time (min)
7.4
10%
Video Resolution + FPS
7.1
7%
GPS
N/S
5%
Camera adjustability (degrees)
N/S
5%
Max height (meters)
7.1
3%
Max wind speed resistance (m/s)
N/S
3%
Circle Fly
5.0
3%
Return Home
5.0
3%
Obstacle Detection
5.0
3%
GLONASS
5.0
3%
Operating temperature range (C)
8.0
3%
Charging time (min)
8.3
2%
Trajectory flight
10.0
2%
Altitude hold
10.0
2%
Smartphone controlled
10.0
Fun
N/A
X
What it is: Drones used for fun must feature a wide array of additional functionality – such as a 360° flip, Voice and Gesture control, RGB lights, and Protection Guards/Obstacle Detection.
Score components:
10%
Flight time (min)
7.4
10%
Charging time (min)
8.3
10%
Follow me
5.0
10%
Circle Fly
5.0
10%
360° flip
10.0
6%
Control distance (meters)
6.6
5%
Max speed (km/h)
N/S
5%
Obstacle Detection
5.0
5%
Trajectory flight
10.0
5%
Voice control
10.0
5%
Gesture control
10.0
5%
Headless mode
10.0
5%
Altitude hold
10.0
3%
Max height (meters)
7.1
3%
Protection Guards
10.0
3%
Return Home
5.0
Why is it special?
Gravity control
Gesture and voice control
Propeller guards
Two batteries (10 minutes flight time each)
Short charging time
3D flips
What are the flaws?
Short transmission range and flight distance
Low camera specs
Don’t let the limited camera specs fool you; the Holy Stone HS110D drone is packed with fun features that create smooth quality images and videos. Its 145 grams weight makes it one of the best long-range drone under 200 grams. The 1080P HD camera has 120 degrees wide-angle and captures sharp photos in more expansive areas and cramped spaces. Combine the wide-angle lens with the built-in propeller guards, and you have the perfect drone for shooting indoors. The altitude hold and gesture control mode allow you to take your hands off the remote controller, make gestures with your hands, and transition between shooting videos and capturing images.
We were impressed by the simplicity of the gesture control mode on this drone. The paper hand gesture tells the drone to record videos, while the scissors gesture tells it to capture images. Remember to turn off gesture control when recording a game of rock, paper, scissors, or you’ll have to sort through pictures and videos that don’t make sense.
The Holy Stone HS110D might not have the best transmission range, camera, or flight distance, but it holds the title when it comes to fun. This drone is capable of 3D flips and gravity control, things that even the Bwine 4K GPS drone can’t do with all its high-end features.
Long-range drones may be a subjective category for some people, but there are agreed-upon essential features that allow these drones to operate at such long distances. The best fpv long range drone needs adequate battery power, a wide frequency range, and safety features in case of signal loss. You will find that most long-range drone reviews consider these factors a must-have if a drone is to be called a long range drone.
How Can You Use a Long-Range Drone?
Unlike short-range drones, using a long-range drone is simple because it provides a large area to maneuver. Additionally, the best fpv long range drone offers better signal strength, so you don’t stress about range.
Before flying your long-range drone, you must perform compass calibration first. The calibration is straightforward; most drones provide quick tutorials for performing the calibration. Flying a drone in the USA requires you to register the drone with the FAA if it weighs more than 250 grams (most long-range drones exceed this weight requirement). Currently, there are 855,860 registered drones.
Important Features
A long range drone requires essential features like a wide transmission range, long flight time, powerful batteries, and HD cameras to provide flyers with an ideal flight experience. The drone also requires safety features like an auto-return home feature, wind resistance, and obstacle avoidance to prevent the drone from falling from high altitudes.
Flight distance
The flight distance is the maximum distance a drone can fly away from its remote controller while maintaining an operable signal. The best long-range fpv drone with the longest flight distance on our list is the DJI Mavic Air 2. The flight distance on your drone will depend on its category, whether it is a toy drone, mid-level, or high-end consumer drone.
Toy drones have the shortest flight distance of 40 to 100 meters. Mid-level and high-end long-range consumer drones can fly a maximum of 400 meters to 3km and 3km to 12km, respectively.
