Drones have a limit to how far they can go due to a range limit to how far the signal can travel from the controller to the drone. But, what happens when a drone goes out of range? Here’s what I discovered.
When most hobby drones go out of range such as the DJI series, the video transmission cuts off, resulting in the video feed on your phone going blank. The drone is programmed to automatically return home (RTH) to the position you launched it. Once the drone gets back into range, video transmission will return and you’ll be able to cancel the RTH and resume control.
Keep reading to find out which consumer drones have the furthest ranges, as well as some other interesting facts and features!
Drones have a limited range that they can fly away from the controller. When they fly too far away from the controller, the signal is lost. However, not all drones are the same. If you have an older drone or a cheaper one, the drone will probably just drop out of the sky.
This is because these drones have less technology for safeguards as they are either made at a time when the tech was not implemented in drones or because it isn’t worth putting this type of tech in a $100 drone.
The newer and more expensive drones, however, won’t just simply drop out of the sky after losing the signal. These drones, like the DJI drones, have return-to-home technology that allows them to store where they took off from in their memory.
If it happens that you lose control of the drone because of flying too far away from the controller and losing signal, this tech kicks in and the drone will use this memory and GPS to return to the spot it took off from!
Pretty cool, right?
The drone does this by retracing its flight path back to where it took off from, until it either lands, or it reconnects to your controller.
If you want to prevent this from happening, the best option you have is to buy a drone with a broader range, so you don’t lose signal quickly. I took the liberty of compiling a list of the best consumer drones with long ranges so you can fly further!
| Drone Name: | Range: | Flight Time: | Camera Quality: | Price: | Purchase Link: | |
| 01. | Mavic 2 Pro/Zoom | 11 miles | 31 min | 4K | $1,349 | VIEW |
| 02. | Inspire 2 | 4.3 miles | 27 min | 5.2K | $3,299 | VIEW |
| 03. | Mavic Pro | 4.3 miles | 27 min | 4K | $995 | VIEW |
| 04. | Autel Evo | 4.3 miles | 30 min | 4K | $999 | VIEW |
| 05. | Phantom 4 Pro V2 | 4.3 miles | 30 min | 4K | $1,250 | VIEW |
| 06. | Matrice 600 | 3.1 miles | 36 min | 4K | $5,699 | VIEW |
The DJI Mavic 2 Pro and Zoom are two amazing drones and are the peak of consumer drone photography. They are able to capture colorful and crisp 4K videos, and they really set themselves apart from other drones. They both boast a unique camera designed in partnership with Hasselblad cameras.
The Zoom has a unique optical zoom lens and is loaded with tons of features, including obstacle avoidance, and it is the perfect choice for someone who is an enthusiast and wants to take their photography to new heights!
Camera: The Mavic 2 Pro and Zoom take amazing, smooth, and sharp 4K videos, With the Zoom having an added 2X optical zoom lens.
Flight Time: It has an improved 31 minute maximum flight time. Most drones in its price range have a maximum flight time of around 25 minutes.
Price: It comes at a cost price of $1,599, and that might be a little pricey for people, but will definitely fulfill all your needs for photography that you expect from a drone and more.
Range: Both these drones have a staggering 11-mile range which is honestly hard to even imagine!
This makes it very unlikely that you will lose control of the drone due to it going out of range.
When it was released, the Inspire 1 had a jaw-dropping design that keeps the propellers out of the shot but still allowing for a big, stable frame. The Inspire 2 keeps that same design and quality of its predecessor. It also improves on the battery, allowing for increased flight time.
Camera: The Inspire 2 can attach all the cameras from the Zenmuse line of cameras, so it is up to you to choose which camera will best suit you.
Flight Time: Depending on the type of camera you choose to attach to the Inspire 2, it will have an ample flight time of 27 minutes, which is great for professionals in the industry who are looking to capture amazing footage.
Price: The drone comes at an eye-watering $3,299, but if you are looking to really take your photography to another level, then this is a drone you should take a look at!
Range: The range of the Inspire 2 is 4.3 miles, which is a lot more than most drones, and that ensures that you stay connected to the controller, even at a distance.
The DJI Mavic Pro is an amazing drone that is easy to fly and a great drone if you aren’t too experienced at flying drones.
The drone is the basis and foundation that the Mavic 2 Pro and Zoom were built on. Even though it is the older version of those two drones, it is still a heavy hitter on the market and continues to be tough competition for most drones.
I recommend this drone to anyone who is new to droning and wants a drone that does more than just take selfies.
Camera: The Mavic Pro takes a fantastic, stunning 4K video, making it great for taking beautiful B-roll shots.
Flight Time: The drone has a flight time of 21 minutes, which allows you to spend quite some time in the air.
Range: The Pro has a maximum range of 4.3 miles which is quite the distance. This range certainly sets the Pro apart from other drones!
The Autel Evo might not be as well known as the other drones on this list, and this is mainly because the other drones on the list are designed by DJI.
But, the Autel Evo has definitely made a mark in the droning community! It has a great collision sensing system and many professionals are starting to prefer working with the EVO thanks to the inclusion of an OLED screen for FPV in the standard remote.
Camera: It has a 4K camera and produces excellent video from its 1/2.3 inch sensor.
Flight Time: The Evo has a 30 minute flight time which gives you plenty of time to enjoy the drone!
Price: It has a price tag of $999 which is not cheap, but still a great price for this drone.
Range: Being a close competitor for the Mavic Pro, the drone also has a range of 4.3 miles.
The Phantom series of drones has been a revolutionary product in the droning community! The Phantom series of drones was originally discontinued but due to its popularity and demand in the community, DJI had no choice but to put the Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 back in production.
Camera: On the Phantom 4 you can take a great 4K video and has an OcuSync radio system that makes 1080p video possible on the monitors from a great distance.
Flight Time: The DJI Phantom 4 gives you 30 minutes of flight time to explore and shoot fantastic drone footage.
Price: You can still purchase it for $1,599, which might seem like a lot, but it is worth it for the quality of this quadcopter!
Range: The Phantom 4 Pro V2 certainly will not lose signal easily because it has a 4.3-mile range, giving you plenty of room to explore.
The DJI Matrice 600 was made by DJI to adapt to most situations, with exchangeable cameras and dual battery system.
Flight Time: The Matrice has a remarkable flight time of 38 minutes, which makes for great exploration with this drone. This flight time is possible because of its dual battery system, which allows it to double its flight time.
Camera: The Matrice drones are able to be paired with a lot of different cameras from the Zenmuse camera range offered by DJI.
These cameras include:
All these cameras are amazing and offer exactly what anyone in the industry might be looking for in a camera on a drone.
Range: The M600 has a total range of 3.1 miles.
This is great news, as you wouldn’t want to disconnect from this drone with this type of equipment attached to it!
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