Although a long flight distance is desirable, it limits the line of sight of your drone. An out-of-sight drone is a dangerous thing. Firstly, you can’t tell if your long-range drone is correctly following the commands; if you command it to go right, it’s going left. Secondly, you can’t tell if your drone is about to fall or not. Sure, you can use the first-person view, but FPV only shows you what the drone sees, not the drone itself. Also, FPV is usually the first to cave in when the transmission signal becomes weak. You have to physically see your drone to tell if it is about to crash into something. The FAA guidelines require you always have a physical visual of your drone during flight. Overall, the flight distance depends on the transmission range of the drone.
Transmission range
Like your smartphone, drones rely on radio frequencies to send and receive a transmission.
Like the Bwine 4K GPS Drone, most drones use 2.4 and 5.8GHz frequencies. However, toy drones and other drones that don’t send video transmission use 900MHz radiofrequency. Hertz (Hz) is the unit of measure used to calculate radio frequencies on the electromagnetic spectrum. These frequencies range from 20KHz (Kilohertz) to 300GHz (Gigahertz). Both high and low radio frequencies have their limitations, mainly in data transmission rate and range. Generally, higher frequencies allow a fast data transmission rate but have less range, while lower frequencies offer slow data transmission but have a wide range.
900MHz – Offers the widest transmission range, but data transfer is slow.
3GHz – offers a wide range of 40+ miles, but the video quality is poor because of low data rates.
4GHz – offers a range of 15+ miles with good enough video quality. However, this frequency cannot be simultaneously used for video transmission and control signal as this will cause interference.
8GHz – a popular frequency for video transmission. It offers a fast data transfer rate but has a low range of 5+ miles.
The best long-range drone with a camera can automatically switch between 2.4 and 5.8Ghz depending on the environment.
Flight time
A drone’s flight time is dependent on its weight and battery. The more powerful the battery and the more lightweight a drone is, the longer it will stay in the air. A long range drone requires a long flight time to capture images at great distances. You will also find that the best long range drones are under 500 grams. The Bwine 4K GPS Drone has the longest flight time on our list due to its three 11.1V 2600mAh batteries. But the DJI Mavic Air 2 takes the crown when it comes to the longest flight time on a single battery on our list. Alternatively, you can opt for gas-powered drones, which have flight time measured in hours rather than minutes.
New technological advancements are breaking boundaries in consumer drone flight time with 1+ hour of flight time.
However, there is still a great need for higher flight time, especially from professional drone photographers. There seems to be a gap between camera advancements and consumer drone flight time technological advancements. Recently, Skyfront made an unofficial world record of 13 hours 4 minutes flight time at a flight distance of 205 miles. The company achieved this impressive flight time using gas and electric power to propel the drone.
Camera
For professional drone photographers and videographers, a high-quality camera is a must-have on a drone.
Without a quality camera, a long-range drone cannot capture high-resolution images and videos at long distances. At best, you will get poor-quality pictures if you don’t get blurry photos with no discernable features. The ideal camera for the best FPV long-range drone should have a 4K HD resolution, adjustable wide lens degree, gimbal, 24 fps or higher, large CMOS or CCD sensor, and a long focal length. The DJI Mavic Air2 drone has the best camera specs on our review list. A gimbal is an essential apparatus for drone cameras. You might have a high-end drone with perfect resolution and tons of cool photography modes, but if it’s all in vain without a gimbal. The gimbal allows the camera to stay at an angle regardless of the drone’s motion. The best long range drone with a camera has to have a gimbal.
Photo resolution
High photo resolution is essential in drones for capturing high-quality images, especially in scientific aerial geo-mapping. Resolution refers to the number of details you can see on a photograph, and it is determined by the number of megapixels on the camera. One megapixel contains one million pixels (short for Picture Element). The more megapixels a camera has, the higher its resolution and, consequently, the more storage space it will require. The DJI Mavic Air 2 drone has the best photo resolution on our list, with 48 megapixels. If you are looking for the best long range fpv drone with a camera, then consider one that has 24 megapixels or more.
Unfortunately, most people think high megapixels are all you need for high photo resolutions, but this is far from the case. Megapixels only partially contribute to the photo resolution. Other factors that significantly contribute to high resolutions include photosite area, focal length, image processor, size and quality of camera lens, and size of the sensor.
Video
Video quality, especially in FPV drones, is dependent on the video signal transmitted through the remote controller. A long-range drone with 2.4 and 5.8GHz transmission frequencies is able to display videos in high resolution with high frames per second. FPS or frame rate refers to the long sequence of different images (frames) a camera can record per second. The DJI Mavic Air 2 has 60fps, meaning it records 60 frames in one second. Frame rates range from 15 to 240 fps. Most consumer drones have 15 to 60 fps. Fifteen fps is enough to record videos of landscapes that don’t have too much movement, while 60 fps is perfect for recording fast-paced action footage.
The best long range fpv drone needs to have at least 24 fps.
Video resolution, on the other hand, refers to the number of pixels displayed on each dimension. This is 4K, 1080p, 720p, etc. come in. The dimensions are quoted as ‘width × height’; for example, in 1080p (1920×1080), 1920 indicates the width while 1080 indicates the height. Generally, 640p and lower resolutions are Standard Definitions (SD), while 720p and higher resolutions are High Definition (HD). Both video resolution and frame rate contribute to the video quality.
Size and weight
Both size and weight affect a long-range drone’s flight time and distance. The more lightweight a drone is, the easier it is to take off and the longer it can stay in the air. Heavy drones need to generate more lift to take off and fly. As a result, propeller spin will increase, which increases the amount of power drained from the batteries. The Holy Stone HS710 weighs 2.57 pounds and has a flight time of 25 minutes. Undoubtedly, the HS710 drone would have a longer flight time if it shed some weight.
You would think that the best long range drone under 200 grams would always have a higher flight time than a one-kilogram drone, but this isn’t always the case. You see, when it comes to drone size and weight, it all boils down to the battery. A larger drone can house a larger battery which has more power than a small battery. The battery is responsible for most of the drone’s weight in most cases.
The best way to understand if a drone is a long range or not is to look at the transmission range, flight time, and flight distance. Usually, long-range drones have a transmission range of 200m to 12km. The flight time and distance are usually 20 – 50 minutes and 200m to 15km, respectively.
The safest way to fly a drone is to have it at least 30m away from people and keep it within the visual line of sight. You should also not fly it over or above people or in highly populated areas. Check your state or country’s laws regarding drone flight.
You should keep your drone at or below 400 feet and avoid flying near other aircraft and over restricted airspaces like airports. Generally, the best way to take care of your drone while flying is to keep it in your line of sight. You can detect any problems with your drone if it is insight.
Our Verdict
Long-range drones offer many features to professional photographers and videographers, adventuring vloggers, and drone enthusiasts in general. There is just something about flying a drone high and far and looking at the world from a bird’s eye view. And apart from recreational use, long-range drones offer countless possibilities in the commercial sector. We are already seeing long-range drones being used to deliver products. And with rapid technological advancements in transmission range, who knows what the future holds.
Hopefully, our review has helped you figure out the best long-range drone for you. For the Editor’s Choice, we settled for the Ruko F11 GIM2 drone, which has the best complimentary photography features to its long transmission range. The Premium Pick, DJI Mavic Air 2, offers the best transmission range, flight distance, and flight time on our review list. And the Best Value pick, Holy Stone HS 710, offers tons of cool features at an affordable price, meaning you get the best bang for your buck.
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References
1.
Drone Regulations: What You Need to Know | PCMag
If you plan on making money with your unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), you'll need to take a more rigorous exam and receive Part 107(Opens in a new window) certification. Once you're certified, you'll be able to use your drone to capture photos and video to sell as stock imagery, work on film productions, grab aerial imagery at weddings or for real estate, and the like—pardon the pun, but the sky's the limit.
Data link uses a radio-frequency (RF) transmission to transmit and receive information to and from the UAV. These transmissions can include location, remaining flight time, distance and location to target, distance to the pilot, location of the pilot, payload information, airspeed, altitude, and many other parameters. This data link can also transmit live video from the UAV back to the GCS so the pilot and ground crew can observe what the UAV camera is seeing.
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